Chapter 526: General Huang, You're Impressive

After looking at seven or eight more, without exception, they were all imitations.

Moreover, they were all imitations of modern masters, lacking any distinct features, and basically had nothing to do with the word "antique."

Even though she had been mentally prepared, Huang Lan still felt depressed: these twenty or so pieces were already among the better-painted ones with higher artistic standards out of the two hundred-plus Calligraphy and Painting works.

As for the rest, they were either works by unknown artists or had issues of their own. Huang Lan could already foresee the final outcome. But it hadn't been easy to invite Lin Sicheng over, so she had to keep going with the Painting Appraisal.

Huang Lan brought over another seven or eight scrolls.

Just as she placed them on the long table, there was a commotion outside; it seemed like Huang Zhi's nephew had returned.

Huang Zhi stood up and went to the living room.

Neither of them paid any mind and continued looking at the paintings.

Separated by a wall, the nephew was holding the few paintings Lin Sicheng had appraised earlier, along with several test reports.

Huang Zhi took them into his hands.

First was the Painting of Shrimp by Qi Baishi:

Material Analysis:

1. Paper.

Method: Carbon-14 Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.

Composition: Bamboo Fiber.

Result: 30±10 years after tree-ring calibration.

2. Ink traces.

Method: Micro-Raman Spectroscopy.

Composition: Carbon particles, particle size 0.28um.

Conclusion: Pine Soot Ink...

3. Pigments...

4. Ink paste...

After reading through it twice, Huang Zhi stared at the test result for the paper: Bamboo Fiber, 30±10 years?

Using one's eyes to identify which type of fiber is in rice paper is not difficult; anyone who paints often can recognize it.

But the time?

It is now 2009; subtracting thirty, doesn't that land exactly in the late 1970s, just as Lin Sicheng said?

Even if one added the ten years of potential margin of error, it would only reach 1968, and by that time, Qi Baishi had already been dead for ten years.

After reading it again, Huang Zhi picked up the second sheet.

This was the Painting of Lotus by Zhang Daqian.

Material Analysis:

1. Paper: 60% Bamboo Pulp + 30% Dragon Beard Grass + 10% Paper Mulberry Bark.

Note: UV light test shows yellow-green fluorescence; composition contains Pepper Alkaloid.

Conclusion: 1945-1949, handmade paper from Jiajiang, Sichuan.

2. Ink traces: Carbon particle size 0.25-0.3um, smoked from Pine Soot Ink.

Collagen forms a reticulated carbon-fixing structure (Bovine Glue), blended with Dipterocarpaceae crystals (Ice Flake) to inhibit mold.

Conclusion: 1940-1950 Huangshan specialty Pine Soot Ink.

3. Pigments:

Azurite. Process: Blue Copper Ore crushed and levigated.

Malachite: Malachite ground and rinsed.

Indigo: Indigo plant fermentation.

Hematite: Hematite calcined.

Additionally contains ox bile, Clam Powder (seashell), and Mica Powder.

Conclusion: Traditional mineral pigments, applied using ancient blending methods...

Huang Zhi squinted, a glimmer flashing in his pupils.

Sure enough, the high-quality Pine Soot Ink, the high-quality azurite and malachite, matched Lin Sicheng's appraisal conclusion without a single discrepancy.

But he didn't understand: these were all flaws so minute they were imperceptible; in his view, there was no difference at all. Why could Lin Sicheng just glance at them and see everything clearly, leaving nothing hidden?

Even to the point of being word-for-word identical to the instrument test results?

If an Appraiser's eyes were all this sharp, then why did Liu Yiling appraise a dozen or so pieces and rarely mention issues with the materials?

Was it a personal habit, or was her ability inferior to Lin Sicheng's, such that she couldn't discover these details?

Huang Zhi had a gut feeling that it was the latter.

He returned the report to Huang Yanbin: "Put these away first, and put the paintings away too; don't let Lin Sicheng see them."

"Uncle, I know!" Huang Yanbin said with an admiring look, "That kid doesn't look like he's been around many years, but he's got some real skills, huh?"

More than just "some real skills."

If he didn't have some ability, he wouldn't have needed to go to such great lengths.

Huang Zhi gave a noncommittal response and stood up.

Just as he was about to go in, Huang Yanbin suddenly remembered: "Uncle, Huaiyu called earlier and asked if I was with you? I said I was at home and didn't know where you were..."

Huang Zhi was stunned for a moment: "You idiot!"

Huang Yanbin was confused by the scolding: "Uncle, wasn't it you who said we couldn't let Huaizhang and Huaiyu know we were at Great Aunt's house, and especially not let them know that Great Aunt was doing a Painting Appraisal?"

Huang Zhi sighed: She didn't know originally, but she tricked you and you spilled the beans; it would be strange if she couldn't guess it.

"If Huaiyu wanted to find me, he would have called me directly; why would he need to call you?"

Huang Yanbin was speechless.

However, Huang Zhi did not care much: let them know if they know, it's not like they are doing something thievish, right?

"It's almost dinner time, make a call and have the Small Courtyard reserve a private room..."

Before he finished speaking, he paused again: that kid is too guarded; he is probably suspecting that he might be sold out by him. If he takes him to the Small Courtyard, he might not necessarily go.

"Forget it, don't book it yet, I'll ask him in a moment."

"Alright, Uncle!"

"Don't drink tonight, and take them back when you're done!"

"I understand!"

The uncle and nephew were talking as they prepared to enter the collection room. Just as they reached the door, faint movements came from outside, as if someone was fishing for keys.

Then, with a "click" sound, the latch turned twice, and the door was opened from the outside.

First, a pretty face appeared, seven parts similar to Huang Lan. She poked her head in to take a look, saw Huang Zhi and Huang Yanbin, and let out a "Huh": "Brother, look, I said they must be with Mom, and they definitely aren't doing anything good."

As she spoke, she entered the living room, followed by a burly man.

One look at their faces and it was clear they were siblings.

Li Huaizhang looked suspicious: "Uncle, did Mom ask you to help her collect Calligraphy and Painting again?"

"No!" Huang Zhi shook his head decisively, "This time it's to invite someone to appraise them, to see if there are any valuable pieces in that pile of junk your mom has." Li Huaiyu let out a "Ha": "Uncle, you also know that's junk?"

"Nonsense, who doesn't know besides your mom?" Huang Zhi was indifferent, "But don't blame me, I didn't collect them, did I?"

The siblings looked at each other: it's true you didn't collect them, but if you didn't give her money, what would she use to collect them?

"Uncle, stop it!" Li Huaiyu pleaded pitifully, "If you indulge her like this, Mom will only become more inflated, and there will only be more and more of that trash."

"Don't tell me that; without someone giving the word, would I dare give your mom money?" Huang Zhi looked impatient, "If you have the ability, go tell your grandparents!" Li Huaiyu was immediately silenced.

She could still act spoiled or throw a little tantrum with her uncle. But when it came to her grandparents, if she dared to say half a word against their eldest daughter, a slipper would be thrown at her.

Seeing her sister stammering for a long time without being able to say a word, Li Huaizhang sighed: "Uncle, even if it's just to let Mom get scammed less and cheated less, shouldn't you let her restrain herself a bit?"

"Don't even think about wanting your mom to restrain herself; even if I agreed, your grandparents wouldn't."

Huang Zhi pointed inside, "But don't worry, Uncle found a protector for your mom, the kind with fiery eyes and golden pupils."

Fiery eyes and golden pupils, does that mean their eyesight is super high?

The siblings were half-believing and half-doubting: is it real or fake?

"Come, let me take you to see for yourselves!"

Huang Zhi waved his hand, "Just right, let's have a meal together tonight to get familiar."

The siblings were confused, but followed behind, and the group entered the collection room.

Hearing the movement, Lin Sicheng and Liu Yiling turned their heads. Huang Lan was stunned for a moment and hurriedly introduced them: "Teacher Lin, these are my son and daughter! Huaizhang, Huaiyu, this is Teacher Lin..."

The siblings were secretly suspicious: they had met Liu Yiling and knew she was an Expert from the Forbidden City. But this kid... is he even twenty?

Mom asked them to call him Teacher, it should just be an honorific, right?

Regarding Huang Lan's collection hobby, the siblings were very resistant because their mother simply wasn't cut out for it. Consequently, they didn't think much of their mother's collecting friends or the Appraisers who often came by.

But with Huang Zhi present today, they didn't dare to act out and greeted them with forced patience.

Liu Yiling was not good at socializing and didn't notice, but Lin Sicheng was meticulous. Even though the siblings hid it well, he still sensed a trace of alienation, coldness, and even disdain.

But Lin Sicheng didn't care: firstly, the one who invited him was Huang Zhi, and it had nothing to do with these two siblings.

Secondly, he could basically understand the siblings' feelings: this room full of paintings, if not tens of millions, must be worth several million. With so much money, wouldn't it be better to do something else than buy a pile of waste paper?

If he were stuck with a mother like that, his opinion would be even stronger than theirs.

Besides, this was just a one-time thing, considered a favor to General Manager Huang; he wouldn't come to this place a second time, so there was no need to quibble.

While pondering, he checked his watch: "General Manager Huang, Teacher Huang, let's stop here for today!"

Huang Zhi paused: "Teacher Lin, Teacher Liu, shall we set another time then?"

"General Manager Huang, please don't mind, I really can't spare the time recently: the studio needs renovation, equipment needs to be brought in, and there are a few antiques that need to be sent to Poly for the spring auction. Including the school, there are still a few Thesis papers that haven't been completed, and my advisor keeps urging me..."

Lin Sicheng was neither humble nor arrogant, "How about this: once the studio opens, Teacher Huang can send them over in batches, and I will look at them slowly!" Huang Zhi replied without hesitation: "What month can it open?"

"July at the latest!"

It was only three or four months, still worth waiting for.

Huang Zhi nodded and took a check out of his suit pocket: "A little travel expense, please don't mind it, you two."

The check was already filled out, and Lin Sicheng glanced at it: one hundred thousand?

Between him and Liu Yiling, they had only looked at less than thirty pieces, which didn't even amount to ninety thousand.

Lin Sicheng didn't take it: "General Manager Huang, we only looked at twenty-five or twenty-six pieces; even according to what we agreed upon before, it's only seventy thousand-plus, you gave too much!" "I know!" Huang Zhi didn't care, "Just keep the extra on account, and we'll deduct it next time!"

"Alright, then thank you, General Manager Huang!"

It would be troublesome to argue, so Lin Sicheng took the check and put it in his pocket.

The siblings stood at the very back, their eyes wide: one hundred thousand?

How much was their annual salary combined, and how much was an apartment in the third or fourth ring?

Calculating again, twenty-five or twenty-six pieces was seventy thousand-plus, so looking at one piece was three thousand, almost equivalent to their monthly salary. The siblings looked at each other, then at Huang Lan, and then at Huang Zhi.

The expressions on their faces were extremely spectacular: unbelievable, inconceivable.

It felt like the sentiment of: "Have Uncle and Mom gone crazy?"

Huang Zhi acted as if he didn't see it and looked at Lin Sicheng: "It's so late, let's have a meal while we're at it. It just so happens that Huaizhang and Huaiyu are here too; you are all young people, you must have common topics."

He couldn't just take the money and walk away; that wouldn't be very polite.

Lin Sicheng nodded: "The guest follows the host's convenience, General Manager Huang, you arrange it!"

Since he let Huang Zhi arrange it, it was naturally the Lufeng Courtyard.

With their uncle speaking, Li Huaizhang and Li Huaiyu didn't dare not to go. Furthermore, they were unusually curious about this "Teacher Lin" and wanted to see what kind of background he really had.

Seeing through what his two nephew and niece were planning, and fearing they might talk nonsense at the dinner table later, Huang Zhi had Huang Yanbin take Lin Sicheng and Liu Yiling, and also had Huang Lan accompany them.

He deliberately lagged behind a bit, letting Li Huaizhang and Li Huaiyu ride in the same car as him.

As soon as they got in the car, Li Huaiyu couldn't wait: "Uncle, that kid is still a student, how could you and my mom call him Teacher?"

He has to write a Thesis and has a supervisor, so isn't he just a student?

As for "Teacher"... even Liu Yiling addresses him that way, so could Huang Zhi and Huang Lan really just call him by his name?

Huang Zhi nodded: "He is a graduate student in the Archaeology Department at Xida, majoring in Artifact Research and antique appraisal."

Li Huaiyu sneered: Regardless of his university, his department, or his major, isn't a graduate student still a student? "He's just a student, yet he charges three thousand to look at one item; how much does Expert Liu charge?"

Li Huaiyu looked astonished: "Uncle, if you have too much money to spend, give some to me and my brother."

Huang Zhi glared at him: "What the hell do you know?"

If based on market rates, for example in Panjiayuan, hiring an ordinary expert registered with the Antique Association or the Collectors Association really only costs a few hundred yuan. Those with less fame cost two or three hundred, and those with more fame cost four or five hundred.

A level higher, such as someone who has served in a Museum and can be called a full-time expert, costs a bit more, around five or six hundred, or six or seven hundred. Further up, they must be full-time scholars. For example, full-time Researchers from the National Museum of China, the Forbidden City, or the Cultural Relics Research Institute who have published relevant Theses. At the very least, they must be registered with the National Cultural Relics Appraisal Committee under the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

For someone like Wang Qizhi, this category basically starts at one thousand.

A level higher is the type like Liu Yiling and Sun Qichen: disciples of famous masters who have published multiple professional Theses in top-tier journals. They have a certain influence in the academic and research circles.

For this category, looking at one item costs about fifteen or sixteen hundred. If they make a special trip, it's about two thousand.

Further up, you reach the level of Liu Yan and Sheng Guoan. Looking at one item starts at three thousand, which is about a month's salary for a Beijing worker. But there is a prerequisite: you have to be able to hire them, and they have to be willing to come.

Therefore, the appraisal fee Huang Zhi gave Lin Sicheng was entirely based on the standard for top-tier experts.

It was indeed high, but he felt it was worth it.

But the brother and sister didn't know these things; they just felt their uncle had gone crazy: to coax their mother into being happy, he was treating money like paper.

Huang Zhi looked helpless and explained patiently:

"Don't think he's ignorant just because he's young. Although this kid is a student, his knowledge base is even stronger than Liu Yiling's. His eye is even sharper; he can serve as a teacher to Liu Yiling..."

"Be polite when you go in later, don't be disrespectful..."

The brother and sister didn't believe a word: Uncle, do you know what you are saying?

Serving as a teacher to Expert Liu?

Liu Yiling is a Researcher at the Forbidden City and a top disciple of the contemporary famous traditional Chinese painting master and renowned appraisal expert Sheng Guoan.

If that kid can be a teacher to Expert Liu, wouldn't that mean his level is on par with Director Sheng Guoan?

With that kind of ability, why would he still be a graduate student writing a Thesis? He would go straight to the Forbidden City, or even the National Museum of China to work; those units would absolutely fight to have him. But Huang Zhi is their uncle, and cowed by his long-standing authority, they didn't dare to argue back.

Exchanging a glance, Huang Huaizhang looked curious: "Uncle, where did you find this Teacher Lin?"

"Remember the matter your mom reported to the Police Station before the New Year? That painting at the time was appraised by Lin Sicheng..."

Before the New Year, the Police Station?

The surname Lin?

The brother and sister suddenly remembered: their mother had mentioned this matter, and their uncle had told them about it too.

"This kid is the boss of those two swindlers?"

Huang Zhi nodded: Calling those two swindlers was absolutely correct.

Fearing they might overthink, he emphasized: "But Lin Sicheng is definitely not a swindler!"

The brother and sister didn't speak: even if he isn't a swindler, he is definitely not a good person.

What kind of good person hires swindlers as employees?

Besides, he's only just over twenty and just a graduate student, yet his appraisal ability can rival that of top experts at top-tier institutions; isn't that nonsense? Thinking about it this way, it's quite possible he really is just a swindler.

But the brother and sister couldn't figure it out: with someone like this, their mother might believe him, but why would their uncle believe him too?

The two looked at each other, their eyes full of mockery, suspicion, ridicule, and heartache.

What they mocked was Lin Sicheng: even if he wanted to package his identity, shouldn't he have packaged it more reasonably and logically?

What was ridiculous was that this identity was so absurd that their uncle would actually believe it?

What they suspected was: how smart is their uncle? He has intelligence, means, and connections; why couldn't he just investigate properly?

That was one hundred thousand yuan.

Thinking about it from another angle: this swindler is truly bold; he dares to swindle their uncle's money?

Wait, that's not right... that kid probably doesn't know their uncle's background, right?

The brother and sister sat in the back row, exchanging looks constantly.

Huang Zhi looked at the rearview mirror and couldn't stop sighing.

It was just hiring someone for an appraisal, so why did he have to hide it from his brother-in-law and his two nephew and niece?

Because his eldest sister is stubborn; once she makes up her mind, ten cows couldn't pull her back. The old man and old lady spoil her, and he and the second brother indulge her, which only fuels her arrogance.

This also led to his brother-in-law and the two nephew and niece daring to be angry but not daring to speak.

His brother-in-law is fine, as he has the life experience, but the two nephew and niece haven't seen much of the world, and their personalities inherited part of his eldest sister's, so they couldn't hide their thoughts or suppress their emotions.

They thought they were hiding it very well and disguising it perfectly, but to someone like Huang Zhi, it was no different from having their inner thoughts written on their faces. Coincidentally, Lin Sicheng was also that kind of person.

Otherwise, why would he have suddenly stopped looking when he was looking just fine earlier?

Huang Zhi regretted bringing his nephew and niece along.

He had thought they were all young people and would have common topics. Secondly, Lin Sicheng's guard against him was too high, always feeling that he wanted to do something to him. Huang Zhi had thought about letting his nephew and niece get to know him and leave a phone number. If his eldest sister wanted to collect anything in the future, he would let Huaizhang or Huaiyu contact him. He hadn't expected them to misunderstand his intentions and get stuck in a dead end.

But why don't they think about what their uncle does for a living?

If he were swindled by a swindler, how could he continue to survive in Beijing?

Huang Zhi narrowed his eyes: "If you want your mother to be swindled less and cheated less in the future, then show some respect later!"

The brother and sister felt a tightness in their hearts and sat up straight.

If their uncle got angry, dealing with them would be like child's play.

Instinctively, the two of them recalled that sentence Huang Zhi had said earlier: "I found a protector for your mother";...

However, no matter how they looked at it, they didn't think it looked like one?

Li Huaiyu asked cautiously: "Uncle, does he know about our family's background?"

"Nonsense, it already caused a scene at the Police Station last time, how could he not know?"

Even a fool, upon seeing Division Chief Liu's police rank, would be able to guess a thing or two.

Let alone someone as sharp as a fox like Lin Sicheng?

"I gave him a card, and a business card. If you run into him at the Small Courtyard in the future, don't pretend you don't know him, remember to greet him!" The brother and sister were stunned: Uncle didn't just give a card, he even gave a business card?

The card was fine, although rare, it was at most just for show, to invite someone to the Small Courtyard for a meal.

But that business card could be used to get things done.

What if that kid used his status as a tiger's skin to make a banner, and used Uncle's name to do bad things?

Seeing what the two were thinking at a glance, Huang Zhi sneered: "I actually wish he would, but Lin Sicheng hasn't gone once."

As for the business card, he suspected Lin Sicheng had thrown it in the trash can long ago.

The brother and sister suddenly realized: So that business card was something Uncle used to test him?

It might be that the kid just hadn't found the opportunity to use it yet.

Or perhaps he was afraid of being exposed and didn't dare to use it lightly.

Seeing that Huang Zhi's expression wasn't very good, the siblings didn't dare to speak, only muttering in their hearts.

After driving for another few minutes, the car stopped.

Lin Sicheng got out of the car and looked around.

A two-story building, green walls and gray tiles, vermilion doors and carved windows, full of antique charm.

The main gate was tightly shut, and all the windows had curtains drawn, so the situation inside could not be seen. But just looking at the facade, one knew the interior's decorative style: Imitating the Ancients, low-key, yet luxurious.

But this wasn't the point; the point was the geographical location:

This was Dong'anfu Hutong in Tongjing Courtyard. Walking out of the hutong, to the right was the National Centre for the Performing Arts, to the left was the Organization Department, and diagonally opposite was the Ministry of Industry. Behind the building was the Special Protection Brigade, and directly opposite, across the road, behind that gray wall were the two seas of the Forbidden City.

To think he could open a restaurant here?

Impressive, General Manager Huang...

Seeing Lin Sicheng looking left and right, as if stunned, Huang Zhi felt quite proud: "How about it, this location is not bad, right?" Lin Sicheng nodded sincerely: More than just not bad?

No wonder those without sufficient rank couldn't get in, and even ordinary people didn't know this place existed?

Those with lower ranks wouldn't even dare to come. Even if they dared to come, Huang Zhi wouldn't dare let them in.

And no wonder the teacher said his business here was extremely good?

Being able to open here, how could business not be good?

But Lin Sicheng didn't understand: How were his permits approved?

For a moment, Lin Sicheng looked as if he had never seen the world, looking left and right, peering here and there.

"Teacher Liu, have you been here before?"

"Teacher Huang has brought me here a few times."

"Have you ever run into any big leaders?"

"I didn't pay attention!" Liu Yiling realized belatedly, "Besides, even if I ran into one, I wouldn't recognize them!"

That was true.

Those who could make it onto newspapers and television couldn't possibly come here.

The two spoke in low voices, and Huang Zhi didn't urge them, waiting quietly to the side.

Behind them, the brother and sister exchanged a glance and secretly curled their lips...