Chapter 460: An Expert Has Arrived

Fang Jin had self-awareness: if you don't understand, ask.

"Junior Brother Lin, why is the answer the Yuehaiguan Bell Tower?"

Lin Sicheng spoke concisely: "After Yuehaiguan opened for trade, Kangxi appointed a Customs Superintendent, but they only supervised and collected taxes. Foreign merchants coming to Guangdong for trade were managed through official licensed foreign trade firms, known as the Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs. So, it can also be said: the Thirteen Hongs were Yuehaiguan."

"The Thirteen Passes refer to the thirteen main tax collection stations (responsible for tax collection) that Yuehaiguan once established along the Pearl River. Each had a bell tower, also known as a tax pass."

"Thirteen Hongs and Thirteen Passes, so that's what it means?" Fang Jin suddenly realized, "Then what about the Eighteen Bays?"

"This refers to the general patrol stations (responsible for inspection) that Yuehaiguan once established along the Pearl River; there were eighteen in total. Because they were built on tidal flats where the water flow was gentle, they were called 'Bays'. Similarly, each one had a bell tower, also known as a patrol pass."

Was it really that simple?

Eighteen Bays refers to the eighteen patrol bell towers, and Thirteen Passes refers to the thirteen tax collection bell towers; put together, they naturally refer to the Yuehaiguan Bell Tower.

No wonder Lin Sicheng reminded Fang Jin: "The answer is in the riddle itself"?

Afterwards, Lin Sicheng specifically asked the staff how many prizes there were: if there were many, then of course he had to answer everything. If there was only one, then it definitely only referred to the Yuehaiguan Bell Tower.

But Ye Anlan had a gut feeling it wasn't that simple: if it were this easy, how could it have stumped Tao An to that extent?

Even now, he was still frowning and thinking hard, counting on his fingers.

After a long while, Tao An finally looked up: "Lin Sicheng, why do I remember there being only seven main tax stations and seven main patrol stations?"

"Correct, the total number for both types of stations was only fourteen!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "But because the Pearl River changed course, most tax and patrol stations were relocated and rebuilt; adding them up, there were thirty-one in total throughout history!"

"But it's not recorded in historical materials?" Tao An looked bewildered, "Whether it's the Comprehensive Gazetteer (Guangdong Provincial Gazetteer), the Prefecture Gazetteer (Guangzhou), or the County Gazetteer (Panyu), none of them have this many?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "The Prefecture and County Gazetteers aren't that comprehensive; for this, one must check local records (rural gazetteers), or even village chronicles."

The group looked at each other in dismay.

They finally understood: why did the riddle feel so simple, yet the answer was so difficult?

Because it wasn't recorded in official history, one could only find clues in rural and village histories.

Setting aside rural and village gazetteers, let's look at county gazetteers: although Guangdong only had eighty or ninety counties in the Qing Dynasty, there were four hundred and twelve types of county gazetteers included in the *Comprehensive Gazetteer of Guangdong*.

And that was only the count up to the time when the *Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Great Qing* and the *Comprehensive Gazetteer of Guangdong* were recompiled during the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns; adding the ones from later dynasties, there would be half as many again.

Even without overcounting, if one book is one hundred thousand characters, how long would it take to read all four hundred plus?

And that's just reading, not memorizing; what if it gets down to the more numerous, complex, and trivial rural and village gazetteers?

Ask Tao An and Fang Jin, how many famous and influential rural gazetteers within the Guangzhou Prefecture of the Qing Dynasty can they remember the names of and list?

Let alone village chronicles, and never mind the content recorded within them?

Therefore, this lantern riddle did not test intelligence or reaction speed at all, but rather the breadth and depth of one's knowledge of Guangdong history and geography.

How hard is it?

If Tao An were to speak his mind: unless one had specifically looked up the information to solve this riddle, even if they invited the professors from their school who specialized in Qing history and local gazetteers, they might not necessarily be able to answer it.

Just as he was thinking this, a thought struck him: "Lin Sicheng, those two lines of poetry you mentioned at the end, 'The bell rings thirteen times at dawn and dusk, the pagoda at the reef and shoal has eighteen curves'—what do they mean, and do they have a source?"

"Yes, the first line is in the *Lujiang Academy Records* (a genealogy of the He Clan of Wenxi Village, Guangzhou, who managed the Tianbao Hong in the later period of the Thirteen Hongs. They were opium compradors for the British East India Company and fled when Lin Zexu banned opium)."

"The second line is in the *Rongmeng Tang Records* (a genealogy of the Liang Clan of Huangpu Village, founders of the Tianbao Hong, who managed it in the early period. The He Clan were in-laws of the Liang Clan; the He Clan colluded with the British East India Company to swallow up the Liang Clan's Tianbao Hong to sell opium)."

L

Lin Sicheng patiently explained: "During the Kangxi and Yongzheng eras, Yuehaiguan had one main station and twelve registered stations (for registration and licensing before entering the port to unload). Every day at the beginning of the Mao hour (5:00 AM), the main customs building in the provincial capital (the main tax station of Yuehaiguan, the former site of the Thirteen Hongs, now the Cultural Park in Liwan District) would ring a giant bell to notify all locations to open for customs, finally reaching Humen. Merchant ships outside the customs could only declare their cargo after hearing the bell."

"The morning bell sound was transmitted from west to east: Thirteen Hongs, Huangpu Port, West Fort, Foshan, Zini, Shiqiao—finally reaching Humen, totaling thirteen rings."

"At the end of the You hour (5:00 PM), the Humen station would close, also ringing the giant bell; the sound was transmitted from east to west, also thirteen rings. The *Pan Qi Notes* (from the Tongwen Hong, one of the Thirteen Hongs) records: 'Thirteen rings at dawn and dusk, arriving at port and clearing customs—'"

"At the same time, high towers were erected at various reefs and dangerous shoals, and pilot officials (pilots) were stationed there; there were seven reefs and eleven shoals, hence they were called the Eighteen Perils, also known as the Eighteen Curves."

After a brief pause, Lin Sicheng smiled: "The riddle was too general, and I wasn't quite sure: was the answer the pass, the tower, or the pagoda, so I prepared an alternative answer."

Lin Sicheng spoke in a plain, narrative tone, but the group was completely stunned.

Tao An couldn't figure it out: the two historical sources Lin Sicheng mentioned were both from family genealogies, even more obscure and inconspicuous than village chronicles; why would he read those?

What surprised the others was Lin Sicheng's alternative answer: didn't this mean that based on this answer, Lin Sicheng had created a new riddle?

The key was that it wasn't something he made up randomly, but had a basis and historical proof.

Ye Anlan looked curious: "Lin Sicheng, is your thesis (undergraduate graduation thesis) related to Yuehaiguan?"

She felt that if one weren't writing a thesis, no one could research the information on an ancient customs house to such a detailed degree.

Especially since he was an outsider who had never been to Guangzhou, and even a college student who hadn't started working yet.

But where was there any thesis?

During his graduation exams, Lin Sicheng was still digging at a porcelain kiln site in Shanxi. He had wanted to return to school to take the exams, but the President and the Dean wouldn't let him.

Are you kidding: leave dozens of top-tier journal articles behind to let Lin Sicheng write a thesis?

Even if one's brain were kicked by a donkey, one wouldn't do such a thing.

Lin Sicheng smiled: "I just happened to have read about it!"

But Ye Anlan was half-skeptical: such a coincidence?

You just happened to have read it, and the District Tourism Bureau just happened to come up with a related lantern riddle?

The problem is, since it was a coincidence, why could he remember it so clearly?

She muttered to herself and nudged Ye Anning: "Is he brushing me off?"

Ye Anning held back a laugh: "No!"

He was indeed brushing her off, but Ye Anlan wasn't the only one who had been brushed off like this; Lin Sicheng said this to everyone, including his dad, his mom, his grandpa, his teachers, and also Ye Xing'an and Wang Qiguang.

Because no one believed the truth.

Just as she was thinking this, Lin Sicheng handed the copper carving to Tao An: "Senior Brother Tao, this is for you! It's Yousi Carving from the Chen Clan Copper of Guangzhou; it's not expensive, but it's quite commemorative."

Tao An subconsciously took it: "Lin Sicheng, is this an antique?"

"It's not an antique, just a modern handicraft, but the creator is quite famous: a descendant of Chen Zuzhang, the chief of the Ya Carving (ivory and horn carving) workshop of the Imperial Household Department's Zaozuochang in the mid-Qing Dynasty and a court sculptor, and a National Arts and Crafts Master, Chen Shiqian. The 'Three Rams Bring Prosperity' copper carving for the 2002 Spring Festival Gala was designed by him. The copper Fuwa dolls, which were one of the state gifts presented to foreign dignitaries at this year's Olympics, were also designed and crafted by him—"

Tao An was stunned: it was indeed a handicraft, but since he was a descendant of a court master, had designed works for the Spring Festival Gala, and had even designed and carved state gifts for the country, how could this item be cheap?

The key is that he and Lin Sicheng have only just met.

Hesitating over whether to decline, seeing Ye Anqi nod, Tao An said nothing more.

"Lin Sicheng, there is no name on this, how did you recognize it?"

"The engraving technique of Chen Family Copper has quite distinct characteristics; I happened to have seen it before."

"Your memory is that good?"

"Average, those who study archaeology and Cultural Relics Protection are basically all like this!"

The two people's voices were not loud, but loud enough for the people behind to hear. Ye Anlan was stunned: Lin Sicheng studies archaeology, not magic.

Ye Anning is still a top student at the Central Academy of Fine Arts; compared to Lin Sicheng, she should be more professional. If you don't believe it, ask her what characteristics this copper carving has and see if she can answer.

She glared at Ye Anning: "Another coincidence?"

Ye Anning pursed her lips and smiled, then nodded again: "Of course!"

Do you think I believe your nonsense?

Ye Anlan was rolling her eyes when she suddenly paused: moving forward a bit more, the lanterns by the roadside were fewer, and the street was much wider.

Under the curb were long tables placed one after another, with many porcelains on them: there were bottles, jars, and pots, but the most numerous were plates and bowls.

The porcelain quality was excellent, crystal clear and bright, white and jade-like; one look and it was clearly top-grade White Porcelain.

On the side were paint boxes, gold, red, green, blue, yellow—every color was there.

"Perfect, paint two for me!"

Ye Anlan pulled Ye Anning's hand and ran over, then pressed her toward a seat: "Paint quickly!"

But after pressing twice without moving her, Ye Anning swatted her hand away and looked back: "Assistant Li, this is quite fun, do you want to try it?"

Li Zhen took a look and walked over.

Ye Anlan did not understand, but Ye Anning smiled mysteriously: "I don't paint well; Assistant Li is the real expert!"

"No—aren't you a painting student?"

"I am a painting student, that's true, but painting on paper or cloth is different from painting on porcelain!" Ye Anning pointed to those paint palettes, "Do you know what this is? Lacquer—"

Hearing the two talking, Fang Jin took a look: "Huh, painting on porcelain?"

"Yes, Canton enamel Mud Gold Lacquer Painting. Assistant Fang, look, there is an electric oven in the back; paint it and bake it now, you can get it on the spot!"

Tao An pointed, "You can ask the master to paint it, or you can paint it yourself. Assistant Fang, why not help me paint one?"

Fang Jin was a bit hesitant: "I shouldn't make a fool of myself, right?"

"Assistant Fang, don't be modest, this is extremely simple for you." Tao An pushed him over, "Our academy has an archaeology major, I often see them doing Artifact Restoration—"

It was indeed very simple: studying Cultural Relics Protection definitely requires learning arts and crafts. Moreover, Fang Jin had followed Lin Sicheng for such a long time and had studied Porcelain Restoration for a long while.

His painting was also decent; it shouldn't be worse than the master at this stall. But if compared to Li Zhen, it would definitely be much worse.

And if compared to Lin Sicheng—that was simply incomparable. It was probably like: a founding master and an outer-sect disciple—

Fang Jin was forced to sit down, albeit reluctantly. In any case, he made up his mind: painting for Tao An was out of the question; at most, he would just play around himself.

Seeing that everyone had sat down, Ye Anqi invited Lin Sicheng: "Sicheng, you paint one too!"

"Alright!" Lin Sicheng rolled up his sleeves, "What object does Second Brother like?"

"Ah, are you going to help me paint one?" Ye Anqi took a look, "A plate, I suppose!"

The surface area of a plate is not large, and the key is that it is relatively flat, making it easy to start painting.

"It doesn't matter if it's a bit bigger, what pattern does Second Brother like?"

"Keep it simple!" Ye Anqi looked at the patterns on the rack, "Paint an osmanthus pattern!"

Lin Sicheng smiled: It seems he has no confidence in his own craftsmanship and is afraid of losing face?

"I'll help you!" While he was secretly pondering, Ye Anning ran over, "You should paint two more; one for Second Brother, one for Anlan, and one for Tao An!"

"

That works too; having someone pass the paints will make it faster to paint.

Lin Sicheng nodded: "What should I paint?"

Ye Anning answered without hesitation: "Big Brother paints the Three Kingdoms, Anlan paints the West Chamber, and Tao An paints the San Niang Teaches Her Son Plate?"

Lin Sicheng was stunned: "Huh?"

The first two are easy to explain: there are few men who don't like characters from the Three Kingdoms, and it's not strange for women to like characters from The West Chamber.

But San Niang Teaches Her Son is baffling.

Seeing Ye Anning blink, Lin Sicheng had a sudden realization: it is likely that something happened in Tao An's family.

Ye Anqi, however, was a bit hesitant: if Lin Sicheng were just playing around, it wouldn't matter. But if it were to be a gift, it would definitely be extremely time-consuming and require great effort.

And Ye Anning, of all things, specifically chose the most difficult characters to paint, the ones most likely to be ruined?

Thinking this over secretly, he prepared to persuade her, but Ye Anning gave him a "don't worry" look: "Second Brother, Lin Sicheng paints even better than I do."

I know.

Even if Lin Sicheng gave him a piece of stained, messy junk, Ye Anqi wouldn't mind.

"I just think it takes too much time."

"Don't worry, Lin Sicheng paints super fast."

How fast?

No matter how fast, one piece would probably take an hour or so.

While he was secretly pondering, Lin Sicheng turned around and looked at the porcelain plates on several tables first.

After a rough glance, he picked out three pieces.

The porcelain painting master sat opposite him and truly couldn't help but ask: "Young man, you're painting it yourself, right?"

"Yes!"

"That one is one hundred!"

As soon as the words fell, Ye Anqi's brows furrowed: a White Porcelain plate with nothing on it, and you want one hundred—are you crazy with poverty?

But before he could speak, Lin Sicheng nodded first: "I will pay five hundred, but I must mix the pigments myself; they will likely be a bit thicker, and I will have to swap out a few types. Also, I will need more brushes—"

It quintupled in an instant; this was great.

The master beamed with joy: "How thick, and how will you swap them?"

"Water Green, Western Red, Lychee Purple, Dried Bright Red, Diamond Blue!"

All traditional Canton enamel pigments, without any modern chemical materials?

A flash of suspicion crossed the master's eyes: "Surely you don't need me to prepare Gold Paste (a budget version of Jin Red Flag: pure Gold Powder +

gum + nitric acid solution) for you?"

"No need, today I am only painting a meticulous figure; I will neither pile on gold nor accumulate jade, just outline in color—"

Upon hearing these three terms, the master was suddenly stunned: an expert had arrived?