Chapter 276: The Qianlong Appraisal Seal

Actually, the man was not old, just past thirty, in the prime of his life.

The woman was also very pretty, with delicate features, bright and moving.

Looking at their brows and eyes again, one felt that the more one looked at the two of them, the more they resembled each other.

In a flash, Ye Anning gave a huff: "Lin Sicheng, let me introduce you. This is my university classmate, Lu Meng. She's good at everything, except for having a loose tongue."

The girl glared at Ye Anning, then smiled at Lin Sicheng: "I'm used to joking with Anning, don't mind it. This is my brother..."

As he spoke, the man extended his hand, his face carrying a touch of reserve: "Lu Zhen!"

Lin Sicheng reached out and shook it: "Lin Sicheng!"

Even with just a simple introduction, Lin Sicheng could tell that Ye Anning's relationship with this classmate was passable, and she also knew the classmate's brother.

But nine times out of ten, the two had had a falling out; otherwise, given Cousin Ye's cultivation, she wouldn't have started off by calling someone a "country bumpkin."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two sides parted. Ye Anning puffed out her cheeks like a steamed bun: "I lived at my uncle's house the whole time I was in school. My mom and dad were busy and never came to the school to see me; if anyone came, it was my uncle and aunt. I didn't really like spending money either, so as time went on, my classmates assumed I was from a single-parent family, or perhaps even an orphan..."

"But everyone else just guessed and didn't say anything. Only Lu Meng had no gatekeeper on her mouth... Once, when I was shopping at the mall with her, her brother came to pick her up. He was drunk, and as soon as he saw me, he said: 'Lu Meng, why are you hanging out with a kid who has no father or mother?'"

Lin Sicheng had a strange look on his face: No... Princess Ye, what kind of old-fashioned drama is this? Playing the pig to eat the tiger, a dragon in disguise?

It's been four years of university, and your classmates still don't know what your family does?

"Did the teacher not hit him?"

"My uncle had just been transferred to Baoji that year, so I didn't get around to reporting it. Later, Lu Meng apologized to me, so I forgot about it. But as soon as I ran into her today, I remembered..."

Ye Anning looked indignant, "Lin Sicheng, didn't you feel it? The way that person looked at you and me?"

Lin Sicheng looked at Ye Anning, then looked at his own attire: cotton T-shirt, casual pants, sneakers. It really didn't look like he had much money.

But when he went to the Cultural Relics Bureau to find the leaders, or gave lectures at the Cultural Relics Research Institute, wasn't he dressed like this too?

Thinking back to that laugh earlier, and the way the siblings sized him and Ye Anning up, especially the brother's expression?

He raised his hands to take a look: after three months in the field, and dealing with Cultural Relics and chemical reagents every day since returning, it would be a miracle if his skin were good.

No matter how he looked at it, he seemed like someone who moved bricks.

"Cousin Ye, what does your classmate's family do?"

"They run a pawnshop in Beijing, and sometimes they dabble in auctions!"

With both connections and money, even if their assets weren't in the hundreds of millions, they should have tens of millions.

Thinking about his current appearance and Cousin Ye's status... tsk, could they film a short drama?

"Let's go check out their shop one day and get revenge for you."

"Pfft, when would you have the time?"

The two muttered to each other, neither taking it to heart.

Lu Zhen, however, was furious: to maintain the image of a refined person, he forced himself to hold back. But the more he thought about it, the angrier he got: when had he ever been called a country bumpkin?

"That classmate of yours is surnamed Ye, right? Where does she work now?"

"I heard she went to Xijing with her uncle."

"Not much talent, but a heart as small as a needle tip?" Lu Zhen looked down, "Where is your brother a country bumpkin?"

"Who told you to say people have no father or mother?" Lu Meng was unimpressed, "Besides, how do you know they have no talent? What if that boy is a Second Generation rich kid?"

"What, a Second Generation rich kid?"

Lu Zhen gave a "heh," "Look at his face and arms, aren't they exceptionally dark? But his neck is very white. Look at his hands again, all chapped and cracked. Which Second Generation kid is like that?"

Lu Meng was stunned: she really hadn't noticed.

But in the middle of summer, besides moving bricks at a construction site, what else could make someone tan like that and get chapped like that?

Thinking back to just now: an antique Inkstone worth tens of thousands, and he still thought it was expensive...

"Then what are they doing here?"

"Picking up leaks, of course. Didn't that classmate of yours also study Cultural Relics Protection?"

Lu Zhen was exceptionally certain, "Believe me, they are definitely looking for things with an estimated value of a few thousand, or even things starting with no reserve price..."

"Like that... can they make money?"

"Make money? Losing a bit is more likely..."

Before he finished speaking, Lu Zhen paused, a strange look appearing on his face.

Not far away, just two counters over, Lin Sicheng and Ye Anning were bent over, looking at the items in the cabinet.

Looking closer, it was exactly the corner of the exhibition hall, the area that was all "estimated at a few thousand," or even items starting with no reserve price, just as Lu Zhen had said.

With a sinister smile, Lu Zhen walked over.

Lu Meng realized it too late and reached out to pull him back, but it was too late.

Born of the same mother, Lu Meng knew him too well: her brother looked easygoing and refined, but in reality, he was narrow-minded and not as easy to talk to as he appeared on the surface.

Besides, you couldn't run a pawnshop with a tepid personality.

She sighed and followed behind...

The two were looking intently, and hearing movement behind them, they subconsciously straightened their backs.

Lu Zhen smiled: "What a coincidence?"

Ye Anning narrowed her eyes: the exhibition hall was only so big, you'd run into each other just by turning around, what kind of coincidence was that?

This person was clearly angry that she called him a "country bumpkin," probably getting angrier the more he thought about it, and came to pick a fight?

Just as she was about to say something, Lin Sicheng pointed at the counter: "It really is quite a coincidence. Would the two of you like to look together?"

Huh, this kid is quite sensible?

Lu Zhen nodded: "Good, it just so happens I know a little!"

As he spoke, he stretched his neck to look, and gave an "oh": "A Ming Dynasty Copper Toad Water Dropper, this thing is good!"

"Is that so?" Lin Sicheng turned back to look, "I think it's quite good too!"

"Of course it's good. The Ming Dynasty *Treatise on Superfluous Things* by Wen Zhenheng records: 'Among ancient bronze and jade water droppers, those in the shapes of warding-off-evil beasts, toads, celestial chickens, deer, half-body cormorant ladles, or golden goose pots are all excellent.'"

"There are bronze-cast sleeping oxen with a shepherd boy riding the ox as the dropper tube, which is the most vulgar. As for ceramic ones, there are Official, Ge, White Ding, square and round standing melon, lying melon, double peach, lotus pod, calyx, eggplant, and pot styles. The Xuan kiln has five-colored peach, pomegranate, double melon, and double mandarin duck styles, but none are as elegant as the bronze ones."

"Look at the label, is it a Ming Dynasty Copper Toad Water Dropper? Look at the vessel shape, neat and symmetrical, steady and dignified. Look at the engraving, every eye is an eye, every dot is a dot, vivid and lifelike... Look at the patina, dry and even... Tsk, the estimate is only eight thousand?"

Lin Sicheng glanced at him: He looked quite steady before, but he turns out to be a chatterbox?

He nodded: "Okay, I'll note it down. Shall we try to bid on it tomorrow?"

"Ah, you want to bid too?" Lu Zhen put on an act, "Lu Meng, you note it down too!"

Lu Meng wanted to speak but hesitated, while Ye Anning secretly sneered: Showing off one's sword in front of Guan Gong!

Lin Sicheng had just told her: The bumps on the toad's back, whether in size or spacing, look as if they were measured with a ruler.

Moreover, the whole body is free of burrs; this kind of craftsmanship, let alone the Ming Dynasty, couldn't even be carved by hand in modern times.

To put it simply: Laser-carved!

The group moved forward, and Lu Zhen paused, pointing at the counter: "Lu Meng, look?"

Lu Meng took a glance: A small golden seal, about the size of a fingernail.

Looking at the label: Han Dynasty Gold Bridge-Knob Seal.

Seal script: "Crossbow Dispatch".

Weight: 18g.

RMB: 8,000–15,000.

Lu Zhen gave Lu Meng a wink, acting as if it were a good item, signaling her to hurry and note it down.

Lu Meng hesitated for a moment and nodded.

Lin Sicheng took a look, not knowing what to say.

What is "Crossbow Dispatch"?

*Han Guan Yi*: "Crossbow Dispatch Official, rank of six hundred shi."

Yinwan Han Tomb Bamboo Slips: "Donghai Commandery established one Crossbow Dispatch official, with one assistant."

To put it plainly: A military officer under the commandery in the Han Dynasty who managed crossbow troops, roughly equivalent to a county armed forces minister today.

And in the Han Dynasty, who was qualified to use a gold seal? Marquis, the Three Excellencies, and the Grand General.

Only the Nine Ministers with a rank of two thousand shi used silver seals; if a six hundred shi commandery military officer dared to use a gold seal, having their three clans exterminated nine times over wouldn't be enough.

Let's talk about how expensive Han seals are:

The "Guannei Marquis Seal" with a gold turtle knob was auctioned by Sotheby's in Hong Kong in 2006 for 74 million, and later at the 2023 Poly auction in Hong Kong, it sold for 190 million.

The "Riding Supervisor Seal" (a commandery military officer in charge of cavalry, same rank as Crossbow Dispatch, six hundred shi) with a bronze turtle knob was auctioned by Bonhams in Paris in 2009 for 62 million.

The "Buqu General Seal" (private armed forces of the Han Dynasty, personal retainers) with a bronze tile knob was auctioned by Tokyo Chuo in 2021 for 24 million.

But there is one point: this official was a private official, not appointed by the government, and the seal was a private seal, which is why it is so low.

Even for the mud seals used to seal envelopes for confidential military orders and documents in the Han Dynasty, a single one can cost several million:

"Imperial Censor-in-Chief", unearthed in Xiangjia Lane, Xi'an, also auctioned by Xiling Seal Art Society, sold for 7.82 million in 2019.

"Qi Iron Official Seal", auctioned by China Guardian in 2022 for 4.36 million.

"Langya Commandant Assistant", auctioned by Poly, sold for 12 million in 2023.

It looks roughly like this:

Therefore, not to mention whether this gold seal exceeds the regulations, as long as it is a genuine Han seal, it starts at one hundred million.

Eight thousand? If you took the seal out and made a rubbing on the spot, it probably wouldn't even be enough...

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Okay, I'll note it down!"

Thinking he had succeeded, Lu Zhen turned his back and winked at Lu Meng.

Lu Meng glared at him, took Ye Anning's hand, and gestured with her chin: "Boyfriend?"

Ye Anning was expressionless: "My uncle's student!"

Impossible.

In four years of university, she had never seen Ye Anning walk so close to a boy.

Lu Meng looked him over a few more times: "He looks much younger than us, is he in college? It's the holidays now, is he working a part-time job?"

What kind of work, moving bricks?

Afraid of laughing out loud, Ye Anning kept a straight face: "Something like that!"

When they were in Shanxi, Lin Sicheng not only had a salary, but it was quite high.

After returning, he did Artifact Research, with the goal of restoring craftsmanship to sell patents. To say Lin Sicheng was working a part-time job wasn't entirely wrong.

Lu Meng believed it, a strange look flashing in her eyes: Being so beautiful and having such a good figure, why insist on finding a poor college student?

But thinking back to their college days, she felt relieved: If she had wanted to do something crooked, Ye Anning would have done it long ago.

So, since they are already so pitiful, she couldn't let Lu Zhen cheat them...

With that thought, the group walked and looked. Whenever they saw something that wasn't too expensive and was quite good, Lu Zhen would mutter to himself:

"Late Ming Nanmu Wood Wood Wood Double Dragon Playing with a Pearl Post Box? Daring to carve dragon patterns, it must be at least at the level of a vassal king. Huh, only eight thousand?"

"Mid-Qing Red Sandalwood Hexagonal Brush Pot... The wood is so hard, the color is so deep, the patina is so bright, it's undoubtedly authentic... Ten thousand, not expensive!"

"Song Dynasty Huangzhong Weng Pendant... Song jade, the estimate is only nine thousand?"

"Qing Dynasty Red Sandalwood Paperweight with carved poetry by Zhang Shumo, Red Sandalwood again? This isn't expensive either, just over ten thousand..."

Halfway through, Lu Zhen paused, his brows slightly furrowed, looking thoughtful.

Lin Sicheng knew at a glance that he felt the name Zhang Shumo was very familiar, but couldn't recall who it was for a moment.

It's no wonder he couldn't remember; this person's original name was Zhang Rulin, later changed to Zhang Tingji, with the aliases Shumo, Shuozhou, Weiting, Zuotian, Zhutian, Lanting Pavilion Master, Meishou Elder, disciple of Haiyue Hermitage, a native of Xinhuang, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, and so on and so forth.

Shumo was just one of his many aliases.

He was the Jieyuan of the third year of Jiaqing, and after failing the Ministry of Rites examinations repeatedly, he lived in seclusion in his Xie. His family was a wealthy tycoon in Jiaxing and also a famous dealer of cultural artifacts in the Jiangnan region. Zhang Yanji was skilled in poetry and lyrics, refined in the study of epigraphy and textual research, and possessed a vast collection of ancient bronzes, stone tablets, books, and paintings.

During the Jiaqing-Daoguang Period, it was widely rumored in the Zhejiang area: formerly there was Xiang Yuanbian, today there is Zhang Yanji.

Looking again at this paperweight: the form is elegant and antique, the engraving is exquisite, and it is carved extremely well.

Looking again at the inscription: "Fei, in great fear and trepidation, having troubled your spirit... the vastness of Heaven's grace, entirely relying on your protection, I am ashamed and fearful..." It is an imitation of the Song Dynasty Mi Fei's letter to the official of Chuzhou, the "Catching Locusts Post".

The calligraphy is also not bad; looking at the valuation, fifteen thousand.

The true value is certainly higher than this. Lin Sicheng nodded: "Cousin Ye, you can bid on this!"

Seeing Ye Anning take out a small notebook to record it, Lu Zhen's eyes lit up: So you want to bid, I'll drive up the price for you.

Continuing forward, Lu Zhen pointed to two more seals: "Qing Dynasty deer-eye stone carved pine and deer idle seals, the engraving is really not bad... Eh, another Han Dynasty seal?"

Lin Sicheng also followed along to take a look.

The pine and deer seal is indeed carved quite well, with side inscriptions on both sides: "Eyebrows and whiskers are all green, carved by Shichi in the mid-spring of the Xinyi year." The seal script reads: "Eyebrows and whiskers are all green."

I have no impression of it; it shouldn't be by any famous master, and it can't reach the Qing Dynasty, at most the late Republic of China.

Furthermore, it is Shoushan stone, with a valuation of ten thousand to twenty thousand, which is neither high nor low.

Looking again at the Han Dynasty seal, a bronze turtle knob seal, the seal script reads: "Tiger-Step Sima".

The Han Dynasty had no such official post at all. During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Wei established the "Tiger-Step Commandant Sima"; by the time it was shortened to Tiger-Step Sima, it was already the end of the Three Kingdoms after Sima Zhao died, and the beginning of the Western Jin.

This is one point; the second is that the Forbidden City has an identical one.

Looking at the valuation: forty thousand?

Lin Sicheng sighed inwardly: If it were a genuine piece, you couldn't buy it even if you added three zeros to the end.

But don't say, it's imitated quite realistically: the specifications are correct, the dimensions are correct, including the back patterns of the turtle shell and the flesh folds between the neck and legs, almost all one-to-one.

Nine times out of ten, it was cast from a wax mold taken from the Forbidden City, then cast by machine.

After taking a couple of looks, he continued forward, with Ye Anning following closely behind.

But the two siblings did not follow, instead remaining where they were.

Ye Anning looked suspicious: "What's the situation with those two?"

"A Han Dynasty seal."

Ye Anning was startled: "Ah?"

She had been busy gritting her teeth and fuming: Does Lu Zhen not know how to write the word 'death', daring to scam Lin Sicheng?

He certainly couldn't scam him, so Lin Sicheng definitely wouldn't be angry, but the more she thought about it, the angrier she got, pondering only how to scam him back, so she hadn't paid any attention to what Han seal it was.

"What seal?"

Lin Sicheng was concise: "Turtle knob bronze seal, the inscription is 'Tiger-Step Sima'!"

Ye Anning's eyes lit up: Turtle knob bronze seal, Tiger-Step Sima... doesn't the Forbidden City have one?

If this one were real, she would dare to chew it up and eat it.

Looking back, Lu Zhen seemed to be on the phone with someone.

He must be asking someone for advice?

Ye Anning came up with a plan: "How much is that seal valued at?"

"Forty thousand to sixty thousand!"

"Is it real?"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Quite real!"

"Haha..."

Ye Anning laughed: Even Lin Sicheng says it's quite real, so the degree of simulation is at least eighty or ninety percent.

She had thought of a way to scam him back.

Just as she was secretly pondering, Lin Sicheng stopped suddenly, and Ye Anning almost bumped into him.

Looking closely, Lin Sicheng was staring at a few seals in the cabinet.

One white jade beast-knob seal, one Shoushan stone horse-knob seal, neither large, about three centimeters high and two centimeters wide.

Looking at the tag: Qing Dynasty white jade beast-knob idle seal and Shoushan stone horse-knob idle seal, a set of two pieces.

Seal script: Yidian Studio, Taiping Person of Longevity.

RMB: 10,000–20,000.

Ye Anning recalled, feeling she had no impression of them.

Next to them was another set, similar in size to the previous one, but there were four: two jade seals, one agate, and one Shoushan stone.

Looking at the label:

Qing Dynasty Miscellaneous Idle Seals, a set of four pieces.

Seal script: Qiyun, Use it and it will work.

RMB: No reserve price.

Ye Anning tried hard to recall again: "Qiyun, use it and it will work, no impression?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "I have no impression either."

Ye Anning lowered her head again: "The materials are only average, the engraving also seems average, only the agate one is slightly better... Eh, what is this, it feels quite cartoonish, like mandarin ducks... First time seeing such a knob?"

Lin Sicheng nodded again: "Indeed quite rare!"

Ye Anning was slightly suspicious: "Then why are you looking so seriously?"

Lin Sicheng didn't speak, just smiled.

The material is indeed average: the first one is Hetian Jade spotted ink jade; compared to white jade or green jade, the price is much lower. And the ink spots are scattered, sometimes thick and sometimes thin; these are all sold by the catty.

The second type is Sichuan white jade, with heavy soil seepage, and the jade has already been stained an earthy red.

The fourth one is simply Shoushan stone.

Only the one in the middle with the red Agate is a bit better.

The material is Southern Red Agate; placed in modern times, its value is just average. But in ancient times, this kind of piece defined by color—pure color on top and white sandwiched at the bottom—had a specific name: Qiao-color silk-wrapped Agate.

From the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, it was regarded as the finest of jade; once discovered, it was invariably offered as tribute, with few circulating among the common people.

For example, this piece:

After discussing the material, let's talk about the Engraving: the craftsmanship of the other three pieces is only average, but this one: the bird feathers are in Shallow Relief, while the decorative patterns on the side of the seal are changed to sunken relief; the knife work is coherent and smooth, the raised curved surfaces are rounded, the layers of lines are distinct, and the polishing is soft and natural.

To summarize: the Engraving is fine, precise, and thin, the base is flat, the lines are straight... with just a few strokes, it is vivid and lifelike.

To put it simply, this kind of Engraving has reached the level of returning to simplicity and great skill appearing clumsy. At first glance, it feels average, but in reality, it is extremely difficult.

Therefore, the more Lin Sicheng looks at it, the more he feels this is Qianlong Craft from the Imperial Household Department Jade Workshop during the Qianlong period.

Looking back at this bird, if this seal truly originated from the Imperial Household Department, inferring from the seal material being red on top, pink in the middle, and white at the bottom: the top is the Vermilion Bird, the middle is red fire, and the bottom is white clouds.

So, it is very likely not a duck, but a Vermilion Bird.

But the problem is, looking at the explanation of the seal script on the display tag, it doesn't feel quite right?

Because as long as a seal was sent to the Imperial Household Department Jade Workshop to be carved, the raw material and design pattern would definitely be presented for the Emperor's imperial review. The so-called Cloud of Vitality has no real origin; choosing "Tingyun" or "Xiuyun" would be more meaningful than this.

"Use it and act on it" comes from the *Analects of Confucius: Shu Er*, the full text being "If used, then act; if discarded, then hide," meaning if you use me, I will step up, and if you don't use me, I will stay put.

Given the nature of the emperors throughout the Qing Dynasty, it is impossible for them to have quoted such a proverb with a rather negative connotation to carve a seal; the implication of being dismissed is also too heavy, and it is impossible for it to have been bestowed upon a minister.

If it were a leisure seal carved by a refined scholar who had been demoted, there would be some possibility.

For a moment, Lin Sicheng could not judge; just as he was carefully pondering, footsteps came from behind him.

The two siblings came over side by side; at first glance, they looked the same as before. But whether it was Lin Sicheng or Ye Anning, both could see the undisguised excitement in the depths of Lu Zhen's eyes.

No way... does this guy really think that turtle-knob bronze seal is a Han Dynasty seal?

Subconsciously, Lin Sicheng turned his head and looked at Ye Anning.

Ye Anning glared at him obscurely, meaning for him to mind his own business.

It's over.

At the very least, she will be scammed out of tens of thousands by Cousin Ye, and it's hard to say if it might be over a hundred thousand or several hundred thousand.

Just as he was thinking this, Lu Zhen leaned over.

"What are you looking at, Qing Dynasty leisure seals? Tsk, are all of them quite good?"

Taking a careful look, Lu Zhen said with a hint of mockery: "Starting with no reserve price, you can definitely pick up a bargain!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "I think so too!"

Lu Zhen was stunned for a moment, and his expression became strange again: the material is average, the carving is even more average, and the seal script has no background; what kind of bargain can you pick up?

But he had to go verify the origin of that turtle-knob Han Dynasty seal and had no time to scam Ye Anning and Lin Sicheng for the moment, so he just smiled and replied: "Right, definitely a bargain!"

Before he finished speaking, he hurried away again: "Lu Meng, let's go!"

"You go start the car first!"

After replying, and watching him leave the exhibition hall, Lu Meng grabbed Ye Anning's hand: "Anning, my brother is narrow-minded, don't you two get tricked!"

Ye Anning was startled for a moment, then just nodded.

Patting Ye Anning's hand again, Lu Meng also left the exhibition hall.

Lin Sicheng looked at her back: "This classmate of yours is quite nice to you!"

"She's alright!" Ye Anning nodded, "But she is her, and her brother is her brother!"

Looks like she's definitely going to be scammed?

If she's going to be scammed, so be it; running a pawnshop, one doesn't care about those tens or hundreds of thousands.

With these thoughts, Lin Sicheng turned his head and pondered that seal. After looking for a while, he waved his hand: "Hello, General Manager, can I handle it and take a look?"

"Of course!"

After replying, a staff member brought the key and opened the lock.

Subsequently, a set of four leisure seals was neatly placed in front of Lin Sicheng.

With the troublemaker gone, Lin Sicheng couldn't be bothered to put on an act and directly picked up that Vermilion Bird seal.

As soon as it was in his hand, his heart stirred: this tactile feel, this level of delicacy, it is typical Qing Dynasty Imperial Suzhou Craft.

Looking at the seal script again, he was first taken aback: this is not Qiyun at all, it is clearly "Congyun".

Never mind him, even if you found any layman who understands gold and stone seal script, they would be able to recognize it.

Logically speaking, the Xiling Seal Art Society started with seal carving and is a hundred-year-old brand; they shouldn't make such a low-level mistake, right?

Just as he was suspicious, Lin Sicheng's eyelids couldn't stop twitching twice.

Congyun... Congyun...

Good heavens, this is a connoisseurship seal that Qianlong specifically used on calligraphy and paintings...