Chapter 222: Sold
Meanwhile, as Li Daoxuan savored the fine noodles offered by the little people...
In Shanghai, at a miniature sculpture exhibition.
A large crowd was gathered around a display stand, discussing animatedly.
At the very center of the stand sat a tiny Daoist temple, no bigger than a fist, exquisitely miniature.
An elderly millionaire, an avid collector of miniature art, passed by. Seeing the large crowd gathered, he couldn't help but squeeze his way in, asking, "Everyone, what are you all looking at? Such a lively gathering?"
Most of the onlookers recognized Old Mr. Li and greeted him warmly: "Old Mr. Li! You've come to the art exhibition too? We're currently looking at a very interesting piece; perhaps you'd like to offer your esteemed opinion."
Old Mr. Li chuckled, "Something drawing such a crowd must be quite remarkable; I really must take a good look."
He took a quick glance and saw the small Daoist temple in the center of the display. The plaque above the entrance read "Dao Xuan Tian Zun Cave." He couldn't help but ponder for a few seconds: "Which deity is this Dao Xuan Tian Zun? I've never heard of them."
The others laughed. "We haven't heard of him either," they said. "It's probably just a random name the artist came up with, but that's not the point. Just look at the craftsmanship of this temple."
The craftsmanship of this temple was truly fascinating.
Old Mr. Li exclaimed in astonishment, "Most miniature stone carvings are sculpted from a single block of stone, but the lower part of this tiny temple is assembled from extremely small stone fragments. It even has a foundation built from tiny stones and small wooden sticks! My heavens, this... this artistry...."
Someone nearby added, "Yes, the wooden upper section isn't carved from large pieces of wood either, but pieced together from many tiny wooden sticks and chips. The technique used is incredibly complex; it's simply dazzling."
Old Mr. Li took out a magnifying glass and examined it closely. "Through the window," he remarked, "you can even see a statue inside. The craftsmanship of that statue is incredible! So detailed, even individual strands of hair are rendered."
"The tables, chairs, and benches inside are all exquisitely carved," he continued. "The tiny patterns on them are so intricate they're breathtaking."
"Look, there's something hilarious here," Old Mr. Li burst out laughing. "On a table in the temple, there's even a miniature book displayed, with 'Pinyin' written on its cover! Hahahahaha, I'm dying of laughter!"
No one had noticed it until he mentioned it. Someone couldn't help but ask, "Could that book actually have pages that turn, with writing on each one?"
No one dared to try and turn the pages; it was, after all, an exhibit on display, and no one would be so reckless as to fiddle with it. However, upon closer inspection with a magnifying glass, one could clearly see that the miniature book was indeed composed of layered pages.
"Absolutely incredible!" Old Mr. Li exclaimed. "This is a remarkable piece. Not only is the craftsmanship top-notch, but it's also daring and unrestrained, with that mischievous touch characteristic of youth. Who is the artist behind this work?"
He circled the display stand and found the artist's information: "Li Daoxuan, Male, from Shuangqing City, 22 years old, occupation: freelance designer."
Below it was a contact number, but it wasn't Li Daoxuan's personal number, but rather that of his agent, Cai Xinzhi.
Old Mr. Li quickly dialed the number. "Hello," he said. "May I ask if you are Mr. Cai, the agent for the new generation miniature sculpture master, Li Daoxuan? I'd like to inquire if his Dao Xuan Tian Zun Cave piece is for sale."
Cai Xinzhi replied, "We're just participating in the exhibition; we don't have any plans to sell it."
"Not for sale?"
Old Mr. Li immediately grew anxious. "Ten million!" he declared. "I'll offer ten million."
Cai Xinzhi's jaw nearly hit the floor. "You... you... just a moment," he stammered. "I need to process this...."
Li Daoxuan was savoring his Hulu Chicken, a famous Shaanxi dish he had only just managed to order from a food delivery platform. Clutching a chicken leg, he dipped it in chili powder and gnawed on it with relish.
Inside the box, things had been quite lively these past two days!
The long-empty Gao Family Commercial District was finally beginning to bustle with activity.
The catalyst for this newfound energy was undoubtedly the three thousand newcomers from Qingjian.
These three thousand, newly arrived, were utterly destitute. Other than a small bundle carried during their rebellion and a hoe in hand used as a weapon, they possessed nothing else.
Although Li Daoxuan had arranged housing for them, the plastic houses were bare, completely empty. They needed to acquire far too many things.
The Qingjian people working "daily wage" jobs, after completing their work for the day, received their wages and immediately used them to acquire daily necessities.
They went to the carpenter for wooden basins and buckets, to the elders for bamboo baskets and hampers, to Gao Family Village's official storehouse for a bolt of cotton cloth, and to Craftsman Well for a kitchen knife, and so on.
Their frequent bartering of goods immediately sparked a sense of opportunity among those with quick wits. If you need these things, why should I sit at home waiting for you to trade?
Inside the 'vegetable market,' someone set up a small stall, displaying a pile of bamboo crafts for sale.
The Old Village Chief of Gao Family Village was the first to react, bringing a large quantity of bamboo baskets and hampers he had woven himself to sell in the Gao Family Commercial District.
His initiative spurred many elders from the Short-term Workers Village to join in, and even elders from Qingjian County followed suit. Seeing this, other artisans also understood the trend and flocked to the market, setting up their own stalls.
As a result, the commercial district of Gao Family Village truly came alive. After the little people finished their day's work, they would flock at dusk to the Gao Family Commercial District, browse the market, stroll among the stalls, and see if there was anything they needed.
Initially, they bartered, but soon discovered that bartering was too cumbersome. It was much better to trade with money. Consequently, copper coins and silver fragments also began to circulate freely.
The quick-witted little people began to consider taking over larger storefronts to conduct bigger business.
The doctor from the Short-term Workers Village who had treated Old Zhang's injuries soon rented a medical hall in the commercial district. Thus, the 'Gao Family Clinic' came into being.
Next, a villager opened a noodle shop specializing in 'Hand-Pulled Noodles.'
Master Artisan Gao Yiyi took the lead, using Craftsman Well's "official status" to open a 'Village-Operated Blacksmith Shop' in the commercial district, selling kitchen knives, sickles, hoes, and more.
The concept of "village-operated" enterprises quickly took root. Paper makers came out and rented shops to sell paper, and lantern makers opened shops to sell lanterns. Under Li Daoxuan's guidance, the income from village-operated shops went into the village treasury, but a certain percentage of the sales was distributed to the artisans, which again greatly increased their income.
The women also wanted to engage in business, but were shy and hesitant to come forward publicly. They first used money to buy cotton from the village treasury, wove it into cotton cloth, collected these cloths together, and handed them over to the Saintess, who, in the name of Gao Yiye, opened a 'Saintess' Cotton Fabric Shop.'
Little Gao Family Village was bustling with prosperity.
Li Daoxuan was watching with great satisfaction when his phone rang. The moment he answered, Cai Xinzhi's frantic shouts erupted from the other end: "Your little Daoist temple, a rich old man is offering ten million! My heavens, are you selling it? Are you actually selling it? I'm literally going insane from shock!"
Li Daoxuan exclaimed, "Holy crap, sell it!"
Comments