Chapter 144: Bronze Basin

  Everyone came to Duan Xuefeng's office. Manager Tao asked Chu Chen and the others to sit down, then quickly made a cup of tea for each person.

  Everyone chatted for a while, and Duan Xuefeng hurried over, apologized to everyone, took out a box from the small room inside his office, put it on the tea table, and opened it. Everyone looked carefully and found that there was a bronze ladle inside.

  "Where did you get this exquisite bronze ladle from?" Zhao Qirui asked in surprise.

  Duan Xuefeng said somewhat dazedly: "This thing is called a bronze gui? I really didn't know!"

  Zhao Qirui heard this and couldn't help but laugh and cry, saying: "I said you're either a real fool or a fake fool, I don't know what this thing is, so how did you still manage to buy it?"

  Duan Xuefeng smiled and said, "At first, others guaranteed that this thing was definitely a genuine product. If it wasn't a genuine product, I could go to him for a refund. At the time, I thought it was okay and didn't ask much, thinking the price was suitable, so I bought it. Zhao Ge, if you're convenient, please explain to me what this bronze gui is, and open my eyes."

  Zhao Qirui said somewhat speechlessly: "You this guy, really don't know how to say you, today Xiao Chu is here, let him tell you about it, I'll come and appreciate it first." As he spoke, he took out a pair of gloves, carefully took the bronze ladle out of the box, and examined it closely.

  Chu Chen chuckled and picked up a piece of paper beside him, writing as he spoke: "Duan Ge, actually the name of this thing is just one word, called 'zhan', it originated in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, it's a daily life utensil, its function is the same as our current plates and bowls, all used to hold food."

  "This thing is also called a 'lian' in literature. Hu lian, or lian, generally refers to a pair of objects used together, which were simultaneously used for banquets and sacrifices. The number of them was a symbol of social status, that is to say, these things were used by the nobility, ordinary people were not allowed to use them, and those who owned lian must have been high-ranking officials."

  "Ding and Dou often appear together, with one Ding paired with two Dou. The Son of Heaven used nine Ding and eight Dou, the vassals used seven Ding and six Dou, the high-ranking officials used five Ding and four Dou, etc. Therefore, in ancient times, Dou became a synonym for high-ranking officials. When an official was corrupt, people would say 'Dou is not decorated' to imply their greed."

  "In the Spring and Autumn period, Hu Lu also referred to a person with great talent. Someone once asked Confucius to evaluate Zi Gong, and Confucius said: This man is simply a Hu Lu, thinking that Zi Gong was very talented."

  After listening to Chu Chen's introduction, Duan Xuefeng couldn't help but say with excitement: "That is to say, when I was preparing to give this thing away, I gave it to the right person?"

  Chu Chen chuckled and said: "That's right, but this vase should be worth around a million yuan?"

  Duan Xuefeng raised his thumb and said, "No wonder Zhao Ge praised your ability to identify antiques. This thing, I indeed spent 11 million yuan to buy it back then."

  Chu Chen waved his hand and said: "Brother Duan, you're overpraising me, it's just a matter of being skilled through practice. However, fortunately, you didn't give away such a valuable thing."

  Duan Xuefeng was taken aback and asked, "Why?"

  "Xuefeng, I think you've really gone stupid, all these years have been lived in vain."

  Zhao Qirui put down the bronze ladle in his hand and said, "Don't you think about it? Liu Haoran is Liu Lao's son. Who is Liu Lao? The Tai Shan Bei Dou of the antique world! As Liu Lao's son, under the influence of his family environment, do you think Liu Haoran wouldn't know the price of this bronze ladle?"

  Upon hearing this, Duan Xuefeng immediately understood what Zhao Qirui meant. If he gave the bronze ladle to Liu Haoran, there were only two possible outcomes: either Liu Haoran would accept it despite knowing its value, and both parties would be happy; or it would provoke Liu Haoran's disgust.

  Liu Haoran's style is also like his name, upright and open-minded. It was precisely because of this character that he was appreciated and became a high-ranking official in the discipline inspection department. With his personality, he would never accept such valuable things.

  Moreover, the Liu family is not short of money. Not to mention Liu Lao's side, Liu Haoran's wife has an international company in Luzhou, so why would he need to do something that would give others a handle to undermine his bright future?

  At that time, Liu Haoran not only did not accept the gift, but also caused his suspicion, and he might fall into an embarrassing situation of "losing both wife and soldier". Thinking of this, Duan Xuefeng couldn't help but feel a chill.

  "Xiao Chu, I really need to thank you this time. If it weren't for you, I would have been in big trouble. In that case, dinner tonight is on me."

  "How can this be..."

  "Xiao Chu, don't refuse anymore. If you hadn't come over today, I really wouldn't have thought of this. I'm indifferent to it, but my brother's political career would be ruined. This meal must be on me, Xiao Chu, don't argue about it."

  Zhao Qirui waved his hand and said, "Alright, what's the point of arguing about treating guests? This time, let Xuefeng play the host, next time you can treat us, Xiaochu. Now, come take a look at this stove."

  This matter is indeed nothing worth arguing about. Chu Chen smiled and nodded, then put on his gloves, picked up the bronze ladle, and carefully observed it.

  This bronze ladle is about 15CM high, with a round mouth and a slightly curled edge. The mouth is also called a wide mouth, and its shape is generally outwardly inclined along the edge. The handle of the ladle is symmetrical with four animal ears, and is attached to a long pendant that hangs down. The abdomen is deep, the abdominal wall is slightly arched, and it slants down to the bottom, which is round in shape.

  The neck is decorated with a beast face pattern, the body of the gui is decorated with a fine ridge pattern around it, and there are two cord patterns at the top and bottom. The abdomen is decorated with a nipple pattern around it. The ring foot is decorated with four groups of beast face patterns, with a ridge in the middle, and the idea of eating is self-evident. The beast face is composed of two symmetrical curved body dragons, the dragon's mouth is open, and the single horn is high and arched back and curled tail.

  The beast's ears and the body of the ding were cast separately, with protruding tenons at the top and bottom where the four ears meet. The beast's ears are hollow, perfectly matching the protruding tenons. The casting method is extremely ingenious. The four beast ears are rectangular in shape and hang down from the lid. On the upper part of the beast's ears, there is a relief carving of an ox head, with two round eyes on either side of the ears, looking lively and natural.

  The lower part of the beast's ear has a central decoration of a beast face pattern, with small bird patterns outlined in fine lines on both sides. The pendant has two vertical grooves on both sides that extend downwards. The four beast ears connect to the body of the zun, giving it an otherworldly charm.

  This bronze ladle was cast using the ceramic mold method, which is also a typical production method for bronze vessels during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. In addition, from its copper quality, as well as the decorative patterns on its body, it can be seen that this is a Warring States period bronze ladle.

  This bronze gui has a very beautiful black patina on its surface, the body is decorated with elegant patterns, but not overly complex, the shape is majestic and solemn yet elegant and dignified, it can be called a masterpiece among Warring States bronzes.

  Chu Chen shared his conclusion with everyone, and then praised: "Bronze Zun is generally not common, and it's hard to get a good one. Duan Ge, you can buy it for 11 million yuan, definitely making a profit."

  Duan Xuefeng's face lit up with joy as he exclaimed: "Really?!"