Chapter 427: The Wolf That Saw the Fatty Meat (Two-in-One, an extra update for the Tuan Tuan Hegemon Alliance Leader)

What is a national treasure?

It must be a cultural relic with extremely representative historical and artistic value, or even one that blazes a new trail and rewrites the understanding of civilization.

For example: the Four Sheep Square Vessel.

It must also possess epoch-making scientific and cultural value; one might not dare say it is unprecedented, but it must absolutely be ahead of its time.

Another example: the Zenghouyi Chime Bells.

At the same time, it must possess scarcity and uniqueness. Using the same example: Neolithic Age Pottery.

This item has historical representation and even more artistic value, and it lacks neither scientific nor cultural value, yet it cannot be counted as a national treasure.

The reason is simple: there are too many of them. Every time a prehistoric site is discovered, they are dug up by the ton—

Now look at these few items; even the earliest one is no more than four hundred years old. No matter how backward Japan's civilization was, or how slow its scientific and technological development, it could not possibly have been backward to this extent.

Chen Weihua sneered: "Boss Lin, are you really good at telling stories?"

Lin Sicheng was instead stumped by the question: "General Manager Chen doesn't believe it?"

Nonsense, anyone who believes it is a fool.

Chen Weihua shook his head, a trace of mockery on his face: "Boss Lin, when we were at Rao Yu Zhai, you also said there was a problem with this Brush Washer?"

Lin Sicheng was silent: That was correct, he had said so, but specific problems must be treated specifically.

When he said this item had a problem, it was in reference to it being "Ming Porcelain" or "Ming Imitation Ru Porcelain," which had nothing to do with whether or not it was a Japanese national treasure.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Sicheng pointed at Zhao Da: "Boheng, go fetch a basin of water!"

There was purified water in the private room; Zhao Da took a basin, filled it eighty percent full, and placed it on the tea table. Lin Sicheng picked up the Brush Washer with the best appearance, which was the one that most resembled Ming Imitation Ru Porcelain.

"General Manager Chen, you judge it; roughly what era does this piece belong to?"

Chen Weihua stared at the Brush Washer.

When it came to a sharp eye, Chen Weihua could only be considered average; if he were asked to identify whether this Brush Washer was a Ming imitation or a foreign imitation, that would be making things difficult for him.

But he was not ignorant, nor was he a layman; at the very least, he knew how to look at the patina and the soil stains.

After taking it into his hands and examining it for a long while, he looked at Liu Zhaoting: "Late Ming, early Qing?"

Liu Zhaoting hesitated for a moment and nodded.

"Correct, it is indeed late Ming, early Qing!"

Lin Sicheng replied and placed the Brush Washer into the water.

Not knowing what he was going to do, everyone looked on with curiosity. But immediately, seven or eight pairs of eyes bulged in unison: that Brush Washer was actually floating?

It is not that porcelain cannot float on water; if it has thin walls, or is boat-shaped, or even has a hollow structure, making the displaced volume large enough and the average density less than water, then let alone a porcelain washer, even an iron bowl could float on water.

But that absolutely did not include this piece, because the internal space of this Brush Washer was not large enough. The only reason it could float was one: there were too many air bubbles inside the porcelain body.

The density of Jingdezhen porcelain clay is famously high, and Ming Porcelain is known for being delicate, hard, and dense in texture; for an object with such a large form, there is absolutely no reason it should be able to float on the water's surface.

In this case, does this count as having a problem?

And compared to what followed, this was only secondary: this was a typical eight-petaled washer, the form was regular enough, and it was symmetrical enough from left to right, but when this thing floated on the water's surface, it was actually tilted?

What does this indicate? It indicates that there were more air bubbles on one side than the other, which further indicates: the molding process and the firing process were not up to standard.

What is even more critical is: it was actually sinking?

Visible to the naked eye, clearly and distinctly, it sank bit by bit, and finally, the water flowed over the rim of the washer, and with a "plop," it sank to the bottom of the basin.

What does this indicate?

It indicates that this thing absorbs water, and furthermore, it indicates that the outer glaze layer was not completely sealed.

So, how poor must the glazing technique and the glaze-bonding process of this item be?

A group of people looked at each other in dismay, not knowing how to comment.

They had never imagined that while this thing looked so exquisite, the quality was actually this poor?

At the same time, they were also feeling annoyed: such a simple method, why hadn't they thought of it before?

For example, the three swindlers were stunned into a daze: these few items had been in their hands for several years, and they had never thought to try a method like this?

And then there were Chen Weihua and Liu Zhaoting: the one they bought had already shattered, so there was no way to verify it like this. But they had eyes:

Even without optical instruments, just by taking a Magnifying Glass, one could see the air bubble chains inside the porcelain body from the broken edge.

No need to guess; as long as it was put into water, it would be no different from this piece: first float, then tilt, and then sink to the bottom—

Therefore, back then at Rao Yu Zhai, if they had been able to think of this method and test it on the spot, they would have known that this thing could absolutely not be a Ming imitation, let alone have anything to do with the Chenghua era.

Does this count as having a problem?

Not only does it have a problem, the problem is huge: no matter how poor Ming Porcelain was, it could not be this poor, let alone an Official Kiln from the mid-Ming restoration period?

Chen Weihua and Liu Zhaoting stared at each other, not knowing what to say.

But suddenly, Chen Weihua reacted: "No—the logic is wrong!"

Since the quality is this poor, let alone comparing it to an Official Kiln from the Ming Chenghua era, it might not even compare to a decent Folk Kiln. So, what kind of national treasure is this?

And calculating the time, it is only four hundred years old; no matter how backward Japan's technological level was, it could not have been backward to this degree.

Lin Sicheng sighed: "General Manager Chen, you might not believe it, but the fact is: during the late Ming, Japan's porcelain firing level was even more backward than you imagine."

"Japan Kao" (a research monograph on Japan compiled by Chinese folk scholars during the Wanli era): The natives (Japanese) use kilns (pottery) for the whole country—

"Chang Wu Kao" (a Ming Dynasty monograph on material cultural relics): Wares from the Wa (Japan) are coarse like roof tiles—

"Veritable Records of the Ming: Wanli Volume": Ryukyu tributes Wa porcelain—

To put it simply: during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, the common people of Japan were still using pottery. Only the nobility and feudal lords were qualified to use porcelain. Most of this was imported from the Great Ming, Joseon, and Ryukyu, and a small portion was fired by the imperial Official Kiln imitating Ming Porcelain.

At first thought, one feels it is extremely incredible: even Joseon and Ryukyu of the same period could fire porcelain, yet Japan, with its more powerful national strength, was using pottery?

If one combines the historical background with Japan's national conditions, it is actually not strange at all: because Japan does not have Kaolin Clay suitable for firing porcelain.

They didn't have it then, and they don't have it now.

They do have Porcelain Stone with similar component types, but the alumina content is ridiculously low, only about eighteen percent, which is two-thirds to half of China's Kaolin Clay. However, the silica content is ridiculously high: reaching over seventy-five percent, almost twice that of China's Kaolin Clay.

To put it bluntly: because of raw material limitations, even if it stole China's porcelain-making technology, it couldn't use it.

Then why, by the beginning of the seventeenth century, did Japan suddenly know how to make porcelain?

Because China was at war, and its control over vassal states like Joseon and Ryukyu was practically non-existent. Moreover, the Joseon War (the Wanli Emperor's two campaigns to assist Joseon against the Japanese, which soundly defeated Japan) had just ended, and Joseon was like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.

The Great Ming was too busy to care for itself and could not, as it did during the Wanli era, immediately intervene whenever a younger brother was in trouble. Japan demanded that Joseon export Kaolin Clay to it, and Joseon dared not refuse.

Then again: Chen Weihua is an antique dealer, after all, and his business is not small; how could he not even understand this common knowledge?

But it is not strange: he deals in Chinese Cultural Relics, and his target customers are only foreign Chinese merchants; his customers do not want such things, so he never encounters them, let alone comes into contact with them.

Therefore, foreign porcelain and industrial history are purely his blind spots in knowledge.

Not to mention him, Liu Zhaoting, who has stronger appraisal skills, also does not understand it, including Ding Aqin, who is even better at appraising and repairing.

To put it bluntly: they haven't even finished researching Chinese porcelain, so where would they find the time to pay attention to this?

Even the Expert Ye Peilan only has a superficial understanding. Because there is specialization in every trade: her research focus is porcelain appraisal, followed by porcelain history and ancient industrial history. And even when she does research, it is primarily based on Chinese history; she knows at most the basics of foreign history.

Unless it is someone like Lin Sicheng, Lv Chenglong, or people like Cai Yi and Dong Jianli who professionally engage in porcelain craftsmanship technology and academic research, they would not study it comprehensively and understand it in depth.

"But it's still not right!" Chen Weihua stared at the Brush Washer, his eyes full of suspicion, "Since Japan's craftsmanship was so backward, why is the appearance of this Brush Washer so exquisite, to the point that it can pass for the real thing?

"

This is where the problem lies.

Lin Sicheng did not answer directly, but instead placed the earliest Brush Washer and the broken porcelain shards together.

"General Manager Chen, look again, which one is more exquisite, and which one is older?"

Chen Weihua narrowed his eyes.

At first glance, there seemed to be no difference, but if one looked carefully, one could discover: the intact one had a more elegant glaze, and the sky-blue color was more natural. Even the base and the body were more delicate and dense.

In all honesty, the intact one was certainly more exquisite and had a higher degree of simulation, no different from the real Ru Porcelain he had seen.

But looking at the patina and soil stains, it was the exact opposite: the intact one felt newer, while the broken one seemed older?

As they watched, Liu Zhaoting gave a low cry: "General Manager Chen, this intact one, is it mixed with Kaolin Clay?"

Chen Weihua was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: sure enough, the broken one was older.

Since it was mixed with Kaolin Clay, it meant the porcelain body composition and craftsmanship of the intact one were closer to Chinese porcelain, and the degree of simulation was naturally higher. At the same time, it showed that Japan at that time had already imported Kaolin Clay from Joseon, and the intact one must be of a later date.

The broken one only contained Porcelain Stone and no Kaolin Clay, so it was earlier in time. As the saying goes, a miss is as good as a mile; since even the composition was different, naturally, the firing process of this thing was a far cry from Ru Porcelain and imitation Ru Porcelain.

Consequently, the degree of simulation was naturally worse.

And this slight difference was only relative: at least when it wasn't broken, Chen Weihua and Liu Zhaoting couldn't tell the difference at all. Even a top Expert like Ye Peilan would have almost been fooled if this thing hadn't been too light—

Just like that, while he was racking his brains, a light seemed to flash through his mind, and Chen Weihua was suddenly startled again.

Afterwards, he stared tightly at the two Brush Washers, his eyes widening bit by bit until they were like copper bells.

He understood: why did Lin Sicheng link these two items, especially the broken one, to a Japanese national treasure?

Because with Japan's level of craftsmanship at that time, such a thing could not have been fired at all.

But Japan not only fired it, but also imitated it so well; what does this represent?

Imagine: the common people were still using Pottery, yet Arita Ware had fired Chinese Ru Porcelain that could pass for the real thing. It was as if cannons had been built in the age of cold weapons.

If this isn't an epoch-making product, what is?

The problem remains: when smashed open, the quality was clearly so poor, and the science and technology it represented were clearly so backward, yet when it wasn't smashed open, one couldn't see any flaws?

Therefore, it is the exact opposite: the craftsmanship level of this thing was not only high, but ridiculously high.

More importantly: because of raw material limitations, it did not use traditional Chinese porcelain-firing technology at all. Instead, it integrated various methods and found a new path.

To put it bluntly, this assignment was still copied; at most, it could be said that it copied a little bit of China's various porcelain-firing technologies and then pieced them together. But in the eyes of the Japanese: even if it was pieced together, this technology allowed Japan's porcelain history to leap from the Pottery era to the fine porcelain era in one step.

So there is no doubt that this is innovation, and it is epoch-making technological innovation.

What does this represent?

It means that this thing not only created a precedent in Japanese history but also rewrote Japan's understanding of civilization.

But suddenly, Chen Weihua frowned again: it's still not right?

Since Japan at that time didn't have that technology, let alone the conditions, why did it suddenly fire it, and fire it so well?

Guessing what he was thinking, Lin Sicheng explained: "Because of people, and because of the outflow of technology: at the end of the sixteenth century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Joseon, and the famous Joseon potter Li Canping fled to Japan.

Before this, he was the manager of the Joseon Gangjin Celadon Institute (Joseon Tribute Kiln, located in Jeollanam-do, near Saka, Japan). And the greatest function of this Celadon Institute was to fire fine porcelain for Joseon to offer as tribute to the Great Ming. Therefore, Li Canping knew most of the porcelain-firing technologies of the Great Ming at that time, and his management and production experience were even more abundant."

"So, as soon as he arrived in Japan, he was highly valued by the Lord of Saka. A few years later, he found Japan's first Porcelain Stone mine with a composition closest to Kaolin Clay, the Aritagawa Izumiyama Porcelain Stone Mine, and then test-fired Chinese porcelain—thus, he also created Japan's porcelain-firing history, so the Japanese revere him as the ancestor of porcelain."

After a slight pause, Lin Sicheng pointed to the broken Brush Washer: "And with Li Canping's technology and experience, drawing inferences from one instance, it is not strange to imitate and fire such a piece of imitation Ru Porcelain. To put it bluntly: pieced together, seemingly correct but actually wrong, yet pieced together just right—"

Chen Weihua and Liu Zhaoting looked at each other, speechless in astonishment.

So, this is why this item is so strange: the internal quality is clearly so poor, yet the external appearance is so exquisite?

It turns out the quality is poor because of the limitations of the raw materials. The appearance is exquisite because the person who fired it had high enough craftsmanship and extremely rich experience.

And precisely because it is strange, it proves the scarcity of this item: unique and one of a kind.

And, the ancestor of Japanese porcelain—come, ask yourself, does it count as a national treasure?

For a moment, his heart was filled with mixed feelings; Chen Weihua didn't know whether to be angry or to laugh?

What made him angry was that, at the time, if he had been even slightly calmer and hadn't smashed this thing, he would have made at least ten million.

But who could he blame?

Blame Lv Chenglong: only knowing it was a foreign imitation, but not seeing it was a Japanese imitation? Only realizing this thing wasn't simple after it was smashed to pieces?

But Lv Chenglong didn't have X-ray vision; before it was smashed open, who could have known that this thing used Porcelain Stone from Aritagawa Izumiyama in Japan and used the unique Hidden Gold Method of the Sakai-da family?

Blame Lin Sicheng?

To hell with that; before this, did Lin Sicheng even know who Chen Weihua was? Lin Sicheng is not his father and had no such obligation.

Then again: the moment Lin Sicheng deduced the origin of this item, he didn't let those swindlers cheat him out of it, but instead was open and honest, clearly telling him the ins and outs. In the antique trade, how many people have such conduct and such stature?

It is no exaggeration to say that they are rarer than national treasures.

Blame those three scammers?

That's even more bullshit.

Turning to look, those three had eyes so wide they were about to pop out, which meant they only just found out now too.

So, no one can be blamed.

What Chen Weihua was happy about was that, at least, he hadn't lost money.

Being able to run a business this large, he was not the type to get hung up on trifles. Chen Weihua knew very well that these rotten porcelain shards could indeed be worth two million. But only in the hands of Lin Sicheng could they possibly be worth two million.

If it were anyone else, even if it were as good as new, it wouldn't be worth that much.

Don't believe it?

Look back at the two Researchers from the Forbidden City and Director Lv: half-believing, half-doubting, shocked and uncertain. It shows that even now, they aren't very sure.

Moreover, not only did he not lose money, he might have even made a little.

First, the two million came back completely intact.

Second, Chen Weihua was no longer afraid of whether this matter would cause a huge stir in the city. The logic was simple: even top Experts like Ye Peilan and Lv Chenglong had almost misjudged it, let alone a second-rate amateur like himself.

Once the merchants found out, they would instead think more highly of him: Mr. Chen actually managed to acquire a national treasure-level Cultural Relic from Japan for only two million? What a keen eye—

Chen Weihua even started to ponder: should he find some people and spend some money to spread the word about this?

Think about it: what was thought to be a treasure suddenly became a worthless fake, smashed to pieces in a fit of rage, and then suddenly reversed, with the item becoming a priceless national treasure?

And even a few rotten porcelain shards were worth several million; is that twisty enough, is that bizarre enough?

Even if he spent money on advertising, it would absolutely not have this effect.

Third, although he didn't lose money, someone definitely did, to the point of being green with regret and having a sinking heart.

Don't believe it?

Look at those three scammers: the expressions on their faces are as if they've eaten shit.

At this point, all the questions that Chen Weihua couldn't figure out, the ones that made him want to poke holes in the sky, all had answers.

It wasn't that these petty thieves were too arrogant and didn't take him seriously, but that they were slow to realize and suspected that the Brush Washer they sold him might have been sold too cheaply, so they played hard to get, wanting to trick the Brush Washer back. Unfortunately, he was in a hurry to find an Expert for appraisal and didn't pay them any mind at all.

It was also the fault of these three scammers for acting so well; he never once thought they could be scammers. Otherwise, if he had even a shred of suspicion, this Brush Washer would have been swindled back by them.

Haha, what do you call this?

Trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice, lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own feet—

As he thought about it, Chen Weihua suddenly started laughing: "Hahahahaha—"

Serves you right. Trying to scam me—

Everyone was confused, but that did not include the three scammers. Because Chen Weihua was laughing at them—

Feng Laosan's face sank, and Pangzi's face turned the color of a pig's liver.

The two were just about to say something when Lin Sicheng glanced at them indifferently.

Pangzi and Feng Laosan felt their hearts jump and hurriedly lowered their heads.

Chen Weihua was still laughing, while also feeling a bit baffled: logically speaking, having caused them to lose at least tens of millions, shouldn't these three scammers hate Lin Sicheng?

But now, they were like a cat seeing a mouse; one look from Lin Sicheng was enough to scare them into silence.

Could it be because of Zhao Xiuneng?

It didn't feel like it: these three didn't seem to be afraid of this local tyrant?

While he was still suspicious, Lin Sicheng pointed at the check and pushed it forward: "General Manager Chen, what do you think?"

Chen Weihua couldn't help but pause, then sighed again.

He had lost this bet: this pile of broken porcelain really was worth two million.

But he had self-awareness: if it were anyone else, let alone two million, it wouldn't even be worth two hundred.

Chen Weihua took the check and handed it to his secretary, then cupped his hands: "Boss Lin, a bet is a bet; everything from before is wiped clean!"

After a slight pause, he looked at the three scammers again: "Boss Lin, may I ask a presumptuous question: with your status, you should have nothing to do with these people, so why bother helping them out?"

It wasn't presumptuous at all; even if Chen Weihua hadn't asked, Lin Sicheng would have said it.

He spoke bluntly: "To be honest with you, General Manager Chen, I have some small matters I need Master Feng and the others to help with. If we happen to run into each other in the future, I hope you will be lenient!"

Run into each other?

Looking at Lin Sicheng's finger tapping on the Brush Washer, Chen Weihua suddenly realized: Lin Sicheng wanted these few to help him investigate the origin of the Brush Washer. If they could find similar items, that would be even better.

This "running into each other" most likely referred to abroad, or even the Southeast Asia region.

Chen Weihua had a strange expression, staring at Lin Sicheng with wide eyes. It was as if he were saying: you just said it out loud without any hesitation?

Aren't you afraid I'll say one thing to your face and do another behind your back?

Besides, these are scammers; do you really trust them that much?

Seeing what he was thinking at a glance, Lin Sicheng smiled: "General Manager Chen, I am a businessman, and I believe in one truth: more friends mean more paths, and harmony brings wealth. And there are so many businesses in this world; no matter how capable one is, one cannot earn all the money alone—as for Master Feng and the others?"

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment and pointed to the Brush Washer on the table: "The price of eight million is a fair trade, honest and trustworthy. I treat them with sincerity, and I believe Master Feng and Master Hu can reciprocate with sincerity—"

Before he could finish speaking, Pangzi and Feng Laosan nodded repeatedly.

Chen Weihua was stunned: eight million?

Before this, they didn't know a thing; believe it or not, if you gave them three million, they would be overjoyed?

As for the future—please, they are scammers; you're talking to them about "integrity"?

Believe it or not, once the money is in their hands, they will vanish without a trace?

The key was what Lin Sicheng said: no matter how you look at it, he seems more like a professor or a scholar. Yet, he was openly talking about business principles, and even carried a few traces of the underworld?

Hmm—anyway, it felt more than just strange to Chen Weihua—

Chen Weihua was half-believing, half-doubting, and glanced at the three scammers: "Boss Lin dares to do business with scammers, so can you do business with me? For example, in the future, can I ask Boss Lin to help me appraise or restore things?"

"Of course! There is no reason to turn away business that comes to my door!" Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation, "But to be honest with you, General Manager Chen, I am not in Beijing most of the time—"

This is certain: with his craftsmanship and his ability, why would he need to sit idly in the shop waiting for business? If he just nodded, there would be so much business he'd be worked to death.

At this point, Chen Weihua already believed it eighty percent.

He is a businessman and understands the principle of steady, long-term growth. He understands even better how rare a versatile talent like Lin Sicheng is.

Capable of appraising Calligraphy and Painting, capable of appraising metal and stone, capable of appraising Jade, and as for porcelain, it's even more like taking something from his own pocket?

He is an even greater master of Artifact Restoration: capable of Ceramic Repair, capable of repairing gold and silver, and even more capable of repairing Enamel, and can he even perform seven-point-seven firing?

Never mind his age or how he managed to do it; just ask yourself, is his ability great, is his craftsmanship high?

As an antique dealer, and with the premise that most of his clients are more traditional and fastidious foreign Chinese merchants, the difference between being able to get to know such a person is ridiculously large.

Just as Lin Sicheng said: in business, talk business; everyone is a businessman, and only harmony can bring wealth.

Suddenly, the previous anger and displeasure seemed to have grown wings and vanished completely.

Chen Weihua was not only not depressed, but instead felt a bit of luck: as the saying goes, the old man lost his horse, who knows if it's a blessing?

He even began to think: should he gamble once more and return this check?

But regarding the depth of their acquaintance, Chen Weihua knew very well: given this person's style and way of doing things, even if he dared to gamble, the other party wouldn't accept it—

With these thoughts turning, Chen Weihua stood up and cupped his hands in a salute: "I have offended you much with my words before, please forgive me, Boss Lin. I won't hide it from you, Boss Lin: I previously suspected you were in cahoots with that Pangzi, and I even entrusted someone to investigate you—"

Lin Sicheng secretly praised him: he can judge the situation and adapt to changes.

Is it any wonder that this General Manager Chen, despite having only average discernment, could make his business so large?

"General Manager Chen, you are too kind!" Lin Sicheng stood up and smiled again, "General Manager Chen, I won't hide it from you either; you shouldn't have been able to find anything!"

Chen Weihua was stunned: he indeed hadn't found anything.

But he didn't know the reason, and more importantly, Lin Sicheng seemed to know: that he had investigated him?

Subconsciously, he wanted to ask "why," but the words reached his lips, and Chen Weihua suddenly paused: the expressions of those few swindlers were very strange?

Especially that Pangzi, whose anticipation was mixed with a few traces of schadenfreude, as if he were saying: ask, why don't you ask?

Subconsciously, Chen Weihua thought back to earlier, when Lin Sicheng had just given a look, and those three had lowered their heads in fear. And having talked for so long, sitting right there, General Manager Zhao, whose fame is widespread in Nanyang, hadn't interjected a single word from beginning to end, and hadn't even cast a glance?

Recalling further, the tone of admiration and the impressed expressions of Yang Bo and Ye Peilan when they spoke of this person at the hotel?

And the attitude toward Lin Sicheng of Director Lu, who basically didn't put Dean Yang in his eyes?

As if touched by inspiration, a light flashed through Chen Weihua's mind, and he felt suspicious and uncertain: so that was it?

No wonder that when those three swindlers knew these Brush Washers were so valuable, they only felt a bit of heartache but didn't show any signs of resentment?

And even less wonder that, knowing these three were con artists, Lin Sicheng still dared to cooperate with them?

To be able to climb up to such a connection, those three bastards probably smile in their dreams—

Lin Sicheng sighed: no need to guess, Chen Weihua must have thought the wrong thing.

But General Manager Chen, look at my hands: which Second Generation could end up like this?

My friend, I rely on my skills—

Forget it, let it be a misunderstanding.

While thinking secretly, Chen Weihua bowed again: "Thank you, Boss Lin!"

Lin Sicheng was polite, but Zhao Xiuneng secretly sighed: this old man from Hong Kong thinks really fast?

Chen Weihua indeed should be thankful: he is a Hong Kong merchant and has close ties with overseas Chinese merchants; to put it in politically correct terms: his united front value is extremely high.

Furthermore, the nature of the incident wasn't that serious; he had only used connections to investigate Lin Sicheng and had nothing to do with the Wang Chun case. The General Team would only deal with internal personnel and wouldn't blow it out of proportion or make a mountain out of a molehill.

But his bodyguard, who was the driver that arranged these things, was not a Hong Kong merchant; on the contrary, he had gang background.

If Lin Sicheng were to be serious, that driver of his would at least have to go inside and eat prison food for a few days—

After a good while of pleasantries, Chen Weihua took his leave, feeling satisfied.

He just felt it was so magical, because before coming, he hadn't thought at all that it would be this kind of result?

To use eight characters: came in a rage, returned fully loaded—

Watching the two cars leave, Hu Hai curled his lips: "Lin Shifu, I'll tell you the truth, don't be angry: even if we go overseas, even to Nanyang, we aren't afraid of him!"

Lin Sicheng had a headache: of course Pangzi wasn't bragging, because the reputation of Shengdazhuang wasn't blown out of thin air.

That cousin-in-law of Hu Pangzi, the real Liu Yida, took care of Hu Pangzi in a way that was anything but ordinary: so extraordinary that he let Hu Pangzi pretend to be him to swindle people, while he pretended not to know.

Lin Sicheng wasn't narcissistic enough to think that, with his ability, he could turn a blood feud into friendship: the reason Hu Pangzi's grandfather and father went bankrupt and fled from Hong Kong to Taiwan had a lot to do with Chen Weihua's father.

But this matter still had to be handled?

He thought for a moment: "How about this, Hu Shifu, can I pay a sum of money to buy the information in your hands?"

Hu Pangzi was startled: damn, is this trying to kick me out of the game?

Even if he were stupid, he would know which is more and which is less.

Just as Feng Laosan said: Old Hu, whether we can crawl out of the gutter, whether we can live as upright people in the future, and whether we can earn clean money, all depends on this one time.

Don't disbelieve it, look at General Manager Zhao—

In a flash, Hu Pangzi shivered and stood straight: "Lin Shifu, that's not what I meant—I guarantee: in the future, if you tell me to crouch, I will never squat—I just think that the one surnamed Chen is not a good bird, you don't need to compromise—"

Of course, decent people who are kind-hearted can't work in the antique business.

But to say "compromise"—where did that come from?

After thinking for a long time, Lin Sicheng suddenly realized, and looking at Hu Pangzi, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Hu Shifu, you thought I spent two million to buy peace?"

Hu Pangzi was stunned: isn't that it?

"Of course not. Hu Shifu, if I put it this way, you should be able to understand: if I don't accept this one piece from him, I will have to smash one of those five pieces—"

To tell the truth: two million is considered a small amount to spend.

Hu Pangzi looked confused: no—such good things, even things where one piece could sell for tens of millions or even tens of millions, why smash them?

Lin Sicheng didn't explain, but just pointed inside.

Hu Pangzi took a look and suddenly realized: Director Lu from the Forbidden City, along with two Researchers, were each holding a piece of broken porcelain.

It is not strange for them to conduct Artifact Research on porcelain shards; that is what they do. What is strange is their expressions: six beams of thievish light shot from three pairs of eyes, just like wolves that had spotted a piece of fatty meat.