Ye Tian corrected her, "This isn't a stove, it's an alchemy furnace."
Huang Yanran laughed, "It's all the same to me."
Ye Tian glanced at the bidding price. The starting bid for this alchemy furnace was as high as 1.5 billion. He asked, "What do you think the final transaction price will be?"
Huang Yanran replied, "It's hard to say. If someone is truly interested, it could reach 10 billion. Mr. Ye, what do you think it's worth?"
Ye Tian said, "To someone who can't use it, it's just scrap metal. To someone who can, it's priceless."
Huang Yanran smiled, "As long as Mr. Ye likes it, no matter the cost, the Huang family will acquire it."
Ye Tian mused, "I can't be sure it's what I want just from pictures. We'll see then."
Then he thought of the antique collections in his mansion in the provincial capital, as well as the tens of tons of gold, silver, and gems he had recently unearthed. He asked her, "Huang Yanran, I have some items. Do you have any channels to help me sell them?"
Huang Yanran inquired about the items. After listening, she exclaimed, "Mr. Ye, your family's assets are truly substantial! Not to mention anything else, those dozen or so boxes of yours are worth at least several hundred billion!"
Ye Tian stated, "I don't like calligraphy and painting, nor am I interested in antiques. These things need to be sold slowly."
Huang Yanran smiled, "Leave this to me. My family has good relations with 'Jin Shi Tang.' Jin Shi Tang is the leader in the domestic antique and calligraphy market. Wealthy individuals and dignitaries trust Jin Shi Tang's appraisals."
Ye Tian raised an eyebrow, "Oh, this Jin Shi Tang is that well-known?"
Huang Yanran explained, "Jin Shi Tang hasn't been established for very long. At the time, the domestic antique market was very chaotic, with too many fakes. Even some prominent figures bought counterfeits. Therefore, fifteen years ago, a group of influential figures in the antique world gathered, recruited experts from all over, and established Jin Shi Tang. Jin Shi Tang specializes in appraising antiques and charges appraisal fees. Although the fees are high, they guarantee fairness, professionalism, and objectivity."
Ye Tian inquired, "How high are the fees?"
Huang Yanran replied, "One-tenth. For example, if your item is worth 100,000, Jin Shi Tang would charge 10,000 as an appraisal fee."
Ye Tian was surprised, "That expensive?"
Huang Yanran elaborated, "There's a reason for the high price. Jin Shi Tang guarantees that for any item they appraise, if it's fake, they will compensate a hundredfold."
Ye Tian asked, "Have they ever made a mistake?"
Huang Yanran chuckled, "Because the fees are high, the items brought for appraisal are generally of considerable value. Each appraisal involves the judgment of three experts, so problems rarely occur. Because of this, Jin Shi Tang's reputation has grown immensely. Jin Shi Tang's seal is a guarantee of authenticity. Therefore, your items can be consigned to Jin Shi Tang for sale. After a successful transaction, Jin Shi Tang charges a 15% service fee."
Ye Tian commented, "It seems Jin Shi Tang is very profitable."
Huang Yanran agreed, "Indeed. All of Jin Shi Tang's shareholders are billionaires, now possessing assets in the tens of billions."
Ye Tian pondered for a moment, "Is Jin Shi Tang located in the capital?"
Huang Yanran nodded, "Yes, its headquarters is in the capital. Mr. Ye, shall we go take a look now?"
Ye Tian replied, "Alright, let's go see."
He wasn't entirely comfortable entrusting his items to an organization without prior investigation. He decided to assess it himself first.
Huang Yanran suggested, "We can pose as clients and experience their services."
Ye Tian approved, "That's a good idea."
As it was nearing lunchtime, Huang Yanran asked Bai Yu to prepare lunch. During their free time, Ye Tian browsed his phone and happened to see several people actively chatting in a group.
One of them was one of the bosses who had helped him upon his release from prison, named Liu, Liu Xiangguang, whom everyone affectionately called Boss Liu or Old Liu.
At that moment, Liu Xiangguang posted several pictures in the group. They were of a painting mentioned in the "Shi Qu Bao Ji" (Collections of the Stone Repository). Liu Xiangguang stated that he had bought this painting from Jin Shi Tang for 88 million. He had owned it for only half a month, and someone had already offered him 110 million for it, but he was reluctant to sell.
Upon seeing the painting, Ye Tian was taken aback. In his underground vault in the provincial capital, he had a chest containing thirty-seven paintings, one of which was identical to this one!
Was there something wrong with his painting, or with Liu Xiangguang's?
He then asked Liu Xiangguang, "What is President Liu busy with?"
Ye Tian hadn't spoken in a long time. As soon as he appeared, everyone chimed in. Liu Xiangguang exclaimed, "Ah, Divine Doctor Ye! Old Liu is in the capital discussing business. I haven't been feeling well these past few days and was just about to seek your consultation."
Ye Tian replied, "Then come over. I'm in the capital."
Liu Xiangguang was overjoyed and quickly called, "Divine Doctor Ye, are you really in the capital?"
Ye Tian responded, "Would I lie to you? Hurry over, I have other matters to attend to shortly."
Liu Xiangguang eagerly said, "Alright, I'll be there immediately."
Ye Tian added, "Do you have that painting with you? If so, bring it along for me to see."
Liu Xiangguang chuckled, "I'm looking at it right now. Yes, I'll bring it along."