"Twenty plaques make up a complete jade belt. Whether it's the quality of the jade or the craftsmanship, it's exceptionally perfect, quite rare on the market," Gao Dequan chuckled. "No matter what, you bought well. Thirty-nine thousand wasn't wasted, and it has room to appreciate in value."

"Thank you, Uncle De," Yu Feibai said, clearly delighted. He suddenly asked, "By the way, Uncle De, this jade belt is from the Ming Dynasty, but can you pinpoint the exact period?"

"It's worth noting that the nomadic peoples of the northern steppes favored waist ornaments more than the Han Chinese. Thus, only after the great ethnic integration during the Northern and Southern Dynasties did these belt plaques, or dai kuà, become popular in the Central Plains. Later, when the Mongols took control of the Central Plains, belts of this configuration became even more deeply rooted among the common people."

Gao Dequan mused, "In fact, by at least the Yuan Dynasty, the shape and number of plaques on the leather belt had become formalized. However, until the early Ming Dynasty, the number of plaques still varied between sixteen and twenty-five. It wasn't until the mid-Ming period, when the Great Ming Dynasty’s rule was firmly established and imperial authority deeply ingrained in the populace, that the shape and number of the plaques were finally fixed—no one dared to transgress. But by the late Ming, as imperial power weakened, instances of transgression began to re-emerge."

"However, looking at the form of these cloud and dragon motifs, they are extremely regular, lacking the early stage's capriciousness, and certainly not exhibiting the decline felt in the late period. This tells us it is a piece from the mid-Ming Dynasty."

Gao Dequan smiled gently. "This is the joy of collecting. From the minute details on an antique, one can discern the cultural background and the changing times of a specific historical era. You recognized it, and you are happy. If you hadn't recognized it but still gained something during the excavation, you should feel even happier."

Wang Guan and Yu Feibai nodded, as if grasping something but not quite fully comprehending the depth of the meaning.

Gao Dequan didn't mind. When he was young, he too understood nothing. Only now, with age and increased experience, did such insights arise.

For now, Gao Dequan only wanted to plant a seed in the hearts of Wang Guan and Yu Feibai. Whether that seed would take root and sprout depended on their character and fate.

After all, such realizations were quite subjective. If one understood, they understood; if not, Gao Dequan couldn't forcibly stuff his views into their minds.

Seeing them lost in thought, Gao Dequan was quite satisfied. He then chuckled, "After wandering around for a while, Feibai has made quite a haul. What about you, Wang Guan? Did you manage to pick up any treasures?"

"A three-legged Golden Toad. The style was rather unique, so I bought it," Wang Guan replied with a smile, taking out the toad and placing it on the table.

"Uncle De, this Golden Toad really is quite special."

At this point, Yu Feibai chimed in with a laugh, "Other Golden Toads are either spitting coins, holding coins in their mouths, or simply have a pile of bronze coins embedded beneath them—all auspicious meanings, good omens. But this one is holding a pearl in its mouth, which is quite rare. I even suspect this thing might be a modern fabrication."

"A Golden Toad holding a pearl, or sometimes called a Golden Toad spitting a pearl. Statuettes in this configuration are indeed uncommon. However, that doesn't mean they don't exist," Gao Dequan said while examining the three-legged toad. "Items like this were quite popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties, especially as decorative elements on scholar's desks."

"I know that," Wang Guan smiled. "Legend says there is a three-legged toad in the Moon Palace, and later generations also called the Moon Palace the 'Toad Palace' (Chán Gōng). Hence the saying, 'Breaking the laurel in the Toad Palace' (Chán Gōng Zhé Guì), used to describe passing the highest imperial examination."

"Exactly."

Gao Dequan praised him. "I recall that a few years ago, the Jigu Zhai acquired a paperweight carved in the shape of a Golden Toad holding a pearl, and an inkstone engraved with the motif of a Golden Toad spitting a pearl. Both items might still be around; if you're interested, you can go take a look when we return."

"I can understand 'Breaking the laurel in the Toad Palace'," Yu Feibai nodded, yet he looked puzzled again. "But why must it be spitting a pearl? What is the meaning behind that?"

"What's so hard to understand about that?" Gao Dequan shook his head. "Can't you see? What shape is the pearl?"

"Round..."

Mid-sentence, Yu Feibai suddenly reacted, realization dawning on his face. "The top scholar (Zhuàngyuán)."

"That's right," Gao Dequan chuckled. "'Breaking the laurel in the Toad Palace' means passing the metropolitan exam to become a Jinshi. Having a round pearl in the Golden Toad's mouth signifies aiming to achieve the titles of Jiěyuán, Huìyuán, and ultimately Zhuàngyuán, building upon the success of becoming a Jinshi."

"Understood."

Yu Feibai and Wang Guan sighed in admiration, realizing the profound cultural meaning embedded within such a small motif. No wonder Gao Dequan often said that every antique contained layers of historical and cultural substance worthy of study.

"Actually, early Golden Toads appeared more frequently in Taoist culture," seeing their interest, Gao Dequan grew animated. "Later, as they integrated into folk traditions, they slowly evolved, allowing scholars to adopt them."

"Liu Hai teasing the Golden Toad," Wang Guan blurted out. He vaguely remembered that Liu Hai seemed to be a well-known figure in Taoism.

"I also know the anecdote of 'Liu Hai teasing the Golden Toad, step by step drawing in money'," Yu Feibai interjected, though with a note of doubt. "But we have a 'Liu Hai teasing the Golden Toad' statuette at home, and that figure looks like a monk."

"That seems to be true too," Wang Guan recalled, nodding. "The 'Liu Hai teasing the Golden Toad' ornaments really are varied—there are not only bald monk types, but also figures with disheveled hair, and even children..."

"That’s folk legend diversifying the figure of Liu Hai," Gao Dequan laughed. "There are incarnations as the God of Wealth, one of the Eight Immortals, a Taoist priest, a Zen master, a child, and so on. There's even a woodcutter version of Liu Hai in the Huagu Opera."

"Right, right..." Yu Feibai nodded repeatedly, clearing his throat and singing hoarsely, "Sister Hu, oh I'm so sad!"

"Stop that noise!"

The hideous, wailing sound made Gao Dequan frown, and he couldn't help but slap Yu Feibai, cutting him off mid-song.

Wang Guan chuckled quietly beside him, breathing a sigh of relief that he no longer had to endure the sonic pollution.

"Truly unappreciative..." Yu Feibai grumbled under his breath, daring not to speak back openly.

"Alright, back to the main topic."

Gao Dequan pretended not to notice Yu Feibai's aggrieved expression and continued, "There are too many scattered legends about the figure of Liu Hai, but the one closest to the original archetype should be Liu Haichan, one of the Five Northern Patriarchs of Taoism."

"Liu Haichan, dates of birth and death unknown, was a Taoist priest of the Five Dynasties period. His surname was Liu, given name Cao, style name Zongcheng, also styled Zhaoyuan, styled Haichanzi..." Yu Feibai quickly pulled out his phone, searched online, read out the biographical data for Liu Haichan, and then expressed surprise. "He was actually a historical figure? I always thought this was just mythology."

"Historical records are a mix of truth and fiction; who can say for certain that it's the absolute fact?" Gao Dequan smiled. "You just need to know that such a person existed. As for the details of his life, they can only serve as a reference."

.................... It seems that after the recent surge, we’ve risen to fourth place on the new book chart. Thank you all for your support; please continue to collect and recommend.