Power and Wealth

“Brother Dong, this dinner is to celebrate your success in solving the case. How can we not drink on occasion?”

“Ah... I can’t hold my liquor well.” Dong Xuebing was telling the truth.

“Then, we shall only drink a bottle of Beijing alcohol. You are from Beijing and should like this. The alcohol content is not high too.”

After all the food was served, the waiter poured the alcohol for them. Dong Xuebing felt giddy when he saw the full glass of Baijiu. He raised the glass for a toast. “Chief Qin, I know you can drink, and I will not lie to you. At most, I can only finish this glass before I get drunk. State Security has strict regulations forbidding us to drink and I have not drunk since I entered the government service.”

Qin Yong did not mind and said. “Actually, I also can’t drink much. Let’s just drink casually.”

After taking a sip, Qin Yong laughed. “I heard you are not married yet.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Yes. I still have not met someone suitable.”

“Hahaha, our Yan Tai County is famous for beautiful women, and we have lots of pretty officers in our bureau. Brother Dong, you should look around or how about I ask my wife to introduce someone to you?”

“No need. Being single is also quite good.”

“You are right. Hahaha, marriage is the tomb of love.”

It’s not that Dong Xuebing does not want to get married. He wants to get married and have a child to please his mum. But his relationships with Xie Huilan and Qu Yunxuan were a mess. Dong Xuebing intends to get married to Qu Yunxuan, but she keeps avoiding this subject. He also wants to be with Xie Huilan. But Xie Huilan’s family will not agree. That’s why Dong Xuebing’s love life is in a total mess now. Also, after mixing around with beauties like Xie Huilan and Qu Yunxuan, he is not interested in average looking women. No many women would dare to claim they are pretty when compared to Sister Xie and Aunt Xuan!

“Here, Chief Dong, let’s have a toast.”

After entering the grassroots level, Dong Xuebing was prepared to be forced to drink. He knew this is common in these areas, and after half a glass, he feels tipsy. He finished the remaining Baijiu in his glass and rubbed his temples.

Qin Yong saw this and knew Dong Xuebing was not lying when he said he can’t drink. He stopped asking Dong Xuebing to drink and start to chat about their work.

Dong Xuebing is tipsy, but his mind is clear and listened attentively.

It was unclear if Qin Yong was slightly drunk or did it on purpose. He starts telling Dong Xuebing about the relationships between the bureau leaders and their characters. For example, Hu Yiguo is desperate for power, and Deputy Zhao Jingsong, who is close to Hu Yiguo, is particularly pervy and is interested in Office Director Hu Simin. Deputy Gong Zhongwei, who is close to Chief Liang, is someone that keeps a low profile and is not interested in moving up the ranks. He only wants to remain in his current position until he retires. Of course, Dong Xuebing did not really believe what Qin Yong said. He got to see with his own eyes for him to believe.

After leaving the restaurant, Qin Yong starts to dig information from Dong Xuebing jokingly. He jokingly asked what sort of connections Dong Xuebing has for him to be the Deputy Bureau Chief at his age. Dong Xuebing immediately sober up and insist he does not have any backings. To be honest, Dong Xuebing really does not have any background and he got his position is because of Xie Huilan. It is Xie Huilan who has lots of connections.

Qin Yong saw he could not get any info out from Dong Xuebing and changed the subject.

It was close to 7 pm when they return to their quarters.

Dong Xuebing immediately collapsed on his bed once he entered as his head was spinning.

Ring, ring, ring... Dong Xuebing’s phone rang, and he answered without looking at the caller display. “Hello?”

It was Qu Yunxuan. “You are drunk?”

Dong Xuebing was surprised. “Huh? How do you know? I only said one word.”

Qu Yunxuan giggled. “I know you better than you know yourself. I can tell from your voice when you are about to fall asleep, or you just wake up. I know how you sound like after you drink. You went out earlier? Don’t drink too much. It is not good for your health.”

Dong Xuebing replied: “Ok......, did you call because you miss me?”

“Hmph! Stop talking nonsense. You want me to beat you?”

“If you don’t miss me, why are you calling? Just admit it.”

“Go to hell. I have something to tell you.” Qu Yunxuan said. “The Auction Company is almost ready. I managed to contact two experts through a friend, hired the staff, and confirmed the office location. The only problem we have now is the first batch of auction items. Although many people had contacted me and wish to auction their items, their antiques are not impressive and valuable. There is nothing that will pull in the crowd.”

“Just look around or buy some.”

“I want our first auction to be impressive and build up our reputation. But the company does not have money left after paying the office and hotel ballroom rental and advertisements.”

Dong Xuebing thought for a while and asked. “What sort of antiques do you need?”

“This is a small auction, and an antique that is worth a few hundred thousand to 1 million RMB is enough.:

Dong Xuebing got up from the bed and rubbed the center of his brows. “Ok... Let me think of a solution.”

“You are going treasure picking again? But your county does not have many antiques.”

“Let me look around first. Wait for my call.”

Other than his career, Dong Xuebing is most concern about this company now. He had invested all his savings, and if the first auction fails, it will be hard for the company to make a comeback. The first auction must not fail as this concerns his future happiness.

After washing his face, Dong Xuebing sober up and went out to look for an antique shop.

Yan Tai County is not as prosperous as Beijing, and there are only a few antique shops around. It was already 7 plus in the evenings and most of the shops were closed. Dong Xuebing went to the town center and asked several people if there were any antique shops around. In the end, he could not find one. Just as he was walking along the streets, he saw two people riding bicycles pass him. It was Hu Silian.

“Eh, Chief Dong?” Hu Silian stopped her bike and said. “What a coincident.”

Dong Xuebing had met the man beside Hu Silian in the family quarters. “Director Hu is going shopping with your husband?”

Hu Silian was not in her uniform today and was wearing a bright colored dress. “Haha, no. My husband’s unit has an event today, and we went dancing at the ballroom opposite the plaza there. Chief Dong, you are going shopping?” Hu Silian’s husband also alighted from his bike. He had heard from his wife about what happened in the bureau today and is very polite to Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing smiled. “I am looking for antique shops, but I can’t find one.”

Hu Silian smiled and asked. “Chief Dong, you are an antique collector? Let me go with you. I remember there is an antique shop nearby. It should still be open now.” Hu Silian turns to her husband and extends her hand. “Give me my bag and go back first.” Her husband quickly passes her the handbag and bid goodbye to Dong Xuebing. He seems to be very obedient to Hu Silian.

Dong Xuebing noticed this and thought to himself. Women in the government sector are different. If their husbands are of a lower rank than them, their status at home will be lower. Hu Silian and her husband reminded him of his relationship with Xie Huilan. When he is with Xie Huilan, her attitude is also overbearing.

“Brother Hu.” Hu Silian’s husband’s surname is also Hu. Dong Xuebing said. “If you got nothing on later, let go together. I feel bad to disrupt your date.” Dong Xuebing had sober up from the alcohol and knew that if he was seen walking along the streets with Hu Silian alone, there would be rumors. He is still new in the bureau and must avoid these rumors.

Hu Silian knew Dong Xuebing’s concerns and nodded to her husband. The 3 of them slowly walk towards the antique shop.

Although Dong Xuebing is not overbearing like Xie Huilan and other leaders, he is outstanding in his own way. He treats others with respect and addresses Hu Silian’s husband as “Brother Hu.” Hu Silian also feels good when he sees Chief Xiao Dong treating her husband with respect.

Bao Xuan Ge. This is an antique shop that specializes in porcelain and paintings.

After they entered the shop, Dong Xuebing noticed the porcelain items on display on a shelf. He does not know about paintings and calligraphy, and his target today is porcelain. He had made a profit from breaking the porcelain and inspecting the broken sections for authenticity the last time he was with Xie Huilan. Now, he still has 7 BACKS and he might get lucky. Dong Xuebing does not have high hopes as expensive authentic porcelains are seldom found in small shops and there are not many porcelain items around.

“Chief Dong, are you looking for painting or porcelain?” Hu Silian asked.

“I prefer porcelain.”

“Haha, me too. I love the antique collection programs on TV, and Blue and White porcelains from the Yuen dynasty are my favorite.”

“That’s right. I also like Blue and White porcelains.” Who does not like something that is worth over a hundred million?

Hu Silian is very observant, and she saw Dong Xuebing looking at the porcelain vases, she kept quiet and walk aside with her husband. They do not want to disturb him.

The owner of the shop walks over. “Are you all looking for anything?”

Dong Xuebing points to that shelf. “How much are these vases?”

“Oh, this container is made from a commoner’s furnace and is selling for 5,000 RMB. This small bowl is from the official furnace and it cost 30,000 RMB. That vase is also 30,000 RMB...” Dong Xuebing needs to know about the prices first. It will be useless if he can find an authentic porcelain item, and the owner is selling it for a few hundred million. Luckily, all the porcelain items there were not expensive. The owner must also know that his products were all inferior items.

After the introductions, Dong Xuebing start to examine the porcelain items.

About 10 minutes later, Dong Xuebing picked 3 items that he felt were authentic. Alright. Let’s start.

Crash! Dong Xuebing raised his hand and smashed a Dragon Spring porcelain piece on the floor. He quickly bends over and picks up a broken fragment.

The shop owner roared: “What are you going?!”

Hu Silian and her husband were shocked. “Chief Dong, what are you......”

Dong Xuebing ignored them and examined the fragments. From the broken sections, this piece does not look authentic. He immediately picked up another porcelain item and smashed it on the concrete floor, before picking up a broken part to study. The owner rushed forward and raise his fist to hit him. Hu Silian remembered Dong Xuebing had drunk before coming here and might be drunk. As a subordinate, she cannot see her leader getting beaten up in front of her. She pushed her husband and he ran over to stop the owner.

Dong Xuebing shook his head after he examined the broken fragment and smashed the third porcelain item.

The third porcelain item is also not an authentic antique.

After a while, Dong Xuebing mumbled. “BACK 1 minute!”

......

It was all quiet in the antique shop. Hu Silian and her husband were discussing a porcelain bowl, and the owner is explaining about a Blue and White Porcelain vase to Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing pretends to listen to him and picks 3 items off the shelf.

Crash! Dong Xuebing threw one item on the floor and repeated what he did earlier.

This does not look authentic!

This is not real too!

This is another fake!

......

Within half an hour, Dong Xuebing used 6 minutes of BACK. He only has 1 minute left!

Hu Silian had decided to buy a Porcelain bowl. It is not expensive and cost about 1,000 RMB. “Chief Dong, which item are you buying?”

Dong Xuebing smiled. “I still have not found anything I like.”

Hu Silian points to a 5-colored cup. “I think this is a good piece.”

Dong Xuebing had smashed this cup earlier, and from the broken fragments, it does not look authentic. Sigh... 6 minutes of BACK wasted without a single gain. It seems like the quality of the antiques in this shop is poor. Should I use the final one minute here?

Dong Xuebing listlessly picks up a Guanyin statue while thinking.

Hu Silian saw Dong Xuebing looking at the Guanyin without saying a word and thought he wants this statue. “You want to bring this Guanyin statue back?”

Hu Silian’s husband looked at the statue and reminded him. “This is not an antique. It is a modern art piece.”

Hu Silian stared at her husband. “Chief Dong can tell this is not an antique. You don’t have to remind him!”

Her husband keeps quiet after that.

Dong Xuebing also knew that this type of Guanyin statue can be found in every mall, and it is worth less than 200 RMB. He picks up that statue because he is deep in thoughts. Sigh... never mind. Even if I smash a few more pieces, I will not find any authentic antiques. I should not waste my BACK anymore. After making his decision, Dong Xuebing placed the statue back on the shelf. “Let’s go...”

When Dong Xuebing is turning, his arm accidentally brushed against the Guanyin statue’s base!

Dong Xuebing was still a bit tipsy after drinking, and his reaction was slow. Before he could react, the statue fell off the shelf!

Hu Silian gasped and quickly reach out to catch the statue.

However, it was too late. Crash! The porcelain Guanyin statue was smashed!

“You...” The owner stares at Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing cursed his luck under his breath and took out his wallet to pay for the statue. Suddenly, from the corner of his eyes, he saw the broken pieces of the statue, and was stunned. He blinked and thought the alcohol had caused illusions. But when he noticed Hu Silian and her husband also standing there in shock looking at the broken pieces, Dong Xuebing knew his eyes were not playing tricks. He pushed the owner aside and squat down to examine the porcelain pieces! Damn! What’s happen?

The owner also noticed it and froze. “This is...”

Dong Xuebing did not think much and used the final BACK!

......

The scenes before his eyes flashed!

“You want to bring this Guanyin statue back?” Hu Silian smiles and asked.

Hu Silian’s husband: “This is not an antique. It is a modern art piece.”

Hu Silian stared at her husband. “Chief Dong can tell this is not an antique. You don’t have to remind him!”

This is one minute before!!!

Dong Xuebing’s body shook and quickly grabbed the Guanyin statue tightly. He suppressed his excitement and asked the owner. “How much is this Guanyin selling?”

The shop owner looked at Dong Xuebing. This small statue is placed here by his friend, and the owner knows it is not worth a lot. But he did not reject his friend and let him put this statue here for sales. Over the past few months, no one had even asked about this statue. “If you want, I will sell it to you for 500 RMB.”

Dong Xuebing immediately took out 500 RMB from his wallet without hesitation.

The shop owner was surprised as he did not expect Dong Xuebing to pay him straight away. He thought to himself, this person must be crazy. Similar statues are sold for 100 RMB in the malls!

Hu Silian was also stunned and stopped her husband, who was about to stop Dong Xuebing. She grabbed her husband’s arm and shook her head slightly. They had reminded Chief Dong earlier and since he still wants to buy it, they should not stop him.

Dong Xuebing also knows what they were thinking.

......

Back at the Public Security Quarters, Dong Xuebing locked the door and smiles.

He placed the Guanyin statue on the table carefully and took out a screwdriver from a drawer, before rolling up his sleeves. He held the statue up in one hand and used the screwdriver to stab the base. Crack! Dong Xuebing managed to break a hole in the bottom and there were pieces of paper crumbled inside the hollow statue. He carefully took out the papers from the statue and placed it on the table.

Dong Xuebing opened up the crumpled paper, and there was a jade hair stick inside!

It’s Hetian, Jade!

Hetian Fine White Jade!

Dong Xuebing laughed. He does not know who sealed this piece of jade hair stick in the Guanyin statue, but with this jade ornament, his company’s first Auction will have a star item!

Dong Xuebing immediately calls Aunt Xuan. “I got the item.”

Aunt Xuan was confused. “What item are you talking about?”

“Our first auction’s main auction item. A piece of jade hair stick.”

Qu Yunxuan paused for a few seconds and asked. “What type of jade is it, and which era is it from?”

Dong Xuebing replied confidently. “I am sure the jade is Hetian’s most famous white jade. As for the era, it should be at least over a hundred years. I am not very sure. You got to let the experts validate it. This price of this piece should fetch a few hundred to 1 million RMB.”

“...Xiao Bing, you... I really salute you.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? How long has it been since I called you earlier, and you picked a treasure? Even robbing banks will not get as much money as you!”

“Hahaha, this is nothing... I am just lucky. Errr... How do I pass this item to you?”

“My friend had sent to your province to fetch an antique expert this morning and should be on her way back. How about I ask her to drop by Yan Tai County to meet you?”

“Is she trusted? This Jade hair stick is valuable.”

“It’s Xiao Tao. She had worked with me at the newspaper agency for quite long, and she resigned to come and help me. She can be trusted.”

“Ok. Give me her number. I will call her.”

At about 9 pm, Xiao Tao arrived at a teahouse near to Dong Xuebing’s place.

Dong Xuebing passed the nicely wrapped jade hair stick to her and smiled. “Ask Yunxuan to call me before the auction. If I have the time, I would want to attend.”

With this White Jade Hair Stick, the auction will attract lots of people to attend!