C54 Master Hu

Master Hu's auctions at Mingbao House have always featured breathtaking treasures that have truly opened our eyes. I'm eager to see what he has brought this time," an esteemed expert remarked, his gaze filled with anticipation.

Just then, two young men laid out a scroll of calligraphy and a pair of milky white porcelain vases on the table.

"We're all familiar faces here; you all know my rules, don't you?" Hu Mingren spoke at a measured pace.

"Of course, we understand Master Hu's rules," the old expert responded with a chuckle.

"Who doesn't know them? Master Hu's rules are well-known throughout Qingyun City," a young dandy added slowly. "Whenever Master Hu wishes to auction an item, if we like it, we bid. If we think we're capable, we can also offer to do him a favor in exchange for taking home one of Master Hu's treasures without paying a dime."

"That's the absolute truth. Last time, Third Bro from the Sunn Family acquired a top-tier imperial green jade pine sculpture from Master Hu for over nine million. Afterwards, he agreed to do a favor for Master Hu," a middle-aged woman chimed in.

"Let's not kid ourselves about getting treasures for free. Consider who Third Bro of the Sunn Family is—one of the family's key figures. How many in Qingyun City can claim such clout?"

With Hu Mingren's arrival, the room buzzed with excitement as the distinguished guests engaged in lively discussions, each filled with anticipation.

"Hu Mingren's rules do sound intriguing. Is he really willing to give away such valuable collectibles for free?" Zhang Qimo asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Qimo, you're not quite getting it. That's the genius of Hu Mingren; he's incredibly generous," Zhang Hongyu explained with a smile. "With Hu Mingren's auctions, as long as someone is willing to pay, no matter the price, the deal goes through if he's pleased with the offer. And the collectibles he gifts are often considered more valuable than money itself!"

"His reputation for this practice is well-established in our circles. Every time he makes an appearance at Mingbao House, he's met with fervent enthusiasm. He's not only gained fame but also a network of influential people who owe him favors," Zhang Hongyu added thoughtfully, her tone betraying her deep admiration for him.

"It certainly seems that way," Zhang Qimo acknowledged with a slight nod.

"Alright, everyone, today I've brought two items. If anyone is interested, feel free to make an offer," Hu Mingren spoke with a tranquil voice. He had his young apprentice brew a pot of tea and began to savor it leisurely.

At his invitation, the distinguished guests rose to their feet and gathered around the mahogany table with earnest expressions, eager to inspect the items.

"Master Hu's offerings are truly exceptional. To be frank, even with my expertise, I hesitate to judge the authenticity of these two pieces. Their provenance is just too significant!" exclaimed an elderly expert with glasses.

"We're indeed fortunate to witness such treasures! I, too, am reluctant to hastily assess their authenticity."

"It's a shame. I doubt these items will fetch the price Master Hu is hoping for."

After examining the items, the guests seemed reluctant to leave, their faces alight with various expressions of admiration.

It was clear that the pieces Hu Mingren had brought were far from ordinary.

Wang Ziwen, after observing the items at the mahogany table, turned to Lin Yin with a mischievous look. "Master Lin, why not come and have a look? What's your take on this celebrated painting?"

"Indeed, Master Lin, you're the expert here. With all of us hesitant to make a judgment, this is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your skills. Please, enlighten us!" Wang Ziwen's prompt was quickly followed by Qin Fei's sarcastic support, both men looking expectantly at Lin Yin.

"The painting is by Xu Wei of the Ming Dynasty. It's genuine," Lin Yin stated indifferently, his words sparing yet weighty.

"All of us experts have been scrutinizing it up close and none of us dares to draw a conclusion in such a short time. You're confident enough to make a call from such a distance? Isn't that a bit presumptuous?" an old expert expressed his discontent, seemingly feeling that Lin Yin was belittling their professional judgment.

"You're spouting nonsense. We all recognize Xu Wei's work," Wang Ziwen retorted with contempt, his expression mocking as he prodded further, "Since you claim it's authentic, from where could you possibly discern this? What distinguishes Xu Wei's Ming Dynasty paintings? Do share with us!"

Lin Yin simply smiled, took another sip of his tea, and chose not to respond.

"Lost for words?" Wang Ziwen taunted Lin Yin with a sneer. "You don't have a clue, do you? I had the impression you were quite skilled, but it turns out you're just good at taking chances." He then turned to the assembled guests with a smile.

Pointing to the painting on the mahogany table, Wang Ziwen boasted with a smug look, "This Storm Banana Painting is an authentic piece by Xu Wei from the Ming Dynasty!"

He paused, looking supremely confident, and continued, "I've done some research on the works of ancient masters. Xu Wei, known as the Qingteng Taoist, was one of the three great talents of the Ming era. His art was truly unique, marking him as a master of his generation, particularly adept at floral compositions."

"I grew up looking at many of Xu Wei's originals with my father—lotuses, green bamboo, grapes, and various floral works—I'm quite familiar with them. Xu Wei's paintings are usually powerful and expressive, yet they reveal a delicate attention to detail. This Storm Banana Painting that Master Hu has brought us... from the brushwork to the nuanced style, there's no doubt in my mind that it's an authentic Xu Wei!"

Wang Ziwen finished with a flourish and asked, "What do you all think?"

"Excellent! Young Master Wang, you truly come from a distinguished lineage. Your erudition is impressive! To authenticate a piece so swiftly and with such evidence aligns perfectly with our panel of experts," an elderly expert said, applauding in agreement.

Hu Mingren also nodded in approval, adding, "Young Master Wang's assessment is indeed accurate."

Zhang Hongyu couldn't help but smile at this exchange. She turned to Zhang Qimo and remarked, "Qimo, Ziwen's expertise is quite remarkable, unlike that waste Lin Yin. You should tell him to keep quiet. He can't articulate any real insights; he's just guessing blindly. He doesn't seem to realize the caliber of this gathering—all renowned figures from our circles. He's out of his depth, showing off the little he knows. It's sheer folly!"

Lin Yin ignored Zhang Hongyu's comments and gave another glance to the pair of porcelain bottles on the mahogany table.

"Since Young Master Wang has mentioned it, does that mean you're planning to purchase the Storm Banana Painting?" someone inquired with curiosity.

"The Storm Banana Painting is valued at a minimum of five million. It seems Young Master Wang has taken an interest as well," remarked an elderly expert.

Wang Ziwen chuckled and replied with a hint of pride, "No, no, no, everyone, while the Storm Banana Painting is indeed quite nice and worth a fortune, it doesn't quite capture my interest. What I really fancy is that pair of porcelain vases."