Chapter 143 Shocking News

  Upon hearing this, Chu Chen hastily asked: "Zhao Ge, shouldn't we go pay first?"

  Duan Xuefeng waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about the money for now, we can talk about it later. You can pay by card here, so you don't have to worry about not being able to afford the bill. Let me have Manager Tao take you to my office first and sit down for a bit, I'll go give instructions on the license plate..."

  After Duan Xuefeng left, Chu Chen and others followed Manager Tao towards the general manager's office.

  Zhao Qirui walked and said to Chu Chen, "Xiao Chu, I was just talking about the house being dug up. Do you know that Old Zhao recently had an accident because of the house being dug up and got his arm broken?"

  Chu Chen's face suddenly showed a look of surprise after hearing the words, and he hastily asked: "Brother Zhao, are you referring to Zhao Xueyi, Uncle Zhao?"

  "That's right, it's him."

  "No way, before I went to Dian Nan, I heard Wu Shu say that he went on a trip with him to a foreign land."

  Zhao Qirui smiled wryly and said: "It was just after he and Wu Hui came back, the things that happened, Old Zhao went to the hospital just a week ago."

  "Why didn't Uncle Wu tell me about it?" Chu Chen said with a surprised expression.

  "He's been shooting geese all day, but in the end, he got pecked by a goose and lost face, so even Uncle Wu doesn't know about this matter."

  "What's going on here?"

  Zhao Qirui sighed and said, "This matter, on the one hand, he has himself to blame, and on the other hand, I also have some responsibility. He took someone else with him to dig up a house, the two of them fought over something, and in the end, the thing was bought by someone else at a high price. When they got back, they were scolded, saying it was an old imitation, and now it's become like this."

  It turned out that ten days ago, an old man surnamed Lin found Zhao Xueyi and wanted to ask him to buy a five-color figure bottle. As it happened, just after he finished speaking, there was a phone call to Zhao Xueyi, saying that there were old things at home for sale, asking if he would come.

  Zhao Xueyi inquired and found out that apart from some jade articles, there was also a small vase with a Qinghua wucai figure story pattern, said to be from the Ming dynasty. This suddenly moved Zhao Xueyi's heart, as previously Zhao Qirui had told him that he wanted a good Wucai figurine vase, and if this thing was right, wouldn't it be just perfect to buy it?

  It was just that old man with the surname Lin who heard there were Qinghua wucai figurines in small pots and also wanted to go take a look, so the two of them came to that household by car.

  After the initial pleasantries, the host brought out the items, and for other jade pieces, the two of them just took a look and picked some good ones to buy. But that small Qinghua five-color porcelain vase with a figure story painting suddenly caught their eyes, because this small Qinghua vase was actually from the Ming dynasty's Wanli period.

  After the two men handled it, they found that this canister was fine and dense, with a white glaze, and the vividness of the figure painting also conformed to the characteristics of the Ming dynasty during that period. The use of Qing material was consistent with the late Wanli period, and the signature was also correct. Both men believed that this should be a small canister of blue-and-white porcelain from the Wanli period of the Ming dynasty.

  Both of them liked the thing, but there was only one, so they started competing, and in the end, the thing was bought back by Mr. Lin with a price of 12 million. Originally, this matter should have ended now, but Mr. Lin was not at ease, so he let Qian Zhixian take another look, and after taking a look, there was a problem.

  It turned out that this small blue-and-white porcelain vase was a piece with added decoration, the body was indeed from the Ming dynasty's Wanli period, but the decoration was added during the Qianlong period. Although it is an antique, it is definitely not worth the high price of 12 million.

  Then Mr. Lin came to find Zhao Xueyi to settle the account, the old man was not because he wanted to return the goods, because in the antique business, unless the contract guarantees that it is a genuine product, there is no mention of returning goods. He was just angry with Zhao Xueyi for acting as an intermediary and setting a price, which made him suffer unnecessary losses.

  However, Zhao Xueyi also had his reasons. Since the old man with the surname Lin insisted on coming himself, at that time he was just an ordinary consumer, so there was no problem with opening a price. What Zhao Xueyi said was indeed reasonable. He didn't plan to take the old man with him in the first place, it was the old man who insisted on going together, and at that time both parties were buyers.

  However, Mr. Lin did not think so. Since Zhao Xueyi said he was not an intermediary, why would he still accept the 100,000 yuan that he gave him afterwards?

  Upon hearing this, Chu Chen smiled wryly and said: "Uncle Zhao is also blinded by wealth. Why did he still accept the 100,000 yuan given to him? If he hadn't accepted it, wouldn't the subsequent events not have occurred?"

  Zhao Xueyi let out a sigh and said, "This thing he indeed did somewhat unscrupulously. After hearing him explain it to me afterwards, I learned that his son is getting married during the New Year and wanted to save more money for his son, so he accepted it."

  Chu Chen shook his head helplessly and said, "Then how did Uncle Zhao's arm get broken?"

  Zhao Qirui said: "What else can be done? The two of them argued for half a day and didn't come to any conclusion. Old Lin was furious and went back to tell his family. Old Lin's younger brother is also a big boss, and in a fit of rage, he brought his men to settle the score with Old Zhao. As a result, during the dispute, one of his men picked up a wooden stick from beside him and gave Old Zhao a blow, resulting in the current situation."

  Upon hearing this, Chu Chen furrowed his brow and said: "Although Uncle Zhao was wrong, but there's no need to resort to violence when there are words to be spoken. Brother Zhao, you're saying this, do you know the other party?"

  Zhao Qirui nodded and said, "Indeed, the three Lin brothers, I know them all. Their father was also a founding general in the past, and he was an old friend of my father's. However, he didn't survive that period of time, and later his family declined."

  "But there is a saying that a thin camel is bigger than a horse. In his family, the three brothers are: the eldest is retired from the National Academy of Sciences, the second is a high-ranking military officer, and the third is the boss I mentioned earlier, who does alloy processing and has a relatively large business."

  "Of course, their family's power is nothing to me, but the relationship between our two families is still okay. As for Old Zhao's matter, I could only try to mediate at that time."

  Chu Chen nodded, "This matter is indeed not easy to handle with Zhao Qirui in the middle. I understand what you mean, Brother Zhao, but Uncle Zhao is usually a sensible person. Since he has responsibility, he will definitely make some gesture. How did things end up like this?"

  Zhao Qirui smiled wryly and said, "This matter is also one of Lin Lao San's rash decisions. Originally, Old Zhao meant to return the 100,000 yuan from before to them, and then compensate another 200,000 yuan. However, Lin Lao San can be said to have been brought up by Old Lin, and he is particularly close to him. He also doesn't understand the rules of the antique business, so at the time, he expressed that he wanted to return the goods. In the end, they parted ways without a word..."

  Chu Chen shook his head helplessly, this matter was indeed difficult to say anything about, and Uncle Zhao had also been blinded by greed and received such retribution.

  "Brother Zhao, is everything settled now?"

  Zhao Qirui smiled and said, "Considering my face, since Old Zhao was injured, the Lin family's matter will be let go. However, they requested that after Old Zhao recovers, within a month, we find them an antique of similar value at 90% of the price."

  Upon hearing this, Chu Chen said with a smile: "This time it's really thanks to you, Brother Zhao. However, good things aren't cheap cabbage. It won't be easy to buy these things at this price within a month."

  Zhao Qirui waved his hand and smiled: "This matter is also related to me, besides, I have been friends with Old Zhao for many years, so it's only right that I help out. As for what you said being easy to handle, previously when Old Zhao went to that household, he heard about this matter and felt a bit guilty in his heart. It just so happens that one of his relatives also needs to sell some things urgently."

  "He said the thing is not worse than his own, to avoid accidents, so I was thinking after two days, when you have time, we'll go together and replace Old Zhao, what do you think?"

  This kind of thing, Chu Chen naturally agreed without hesitation and nodded immediately: "Zhao Ge, I've promised to do this, but I plan to return to my hometown in two days. I'll probably be back by the end of August, not sure if it's too late."

  Zhao Qirui thought for a moment and said: "I'll go back and ask Old Zhao to call that person to discuss it, there shouldn't be any problem. Xiao Chu, do you have anything to do when you get home?"

  Chu Chen smiled and said: "There's nothing at home, I just want to build a small library for my alma mater, it's just a little bit of my own humble effort."

  Zhao Qirui patted his shoulder and smiled: "Your idea is good, since we have the ability, we should make some contributions to society. Is there anything that needs my help? Just say it."

  Chu Chen waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. Although they lack everything over there, I've already sent some desks and chairs over. This time, apart from building a library, I just plan to buy some sports equipment for them. If I do too much, I'm afraid others will be jealous."

  Zhao Qirui nodded, this is also true, if the donations are too many, they might be misappropriated. He had heard of such things before, a village cadre, because his own factory was not doing well, came up with the idea of embezzling the project funds. Fortunately, the amount of money was not large and it was discovered early, otherwise the money would have been lost.

  "By the way, Little Chu, don't mention Old Zhao's matter to your Uncle Wu."

  Chu Chen was somewhat puzzled and asked: "Why? Wu Shu and he have a good relationship, it's not good to hide this kind of thing?"

  Zhao Qirui shook his head helplessly and said, "This is what Old Zhao entrusted me with. To be honest, this matter is still caused by his own greed. He's afraid of being laughed at by friends, but none of his antique dealer friends have ever mentioned it."

  "This thing can't be hidden for long, in this line of antique business, once there's a stir, others will know soon."

  Zhao Qirui shrugged and said: "Old Zhao means that we can deceive for as long as we can, and when we can't deceive anymore, then we'll talk."

  "Alright then, actually Zhao Shu is just covering his ears while stealing a bell..."