Chapter 193: Two Broken Cups

As usual, the bonsai was placed into the exhibition hall, and Hao Jun accompanied the Chen siblings to the reception room.

Through the glass, the jade petals were as thin as cicada wings, emitting a cold, faint light. The copper branches were robust and staggered, and the cloisonné porcelain pot was covered in its characteristic ice-crack patterns and wisps.

In the spacious office, the dozen or so people present were strangely quiet.

Having studied Cultural Relics for half a lifetime, this was still the first time Lin Zhangqing and Shang Yan had seen such an object.

But they knew their stuff: it was a former Qing palace collection, an imperial vessel from the inner court.

Wang Qi Zhi had seen one before, but this was the first time the actual object had been placed right in front of him, within reach of his hand.

Dan Wangshu and Ye Anning had seen more of them, so they were even more shocked: what was the difference between this pot and the one displayed in the Huangji Hall of the Forbidden City?

The exact same base pot, the exact same copper branches, the exact same petals. Including the two flowers, several blades of grass, and three fake rocks beneath the tree.

Even the styling, size, color, and position of the ornaments were no different... was it really a case of "the Forbidden City has one, and I have one"?

Even with their extensive experience, Dan Wangshu and Ye Anning still found it incredible: this item was no longer just a matter of being precious, nor was it a question of whether it was worth four or five million or six or seven million.

Rather, it was a rarity in this world, something one might encounter but never seek out.

The two finally understood the feelings of Jiang Yanfei and Lin Chengzhi: what had Lin Sicheng done to receive such a heavy gift?

Instinctively, several pairs of eyes swept over Lin Sicheng and then nailed themselves onto Wang Qi Zhi's face.

Asking Lin Sicheng was out of the question, because one simply couldn't get the truth out of him. You could even know he was lying with a straight face and still find no evidence.

But the case wasn't finished yet, so how could Wang Qi Zhi talk?

As the saying goes, one doesn't worry about having too many debts, and a dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water; he cleared his throat: "The father of those two is a mine owner in Yulin, very wealthy and also a collector. Lin Sicheng has helped him look at items a few times!"

Dan Wangshu and Ye Anning curled their lips in unison: spouting nonsense with a straight face again?

That was a mine owner, not the Emperor; he had only looked at a few items, and he sent such a treasure?

The two of them realized: Wang Qi Zhi hadn't taught Lin Sicheng much in the way of seriousness, but he had certainly picked up a lot of bad habits?

The two asked no more, turned their heads to start studying the bonsai, and whispered a bit about it to Jiang Yanfei and Lin Chengzhi.

The couple was shocked to the core: just this one piece was worth more than the previous four combined, and perhaps even more?

Calculating again, in just this short while, how many gifts had Lin Sicheng received? It was almost ten million.

They truly didn't know what else to use for comparison; they just felt their heads spinning.

While the group was stunned, another car drove in.

Lin Sicheng hadn't even warmed his seat, his tea cup just in his hand, so he had to stand up again.

Wang Qi Zhi also stood up, peering at the license plate through the window: "A Pasat, Xijing plates. Who else did you invite?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: he basically hadn't invited anyone, just Guan Xingmin and Hao Jun.

He had to invite them: given the relationship, if you dared not invite these two, they would dare to curse you out.

But inexplicably, guests he hadn't even thought of were coming in waves?

Just as he was secretly pondering, Wang Qi Zhi paused, then let out a "Ha!": "Are these two here to cause trouble? They really have the nerve, just carrying a flower basket?"

Lin Sicheng took a look and was suddenly stunned: Chen Peng and He Zhigang had gotten out of the car, each carrying a single flower basket, walking over lightly and swaying. Looking closer, they didn't have a single extra thing in their hands.

But this wasn't a question of whether they brought gifts or not, but rather what Wang Qi Zhi had said: were these two here to cause trouble?

It was no exaggeration, because the people coming to cut the ribbon and give speeches today were only leaders at the District Bureau level. These two were not only a level higher, but they were also the supervising leaders of the Municipal Bureau. If they stood under the stage, how would the leaders above speak?

They would definitely have to be invited onto the stage, and definitely have to add a few more pairs of scissors, but all at once, the entire procedure would be disrupted, and it would certainly be more than just a little chaotic.

But it didn't matter; with these two anchoring the scene, no one would raise any objections no matter how chaotic it got.

Lin Sicheng let out a breath: "Let it be chaotic!"

To put it bluntly, these two were here specifically to show their support for him.

To put it more vulgarly: in the future, when handling matters at District-level or even City-level units, it would normally take seven-tenths of one's energy to get things done. But just because these two came for a spin today, it was estimated that five-tenths of the energy wouldn't even be needed.

It saved a lot of trouble.

Then again, the fact that these two could come was indeed unexpected. But thinking about it carefully, it was within reason, and the reasons were even more sufficient than those of Fang Jingxian, the future father-in-law of Gu Ming, and the Chen Daoqing siblings.

Regarding the Zhang Anshi Tomb Robbery Case, for two whole months, Lin Sicheng had worked day and night, forgetting to eat and sleep, working without complaint... if it weren't for him, He Zhigang might be guarding a cemetery somewhere right now.

Chen Peng's situation was even more so; Lin Sicheng had taken the heat for him so many times he couldn't count them on one hand. Otherwise, he would have long been exiled to a prison to watch over inmates.

If one were to make a comparison, the help Lin Sicheng had given these two was only greater, not less, than that given to Guan Xingmin...

While secretly pondering, the teacher and student went out to greet them.

The two didn't let the reception staff help, placing the flower baskets at the entrance themselves, and then came over to shake hands with Wang Qi Zhi.

Afterward, Chen Peng hugged Lin Sicheng and gave him a punch: "If Zhang Feng hadn't told me, I wouldn't even know you kid were holding a banquet... Lin Sicheng, you didn't even squeak a word to your Uncle Chen, do you have the nerve?"

"It's fine if you didn't invite me, but you didn't even call your Uncle He? Lin Sicheng, do you still want to keep this Center open, and do you still want to get things done in the future?"

He Zhigang also joined in the joking, his tone carrying a hint of complaint, yet revealing a bit of intimacy: "Such a big happy event, and you actually kept it so quiet? I thought our relationship wasn't that distant? So, Little Lin, don't even think about gift money; just two flower baskets, take it or leave it..."

"Director He, it's just a simple ribbon-cutting, I basically didn't invite anyone!" Lin Sicheng followed with a laugh, "Of course, uncle is uncle, but you definitely can't just freeload on the meal; you'll have to go on stage later!"

That was for sure; that was exactly what they came for...

They didn't go to the third-floor reception room, but to the lounge next to the office, and guessing there wouldn't be any more guests, Lin Sicheng accompanied them for a while.

Meanwhile, inside the office, it was as if everything had frozen again.

From top to bottom, from Lin Zhangqing to Lin Chengzhi, then to Jiang Yanfei, and finally to Shang Yan, their expressions were indescribably strange.

Lin Zhangqing studied Cultural Relics and was a Consultant for the Municipal Appraisal Center; although not close, he had seen these two.

Lin Chengzhi worked at a Funeral Home under the Civil Affairs Bureau, and Dan Wangshu was at the Tourism Bureau; they could see them from time to time.

Fearing they had recognized the wrong people, the three verified it with each other. Then, the other three knew: these two were the supervising leaders of the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau and the Public Security Bureau.

At first, they all thought they had been invited by Wang Qi Zhi, but when the teacher and student went out to greet them, a few realized something was wrong: when shaking hands with Wang Qi Zhi, the two were quite polite and formulaic. Just a light shake, then a few polite words.

But when it came to Lin Sicheng, these two were hugging and punching, laughing and chatting... how was that any different from when Hao Jun and Guan Xingmin came earlier?

The key was Lin Sicheng's attitude: his familiarity revealed a sense of ease, and his intimacy revealed a sense of naturalness... wasn't this the attitude one had toward a friend?

But no matter how one thought about it, it shouldn't be: he was just a student, where would he meet such friends, and get along so well?

Dan Wangshu and Ye Anning were also quite shaken: It was impossible for Lin Sicheng to know such a figure for no reason, and even more impossible for them to suddenly become friends across generations, as close as brothers, overnight?

Subconsciously, the two recalled the two months Lin Sicheng had suddenly gone missing, when Wang Qi Zhi had spouted nonsense and couldn't even tell a convincing lie. Then, the moment he reappeared, they ran into Director Li Chunnan of the Municipal Bureau at the hotel.

At that time, the way Director Li looked at Lin Sicheng was exactly like looking at a close younger relative.

And today, Chen Peng was the same; the moment they met, he was calling him "uncle" this and "uncle" that?

Therefore, Lin Sicheng must have done something. Thinking back to Wang Qi Zhi, who would lie whenever he could and play dead when he couldn't, it certainly wasn't a small matter.

The problem was, what had Lin Sicheng done?

Just as they were guessing wildly, a commotion came from the hallway. The guests who had previously been sent to the reception room had all come downstairs, and Wang Qi Zhi and Lin Sicheng had also emerged from the lounge.

If they hadn't come, so be it, but since these two were here, they certainly had to make an appearance. So Wang Qi Zhi had called Hao Jun and invited all the guests from upstairs down.

Furthermore, the ceremony was at three o'clock, and it was already two; the leaders would arrive in at most half an hour, so it was the perfect time to get acquainted.

It was also a coincidence that Gu Kaishan had just arrived. As soon as he entered, he first ran over to Lin Zhangqing to apologize, then greeted Lin Chengzhi and Jiang Yanfei, and then went to the exhibition hall.

When he first went in, he was still carefree, vigorously praising Lin Sicheng. He said that when he was that age, he was still leading a group of half-grown boys fighting in the streets. But as he praised him, his eyes popped out, and he suddenly went silent.

Good heavens... who is this?

Deputy Bureau Chief Chen...

It was no surprise to him that Guan Xingmin was there; he knew this man had a good relationship with his godfather and a not-so-bad relationship with Lin Sicheng.

But Deputy Bureau Chief Chen Peng... he felt they were worlds apart, that he didn't know the old man at all, and shouldn't know Lin Sicheng either; why was he here joining in the excitement?

Muttering to himself, Gu Kaishan stood at attention and raised his hand to salute. Chen Peng was caught between laughter and tears and stepped forward to press his hand back down.

"Old Gu, we're both in plain clothes, don't make a scene!"

Gu Kaishan was stunned for a moment, then gave a sheepish smile: they met occasionally, but had never spoken, so how did Chen Peng know him?

He certainly knew: Lin Sicheng's file had long since entered the Municipal Bureau's archives. His family background and social connections were recorded clearly...

A group of people gathered in the exhibition hall; those who knew each other exchanged greetings, and those who didn't were introduced.

When Chen Peng and He Zhigang were introduced, the group was stunned for a moment, and then their expressions gradually became strange. Especially Fang Jingxian, Li Guojun, and his partner.

Don't look at them as just two deputy bureau chiefs; for people like them who were neither white nor black and didn't have very clean hands, they usually had to be all smiles, nodding and bowing, and as humble as could be whenever they saw a Section Chief.

And don't even mention being on friendly terms like Lin Sicheng. As long as one could strike up a conversation with either of these two, and as long as one could invite them out, it meant money would flow into their pockets like water.

Suddenly, the few of them looked at Lin Sicheng, and their minds became active again: the gift sent today was not a loss...

While they were secretly pondering, with a "screech," the sound of car brakes came from outside the door.

Everyone raised their heads in unison: a box truck had stopped at the entrance of the exhibition hall.

For a moment, everyone was a bit confused: wait... where did this truck come from?

Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi were even more confused: fearing students would crowd around, they had arranged security at both ends of the road, so how was this vehicle let in?

Hurrying as fast as they could, the two ran out. Just as they exited the exhibition hall, Zhao Xiuneng pushed open the truck door and jumped down.

Then came Zhao Da, Zhao Er... wait... where did these three men pop out from?

The day before yesterday, the afternoon Wang Qi Zhi notified Lin Sicheng, upon hearing that the unveiling was on Monday, Zhao Xiuneng didn't know what he had thought of; halfway through his meal, he dropped his chopsticks and left, saying he had to return to Beijing.

Thinking he was going to pick up the old lady, Lin Sicheng had tried to persuade him otherwise, saying this was only at the District Level, and besides, it was too cold, so there was no need to put the old lady through the trouble.

But Zhao Xiuneng said it was something else, and very urgent, so he had to go. Lin Sicheng thought it was just a small scene, and while it would be good if his partner were there, it wouldn't have too much of an impact if he weren't.

Seeing him in such a rush, he didn't ask for details.

But in less than forty-eight hours total, he had actually rushed back?

Looking closer, wasn't that a Beijing license plate?

Zhao Xiuneng "clattered" open the container door and beckoned: "Professor Wang, Junior Brother Lin, come and look..."

The two ran forward, and upon seeing the contents of the container, they were suddenly stunned.

Was this a cargo container?

It was a soft-padded, constant-temperature vehicle specifically used for transporting Cultural Relics.

Inside, tall ones, short ones, long ones, square ones—storage boxes (boxes specifically for transporting Cultural Relics) were piled up over half the container.

On top, they were labeled with a pen: Ding Kiln, Yue Kiln, Xing Kiln, Qiong Kiln (Sichuan), Longquan Kiln, Cizhou Kiln (Shanxi), Liling Kiln (Hunan), Echeng Kiln (Hubei)...

All in all, big and small, there were at least sixty or seventy storage boxes.

With the slightest movement, a light "clatter" came from inside, and one could tell just by listening that it was broken porcelain.

The teacher and student looked at each other: General Manager Zhao, oh General Manager Zhao, you left the ribbon-cutting and the unveiling behind, running off like you were chased by ghosts, just to go to Beijing to haul porcelain shards?

Seeing what the two were thinking, Zhao Xiuneng argued forcefully: "Don't you two feel that our Center is missing something?"

The two were stunned and speechless.

It was indeed missing something: in such a large Restoration Center, it was normal not to have many complete pieces, but to not even have a few broken pieces?

But this couldn't be blamed on anyone; it was just too sudden: the renovation had just been completed, the equipment had just arrived, and the District Cultural and Tourism bureaus had met with the school for the first time and set the date.

Even Lin Sicheng, the Person in Charge, had only known a week in advance. Including those honors on the wall, more than half were added at the last minute...

But in an emergency, one acts according to the situation; if it's empty, it's empty, if there's nothing, there's nothing—was there any need to spend just two days and two nights running a round trip from Beijing?

In this freezing weather, on such a cold day, what if an accident happened?

Lin Sicheng finally understood why Zhao Xiuneng had been evasive, saying only that he had urgent business to return to Beijing, but not saying what it was.

If he had known he was doing this, Lin Sicheng would never have let him go.

He thought for a moment: "Move them in first, we'll arrange them later!"

"Don't!" Zhao Xiuneng waved his hand hurriedly, "I've been running like a dog for these two days; wouldn't it have been in vain? Since I've hauled them back, we have to show them off so that our Center looks like it has substance...

Besides, if we don't display some things, I always feel like I, as a Partner, am just for show... Junior Brother, don't worry, I had people wash and wipe them clean before boxing them up; it'll be quick to unpack and display them..."

No... Senior Brother Zhao, do you really have to show off?

Lin Sicheng was caught between laughter and tears and could only call people over. Security guards, the reception staff from the etiquette company, students helping out, and Researchers from the studio.

Some moved, some unpacked, some were placed in the exhibition hall, and some were moved to the laboratory on the second floor; it didn't even take ten minutes from start to finish.

It really wasn't much trouble; inside the cases were small, fully transparent glass boxes, so one just had to place them on top. When it was time to use them, one could take the small boxes apart.

People were placing things here and looking there; a group of guests were critiquing and discussing with high spirits, their voices growing louder and louder, just like a vegetable market.

At first, Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi were still puzzled, thinking to themselves: what was there to discuss about a few boxes of broken porcelain shards?

Watching the unloading finish outside, the two entered the exhibition hall, and after taking a closer look, they didn't know what to say.

They were indeed broken porcelain shards, but General Manager Zhao had managed to gather all of the Six Kiln Systems and the five major Folk Kilns:

A tea saucer with Bean Green Glaze and Fish Roe Pattern (crackle) from the Song Official Kiln, a tea bowl with Rose Purple Glaze kiln transmutation from the Jun Kiln, a double-eared jar with Gold Thread Iron Wire from the Ge Kiln, and a plate with White Glaze and Carving Flowers dragon patterns from the Ding Kiln.

As well as seven or eight shards that appeared to be from a Sky Blue Glaze gall-bladder vase from the Ru Kiln.

They weren't large; the biggest piece was about three fingers wide and one finger long, while the small ones were only the size of a chicken egg. But if one were to take any three pieces out, one could at least trade them for an apartment in Xijing.

And the high value was secondary; the key was their rarity. Among those present, besides Lin Sicheng, Wang Qi Zhi, and Zhao Xiuneng, not a single person had ever seen what Ru Porcelain looked like.

A group of people gathered around, truly gaining knowledge and opening their eyes?

Just as the discussion was heating up, Zhao Xiuneng opened the last box and began taking them out one by one.

Every time he took one out, the group's eyelids would twitch; he took out another, and they twitched again.

Placing them into the display cabinet with his own hands, Zhao Xiuneng clapped his hands and said unhurriedly: "According to my intentions, I originally wanted to pick a few rarer pieces for you, but my mother said: 'Open the door and see red, success is guaranteed,' so she had me bring four pieces of Red Glaze...

My mother also said: 'You are naturally gifted, and your older brother and younger brother will only be able to bask in your glory in the future. My own abilities are average, and I can't be of much help, I can only handle the minor tasks, so don't stand on ceremony...'"

Just as Lin Sicheng was about to say something, he brought out a small box and handed it forward: "My mother also said, if it can be repaired, then repair it; if it can't, just treat it as practice..."

Looking at the Chicken Cup in the box, Lin Sicheng was moved for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

Wang Qi Zhi sighed inwardly: General Manager Zhao, with so many people here, you just said those words out loud like that?

You just took out items like these, just like that?

If you can talk, then talk a bit more... You gave a gift like this, how are you letting Lin Sicheng not stand on ceremony?

Let's look at those pieces in the display cabinet first: they were indeed Red Glaze, but these were the pinnacle works of the four great Imperial Kilns of the Qing Dynasty.

A Seal Box with Zang Kiln cowpea red glaze, created by Zang Yingxuan, the first Imperial Porcelain supervisor of the Qing Dynasty. The *Jingdezhen Tao Lu* records: "The Imperial Kiln porcelain has a great variety of glaze colors, which can be said to include all colors, with fresh red (cowpea red) being the most famous."

Therefore, whether in terms of craft technology, artistic level, or influence, they were the best of the Imperial-supplied porcelain from the early Kangxi period.

The second piece, a Covered Bowl with Lang Red Glaze, created by the second Imperial Porcelain supervisor during the Kangxi period, Jiangxi Governor Lang Tingji; it was also known as Gemstone Red in the Qing Dynasty, exported to countries like England and France, and called Cow Blood Red.

The firing principle is very complex, using Copper Oxide as a coloring agent, requiring precise control of a Reduction Flame atmosphere above 1300°C; the glaze surface presents a rich and vibrant cow blood red tone, with the Glaze Layer slowly dripping down to the foot, forming the "Lang-does-not-flow" phenomenon.

The firing success rate was extremely low; there was a folk proverb at the time: "If you want to be poor, fire Lang Red..."

The third piece, a Press-Hand Cup with Rouge Red Glaze, created by the third Imperial Porcelain supervisor of the Qing Dynasty, the younger brother of the Yongzheng Emperor's Dunsu Imperial Concubine (Nian Concubine) and Nian Gengyao, Nian Xiyao.

The *Jingdezhen Tao Lu* records: "Selecting materials for production, extremely refined and elegant, with various exquisite styles, imitating the ancients and innovating, this is truly the best... with Rouge Red Glaze being the most famous; the body is very thin, the inner glaze is extremely white, and reflected by the outer glaze, it presents a pink color, delicate and dripping..."

The fourth piece, a Jade Pot Spring Vase with Sacrificial Red Glaze created by the fourth-generation kiln supervisor, Tang Ying. And throughout the Qianlong reign, whenever Imperial Porcelain is discussed, one cannot avoid the Tang Kiln.

*Draft History of Qing: Biography of Tang Ying*: "From the Song Daguan, Ming Yongle, Xuande, Chenghua, Jiajing, and Wanli official kilns, as well as Ge Kiln, Ding Kiln, Jun Kiln, Longquan Kiln, Yixing Kiln, Western, and Eastern wares, all have been imitated."

Its glaze colors include: Bean Green, Big Green, rice color, Rose Purple, begonia red, eggplant flower purple, plum green, sky blue, sacrificial blue... gathering the glaze colors of all the famous kilns of the past, with Sacrificial Red being the best.

Whether it is truly the best, the market and collectors will vote directly with their feet:

These four pieces, regardless of whether it is the largest Jade Pot Spring Vase or the smallest Press-Hand Cup, as well as the Seal Box and Covered Bowl in between, even if placed among the Imperial Kiln Red Glaze porcelain of the same period, absolutely belong to the cream of the crop.

If Lin Sicheng and Zhao Xiuneng were to put them up for sale right now at two million each, the people present would fight until their heads were broken.

What, want to buy all four together? Sorry, add another twenty percent; if you're missing a single digit of the total, don't even think about it.

Amidst his emotions, Wang Qi Zhi calculated again: just this set alone, all the gifts sent earlier combined probably wouldn't be worth it.

But this was only secondary.

Let's look again at the box Zhao Xiuneng finally handed to Lin Sicheng.

What is this? A Chicken Cup.

Even if it is two broken ones.

With just these two broken cups, General Manager Zhao has truly given Lin Sicheng plenty of face: "Come, everyone take a look, there are only a dozen or so Chicken Cups in the whole world, have you ever seen one?"

"My junior brother can even repair them..."

Therefore, if Zhao Xiuneng hadn't arrived right on time, Wang Qi Zhi would dare to change his surname to match his.