Imperial Treasure
Chapter 97 - 79 What is called sudden wealth!

Chapter 97: Chapter 79 What is called sudden wealth!

However, when it comes to antiques, only a minority care about the cultural heritage behind them; most people are quite mundane and are eager to know the real age of the item to determine its value.

"Sui Yi just mentioned that this jade cicada has fine and smooth workmanship but follows the flat-blade style, which seems complex. During the Warring States to Western Zhou period, there wouldn’t be such craftsmanship. It was more towards a grand and first-rate style. It was not until the Northern and Southern Dynasties that the jade cicada still followed the Han system. Due to the impacts of war during that period, jade resources were scarce, with most cicadas carved from soapstone or with a flat-blade, thus the details became more realistic and appeared even more lifelike compared to those of the Han Dynasty. I think this jade cicada should be from the Han Dynasty, but whether it’s from the Eastern Han or Western Han, I can’t be sure."

Elder Han humbly took the tea that his grandson had offered and took a sip.

The others listened with interest, and after he finished speaking, they clapped together in applause.

Experience always trumps youth after all.

Elder Han’s reputation in Jiangnan District is still pretty well-known.

"So, this means that this jade cicada is from the Han Dynasty?" Zhang Guangbiao stroked his chin, muttering to himself.

Jade from the Han Dynasty was often considered most beautiful when made from white jade, and the material of this cicada does indeed seem to be white jade...

"From the Han Dynasty? Sui Yi, you really are remarkable! Ha, those folks must be kicking themselves now."

Su Ziyi had understood some of it after listening to his grandfather and now told the story of his previous encounter, which annoyed Elder Tang and others as they lamented over the misgivings in the antiques market, and reflected on how fortune and misfortune follow one another.

But after recapping the past events, Su Ziyi asked with some curiosity, "Grandpa, if it’s as you said, and this jade cicada in Sui Yi’s possession is genuine, what would be its price?"

Of course it’s real; otherwise, Elder Tang and the others wouldn’t be so excited.

Although they work in this field, finding treasures is still extremely difficult, given the prevalence of counterfeits nowadays~~

"A jade cicada from the Han Dynasty... Although not rare, they are not plentiful either, and most are enshrined in museums. Talking about the value of collecting, it would be quite substantial," Elder Han paused, using his past experiences as a reference.

"Two years ago, I can’t remember the exact month, but there was a jade cicada auctioned in Hanzhong City similar to the one Sui Yi has. It sold for 2.6 million, and by now it should be worth 3 million," he estimated.

In recent years, the collecting craze combined with inflation and currency devaluation, an increase from 2.6 to 3 million is quite conservative.

The others were shocked, "Heh, a small jade cicada worth 3 million?"

That’s like striking it rich!

Zhang Guangbiao felt a twinge of envy, souring his mood as he said, "Hey, that’s what you call sudden wealth~~ It’s like picking up money off the ground~~~"

Collecting is a risky venture that can’t be undertaken without wealth in the millions, and countless millionaires have been bankrupted by it; yet, stories of overnight riches do exist.

For instance, now, Sui Yi has left many of the more materially affluent people here feeling envious.

So all the millions I’ve worked for almost a lifetime can’t compare to what this young girl gets from one lucky find?

Wait, did you just say you got this for twenty bucks?

My God!

That’s even more profitable than a Wall Street financial storm!

"Sui Yi, Sui Yi, you’ve really given all of us old folks a lesson in picking finds. The way you see this jade cicada, it doesn’t really require much expertise, it all relies on carefulness and wits. Our thoughts as older people are set in their ways, whereas you young people are more agile," Elder Tang shook his head as he handed the jade cicada back to Sui Yi, but Sui Yi pushed it back to him with a casual gesture.

"Give it to Elder Tang."

"Eh?" Elder Tang was astonished.

"Don’t you love this kind of accessory the most? Since it was a lucky find and you’ve helped me a lot before, consider this a gesture of reciprocity, returning your favor," Sui Yi said earnestly, not joking, and his sincerity made it all the more surprising.

It’s not uncommon for an apprentice to give gifts to their master, but...

This is a jade cicada worth three million, and many believe that if it were genuinely authentic, it could fetch at least three million at auction!

Three million, and you’re just giving it away?

Even as a favor, isn’t that a bit too generous?

Elder Tang, who always knew Sui Yi wasn’t one to curry personal favor, understood the gift was offered with true sincerity. You wonder, would your own sons and daughters be willing to give you something so valuable? Would they, indeed!

Elder Han, Yu Quan, and others looked on with envy, warming Elder Tang’s heart as he pocketed the jade cicada, surprising Elder Han and Yu Quan a bit.