Tale of the Plate Keeper

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In the 15th century, Chinese celadon ceramics were highly sought after and prized for their exquisite craftsmanship. They had a rich history in Chinese ceramics dating back to the Song Dynasty. These pieces were frequently utilized in official ceremonies and diplomatic exchanges. Chinese celadon wares were also highly valued in trade, being exported to various parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Today, these ceramics are considered among the most valuable and collectible items in the world of art and antiques, with many pieces on display in museums and private collections worldwide.

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Once, there was a man who earned his livelihood by serving as a military soldier. However, one fateful day, World War II erupted, and he found himself on the battlefield. The tension escalated rapidly, and he tragically lost his family in the chaos of war. Pushed to the brink of poverty and exhaustion, to ensure his survival he made a desperate decision to escape to another country. During his escape, he encountered a group of united runaway soldiers, so he joined their ranks, hoping to reach civilization. In a surprisingly short time, they stumbled upon an abandoned train station and decided to spend the night there. As dawn broke with the first light of the silent sun, all the soldiers lay deeply asleep, yearning for a peaceful night's rest. However, our soldier was jolted awake by a commotion. Standing before him was a man dressed as a high-ranking general, accompanied by a small army with weapons. Behind them loomed a tank and an oversized truck. The soldier realized they had little chance of survival in this encounter. After a while, the soldiers began to understand the general's intentions. The train station where they were resting happened to be on the private property of an important person, and they had unknowingly settled beside the owner's carriages. The general, feeling the pressure to store certain materials in these carriages, offered the soldiers a substantial sum of money to safeguard the belongings until the owner's arrival. It appeared to be an opportunity to secure their comfort until the end of the war.

Of course, our soldier and the others quickly accepted the offer. However, the money the general promised was with the delivery man, who would arrive at the location in 2 or 3 days. They had little choice but to agree, as the general was both serious and persuasive. He left 320 crates inside the carriages and departed in haste. For a day, the soldiers kept a vigilant watch over the carriages. On the second day, curiosity began to buzz among the group. They wondered about the confidential items, which the delivery man would reward with a significant sum of money. On the third day, our soldier grew weary and exhausted enough. He could no longer resist his curiosity and decided to open one of the crates to see what he had been guarding. To his astonishment, he found thick, green plates that resembled stone. The value was clear to him. That very night, as his patience to await the delivery man had worn thin, he stole 10 of these plates and fled from the group.

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Princess Zhao of Chen (1042-1101), also known as Chen Miaoxi, was the daughter of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty. She is remembered for her exceptional intelligence and literary talents. She received a comprehensive education and excelled in various subjects, including poetry, calligraphy, and held a deep fascination for celadon ceramics. She was particularly collected and interested in the jade-like green glaze and beautifully carved motifs, such as flowers, dragons, and phoenixes. These celadons were manufactured by her father at imperial kilns. When the final fall of the Song Dynasty occurred in the Battle of Yamen in 1279, and the Song navy was defeated by the Mongol-led Yuan forces, Princess Zhao of Chen's unique collection of celadons was lost. Some historians have speculated about the involvement of a wealthy thief who might have gained access to the concealed chambers of the imperial household. However, no historical records provide confirmation of such an event.

When the soldier finally reached the city, he found it empty and in a state of disrepair. People were living in miserable conditions, but at the end of the city, there was a restaurant that seemed like a preserved area, with buildings still intact, and people dressed in clean clothes. The soldier decided to stop there and enjoy a good meal.

The proprietor of the restaurant was a grumpy old man who immediately fixed his gaze on the soldier as he entered. However, the soldier had a plan. In exchange for one of the plates he possessed, he requested to be provided with meals at the restaurant for a few days. The proprietor agreed, and the soldier secured both a place to sleep and a plentiful supply of great food for three days.

The proprietor quickly realized the value of the plate and suspected that the soldier might have more in his possession. After three days, he informed the soldier that his credit was exhausted. In response, the soldier offered another plate until he had handed over ten in total. The proprietor didn't use them for serving meals but rather displayed them in a glass buffet.

One day, a renowned collector visited the restaurant, and upon seeing the plates, he requested to have his meal served on one of them, offering a substantial sum in return. When his meal arrived, he was so captivated by the plate that he couldn't even pick up his spoon. It turned out to be a 15th-century Chinese celadon plate, part of a highly precious set.

That evening, the collector returned to the restaurant, concealing his true motives, and engaged the restaurant owner in a friendly conversation. He explained that he had been searching for these plates, as he possessed the rest of the set, which belonged to his mother. During the war, some of them had been stolen, and he considered himself incredibly fortunate to have encountered them at this restaurant. The proprietor was able to figure out the value of the plates and from the appearance of the man how he might be important. So he adjust a number for the plates. The collector was happy but he did not reveal. It was no amount compared to the real value of the plates. He bought them just for 50 dollars and returned to his country…

After decades, one day, the collector's door rang, by a young man who was looking for the celadons. He introduced himself as the grandson of the proprietor. The collector immediately remembered the old man and his restaurant, and he invited the young man to have a drink with him. He was an intellectual man, living in luxurious surroundings. The grandson told the collector that he had seen news in the paper about these precious items and demanded the remaining money of his grandfather.

The collector knew very well that this day would come, therefore, he first subjected the young man to a bit of bargaining. Then, he questioned him about his story. Once he was certain, he whispered something to his assistant and calmly took a sip of his drink, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on the young man. The young man, waiting in silence, couldn't help but quell the trembling in his leg, and at the same time, he played with the glass in his hand. After all, he wasn't accustomed to such precious and strongly scented drinks.

His assistant returned with a large leather bag in hand. The collector, without taking his eyes off the young man, made a small gesture with his finger to send his assistant away. He then used his eyes to point towards the bag for the young man. The young man was a simple suburban boy, who was not familiar to spend time with such intellectual people. Therefore, he nervously picked up the bag, which was the size of a coffee table, and unzipped it. As soon as he opened it, he closed it. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the money inside the bag.

The collector stood up, placing a hand on the young man's back. "I've lived a long life, long enough to foresee this day. Yet, I cannot deprive anyone of their due. Actually, I wasn't expecting someone to come and appraise the plates. But I know their value from that time." The young man looked at the collector with suspicion and asked, "Really?" The collector responded with a smile, "Of course! If one day you can truly understand the real value of these pieces, then we may meet again. However, this money will be enough for your grandchildren. So, I don't think we will meet again." Saying this, he accompanied the young man to the door, and they bid each other farewell, never to cross paths again.