Chapter 21: I Knew It

"It is a great honor to be able to invite all you teachers here, and I am also very grateful for the strong support you have all shown to the Municipal Cultural Relics Exchange Center and the Folk Museum..."

The female leader spoke eloquently, while Lin Sicheng was distracted: So, they invited so many experts here just to beg for favors?

Roughly speaking, during the National Day holiday, the Folk Museum wanted to hitch a ride on the Golden Week tourism peak to plan an exhibition related to the folk culture of Xijing City.

But things like Qin opera, paper-cutting, waist drums, and shadow puppetry are promoted every year, and by more than one institution, so the public has already developed aesthetic fatigue.

Therefore, Division Chief Lan took a novel approach, preparing to use "Three Qin Tea Culture" as the theme, relying on the Cultural Relics Exchange Center, and using a "Half-Exhibition Half-Appraisal" format to organize a unique cultural and museum exhibition at the Folk Museum.

Since it is a cultural exhibition, exhibits are essential. But the Folk Museum's collection is far from enough, and every museum has similar exhibitions during the National Day, so temporary borrowing is impossible; Division Chief Lan set her sights on these experts.

First, appraisal and quality control: The Exchange Center is preparing to launch a surprise collection drive over the next month to gather as many cultural relics with "tea culture" elements as possible. But due to the rushed timeline, it is inevitable that there will be cases of passing off fakes as genuine or filling the quota with inferior goods. To avoid making a laughingstock of themselves at the exhibition, they must rely on the discerning eyes of these experts.

Second, borrowing exhibits from the experts: They are all famous collectors in the city; who doesn't have a few tea utensils worth showing off? If the collection drive isn't enough, they will have to borrow some.

Third, serving as commentators and appraisal guests. Once people hear that there are top experts providing free appraisals, one can imagine how heated the scene will be.

Hearing this, Lin Sicheng finally understood why that Division Chief Lan had been calling his grandfather every day.

Who is the old man? A famous ceramic research expert, collector, and appraisal expert in this city.

He wouldn't dare say he is number one, but among these three "expert" categories, he is never outside the top three. Whether it is quality control for collections, borrowing exhibits, or on-site appraisal, there is no one more comprehensive or suitable than him.

But unfortunately, he just happened to be hospitalized?

Just as he was thinking about this happily, a burst of "Clap, clap, clap" erupted, and enthusiastic applause filled the conference room.

Lin Sicheng followed suit and applauded.

After Division Chief Lan finished speaking, two deputy leaders followed, and after an hour and a half in total, Lin Sicheng almost fell asleep.

Then, the Center's leadership invited the experts to the exhibition room to conduct a concentrated appraisal of the recently collected exhibits.

A crowd of people swarmed out, and Lin Sicheng still followed at the very back.

Just as he stepped out the door, a laugh reached his ears: "Junior Brother Lin~"

Hearing the address, he knew it was Hao Jun, and Lin Sicheng hurriedly turned around: "Senior Brother Hao, what a coincidence!"

Hao Jun nodded with a smile: "It really is quite a coincidence."

No, coincidence is one thing, but what is with that look in your eyes?

And this tone, why is it so sour?

Hao Jun was exceptionally familiar, patting Lin Sicheng on the shoulder: "You could drag your feet for a whole week just to come and sign for the money; don't you want it anymore?"

He was talking about the final payment for the Buddha statue, a full two hundred thousand; how could he not want it?

Lin Sicheng sighed: "Sorry, Senior Brother, my grandfather is hospitalized, I really couldn't get away!"

"Just joking with you, of course, official business comes first!"

Hao Jun lowered his voice, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes, "I've heard about the matter too; you kid are something else. If it weren't for you, it would have definitely turned into an international news story!"

Lin Sicheng was startled: The case was still under investigation, and the news was still under a blackout, so how did he know?

But immediately, he felt relieved: Manager of the Rongbaozhai branch, professor at the Peking University Resources Cultural Relics Appraisal Academy's Xijing branch... no matter which identity, it meant he was well-connected and well-informed.

Nine times out of ten, the public security organs had asked him to help identify the suspect.

Lin Sicheng was modest: "It's not as exaggerated as you say, Senior Brother!"

Hao Jun: "Heh!"

Exaggerated? Not at all!

He knew the ins and outs of this too well: How much trouble did Bai Hong go through for that Inverted Pot?

So even if Lin Zhangqing hadn't signed off on it, the Cultural Relics Company would have inevitably bought it.

And when the time came to see it: Wow, filling a gap in the province, representing the highest craftsmanship level of the Yaozhou Kiln... if they didn't promote such political achievements, what would they promote?

There would inevitably be leaders coming to observe; at the very least, half of the provincial officials would come, and the city officials would certainly all come.

And who knows, they might even put on a show and touch it with their own hands.

After that, key promotion and public exhibition: for thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of tourists to visit.

But then one day, they discover this thing is actually a Radioactive Source... haha, how is this just an international news story?

Not an exaggeration; once foreign media agencies found out, they would surely laugh until their mouths went crooked... the image was too beautiful, Hao Jun didn't even dare to imagine it.

So, he didn't need to guess to know how fearful and how relieved the provincial and municipal leaders in charge of culture and propaganda had been over the past two days.

And consequently, how grateful they were to Lin Sicheng.

That was why he was sour; how could this kid's luck be so good?

Hao Jun rolled his eyes again and poked Lin Sicheng: "Where did you learn it!"

Lin Sicheng pretended not to understand: "What?"

"What else could it be, that uranium thing!"

"Oh, I accidentally flipped through a few magazines!"

"What magazines, where did you flip through them?"

"Forgot long ago!"

What kind of nonsense are you spouting, kid?

If there were any such magazines, would I be unable to find them?

The key is that whether it's Carbon-14 Dating Misdirection Technique or Interference Thermoluminescence Dating Technique, they haven't been popularized abroad, and domestic research hasn't even begun.

So, let alone magazines, there isn't even a single relevant report.

Knowing he didn't want to say, Hao Jun chuckled again.

The two whispered to each other, trailing at the very back, and entered the exhibition room, where the other experts were already looking around.

Five or six of them were gathered around a long table, as if they had encountered something novel.

Hao Jun whispered an introduction to him: "That one is the Vice Chairman of the Provincial Folk Art Association, retired from the Provincial Museum, and has a good relationship with your grandfather."

"And that one, the Deputy Director of the Municipal Bureau Appraisal Center, also has a good relationship with your grandfather."

"Appraisal Center, are they with the Public Security Bureau?"

"In your dreams!"

After replying, Hao Jun pointed again: "That person next to him is Chairman Ding of the city Calligraphy and Painting Collection Association, the vice-chairman... he doesn't get along well with your grandfather!"

"Why?"

"Professor Lin once picked up a bargain under his nose, buying a piece of calligraphy by Yu Youren at an extremely low price!"

Who, Yu Youren, the Sage of Cursive Script of the Republic of China?

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: My grandfather, you are amazing!

To be able to serve as the chairman of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, he must be an expert among experts. But for my grandfather, who specializes in ceramic Artifact Research, to pick up a piece of calligraphy from a calligraphy and painting expert—isn't that the same as slapping him across the face?

So, this is more than just not getting along; this is a blood feud...

He immediately shook his head: "Then I won't go over!"

"What kind of demeanor does Professor Lin have? Can you show some backbone?" Hao Jun squinted his eyes: "Besides, all other relationships are good; he's the only enemy, what are you afraid of? Not to mention, I'm here..."

Heh?

This fat guy loves to watch the chaos without fearing it's too big.

It's just quite strange, this inexplicable closeness from him, it's just quite sudden?

While he was feeling suspicious, Hao Jun gave him a push, and the two walked toward the long table.

Hao Jun introduced them one by one, Lin Sicheng greeted them one by one, and the experts nodded happily.

When it was Chairman Ding's turn, he didn't even glance over, treating Lin Sicheng as if he were air.

He wasn't deaf; Hao Jun had said it clearly: This is Lin Zhangqing's grandson, a senior at the Xida Department of Cultural Relics and Museology, and one who has surpassed his master.

He really dares to brag, damn it?

Lin Sicheng didn't care; he followed behind Hao Jun and craned his neck to take a look.

Several people were surrounding a bamboo basket, square in shape, about half a meter in diameter and about sixty centimeters deep. It was quite dirty; it probably hadn't been taken care of for many years. In the occasional exposed spots, one could see the crisscrossing weave and the lacquer-like sheen of the bamboo strips.

The basket was packed full: there were square wooden boxes with characters carved on them, gourd ladles with carvings, small bowls with flower patterns, and peach wood clips wrapped in silver foil.

There was even an item that looked like a modern eggbeater, but it was woven from bamboo filaments and was already tattered.

Twenty-Four Vessels of the Great Tang?

Of course, it was a replica, but it was quite clever.

Tea utensils other than porcelain are very rare, and most of the items in this basket are bamboo and wood, which just happen to fall into the category of miscellaneous items.

As it happens, not only are there few experts in miscellaneous items present, but Hao Jun has the greatest background and the most famous reputation.

However, he didn't make a sound, letting Chairman Ding point and gesture, his spit flying everywhere:

"The patina is too shallow, the bamboo strips are too new; it's clearly a contemporary object."

"The workmanship is average, and the characters are carved very ordinarily too."

"The poem is even more half-literary and half-vernacular, neither here nor there; one look and you know the author has no culture."

"How were such things collected?"

The others weren't as sharp as him, but they all agreed that these things had no value.

After discussing for a while, someone invited Hao Jun: "Secretary-General Hao, you are an expert in miscellaneous items, would you take a look?"

Hao Jun nodded, rolled up his sleeves, and commented as he looked: "Although they are all handmade artworks, they really haven't been around long, thirty or forty years at most. The conception is quite good, but it's too hurried and impatient."

After a slight pause, he thought for a moment: "It's like they were rushed to be finished?"

Lin Sicheng secretly praised: Senior Brother Hao's eye for detail is still quite formidable; this set of items really was rushed to be finished.

Someone pointed to the two lines of poetry on the square box: "Secretary-General Hao, does this poem have any history?"

Hao Jun read it carefully from beginning to end:

West Lake Longjing is known as a treasure to the world, the stir-frying process is exquisite and its technique divine;

The tender green buds are sweet and crisp, the fragrant and delicious taste attracts travelers.

"Sorry, I don't have much research on poetry and Calligraphy and Painting; I'm certainly not as good as Chairman Ding."

After a slight pause, Hao Jun rolled his eyes and beckoned to Lin Sicheng: "Come, you take a look!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chairman Ding gave a "Heh" laugh: "Secretary-General Hao, don't joke around. A person with no hair on his lips cannot be trusted to get things done; what kind of look can you let him take?"

"Zeng!" Hao Jun's eyes lit up, "Chairman Ding, don't say that; Professor Lin won't be happy if he finds out!"

"What's there to be unhappy about? I'd say the same to Old Lin's face: Was that eight hundred yuan really worth fighting for?"

Lin Sicheng sighed.

If you ask where the eight hundred yuan came from?

It's an old tradition of the relevant departments; for some activities, they invite experts, and as long as they show up, there is a Red Envelope, commonly known as travel expenses.

Although his grandfather didn't come, Lin Sicheng is attending on his behalf; the relevant departments wouldn't be so shortsighted, so he would definitely get a Red Envelope in the end.

So, Chairman Ding's meaning is: Lin Zhangqing is crazy with poverty.

There's no doubt he's an enemy.

But what's up with this fat guy, constantly fanning the flames?

While he was secretly guessing, Hao Jun poked him again: "Can you do it? Anyway, your grandfather definitely could..."

Lin Sicheng cursed inwardly, then let out a breath: "Zhuang Wanfang!"

Hao Jun was stunned for a moment: "What Fang?"

"The contemporary Sage of Tea, Zhuang Wanfang!"

"Zeng!" The fat guy's eyes shone brightly: I knew it!