Chapter 0016 Uncle Xie the Amulet Dealer
I said, "Just to pick up some goods, you're making me travel all the way back to Thailand? Are plane tickets free? Just hire someone to run the errand!"
Frank Fang said, "You don't know anything. An Arjan master's residence cannot be easily revealed to outsiders."
After hanging up, I thought that Frank Fang actually trusted me, as we had been collaborating for less than a year. But I started to hesitate again about Ms. Ma. It seemed Frank Fang was unreliable for this. Should I bother with this thankless business?
In the afternoon, Ms. Ma called me again, sounding very unhappy. "Do you have a solution or not? If not, I'll find someone else!"
I had to put her off, claiming that amulets were scarce and I had to wait for an opportunity. Ms. Ma said, "You said you're from Thailand and can get amulets. You've even been to my house. Why haven't you given me a quote yet? Are you having improper thoughts about me? Let me tell you, my husband and I have an excellent relationship, and I've never cheated. Don't miscalculate, or I'll call the police!"
I nearly threw up hearing that and immediately assured her that was impossible. I said if I had any such thoughts, lightning should strike me dead the moment I stepped outside. Ms. Ma finally relaxed, and I told her I would give her a definite answer within three days at the most.
Lying in bed, I thought for a long time. It would be difficult for someone like Ms. Ma to reintegrate into society after being dismissed from the university. She wouldn't take an ordinary job, and state-owned enterprises and public institutions wouldn't hire her. Since she was a teacher with teaching experience, the best outcome would be for her to return to academia.
Two days later, I returned to Thailand. Following the address provided by Frank Fang, I first located the White Robe Arjan master's residence in a small city a few dozen kilometers east of Bangkok. The man had a strange temper. I never actually saw him; only his apprentice greeted me. After looking at the photo of the amuletFrank Fang had sent me, the apprentice said the Arjan master hadn't made any Prai Thong with that specific appearance recently, but he could accept pre-orders in half a month.
That would probably be too late, so I gave up. I called Frank Fang to report as I was leaving the house. Just then, a man walked quickly out of the inner room. He was shorter and much fatter than me, looking around forty years old. He was dressed plainly but had a cheerful expression, carrying a large black plastic bag in his hand.
We walked out simultaneously. After finishing my call, I looked down at the photo on my phone screen. The man was walking behind me, and I could feel him craning his neck to look at my phone. Once we were out on the street, he asked kindly, "Brother, do you know the Arjan master? Are you asking for a single piece or taking stock?" Since he had heard me speak Chinese on the phone, he spoke to me in Chinese. Based on his accent, he seemed to be from the Central Plains region of China.
In the past year, Frank Fang and I had visited many Arjan masters' residences and often saw people picking up goods. Based on my experience, this man was probably an amulet dealer like Frank Fang and me. He had a warm, friendly smile, appearing honest and kindhearted, so I replied, "Neither. I'm looking for a Red-Eyed Prai Thong amulet."
He said, "Oh. Brother, we are both in the amulet business. If you have any business in the future, don't forget to look out for each other. Here's my business card!"
There are two things I remember most clearly about this man: one was his perpetually kind and friendly smile, and the other was his business card. Even years later, I still recall it clearly. The card was very simple, printed with only three lines of text:
Global International Southeast Asia Thai-Sino Buddhist Jewelry Transport Group General Manager: Uncle Xie Phone: XXXXXXXX
The back of the card had three lines of the translated Thai text. At first, I didn't fully understand it, but after carefully reading the first line, I realized that simplifying the company name meant nothing more than "a person who transports and sells amulets from Thailand to China." I laughed as I read it. Uncle Xie quickly added, "Don't laugh; the amulet business is serious business." I nodded repeatedly.
Uncle Xie said, "Judging by your accent, you must be from Liaoning. I'm from Xiantao, Hubei, and my wife is from Liaoning. So, you're half a fellow native. If you ever need anything, just ask. Uncle Xie will take care of it!"
I thought about it. This Uncle Xie was in the amulet business like Frank Fang. Perhaps he had channels and prices that Frank Fang didn't. Having more upstream connections couldn't hurt; as the saying goes, don't put all your eggs in one basket! So, I asked him, "I need something that can significantly improve interpersonal relationships, but the price shouldn't be too expensive. The price to me must not exceed 2,000 RMB, and I only want a Positive-energy Amulet from a famous, large temple Luang Por—no Negative-energy Amulets. This is urgent, so you must get back to me quickly." Since the amulet business was getting tougher, and I didn't want to focus on volume, I had set a rule for myself: except for old customers and special circumstances, the profit on every deal had to be over 3,000 RMB, or I wouldn't take it.
Uncle Xie repeatedly said, "No problem! I'll take care of it. Let me call the Arjan masters first. I'll get back to you soon!"
As we were parting, Uncle Xie cheerfully insisted on shaking my hand. "Brother Tian, our first collaboration is going so smoothly. We'll definitely make a lot of money in the future. Where is the focus of your business?"
I said, "Mainly in China."
Uncle Xie beamed. "That's great! Our Chinese people's money is the easiest to earn. You can call me anytime with any requests. There's nothing Uncle Xie can't handle!"
On my way to Frank Fang's place, I received a multimedia message from Uncle Xie. It was a front-view picture of an amulet. The style was somewhat unusual, but it appeared to be a standard Buddhist image. Uncle Xie then called me. "This amulet was consecrated six years ago by a Luang Por master at a large temple in Chiang Rai. It's stock I was planning to keep for my personal collection, but since you need it urgently, I'll reluctantly transfer it to you first. I originally paid 12,000 Thai Baht for this. Since we are good friends, I won't profit much from you—15,000 Thai Baht. For our first collaboration and to show sincerity, I'll cover the shipping and send the goods directly to your customer in China. How does that sound?"
I asked, "Which Luang Por monk consecrated this? It doesn't look like a Positive-energy Amulet."
Uncle Xie said, "Of course it is! Would I lie to you? You don't trust your friend enough. It was years ago; I've forgotten the specifics." I thought, It's just 3,000 RMB. Since the price has gone up, I can increase my price too. I forwarded the picture to Ms. Ma via MMS, telling her that this amulet was consecrated by a famous monk from the largest temple in Bangkok. It cost 6,000 RMB, firm price. If she thought it was too expensive, there was nothing I could do. She would have to wait until next month or find someone else.
Unexpectedly, Ms. Ma immediately called me. "I'll take this one! My husband and I both felt an immediate connection when we saw the picture. Is that the amulet's power?"
To be honest, I couldn't really answer that question, but I certainly agreed with her verbally. Ms. Ma asked how many days it would take to arrive and if we could meet in person for the exchange. I disliked that method of exchange, and given Ms. Ma's and her husband's personalities, they clearly didn't trust anyone, especially with products like amulets. I said, "I've already returned to Thailand, and international express delivery isn't that fast. I'll probably have to mail it directly to you."
Ms. Ma naturally expressed doubt. "How do I know if the amulet you send is real or effective? I've asked other amulet dealers, and their items cost only one or two thousand RMB, some only a few hundred. Why is yours so expensive?"
"There's no way around that. You get what you pay for. We in the amulet business rely on reputation and referrals. Those amulets costing a few hundred RMB are no different from an ordinary Guanyin necklace. Any perceived effect is purely psychological. The real effect of a Thai amulet can't be seen in a day or two. I can't wait for you to decide it's effective before you pay. This industry is unique. Even if you went to Thailand, you'd exchange cash for the amulet immediately. There's no time for you to authenticate the goods. You'll have to consider this yourself," I replied.
The next morning, Ms. Ma texted me, saying she would trust me this one time, but she insisted on a Taobao transaction. I readily agreed.
When I arrived at Frank Fang's place, the guy's ankle was indeed swollen like a camel's hump. While I was there, I took a call from a customer who was giving me his address. I took out my notepad to write it down, accidentally dropping a few business cards that scattered on the bed. Frank Fang casually picked up the cards to look at them. Suddenly, his eyes widened as if he had seen an enemy. As soon as I hung up the phone, he pointed at one card and questioned me, "Where did you get this business card?"