Chapter 5 Selling Books in the United States
In the antique store, you will see a shelf full of all kinds of antiques, fans, swords, teapots, etc., in front of the shelves is a counter, and the counter is also full of all kinds, jade, copper coins, ancient knives, ancient books and so on. There was a computer on the counter, and an old man was sitting at the counter.
This old man wears reading glasses and is skinny, he is Zhong Song.
When Zhong Song saw Li Yibai come in, Li Yibai was wearing Song Dynasty decorations and didn't make a fuss, there are often people like this in Chinatown, which is also one of the reasons why Li Yibai chose Chinatown as a landing location. It's just that none of them are as standard as Li Yibai wears, and I think since they are so particular about the costumes of the Song Dynasty. It seems that this man has good goods on him.
'Hello sir, do you want to buy or sell?' ā
"Oh, you're Zhong Song, Boss Zhong, I want to sell a book." As he spoke, Li Yibai took out a copy of "Mengxi Pen Talk" from his bag and put it on the counter.
Zhong Song is so experienced that he can see at a glance that this book is a publication of the Song Dynasty, and this person really has good goods. But Zhong Song's face did not show a happy expression, but frowned and said,
'Sir, how much money do you want. ā
Li Yibai knew that Zhong Song wanted to trap him. Li Yibai is such a smart person, proficient in three languages, has been an undercover gangster for smuggling for ten years, has accused gangsters, and has never seen any scenes in the rivers and lakes.
'Boss Zhong, give me a price. ā
'1oo dollars. Zhong Song stretched out a finger and made it clear that he wanted to black Li Yibai.
'1oo dollars. The corners of Li Yibai's mouth showed a touch of contempt. "Boss Zhong wants to play me as a Kaizi, okay, since you don't want it, I'll change to another home." Saying that, Li Yibai made a look of getting up to leave.
Zhong Song hurriedly shouted, 'Don't, sir. Please sir, your last name. Let's talk slowly, you can pay me back. ā
'My surname is Lee. When I made the first transaction, I thought that Boss Zhong could give a sincere price. Li Yibai estimated that a Song Dynasty publication could be worth about 20,000-30,000 yuan, and the beautifully packaged one could even be worth more than 100,000 yuan. However, the goods in his hands can only be ordinary packaging.
Zhong Song still didn't let go and said, "Since Mr. Li is also a knowledgeable person. You name a price. I'll try to see if it's not too low. ā
Li Yibai thought, as long as he can ensure that each book can be sold for no less than 20,000 yuan, he doesn't want to bargain with profiteers, saving waste of time and trouble, anyway, there will be more antiques in the future.
'5ooo USD. Li Yibai deliberately said higher.
Zhong Song frowned and said, "This price is a bit high. I can only give you $3ooo. ā
'35oo USD. Li Yibai said.
'No, I can't. Mr. Li you only have one if you can have eight. Nine books, if I can earn more, I can give you this price. Zhong Song looked at Li Yibai's dress, and if he could get a copy of the Song periodical, it would be considered shit luck, let him take out the eight. Nine originally, it was simply impossible. That's why it's said to drive down the price.
'Then if I can take out eight. Nine books. Can you buy it for $35oo? Li Yibai asked lightly.
Eight. Nine Song periodicals, how is it possible. Zhong Song smiled secretly in his heart, in the entire Chinatown area, he knows how many goods he has, even if it is reselling, the price is 35oo US dollars, and reselling is a loss of money. For Zhong Song, as long as the acquisition of such goods is not more than 35oo US dollars, he still has some money, which is his bottom line. This cost floor is known among peers.
'No problem. ā
Li Yibai smiled and took out the book from the cloth bag.
One copy.
Two copies.
Three copies.
Four copies.
Five copies.
Six copies.
Seven copies. When Li Yibai took out the first book, Zhong Song's eyes were about to fall.
Eight copies.
Li Yibai left the last copy of "Qiyanlu" and did not take it out. There are ten books in total, and there are nine on the counter.
Zhong Song picked up these books tremblingly, unable to believe his eyes. This Mr. Li is so powerful, how could he get so many Song periodicals. Moreover, these poetry collections are even rarer, and the price can be higher than that of "Dream Creek Pen Talk". Alas, it's a pity that I'm smug for a while, I've been in the antique business for so many years, and for the first time I've suffered a dumb loss, although this business will also make money, but this time I made less. You can't underestimate others anymore in the future.
I really admire Mr. Li again. Bow down. Mr. Li is a great businessman, and he has the ability to get so many antiquities. Please cooperate in the future. ā
Zhong Song is not stupid, a person like Li Yibai who gets the source of goods, he definitely wants to hold it.
'You're welcome. Boss Zhong. Li Yibai touched the book of "Qiyanlu" in his hand. 'Can you lend me Boss Zhong's computer?' ā
Zhong Song turned the monitor to Li Yibai's side, and the keyboard also moved over. 'Mr. Li, use whatever you want. ā
When Li Yibai was in the Song Dynasty, he wanted to check this "Qiyanlu". It's a pity that the Song Dynasty can't access the Internet. This time I came to the modern society and was in a hurry, so I checked it here. He only vaguely felt that the book was rare. Li Yibai knocked on the carriage a few times and retrieved the information of "Qiyanlu".
"Qiyanlu" is a collection of literary anecdotes and novels. Written by Hou Bai of the Sui Dynasty. This is another important collection of jokes after "Laughing Forest", but it has its own unique advantages. "Chronicles of the Old Tang Dynasty" and "Chronicles of the New Tang Dynasty" are recorded, and ten volumes have been lost.
The last two words, 'lost'
The most valuable thing about antiques is their rarity. And "Qiyanlu" has long been lost. This is the only one of its kind. When Li Yibai saw this, he recalled that he had seen a little description in a paper in "New Tang Dynasty Chronicles", no wonder he had an impression.
It seems that I made the right choice at that time, but how much do I plan to sell for such a precious one-of-a-kind book? This kind of solitary book should be at least 1ooo million RMB. But no matter how precious it is, for yourself, it's not something you can get easily. Think of the small antique shop that this bell has loosened. Financial resources are also limited, and it is estimated that he can only contribute more than 2oo yuan.
As for why Li Yibai didn't find a better buyer and sell at a higher price, the main reason was that these were all within Li Yibai's calculations.
First Li Yibai had a limited time in modern society, and it is possible that he was passed back before he saw a better buyer. Secondly, Li Yibai is in a weak state in modern society, and when he is not strong enough, he runs around with a valuable treasure, which is easy to be targeted by others and encounters greater danger. Besides, such a treasure, for Li Yibai, can be easily obtained, it is not worth cherishing at all, and it is nothing if Zhong Song is cheap.
Li Yibai closed the webpage and said to Zhong Song, "Boss Zhong, I have better goods." Does Boss Zhong want to accept it? ā
Zhong Song was taken aback and said, "Please Mr. Li come into the back room with me to talk." ā
Li Yibai followed Zhong Song to the inner room, which was more open than the outside, and the doors were all made of several steel plates. It seems that the shops outside are just some rags, and the good things are stored in the back room.
'Please Mr. Li take out the treasure. Zhong Song said, "I'll take it." I knew that Mr. Li would treat me as a friend. ā
Li Yibai smiled, "That's right, I decided to sell this treasure to you based on the sincerity of Boss Zhong who accepted my nine books at a fair price." ā
Saying that, Li Yibai took out "Qiyanlu".
Zhong Song took a magnifying glass and looked at it a few times, turning over the old Tang Zhi. I found the content recorded in the "Old Tang Chronicles". Some of the other chapters are also like this author's penmanship. It seems that it should be true, right. Zhong Song's face was flushed and excited, and his forehead began to sweat.
'Mr. Li, I'll tell you the truth. This thing is priceless. ā
"Qiyanlu" has long been lost. That's a good thing. Zhong Song's voice trembled when he said this. It can be seen that he is a person who really likes antiques. 'I can't take this thing, Mr. Li, I don't have enough money to buy it.' ā
'How much money does Boss Zhong have. Li Yibai asked.
'$4o million, and some $1o million in bonds. Zhong Song replied.
Since Boss Zhong is so sincere to me. Li Yibai said, "I don't want those bonds." Give me $4o million, and this thing and the nine books are yours. ā
When Zhong Song heard this, he couldn't believe his ears. 'Really. This is true. There will be no repentance. ā
'Am I the one who will go back on my back?' Boss Zhong is my friend. It doesn't matter if it's sent to Boss Zhong. Li Yibai said lightly.
'Don't dare, don't dare. I'll pay the money now. Zhong Song excitedly wanted to make this deal and get this book, for fear that Li Yibai would regret it.
'All I need is cash. It is OK in US dollars or RMB. When Li Yibai was a snakehead before, he understood that he did not swipe his card when buying and selling, but only accepted cash, so as to avoid being detected by the US FBI. Because in the United States, after a lump sum of $10,000 is flowed, it may be tracked, and once it is black money, it will be frozen. The snakeheads understand this truth, and Li Yibai understands it even more.
Now that this business of his own is also from an unknown source, could it be that when he was caught by the FBI, he told him that he was brought from the Song Dynasty?
I understand, I understand. Zhong Song nodded. He often collects black goods, how can there be so many of these antiques. In order to avoid the blow, he was only prepared to trade in cash.
Zhong Song took out 4o million US dollars from the safe and handed it to Li Yibai.
After Li Yibai put the money into a cloth bag, he took out the teapot.
Because he wanted to test the real yĆ n he had thought before.
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