Chapter 90

In fact, Zhang Tianyuan could not completely determine the authenticity of the Zhu Sansong bamboo pen holder by eyesight alone. After all, such things truly test one's experience and appreciation skills, and even require a certain artistic sense. If you can't understand the subtlety of the composition or the inner charm, it's all for nothing.

He was a bit hesitant.

At this moment, Yang Yijun said, "This item should be a museum piece, a national treasure. I dare to ask such a high price because it's worth that much. Everyone, please take a good look. This time, Old Tu, you can also examine it carefully. Even if you don't buy it, I hope you can give a fair judgment."

Tu Shou knew that Yang Yijun was trying to use his prestige to boost the value of the pen holder. However, after examining and appreciating it for a long time, whether from the composition, coloring, or the quality of the bamboo, this was indeed a rare treasure. He couldn't find any reason to belittle it.

He hated Yang Yijun, but he was always loyal to treasures. He couldn't bring himself to say that a good thing was bad.

Although he hated being used by Yang Yijun, he gritted his teeth and said, "This is indeed a rare treasure. I am willing to offer 3.1 million!"

"Good, Old Tu indeed has a keen eye, I admire you!" This was another reason why Yang Yijun didn't kick Tu Shou out of the auction. A knife is dangerous, but sometimes it can be very useful.

"I'll offer 3.2 million!" The voice came from the Korean man. He hadn't gotten any treasures today, and now seeing that the respected old gentleman was bidding, he knew this item was genuine, so he bid without hesitation.

He was smart. Although he didn't understand much, as long as he followed those who did, there would be no problem.

"3.3 million!"

This time, it was the old woman with the dragon-headed cane who bid. She had just bought the purple sandalwood dragon-headed cane at a high price and was now bidding on the bamboo pen holder, showing that she was quite wealthy.

"3.4 million!" Tu Shou bid again, clearly determined to get it.

"3... 3... 3.6 million!" The Korean man was a bit hesitant, probably because he didn't have enough money. Although he was a celebrity, he was relatively poor compared to many people here. Spending so much on a pen holder would make him hesitate.

But while he hesitated, someone else didn't.

Mother Yi, who had been silent, slapped the armrest of his chair and shouted, "I'll offer 4 million! No one better try to outbid me, I have plenty of money!"

His meaning was clear: if you really want to compete with me, I'll see it through to the end! I'm not afraid of a money battle!

Tu Shou frowned, opened his mouth, gritted his teeth, and finally shook his head and sat down. Indeed, in terms of wealth, he was no match for Mother Yi. It was a shame, but what could he do?

The old woman also seemed unwilling to bid higher, perhaps thinking it wasn't worth it. Despite some regret, at this point, those with discerning eyes wouldn't rashly raise the price. They thought only someone like Mother Yi, who didn't care about the value, would bid so recklessly. Even if it was worth 5 million, he would bid 10 million.

They were the kind of people who were poor but had plenty of money.

But they didn't know that Mother Yi had another identity. He might seem like a fool, but he wasn't stupid. This item would fetch at least 7 to 8 million RMB at an international auction, so he wouldn't lose money.

Of course, if the price went higher, he wouldn't buy it. He was very practical.

Mother Yi put on a carefree act, grinning like a fool, looking very pleased with himself.

Yang Yijun, however, was cursing in his heart: "You bastard, you scared everyone off. Otherwise, the price would have gone even higher."

He was heartbroken but had to accept the result of Mother Yi disrupting the auction. He planned to end the auction at 4 million.

But just then, a slightly stiff voice rang out, it was the Japanese man.

"I'll offer 4.5 million!" The Japanese man adjusted his glasses, looking very calm, showing no fear of Mother Yi.

Mother Yi's smile suddenly froze. He looked at the Japanese man, then shook his head and sat down.

It was clear that Mother Yi and the Japanese man knew each other, and he might even know the man's true background. Perhaps he understood the man's financial strength, which was why he didn't want to bid any higher. He knew he couldn't outbid the Japanese man.

"Oh! What's your name, sir?"

"Kisaragi Fumikou!"

"What the hell? Mad dog? What a grand name, hahaha." Xu Gang couldn't help but laugh loudly. He was a straightforward person and didn't like the Japanese, so he couldn't resist mocking and ridiculing him.

The others also laughed, as the name was indeed amusing.

But Zhang Tianyuan didn't laugh. He stroked his light beard, patted Zhao Liangde's shoulder, and said, "Liangde, if I run out of money, can you lend me some?"

"Lending money is no problem. Not to mention lending, my father's life was saved by you, so I'd give it to you for free," Zhao Liangde said straightforwardly. "But what do you plan to do, Zhang Brother? Do you really want to compete with the Japanese man?"

Zhang Tianyuan did have that intention, but his ultimate goal was the relic. Bidding on the bamboo pen holder was just a side matter.

"Just lend me the money, don't ask questions. I have my reasons," Zhang Tianyuan smiled. He was planning to cause some trouble.

If he competed with the Japanese man, the price might reach 10 million. Even if he won, it wouldn't be worth it, and it would benefit Yang Yijun, as the owner of the bamboo pen holder was Yang Yijun himself.

Zhang Tianyuan disliked both the Japanese and Yang Yijun. He wasn't a righteous person like Tu Shou and was willing to call a treasure a fake to get it at a lower price.

He asked Zhao Liangde for money just in case.

While everyone was mocking Kisaragi Fumikou's name, Zhang Tianyuan stood up and said with a smile, "We shouldn't bully international friends, it's not in line with our great nation's demeanor."

"Traitor!"

"National traitor!"

"Just licking the Japanese's ass!"

The insults were harsh, but there were such angry youths. Xu Gang was a typical example. If he didn't know Zhang Tianyuan's cunning, he might have looked down on him and even cut ties.

Of course, there were also those who supported Zhang Tianyuan, saying that it wasn't wartime, and there was no need to be so harsh on an antique dealer.

But Zhang Tianyuan's next words left everyone speechless, as they suddenly realized that his "bullying" referred to something else.

Yang Yijun didn't understand at first and said with a smile, "Right, right, all are guests, don't be impolite, let outsiders say we are barbaric and ignorant."

"Mr. Yang, you're right, but why are you deceiving an international friend with a fake?" Zhang Tianyuan suddenly asked.

His words shocked everyone, even Tu Shou stood up in surprise.

"Kid, don't talk nonsense. Talking nonsense here can get you killed," Tu Shou warned Zhang Tianyuan.

At that moment, Zhang Tianyuan could feel the atmosphere in the auction hall suddenly become very tense. Yang Yijun's face darkened, and everyone looked at Zhang Tianyuan as if he were a fool.

Xu Gang swallowed hard, silently praying for Zhang Tianyuan and stood up to protect him. On the other side, She Lin also stood up, ready to stand by Zhang Tianyuan.

"You're playing a big game, don't pretend to know what you don't. That bamboo pen holder is definitely real, no one can imitate it so well," Mother Yi laughed, seemingly eager to see Zhang Tianyuan's embarrassment.

Yang Yijun also said coldly, "Mr. Zhang, you must be responsible for your words. If you're just joking, I can pretend this never happened. Otherwise, I'm not someone to be trifled with, don't blame me for being unfriendly."

This was a direct threat.

Zhang Tianyuan was actually a bit nervous, but after the life-and-death test in Shenlu Valley, he remained very calm.

He said calmly, "I'm not talking nonsense. Boss Mu said no one can imitate it? Hmph, as far as I know, there is someone here who can imitate it perfectly."

"Bullshit, how come I don't know such a skilled person?" Mother Yi said disdainfully.

Yang Yijun also said, "Even if we could find a Ming Dynasty pen holder, we couldn't find someone who could perfectly imitate Zhu Sansong's carving skills. It's more difficult than imitating calligraphy, and the slightest mistake would ruin it."

"Don't believe me? Then I'll bring this person out and have him carve one for us to see," Zhang Tianyuan said with a cold smile.

"Fine, if you can find this person and he can carve an identical one, and it's recognized by Old Tu, I'll not only give you this item for free, but also a relic. How about that?" Yang Yijun said viciously, thinking it was impossible.

But this was exactly what Zhang Tianyuan wanted. He smiled and said, "Fine."

"Mr. Yang, don't let this kid off easy. What if he loses? He should also give an explanation," Mother Yi fanned the flames.

"Mother, you'd better shut up, or I'll tear your dog's mouth apart," Xu Gang, who had long been annoyed by Mother Yi, pointed at him and shouted.

Zhang Tianyuan stopped him and said calmly to Yang Yijun, "If the person I find can't carve an identical one, I'll buy the bamboo pen holder for 10 million. How about that?"

He wasn't foolish enough to bet his life. It wasn't worth it. If something went wrong and he got himself into trouble, it would be a huge loss.