Chapter 110: You Big Idiot

There are many agate cups unearthed in China, but there is only one in the world that simultaneously employs the techniques of contrasting colors, granulation, and gold-gilding, while also featuring such high-level hollowing-out technology: the Tang Inlaid Gold Beast-Headed Agate Cup.

It was excavated in the southern suburbs of Xijing in 1970, after which it was kept in the Shaanxi History Museum, never exhibited, and used only for internal research. By 2002, it was listed in the "Catalog of Cultural Relics Prohibited from Being Exhibited Abroad."

Three years later, that is, the year before last, it was borrowed by the National Museum of China, where it was similarly kept in the museum for internal research. It was not until 2014 that it was publicly exhibited at the "Silk Road: The Belt and Road" large-scale cultural relic exhibition.

At that time, a foreign country offered to purchase it for one hundred million US dollars, but was refused.

The reason it is so expensive is not just because it is rare, but because of the craftsmanship: agate has extremely high hardness, and with the technological level of the 9th and 10th centuries, being able to hollow out the interior of the cup and create a fluid wine channel is equivalent to the level of hand-crafting a nuclear bomb.

Secondly, granulation and gold-gilding, when placed in the Tang Dynasty, absolutely belonged to a cross-era composite technological innovation.

To put it bluntly: one must ensure a sufficiently high temperature to burn the gold-gilding liquid until it is soft and thin enough to ensure that the gold layer, less than 1 millimeter thick, is attached with sufficient uniformity. Furthermore, one must ensure that the gold beads, with a diameter of no more than 2 millimeters, attached to the gold-gilding layer do not deform due to the high temperature.

Isn't that contradictory?

If it weren't contradictory, it wouldn't reflect the value of this object. That is why it is recognized as the "pinnacle of ancient Chinese jade carving and gold-gilding art."

If this isn't a national treasure, what counts as a national treasure?

Rather than believing this is a second piece outside of the National Museum of China, or even something picked up from the street, Lin Sicheng would rather believe he is an alien.

Therefore, it must be an imitation.

But the strange thing is, it is imitated extremely realistically?

The agate is fine; although it is real agate, it has been dyed, and the hollowing of the cup body and the wine channel were both done using modern machinery.

The key lies in the gold-gilded cap on the sheep's mouth: it is surprisingly not a decoration, but identical to the genuine article in the National Museum of China; one can pour wine into it by removing the gold stopper, and it can even be used as a wine pot.

Of course, it used some modern chemical raw materials and scientific technology, so there is still a gap compared to the true Tang Dynasty granulation and gold-gilding technique.

But the strange thing is: compared to that genuine piece, the proportions of this one are almost one-to-one. This applies to the size, the shape, and even the curvature of every part.

This is what's strange: to be able to imitate it so realistically, it would be absolutely impossible without holding it in one's arms to study it for two or three years. The problem is: the genuine article has never been publicly exhibited?

In an instant, Lin Sicheng had a rough judgment: it was a Researcher from the National Museum of China or the Shaanxi History Museum, and the latter was more likely.

After all, it had been kept in the Shaanxi History Museum for a full thirty-five years, providing sufficient research time.

In a flash of thought, Lin Sicheng turned back to look at the Gold-Inlaid Agate Bracelet: the craftsmanship is identical to the sheep-mouth stopper, and the gold-gilding layer is also infused with Rhenium; it must have come from the same person's hand.

Impressive.

This level of craftsmanship, even in a provincial museum, would be among the top tier. The key is the Rhenium: the most effective method traditionally used by gold shops to verify real gold has always been burning, including in 2025.

Knowing how to use this stuff to fake gold, and having it not change color no matter how it is burned—even if they aren't someone who researches airplanes or fighter jets, they must have a background in materials science, and their studies must have been solid.

Lin Sicheng sighed in admiration and looked up: "Where did Teacher Bai buy this?"

"The Bell Tower, the Folk Custom Street!"

Isn't that the time he, Professor Wang, and Ye Anning ran into the Baima Tribe girl?

He asked again: "How much did it cost?"

"Forty-two thousand!"

"Not expensive!"

It is truly not expensive: just based on the granulation and gold-gilding on the cap that completely imitates ancient methods, this thing is worth forty-two thousand.

Lin Sicheng replied, and Bai Wan was stunned for a moment, taking a long time to react: "It's also fake?"

"Of course!"

The real one is in the treasury of the National Museum of China.

"The gold-gilding layer on the sheep-mouth stopper also used Rhenium, so it is definitely an imitation. But the artistic component is extremely high, far higher in value than that Gold-Inlaid Agate Bracelet. Of course, if Teacher Bai doesn't like it, returning it is fine!"

Bai Wan looked at Lin Sicheng with resentment: No matter how high the value, it's still a modern imitation, right?

As for returning it, that's hard to say!

Seeing her expression, Lin Sicheng guessed seven or eight out of ten: "When introducing it to you, the other party must have said it was a handicraft. When you asked about its origin, he would have said he picked it up from the second-hand market?"

Bai Wan's eyes slowly widened, and her mouth opened bit by bit: if she covered his face and made his voice a little older, he would be the exact shop owner who sold her the item. Because even the tone of voice was exactly the same.

She even suspected, had Lin Sicheng also been scammed?

Lin Sicheng smiled: He hadn't been scammed, but he had experienced similar routines many times.

In the old rhetoric: "Boss, don't worry, I would never deceive you... I bought it as an imitation back then, and I'm selling it as an imitation now. Please be lenient, I'm just trying to make a living."

In the current rhetoric: "Boss, this is a handicraft, but it is purely handmade, and the artistic value is absolutely high, so this is the price, it can't be lower."

To put it plainly, they are playing on reverse psychology: because the item is imitated too realistically, the more I say it's an imitation, the less you believe it, and you insist on treating it as a bargain you've found.

It is also because of this that disputes involving antiques are so difficult to define, and even judicial authorities basically use "verbal agreement" and "no refunds after purchase" as the principles for handling them.

And those who get scammed are mostly those with a little bit of an eye, like the one in front of him...

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Teacher Bai, may I ask, what is the name of the shop?"

"Sheng Tang Xuan!" Bai Wan felt a bit strange, with a hint of self-deprecation, "Do you want to get scammed too?"

Of course not.

Lin Sicheng was just curious and wanted to get to know them: to have such high-level antique-imitating craftsmanship, and even know how to use "Rhenium" to enhance the gold-like quality, they couldn't be unknown.

Let's put it this way: if these two items were taken to Panjiayuan, they could fool more than half of the experts.

But having stayed in Xijing for so long in his previous life, how did he have no impression of them at all?

Just as he was sighing inwardly, Li Zhen entered the door, holding a glass box in her hand, inside which were two test papers.

One was Lead Acetate Test Paper, which turned pitch black, indicating that the surface of the gold ring contained lead sulfide.

The other was Mercuric Bromide Test Paper, which turned yellow, indicating that it not only contained sulfur, but the artificial aging solution also contained mercury.

Impressive?

It's just that they hadn't run into someone who professionally deals in Raw Pit Goods; otherwise, even knowing it was fake, they would dare to pay millions for it: because Tang Dynasty noble tombs mostly used cinnabar for preservation, which contains both lead and mercury.

Therefore, these two test papers instead became ironclad evidence: it was either a Princess's or a Prince's burial object... He would dare to ask for ten million for it on resale.

Lin Sicheng became even more curious about the person who made these two items.

He pushed the items forward and smiled again: "It's an imitation, and it was artificially aged using chemical agents... If you can't return it, Teacher Bai, after you return to Beijing, you can find a more authoritative institution to perform a test..."

Of course Bai Wan believed it; just based on those two bowls on the table, she was ninety percent convinced: even the porcelain experts at the Gongwang Mansion could probably only restore them to this level.

It was a pity that over sixty thousand had gone down the drain.

She said thank you, put away the two gold ornaments, and took out her wallet. Just as she was about to mention the appraisal fee, her eyes lit up again: That's right, what about that bowl?

When she first walked in, she had been thinking: I'm so lucky. But after hearing that both gold ornaments were fake, she had been so depressed for a moment that she actually forgot about it?

"Student Lin, that bowl, it's a Dehua White Glazed Bowl, right!"

"Yes, Dehua Pork Lard White!"

As expected.

The woman's eyes lit up: "Are you selling it?"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: Definitely selling.

"But Teacher Bai, it hasn't been fully restored yet!"

Bai Wan was suddenly overjoyed: "It's precisely because it isn't fully restored... Then it's a deal, I'll bring someone to take a look tomorrow!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: You're actually buying it?

This taste was quite unique.

Lin Sicheng nodded, and just as the word "Okay" was about to slip out, Ye Anning winked at him.

"Teacher Bai, it's a hassle to keep running back and forth, you can just take it back with you. If you're satisfied, we can talk tomorrow, and the appraisal fee can be settled then too!"

Bai Wan looked at Lin Sicheng: "Is that okay?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Of course it is!"

Although he didn't know what the situation was, could Ye Anning possibly trick him?

Teacher Bai was very happy, her depression swept away; she felt that if she didn't lose those sixty thousand, how could she have gotten this bowl?

After packing up the items, Lin Sicheng and Ye Anning walked her to the school gate and hailed a taxi.

Once in the car, she waved excitedly: "Assistant Ye, Student Lin, I'll have Old Zhang look at it as soon as I get back..."

The two of them nodded in unison.

After the taxi drove off, Lin Sicheng looked puzzled: "Who is Old Zhang?"

"Teacher Bai's husband, he works in the business department at the Gongwang Mansion!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: The Gongwang Mansion, directly under the Ministry of Culture?

The so-called business department was actually the collection department.

Suddenly, he thought of those two gold ornaments, and his eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

Ye Anning guessed what he was thinking immediately: "Those two pieces were bought by Teacher Bai behind her husband's back; he doesn't know yet!"

Lin Sicheng let out a breath: That gave me a scare.

In this way, this Teacher Bai fit exactly into the category of "knows a little, but not much, yet is hopelessly addicted."

Lin Sicheng nodded: "If you have a good relationship, you should advise her!"

"Don't worry, Teacher Bai is very smart!" Ye Anning smiled as she spoke, "Although she loves to buy, she basically gets things appraised right after, and as long as there's a problem, she confesses to her family immediately..."

Lin Sicheng was taken aback and gave a thumbs up: Truly smart.

Once a seller hears her husband is at the Gongwang Mansion, the probability of them not offering a refund is extremely low.

It was also for this reason: she only wanted to buy the bowl because it wasn't fully restored.

Because there is a fundamental difference between Artifact Research and Commercial Repair: the former strives for authenticity, while the latter focuses on aesthetics.

For example, the restored porcelain in major museums is all glued with adhesive and filled with plaster; they neither paint nor glaze it, which is the reason for this.

In a flash of thought, the two entered the school, and Lin Sicheng's stomach gave a loud growl.

He just remembered: he hadn't eaten yet.

"Sister Anning hasn't eaten either, right? Why don't we eat together?"

Ye Anning paused: "Is that alright?"

"What's there to be alright or not alright about!"

Lin Sicheng asked casually, then took out his phone to tell Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu to go straight to the restaurant.

Ye Anning didn't speak, just pursed her lips and smiled.

As long as it wasn't "not alright"!

The two weren't in a rush and walked slowly toward the cafeteria.

As they walked, roughly reaching a place not far from home, Ye Anning seemed to sense something and subconsciously looked up.

Two heads were pressed against the living room window, but they "whooshed" and retracted instantly.

Ha!

Ye Anning laughed to herself.

Lin Sicheng's mind was full of "Tang Dynasty gold" and "Fried Bead Gold Inlay," so he didn't notice at all.

When they reached the cafeteria and sat down to eat, he was still pondering.

It wasn't his fault for being so invested: it was only after Teacher Bai left that he remembered that, according to the original timeline, Fried Bead Gold Inlay was still in a lost state.

It wasn't until 2020 that the tomb of Tang Gaozong Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, the Qianling Mausoleum, was excavated (in Xijing), and the related techniques were restored.

Now it was 2007, so how was the Fried Bead Gold Inlay on that Agate Cup applied?

His chopsticks stopped from time to time, his eyes vacant and unfocused.

Everyone knew he was thinking about a problem, so no one disturbed him. The three girls ate and chatted as they pleased.

Although they weren't very familiar, perhaps smart, beautiful women naturally have empathy; Ye Anning and Li Zhen chatted very congenially.

Xiao Yuzhu quietly shoveled rice and listened quietly. She didn't know what was going on, but she felt itchy all over.

But no matter how much she thought about it, she didn't know why this was happening.

Just as they were finishing their meal, Ye Anning's phone rang twice; she listened for a moment, then turned her head: "Teacher Zhang asks if 180,000 is acceptable. If it is, he'll have the finance department come over tomorrow to settle the bill, but an invoice must be issued!"

Teacher Zhang?

Hearing the 180,000, Lin Sicheng finally realized: Ye Anning was talking about that Bowl.

According to the current market rate, even if that Zhuyou White were in perfect condition, it would only be worth 800,000 to 1,000,000.

The key was that it was too damaged, with a full third of it restored; by Lin Sicheng's estimate, no matter how beautifully it was restored, it would only be worth around 80,000 to 90,000.

This Teacher Zhang had doubled the price right from the start, and only half of it was restored?

As expected, no matter how high the craftsmanship, one must sell in the right place.

He nodded, and Ye Anning replied immediately, arranging the time.

Opposite them, Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu were dumbfounded: Lin Sicheng had said himself that he only spent a little over 200 to buy the porcelain shards for that Bowl.

He had only painted gold on half of it and applied only one piece of Gold Foil, plus various raw materials; calculating it all, it cost at most 1,000.

After deducting taxes, did that mean Lin Sicheng had earned 170,000 in just two days relying on his craftsmanship?

Suddenly, stars began to appear in the eyes of the two women. Especially Xiao Yuzhu; in her eyes, Lin Sicheng had already taken the shape of a golden thigh to cling to.

Hanging up the phone, they continued eating; after finishing, Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu returned to the dormitory together.

The restaurant was quite far from the family quarters, and it was getting dark, so Lin Sicheng walked Ye Anning back.

The four of them parted ways downstairs at the restaurant.

Watching their backs under the streetlights, Xiao Yuzhu looked confused: These two... they felt quite strange?

But to say they were dating didn't seem quite right: what guy was like Lin Sicheng, with his partner sitting right next to him, yet his mind was still full of Cultural Relics and Artifact Research?

Even on the way to walk his partner back, he was still thinking about it?

That Assistant Ye was also a bit too easygoing.

If they weren't... then why did it feel like these two were quite a good match?

Just as she was guessing wildly, Li Zhen turned around: "A Zhu, let's go!"

"Coming, Senior Sister~"

Xiao Yuzhu caught up, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Senior Sister, are they dating?"

Li Zhen shook her head: "An illusion!"

An illusion?

It seemed a bit like one... but how could Senior Sister be so sure?

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Xiao Yuzhu suddenly froze: she didn't know if it was an illusion, but she finally understood why she had felt so bothered while eating at the restaurant.

She looked back abruptly: Lin Sicheng had his hands in his pockets, head drooping, as if he were counting ants.

No need to guess, he was definitely still thinking about the Tang Eight Gold Arts.

Ye Anning followed silently by his side; he slowed down, she slowed down, he stopped, she stopped... quiet and still, without a sound.

Haha...

Lin Sicheng, you big idiot!