The next few items were all very ordinary fakes, not worthy of Li Chonglou's attention.
He learned that the most outrageous one had been saved for last.
He had to wait patiently.
After three consecutive fakes, a genuine item was finally presented.
It was a large, red, silver ingot-shaped lacquerware盘.
However, this genuine item, due to its age, weathering, wear, and patina, appeared to be in very poor condition.
Especially the large red lacquer surface, which had peeled off in many places, with the gaps between the carved patterns filled with a lot of black, greasy dirt.
As soon as it was brought out, there were many jeers from the audience.
Clearly, most ordinary people still focused on appearance rather than substance.
Antiques would never become popular with the masses, even with a renaissance decades later.
But only Li Chonglou's eyes lit up.
He lowered his voice and said, "Brother Ning, this item is the one to teach that sissy a lesson."
"This is good. I can tell it's from the mid-Qing dynasty. It should be a carved red dragon-patterned盘, I wonder what kind of wood it's made of." Ning Lang's eyes widened as he tried to identify it.
It had to be said that he did have some talent and research in antiques.
To be able to make such a judgment from such a distance, without touching it, was already remarkable.
In a place like Yong'an, with its less rich cultural heritage, he could certainly hold his own.
"A 'Sheng Shou Wan Nian' silver ingot-shaped盤 from the Jiajing era, a ceremonial vessel from the palace," Li Chonglou added, his eyes flashing with brilliance.
If it were just a lacquer盤, it wouldn't have caught his eye.
After all, the lacquer was no longer intact, and much of it had peeled off.
But this lacquer盤 held a secret within.
It was far more than it appeared on the surface.
"Amazing!" Ning Lang gave him a thumbs-up, looking delighted.
He could only see the general era, but he hadn't expected Li Chonglou to be so accurate.
His words had convinced him completely.
This item didn't require a stooge to spin a tale, so Zeng Wang had no expectation of making money from it.
It was purely to appease the treasure enthusiasts present, as it wouldn't be fair if they got nothing.
Business was about mutual benefit, not unilateral gain.
"One hundred thousand!" someone spoke up first.
"One hundred and thirty thousand," Li Chonglou immediately followed.
"Two hundred thousand!" As expected, Tu Hong seized every opportunity to trample on Ning Lang and Li Chonglou, immediately bidding with an arrogant tone.
Seeing this situation, other treasure enthusiasts shook their heads, and many withdrew their bids.
There was no way around it; it had been like this in previous rounds. Whenever Li Chonglou or Ning Lang bid, Tu Hong would invariably try to suppress them.
Regardless of whether it was genuine or fake, he would acquire it.
Money was like paper, like numbers to this second-generation rich kid, and he didn't care about it at all.
What he cared about was his pride.
How could this be played?
For a mottled and chipped lacquer盤, the market price for something in this condition was actually around one hundred thousand.
If it was driven up too high, it would lose its appeal.
Items should be matched with their value; they were players, not speculators.
Seeing that the price had already doubled, what was there to gain?
"Two hundred and ten thousand," Li Chonglou calmly added another bid.
"Three hundred thousand!"
Tu Hong, unyielding, finished his bid and made an obscene gesture across the distance: "Lame dog, you really are a pauper. Adding one thousand at a time, if you're not embarrassed, I am on your behalf."
"If you don't have the strength, just admit defeat. You're clearly a lapdog, but you insist on acting like a peacock."
"Anything you bid, young master will follow with just one word: follow!"
He spoke in a sarcastic and effeminate tone.
Many people present got goosebumps.
Although high society did not reject such effeminate men, and many men were bored enough to indulge in such preferences, Tu Hong's tone was truly disgusting.
Hearing this, Ning Lang's brows furrowed, and he wanted to outbid him directly.
But Li Chonglou gently stopped him: "Leave it to me."
Seeing his calm demeanor, Ning Lang's anger somewhat subsided.
"Three hundred and ten thousand," Li Chonglou said neither subserviently nor arrogantly. "Since Miss Tu is so confident, why not play along?"
"I am determined to get this lacquer盤."
The address "Miss Tu" instantly stiffened Tu Hong's expression.
Although he had a feminine preference, he was a genuine man, just somewhat feminized psychologically.
Being sarcastically called "Miss" by Li Chonglou in public, one could imagine his anger.
"You lame dog, just you wait!"
"Five hundred thousand!"
"I have plenty of money. Young master spends more than that on a single night out. What can you possibly compete with?" m..oΓg
Tu Hong's expression was excited and agitated.
Li Chonglou unhurriedly added another ten thousand: "Five hundred and ten thousand!"
His tone was calm, but his attitude was firm.
This showed everyone that he was determined to clash with Tu Hong over this lacquer盤 today.
"One million!" Tu Hong's eyes were blazing with anger.
Several middle-aged men under him began to stir, leaning in and whispering, "Young master, please don't get excited."
"Money is not a problem for you, but if you are played, won't that be a great loss of face?"
"What do you mean?" Tu Hong snorted and asked.
"He's adding one thousand at a time, clearly trying to provoke you, drive the price up to an astronomical sum, and then suddenly stop bidding." One of the middle-aged men narrowed his eyes and analyzed, "Looking at it, this poor dog clinging to Ning Lang is unlikely to compete with young master on price."
"Ultimately, he'll most likely give up, but if young master is pushed to a sky-high price, then he'll truly become a laughingstock."
"If we spend three million to buy glass, we can say it's out of respect for Zeng Wang, not for the item."
"But if we spend ten million on a lacquer盤, wouldn't young master be considered a complete idiot if word gets out?"
Hearing this, Tu Hong's powdered face twitched.
What they said was true.
The antique trade always prided itself on finding bargains, and spending far more than an item was worth, even out of spite, would lead to criticism.
Buying glass was an exception.
After this analysis, he also understood that Li Chonglou was likely trying to trick him.
What was this talk of being determined to get it? What right did he have to say that?
Unless he had prepared well in advance, luring him into a trap.
Could he be that foolish?
Dream on!
Since he wants to bid me up, I'll bid you up too.
As expected, after hearing Li Chonglou add another ten thousand, Tu Hong shouted, "Two million!"
Hiss...
This shout made many in the audience gasp.
The son of Old Ghost was indeed wealthy and powerful, bidding two million for a mere lacquer盤 – this was the price of spite.
"That kid actually managed to anger Tu Hong to this extent, losing all composure. He's really ruthless."
"I haven't seen him before. Is he a new subordinate of Wolf Lord? He's so stubborn, clearly trying to stir up conflict between the two overlords."
"Didn't you notice they started clashing before the auction began?"
"Let's wait and see the show. We don't know who will be the sucker yet."
...
Many people were whispering, but they weren't lowering their voices, and the words reached Tu Hong, making him furious.
"Two million and one thousand," Li Chonglou added another ten thousand, completely unconcerned.
"Fighting for a point of pride is already a bit too much," Ning Lang saw this and wanted to persuade Li Chonglou to give up.
Tu Hong was irrational; he wouldn't learn from such a spoiled brat.
Spending over two million on a lacquer盤 was something he, a person who spent his days with antiques, could not do.
People always valued things, let alone objects.
Seeing that Tu Hong was already provoked, he had shown enough restraint.
Now was the time to withdraw, letting him suffer a silent loss, which would be quite amusing.
"A person fights for pride, a Buddha for incense. Brother Ning, I have a bad temper," Li Chonglou said dismissively.
"Three million!" Tu Hong's eyes were truly red.
But he knew, in reality, that this "red-eyed" look was an act.
It was all to lure Li Chonglou into a trap.
Otherwise, if Li Chonglou suddenly stopped bidding, wouldn't he be the one at a disadvantage?
"Three million and one thousand." This time, Li Chonglou didn't add the bid immediately, but after considering for nearly ten seconds, he added a remark.
"Trying to harm me? Lame dog, dream on!" The next second, Tu Hong suddenly stood up, pinched his throat, and cackled, "You can take this loss instead."
"Young master has plenty of money, but I have no interest in bickering with an idiot like you."
"Spending over three million on a mere lacquer盤. Ning Lang, you've raised quite a prodigal dog."
Boom...
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire audience burst into laughter.
No one expected their spat to end so quickly, nor did anyone expect Tu Hong, who had appeared so angry, to be faking it.
And the calm and collected Li Chonglou was the ultimate fool who had to take the fall.
The difference in their intelligence was stark.
Even Ning Lang's expression changed instantly, his face turning pale and then flushed, looking extremely displeased.
He wasn't angry at Li Chonglou, but at Tu Hong for not adhering to any rules and for being so ruthless.
Such spoiled brats needed to be taught a lesson; they didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.
"I think the idiot is you, you sissy!" Li Chonglou stood up straight.
He stopped his actions and gently lifted the盘 into the air.
He said calmly, "Open your dog eyes and take a good look at what kind of wood this盤 is made of!"