Chapter 500: Isn't It Quite Unexpected?

Still that same office, still those same three people.

Song Jingqiu flipped through the documents, his expression growing increasingly strange.

Wang Qi Zhi, Secretary of the Northwest University Committee of the Communist Youth League, a professor?

A Deputy Division Chief in his thirties is indeed rare.

At the same time, he is also a full professor and Graduate Tutor in a top-tier major at a 211 university; this is even rarer.

But what moved Song Jingqiu were the things not written in the documents: Wang Qi Zhi's family, status, and background connections.

It wasn't that he had crossed any lines or done anything illegal. With Wang Qi Zhi's status, there were plenty of legal and compliant ways for him to get money. Unless his brain had swollen into a lump, he wouldn't touch a racket where the evidence could be seized so easily.

What Song Jingqiu suspected was his relationship with the Forbidden City, and this Ancient Ceramic Research Project mentioned repeatedly in the appeal materials from Director Lu. Thinking from another perspective: what if this project wasn't the Forbidden City's, but Professor Wang's?

Or perhaps, using the Forbidden City as a front, and once the research results were out, letting Wang Qi Zhi take the credit?

In this way, all the questions had answers: no wonder the appealing unit was the Forbidden City?

And no wonder the Customs Branch and the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau approved it so quickly?

And what surprised Song Jingqiu even more was the person who submitted these materials: the Group Leader's new Assistant, Ye Anqi.

He and this Professor Wang were actually legitimate relatives?

Recalling the time Ye Anqi came to the group to report, it seemed more like Wang Qi Zhi had deliberately arranged for Ye Anqi to be here, just waiting for this day. Deputy Director-General Song, you want to investigate, right?

Actually, there is no need to investigate; whatever you want to know, I will tell you everything.

This was the meaning this Professor Wang wanted to convey...

Watching and watching, Song Jingqiu suddenly let out a laugh.

Wei Ziyu was sitting across from him, looking at him strangely, as if asking: Leader, at a time like this, you can still laugh? Song Jingqiu ignored him, flipped through the materials carefully one more time, and placed them on the table.

"Director Shen, what did the Branch say?"

"Department Head Chen and Director-General Li will both be coming!"

The people coming are Director-General level leaders, and two of them?

Understood, the instructions from the General Administration leaders are very clear: handle it as it should be handled.

"Old Wei, what about the State Administration of Cultural Heritage side, what did they say?"

Wei Ziyu was stunned for a moment and blinked: Group Leader, don't you know where this Professor Wang's father-in-law works? So, saying it or not saying it makes no difference at all.

Song Jingqiu seemed not to see Wei Ziyu's hint and tapped the table.

Wei Ziyu sighed: "Led by Department Head Wu of the Archaeology Department, drawing several experts from the Cultural Heritage Research Institute and the GuojiaBowuguan to form an appraisal team."

"Department Head Wu Hui is leading the team, which shows that the Cultural Relics Bureau attaches great importance to it; why are you sighing?"

Wei Ziyu opened his mouth, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back: whether it is the Archaeology Department or the Cultural Heritage Research Institute, aren't they all subordinate units of the Cultural Relics Bureau?

Before this Professor Wang was a professor, didn't he work at the Cultural Heritage Institute?

Seeing what Wei Ziyu was worried about, Song Jingqiu smiled.

Old Wei has been working in anti-smuggling for a long time, so his thinking is inevitably direct, his analysis of problems is inevitably one-sided, and he cannot consider deeper things.

If it were just a single case, and if it were limited to Guangzhou, or even Guangdong, then it would indeed be quite thorny.

But now it has been poked up to the Ministry, and two ministries at that. So this case involves more than just these forty-nine Cultural Relics. It involves this mechanism that Customs has been operating well for all these years.

So-called backgrounds and connections can no longer play any role.

At this level, it is either the East Wind prevailing over the West Wind, or the West Wind prevailing over the East Wind; there is absolutely no possibility of a draw.

So Song Jingqiu is very certain that those acting as referees might tilt the scales imperceptibly, that is possible. But if they were to show blatant favoritism, are they tired of living?

"Old Wei, it's not as exaggerated as you think."

Wei Ziyu nodded: "I know!"

It is not the old days anymore, where having a little connection meant being unscrupulous and daring to do anything.

If he wanted to do it, Wang Qi Zhi would have done it long ago; he wouldn't have waited until now.

What Wei Ziyu is worried about is the impact behind this case: in the matter of antique appraisal, the role of the eye is greater than that of a machine. Many times, it relies entirely on the expert's mouth.

And the Forbidden City's status in the industry is so high that anyone in this line of work will instinctively feel awe upon hearing the two words "Forbidden City." What if, just say what if, no one dares to tell the truth when the time comes?

"Old Wei, put your heart in your stomach!"

After offering a word of comfort, Song Jingqiu changed the subject: "Director Shen, when will Department Head Chen and Director-General Li arrive?"

"Tomorrow!"

"What about Department Head Wu and the expert team?"

"They said the day after tomorrow, but I estimate they will arrive by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

"Director Shen, please confirm again. If possible, let's host them together tomorrow night and set the protocol a bit higher! Also, remember to invite the leaders of the Branch..."

After a slight pause, Song Jingqiu waved his hand: "I will invite the Branch leaders myself!"

"Understood, Group Leader!"

"Old Wei, you coordinate with the Branch and the Provincial Museum; first, the instruments; second, the Cultural Relics to be inspected; third, the assisting personnel!"

"Group Leader, where will the testing and appraisal be held?"

"The Provincial Museum, of course!"

Wei Ziyu bared his teeth as if he had a toothache: Alright, another one to tilt the scales?

Song Jingqiu was unconcerned: "Just arrange it like that!"

"Understood!"

Time flew by, and three more days passed.

The re-examination was scheduled for 2:30 PM, location: Provincial Museum.

But at 8:00 AM, people from the Branch came to coordinate, saying they wanted to borrow the Provincial Museum's venue and instruments in advance.

Using it in the morning is the same as using it in the afternoon, so of course there was no problem.

After receiving the notification, Peng Yanzhi immediately tipped off Director Lu: he suspected that the ones borrowing the machines were not the branch office, but the General Administration. They were definitely testing that batch of Cultural Relics belonging to Hu Hai.

Director Lu was completely indifferent: Let them test whatever they want.

The people arrived very quickly; it was just half-past eight when they reached the laboratory building.

There were quite a few of them, over a dozen men and women, all dressed in plain clothes.

Upon arrival, at the request of the Customs liaison personnel, only two research assistants who operated the instruments were left in the laboratory.

Peng Yanzhi was even more certain: what this group wanted to test was indeed that batch of antiques belonging to Hu Hai.

But Director Lu had given instructions that no matter how they tested, Peng Yanzhi was to act as if he knew nothing.

Moreover, Peng Yanzhi also had an inkling of what kind of situation this was. Therefore, even if he had the heart to do something, he did not have the guts.

Once the machines were warmed up, even the two research assistants were shooed out...

Four machines, two people for each, and the rest of the people stood around, quiet and still.

First were those few endangered items; there was no suspense here: they were all bone and horn products of endangered animals listed in the protection catalog.

There was only one point: the age was relatively old, all being objects from before the Republic of China.

The key point was that they all had Identification Certificates and auction documents issued by well-known auction companies.

And all of them could be verified domestically: one was from Poly, and two were from China Guardian.

If one had to be pedantic, even by nitpicking the documents, these few items would at most be returned; they wouldn't even reach the level of being confiscated.

Then, it was those seven pieces of porcelain: three blue-and-white, and two Black Glaze Carved Flower Porcelain.

And, two Partridge Spot Conical Cup.

The testing was done extremely meticulously; as long as it was a machine that could be used, they went through every single one.

It was nearly eleven o'clock before they finished these seven pieces.

After the report came out, it was first handed to Department Head Chen.

Chen Feng began to read it carefully.

I. X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF)

Test target: Analysis of porcelain material composition.

Major elements of the body: Si0s/Al0s/Fe. 0;... content ratio...

Trace elements of Glaze Material: CU/Mn/Fe/As... ratio...

Conclusion: Body aluminum-silicon ratio: 1:4.2±0.3... conforms to the characteristics of Kaolin from Jingdezhen in the Ming Dynasty...

II. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Test target: Physical structure testing.

Glaze layer cross-section...

Bubble morphology...

Crystal structure...

Conclusion:...

III. Micro-confocal Raman Spectroscopy: Overglaze composition...

IV. Absolute Age Determination: Thermoluminescence, Carbon-14...

V. Surface trace analysis: Three-dimensional Topography Instrument, Infrared Spectroscopy...

For every single piece, at least five items were tested; the test report for the seven pieces of porcelain was over forty pages long.

Chen Feng flipped through it page by page.

He did not understand porcelain; what elements, what ratios, what instruments—he didn't need to look at any of it. He only looked at the conclusions.

Ming Dynasty Wanli... Ming Dynasty Wanli... still Ming Dynasty Wanli?

The last two Conical Cup were from the end of the Five Dynasties to the early Northern Song Dynasty.

There was also the body and glaze composition: the first five pieces, regardless of body or glaze, all conformed to the characteristics of Fetal Clay and Glaze Material from Jingdezhen Folk Kiln of the Ming Dynasty.

The latter two pointed directly to the Northern Song Dynasty Ding Kiln...

After reading it page by page without missing a thing, Chen Feng handed the report to Li Shichen.

After a rough glance, Li Shichen handed it to Song Jingqiu: "Deputy Director-General Song, Deputy Section Chief Wei, you two take a look as well!"

The two did not hesitate and took it.

Song Jingqiu was better; there were no ripples on his face, but Wei Ziyu was a straightforward person, and the joy on his face seemed about to overflow.

If one were to say that the port had few instruments and they were old, and it was possible they tested incorrectly, what about the Provincial Museum?

The machines here were no worse than those in the Forbidden City, and many were even newer than the ones in the Forbidden City.

At this point, what the two had previously worried about—whether the port's instruments had tested incorrectly—simply did not exist.

Furthermore, in the afternoon, they would most likely still be using this laboratory and these same machines. They did not believe that the same machines could produce diametrically opposite conclusions.

Thinking this over secretly, Wei Ziyu raised his head, but when the words reached his lips, he hesitated for a moment.

His gaze swept over those standing by the machines.

These people were brought by Department Head Chen and Bureau Chief Li; the two leaders hadn't mentioned where they were borrowed from, but they were definitely research institutions related to archaeology and ancient ceramics.

Wei Ziyu suspected whether there were people from the Cultural Relics Bureau among them.

Having been superior and subordinate for many years, one look was enough to know what he was thinking, and Li Shichen frowned: "Speak your mind!"

"Yes!"

Wei Ziyu stood at attention, "Bureau Chief, the machines are easy to handle; whatever data is being measured now will definitely be the same data this afternoon. But what about the Experts? If they don't recognize the machine test data and insist on their visual inspection conclusions, and their conclusions happen to be the opposite of the machine test data, what do we do then?" "I told you to speak your mind, and you really did?" Li Shichen glared at him, "Experts also want to save face; would they really turn black into white and call a deer a horse?" Heh heh... you say Wei Ziyu speaks bluntly, but you're even blunter than him?

Thinking this over secretly, Chen Feng shook his head: "Rest assured, that won't happen!"

Wei Ziyu said nothing more, only muttering in his heart: What if it does?

Even he knew that whether it was the GuojiaBowuguan or the National Academy of Cultural Heritage, they all had cooperative projects with the Forbidden City.

And is Director Lu's status in the ancient ceramics circle still that high?

Not to say he's lying through his teeth, but he will, more or less, show some favoritism and be a bit biased.

That is the first point; the second is: that Professor Wang.

His father-in-law is at the Cultural Relics Bureau, and he himself was already doing research at the Cultural Relics Research Institute before...

But Wei Ziyu only muttered these words to himself in his heart.

It is true that he has a straightforward personality, but he is not stupid; he knows what can be said and what cannot be said...

"Clean up, and then ask the personnel from the Shaanxi Provincial Museum to inspect it!" Chen Feng pointed at the machine and then looked at his watch, "It's past eleven, let's find a place to eat first, then head back to the Provincial Branch..."

The group nodded in unison.

"Song Jingqiu, you go back and coordinate; make sure there are enough vehicles!"

"Understood, Department Head!"

"Also, set aside one vehicle for me, a larger one, preferably a business van; I need it this afternoon!"

"Department Head, at what time?"

"Two o'clock, just leave it to Xiao Liu!"

Two o'clock?

The scheduled time to arrive at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum is two-thirty; by then, everyone will have already boarded the vehicles and be on their way.

Liu Zhenyi is Department Head Chen's secretary; why would he need a separate vehicle instead of coming with the leader?

Song Jingqiu felt something was not quite right, but since the leader didn't say, he certainly wouldn't ask.

After leaving the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Liu Zhenyi asked for the driver's phone number, saying he would contact him directly.

Song Jingqiu felt even more strange.

But there were too many things to do, and the thought flashed away.

The matter was of great importance, so Song Jingqiu dared not be negligent; he arrived at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum just at one-thirty.

Inventorying the Cultural Relics to be inspected, preparing the venue, and checking the machines.

Wei Ziyu remained at the Provincial Branch, responsible for reception.

At two-fifteen, the motorcade drove imposingly into the courtyard of the Shaanxi Provincial Museum.

The General Administration of Cultural Heritage, the General Administration of Customs, the Cultural Relics Research Institute, the GuojiaBowuguan, the Forbidden City... just the state-level units alone numbered five.

There were also the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, the Provincial Branch, the Shaanxi Provincial Museum...

As the appealing party, Director Lu also came, followed by several people.

He assumed that Professor Wang was also there, but having never met him before, Song Jingqiu did not know which one he was.

The conference room had already been arranged, and Song Jingqiu personally handled the reception at the entrance.

As soon as the people reached the steps, he went up to greet them.

There are not too few, but not too many ministries in Beijing, and having dealt with these departments often, Song Jingqiu basically recognized them all.

He reached out and shook hands: "Department Head Wu, thank you for your hard work on the journey!"

Wu Hui smiled: "Department Head Song, you are too kind!"

Then came the second person; Song Jingqiu thought it should be the leader of the team from the Cultural Relics Research Institute. He was still wondering in his heart: I wonder who it is, and if I know them.

As the thought turned in his mind, his hand also reached out, and as they shook hands, he suddenly froze: "Department Head Xiao?"

The person opposite him smiled: "Department Head Song, are you very surprised?"

Surprised was an understatement.

This Department Head Xiao is in charge of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture.

Neither he nor the department he is in charge of has anything to do with today's matter.

Then what is he here for?