Chapter 112: A Cross-Generational Craft Combination

The morning mist clings to the blue bricks as it flows, and the iron wind chimes at the eaves sway with the Wind.

"Ding-dang~ ding-dang~"

Lin Sicheng opens his eyes, feeling groggy; the sky is only just beginning to brighten.

He stretches, reaches out to grab his phone... Huh, it's powered off?

He finds the charging cable and plugs it in, then gets up to get dressed; he has just barely finished putting on his shoes when the screen lights up.

Then, like beans falling into an iron pot, ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong—in the blink of an eye, over a dozen text messages come in.

Lin Sicheng is stunned and taps them open one by one.

"Lin Sicheng, why did you turn off your phone?"

"You're such an idiot!"

Then comes a bunch of emoticons: smug, headshot, unhappy, roaring...

No... Xiao Yuzhu, are you sick?

He swipes hard to scroll down.

Li Zhen: I don't have class tomorrow, I'll be going to the studio.

Lin Sicheng thinks for a moment and replies: Hard work.

Scrolling further down, Guan Xingmin:

First message: I have something to ask you, why did you turn off your phone?

Second message: Yang has been caught!

Lin Sicheng is dazed for a moment, then sits up with a start.

As for the Yang that Guan Xingmin is talking about, who else could it be but Yang Zhigao?

He checks the time; it's only a little past six, but Lin Sicheng doesn't hesitate at all and calls him directly.

It rings twice, and it is answered almost instantly: "Haha, up so early!"

"Good morning, Director Guan!"

"Good morning my ass, I haven't slept all night!" Guan Xingmin laughs lowly, sounding as if he is walking outside.

Another sound of a door closing comes through, and his voice becomes much louder: "Thanks to you, this brother has really performed a great service this time!"

Lin Sicheng is stunned for a moment: "Really caught him?"

Calculating the time, it hasn't even been forty-eight hours.

"Otherwise? Don't look at who gave the instructions," Guan Xingmin sighs slowly, "You've landed a good teacher; you kid are set for life!"

Lin Sicheng is stunned and silent, his thoughts racing.

He thinks back to that day: Lin Sicheng, you go back to school first, leave the rest to the teacher.

And yesterday: Stay at school honestly for a few days, it doesn't need to be long, three days at most.

As it turns out, only one night has passed.

"Yang Zhigao is really something: two floors, over five hundred square meters of fake jade workshop, caught red-handed. A safe as tall as a person full of cash... Guess what else we found? Account books... Hahaha..."

After laughing a few times, Guan Xingmin's voice drops slightly, "Who he gave what gifts to, how much he gave, it's all written clearly inside...

And there's something even more surprising: he recorded every transaction over one hundred thousand clearly, saving us so much trouble? And there are quite a few leaders among them... More importantly, this old guy has also hurt people, and more than one... His life is finished..."

Lin Sicheng listens quietly.

In his past life, Yang Zhigao didn't get into trouble this early, but the outcome was much the same: life imprisonment.

It seems he committed more crimes than what Guan Xingmin mentioned, but they will all be uncovered sooner or later.

After Lin Sicheng digests this, Guan Xingmin continues: "We are still in the process of recovery and sorting, which might take about another week. But the leader specifically instructed last night that you must be invited to the Shijian for appraisal when the time comes... We'll set the specific date later."

Lin Sicheng accepts without hesitation: "No problem!"

Even if the leader hadn't mentioned it, he would have found a way to go take a look.

"That's about it, if there's any situation, I'll contact you again!"

"Okay, thank you, Director Guan!"

"Don't mention it!" Guan Xingmin laughs, "If I don't treat you to ten tables after this is over, I'd feel guilty..."

Lin Sicheng roughly understands: Guan Xingmin's report was even earlier than the leader's instructions; it just happened to be a case of pushing the boat with the current.

He can't avoid taking this credit even if he wanted to...

Hanging up the phone, Lin Sicheng slowly lets out a breath, feeling the pressure suddenly lighten.

No matter how high your kung fu is, you still fear a kitchen knife. Fortunately, the hidden danger is gone.

In a flash, he checks the time again: it's too early now, Professor Wang probably hasn't woken up yet.

Hmm, I'll go find him around seven-thirty. In any case, I must thank him in person.

He puts down his phone, brushes his teeth and washes his face; just as he finishes drying his face, his phone rings again.

Wang Qi Zhi: Are you up yet!

He drops the Towel and replies with two characters: Up now!

Just as he sends it, Wang Qi Zhi's voice rings out outside the door, "Lin Sicheng, open the door... knock knock!"

Lin Sicheng is stunned for a moment, then rushes over to open the door. Wang Qi Zhi is leaning against the door frame, unshaven, with two large dark circles under his eyes.

This is... he didn't sleep all night?

Lin Sicheng is shocked: "Did you... have a fight with your wife?"

Wang Qi Zhi rolls his eyes and yawns again: "Can't you wish me something good?"

Is it because of Yang Zhigao's matter?

Lin Sicheng feels a little warmth in his heart, but also some suspicion: it's all settled, it's impossible that he still couldn't sleep all night, right?

As these thoughts turn, he says respectfully: "Teacher, I've troubled you!"

Wang Qi Zhi paused for a moment, then gave a "Tch" sound: "What's the big deal?"

He had indeed helped, but the key was that the clues Lin Sicheng provided were too clear: there was a problem with the Jadeite, and an even bigger problem with the jade. Guan Xingmin only checked it in passing, and Yang Zhigao's true colors were exposed.

Then, just as Guan Xingmin finished reporting to the bureau, instructions came from above; it was like someone falling asleep and being handed a pillow—it couldn't have been more perfect.

It was also Yang Zhigao's own fault for meeting such a disaster: with hundreds of millions involved in the case, how many people had this son-of-a-bitch swindled?

Thinking to himself, Wang Qi Zhi straightened his expression: "Anning said, the Agate Cup you looked at yesterday used granulation and Gold-gilding?"

Lin Sicheng suddenly realized: No wonder you didn't sleep all night?

But that was normal; if he hadn't had a drink after coming back last night, he wouldn't have been able to sleep either.

If a lost technique reappeared in the world, there were only two possibilities: either it had been passed down continuously, or a tomb from the Qianling Mausoleum or some other Tang Dynasty tomb had been robbed.

But the point was the technique; for Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi, it was at the very least a provincial-level research project: Research and Restoration of Tang Dynasty Gold Craftsmanship.

Don't think it's small; in terms of influence on Cultural Relics and ancient technological craftsmanship, it was even higher than the "Yejin Duli Qiyuan" they were currently researching.

Its influence on the commercial level was even higher.

For example, Zhou Mousheng, by around 2021, combined Tang Dynasty engraving and filigree techniques with 3D printing to launch "ancient method gold."

Zhou Mousheng was slightly better, as he basically used pure gold, but when other shops started following the trend, the gold content of their "ancient method gold" was less than half, yet the selling price was twice that of real gold.

For example, Moumou Feng...

Lin Sicheng nodded heavily: "Yes, it is exactly granulation and Gold-gilding!"

"Then that's fine, you're better than me!" Wang Qi Zhi squinted his eyes, "You were actually able to sleep?"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "I had a drink when I got back!"

Wang Qi Zhi froze: Huh, why hadn't he thought of having a couple of drinks to help him sleep?

He widened his eyes: "You were downstairs last night, why didn't you come up to find me for a drink?"

Lin Sicheng looked helpless: "Teacher, it doesn't matter for us, but there's also your wife, Sister Anning, and Youjian!"

That was true, the children had to go to school.

Wang Qi Zhi waved his hand: "Eat first, then go take a look!"

Lin Sicheng nodded.

The two walked and talked as they headed out of the school. Just as they passed the staff dormitory, Ye Anning came running down, "tap-tap-tap."

The teacher and student looked at each other, Wang Qi Zhi gave a look, and Lin Sicheng realized belatedly: "Sister Anning, I was just about to call you!"

Ye Anning pursed her lips and just smiled.

Her aunt had said last night: Like your uncle, Lin Sicheng is the type who, as soon as he thinks of some research or Cultural Relics, can forget his wife and children.

So, don't count on Lin Sicheng to call you; it's impossible for him to even think of it.

Therefore, as soon as her uncle left the house, she and her aunt got up, then stood behind the window to watch: sure enough, the two passed by downstairs, and didn't even glance up at the building once...

After exchanging greetings, Lin Sicheng went to get the car; they ate soup dumplings from the school gate.

The teacher and student talked non-stop: about granulation, filigree, flat-inlay, Golden Red Flag... from beginning to end, Ye Anning was like a transparent person.

Remembering what her aunt said, she started laughing again: this kind of man is the most reassuring; even if a vixen winks at him, he'll just think she got a bug in her eye...

They talked a lot and ate slowly; a single breakfast took an hour.

Ye Anning took the initiative to take the car keys and drove them; in about half an hour, the three arrived at the Bell Tower.

The morning light cut across the glazed tiles, casting colorful ripples on the green walls. The bracket set reflected against the glass, carving folds of shattered red into the air.

It was just a Bell Tower, but the scenery was extremely beautiful; it wasn't even nine o'clock yet, but there were already many tourists, noisy yet solemn.

Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi had no heart to admire it and headed straight for their destination.

On a black plaque with gold lettering, three large characters gleamed: Shengkangxuan. The rolling shutter door had just been lowered, and the shop assistant was still cleaning.

Just as they reached the door, a greeter came up to welcome them, but Wang Qi Zhi waved his hand casually: "We'll just look around first."

Afterwards, the three stepped over the threshold, and immediately, six eyes narrowed in unison.

In an instant, the three felt they had entered a Treasury: golden light dazzled the eyes, and the variety was overwhelming.

Gold ear cups, gold masks, gold chalices, gold spoons, gold Bowls.

Tong Gold-gilding Futu, Sassanian gold-gilded silver plates, gold Step-shake Ornament, gold sword scabbards, gold phoenix silver Hairpins, openwork gold pouches, gold wire winged hats, Eagle Top Gold Crown, gold-gilded jinde crowns, gold filigree Kingfisher Feather Inlay Phoenix Coronet...

From the Shang to the Qin, from the Han Dynasty to the Tang and then to the Song, all the way to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing.

From the Xiongnu to the Xianbei, then to the Rouran, Turkic, and then to the Khitan, Jurchen, Mongol, and Manchu Qing.

Never mind whether it's real or not, just tell me, is it comprehensive?

Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi looked at each other, their eyes revealing undisguised surprise.

Because no matter how skilled a person is, it is impossible to learn all the gold craftsmanship of five thousand years, across twenty-four dynasties, and even the nomadic peoples that appeared in the north; even for Lin Sicheng, it was impossible.

And don't talk about two lifetimes; it would be impossible in eight lifetimes.

It was also impossible to gather all the masters with these skills; otherwise, this shop wouldn't be in Xijing.

With this technology, the Forbidden City would dare to let him carve a door in the wall. The National Museum of China would dare to let him set up a stall in the first-floor exhibition hall, right across from Tiananmen...

Feeling shocked beyond words, the teacher and student lowered their heads to look closely; after a short while, both sighed in unison: most of them were machine-cast items used to deceive laymen.

They were roughly just photos taken at major Museums, or perhaps they had simply bought 1:1 cultural creative journals and brought them back to copy.

The materials were mostly copper gold-gilding or silver gold-gilding, but if you asked, they would definitely claim they were pure handmade crafts.

So the prices were not low, with the lowest being over a thousand.

But there were also some fine pieces, such as a gold-plated silver Hairpin with dragon and phoenix patterns, which used the Song Dynasty Relief Carving and embossed flower technique.

And that silver-wire gold-plated winged Crown imitating the Wanli era used the Ming Dynasty Filigree Inlay technique.

And these two techniques were both inherited from the Tang Dynasty's eight gold arts.

Sighing inwardly, after scanning a few times, the teacher and student took out their Magnifying Glass in unison and aimed them at a Tong Gold-gilding Futu.

A national treasure, the copper gold-gilded pagoda.

Unearthed in Fufeng, Baoji, from the Tang Dynasty royal temple Famen Temple, the genuine article is now treasured at the Famen Temple Museum and is among the first batch of national cultural relics prohibited from being exhibited abroad; it is even older than the Agate Cup.

When he first arrived in Baoji, Wang Qi Zhi had focused on researching it for a period of time.

Looking at it now, it is almost one-to-one with the one at Famen Temple: it stands half a meter tall, with a base width of one foot, and was formed by mold casting.

It has three levels from top to bottom: the pagoda base, the pagoda body, and the pagoda spire. The base is a Sumeru pedestal, with three layers of railings gradually narrowing, and the door lintels feature herringbone-shaped bracket sets.

The top is a single level with a four-cornered pointed roof; each side is cast with tile ridges, and the corner ridges are upturned. The pagoda spire towers high, with six rings gradually decreasing in size, topped by a precious canopy, a circular halo, a crescent moon, and a precious pearl.

The pagoda door is closed, but it can be opened; inside there is a silver coffin, and within the coffin is a relic said to be that of Sakyamuni.

Of course, that refers to the genuine article. Both Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi could tell that this one is a modern imitation made to look old.

But the imitation is quite realistic, the proportions are absolutely one-to-one, and it even mimics the slightly oxidized bronze texture to 99 percent accuracy.

The key problem is that the two of them looked for a long time and were unable to see any difference in craftsmanship between this one and the one treasured at Famen Temple.

It uses lost-wax sand mold casting, the pagoda base and body are connected via bronze Mortise and Tenon, and the pagoda spire (rings and precious pearl) is fixed by plug-in joints.

The decorative symbols are all engraved without molds, and the Gold-gilding technique is the Jin Red Flag method.

The most critical point is this: the real pagoda was "gilded seven times and roasted with fire to remove mercury," so is this one also "gilded seven times and roasted with fire to remove mercury"?

The most difficult part is also this: the edges, decorative patterns, curved steps, and eaves all require partial gold replenishment and repeated fine roasting; otherwise, the bronze core would deform.

Although the Jin Red Flag technique has not been lost and has been passed down, being able to achieve this step without the aid of any modern tools or chemical agents can be described as difficult beyond measure.

The two looked again and again, staring for a full ten minutes or more.

The receptionist followed behind; not allowed to speak and afraid to leave, they were so bored they kept yawning.

Suddenly, Lin Sicheng straightened his back, tilted his head, and compared the two sides: "Teacher, do you feel that this one is a bit brighter, and the Hammering patterns are a bit fainter?"

"Even if it is brighter, that should be normal!" Wang Qi Zhi was not very certain, "After all, it is a newly cast imitation!"

"It doesn't look like the reason is the imitation casting!" Lin Sicheng squinted his eyes, "It looks more like... Agate burnishing?"

What on earth, Agate burnishing... how could the Tang Dynasty have this technology?

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head like a flash and brought the Magnifying Glass close.

Afterwards, his eyes grew wider and wider.

He had previously only focused on identifying the craftsmanship features and had not paid much attention: under high magnification, the seven layers of Gold-gilding showed almost no obvious layering or pores.

This is clearly what Lin Sicheng mentioned: after plating, it was repeatedly burnished with an implement to make the gold layer thicker, and naturally, the surface would present a unique "matte gold" finish.

At the same time, the engraved patterns were so shallow because they had been pressed flat.

But Tang Dynasty Gold-gilding cannot be pressed, unless the Ming Dynasty fire-gilding technique was used.

This is impressive; this definitely counts as a cross-era combination of craftsmanship...