Chapter 517: Within the Rules (Bonus Chapter)

Standing was tiring, so Lin Sicheng gestured, and the five of them sat down on the sofa in the reception area.

After reporting to the Police, the woman still guarded the door, clutching her phone and typing incessantly.

From time to time, she would sweep her gaze over the faces of the few people there.

The guests in the reception area gathered in a circle, watching the excitement.

"A painting by Lin Liang from the Ming Dynasty must be worth over a million, right?"

"Not necessarily. It depends on the size, the brushwork, and the artistic conception. There are some of lesser quality that go for a few hundred thousand."

"But I heard that man say it's a reproduction!"

"It's highly likely. There are quite a few experts in Liulichang. Of course, if it were painted on Liuji Xuan paper, it would certainly be worth more than seven thousand." The group discussed it, and their evaluations were quite objective. They were not filled with righteous indignation just because this woman called Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai scammers, nor were they sympathetic or pitiful just because this woman had been deceived.

The antique trade is just like this; if you suffer a loss or get swindled, it's a matter of mutual consent. Whether you pick up a bargain or get cheated depends entirely on your own skill.

If you misjudge and buy a fake, you can only blame yourself for being incompetent.

Lin Sicheng's viewpoint was not so extreme, but it wasn't as high-minded as outsiders imagined either.

Knowingly selling fakes is, without a doubt, being a scammer. But using one's eye to pick up a bargain and relying on one's own ability to make a living is not shameful in the slightest.

This trade relies on one's eye.

If we look specifically at this instance, Feng Sanjiang's approach was indeed inadvisable. But there is a prerequisite: this woman had already taken the painting around Liulichang to ask about it. Since more than one expert said it was a reproduction, that painting had only one outcome: to be sold at a discount.

Even if she didn't sell it to Feng Sanjiang, this woman would have sold it to someone else. The only difference is that others lack Feng Sanjiang's sales pitch and methods, so they would certainly have offered more than seven thousand.

Therefore, the actions of these few scammers this time really cannot be counted as a scam, but rather as taking advantage of the situation using normal business tactics.

At most, one could stand on the moral high ground and condemn them.

Lin Sicheng is not a saint; he does not have the habit of using friends as shields or sacrificing his subordinates the moment something goes wrong. The reason he called Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai to the side and specifically asked them to state their position was simply because there will be many more such matters in the future.

This is the result they must face as they crawl out of the rat hole and move from darkness toward the light.

Lin Sicheng at least needed to know how great their resolve was and how much of a price they were willing to pay for this.

Now he knew: as long as they had it.

And if they didn't?

That was fine too.

Regarding legal matters, Lin Sicheng certainly couldn't help. But beyond the law, Lin Sicheng was confident he could basically help them resolve things.

This effectively meant that from now on, the lives of Feng Sanjiang and Ding Aqin were sold to Lin Sicheng.

Hu Hai did not count, because he had a way out; at worst, he could go back.

But Feng Sanjiang and Ding Aqin were different; they had families to support, the old and the young, and they couldn't run away from their responsibilities...

The manager who had been attending to them poured tea, and after they had drunk two rounds, the Police arrived fashionably late.

There were quite a few of them, about ten, both old and young. It was likely that the woman had exaggerated too much when reporting the case, as they were even carrying police equipment.

As soon as they entered the door, the woman went up to meet them and pointed toward Lin Sicheng's side.

Her emotions were very agitated, and her voice was not soft; roughly, it was that she had been swindled out of over a million by this group.

Over a million is not a small amount, so even though the lead officer guessed that this case was likely just an antique trading dispute, he still took it very seriously. He called the two sides over and questioned them one by one; the woman was extremely hyperbolic, as if the painting had been snatched from her hands.

Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai told the truth exactly as it happened.

Lin Sicheng listened roughly and could basically judge that Feng Laosan and Hu Pangzi were not lying.

This time they really hadn't scammed anyone; at most, it counted as a transaction dispute.

Lin Sicheng was also questioned, mainly about his relationship with Feng Sanjiang.

Lin Sicheng gave the same answer as before: he was the boss, and Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai were employees...

After the questioning, the Police required everyone to go to the Police Station.

Wang Qi Zhi frowned: "We have to go too?"

"Of course." Zhao Xiuneng said half-jokingly, "The two of us stood up for the scammers, and we even spoke to the victim."

Wang Qi Zhi disagreed: "You and Lin Sicheng were the ones who stood up for them, I didn't!"

"Then you can't escape either! In that woman's eyes, we are all in the same gang. We are going, so of course you have to go too."

Zhao Xiuneng chuckled, "Professor Wang, you've never been to a Police Station, right? This is a perfect chance to experience it!"

Wang Qi Zhi let out a scoff: back when he was young, had he been there few times?

"But going to the station following a student, that's a first!"

Zhao Xiuneng laughed heartily, and Lin Sicheng smiled apologetically: "Teacher, sorry for the trouble!"

"Lin Sicheng, don't overthink it, I was just joking with General Manager Zhao."

Wang Qi Zhi patted his shoulder, "Forget about going to the Police Station, even if I have to go to jail following you in the future, I'll accept it!"

Lin Sicheng opened his eyes wide: "Teacher, how could that be?"

Wang Qi Zhi certainly knew it was impossible; he was just making a statement: as long as Lin Sicheng believed it was right, then he should go ahead and do it with peace of mind.

Even if he himself didn't understand, he would absolutely support him one hundred percent...

The Police drove three cars, and all six involved parties got into the Iveco.

The woman sat in the front row, turning her head to look back from time to time.

But strangely, she wasn't looking at Feng Sanjiang or Hu Hai, but at Lin Sicheng.

Thinking she was just curious, Lin Sicheng didn't pay it any mind.

After all, he was too young, and after all, Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai were indeed scammers. The woman must be unable to fathom: how could a green kid be the boss of scammers?

In the time it took to turn his thoughts, the car drove into the Police Station.

The Police were very formal and required separate questioning.

Whether it was Zhao Xiuneng, Wang Qi Zhi, or even Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai, none of them cared.

Because the procedure is just like this: if the involved amount of one million is confirmed, this is definitely a large-scale fraud case, so it is normal for the Police to take it seriously. But Lin Sicheng sensed that something was wrong.

It is not that the Police's procedures are incorrect, but that their reaction speed is too fast.

He is not Wang Qi Zhi, who does not deal much with the Public Security Bureau. He is even less like Zhao Xiuneng, or Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai; those three commit crimes at the drop of a hat, and are more familiar with entering the station than going home.

However, every time, they went in as criminal suspects, only having the role of being interrogated.

But Lin Sicheng is different: he has served as a Consultant for the police, helped the police scout for clues, led the police in staking out suspects, and even led the police in making arrests.

He has even served as the lead interrogator, questioning criminals, and not just once.

Therefore, he is very familiar with the internal situation of the police.

Just like the station he has entered now, the area it is responsible for is not just any ordinary size: it includes Zhongguancun, Financial Street, half of Peking University, and the Tsinghua Science Park.

The jurisdiction is so large, yet the entire station has no more than fifty police officers.

This includes community police, Patrol Detachment officers, as well as the internal affairs and technical police who remain in the comprehensive command room responsible for police dispatch and video surveillance. Setting aside the beat cops, the officers out on temporary calls, or the patrol officers assigned to different sectors, there are at most ten or so left at the station itself.

This must also account for the technical police, the officers who have their own cases to handle, and the administrative staff.

By all logic, bringing in so many involved parties at once, the Police Station absolutely would not have sufficient police force to conduct interrogations.

They could only question one person after another.

But the strange thing is, including that woman, there are six people, two for each, totaling twelve interrogating police officers—how could not a single one be missing, and all be prepared? The key is that among these twelve police officers responsible for the interrogation, there is not a single one from the ten-plus officers who responded to the call earlier. Lin Sicheng did the math: what is twelve plus twelve?

Is the police force of the Zhongguancun Police Station really this abundant?

Or was it a temporary request for support from the Municipal Public Security Bureau Branch?

Impossible.

From the time the woman reported the case until now, it has been no more than half an hour; even if they had applied for it, they would not arrive this quickly.

Furthermore, the police force of the Municipal Public Security Bureau Branch is not infinite; as long as it does not involve criminal cases or urgent cases, applying for it is useless. The leaders of the Police Station would not go out of their way to invite a scolding from their superiors over a matter like this.

The more he looks, the stranger it seems; the two police officers responsible for him brought him into the interrogation room.

In the middle is a railing; one side is a desk, and the other side is a lonely interrogation chair.

The police opened the baffle, Lin Sicheng sat inside, and he looked around a few times.

Two male police officers, one in his thirties, one in his forties; their features are quite ordinary, and their expressions are quite calm.

One has two bars and three stars, a Level One Police Inspector; one has two bars and two stars, a Level Two Police Inspector.

The ranks of these two should be about the same as Chen Peng. Especially the one with two bars and three stars, he is at least a Deputy Division Chief.

It is even possible he is a Division Chief.

Police ranks in Beijing are one level higher; if they are at a Police Station, these two should be the Chief and Deputy Chief.

The key is the look in these two men's eyes, and their subtle movements: if these two were not veteran criminal police, Lin Sicheng would dare to chew up and eat the interrogation chair. What kind of treatment is this for him—the leader of a criminal gang?

But that shouldn't be right?

Even if the amount involved is somewhat high, it is only that woman's one-sided story. He himself is being so cooperative; it is impossible for the police to start off with the posture of handling a major criminal case.

It couldn't be that Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai hid something, could it?

As soon as the thought popped up, Lin Sicheng shook his head decisively: impossible.

If someone else asked, like Zhao Shixiong, or his teacher, those two might lie.

But if he asked himself, those two would absolutely not dare to add a drop of water to the truth.

If he didn't even have that much confidence, how would Lin Sicheng dare to keep them around?

Just as he was secretly pondering, the police began to question him:

"Name?"

"Lin Sicheng!"

"Gender?"

"Male!"

"Occupation?"

"Student, a first-year Graduate Student at the Northwest University Cultural Relics and Museology College!"

Hearing the word "student," the police paused.

But it was only for an instant.

"What is your relationship with the other four?"

"One is a teacher, surnamed Wang, a professor at Northwest University. One is a friend who does Antique Trade in Xijing, and the remaining two are an employment relationship."

"What did you hire them to do?"

"Appraisal!"

The Center hasn't even been registered yet, so there is no need to mention it; Lin Sicheng explained:

"My major is cultural relics protection, and I am preparing to acquire some antiques as research materials for practical experiments. Master Feng and Master Hu are both senior practitioners in the Antique Trade, so I asked them to help with the appraisal."

Hearing this, the younger one stopped his pen and stared at Lin Sicheng: senior practitioners in the Antique Trade?

You take scammers for Experts?

But still very quickly, just after one look, the police continued to ask: "How do you know each other?"

"Last November, I bought some porcelain from them."

"How many pieces?"

"Five pieces!"

"How much money did you spend?"

"Eight million!"

Hearing "eight million," the two police officers paused.

Even though they were well-trained and deep in city, Lin Sicheng still saw a trace of surprise on the faces of these two: eight million?

"Where did you get so much money?"

Lin Sicheng spoke the truth: "It is not my personal property, but belongs to my unit. Our school has established a Non-heritage Project Research Center, and I am the project Person in Charge."

"You, the Person in Charge?" The police officer was stunned for a moment, "Aren't you a student?"

It was too troublesome to explain, so Lin Sicheng kept it as brief as possible: "Officer, the World Heritage Application project uses a successor-in-charge system; there is no age limit." This truly touched upon a blind spot for the two police officers, but what they were concerned about was not this, but: five pieces of porcelain and eight million. Even in normal times, they would have to be suspicious about whether it was worth it.

What's more, those two people in the next room were unstable elements who had been dealt with repeatedly.

They were very suspicious of the authenticity of the few pieces of porcelain the kid in front of them mentioned.

Thinking to themselves, the two police officers looked at Lin Sicheng with a bit more peculiarity in their eyes.

Lin Sicheng knew clearly that these two must have misunderstood:

This kid must have been scammed too, right?

Definitely, that's eight million, not eight hundred?

Suddenly, the two police officers perked up, asking about every detail:

Specifically what kind of porcelain it was, which era it belonged to, what its characteristics were, how much each piece was worth, how the eight million was paid, and so on and so forth. Lin Sicheng gave a straightforward account, telling them everything exactly as it happened.

The two police officers' gazes became increasingly pitiful: Kid, knowing full well it's a fake, you still dared to buy it?

Do you know you've been scammed?

The police continued, mostly revolving around Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai. For example, their names, native places, home addresses, and family members.

The questions were all relatively simple, but the two police officers found themselves asking more and more strange questions:

Weren't those two scammers?

And it was very likely that this kid was also a victim.

But why was everything they told this kid verifiable, real information?

Were those two not afraid that this kid would realize it and come looking for them?

But that was just a moment of curiosity; such questions could not be asked to the uninformed party involved.

That was roughly it; the two police officers told Lin Sicheng to wait outside.

Lin Sicheng was full of suspicion as he exited the interrogation room.

In a Police Station where police manpower was extremely scarce, was the manpower suddenly so abundant?

A veteran criminal investigator with two bars and three stars, asking such detailed questions?

Especially when they heard "eight million bought five pieces of porcelain," the eyes of both police officers lit up in unison.

It was as if: they were just worrying about having no leads, and suddenly one fell from the sky?

The more Lin Sicheng thought about it, the more wrong it felt: it felt like these two were treating today's police report as a formal criminal case?

While he was suspicious, Wang Qi Zhi called out: "Lin Sicheng, why did it take you so long? It's been an hour and a half."

Zhao Xiuneng joked: "As a suspected leader of a fraud ring, shouldn't you be given special attention?"

Don't say that; he actually guessed right: that was exactly what the police were thinking, and that was exactly what they were doing.

However, they would soon know that it should be a misunderstanding: Lin Sicheng's identity was not hard to check, and the eight million was a bank transfer, which was even easier to check. "Teacher, Senior Brother, when did you come out?"

"I was a bit faster, less than half an hour. General Manager Zhao was a bit longer, almost an hour."

That was normal.

Wang Qi Zhi had a proper job, was a university professor, and had no criminal record.

Moreover, his interaction with Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai was not deep; he hadn't even spoken more than a few sentences to them.

Even if they asked him, he couldn't say much.

But Zhao Xiuneng was different: he was an old hand who had committed crimes multiple times, been dealt with multiple times, had a cumulative prison sentence of over twenty years, and had served nearly fifteen years in prison. The crimes he committed were all related to Cultural Relics: fencing, reselling, Smuggling, and manufacturing and selling fakes.

As long as it was a crime related to Cultural Relics, Zhao Xiuneng had committed them all.

If they didn't interrogate him, who would they interrogate?

"Oh, right..." Wang Qi Zhi suddenly remembered, "When I came out, I happened to run into Ding Aqin, Li Zhen, and Fang Jin being brought over as well. They are being questioned right now."

"Normal!"

Zhao Xiuneng didn't care, "With a case amount of over a million, no matter how much the police value it, it wouldn't be an exaggeration: if we were accomplices, Li Zhen and Fang Jin wouldn't be able to escape either; they definitely had to be brought back as soon as possible..."

What's more, there was also Ding Aqin, the real accomplice to the scam?

According to normal procedures, they should indeed be brought back for questioning.

But Lin Sicheng still felt something was not quite right: the hotel they stayed at was not close.

It was right next to the National Cultural Heritage Administration, which is in the Dongcheng District. Driving to Zhongguancun takes at least forty minutes.

Going there and back, plus the time to go upstairs to find people, it would take almost two hours.

But from the time of reporting to the police, to the Police Station, and then to Wang Qi Zhi finishing his statement and coming out, it was only a little over an hour.

It felt as if, just as the report was made over there, the police here simultaneously mobilized, one group going to Yachang Center, and one group going to the hotel where they were staying? And at the same time, they arranged enough interrogation personnel?

The more Lin Sicheng thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

Seeing him silent and frowning, Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng looked at each other: "What's wrong?"

"It feels not quite right!" Lin Sicheng looked left and right, "The police seem to be treating this as a real fraud case?"

The two were stunned for a moment: How could that be?

Even if it were handled at a higher level, wouldn't they have to investigate first and collect evidence first?

At the very least, you would have to find that woman's painting first, as well as evidence that it is truly worth over a million.

Then check the specific details of the transaction to see if there was any illegal aspect involved.

But to be honest, it's difficult. Even if that painting is truly worth one million, it is very difficult to classify it as a fraud case.

Because this time, Feng Sanjiang did not set a trap.

It was just that the woman was unlucky, happened to be there, and ran right into his hands.

Unless, Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai confessed everything themselves, whether it was true or not?

Even less likely.

Neither of their brains has been kicked by a donkey, have they?

Wang Qi Zhi had a flash of inspiration: "Could it be that the other party sought help from someone?"

Zhao Xiuneng suddenly realized: Only if a higher-level agency or a leader gave instructions would the Police act like this.

Haha, what was said before?

Why does Wang Qi Zhi have such strong prejudices against those three?

Because Feng Sanjiang's methods are skilled enough, Ding Aqin's craft is even higher, and Hu Pangzi's identity is too deceptive.

Therefore, as long as someone takes the bait, it is a big bait. At least tens of thousands, at most hundreds of thousands, or even millions.

And those who play with antiques and engage in collecting are none of them poor. Not to mention being able to take out hundreds of thousands or millions to buy a plaything?

There is no need to doubt at all; among them are definitely figures who can use unconventional means. If the other party gets ruthless and wants to deal with them, these three swindlers will lose a layer of skin even if they don't die.

If protection is needed, Lin Sicheng can certainly protect them. As a teacher, Wang Qi Zhi certainly won't stand by and watch.

But he feels that spending this effort and owing this favor for three swindlers is not worth it...

Look, how many days has it been since these words were said?

To be able to make the Police in Beijing handle a case at a higher level, or even treat it as a Major Crimes case as soon as it is reported, how great must this energy be? Zhao Xiu rested his chin: "Could it be the family member of some leader?"

Wang Qi Zhi nodded: It really is hard to say.

Regardless, this is Beijing. If nothing else, there are many officials here.

"No, General Manager Zhao, seeing that this matter is getting bigger and bigger, what are you so happy about?"

"This matter isn't big, and even if it's escalated, it's just like that. Those three are old hands; they know what can be said and what cannot. So, at most twenty-four hours, they will be released..."

Zhao Xiuneng chuckled: "If they really aren't released, aren't you here?"

Wang Qi Zhi choked: Old Zhao has learned to be bad...

"Professor Wang, you want to ask me why I'm happy?" Zhao Xiuneng paused, "These three have lived too comfortably during this period; it's just right to let them refresh their spirits."

Wang Qi Zhi didn't understand.

Zhao Xiuneng didn't intend to make him understand either.

Just say one thing: Since Feng Sanjiang's ability is so great and his eye for antiques is so sharp, why doesn't he turn over a new leaf and go into a legitimate profession?

With his appraisal skills, just find an auction house or an antique company; I won't dare say a million, but an annual salary of hundreds of thousands is easy.

Or take Ding Aqin, for example; with craft not inferior to Zhao Xiuneng's, it wouldn't be hard to be a master artisan in any large shop and earn a million a year.

Why don't they go, instead insisting on following Lin Sicheng, working hard without complaint, and even without a cent of salary?

Because the line of work they are in has no road back.

The traps they set and the things they did were mostly skirting the edge of the law. And because of the long passage of time and the lack of key evidence, it is really hard to define them using legal clauses.

To put it bluntly: If it were through regular channels and official agencies, whether reporting to the Police or filing a lawsuit, they wouldn't be very afraid. If the other party plays dirty, they aren't afraid either. Because they are a gang first, and swindlers second.

However, the people they have swindled can influence the enforcement intensity, or even the direction, of official agencies through non-standard channels and methods. That is what they fear.

They are even more afraid of the other party using both white and black methods together.

You want to wash your identity clean, turn over a new leaf, and go into a legitimate profession?

Fine, then be prepared for the Police to descend from the sky one day and frame you with a bunch of things you did or didn't do.

Or, you are still thinking about how to use your wits against the Police, biting your teeth and refusing to talk, and then sparks fly everywhere.

People are made of flesh and blood, not iron?

By that time, it's like yellow mud falling into your crotch; even if it isn't shit, it's still shit.

Therefore, when they saw several Police officers of a rank so high they had only ever seen them on television chatting and laughing happily with Lin Sicheng at Zhao Xiuneng's Baishan Studio, they made up their minds:

As long as Lin Sicheng lets out a hint, they will hand over their lives for this lifetime to Lin Sicheng.

But determination is determination; if things remain calm and peaceful, these few will inevitably think: Did I sell my life too early, too cheaply? They are all old veterans; no one should act up.

If not for today's incident, before the Center was established, Zhao Xiuneng would have made a move to create such a situation.

Lin Sicheng wouldn't even need to agree; by the time he knew, these three would have already committed an offense.

The logic is simple: You have to let these three know that since they chose to sell their lives, they should do it honestly and not think about other things.

They must also understand: Without Lin Sicheng covering for them, they are just three maggots on a chopping board; someone could crush them with a slight movement of their fingers... Fortunately, it was a timely coincidence, as if it were arranged, that trouble arrived on time.

At least Zhao Xiuneng doesn't have to be the villain...

Just as he was thinking, Wang Qi Zhi nudged his chin: "General Manager Zhao, look!"

Zhao Xiuneng looked up: At the entrance of the conference room, that woman was shaking hands with a Police officer.

Standing next to her was another person, about forty years old, wearing a suit.

The two looked somewhat alike in their features, looking like an older sister and younger brother.

After the woman finished shaking hands, the Police officer shook hands with the man, and the expression was clear: the two knew each other.

The key was the Police rank: one branch and one star, a Level One Police Commissioner.

Deputy Department level, or Division Chief level?

Regardless of the level, it is certainly not the head of a Police Station.

Wang Qi Zhi squinted his eyes and stared for a long while: "Sicheng, did you just say that you have a part-time job in the Police force?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "The Police didn't ask!"

Even if they asked, Lin Sicheng wouldn't say.

He sighed: "Let's watch for now, wait until Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai come out!"

"I reckon they won't be coming out for a while!" Zhao Xiuneng gloated, "Don't look anymore, they are coming over!"

They were indeed coming over, walking straight toward them.

Zhao Xiuneng straightened his expression and whispered a reminder: "Professor Wang, try not to speak later!"

Wang Qi Zhi was baffled: "Why?"

"It's easy to give the game away."

Wang Qi Zhi was lost in thought: Is Old Zhao trying to probe the other party's bottom line?

No, he doesn't have that ability.

But Lin Sicheng does.

In a flash, a man and a woman walked over, the man in front and the woman behind.

After standing still, the man stared at Lin Sicheng with interest, looking him up and down.

"Student, can we chat for a moment?"

Lin Sicheng was neither humble nor pushy: "Is there something?"

"Nothing, just curious."

"Then go ahead and ask."

"You are still a student, right?"

"Correct!"

"You spent eight million to buy five pieces of porcelain?"

Based on this sentence alone, Lin Sicheng could judge a lot of information: he had guessed correctly.

He had only been out of the interrogation room for ten minutes or so; how could the other party have already seen the transcript?

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment and nodded.

"Have you had them appraised?"

"I have!"

"Have you ever thought about whether you might have been scammed?"

Lin Sicheng was concise: "It's worth it!"

Seemingly not having expected Lin Sicheng to answer this way, the other party was stunned for a moment.

Just from this moment, Lin Sicheng made another judgment: this person does not seem much like an official.

If he were, being able to chat and laugh with the Police Commissioner, he should at least be of equal rank.

At that level, one would not speak so directly, and certainly would not expose one's intentions when it was unclear whether the other was a friend or foe:

He wants to win Lin Sicheng over to sue Feng Sanjiang and Hu Hai together.

Taking it a step further: the Police officer from just now must have told him that based on the current evidence alone, a fraud case cannot be established.

In fact, they cannot even open a case...

Taking it a step further: at the very least, it shows that at this stage, things are still within the rules.