Chapter 188: Luck

Lin Sicheng took out a magnifying glass: "Can I handle it?"

The woman nodded: "Of course!"

Lin Sicheng stood up, and Zhao Xiuneng felt a surge of spirit and stood up as well.

The vessel shape was large, with a height of sixty centimeters and a belly diameter of about twenty-four or twenty-five.

It wasn't heavy, but just in case, it was better to help hold it while tilting it to examine the base and the foot.

Zhao Xiuneng gripped the mouth of the jar, and Lin Sicheng examined it inch by inch.

When examining porcelain, first look at the body: all Qing Dynasty Official Kiln pieces must use a binary mixture of kaolin and porcelain stone, first sifted, then absorbed (to remove iron), and finally aged; the resulting porcelain body is extremely white, moist, and smooth.

Therefore, after the Kangxi period, the base and foot of Qing Dynasty Official Kiln porcelain rarely show bright firestone red; at most, they appear grayish-white or pale yellow.

Furthermore, the trimming is rounded and smooth, with a contour resembling a loach's back, hence commonly known as "Loach Back."

Just like this piece.

Next, look at the glaze: this piece uses white glaze as the base; at first glance, it is as lustrous as grease, but looking closely, it reveals a faint, elusive cyan hue, like white green jade.

This is the effect formed by adding turquoise glaze after the Qianlong period; the rim and base will show faint, fine lines, shaped like porridge skin.

Then, look at the base color: beneath the glaze, the phoenix tail pattern formed by the Zha Dao process—unique to the period after Yongzheng—is faintly visible; the lines are complex yet precise, like flowers on brocade, magnificent and opulent.

Afterward, color painting is superimposed, using openwork and stacking sculpture techniques, combined with the rendering and stippling from traditional Chinese painting; the colors are vivid, the figures' clothing folds are clearly layered, and the transition of light and shadow is harmonious and natural.

Only then, look at the painting:

The entire painting is laid out along the central axis of the Imperial Kiln Factory; the neck depicts Main Mountain and the Wenchang Palace, while the belly uses houses and work sheds as intervals, forming nine groups of scenes.

It depicts scenes of the craft: stone quarrying, mud washing, wheel throwing, blank painting, glaze blowing, kiln filling, kiln firing, and firing colored wares. The painted figures number as many as fifty, including Craftsmen and officials, each performing their own duties and laboring at their own tasks.

And the most astonishing point is this: this is the only cultural relic remaining to this day that truly reproduces the prosperous scene of the mid-Qing Imperial Kiln Factory, perfectly and clearly verifying the historical records regarding the establishment, division of labor, and production of the Imperial Kiln Factory.

That is why it is rare, and that is why it is valuable.

Seeing this, ninety-nine percent of experts would be ninety-nine percent certain that this is a genuine piece: a proper Jiaqing Official Kiln Famille Rose, porcelain bottle made by Imperial Kiln Workers.

It is indeed a genuine piece, but even for genuine pieces, even for twins that are at least ninety-nine percent similar, just because of that one percent difference, the price can be worlds apart...

Secretly turning his thoughts, he had Zhao Xiuneng turn the porcelain bottle over, and Lin Sicheng turned on his flashlight again.

In an instant, that feeling of familiarity mixed with a hint of nostalgia surged up again, and he frowned once more.

Zhao Xiuneng watched along, even more intently, but the more intently he looked, the more he felt this thing was genuine. His brow furrowed even tighter than Lin Sicheng's.

He couldn't even tell what the difference was between this one and the one in Shanxi.

But was it haunted? Everyone at the Shanxi Museum, from the Dean to the Custodian, swore that it was the only one in the world.

Then where did this one pop out from?

Fang Jingxian had already looked several times; she knew her eye for antiques was far worse than Lin Sicheng's, or even Zhao Xiuneng's, so she stayed quiet and didn't say a word.

Just like that, they looked for a long time—nearly half an hour—before Lin Sicheng straightened his back.

Fang Jingxian looked at him expectantly.

Including today, this was her fourth time coming here, and her goal was clear: choose one between the Guangxu Opening Furnace Ten Cash and the Jiaqing Famille Rose Imperial Kiln porcelain bottle.

No matter which one it was, she would be satisfied if she could acquire one. But the opening furnace coin had been sentenced to death by Lin Sicheng, so what about this one?

She was impatient and just about to ask for the truth when Zhao Xiuneng gave her a look and whispered a reminder: "Teacher Lin, I've seen one just like it!"

Oh? General Manager Zhao has some connections, doesn't he?

Lin Sicheng's eyes lit up: "The Forbidden City or Jiangxi?"

"Ah?" Zhao Xiuneng was stumped by the question instead, "Shanxi!"

Shanxi...

"Haha..." Lin Sicheng thought for a moment and laughed again, "That would be five or six years ago!"

Zhao Xiuneng nodded vigorously, "Yes, seven years ago!"

At that time, the old lady was still in good health; she was invited to repair a few Famille Rose pieces and helped look at that Plum Vase.

But because it hadn't been well-maintained previously, the porcelain bottle showed signs of glaze loss, and the mother and son spent over a month making some minor repairs.

Since then, the item had been kept in vacuum storage and hadn't been seen by the world... which was why Zhao Xiuneng was surprised: wasn't it the only one in the world?

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "Saying it's the only one in the world is an exaggeration, though it is indeed rare: the Forbidden City has one, and Shanxi has one, but five years ago it was borrowed by Jiangxi... that is the one you and the old lady saw. Unfortunately, like Liu Bei borrowing Jingzhou, once borrowed, it was never returned..."

"According to Jiangxi's claim, the Imperial Kiln Factory is in Jingdezhen, so this item has greater significance to them... Afterward, the two sides went back and forth, bickering for three or four years, until the year before last when Jiangxi returned a Han Tripod to Shanxi, which finally settled the matter..."

Pausing slightly, Lin Sicheng thought again: "There should be some in private collections, and even more abroad, and not just one!"

As far as he knew, several had flowed out during the Opium War. Two of them were purchased by the British merchant Alfred Morrison and stored at his family estate, Fangshan Residence, known in history as the Fangshan Bottle.

Later, one flowed into Japan and was housed in the Tokyo National Museum, while another entered the market. Around 2010, it was auctioned at Christie's Hong Kong and bought back by a "mysterious Asian businessman" for the equivalent of over seven million RMB, then donated to the Shanxi Museum.

But Lin Sicheng suspected that it was because Shanxi was unwilling to accept being played by Jiangxi, so they entrusted an agency of the National Cultural Heritage Administration to buy it back.

Anyway, ever since then, whenever Jiangxi held an "Imperial Porcelain Exhibition," Shanxi would inevitably follow suit. Regardless of whether their collection was as rich or the items as high-end as the others, the centerpiece would always be that Jiaqing Famille Rose porcelain bottle.

Then, they would intentionally or unintentionally bring up what Jiangxi had done all over again. Naturally, Jiangxi would be dragged out and "flogged" once more. It got to the point where Jiangxi wouldn't even dare mention that bottle, let alone exhibit it...

Lin Sicheng only told the first half, treating it as a story, and Zhao Xiuneng's eyelids twitched: "Teacher Lin, is this thing... really a Jiaqing Official Kiln Famille Rose?"

If we are only talking about the provenance... of course, this is an Official Kiln Famille Rose.

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Yes!"

Suddenly, Fang Jingxian's eyes lit up: according to what Lin Sicheng said, Jiangxi traded a Han Tripod with Shanxi... even at a low estimate, wouldn't it be worth eight or ten million?

But the other party was asking for only four million... even lower than the Guangxu opening furnace coin! So with one flip, she would make at least double...

In an instant, Fang Jingxian's mind became active, but just as she opened her mouth to speak, Lin Sicheng poured a bucket of cold water on her: "But General Manager Fang, if you are thinking of acquiring it, forget it!"

What?

Zhao Xiuneng was stunned for a moment, and Fang Jingxian was also stunned.

Secretary Gao, who was sitting with Fang Jingxian, had an even more exaggerated expression: the smile that had just appeared seemed to freeze on her face.

She stared straight at Lin Sicheng with both eyes, her lips trembling, cursing inwardly: No way... how can this person be so annoying?

Fang Jingxian has come several times, and every time she brings people to look at it; which one of them isn't a well-known collector or appraiser in the circle?

But people's comments are all quite fair: it looks pretty good, the age seems quite old, the body, glaze, patterns, and colors all seem to have no issues, and the value should be quite high...

Ah, you want four million?

General Manager Fang, I'm not too certain about this price, but it shouldn't be a loss...

Only this one, I've never even heard of him, he's also incredibly young, and the moment he opens his mouth, he can infuriate people to death: the item is real, but don't bother buying it... What does that mean?

And there was the previous "kiln-opening money": it's still worth about a million...

Even the appraisers from the big firms (auction houses) wouldn't dare to be so arrogant, daring to lock the value of an item into a specific range with just one word...

Muttering to herself, she stared at Lin Sicheng for a few more moments: "Teacher Lin, right? You said the item is real, but what do you mean by 'don't bother buying it'?"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Exactly what it sounds like!"

"Is the price too high, or is there something wrong with the item?" The woman pursed her lips, "Teacher Lin, it's fine, you might as well be direct, don't be so tactful!"

Huh, I'm being tactful?

Lin Sicheng laughed immediately: "Secretary Gao, if you want to put it that way? Then fine, I'll be direct!"

As he spoke, he took the porcelain bottle over again: "Secretary Gao, you should also be an expert, so I'll just point out one thing: why is it that two items from the same era, same material, same quality, and even from the hands of the same creator, have vastly different prices during the same period?"

"Let me give you another example: last month, a silk hanging scroll of 'Tour of the Wu Family Manor' by Wen Zhengming, formerly in the Xiang collection, was auctioned in Nanjing... It had the collection seals of Xiang Dehong (the fifth son of Xiang Yuanbian) and Bi Yuan (a Qing Dynasty scholar, collector, and official who rose to the rank of Huguang Viceroy)."

"There were also Gong Benang (a Qing Dynasty collector and epigrapher), Wu Zhiying (a female calligrapher and collector of the Republic of China), Lv Xueduan (a painter and collector of the Republic of China, and a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Culture and History after the founding of the PRC)... In total, there were over ten seal marks; the provenance wasn't perfectly clear, but in the end, it only sold for 1.2 million?"

"But moving back one month, just in November, Shaoxing Hanyuetang held an auction in Hangzhou; it was also calligraphy and painting by Wen Zhengming, also a silk hanging scroll, and the 'Autumn Wind in the Suburban Fields' with similar dimensions and only seven or eight collection seals, yet it sold for over 24 million?"

"Since they are roughly the same, in my view, the latter painting isn't even as good as the former, so why is there a twenty-fold gap, or even a difference of over 20 million? Because the latter painting has one seal mark from the 'Imperial Collection Seal' (the collection seal of the Qing Dynasty Imperial Household Department)..."

Several people were listening quietly, and after hearing the better part of the explanation, they were still puzzled: for the same work, a difference of over 20 million, how is that possible?

But upon hearing "Imperial Collection Seal," they suddenly realized: the former was a private collection, the latter was a secret treasure of the Qing Palace; a difference of 20 million is even considered small.

But what does this bottle have to do with the two paintings Lin Sicheng mentioned?

Instinctively, Zhao Xiuneng and Fang Jingxian froze in unison and exchanged a glance. Secretary Gao's eyelids couldn't stop twitching, and she had a bad premonition in her heart.

She seemed to be able to guess what Lin Sicheng was about to say next.

Sure enough, Lin Sicheng laid the porcelain bottle flat: "Let's talk about this bottle: that's right, it's a Qing Dynasty Official Kiln, Qing Dynasty Official Kiln Famille Rose... The body is correct, the glaze is correct, the painting is correct, and the colors are also correct..."

"It is even more likely to have come from the same kiln furnace as those two pieces in the Forbidden City and Jiangxi, or even molded by the same potter, painted by the same artist, and glazed by the same craftsman... So when General Manager Zhao asked me if it was a Qing Dynasty Official Kiln Famille Rose? I said yes..."

"However, just like the two paintings I mentioned, even if they are both Qing Dynasty Official Kiln Famille Rose, even if they are twin porcelains, because the provenance is different and the status of the collectors is different, the prices will still be worlds apart..."

Lin Sicheng tapped the bottom, making a "thud" sound, "What's more, the Hall Mark on yours is wrong!"

Zhao Xiuneng was listening extremely carefully; at first, he didn't feel anything, but when Lin Sicheng suddenly said the mark was wrong, he suddenly realized: the "Made in the Reign of Jiaqing of the Great Qing" on this, isn't the original mark?

Thinking about it more carefully: the sound from the tap Lin Sicheng just made seemed... a bit dull?

His eyes lit up, as if struck by electricity; Zhao Xiuneng stood up, followed suit, and reached out to tap: thud thud... thud thud...

The sound was indeed a bit dull, and it seemed... a bit muffled too?

Zhao Xiuneng's eyes widened instantly, and he tapped two more times: "The base seems so thick... Haha... Teacher Lin, it seems to have been added later?..."

Fang Jingxian realized belatedly: "This is a restored damaged artifact?"

Lin Sicheng paused: Actually, the base isn't thick, and it isn't a damaged artifact. It was just that to change the mark, half of the original base was ground away, and a new base was fired using the old porcelain powder ground off, then glued on.

Because there is a layer of adhesive separating them, they are not one piece, so when the sound is conducted, it forms an interval, and it doesn't sound as crisp as the original base when tapped.

But the repair is truly excellent; it is almost invisible to the naked eye. If this item weren't so rare, its recognizability so high, and the technique of adding a base later so familiar, even Lin Sicheng might have been fooled...

In a flash of thought, Lin Sicheng sighed: "Export Porcelain!"

Zhao Xiuneng and Fang Jingxian suddenly understood.

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Official Kilns exported porcelain, such as blue and white, wucai, famille rose, enamel porcelain, and so on.

The same material, the same craftsmanship, the same procedures, and even the same batch of craftsmen and the same kiln furnace... the items fired were naturally identical.

There was only one difference: they didn't bear the official mark, that is, "Made in the Reign of Emperor So-and-so." They either had a Hall Mark, a Lucky Word Mark, letters, or were simply blank.

But just because the base mark was different, the value was worlds apart, even more exaggerated than the two Wen Zhengming paintings mentioned earlier.

The logic is simple: the former was proper Tribute Porcelain, imperial ware, for the Emperor to use. The latter was sold far overseas for a bunch of foreigners to use, or even for someone whose identity is unknown?

Thus, it gave the Cultural Relics traffickers an opportunity: grind off the old mark, change it to an imperial reign mark, and then slightly antique it.

One piece is often worth hundreds of thousands, or even millions; naturally, they are as careful as possible, hiring the highest-level experts they can. Therefore, they fool the insiders every single time.

Just like Zhao Xiuneng, who has been repairing porcelain for half his life, he is still confused: he only knows the base was added later, but he can't find the traces?

So at the very first glance, Lin Sicheng frowned: the more he looked at this craftsmanship, the more it looked like the technique of a certain teacher at the Forbidden City...

This is truly outrageous, isn't it?

Sighing inwardly, Lin Sicheng remained silent.

It's a pity; if it hadn't been faked, even with a foreign letter mark, this bottle would still be worth about a million. But by painting a snake and adding feet, the item became a damaged artifact, and at most, it's worth two or three hundred thousand.

But selling it to Fang Jingxian for four million, this heart is quite black...

Fang Jingxian stared at Secretary Gao, not knowing whether to scold or resent: You know my appraisal ability is only average, but you can't fleece me like this, right?

Seeming to see what she was thinking, Secretary Gao hurriedly apologized with a smile: "General Manager Fang, I really didn't know!"

You sleep with that old man every day, and you don't know? Who are you trying to fool?

But then again, isn't this industry just like this: if you can pick up a bargain, that's your ability and skill. If you lack the eye, losing money and jumping off a building is your own fault...

She gritted her teeth, snorted again, and pointed to the one next to it: "What about this one? It can't have problems too!"

Just as Secretary Gao was about to say something, Lin Sicheng shook his head: "General Manager Fang, this one really has no problems!"

As he spoke, he picked it up again: "Jizhou Kiln paper-cut porcelain: originated in the Tang Dynasty, meaning that after the porcelain is glazed, paper-cuts are applied; after entering the kiln, the paper flowers oxidize, leaving only white patterns."

"By the two Song Dynasties, the craft evolved: first, a layer of black base glaze with high iron content is applied to the body, then the paper-cut is applied on top, then a layer of glaze material with lower iron content is applied, and finally, the paper-cut is peeled off before entering the kiln to be fired."

In this way, the surface of the fired porcelain will present a kiln-transmutation color with light yellow spots, and the area where the paper-cut was applied will also show the black-brown outline of the paper-cut, just like this piece before us: brown glaze, yellow spots, black flowers... So, strictly speaking, this is a human-controlled Song Dynasty Jizhou Kiln paper-cut kiln-transmutation porcelain..."

"The advantage is that it highlights folk practical aesthetics and counts as a piece of folk cultural art; the disadvantage is that the body is coarse, the embryo is rough, and the glaze is too thick..."

Lin Sicheng touched the porcelain bottle with its matte texture, "Secretary Gao, name your price!"

Secretary Gao had already been stunned into a daze; although she still felt dissatisfied inside, she dared not be negligent on the surface: "This piece was originally intended as a throw-in for the Famille Rose porcelain bottle. If Teacher Lin wants it, two hundred thousand!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "General Manager Fang, two hundred thousand is about right!"

Fang Jingxian, however, did not really want it.

Do not think that all Song Dynasty porcelain is valuable; only Guan, Ru, Ge, and Jun wares are. Even Ding Kiln is far inferior, let alone the even worse Jizhou Kiln?

It felt like it wouldn't be easy to sell, and at most it would only make a profit of one hundred thousand or eighty thousand, and one would still owe a favor...

Lin Sicheng knew what she was thinking at a glance, and placing the bottle on the table, he said: "Trouble you, Secretary Gao, wrap it up for me!"

He was truly terrified of being poor; never mind one hundred thousand or eighty thousand, even making ten or eight thousand would do. Furthermore, there was no need to owe a favor: if he gave it to Hao Jun or Guan Xingmin and sold it to them for two hundred fifty thousand, they would not only have to say thank you, but also treat him to a banquet.

This is the difference between having connections and not having them...

The woman nodded, let the man beside her bring a box, and wrapped it up in a few quick motions.

Lin Sicheng swiped his card and said half-jokingly: "Finally encountered a real item!"

Zhao Xiuneng and Fang Jingxian were both startled: wasn't that the truth?

If it weren't for Lin Sicheng, whoever came today would have been fooled...

Secretary Gao wore a resentful expression, wanting to glare but not daring to.

Firstly, Lin Sicheng was too professional, so professional that just looking at his face would make people involuntarily feel a bit of "horror."

Secondly, Fang Jingxian's attitude toward him: completely compliant, following every word, with a reverence even showing through her respect.

Having been in this line of work for half a lifetime with a net worth of over ten million, if there wasn't some reason, why would Fang Jingxian revere a greenhorn kid?

Thinking secretly, Secretary Gao looked him up and down again: "Collecting is collecting; even the Forbidden City has fakes, let alone the private sector? There must be real items; would Teacher Lin like to look at a few more?"

"That makes sense..." Lin Sicheng smiled again, "But Secretary Gao, don't provoke me. Of course I dare to look, but I really don't have much money."

As if I'd believe you?

Secretary Gao did not speak; she looked at Zhao Xiuneng, then looked at the string of beads he was twirling in his hand.

Lin Sicheng paused, then let out a "Ha": was she treating General Manager Zhao as his lackey?

Zhao Xiuneng also realized it, but he did not care at all.

During that month or so of searching for the tomb, weren't he and his two sons acting as lackeys for Lin Sicheng?

Even before coming from Beijing to Xijing, his mother had instructed him: if you want to learn the craft, first respect the teacher. Therefore, he and his two sons acted as lackeys with a clear conscience and peace of mind.

The two exchanged a look, everything understood without words.

After brewing tea and taking a short rest, Secretary Gao had her subordinates continue to take out items.

She likely really took Lin Sicheng for a rich man, thinking he was the main guest today, so she no longer squeezed the toothpaste bit by bit; this time she brought out quite a lot.

After several trips back and forth, the coffee table, tea table, and stools were filled to the brim.

Long boxes, square boxes, round boxes, square boxes; she brought out more than twenty pieces at once.

Lin Sicheng held his Tea Cup and took a few glances.

Regardless of how much the previous two pieces were worth, at the very least, it showed that the boss behind Secretary Gao had an absolutely extraordinary background.

An ordinary person could not find export-grade Jiaqing Famille Rose, nor could they hire a master of Artifact Restoration from the Forbidden City to help repair the base and lid.

Therefore, there must be some real items among the collection. And since Secretary Gao had just witnessed Lin Sicheng's methods, it was impossible for her to bring out common goods or obvious fakes to embarrass herself, so these were nine times out of ten authentic, and treasures at that.

But the problem arose again: in so-called collecting, how short of money must one be to dump so much stock all at once?

It couldn't be that they committed a crime and are about to run away?

While pondering, Secretary Gao opened one of the square boxes, and two ivory pieces came into view.

The former was a Landscape and Figure Square Box, the lid divided into upper and lower Openwork sections; the upper section featured Relief Carving of bamboo, flowers, strange rocks, and colorful butterflies.

The lower section featured Relief Carving of village children herding sheep, with rocks, pine trees, and plum trees arranged in depth, as well as a mountain hut.

The lines were clear, and the composition was harmonious and natural. Bamboo was bamboo, trees were trees, flowers were flowers, houses were houses... typical Beijing Ivory Carving craftsmanship of the Qing Dynasty, which could be summarized in two words: complex and precise.

The latter was a Pine Shade Scholar Brush Pot: an old man carrying a staff stood on a bridge, a young boy held a zither on the bank, following the sound and gazing... using mountain pines as a boundary, yet creating a scene with every step, the craftsmanship was skillful and refined, even the ground (where there were no patterns) was polished smooth and round.

Also a Qing Dynasty ivory carving, but this piece became Suzhou-style Landscape Pattern work. It was wild, elegant, and refined, clear and bright.

But the material was exactly the same: white with a milky translucence, without spots or cracks. The luster was moist and uniform, the texture smooth and dense.

Top-grade Ivory: Mammoth Ivory tips, Pink Ivory (natural death), and Ice Material Ivory (highest grade).

After looking back and forth twice, Lin Sicheng sighed inwardly: you say you'll bring real items, and you really bring real items?

A million might be a slight stretch, but these two pieces should each be worth around eight or nine hundred thousand.

Thinking secretly, he looked at Zhao Xiuneng again. General Manager Zhao was startled for a moment, then gave a sheepish smile: "Teacher Lin, I don't have much Artifact Research on ivory pieces!"

Oh right, he forgot that these things only gradually became popular after the Ming Dynasty, and not many were produced in the Sanqin region. Furthermore, every trade has its specialty; Zhao Xiuneng focused on porcelain and hadn't really put much effort into studying the others.

Putting down his tea cup, Lin Sicheng handled them again to confirm there were no errors before setting them down.

"Secretary Gao, what is the price?"

"One million two hundred thousand for the two, seven hundred fifty thousand for a single piece!"

This price was truly not high.

Lin Sicheng put down the Brush Pot: "Beijing-style and Suzhou-style from around the mid-Qing, both pieces are quite good!"

Fang Jingxian knew that Lin Sicheng meant the items were fine and the price was appropriate, so she could buy them. But she was in a bit of a dilemma.

Because ivory and horn wares were too niche and hard to sell.

But in an instant, Zhao Xiuneng's eyes lit up: these things were niche in the Sanqin region, but they were not niche in Beijing.

And since Lin Sicheng said they were quite good, there must definitely be a profit to be made...

Seeing this, Lin Sicheng smiled: "Then General Manager Zhao should buy them!"

Zhao Xiuneng took out his card without a second word. Fang Jingxian felt a weight lift from her heart and secretly cheered herself on: Lin Sicheng had helped her look at two pieces, and she hadn't bought them; if she didn't buy the third, it would be a bit unjustifiable.

But immediately, seeing Secretary Gao open another square box, her eyes widened again: ivory again, and so large, and two of them?

"No... Gao Jing, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

But Lin Sicheng and Zhao Xiuneng were both taken aback.

What stunned Zhao Xiuneng was the shape of the artifact: thirty-five to thirty-six centimeters in total height, clearly a whole-tusk carving. Even if he didn't understand much, he knew: small pieces are easy to sell, while large pieces are hard to offload. Therefore, whole-tusk carvings could be said to be few and far between...

What stunned Lin Sicheng was the material and the craftsmanship: white with a milky translucence and a reddish luster; this was African Blood Ivory (harvested from a live animal) of a grade one level higher than the previous two pieces.

The carving work looked extremely good, with the figures lifelike, the skirt pleats natural and fluid, the posture graceful, and the lines beautiful, but in reality, it was a machine-made product.

The key point was that the statue faintly transmitted light, indicating that the moisture had not fully evaporated, which further indicated that these two ivory statues had been harvested for no more than two years.

Two years—shipped from Africa to the country, carved, then shipped to Xijing, and who knows how long they had been sitting in the basement of this villa...

Glancing again at the seven or eight long boxes placed to the side, Lin Sicheng had a vague guess: "Whole tusks?"

"Teacher Lin has a sharp eye!" Gao Jing smiled slightly. "They are all whole tusks!"

Lin Sicheng sighed, finally knowing who the boss behind her was: one of the major dealers in Shaanxi Province who specialized in fencing stolen goods for grave-robbers, Miao Taiyue, known in the underworld as Shan Shu.

He had collaborated with Yang Bin, Lv Fuping (the Lantian Lv family grave-robbing case, the Han Dynasty Emperor Wen's Empress Dou grave-robbing case, sentenced to death in 2006), Yu Dahai, and Zhang Haofeng, who specialized in robbing the Qin East Mausoleum.

His fencing model was highly distinctive: he specifically set up a small home appliance export company, hid the Cultural Relics inside the appliances to ship them to Africa, and after selling the appliances, sold the Cultural Relics to Europe and America.

His capture was even more dramatic; he wasn't caught because of the Cultural Relics case, but because of Smuggling Ivory: he collaborated with Chen Jianzhong, a man from Guangzhou known as the Ivory King, who was once caught with nearly ten tons of ivory at one time:

Chen Jianzhong helped him ship Cultural Relics out, and Miao Taiyue helped Chen Jianzhong ship ivory in... In 2009, both sides were caught.

He didn't know when they started investigating, but this was clearly receiving the Wind, preparing to ship out the goods and run.

He was also certain that behind Secretary Gao was Miao Taiyue: ivory was absolutely a niche among niche collectibles in Shaanxi Province; except for Miao Taiyue, who used it as a cover, no one would collect so many ivory products...

Lin Sicheng pondered secretly and looked up again: "Secretary Gao, are there certificates?"

Secretary Gao was stunned for a moment: "Of course there are!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: As long as there are...

It just so happened that by May of this year, national policies tightened, and ivory products required one certificate per item: that is, the sold ivory carving must have a legal proof of purchase, a government-authorized business license, and a collection certificate issued by relevant authorities.

Since then, ivory products had been rising in price continuously.

Like the two pieces Zhao Xiuneng had just acquired, in at most another half year, they would be worth at least three million as a base, which was equivalent to more than doubling in value.

What was even more coincidental was that four months before the policy was issued, he actually ran into an ivory trafficker preparing to run?

Those with certificates were, of course, brought in through normal channels and were legitimate goods used for show, so they should naturally be bought.

Those without certificates, of course, should not be touched. Even those with the slightest doubt, he would firmly not touch.

Just like the two Guanyin statues before him.

Pondering secretly, Lin Sicheng let out a sharp breath: When luck comes, it cannot be stopped...