Siheyuan: The romantic and suave Xu Damao

Xu Damao refused to give in and refused to give even a penny of discount.

"Forget it. A porcelain bottle costs four hundred yuan. I can't afford it."

The middle-aged man turned around and walked away without hesitation, without any hesitation or any sign of playing hard to get.

"Da Mao, what is this Cong bottle used for? You just told that person that you all know what this bottle is used for. Is this bottle very powerful?"

Lou Xiao'e came over and asked.

"Hey, you don't know, this Cong bottle is not simple. It is an important ritual vessel in ancient times, often used in sacrificial ceremonies and other occasions. Moreover, it was fired in an official kiln, with exquisite craftsmanship and high value. So I said four hundred yuan is already very cheap, but this person still thinks it is too expensive. He really doesn't know the value of things."

Xu Damao explained proudly.

"Oh, I see. But how did your friend get such a precious Cong vase? Where did he get it from?"

Lou Xiao'e asked curiously.

"Well... hey, it's not convenient for me to tell you. Anyway, this bottle is really a good thing. If it can be sold, it will definitely make a lot of money."

Xu Damao smiled mysteriously and said no more.

Seeing that he was unwilling to reveal it, Lou Xiao'e stopped asking. She looked at the Cong bottle in her hand and couldn't help but sigh in her heart: This small porcelain has such a profound cultural heritage and historical value, which is really amazing.

Xu Damao was secretly thinking about how to sell the bottle at a higher price and make more profit.

"Hey, young man, how much is this bracelet?" A white-haired old man walked up to Xu Damao, picked up a sandalwood bracelet and asked the price.

"This is a sandalwood bracelet. If you want it, old man, I'll give you a reasonable price, twenty yuan will be enough. I made it by taking it apart from the court beads that I used to wear when I attended court in the palace." Xu Damao introduced hurriedly.

"Well, I can see that. Can it be cheaper?" the old man asked with a slight frown.

"This price really can't be any cheaper. You must be an expert, so you know I'm not asking for a random price. This price is already very low." Xu Damao explained with a wry smile.

"Okay, twenty is twenty, here you go." The old man smiled slightly, took out two bills and handed them to Xu Damao, then put the bracelet on his wrist.

"I'm very interested in this bottle. Can you give it a discount, young man? Four hundred is indeed a bit expensive." After putting down the bracelet, the old man picked up the blue porcelain bottle and looked at it, then spoke.

Because the old man was standing next to Xu Damao when he was bargaining with the middle-aged man, he heard everything they said.

"Old man, this can't be sold at a low price. I'm selling it on behalf of a friend. This thing is a rare item. Look at the color and shape. I guarantee that there is no other thing like it in this ghost market!"

"Oh, then tell me why it is so expensive?"

The old man asked with narrowed eyes, as if he wanted to test Xu Damao to see if this young man with no beard really understood this.

"Hey, old man, you want to see my level, right? Then I'll show you how good I am."

"Look at this vessel. Its full name is: Qing Jiaqing Official Kiln Blue Sky Round Square Zun!"

"The mouth of the bottle is round, the shape is square, and the bottom foot is also round, which represents the roundness of the sky and the squareness of the earth!"

"This type of vessel can be traced back to the late Neolithic Age, when there was this Cong vessel, which symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth. Why is it so expensive? You can find out if you go to the Lama Temple. There is one on display there, which is almost exactly the same, but from a different year."

As Xu Damao spoke, he gestured with his hands, as if this porcelain was his most precious treasure. His eyes were full of pride, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, as if he was very satisfied with his appraisal results. His tone was also a little boastful, as if he was showing off his professional knowledge to the old man.

"Old man, did you see the color of this Cong bottle? As the saying goes, the sun is red, the moon is white, the sky is blue, and the earth is yellow. The color of this bottle is azure blue. This is a treasure used to worship heaven and earth."

"How difficult is it to make this thing? This thing also uses estimated materials. The old man should also know that blue and white porcelain is estimated by color, but to make this imperial blue, you need to add lye water. And at that time, there was an old saying about making porcelain, saying that it is better to make ten rounds than one square. It can be seen how difficult this bottle is to make!"

"Look at its size. It must be an important royal kiln ritual vessel! After it was fired, it became a ritual vessel that accompanied the emperor's growth."

As Xu Damao spoke, he took a sip of pear water, turned around and saw Lou Xiao'e also listening attentively with her cheek supported by one hand.

"Young man, what you said is right. What color is the azure blue you mentioned?"

"Hehe, old man, this question of yours won't stump me. It's in Shuowenjiezi that Ji means the rain stops! When the rain stops and the sky clears up, this color will be the future! The blue color when the rain just stops and the sky is clear is called Jilan!"

Xu Damao said this while shaking his head, acting like an old scholar, which made Lou Xiao'e beside him laugh.

"What a beautiful blue color! What a beautiful sky after the rain and the broken clouds! This color will be the future! But this is just one way of saying it. There is another way of saying it. Do you know?" the old man asked curiously.

"Of course I know. There is another saying that when porcelain of this color is exported to foreign countries, those foreigners think it is a gem. They don't believe that it is fired at all. It must be made of gem. That's why this blue is also called sapphire blue." Xu Damao said proudly, as if he had mastered some great secret.

"Is this true? Is it so magical?"

Lou Xiao'e on the side interrupted with surprise.

"Grandpa, do you know why I'm asking such a high price? This thing is quite old. This shape has been around for a long time. Later, every emperor in every dynasty had to own this shape. What is it called? It's called a Cong! This is a treasure passed down by our ancestors! It has a profound meaning, connecting heaven and earth, and gathering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in one. What's the old saying? The blue and green are for heaven, and the yellow Cong is for earth. This Cong bottle is what it means!"

Xu Damao ignored Lou Xiao'e and introduced himself to the old man.

"Take a look at the inscription on the bottom: Made in the Jiaqing Period of the Qing Dynasty. The inscriptions are very standard! And the trimmed feet below give you a feeling of being like a loach's back. It's simply irresistible! This is an official kiln that will seduce you at first sight! Four hundred yuan is not expensive at all. If I can't sell it today, I'm going to raise the price! Even if no one wants it in the end, it's not bad to keep it as a family heirloom, hehe!"