Chapter 277: Counterfeit

Lin Sicheng wrote furiously, with papers scattered everywhere.

A laptop sat on the table, and Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu were constantly checking materials: the first, second, and third compilations of the *Precious Collection of the Stone Moat*, the *Qianlong Precious Records*, the *Jiaqing Precious Records*, the *Daoguang Precious Records*, the *General Collection of Archives from the Imperial Household Department Zaozuochang of the Qing Palace*...

Suddenly, his cell phone buzzed. He answered it casually, and Ye Anning's voice came through: "Lin Sicheng, it's about to start!"

"Okay, I'm coming down right away!"

After replying, Lin Sicheng hung up the phone and wrote the last two lines on the paper:

First year of Qianlong, sixth day of the tenth lunar month, Su Peisheng, Chief Eunuch of the Palace Supervision, delivered: one plaque with the imperial calligraphy "Changchun Shuwu" and one plaque with "Congyun" from the Immortal Tower in the West Warm Chamber of the Yangxin Hall...

Third year of Qianlong, sixth day of the fourth lunar month, eunuchs Mao Tuan and Gao Yu presented two agate jars with decorative colors and matching illustrations... Treasury Official Liu Shanjiu and Supervisor Bai Shixiu received the imperial decree: the outer layer was engraved with "Wei Jing Wei Yi" on the top and "Institute Bao Wei Xian" on the bottom. The second layer was engraved with "Qianlong's Personal Brush" on the top and "Congyun" on the bottom...

Without stopping his pen, Lin Sicheng added casually: "Senior Sister Li, clean up thoroughly!"

Li Zhen nodded, closed the laptop, and she and Xiao Yuzhu collected the scattered papers, feeding them into the shredder one by one.

After about ten minutes, the three of them left the room.

The four of them met at the elevator entrance and exchanged greetings; Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu entered the elevator first.

Looking at Lin Sicheng's slightly red eyes, Ye Anning handed him a wet wipe. "How is it?"

Lin Sicheng took it, wiped the corners of his eyes, and nodded.

Having called Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu to Beijing overnight, the three of them had spent the whole night researching, and finally figured it out:

This Vermilion Bird seal was not only a calligraphy and painting collection seal for Qianlong, but also a very important and frequently used seal in the early period. Many calligraphy, paintings, and ancient books were stamped with this seal.

However, Qianlong had too many seals; there were over 1,900 documented calligraphy, painting, and collection seals alone. No matter how learned or good-memoried a collection specialist was, it was impossible to remember them all.

There were even more calligraphy and paintings recorded in the *Precious Collection of the Stone Moat*; there were over 11,000 pieces that Qianlong had stamped, and it was impossible for a collection specialist to compare them one by one.

Therefore, it was understandable that they didn't recognize this as a Qianlong precious seal.

But Lin Sicheng really couldn't understand how they could mistake "Congyun" for "Qiyun": having built their reputation on seals and having professionally researched metal and stone seals for over a hundred years, how could the Xiling Seal Art Society make such a low-level mistake?

Ye Anning had a sudden thought: "Could it be 'washing goods'?"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment and shook his head: "Doesn't quite feel like it."

Those who could come to the auction might not all be experts, but they definitely had some discernment. Anyone pulled over could see: this Vermilion Bird seal had no soil stains, no rust spots, and the patina was smooth; it was clearly a handed-down treasure.

Looking closer, with no reserve price, one might be curious and ask the Custodian to take it out for a look. And as long as one knew a little bit about epigraphy, one could see the seal script was "Congyun," not Qiyun.

If one happened to run into an expert who remembered Qianlong's "Congyun" study, they would definitely be suspicious. And then, wouldn't the seal be gone?

Therefore, if it were "washing goods," they wouldn't use such a high-risk method.

If the collection specialist wanted to pocket it themselves, there were still many ways: for example, finding an acquaintance to contact the seller and buying these four miscellaneous seals for a few tens of thousands, without needing to deliberately write the wrong name, let alone putting them up for auction.

Of course, this was just speculation. But regardless, they definitely had to try to bid on it.

Lin Sicheng pressed the elevator button: "The teacher and the others have arrived, right?"

"They arrived at the venue half an hour ago, and Suxin and Ruozhi have arrived too. Do you want to list which items you specifically want to bid on first?"

Lin Sicheng slapped his forehead.

He had been so focused on researching the Vermilion Bird seal that he almost forgot the big thing: the number of bidders was neither small nor large, and if one person raised their paddle too frequently, it would inevitably attract attention.

As long as the seller wasn't an idiot, they would definitely hire shills to drive up the price, so Lin Sicheng tried to arrange for unfamiliar faces: Zhao Da, Zhao Er, Li Zhen, and Xiao Yuzhu.

That was why Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu had gone downstairs before them, for fear of being caught as a group.

Feeling it still wasn't enough, Ye Anning had also invited her childhood friends.

One was surnamed Jing, the other surnamed Qin. Last winter, these two came to Xijing to visit Ye Anning, and Lin Sicheng had even eaten with them.

"When we get to the venue, I'll say it and you note it, then text them!"

Ye Anning nodded: "Okay!"

As they spoke, the elevator reached the floor, and the two entered the car.

The special auction was still held on the second floor, crowded with guests, bright and glamorous.

Thinking of that Han Dynasty turtle-knob seal, Lu Zhen had gotten up early. The auction didn't start until 9:30, but he arrived at the venue at 8:00.

He had originally arranged for a friend of his father's to help him look at the seal, but the other party had something come up last minute and wouldn't arrive until 9:00.

He just felt that this hour was really hard to endure.

Just as he was bored, he suddenly paused.

Two girls walked past them and sat in the front row. They were both twenty-five or twenty-six, with regular features and tall figures.

Seeing him staring fixedly at them, Lu Meng was suspicious.

Although their family was wealthy, Lu Zhen had good control over his desires and rarely went to messy places.

Young and rich, with a handsome face, many women had designs on him, but he never fell for it.

Looking at these two again, their figures were okay, but their looks were at most delicate.

As the thought crossed her mind, she reached out and poked him: "Do you know them?"

"I've seen them!" Lu Zhen nodded, "At Miss Xu's birthday party!"

Upon hearing "Miss Xu," Lu Meng suddenly realized: why was Lu Zhen still single at thirty?

To put it bluntly: to climb the social ladder through marriage.

That was why Lu Zhen kept himself clean and was very keen on various social circles. He knew many socialites and young masters in Beijing, and the Miss Xu he mentioned was one of them.

Being able to be friends with Miss Xu and attend her birthday party, their background must be significant.

"What does their family do?"

"One is in the Ministry of Culture, the other is in the National Development and Reform Commission!"

Lu Meng clicked her tongue in secret: "Should we go say hello?"

Lu Zhen hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "I've only seen them once, I haven't even spoken to them!"

"Then forget it, they probably don't even remember your name!"

As they were talking, Lu Meng paused slightly and pointed behind her: "He Laoshi is here!"

Lu Zhen took a glance and immediately stood up.

A bustling crowd of about six or seven people escorted a man of around fifty into the hall.

His father's friend, that He Laoshi, followed at the very edge, like an attendant.

After entering the door, the others sat in the back rows, while He Laoshi hunched his waist and excused himself.

Then he walked over, and Lu Zhen and Lu Meng went up to greet him.

"He Laoshi!"

"Ran into an acquaintance unexpectedly, kept you waiting, didn't I?" He Laoshi smiled, "Little Lu, where is the item?"

"It has already been sealed in the cabinet, but we have already agreed with the auction house that we can take a look before it goes up for auction!"

"As long as you can see it, that's fine. Just right, I'll have Chairman Hao take a look for you later!" He Laoshi pointed behind him, "The one wearing the duckbill cap, a graduate of the Peking University Cultural Heritage department, a genuine product of the Academic School."

"After graduation, he studied under Mr. Yang Boda (now retired), the former Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, specializing in miscellaneous items... After finishing his apprenticeship, he joined the Rongbao Zhai, where he worked for over ten years until he became the director of the miscellaneous items department. He was transferred to Xijing the year before last, in charge of branch operations..."

Lu Zhen was startled: although he was not a professional in antiques, he at least knew the value of a Peking University Cultural Heritage degree, and even more so what the title of Deputy Director of the Palace Museum meant.

And don't think of him as just a director; as long as it involved miscellaneous items, whether it was the headquarters or a branch, he was in charge of it all.

If it were a lateral transfer, he would at least be a Museum Curator at the City Level.

Lu Zhen took a few careful looks, then looked at Chen Yanyang next to Hao Jun: "And that one?"

"A big General Manager, one who runs mines in Shaanxi!" He replied, and He Laoshi reminded him again, "If Chairman Hao doesn't introduce you later, don't try to force your way in!"

Lu Zhen understood instantly: they were not on the same level, so don't be a nuisance.

Just as he was secretly guessing, two men walked in and stopped at that row.

Neither was young; the older one was around sixty, and the slightly younger one was in his fifties. It was clear they knew Hao Jun, and they were chatting and laughing.

Afterwards, they were introduced, and the two shook hands with Chen Yangyan.

Lu Zhen squinted and looked: "Teacher He, that one, the younger one, is he General Manager Zhao of the Baishan Zhai?"

"Yes, General Manager Zhao, the one next to him is his older brother; you might not have seen him before!"

He had indeed never seen him, but he had heard of him.

The reason Baishan Zhai could become a famous old brand in the Beijing antique trade was entirely due to the superb craftsmanship of this big General Manager Zhao. It was said that as long as it was an antique, there was nothing he could not perform Artifact Restoration on.

However, they were not very familiar with them; although they knew Zhao Xiuxian, they had not had much interaction, so they did not go up to cozy up to them.

It must have been arranged in advance, as the two also sat in that row, and Chen Daoqing and Chen Daoling hurriedly stood up and sat in the back.

Just as they sat down, Wang Qi Zhi entered the venue, and with a sudden commotion, the whole group that had just sat down stood up.

They shook hands one by one, chatting and laughing.

"He Laoshi, who is this?"

"Don't know." He Laoshi squinted, "But looking at him... he seems to have quite a background?"

Lu Zhen also saw it: whether it was Chairman Hao, or the big General Manager Zhao and little General Manager Zhao, their expressions all revealed a trace of respect.

Chen Yangyan even stood up directly, giving up the seat in the middle.

Wang Qi Zhi did not sit, but sat next to Zhao Xiuneng, yet Lu Zhen could see: when facing this person, those people all kept a very low profile.

But looking at his age, he was only about thirty?

Just as he was suspicious, Lu Meng let out an "Eh": "Hmm... this person, he looks a bit like Anning's uncle?"

Lu Zhen was stunned and looked sideways: "You must be mistaken, right?"

He had only said it unintentionally, that she had no father or mother; could that woman remember that for four or five years?

With that vengeful personality of hers, if she had an uncle like this, she would have already taken revenge...

"He looks a bit like him." Lu Meng tried hard to recall, "But it's been several years, and I don't remember too clearly either!"

Lu Zhen didn't care at all: "Whether it is or isn't, won't we know when she comes later?"

"That's true!"

Before the words had even faded, Lin Sicheng and Ye Anning entered the hall.

Lu Meng hurriedly waved: "Anning, over here!"

Lin Sicheng was taken aback and sighed: Cousin Ye, in order to trap Lu Meng's brother, even put the bidding numbers together?

It seems this Young Master Lu will have to bleed a little today.

Secretly changing his thoughts, the two walked inside, and when they saw Hao Jun, they were stunned for a moment.

When they saw Chen Yangyan beside him, and Chen Daoqing and Chen Daoling in the row behind, Ye Anning's heart skipped a beat.

Yesterday, when she saw Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu, the two of them had mentioned that Chairman Hao Jun had sent several broken artifacts to the Center, saying he would help him repair them after Lin Sicheng returned.

As a result, only a day later, they were already in Xijing today?

And not only did they come, they even brought the whole family of General Manager Chen?

Once they exchanged greetings, it would likely be impossible for Lin Sicheng to play the "black light" trick.

There was no other way; he could only spare one person to specifically wait to bid for the final Vermilion Bird seal. But this way, the plan would be disrupted, and Lin Sicheng would have to bid on several fewer items than originally planned.

Lin Sicheng didn't mind: it was nothing more than bidding on a few fewer paintings by modern masters; if he missed the spring auction, there was still the autumn auction. After this year, there was next year; he wasn't in a hurry anyway.

He was just about to go over to greet them when Ye Anning stopped him.

As soon as she stopped him, Zhao Xiuneng remembered: he only remembered not to greet Lin Sicheng when they met, but forgot about the variable of Hao Jun and Chen Yangyan?

Looking back: Hao Jun and Chen Yangyan had already seen Lin Sicheng and were preparing to stand up.

Zhao Xiuneng gave a start and quickly pressed Chen Yangyan back down: "General Manager Chen, don't move, Chairman Hao, you don't move either!"

Chen Yangyan was confused: "General Manager Zhao, is this Teacher Lin?"

"I know... today the junior brother wants to hang a black light!"

Chen Yangyan was baffled, wondering what "hanging a black light" meant, while Hao Jun's eyes were shining.

The buttocks that had just lifted up "thumped" right back down. He turned back around and waved at Chen Daoqing and Chen Daoling: "Sit down quickly, don't greet anyone!"

Chen Yangyan was exceptionally curious: "General Manager Zhao, what is 'hanging a black light'?"

Seeing that no one was paying attention, Zhao Xiuneng breathed a sigh of relief and explained in a low voice: "In the old society, in casinos, people who specifically watched for gamblers with bad luck to bet against them were called 'lighting a lamp' in underworld slang. Sometimes, when encountering two groups of wealthy young masters who had a grudge, the casino would deliberately provoke both sides to fight for pride and throw money around; that was called 'lighting a sky lamp'..."

"Later, it extended to auction houses, where if two parties competed in bidding until they were fired up, or if a shill provoked a bidder to drive up the price, it was also called 'lighting a sky lamp.' Conversely, it is called 'hanging a black light'..."

Zhao Xiuneng paused and lowered his voice: "It means picking up a bargain in the dark, picking up a top-tier bargain!"

A top-tier bargain?

Chen Yangyan subconsciously turned his head back.

Hao Jun smiled eerily: "General Manager Chen, don't look at me!"

That was right, he had said it before: coming to an auction is about the same as browsing an antique market; in any case, never be greedy, because as long as you are greedy, you will definitely take a huge tumble.

But that referred to ordinary people.

If it were Lin Sicheng, and he said there was a bargain here, then there was definitely a bargain.

Secretly changing his mind, he took out his phone and composed a text message: "Which one? Send me the lot number, I want to see something fresh too!"

Lin Sicheng was holding his phone, glanced at it, but didn't move.

It wasn't which one, but many of them.

He casually tucked the phone into his pocket and nodded at Lu Zhen.

Lu Zhen nodded slightly, and without introducing He Laoshi, the two entered the aisle and sat down.

Lu Meng was slightly excited: "Anning, I just saw someone who looks quite like your uncle?"

"Is that so?" Ye Anning remained calm, "My uncle is in Xijing!"

She had thought of it long ago: Lu Meng had met her uncle, but that was when she was a junior in college; now that three or four years had passed, her impression had long since blurred.

"Oh, then I must have seen wrong!"

Lu Meng didn't care, "Anning, which one are you planning to bid on?"

Ye Anning pursed her lips: "Lin Sicheng said there is a Han Dynasty bronze seal with a turtle knob!"

What, a Han Dynasty turtle-knob seal?

Lu Zhen and that He Laoshi turned their heads in unison, and Lu Meng let out an "ah" and was stunned for a long time.

"Anning, that seal, the starting price is several tens of thousands, right?"

Ye Anning smiled: "It's okay, I scraped some together!"

That was a Han seal; how could a little bit be enough?

Lu Meng reminded her cryptically: "Anning, my brother is also planning to bid on that seal!"

Ye Anning smiled: "Is that so?"

Lu Zhen heard it, but didn't take it to heart at all.

For that seal, his psychological reserve price was one million; the little bit Ye Anning had scraped together wouldn't even cause a ripple.

The host took the stage, gave the standard opening remarks, and then the auction officially began.

The opening was a flying start: Zhou Chunya's "Peach Blossoms."

The starting price was one million.

This person is a famous contemporary oil painter and also a contemporary Western-style artist; compared to contemporary traditional painters like Huang Binhong and Li Keran, his fame is much, much greater.

Lin Sicheng remembered very clearly that by about 2013, Zhou Chunya had become the highest-grossing living artist on the "Hurun Art List" that year: he sold 470 million that year alone.

He understood a little bit about oil painting, but if he were to buy it, Lin Sicheng could only say: "Different professions are like different mountains."

The reason he came to attend the oil painting special session today was because Wang Qi Zhi had taken a fancy to a Sketch by Liu Haisu: "Woman of Paris."

But the scene was very lively, the host's price-calling voice never stopped, and in the blink of an eye, it soared past the highest estimate of 1.5 million.

Finally, the hammer fell at 1.62 million, and with the 15% commission, the transaction price approached 1.9 million.

The second piece was also a highlight: Liu Ye's "Losing Balance."

This person is a Western-style painter as famous as Zhou Chunya; if comparing single items, the auction records for his works are even higher than Zhou Chunya's.

The work was also extremely distinctive, such as the one up for auction today:

At first glance, it was very abstract and very cartoonish, just like an illustration in an elementary school textbook.

But the market's pursuit was exceptionally high: last year at Poly Auction, the transaction price was 2.8 million, and this year it was sent to Xiling with a starting price of 3.2 million.

In Lin Sicheng's impression, around 2020, Liu Ye's "Little Navy Series" seemed to have sold for a sky-high price of 70 or 80 million, but he had no impression of which specific one it was.

In a flash, bidding started; although it wasn't as hot as the previous piece, the bids basically never stopped. In no time at all, it broke the 4 million mark.

Lin Sicheng didn't pay attention and flipped through the catalog.

But suddenly, Ye Anning poked him and gestured with her chin toward the back.

Lin Sicheng turned his head and widened his eyes: the one bidding was Chen Daoqing.

No... General Manager Chen, you don't collect Chinese paintings properly, why are you collecting oil paintings?

If it were truly Liu Ye's work, he certainly wouldn't stop him. Because even if there were capital pushing it and other reasons, it was a fact that the market was getting hotter year by year, and with General Manager Chen's connections, it wouldn't be hard to find channels to cash out.

But this one wouldn't do, because it was a fake.

The frequency of the bidding was getting lower and lower; if he didn't stop him now, the hammer would fall...

Lin Sicheng didn't hesitate; he took out his phone and dialed.

It only rang twice before the call connected, and Lin Sicheng only said two words: "Fake!"

Lu Zhen and Lu Meng were baffled!

(End of this chapter)