Siheyuan: Pretend to be a Pig and Eat the Tiger

Now, the ragpicker is basically certain that Yan Bugui urgently needs money; otherwise, he wouldn't have come knocking on his door in such a panic. It's the truth!
Given Yan Bugui's personality, he would never bring out his ancestral heirloom to exchange for money unless it was a critical moment; that much is certain!
People of this generation have a special attachment to their ancestral inheritance and legacy. They generally won't sell their ancestral property unless absolutely necessary, except for spendthrift sons!
Therefore, the ragpicker remained unmoved, but upon hearing Han Chunming's name, he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. This guy followed the rules but acted unpredictably, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with him!
"Alright, I really don't believe this nonsense. Let me tell you, people say this is an old item from the Xuande era palace, and you know its value!"
We share the same ancestor. I'm in a bit of trouble, otherwise, I wouldn't be selling our ancestral possessions, would I? Alright, even if the deal falls through, we can still be on good terms. If you don't want it, I'll go find Han Chunming!

"Oh, right, I heard from Zhu Zi that there's a famous collector here known as the Nine Gates Admiral, Uncle Guan. He might be interested. We don't share the same ancestry, so I wouldn't consider you my first choice. You're busy!"

Yan Bugui was a shrewd man among shrewd men. Since the ragpicker Hou clearly wanted to acquire the incense burner at a low price, Yan Bugui would not let him succeed. A large number of televisions would be sold, and the returns would be extremely generous. When it comes to interests, even brothers and fathers would be useless, let alone those from the same ancestor!

"No, wait, don't you need money? Alright, I'll give you ten thousand, that's all. This incense burner is only worth this much, any more wouldn't be worth it!"

This is only because we share the same ancestor and are old artifacts left by our ancestors; otherwise, we men really wouldn't be able to pay such a high price.

That said, this thing really isn't worth that much. We're just trying to avoid being called unfilial descendants. If you don't want that, then please, have some peace and quiet!

The ragpicker looked at Yan Bugui indifferently. In fact, he really wanted it, but Yan Bugui's family had been scheming to the core for generations. He had to be on his guard every time he dealt with them!

"Alright, I am an unworthy descendant. Ancestors, please don't be angry. An unworthy descendant also needs to eat. If I just sit here with this thing and do nothing, will it just gather dust?"
Your offer of ten thousand is far from my expectations. I'll find someone else. You, my filial son and grandson, may you rest in peace here. Goodbye!

Yan Bugui sneered, "Does he really think he's an idiot? How did he manage to use such a crude move? You call me an unfilial descendant, then at least act like a dutiful son or grandson! You're utterly worthless, what a piece of trash!"

"Alright, in the entire Zhengyangmen, there's absolutely no one who can afford this price except me;"

No one can afford it. Remember, it's extremely rare for someone to be able to raise the money in such a short time. You must urgently need the money, right? Think about it!

What the ragpicker Hou said is right. There are plenty of wealthy people in the entire Zhengyang Gate, and not just one or two, but there are fewer than a handful who would be willing to pay 30,000 for an incense burner. That's the stark reality!
In an era when even those with ten thousand yuan could make it into the newspapers, even in the capital city where hidden talents abound, not just anyone would be willing to exchange money for an inanimate object!
Beijing is an ancient capital with a history of thousands of years. There are countless wealthy people. Perhaps the background of a brothel owner is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Everyone only knows about fallen nobles, but spoiled brats are a minority, not the majority!
"You've gone to a lot of trouble, but I feel that as long as the products are good enough and of high quality, money isn't an issue. After all, this isn't some backwater, is it?"

Yan Bugui was determined not to back down. What a joke! A royal incense burner, and you only have ten thousand yuan? I don't want to give it up. Han Chunming and even Grandpa Guan are much more suitable candidates.

Compare prices from three different vendors to avoid being ripped off. That scoundrel Hou loves to cheat people, so I can't give him that chance. Absolutely not, otherwise, wouldn't I become the sucker?

Yan Bugui inquired with each person one by one, only to find it was impossible. Although the item was excellent, the price of 30,000 was too high, and no one was willing to pay it! "Zhu Zi, I had no choice but to come to you. This incense burner is a piece from the Xuande era palace. Is 30,000 too much? Even the ragpicker Lord Guan and your apprentice Han Chunming agree to it, but they seem to be unable to come up with that much money. They had no other options but to come to you!"

Yan Bugui waited a whole day before finally getting to see He Yuzhu. Perhaps only He Yuzhu had the ability to do so. If He Yuzhu was unwilling, he could only watch the opportunity slip through his fingers!
“If you want to sell, I’m naturally willing to take it. However, a Xuande incense burner isn’t worth 30,000. With your house included, it’s perfectly feasible. Cash on delivery, how about it?”

He Yuzhu's true colors were revealed. He had originally planned to take over the entire compound, but who knew it would start with Yan Bugui. Hopefully, this guy will agree!

"The house? Zhu Zi, if we sell the house, where will so many people in the family live? We've lived in this compound for so many years, don't be so heartless!"

Yan Bugui never expected that He Yuzhu's goal was the house. Good heavens, what if something unexpected happens? Would his whole family have to sleep on the streets? Is human kindness really that weak these days?

"Second Uncle, let's be business. Your incense burner and house aren't worth that much money at all. I'm only doing you a favor because of the neighbors. If you're willing, we can make a deal. If not, then forget it."

Business is about mutual consent. If you come to me offering an inanimate object in exchange for 30,000, do you think that's possible? Conversely, is your house worth that much?
Of course, you're free to go back if you don't want to; I'm not forcing you, am I? So don't talk about being heartless or not. If you don't want to, can I force you?

He Yuzhu sneered. Things are different now than before. There's no need to maintain relationships with these people, and no need to compromise. After the reform and opening up, strength is king. As for the so-called neighborly affection, is there any affection left in this compound?

It should be said that since 1955, there has only been scheming and being schemed against in this compound. Affection is too much of a luxury, and it is not something that people in this compound are worthy of!
Yan Bugui was speechless after He Yuzhu said that what He Yuzhu said was indeed true. He Yuzhu did not use any coercive means. It was just a matter of mutual consent!

Yan Bugui, who was about to turn and leave, hesitated when he thought of the generous reward of the television set. If he succeeded, he could buy an apartment and let whoever wanted to live in the compound live there. If He Yuzhu wanted it, he could just give it to him!

"Zhu Zi, I need to go back and discuss this matter. There are so many people in the family; we can't leave it undiscussed. I'll get back to you in a bit, okay?"

Yan Bugui really didn't want to give up this opportunity. If he succeeded, he could achieve a leap in social class with a few more attempts. Why did He Yuzhu become so assertive? Wasn't it because he was rich?

(End of this chapter)