Chapter 459: Guangzhou Chen Family Copper

The group followed the Fish Lantern Array toward Liwan Lake.

Ahead was Hua Jie, and as more and more people arrived, it became very lively.

Ye Anqi and Lin Sicheng walked at the very back.

"Is this your first time in Guangzhou, Sicheng?"

"Yes, Second Brother!"

"You've heard of the Guangzhou Flower Market, right?"

"I've read a bit about it in books."

The Guangzhou Flower Market, also known as the Year-End Flower Market, originated from the "Hua Du Tou" during the Southern Han (Five Dynasties) period; it is essentially a flower trade fair held before the end of the year.

The *Lingwai Daida* (a work on Lingnan geographical history) written by Zhou Qufei (a Southern Song Dynasty geographer) records: "The Suxin flower market, where women compete to wear flowers," which refers to the flower market. By then, it had already formed a folk activity in the style of a public gathering.

Through the Ming and Qing dynasties, it developed to its peak, becoming the most grand folk festival in Lingnan. The Guangxu edition of the *Panyu County Annals* records: "It is especially prosperous at the end of the year, and only ends on New Year's Day."

Developed into the modern era, it is even more so: in the two Guang regions, "walking the flower street" implies having good luck, meaning both strolling through the flower fair and admiring the flower lanterns. During these few days, basically every household will visit the flower street once, symbolizing a smooth and favorable year ahead.

Therefore, it is extremely lively, and basically all the popular blessing-seeking and folk performances in the two Guang regions are present: worshipping the God of Wealth, grabbing the first prize, Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Fish Dance, and all kinds of small games.

Like today's event, because it was held temporarily for New Year's Day, there are relatively fewer people. If it were before New Year's Eve, let alone following the Fish Lantern Array, there would be so many people that one couldn't even enter the main street.

No one dislikes a lively scene, whether they are from out of town or locals. Just like Ye Anning and Ye Anlan, even though they see it often, they were still excited.

Needless to say, Fang Jin and Tao An were looking left and right, their joy written all over their faces. Even Li Zhen was watching with great interest, raising her camera from time to time to take pictures.

Looking at Lin Sicheng again, one felt he was very composed.

Remembering the instructions from Fourth Aunt on the phone, Ye Anqi smiled: "Sicheng, do you not like it? Do you think it's too noisy?"

"If you want, we can change places and find somewhere quieter."

"Second Brother, no need!" Lin Sicheng shook his head with a smile, "I quite like these kinds of folk activities. Back home, we have Shehuo performances during the New Year, and I watch them every year."

If he had time, Lin Sicheng would even participate: during those years from high school to college, the village held Shehuo every year. He would either dance the dragon head or beat the ox-pulling drum (a super-large drum, two meters in diameter); it was not only all physical labor but also required skill.

Ye Anqi looked at him again: "But I see you, your enthusiasm isn't very high?"

Lin Sicheng was taken aback: it wasn't that his enthusiasm wasn't high, but that his temperament was overly steady. He wasn't like Tao An and Fang Jin, who would dance and cheer with excitement. Nor was he like Ye Anlan, who would chatter non-stop when happy.

Even Ye Anning and Li Zhen were watching with beaming smiles, joyful and happy. Only Lin Sicheng had no expression, like a piece of wood.

Lin Sicheng thought for a good while: "Second Brother, I've had a cold face since I was little!"

Ye Anqi was stunned, and just as he was about to say something, Ye Anning in front let out a "pfft."

They were five or six steps away, but the drum music hadn't stopped yet; Lin Sicheng's voice wasn't quiet, and she heard it clearly.

Lin Sicheng has a cold face?

When at home, she hadn't seen him smile less than others. Especially when he was with Gu Ming, the more mischievous the child was, the more mischievous he was. Gu Ming was even more mischievous, as if he hadn't grown up.

Of course, that was limited to when the two brothers were together, with no outsiders around.

"What are you laughing at?" Ye Anlan poked her and lowered her voice, "I feel like he wasn't wrong, right?"

His face is indeed a bit cold, with no expression. He also speaks little, as if his words were gold.

Ye Anning pursed her lips: "That's because we aren't very familiar yet."

Ye Anlan looked curious: "Then what if we were familiar, like with Tao An?"

Of course not; Tao An is just a big kid. Don't look at how quiet he looks; in fact, his personality is similar to Gu Ming's—carefree and thick-skinned.

But if one had to use an analogy for Lin Sicheng's personality—Ye Anning thought very seriously: "Like my dad!"

"..."

"Ye Anning, what did you say?" Ye Anlan was stunned, "No—you're calling him that so early?"

Ye Anning reacted for a long time and gave her a punch: "I'm talking about Lin Sicheng's personality: his temperament is relatively calm, also relatively gentle, and he knows a lot; he knows a little bit of everything. But the premise is that you have to be on the same wavelength, otherwise you'll feel he speaks very little—"

Subconsciously, the face of the Third Cousin appeared in Ye Anlan's mind: Third Uncle isn't calm in temperament, but arrogant.

Hmm, that doesn't seem right either?

To be precise: his vision is too advanced, his thinking is too broad, his IQ is too high, and his knowledge base is too wide. Besides chatting about daily life, whatever else one talks to him about feels like an elementary school student showing off in front of a university professor.

If you let him cater to you, it lowers his IQ too much and is a bit disrespectful. If you let him correct you, the person speaking isn't happy. Over time, it left the impression that he doesn't like to talk much.

Looking at Lin Sicheng now—don't say, if you only look at his expression, it really is a bit like that?

As for the rest, Ye Anlan didn't believe it.

She blinked: "Compared to Third Uncle, Ye Anning, you really dare to brag?"

Ye Anning: "Heh~"

These words aren't what I said; they are what my dad and mom said.

"Don't believe it?"

"I believe you, you ghost?"

"I'll let you witness it in a moment!"

"Fine, I'll wait!"

The two were bickering when the people in front stopped. Tao An and Fang Jin were standing on the side of the road, arguing about something.

Li Zhen followed behind the two, leaned in to take a look, and then held her chin in a contemplative manner.

Ye Anning and Ye Anlan also walked over to take a look: so they had entered Hua Jie?

The flower market has not only flowers but also flower lanterns. As long as you see the lanterns on the side of the street, it proves you have reached Hua Jie. Both sides are full of small games for tourists to experience.

There are pith-paper paintings (painting New Year pictures on tree pith slices), Guangcai Gold Tracing (painting spring-welcoming patterns on white porcelain plates), small awakening lions (making lions), and even lantern riddles, couplets, and face painting.

It doesn't matter if you don't know how to play; the stall owner will teach you. Of course, it's not free to play; most of them require money.

The prizes are also very rich: food, drinks, toys, and folk handicrafts.

Tao An and Fang Jin were struggling with a Rosewood Palace Lantern.

The rules are very simple: guess the riddle correctly to win a prize. But it's not free to play; ten yuan per try.

Look at the riddle again: The Pearl River floats and sinks through Eighteen Bays, inside the Thirteen Hongs are Thirteen Passes (guess a famous historical site in Guangdong).

Prize: A set of historical site model handicrafts (valued at 3,000 yuan).

Ten yuan to gamble for three thousand; the prize could certainly be called generous.

But Tao An and Fang Jin were not doing it for the prize; they had become fixated on the riddle: At first glance, it seems so simple?

One is a top history student at Zhongshan University, studying Chinese history, and is a native of Guangzhou—what famous historical sites in his hometown would he not know?

The other is a top student from the Archaeology Department at Northwest University; ancient history and geography were required courses, and he knows the country's famous historical sites like the back of his hand.

Moreover, both are liberal arts students, and this riddle is so simple; for them, shouldn't it be a piece of cake?

Then, the two began counting the notable historical sites in Guangdong Province on their fingers.

But it was all for nothing; there were quite a few that felt like they could match, but they all seemed to be missing something?

The ones that could match the Pearl River didn't seem to match the Thirteen Hongs, and those related to the Thirteen Hongs couldn't match the Pearl River?

The most critical part was the two sets of numbers in the riddle: Eighteen Bays, Thirteen Passes.

Historical records state: The Pearl River has nine bends; where would Eighteen Bays come from?

There were indeed checkpoints set up on the Pearl River, but there were only eight in total, collectively called the Ba Xian Guan; it was still five short of the Thirteen Passes.

Besides, these had nothing to do with the Thirteen Passes.

The two scratched their heads and ears, arguing endlessly.

Li Zhen frowned, thinking bitterly.

Ye Anning was quite interested, but as soon as she saw Li Zhen's expression, she gave up.

Whether it was IQ or knowledge base, the two were evenly matched. If Li Zhen couldn't guess it, she was in trouble too.

Ye Anlan just took a look: She is smart, but this is not her strong suit.

She is even much worse than Ye Anning.

"Ye Anning, what is it?"

"I don't know!"

You are quite honest, aren't you?

Ye Anlan asked Ye Anqi again: "Second Brother, what is it?"

Ye Anqi shook his head: This is not a private stall, but one run by the Tourism Bureau; if they say the prize is three thousand yuan, it will only be more, not less.

How could it be so easy to guess?

Ye Anlan looked at Lin Sicheng again, but didn't say anything.

First, they were not very familiar, and second, she was afraid Lin Sicheng wouldn't know either, causing Ye Anning to lose face.

But she was embarrassed, while others had no such reservations.

Neither could convince the other; Fang Jin grew tired of arguing and asked directly for the correct answer: "Junior Brother Lin, what is this?"

Lin Sicheng did not answer directly: "Senior Brother Fang, this should be a 'separation-combination' riddle (the answer is within the riddle)."

"I think so too, and classmate Tao thinks so too!" Fang Jin didn't feel the slightest bit embarrassed, "But we didn't remember it!"

To be precise: what they knew did not match what the riddle was asking.

Tao An was thicker-skinned; he blinked his eyes, staring at the female staff member behind the table: "Big sister, can you give us another hint?"

The staff member smiled and shook her head: "Of course not."

It really didn't match: she had heard it from beginning to end, and what these two people were guessing and arguing about had absolutely nothing to do with what the riddle was asking.

It was indeed quite difficult: the lantern had been displayed for two days; let alone guessing it right, not even a single person had come close.

If she were to tell the truth: this riddle was a bit of a stumper; otherwise, the bureau wouldn't have dared to set a three-thousand-yuan prize.

"Senior Brother Fang, give it a try." Lin Sicheng walked over, holding ten yuan in his hand, "It doesn't matter if you're wrong; at worst, we'll just try a few more times."

The female staff member emphasized: "One person can only guess once!"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "It's fine, there are many of us!"

Ye Anqi subconsciously took a step forward: he said he was taking Lin Sicheng out to have fun, how could he let him pay?

But just as he stepped out, he was stopped by Ye Anning: "Second Brother, don't speak!"

Ye Anqi was stunned: "Why!"

Ye Anning blinked her eyes: "Anyway, just don't speak!"

Fang Jin's monthly salary was three or four thousand, not counting subsidies and bonuses; why would he need Lin Sicheng to pay ten yuan for him?

Although she didn't know what he was up to, based on Ye Anning's understanding of Lin Sicheng, he was definitely going to do something.

While she was pondering, Lin Sicheng walked up and glanced at the riddle on the Palace Lantern: "Hello, may I ask, what prize is so expensive?"

"Handsome, don't try to trick me!" The staff member covered her mouth and laughed, "If I tell you what the prize is, wouldn't that be the same as telling you the answer?"

Fang Jin and Tao An went "Eh," their eyes blinking, blinking, blinking.

They had just realized: isn't the prize the answer?

He hadn't expected to get it out of her anyway, so Lin Sicheng didn't mind: "So it's a scaled-down handicraft; if it's so valuable, there must be a lot of them: Eighteen Bays plus Thirteen Passes, is that thirty-one pieces? If I win, do I have to carry them back?"

This could be told, because more than one guest had asked this.

"Not many, just one piece, only the size of a palm; you will definitely be able to carry it." The staff member suppressed a laugh, "But the premise is, you have to win first!"

"Oh, just one piece, I understand!" Lin Sicheng nodded, "Yuehaiguan Bell Tower!"

Suddenly, the staff member couldn't smile anymore.

She was stunned for a long time, looking at the leader beside her.

The Section Chief was even more confused than her, staring at Lin Sicheng.

Of course they knew the answer; the model was right under the table, and it was exactly what this young man said: Yuehaiguan Bell Tower.

But even they didn't know what the relationship was between this answer and the riddle. In fact, it felt like Wind and Horse were unrelated—they couldn't connect them at all?

Seeing the expression on the staff members' faces, the others knew that Lin Sicheng had guessed correctly.

Several people looked at the Palace Lantern, then looked at Lin Sicheng: "The Pearl River rises and falls through Eighteen Bays, the Thirteen Hongs contain Thirteen Passes, which equals the Yuehaiguan Bell Tower—how does this match up?"

Not to mention the discrepancy, it just felt—completely unrelated?

Seeing the staff members not moving, Lin Sicheng smiled again: "Do I need to explain the connection between the riddle answer and the riddle itself?"

Of course, otherwise how could they be sure if there was any insider manipulation?

A National Level arts and crafts master carved it entirely by hand; let alone three thousand, even six thousand people would want it.

Besides, the leader gave instructions exactly like this: just guessing the answer is useless, one must explain the reasoning behind it.

The two people nodded in unison: "We really do need to hear the source, so we can report it to the leader."

Understood: the leader was also afraid of subordinates playing tricks, so these two only knew the result but not the reason why.

Lin Sicheng expressed his understanding: "If I explain in detail, it will take a while. How about this, I will recite two lines from the Records of the Grand Historian, and you two can help relay them; if the leader is not satisfied, just consider our guess wrong!"

The Section Chief nodded and took out a mobile phone: "Alright, go ahead!"

"Thirteen chimes at dawn and dusk, Eighteen Curves past reefs and pagodas!"

Afraid of forgetting, the Section Chief muttered it twice more, then went to the side to make a call.

After the leader finished listening, he only said four words: "Give it to him!"

The Section Chief had a head full of question marks; after hanging up the phone, he remained dazed for quite a while.

The leader agreed too quickly, it felt just like: reciting a secret code?

But at least he knew: anyone might play tricks, but the leader certainly wouldn't.

Because there was no need; if he really wanted one, couldn't he just have the master carve another one?

The two whispered a few more words, pulled a box out from under the table, and then brought out a small case.

Transparent acrylic, packaged very exquisitely, and the item inside was even more exquisite: a copper-carved Bell Tower, with superb engraving, ancient and imposing.

Lin Sicheng glanced at it a few times, his eyes lighting up: "Yousi Carving, Relief Carving chiseling—the craftsmanship of the Chen Clan Copper from Guangzhou?"

The Section Chief was stunned for a moment: he felt the possibility of insider manipulation had increased by another notch.

Otherwise, how would he know this was the craftsmanship of Master Chen?

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