Chapter 323: Business at the Door

Engraving a name on a watch dial has been a consistent tradition for European Craftsmen since the invention of the pocket watch at the end of the 15th century. Kangxi ascended the throne in the mid-17th century; Lin Sicheng was not the least bit surprised that such an item appeared in China.

What he found strange was the person represented by this name.

Nan Huairen was a missionary during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. He first arrived in Macau, then went to Shaanxi, and was later summoned to the capital, where he was appreciated by Kangxi and took charge of the Imperial Observatory.

He first built astronomical instruments and reformed the calendar, later served as the Taichang Temple Minister, and also built geographical surveying instruments, improved cannons, and drew the Map of Geography.

This was the first map of China in history drawn using the trapezoidal projection method, based on field surveys conducted through astronomical observation and stellar triangulation—the Kangxi Imperial Atlas.

He was an astronomer, a geographer, and even more so, a Scientist. Whether he specifically ever made a pocket watch is not recorded in history.

But Lin Sicheng knew that for an inventor with such strong creative ability and even stronger hands-on skills, there was basically no difficulty in imitating a pocket watch, which was already quite mature in both craftsmanship and technological level at that time.

So, the question arises: where was this watch made?

If it was made before Nan Huairen came to China and he brought it back from Europe, then this is an imported pocket watch.

It is hard to say if it was the first imported pocket watch in the country, but in the Kangxi era, when even standing clocks could only be used by those above the rank of Imperial Concubine, and there were no more than twenty in the entire Forbidden City, even if this thing existed, it was likely a single-digit number.

Let's count again, who could afford to wear it: the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, or perhaps the Crown Prince?

No more than a handful; the historical significance and representative meaning can be imagined.

But if it was made after Nan Huairen arrived in China, Lin Sicheng would bet his head: this is absolutely the first domestically produced pocket watch in Chinese history.

At the very least, it is the first pocket-sized, domestically produced timepiece discovered to date.

Looking at the workmanship and materials again, Lin Sicheng marveled inwardly, his eyebrows slightly raised.

The watch case was forged from gold sheets, the background pattern was chiseled with diamond, then edged with gold wire, and finally decorated with Enamel.

From top to face, there were at least twelve layers of Enamel glaze: three layers of low-temperature Base Glaze, eight layers of colored glaze in the middle, and one more layer of glaze sealing the gold edge.

Although Enamel was introduced from Europe, don't doubt it—foreign countries didn't have this technology, and certainly not this patience.

And don't harp on about Nan Huairen being a foreigner; if a barbarian enters the Xia, he is Xia; if a Xia enters the barbarian, he is barbarian. He changed to a Chinese name, served as a Chinese official, and used Chinese materials. Spin it 360 degrees, from any angle, this is a domestic watch.

And it is very likely the first domestic watch.

Lin Sicheng's heart couldn't help but skip a beat: when it comes to Cultural Relics, the thing to fear most is being "the first."

But that is secondary; the point is: twelve layers.

In the Qing Dynasty, all official items had rank regulations, including the glaze layers of Enamelware: five layers for ordinary officials, six layers for those above the fifth rank, and seven layers for those above the third rank.

Within the inner palace, Concubines used six layers, Concubines of higher rank used seven, Imperial Concubines used nine, and only the Emperor, Empress, Empress Dowager, and Empress Dowager Supreme could use twelve layers.

Counting on one's fingers, only a few people could use twelve-layer Enamelware, so, whose tomb was robbed?

The tombs of Kangxi and Qianlong had already been robbed by Sun Dianying for over eighty years; the treasures were looted, and even the remains were gone. What remained were those seven or eight others.

Looking at the rust and the degree of acid erosion, it has been about one hundred to two hundred years; it is definitely not Yongzheng, and it is definitely before Xianfeng.

It is either Jiaqing or Daoguang.

Looking at the Enamel-colored "many sons" pattern in the middle of the watch case, he didn't know what to say.

Focal perspective, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles—Giuseppe Castiglione?

Lin Sicheng's eyes flickered, and his heart pounded.

It wasn't that he lacked composure, but no matter how deep one's composure, this was an Imperial tomb.

Compared to this, the Concubine's tomb in the Mu Mausoleum was a world apart.

The problem is, with the local authorities managing things so strictly and patrolling so diligently, how did the Grave Robber dig the Tomb Tunnel, and how did they transport it out?

Seeing that he was just staring at the watch case, neither opening it nor moving, and not saying a word, the woman looked over suspiciously: "Is it hard to repair?"

After a slight pause, she sighed again: "Actually, my requirements aren't high. I don't require the watch to run, just to clean the rust inside and polish the gold case and gold chain. If possible, touch up the Enamel painting on the gold case. I don't require repairing the layers of glaze, just brightening the glaze and adding a bit of color is fine..."

Lin Sicheng didn't speak: this wasn't a question of whether it was hard to repair at all.

Anyone who could repair it, who knew how to repair it, would definitely recognize the origin of this item. Looking at this condition, it was a Raw Pit Goods at first glance; who would dare to repair it?

The tactful ones would play deaf and dumb, and the direct ones would make all sorts of excuses. Lin Sicheng could guarantee that unless it was donated to the Forbidden City as a Cultural Relic, even if she asked the whole world and offered the highest repair fee, no one would dare take this job.

Just as he was thinking this, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind: Wait, that's not right... no one dared to take it?

Lin Sicheng turned his head abruptly and stared at Li Jiansheng.

Li Jiansheng was confused: If you can repair it, then repair it; if you can't, then get lost. Why are you looking at me?

Just as he was cursing inwardly, he realized something was wrong: the kid wasn't staring at his face, but at his arm hanging in a sling.

He froze, and felt a "buzz" in his head, as if it had exploded. The color gradually drained away, and Li Jiansheng's face turned pale at a speed visible to the naked eye.

This kid had seen through the origin of the watch.

And, he had even guessed how his arm was broken.

But from start to finish, it had only been a few minutes?

At first, Ren Danhua was completely confused, thinking that the kid had only taken one look, so why did Li Jiansheng look like he had seen a ghost in broad daylight?

Pale face, shaking hands, even sweat seeping from his forehead?

Then, she became thoughtful: the kid wasn't looking at Li Jiansheng's face, but at the injured arm.

What was wrong with the arm?

She remembered that shortly after this watch was delivered, Li Jiansheng fell down the stairs and broke his arm...

Suddenly, the woman had a flash of insight and opened her eyes wide. Her gaze was like two arrows, nailing itself straight onto Li Jiansheng's face.

No wonder it was such a coincidence; the item had just been delivered, and your arm broke?

So, it was because you were afraid of bringing disaster upon yourself?

I bring you so much business every year, has this old thing's conscience been eaten by dogs?

The woman's face turned gloomy, her pupils shrinking.

Li Jiansheng's lips trembled; he wanted to defend himself, but didn't know where to begin.

How could he defend himself?

If he hadn't deliberately broken his own arm to deceive himself, how would he know what Lin Sicheng meant by looking at his arm?

There were too many people, so the woman said nothing more, merely gritting her teeth: *Fix the watch first, then I'll settle the score with you later... *

Thinking this over in secret, she let out a breath and turned back, looking at Lin Sicheng with curiosity.

"Your age?"

"Twenty-two!"

A flash of light crossed the woman's eyes: "Good eye!"

"You flatter me!"

The woman just smiled.

Whether it was flattery or not, she knew very well.

This watch had been sent over about two weeks ago, and Li Jiansheng had only suddenly broken his arm afterward, which meant it had taken him half a month to figure out the origin of this watch.

And how long did this kid take?

From start to finish, only seven or eight minutes.

He had even guessed seven or eight parts out of ten about how Li Jiansheng's arm was broken and what that old thing was thinking in his heart.

To tell the truth, she had been in this line of work for quite some time, and this was the first time she had seen such a brilliant character.

"Then, can it be fixed?"

"It can be fixed, but it's quite labor-intensive!" Lin Sicheng lifted the watch cover to take a few looks, then pondered for a moment, "A week at the least, a month at the most!"

If it were just rust removal, cleaning, and shell repair, how could it possibly take as long as a month?

The woman's eyelids twitched: "Can it run?"

"Of course!" Lin Sicheng was extremely certain, "If it can't run, that's not called watch repair; at most, it's just a cleaning!"

With a "swish," a light flared in the woman's eyes. She didn't speak, just stared at Lin Sicheng's face.

After a long while, she nodded slightly: "Good!"

Lin Sicheng smiled and handed the watch back: "Until next time!"

The woman smiled and cupped her hands in a salute: "Until next time!"

With just two simple sentences, Lin Sicheng left as soon as he said he would, clean and efficient.

The others were bewildered: Didn't they say they were going to fix a watch?

The woman only asked if it could be fixed, but didn't mention letting him fix it?

Lin Sicheng only said it could be fixed, but didn't ask if she wanted it fixed?

Then one said goodbye, and the other saw the guest out; it was sudden, yet simple and direct.

Secretly suspicious, those who were going downstairs went down, and those who were watching them off kept watching.

Hearing the footsteps fading away, and then hearing the welcoming staff in the lobby seeing them off, Feng Shizong breathed a secret sigh of relief.

Loud thunder, small raindrops; as long as they were gone, it was fine.

Ren Danhua hadn't kept that kid's phone number, and that kid hadn't asked how to contact her, nor had he left any information like an address, which meant cooperation was impossible for the time being.

Of course, if Ren Danhua wanted to find that brat in the future, she could certainly find him through Zhao Xiuxian. But to be honest, he hadn't spent all these years in the underworld for nothing; how could he let them have any "future"?

The so-called "strong dragon does not suppress the local snake," especially in a business that skirted the gray areas; no matter how high that kid's skill was, he had to ruin it for him.

Thinking this over in secret, Feng Shizong squeezed out a few smiles again, preparing to curry favor with the woman and analyze the pros and cons for her.

After all, she was a major patron, and it was a business worth several million a year; he absolutely could not afford to offend her.

But just as he turned around, he was suddenly stunned.

The woman's expression was cold, her gaze like a Needle, staring fixedly at Li Jiansheng.

The latter's eyes were Floating, his lips moving, looking like he wanted to say something but didn't dare.

No, was this all in the time it took for him to glance out the window?

Feng Shizong didn't understand the situation, his eyes darting back and forth between the two people's faces.

"Old Li, what's wrong with you?"

Li Jiansheng opened his mouth, but when the words reached his lips, he sighed instead.

Feng Shizong was baffled, then looked at the woman; the woman sneered: "I'm leaving now!"

As the words fell, the woman turned and left.

Feng Shizong was dumbfounded: No, everything was fine, who offended you again?

"General Manager Ren, I'll see you out!"

"No need!" The woman didn't even look back, just waved her hand, "You handle the matters in the shop first!"

Handle what? Those two items that were repaired poorly?

It wasn't like they hadn't repaired things poorly before.

Whatever could be brushed off would be brushed off, and if it couldn't be, it was just a damaged artifact; a symbolic compensation would suffice.

Just as he was pondering this, the woman had already reached the top of the stairs. Suddenly, she stopped and looked back: "General Manager Feng, you should ask Master Li how his hand was broken, and when it was broken?"

Feng Shizong was even more confused: How else could it be broken?

He had personally watched him fall down the stairs and break it.

As for when, it seemed to be two and a half months ago; counting it up, it was almost healed.

Watching the woman go downstairs, Feng Shizong muttered: She wouldn't have listened to that brat's nonsense and believed it, would she?

Even this had to be doubted?

Through the window, he watched the woman exit the lobby. The driver opened the door first, and the woman got into the backseat. Not knowing if she was looking this way, Feng Shizong still waved with a fawning smile.

Afterward, he turned back and was stunned again.

Li Jiansheng's face was ashen, as if struck by frost.

"No... Old Li, what's your situation?"

Li Jiansheng's lips twitched, and after a long while, he sighed deeply: "Old Feng, that watch case has a full twelve layers of Enamel!"

Twelve layers of Enamel... wait, an Imperial Artifact?

So what if it's an Imperial Artifact? It's not like we haven't repaired one before.

But suddenly, Feng Shizong was stunned: That's not right, is that a piece of Raw Pit Goods?

It wasn't that they didn't repair Raw Pit Goods; on the contrary, they repaired a great many, accounting for nearly half of their business.

Because it was only Artifact Restoration, not buying and selling, they were just earning a bit of labor fee. Even if something happened, even if it was traced back to them, the liability wouldn't be great.

But if what was excavated was an Imperial Mausoleum, you try repairing one and see what happens?

Never mind repairing it; even if you were just a farmer met on the road who happened to point out the way for someone Grave-robbing, you'd still have to go inside for three months...

Feng Shizong suddenly realized: Was this injury to Old Li's hand intentional?

Thinking back to just a moment ago, that young thief looking at his hand: Master Li, your hand, it's been broken for about a month now, right?

Recalling again: The two weeks after he fell down the stairs, Old Li did indeed seem quite relaxed. Aside from having his arm in a sling, he basically had no other reaction.

But over a month ago, he suddenly took a week off, and after he came back, he was like a frost-bitten eggplant...

The more Feng Shizong thought about it, the angrier he got: "You damn well even kept it from me!"

"Fine, I won't keep it from you!" Li Jiansheng gritted his teeth, "If I told you this was just dug out of an Imperial Mausoleum, would you dare to take the job?"

Dare to take it, my ass.

At best, the shop closes down; at worst, you go inside.

He was shocked: "Which one?"

"I don't know!" Li Jiansheng shook his head blankly, "The item is from the Kangxi reign; as for who it was passed down to later, or whose tomb it was buried in, I can't tell."

Feng Shizong had a sudden thought: "Could it be one of those that have already been robbed, like Kangxi, Qianlong, or even Guangxu or Cixi? Stolen long ago, and then buried somewhere else?"

"Do you think that's possible?" Li Jiansheng sighed, "Think back, how urgent was that woman?"

Feng Shizong realized it belatedly.

In the past, Ren Danhua would send things over and rarely ask about them again. Basically, whenever it was fixed, she would come to pick it up.

But for this piece, she asked about it basically every two or three days, and about every week, she would come to take a look in person. It was clear the item was too important, and she was afraid of a mistake.

The matter was of great importance; if it hadn't been dug out of an Emperor's tomb, she wouldn't have valued it so highly.

But Feng Shizong couldn't figure it out.

With just one glance, that little brat determined the origin of the Pocket Watch so clearly and plainly?

Even earlier, also with just one glance, he determined when and how Old Li's arm was broken with near-perfect accuracy?

How the hell is he like Zhuge Liang with X-ray vision?

What he couldn't figure out even more was, how much guts does this kid have?

He gritted his teeth: "We don't even dare to repair it, and he dares to?"

Li Jiansheng's expression was gloomy: "It's not that a strong dragon doesn't cross the river!"

His eye for people wasn't top-tier, but at least he could tell whether the two Zhao brothers were truly respectful to that kid or just pretending.

The apprenticeship was just a pretext; nine times out of ten, he was a master invited by the Zhao brothers with heavy money to stand at the forefront and make a name for themselves in Beijing.

The so-called newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger...

Thinking secretly, Li Jiansheng narrowed his eyes: "In the future, Ren Danhua's business will probably go bust!"

Did that even need to be said?

How can there be a logic of only wanting to make money without taking any risks?

But the problem is, some money you have the life to earn, but not the life to spend.

So after thinking it through, Feng Shizong didn't blame his old partner; instead, he felt secretly grateful.

"If it goes bust, it goes bust. At worst, I'll withdraw my shares and stop doing her business in the future!" Feng Shizong made a decision instantly, "That woman is getting bolder and bolder, daring to accept any kind of goods? Sooner or later, she'll send you and me inside; better to cut ties early and be clean..."

Li Jiansheng nodded, Lin Sicheng's face appearing in his mind.

I'm not afraid you don't know how; I'm afraid you don't dare.

Knowing how to repair is best, daring to repair is even better...

While pondering, a trace of ferocity flashed in Li Jiansheng's eyes: "Ask around and see if we can plant an informant in Zhao the Coward's place!"

Feng Shizong understood instantly: Old Li wants to blow the whistle?

That woman is formidable, and her methods are ruthless enough. But before she goes inside, how could she have imagined that he and Old Li would be willing to cut off a business worth millions a year just like that, or even dare to turn on her?

By the time she figures it out, she'll already be inside; what's there to be afraid of...

"Isn't that simple?" Feng Shizong sneered: "People die for wealth, birds die for food; it's just spending a little money..."

Knowing Lin Sicheng had things to attend to, Zhao Xiuneng chased his two sons and Fang Jin into the second son's car, and he drove himself.

Wang Qi Zhi sat in the back seat, and Lin Sicheng sat in the passenger seat, keeping his head down the whole time, his fingers tapping incessantly on his thigh.

Knowing he was thinking about things, neither of them made a sound until they drove to Panjiayuan.

As soon as the car stopped at the entrance and he saw the plaque for Baishan Studio, Lin Sicheng woke up as if from a dream.

"Senior Brother Zhao, trouble you to help me prepare a set of tools for Artifact Restoration: gold, silver, porcelain, Calligraphy and Painting, and prepare some necessary materials, then set up a table for me at General Manager Zhao's... It doesn't need to be very advanced, traditional is fine, but it must be fast."

Zhao Xiuneng realized belatedly: "Will that woman come?"

"Not necessarily that woman, but even if she doesn't come in person, whoever comes will definitely be a trusted aide!"

Lin Sicheng let out a breath, "Twelve layers of Enamel glaze, it's ninety-nine percent an Imperial Artifact. And it's very likely the first Pocket Watch in China's history; even if it's just a gamble, I have to try it first!"

"But she will definitely test me, at least to confirm that I really can repair it. And even more, to confirm that I really dare to repair it..."

Zhao Xiuneng and Wang Qi Zhi were both shocked: An Imperial Artifact?

One look and it's Raw Pit Goods; besides digging up an Imperial Mausoleum, where else could such a thing come from?

Compared to that, the concubine tomb in Yixian doesn't even amount to a single hair...

"Whose tomb?"

"The items are from the Kangxi reign; they bear the English name of what should be the Taichang Temple Minister and Tongfeng Grand Master, Nan Huairen. It was likely crafted by him by hand. But it is not buried in Kangxi's tomb; judging by the rust color, it is either Jiaqing or Daoguang."

"This is not hard to check; once we get there and run an analysis, we will know. The point is this woman, and the people behind her..."

Lin Sicheng recalled, "That Jade Bear was unearthed in southern Hebei, roughly around Cangzhou or Hengshui; the tomb's rank is at least that of a super-grade Duke. That Gold Filigree Inlaid Turquoise Plate was unearthed in central Hebei, and it couldn't have come from anywhere but around Shijiazhuang. The tomb owner was either a Beile or a Prince."

"As for the last item, the gold Engraving Flowers incense burner with inlaid jewels in the shape of a Ruyi, it was unearthed in northern Hebei, roughly around Zhangjiakou. It could also be further north, such as in Ulanqab or Xilingol. So, nine times out of ten, it was unearthed from a Mongolian noble's tomb..."

"The key is that the preservation measures after excavation were identical: wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and aluminum foil to avoid light and inhibit oxygen. Then, it was vacuum-sealed with nitrogen to block the sulfur and chlorine erosion caused by sudden oxygen exposure."

"Including that Pocket Watch, and including that Xinjiang Red Coin from Mashan, they all used the same processing method. The method is simple, but few people know how to use it, and gangs that have this kind of emergency awareness and possess portable on-site equipment are even rarer. So I infer that these items were all stolen by the same group of people..."

The two were shocked: "Mashan?"

"It is not necessarily Mashan. He is a Jianzuo leader, mainly responsible for receiving and selling goods. The people who find the tombs, open the shafts, go down into the pits, and retrieve the goods are others."

"Like that one at Mu Mausoleum, there must have been a sudden change, and a major one at that. For example, the leader who went down into the pit led an internal mutiny, and Mashan was ordered to handle the crisis and suppress the chaos, which is why he took such ruthless action. In normal times, he would at most command from afar..."

"And this woman should be the leader of the 'pestle' group, specifically responsible for handling the remaining goods..."

"Just a leader?" Zhao Xiuneng was suddenly shocked: "She isn't the boss?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "Definitely not, and Mashan isn't either... In such a large gang, how could the boss possibly show their face?"

For a gang like this, the vertical structure has at least Level Three. So Lin Sicheng suspects that even Mashan's so-called boss might not be the one calling the shots, and is ninety-nine percent likely just a Level Two leader.

Only further up is the real boss.

Zhao Xiuneng was secretly alarmed: just a Level Three leader, and they dare to pull a gun and kill, and kill several at once. How ruthless must the big boss be, and how deep must their influence run?

How massive must this gang be?

Compared to Yu Dahai in Shaanxi, Yu Dahai is only fit to carry their shoes.

The more he thought, the more alarmed he became, and even someone as bold as Wang Qi Zhi felt like backing out: even a dog will jump over a wall when driven to desperation, let alone a group of extremely well-organized and utterly ruthless bandits?

What he worried about was not that they couldn't be taken down, but what would happen before they were: the more they found out, the more nervous the moles providing protection would become. It is hard to say if they already know the role Lin Sicheng is playing in this. If they decide to go all in, Lin Sicheng would be in danger.

But the bow is drawn and there is no turning back, and there is certainly no logic in standing still to be hacked when a blade is already at one's throat.

Either don't do it, or do it thoroughly.

Just as he was secretly calculating how to come up with a plan, Zhao Xiuxian gripped his phone and walked quickly out of the shop door.

Zhao Xiuneng lowered the car window: "Second brother, what's wrong?"

"There's business, new business, and judging by the tone, it's likely not small. But the strange thing is, they are asking for Teacher Lin?"

"What kind of object?"

"They didn't say, but they specified they are not repairing porcelain."

If not repairing porcelain, what else could Lin Sicheng repair?

Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng looked at each other: as expected?

(End of chapter)