Chapter 495: He is not only a consultant, but also an expert

Staring at those few pieces of porcelain, Lin Sicheng's expression became increasingly strange.

Seeing him motionless, Ye Anqi walked over: "Sicheng, finished looking?"

"Finished!"

"How is it?"

Lin Sicheng was noncommittal: "Second Brother, I still need to look at the customs declaration procedures!"

Ye Anqi suspected nothing, took Lin Sicheng out of the storage room, and headed straight for the Disposal Division.

After exchanging greetings as well, the colleagues in the Disposal Division had been waiting for Ye Anqi. Once the two arrived, they pulled the photos directly from the computer. There were many, a full fifty-plus, and Lin Sicheng stared at the computer, clicking the mouse incessantly.

Purple-tipped brush, Brush Pot, inkstone, Yanjia, incense box, jade plaque, jade wine vessel, ewer, tiger tooth, hawksbill turtle shell, helmeted hornbill bead bracelet.

And, those seven pieces of porcelain.

He indeed hadn't guessed wrong; Hu Pangzi had prepared very thoroughly, not a single item was omitted from the declaration, and every piece had paperwork: some were invoices, some were auction records, and some were Identification Certificates.

However, Customs did not recognize at least half of them: those few Ming Dynasty antiques, and the final seven pieces of porcelain.

The former were easy to handle; at most, they counted as "not in compliance with regulations," and if the worst came to the worst, they would just be abandoned, confiscated if they were to be confiscated.

The problem lay with the seven pieces of porcelain that followed: they were all dug out from tombs and still carried the scent of damp earth; if this wasn't grave-robbed Cultural Relics, what was? Especially the last two pieces, Northern Song Dynasty Ding Kiln Black Glaze Partridge-Pattern Douli Cup; these were famous porcelains explicitly recorded in literature, and even more so, representative works of Song Dynasty Folk Kilns.

If you compare them, don't you think these things look very similar to the kiln-transmutation cups from Jian Kiln?

It's right that they look similar: many scholars believe that the kiln-transmutation technology of Jian Kiln originated from Ding Kiln. Such items are not just First-Class Cultural Relics, but extremely precious historical Artifact Research materials.

The customs declaration documents were written quite clearly: fakes, High Imitation.

But the problem is, it's not that Customs believes whatever you write.

Therefore, definitely don't say Hu Pangzi was unlucky: even if he hadn't run into the joint Supervision Division, Luohu Port wouldn't have dared to let him in.

The problem is, the matter cannot go unresolved, right?

Watching Lin Sicheng knit his brows and lower his head in deep thought, Ye Anqi took the mouse and clicked it one by one.

At first, he also felt the problem wasn't big: for example, those few endangered products, and those few Ming Dynasty antiques. Although the definitions were somewhat vague, it didn't count as false reporting or concealment. What the material should be and which era it should be from were written clearly on the customs declaration procedures.

Like this kind, at most they would be confiscated and fined a bit of money; at least the person would be fine.

But flipping further, Ye Anqi suddenly froze, his eyes widening.

No... what is this?

On the customs declaration procedures, these seven pieces of porcelain had actually become Imitating the Ancients porcelain, had become fakes?

And, they were foreign imitations at that?

Isn't this treating people like fools?

Even a layman like him could tell: besides soil encrustation, there was water rust, and even more so, glaze peeling caused by acid and alkali corrosion.

One type can be imitated, but can three types be imitated together?

Especially in the places where the glaze had come off, with such deep signs of aging on the porcelain body, how do you imitate that?

Ye Anqi could guarantee: let alone abroad, no institution domestically, whether official or private, could imitate this.

Including Jingdezhen and the Forbidden City, it wouldn't work.

With the customs declaration written like this, let alone Customs, even a damn fool wouldn't believe it, right?

Ye Anqi held the mouse and stared straight at Lin Sicheng: with just these few items, with this nature, how is this person still to be saved?

Lin Sicheng sighed: "Second Brother, let's go first!"

Ye Anqi nodded and said goodbye to his colleagues.

A few minutes later, the two arrived on the first floor.

Lin Sicheng was fine, his expression unchanged, but on Ye Anqi's face, it might as well have been written in three words: This matter can't be done.

Exchanging a glance, Wang Qi Zhi sighed: "Is it hard to handle?"

Hard to handle? It's more than that.

Just as Lin Sicheng was about to say something, Ye Anqi waved his hand and spoke first: "Third Uncle, everything else is easy to talk about, but among them are five pieces of porcelain whose initial appraisal result is that they were fired in the late Ming or early Qing period, and they were unearthed within ten years."

The few people were all stunned: what thing?

Ming Dynasty porcelain, unearthed less than ten years ago... isn't this just grave-robbed Cultural Relics?

"That's not all!" Ye Anqi gestured again, "There are also two pieces: Song Dynasty Ding Kiln Partridge-Pattern Black Glaze Douli Cup, also unearthed less than ten years ago..."

It is no exaggeration at all; hearing Ding Kiln, hearing Partridge-Pattern Douli Cup, the few people were all dumbfounded: this damn thing is a First-Class Cultural Relic? Immediately, Wang Qi Zhi understood Ye Anqi's subtext: Third Uncle, this matter cannot be handled; you persuade Sicheng and tell him not to be stubborn. Zhao Xiuneng, however, was half-believing: Song Dynasty Ding Kiln Partridge-Pattern Black Glaze Douli Cup, and two of them at that... where did Hu Pangzi get such things? Even if he had them, it's impossible he would be generous enough to give them away as gifts.

It wasn't that Zhao Xiuneng looked down on Hu Pangzi, but it was based on the most basic logic.

First, talk about the price: this item was first auctioned in 1980, at the "Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Pan" special auction held in New York.

Pan was William Pan, a British physicist and head of the Physics Department at Yan University, who taught at Yan University for twelve years.

At that time, there was a Ding Kiln Partridge-Pattern Black Glaze Douli Cup, which finally sold for 400,000 US dollars.

The second time it was auctioned was in 2002 at the Sotheby's auction held in Hong Kong; a similar one finally sold for 13.2 million Hong Kong dollars. The third time was in 2006, which was the year before last, at the Christie's New York auction. A similar one sold for over 4.5 million US dollars. How much is 4.5 million US dollars in RMB? Nearly 32 million.

How much money are two bowls? That equals over 60 million, half a hundred million.

Let alone giving them to Lin Sicheng, it would be impossible even to give them to his own father.

Furthermore, if he had such things, why would Hu Pangzi still be a swindler?

Taking another ten thousand steps back: knowing full well it is a First-Class Cultural Relic and so valuable, how kicked in the head by a donkey would Hu Pangzi have to be, and how much of an idiot would he have to be, to bring this thing back to the country?

Zhao Xiuneng could think of this, and Feng Sanjiang and Ding Aqin could think of it too, and they knew Hu Pangzi even better:

If he had such things, Hu Pangzi would have long since parted ways with them; it would be impossible for him to engage in this kind of setup and trap.

The few people had different thoughts, and in a flash, they had an inference: there is something fishy about this matter.

And at this moment, only a little over ten seconds had passed since Ye Anqi finished speaking.

Subconsciously, several pairs of eyes stared in unison at Lin Sicheng's face.

Lin Sicheng was concise and comprehensive, saying only two words: "High Imitation!"

Several people were stunned for a moment:

No wonder Customs said the customs declaration procedures and the items didn't match?

Hu Pangzi definitely declared them as High Imitation, but Customs didn't accept it.

Even more wonder, why was Lin Sicheng not the least bit panicked?

Because these few items are indeed High Imitation...

Seeing their sudden realization, Ye Anqi was stunned.

No... don't you guys have any doubts at all?

Lin Sicheng says these are High Imitation, and you guys believe 100% that they are High Imitation?

True, Lin Sicheng is very professional. But the problem is, Customs isn't amateur either: to dare to issue such a preliminary appraisal conclusion, it at least passed through the machines. And Lin Sicheng just stood there and looked for ten minutes or so, without even touching them.

Seeing that Wang Qi Zhi also seemed to have turned the corner, with an "I see" expression, Ye Anqi was completely baffled.

"Third Uncle, you might not understand Customs procedures..."

But before he could finish, Wang Qi Zhi waved his hand: "We indeed don't understand that, but Anqi, we understand Cultural Relics, and we understand Hu Hai even better." "Let me say one thing first, that bowl you mentioned just now, if it were authentic, just one would be worth over thirty million..."

Ye Anqi froze, as if enlightened: In that case, the two that were seized are worth at least sixty or seventy million.

With that much money, why would anyone be a swindler?

It is even more impossible to bring such items and walk right into a trap, throwing themselves into the arms of Customs.

But the problem is, how could the machines be wrong?

Lin Sicheng explained patiently: "Second Brother, the machines indeed didn't make a mistake: these pieces of porcelain were all fired in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and they were indeed unearthed less than ten years ago. Hu Hai didn't declare them wrong either; these pieces are indeed fakes, High Imitation. But there is a misunderstanding in the middle: foreign imitation."

Ye Anqi half-understood.

"Second Brother, let me put it simply: these pieces were likely foreign-fired imitation porcelain from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties in China. Whether it's blue and white, Black Glaze Carved Flower, or the Partridge Spot Conical Cup, they all are. If you perform thermoluminescence testing, they indeed conform to the era characteristics of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties." "Secondly, these porcelains were indeed buried in tombs, and they were indeed dug up within the last ten years, so the machines didn't misidentify them. But these tombs are foreign tombs..."

Ye Anqi finally understood: these pieces are imitation porcelain fired by foreigners during China's late Ming period, and then buried in foreign tombs. To put it bluntly: both the place of production and the place of excavation are abroad; other than looking similar, they have nothing to do with China. And what the Cultural Relics Protection Law and Customs Law stipulate and require are "Cultural Relics produced or unearthed within Chinese territory." Although there are also regulations for foreign cultural relics, they clearly require: cultural relics listed on the ICOM (International Council of Museums) Red List.

For example, products made from endangered animals, religious sacred objects, and cultural relics that various countries have explicitly banned from leaving the country.

But recalling Hu Hai's customs declaration procedures again: these pieces of porcelain all came from Malaysia, and there are even Malaysian tax payment certificates and exit permits.

The reason Customs didn't accept it is that they determined his procedures were forged. But what if his procedures are real?

Malaysia hasn't joined the ICOM convention, which means today's matter is just a misunderstanding.

But the problem arises again: Malaysia firing porcelain, and it was porcelain fired in the late Ming dynasty... what kind of international joke is this? The more Ye Anqi thought about it, the more wrong it felt, his eyes blinking rapidly, but after looking for a few moments, he felt even more wrong.

Wang Sanshu, and that General Manager Zhao, their eyes seemed to be glowing.

It was the expression of criminals who had been locked up for years, eating steamed buns for years, suddenly hearing that someone was going to treat them to a big meal and then go for a bath and massage.

The remaining two kept exhaling, looking like they had just escaped death and survived a disaster.

No, what is this situation?

The latter two are easy to understand, after all, they are accomplices with Hu Pangzi.

But Wang Sanshu and General Manager Zhao, why are you two so excited too?

While he was suspicious, Wang Qi Zhi clapped his hands: "Lin Sicheng, will you do it or shall I!"

"Teacher, let me do it, if I can't, you step in!"

Wang Qi Zhi nodded solemnly: "Good!"

As the words fell, Lin Sicheng took out his phone and smiled at Ye Anqi: "Second Brother, I'm going to make a call."

Saying this, he left the hall and ducked into the car.

Ye Anqi was confused: "Third Uncle, why does it feel like you guys are so excited?"

How could they not be excited?

Question: What did they come to Guangzhou for this time?

Of course, it was to prepare to go abroad to find He-Imitation Porcelain from the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama period and the beginning of the Edo period (late Wanli period of Ming, Shunzhi period of Qing) in Japan. Ask again, where to?

Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan.

Among them, the one with the highest certainty and the most likely to find actual items is Malaysia, and second is Japan. Because those previous pieces of Sky Blue Glaze and first-generation Japanese porcelain were all brought back from Malaysia by Hu Pangzi.

Look again at the pieces Hu Pangzi brought this time: they happen to be foreign imitation porcelain from the late Ming period, and they happen to come from Malaysia?

Although it wasn't written on the customs declaration and Lin Sicheng didn't say it explicitly, they have at least 90% certainty: these pieces Hu Pangzi brought back are from the same period and era as the previous batch of Sky Blue Glaze.

100% He-Imitation Porcelain.

What is this called?

Searching high and low, only to find it without any effort.

Wang Qi Zhi explained roughly, and Ye Anqi realized belatedly: the meaning is, they are preparing to bail people out, and they are also preparing to get the items back? But to be honest, with the Supervision Division of the General Administration personally seizing them, how could it be that easy?

For example, a case personally prosecuted by the Supreme People's Procuratorate...

Ye Anqi dared to be 100% certain: if you want to overturn this case, even Wang Sanshu stepping in wouldn't work.

Ordinary connections and favors are useless; let alone helping, people would avoid it in time.

So, why was it Lin Sicheng who went out to make the call?

Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng looked at each other, neither saying a word.

Precisely because the case needs to be overturned, Lin Sicheng must step in.

Precisely because this case is hard to overturn, one cannot rely on connections, and even less can one talk about favors. Therefore, Lin Sicheng must step in even more.

This is too convoluted; Ye Anqi doesn't understand, and it can't be explained in a few words.

Ye Anqi also knows this matter is too sensitive; even if he asks, this isn't the place to ask.

He pursed his lips tightly.

After about half an hour, Lin Sicheng finally returned.

Wang Qi Zhi looked anxious: "How is it?"

"Director Lu arrives tomorrow, and he will bring the items and the paperwork."

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned: "You only contacted Director Lu?"

Of course not just him; from Xijing to Beijing, then to Jingdezhen, and then to Shanxi, he had contacted at least seven or eight organizations.

But Lin Sicheng did not know whether the departments he contacted would attach importance to this, or whether the leaders of these departments would provide support.

However, it did not matter; even if they did not support him, Lin Sicheng still had the confidence to get Hu Pangzi out and get the items back.

The logic was simple: a fake is a fake; no matter how much it resembles the real thing, it can never become real.

Seeing that he was silent and assuming things were not going very smoothly, Wang Qi Zhi patted Lin Sicheng on the shoulder: "Don't panic. If Director Lu can't handle it, we'll go find the second sister and brother-in-law. If they can't handle it either, I'll take you to see Grandfather..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Xiuneng's eyelids began to twitch, "twitch, twitch, twitch, twitch, twitch."

Ye Anqi felt completely numb.

No... just for a few pieces of porcelain?

Finding Wang Sanshu and Wang Shenshen (Ye Xing'an, Wang Qiguang) could still be justified; after all, in Ye Anqi's view, becoming family with Lin Sicheng was already a done deal.

But for such a small matter, to go find Old Master Wang, was it really necessary?

The key point was, what Wang Qi Zhi said was: take Lin Sicheng along?

What Ye Anqi found even harder to understand was: Lin Sicheng did not feel awkward at all and agreed as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Of the old generation of revolutionaries, only a few remained. Having endured so much hardship and suffered so many injuries, one could imagine the state of their health. Even if Ye Anqi's father went to Beijing, he might not necessarily be able to see them. Even a direct descendant like Wang Sanshu could not see them whenever he wanted.

But the impression Lin Sicheng gave was that as long as he wanted to see them, he would definitely be able to, as easily as eating or drinking?

Ye Anqi was completely baffled but found it difficult to ask. Just as he was feeling suspicious and uncertain, Lin Sicheng walked over: "Second Brother, sorry to trouble you today; I'll host dinner tonight!"

Ye Anqi shook his head: "Sicheng, don't be so polite, it's just a small favor."

Lin Sicheng, however, did not agree: it really was not a small favor.

Not to mention anything else: if it weren't for Ye Anqi, he definitely would not have seen the items or the paperwork today.

As the saying goes, saving a person is like fighting a fire; don't look at it as just being a day late or a day early, the development of the situation and the nature of the event would be absolutely earth-shattering. Because this was a case discovered through a spot check by the General Administration's Supervision Division, they would certainly establish a special task force for review and investigation. And it would be very soon—either tomorrow or the day after.

Once it entered the investigation procedure, it would be equivalent to going head-to-head with the General Administration.

To give an analogy: a lawyer trying to defend a case defined by the Supreme Procuratorate, or even overturn the verdict.

Just imagine...

But Lin Sicheng said nothing more and called Li Zhen and Fang Jin, telling them to go book a hotel.

As the group exited the lobby, just as Wang Qi Zhi was about to get into his car, Ye Anqi grabbed his arm: "Third Uncle, I'm riding in your car!"

Wang Qi Zhi paused and sat in the car behind him.

He thought Ye Anqi wanted to talk to him about this case.

Lin Sicheng and Zhao Xiuneng also thought the same, and no one paid it any mind.

After all, with many people around, telling Wang Qi Zhi was no different from telling Lin Sicheng.

But it wasn't until they were in the car that Wang Qi Zhi realized it was far from that.

Ye Anqi was acting mysterious; he first had the driver lower the partition in the middle, then lowered his voice: "Third Uncle, just now, Sicheng took out several credentials!"

Credentials?

Wang Qi Zhi remembered that Lin Sicheng seemed to have a lot of credentials.

"Which one are you talking about?"

"Four of them!" Ye Anqi gestured, "Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, Palace Museum, Xijing City Public Security Bureau, Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Division..."

"Oh, you mean these?" Wang Qi Zhi was indifferent, "What about them?"

What a "What about them?"

Ye Anqi's eyes widened: "Third Uncle, the Xijing City Public Security Bureau and the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Division are both deputy-department-level units, right?"

Just that?

Ye Anqi, two deputy-department-level units, and you are this shocked?

Wang Qi Zhi smiled calmly: "Lin Sicheng is relatively low-key; he definitely didn't tell you that he has other credentials."

Ye Anqi had a bad premonition in his heart: "Third Uncle, what credentials?"

Wang Qi Zhi leaned back, his face revealing a hint of reserve:

"Besides those two, he is also a specially invited interrogation expert and training expert for the Beijing Public Security Bureau... After this is over, he is going to the Ministry of Public Security to host training; there's no credential for that, but there is an official letter..."

Ye Anqi froze, his whole body feeling a bit numb.

Beijing Public Security Bureau?

Ministry of Public Security?

But that wasn't the point; the point was the two terms that followed: interrogation expert, training expert?

Not a Consultant, but an Expert...