The Northern Carving Master

Su Pingnan's reputation as the undisputed master of jade carving in northern China meant his doorstep was never without a queue. Today was no exception.

Huo Xuan arrived at an unassuming Beijing courtyard home tucked into a narrow hutong alley barely three meters wide. The crowd gathered outside initially surprised him—until he remembered: when the "Northern First Blade" was involved, such scenes were inevitable.

With a resigned sigh, he joined the line, a massive canvas bag in each hand containing the three premium jade pieces he'd acquired at the gem market.

As he waited, he counted over thirty hopefuls ahead of him—men and women, young and old—all craning their necks toward the gate. Behind him, more joined by the minute.

Some ahead had clearly been standing for hours. A few now sat cross-legged on the ground, past caring about appearances.

Huo Xuan, never one to waste time, settled into a hunyuan stance, turning the wait into a training session.

From 9 AM until 1 PM, he inched forward. When the gate finally admitted him, a middle-parted young man blocked his path. "Purpose of your visit?"

"I'd like Master Su to examine some pieces," Huo Xuan smiled. "Perhaps commission carvings."

"Appointment?"

"None."

The attendant's expression flattened. "No appointment? Register today, return tomorrow to queue."

Huo Xuan nearly laughed. Hours of waiting just to schedule? "Might you inform him my materials are exceptional?"

"Exceptional?" The attendant sniffed. "You mean your jade? Master Su has seen everything. Leave your name and—"

Huo Xuan set down one bag, unzipping it just enough to release a concentrated emerald glow. The attendant's eyes locked onto the radiance, unblinking.

"Decent enough?" Huo Xuan teased.

The young man swallowed hard. "That's... high ice-grade at minimum. And the size—ten kilos?"

"Near-flawless high ice with full green saturation," Huo Xuan confirmed. "Borderline imperial jadeite. Only in Master Su's hands could such pieces reach their potential."

The attendant nodded briskly. "You've come to the right place. Wait here."

He disappeared into the main house, returning moments later with a bow. "Master Su will see you."

Huo Xuan followed the attendant inside, carrying both canvas bags. The modest living room beyond the threshold held only a few simple furnishings. On the sofa sat a silver-haired elder—tall, lean, with piercingly clear eyes. He acknowledged Huo Xuan with a slight nod.

Placing the bags down, Huo Xuan bowed respectfully. "Master Su, I apologize for intruding."

The elder—Su Pingnan himself—waved a hand. "This is a business, not an intrusion. Please, sit."

Huo Xuan remained standing. Instead, he unzipped the first bag and withdrew a high ice-grade jadeite the size of a small melon. Its flawless emerald hue, uniformly saturated and radiant, immediately seized Su Pingnan's attention.

"Superb jade," the master murmured, eyes alight. "Haven't seen its equal in years. What would you have me carve?"

Huo Xuan smiled. "They say a true master designs based on the stone's character. I'm an amateur—the form should be your decision."

Su Pingnan chuckled. "Very well. The commission fee is two million. Return in a week."

Nodding, Huo Xuan revealed the second piece—a rarer specimen the size of a human head. Its tri-colored surface boasted vibrant red, green, and purple zones, each occupying roughly a third of the stone's surface like a segmented jewel-toned melon. The clarity and color intensity surpassed even the first jadeite.

Su Pingnan rose abruptly, hands trembling slightly as he examined it. "A once-in-a-lifetime treasure!"

In jade lore, stones displaying this trinity of hues were called Fulu Shou—symbolizing prosperity, nobility, and longevity. Even finding such a piece was extraordinary; one with balanced coloration and flawless texture was practically priceless.

"You're entrusting this design to me as well?" Su Pingnan asked, uncharacteristically hesitant.

"Of course," Huo Xuan confirmed. "It's a gift for the Lin family patriarch."

Su Pingnan blinked. "Which Lin patriarch?"

Huo Xuan had anticipated this. "Of Lin Jewelers."

The master's eyebrows rose. "Old Lin and I go way back." A pause. "How are you connected?"

"His granddaughter is my girlfriend," Huo Xuan said simply.

Su Pingnan absorbed this without comment, returning his gaze to the jade's hypnotic colors.

After Su Pingnan had finished examining the second piece, Huo Xuan unveiled the third—a cylindrical ice-grade jadeite standing about thirty centimeters tall, its natural form already resembling a vase. What truly captivated, however, were the floating inclusions that formed an ethereal landscape: distant mountains, trees, and a long-sleeved maiden who seemed to dance amidst the mist. The scene was so vivid it could rival the finest ink paintings.

Su Pingnan clicked his tongue in amazement. "With minimal carving, this could become a masterpiece. Young man, where did you acquire such extraordinary jade?"

Huo Xuan chuckled. "I'm a shareholder of Jiangzhou Tianxing Jewelry. We have access to premium rough stones."

"Ah, that explains it," Su Pingnan nodded. "I'll take all three commissions. Total fee: six million. Completion in about six weeks."

"Agreed," Huo Xuan said. Then, hesitating slightly, he added, "Actually, Master Su, I have another request."

"Go on."

"Tianxing Jewelry is still in its growth phase, but we're aiming for the high-end market. Having a master like you as our exclusive carver would be invaluable. Of course, you'd still be free to take private commissions—we'd only ask you to work on select premium pieces for us."

This was a plan Huo Xuan had long contemplated. Securing a craftsman of Su Pingnan's caliber would not only elevate Tianxing's reputation but also cement its position as a purveyor of luxury jade.