Chapter 791 378: Gu Jingzhou Zisha Teapot Acquired! (Part 2)

Jiang Tao followed behind him casually, as if taking a leisurely stroll.

The two of them passed through several corridors with vintage carvings.

Soon, they arrived at a small courtyard with a sign saying "Gift Department."

The ground in the yard was covered with colorful cobblestones.

In a few small flower beds, four kinds of plants were planted: plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, adding a touch of elegance.

"Manager Zeng! There's a guest who wants to buy our Yixing teapot, please attend to them."

The young attendant directly led Jiang Tao into the Gift Department and called out to a young man in a well-tailored suit with an upright posture.

"Hello, esteemed guest, I am Zeng Haoyang, the manager of the Gift Department. It's an honor to serve you!"

Zeng Haoyang felt a bit surprised by the early morning visit for a Yixing teapot but greeted Jiang Tao with a professional smile nevertheless.

Jiang Tao couldn't be bothered with small talk with Zeng Haoyang, so he got straight to the point, "Hello, Manager Zeng, show me your teapots, I'm in a hurry."

"Alright, esteemed guest, please follow me. May I know how to address you?"

Zeng Haoyang said as he gestured politely for Jiang Tao to follow him towards a display cabinet.

"No need for formality, my surname is Jiang."

Jiang Tao replied while casting his eyes toward a nearby display cabinet.

Indeed, from the northwest corner of the cabinet, a glimmer of dark golden light was visible through the glass.

Evidently, the authentic Gu Jingzhou Yixing teapot that Brother Tongzi hinted at was over there!

"President Jiang, the Yixing teapots we sell here are mainly divided into five categories."

"They are round teapots, square teapots, floral teapots, ribbed teapots, and handle teapots."

"I wonder which style you favor?"

Zeng Haoyang patiently introduced the teapots to Jiang Tao as they stood in front of the display cabinet.

The transaction rate at the Wangfu Tea House Gift Department has always been high; hardly any customer leaves empty-handed.

Zeng Haoyang frequently deals with many wealthy clients and has a keen eye.

From the first glance at Jiang Tao, he knew he was about to secure a lucrative sale this morning.

"I didn't realize teapots had so much to consider. I actually don't know much about them; I'll go by instinct—whatever catches my eye."

Jiang Tao spoke as he moved toward his "target teapot."

"There's nothing wrong with choosing like that, President Jiang. Happiness is priceless!"

Zeng Haoyang didn't look down on Jiang Tao for not understanding teapots and maintained a respectful and eager smile.

These days, money is king.

As long as customers spend money here on teapots, it doesn't matter if they know about them or not.

"President Jiang, let me introduce you. This type of teapot, based on round forms with smooth lines, is called a round teapot."

"This teapot is called a Shi Piao teapot, a representative type among round teapots."

"This one, called a Duo Qiu teapot, is also a classic model among round teapots."

"Most of the Yixing teapots at Wangfu Tea House are crafted by contemporary master disciple Gao Yingzi and Liu Jianfang, who are the direct proteges of national-level non-heritable Yixing teapot inheritor, Ms. Zhou Guizhen."

"Ms. Zhou Guizhen is a direct disciple of the Yixing Pottery master, Gu Jingzhou, and her disciples basically carry on Gu Jingzhou's style."

"This Hu Huanlong teapot is one of Ms. Zhou Guizhen's representative works, although this one is a replica; the original is housed in the Yixing Museum."

Zeng Haoyang continued introducing while following behind Jiang Tao.

"Oh? A direct disciple of Gu Jingzhou?"

Jiang Tao was slightly surprised upon hearing about Ms. Zhou Guizhen's background from Zeng Haoyang.

He came here today just for that Yixing teapot personally made by Gu Jingzhou!

"Yes, President Jiang. Ms. Zhou Guizhen was once under the tutelage of Wang Yinchun and Gu Jingzhou."

"Ms. Zhou Guizhen's Yixing pieces embody grandeur, openness, and liberation, while also showcasing feminine grace and beauty, with a very distinct style."

"Over her sixty-year artistic career, Ms. Zhou Guizhen has created numerous masterpieces."

"Modern calligraphy and painting masters like Liu Haisu and Zhu Qizhan have inscribed poems and paintings on her pots."

"Her collaborations with Han Meilin and Zhang Shouzhi have led new trends in Yixing pottery, with her works housed in major museums and art galleries; her masterpiece of a Jade Pot was even given as a state gift on a visit to Japan."

Clearly, Zeng Haoyang's expertise was impressive; he recounted the achievements of industry giants with ease and familiarity.

However, Jiang Tao wasn't interested in any of that; it all went in one ear and out the other.

He wasn't a Yixing teapot enthusiast himself.

He was here purely because of the intel from Brother Tongzi, hoping to snag a bargain.

"How much is this teapot?"

Very quickly, Jiang Tao found himself next to the Yixing teapot, emitting a dark golden glow in his line of sight.

This Yixing teapot had a plump, rounded form, a short and exquisite spout, and a refined and elegant lid with a nipple shape.

The handle rose evenly like a circle, lively yet steadfast.

The overall structure was well-balanced, displaying exceptional craftsmanship.

On one side of the teapot was a "Child and Elder Playing" illustration created with bold strokes by art master Fan Zeng.

The scene was vivid and lifelike.

On the other side, a fine line from Tao Yuanming's "Return to Innocence" was inscribed—

"Joyfully accept fate without doubt."

The painting and the poem together added cultural depth and philosophical appeal to the whole teapot.

"President Jiang has a good eye; this is a replica paying homage to Master Gu Jingzhou."

"This piece is so expertly made that it could pass for the real thing. It is priced at 89,999 yuan."

Upon hearing Zeng Haoyang's introduction, Jiang Tao almost burst into laughter.

What does it mean to pass for the real thing?

This Yixing teapot is an authentic piece!

It's just that no one would dare to think along those lines!

Who would have thought that a Yixing teapot priced at only 90,000 yuan could actually be an original Gu Jingzhou?

"Alright, wrap this one for me and I'll take this other one too."

Jiang Tao pointed at the Gu Jingzhou Yixing teapot emitting the dark golden light and another teapot next to it, taking both.

Zeng Haoyang, hearing Jiang Tao's immediate purchase of two teapots, was instantly delighted:

"Alright, President Jiang! Thank you for trusting Wangfu Tea House; the total for both is 169,998 yuan. Will you be paying by card?"

"Yes, by card."

Jiang Tao replied as he reached into his pocket.

With just a thought, he retrieved a Centurion Black Gold Card from Industrial and Commercial Bank from the spatial ring he was wearing.

This card was offered to him by Ren Jianjun, boasting a credit limit of up to 50 million.

"Certainly, President Jiang, please follow me to process the payment!"

Zeng Haoyang respectfully gestured for Jiang Tao to follow him and walked together towards the finance department.

Everything went smoothly.

After Jiang Tao successfully swiped his card, Zeng Haoyang instructed a female employee to place the two Yixing teapots into what appeared to be high-end, luxurious rosewood gift boxes with a lid that fits into the base.

The gift boxes were fitted with protective bubble wraps and cushioning.

From the moment Jiang Tao stepped into the Wangfu Tea House's Gift Department to when he walked out with the two Yixing teapots, it was no more than half an hour.

"Brother Tongzi didn't mention its exact value, only saying it's extremely valuable. I wonder how much this Gu Jingzhou Yixing teapot is actually worth?"

As he got back to the car, Jiang Tao was filled with curiosity and directed Old Jia to drive to Pan Garden to find Zhang Bo.

The rights protection issue at Jinghua Pavilion wasn't particularly urgent.

What he wanted most to know now was the worth of the Gu Jingzhou teapot he had just acquired!

Around 10:30 a.m.

The Mercedes G-Class parked in a parking lot inside the Pan Garden Antiques Market.

Jiang Tao asked Old Jia to stay put while he carried the high-end gift box containing the Gu Jingzhou Yixing teapot towards the Boya Auction House.

"Hey! Brother Jiang, you're here again! What good stuff did you bring this time?"

Zhang Bo spotted Jiang Tao from afar and eagerly came out of the store to greet him.

Of course, most of his attention was on the wooden box Jiang Tao was carrying.