Chapter 37: Picking Up a Bargain

The tea was an exquisite British milk tea, delicious and sweet, but even the best things should be enjoyed in moderation. A man cannot always indulge in comfort; he must prioritize his career.

Soon, Tommy successfully delivered the entire fleet of vehicles—six hundred brand-new cars, including both German and American makes, most of them luxury models. These were vehicles the Peaky Blinders had cleared out from dockside warehouses, where they had been impounded due to wartime import restrictions. For the Peaky Blinders, this was essentially effortless profit. Li Yi’an could hardly criticize them; after all, they were a gang, and this was their line of work. If they weren’t making such deals, someone else would be.

After the delivery, as expected, his experience points increased by several hundred thousand. However, for someone like Li Yi’an, who had seen his fair share of highs and lows, this amount no longer came as a surprise.

All that remained was to wait for his flight to the United States. Compared to Britain, America offered greater opportunities and a larger market. The cane sugar market alone would provide enough capital to fund the reconstruction of North Borneo.

While waiting, Li Yi’an did not remain idle. He drove to the local flea market. The war had altered many lives, even those of the wealthy. A simple example: the top marginal income tax rate in Britain had reached 99.25%. It was truly the peak of human taxation.

Such an extreme tax burden made it difficult for many Britons to sustain their lifestyles. With shortages in rationing, many were forced to turn to the black market, which required cash. To raise money, they sold their family heirlooms, leading to the flourishing of the secondhand market.

In this market, one could trade goods and find almost anything—perhaps even a Picasso. Li Yi’an recalled a news report about a real estate mogul who had spent hundreds of millions at an auction to acquire a Qianlong-era porcelain vase, only to discover it was the same vase the seller’s father had traded for a single can of food in a London flea market during World War II. Ironically, the vase had served as a kitchen ornament in the buyer's home for half a century.

A can of food might not buy you beauty, but it could certainly secure a priceless antique. Hunting for treasures—who doesn’t love that?

Wartime London was one giant farm. Every available space was planted with vegetables; they grew on balconies, in window boxes, and even Hyde Park had been turned into a vegetable patch. Yet, despite the greenery, the pathways were packed with stalls selling everything from cameras and watches to tea sets, old leather shoes, and coats. Some stalls even displayed signs reading "Cigarettes Only" or "Food Only." That was the spirit of the war; bartering was the most popular form of trade.

As he walked, Li Yi’an scanned the secondhand goods. There was plenty of porcelain, much of it clearly originating from China. He knew nothing about antiques, but that didn’t matter. After all, he had his system.

As he reached down to pick up a vase, a notification popped up: [Qing Dynasty Daoguang-era blue and white porcelain discovered. Would you like to learn the skill "Porcelain Appraisal"?]

Sure enough, as long as he made contact, he could learn the skill. "Learn!" he chose immediately. Knowledge flooded his mind. In an instant, the amateur was transformed; he could now identify the origin and style of any piece of porcelain at a glance—a vital skill in the secondhand market.

"Sir, you are Chinese, aren't you? This vase is from China; it’s very rare. If you're interested, it's yours for just one pound."

Before the vendor could finish his pitch, Li Yi’an shook his head. "I'll keep looking."

Though the market was vast, few items were worth purchasing. The best he found were a few Qianlong-era pieces, costing only two or three pounds each. To most Europeans, these Chinese imports were nothing more than decorative trinkets.

Just as Li Yi’an was about to leave in disappointment, a small, inconspicuous item caught his eye. He walked over to examine it. It couldn't be, could it? A Chenghua-style "Chicken Cup" with doucai enamel?

He picked up the cup to inspect it. The elderly vendor, busy reading a book, didn't even glance at him. The six-character mark in a square frame was on the bottom, the lines thick and the colors heavy... Li Yi’an still wasn't an expert, and he knew that these had been replicated for generations. Finding a genuine one was incredibly difficult. Still, the urge to hunt for a treasure was universal.

Suppressing his excitement, Li Yi’an asked, "Sir, how much for this cup?"

The old man used his cane to point at a cardboard sign nearby. "Barter only."

Well, that was something he had plenty of. Li Yi’an pulled out an unopened pack of Camel cigarettes. "I'll trade this pack of cigarettes for the cup, and..." He pointed to a small, book-sized abstract oil painting nearby. "How about this painting as well?" The painting looked pleasant enough to hang on his dining room wall.

The old man’s eyes lit up at the sight of the Camel cigarettes. "Deal!"

A pack of cigarettes for a Chenghua-style chicken cup worth two hundred million! That was a steal. Well, he had his family heirloom now.

As he wrapped the cup and tucked it into his bag, then picked up the painting, the system chimed again: [Congratulations to the user for acquiring a Qing-era imitation Chenghua doucai chicken cup and a Picasso oil painting. Would you like to learn the skill "Art Appraisal"?]

Another new skill! The only regret was that the cup was a Qing-era imitation and couldn't really serve as a family heirloom. But the painting was a different story. A Picasso! That was nothing but pure profit.