Chapter 532: Inspecting the Goods

The weather was warming up day by day, and the progress of the renovation was also speeding up.

Professional matters should be left to professional people; Lin Sicheng hired a company specializing in laboratory renovation, so he didn't need to keep an eye on it every day, just check the progress and quality periodically.

But Wang Qi Zhi was still busy stumbling over his own feet, never touching the ground, sleeping only four or five hours a day.

He was visibly losing weight.

"Teacher, you can just hire people; there's no need to watch over everything. Besides, it doesn't cost that much money."

"I do care about money, but not enough to worry about this small amount: there are so many scammers now, how can I not watch?" Wang Qi Zhi said with a solemn face, "Lin Sicheng, we cannot be careless."

You wouldn't know until you asked, and you'd be shocked once you did: for the same brand and the same type of renovation materials, just by missing one label after a symbol, the price actually differed by nearly half?

Take the eco-friendly paint used in the Research Center for example: the two types of paint were ninety percent identical in performance; the only difference was the reflection coefficient. The former was for household use, while the latter was specifically for optical laboratories, yet the price was more than double.

There was more than one such material; Wang Qi Zhi had been worried about being scammed, so he ran to the Special Duty Team.

Fortunately, the engineering team and the renovation company were quite professional, and the problems he worried about did not occur.

Of course, it was also because Lin Sicheng knew a lot, and when signing the Contract, he asked a few extra questions, which stunned the renovation company manager.

Since the client really understood, they naturally didn't dare to cut corners.

"A portion of the instruments has already arrived, and the purchasing agent notified us to inspect the goods. Lin Sicheng, I think it's better to hire a few more people." Lin Sicheng was noncommittal: "Teacher, let's go take a look first."

There are only a few reliable instrument companies in the country that handle both international procurement and verification.

The key is that these companies are interconnected and extremely well-informed about each other. It's equivalent to them being both the athletes and the referees. If the other party really wanted to cut corners, it would be useless no matter how many people you hired.

"Can't we just not hire those kinds of people?"

Wang Qi Zhi pondered, "We could invite some researchers in the same industry from the Cultural Heritage Institute, or have Director Lu come over to take a look."

Lin Sicheng felt it was unnecessary: even if they knew how to use the instruments well, at most they would only understand a little about the instrument's performance, not the detailed parameters.

Besides, with nearly twenty years of advanced experience here, Lin Sicheng didn't feel that professional researchers understood it better than he did.

"Teacher, don't worry, I'm here!"

Wang Qi Zhi moved his lips, not knowing what to say.

Of course he trusted Lin Sicheng; if it were cultural relics, antiques, or related research knowledge, he certainly wouldn't dare to dispute a single word. But this was machinery.

No matter how capable a person is, it is impossible to know everything.

Zhao Xiuneng had a similar thought.

Before, when Lin Sicheng said that establishing the Research Center would be extremely expensive, he didn't quite understand: why could other units build a two-thousand-square-meter center for a few million, but for Lin Sicheng, it had to cost tens of millions?

It wasn't until he ordered the equipment that he realized: for the same machine, the domestic one cost a few hundred thousand, while the imported one cost several million.

For example, the Micro-Raman Spectrometer used for non-destructive testing: the same type, same function, same model—the domestic one was five hundred thousand, while the imported one was over four million.

That was nearly a ten-fold difference.

The key was that the cultural relic industry was too niche, and the instruments Lin Sicheng ordered were too advanced; there really weren't many people in the country who understood this.

If they were fooled even a little bit, a lot of money would be gone.

Zhao Xiuneng frowned: "Junior Brother, it's better to be cautious!"

"Alright!" Lin Sicheng followed the advice, "Then I'll ask Dean Fang!"

If he didn't agree, Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng probably wouldn't be able to sleep.

After all, it was tens of millions worth of items...

No sooner said than done, Lin Sicheng immediately dialed Fang Yanlin's phone.

They already had a cooperative project, and the sooner Lin Sicheng's center was established, the more beneficial it would be for them.

Fang Yanlin was extremely straightforward; he not only sent a Person in Charge specifically for equipment maintenance from the Cultural Heritage Institute but also sent him two operators.

When it came to understanding instruments, not even the Experts knew them as well as they did.

"Teacher, when shall we inspect the goods?"

"Next week!" Wang Qi Zhi calculated, "It's not easy to invite people; let's wait until two more pieces arrive, and then we can inspect them all at once!"

"Good, Teacher, you arrange it!"

Lin Sicheng didn't mind; anytime was fine.

With the instrument matter settled, Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng felt much more relaxed.

Zhao Xiuneng suddenly remembered: "How is your appraisal of that batch of paintings from that crazy woman going?"

Hearing "crazy woman," Lin Sicheng pondered for a moment. When he heard "paintings," he realized Zhao Xiuneng was talking about Huang Lan. This had to be blamed on Zhao Shixiong: knowing she had a stubborn temperament, he still provoked her; it would be strange if she didn't fight him to the death.

Lin Sicheng calculated: "I've appraised nearly half!"

Wang Qi Zhi was confused: "Ah, only half?"

It had been over half a month; with Lin Sicheng's speed and eye, it should have taken three to five days at most.

Lin Sicheng wished he could be faster.

He looked at Zhao Xiuneng: "Ask Zhao Shixiong!"

As soon as it was brought up, Zhao Xiuneng gritted his teeth: "Professor Wang, that woman is crazy!"

"I just said one sentence, 'With so much money, wouldn't it be better to buy something else,' and she got triggered and wanted to fight me to the death..."

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned, taking a long time to react: "You mean, everything in her house is fake?"

"Yes, all imitations!" Lin Sicheng sighed, "The key is, they have no value."

It wasn't that Huang Lan hadn't acquired authentic works; after all, her background was different, and there was no lack of people who wanted to express goodwill to her two younger brothers through her. But after she sold everything with even a little value to fill the holes, what remained in the house were all the things nobody wanted.

"I discussed it with General Manager Huang and suggested slowing down and appraising them after a while!"

Wang Qi Zhi deeply agreed; it really did need to be slowed down: over two hundred paintings, how much money would that be?

It would drive a normal person crazy, let alone in Huang Lan's situation.

He offered another idea: "Don't you have a few pieces in your hand? Sell her one."

Lin Sicheng had quite a few Calligraphy and Painting pieces: Zheng Banqiao's calligraphy, Dong Qichang's Heart Sutra, the Ming Dynasty Dai Jin's "Pine and Crane Longevity Painting," as well as the Southern Song Dynasty court painter Ma Lin's "Autumn Mound Painting" and "Autumn River Fishing Hermit."

Every one of them is a famous master.

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "General Manager Huang thinks so too, but I feel it's too direct!"

He feels that this situation of Huang Lan is somewhat like a psychological barrier, completely trapped within a mental world she constructed herself.

She is even more stubborn than the National Treasure Gang; it's useless no matter who says what.

If you want to have a therapeutic effect, you have to go along with her, letting her enjoy and experience the thrill of picking up a bargain. If you sell her a piece directly, she might be well-behaved for a while, but she will relapse before long.

Wang Qi Zhi frowned: "So troublesome?"

Lin Sicheng was straightforward: "Teacher, the money has been collected!"

Three thousand yuan to authenticate one painting; what kind of Expert couldn't you hire?

Lin Sicheng has said it several times, since they are so familiar, just giving a symbolic amount would suffice.

But Huang Zhi would not agree: whatever amount is said is what it is.

As for why he gives so much, Huang Zhi didn't say, but Lin Sicheng knows clearly: you cannot be responsible for the killing but not the burial.

Wang Qi Zhi suddenly realized: back and forth, in half a month's time, Lin Sicheng has already earned over three hundred thousand from Huang Lan.

And he can earn at least this much more.

He immediately changed his tune: "It really must be serviced well!"

As he spoke, he turned his head back: "General Manager Zhao, you too, Teacher Huang is already like this, and you are still teasing her?"

Zhao Xiuneng was speechless.

Three hundred thousand in half a month, that is six hundred thousand in a month.

If calculated this way, Huang Lan absolutely counts as a gold-medal client.

There is indeed a small problem, but why go against money?

He immediately nodded: "I'll change!"

"General Manager Zhao, if it really doesn't work, you should avoid her when you see her in the future!" Wang Qi Zhi joked, "Look, for fear of stimulating Huang Lan, Lin Sicheng even sent Feng Sanjiang away to Xijing!"

That was actually not the case.

The Police investigated very clearly; regarding that painting of Huang Lan's, Feng Sanjiang not only didn't cheat her, but instead disguisedly let her pick up a bargain. Since then, whenever Huang Lan sees Feng Sanjiang, she greets him proactively.

The reason Lin Sicheng let Feng Sanjiang and Ding Aqin go to Xijing was to receive training at the "Peking University Resource Cultural Relics Authentication Academy Xijing Practical Training Base" where Hao Jun is a part-time professor.

In terms of authentication ability, Feng Sanjiang and Ding Aqin are by no means inferior to Hao Jun. But both are from wild backgrounds; whether it is the process or the language aspect, they need to be strengthened and standardized.

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Teacher Huang is still very easy to get along with!"

Zhao Xiuneng nodded: "Rest assured, I understand!"

A donkey that needs to be stroked in the direction of its fur, just stroke it along!

In the blink of an eye, a week passed.

The morning sunlight spilled down obliquely, and the sky was exceptionally clean.

The mountain peach leaned against the wall, with fine pink dots hanging on the iron-gray branches. At most half a month, it could push out flower buds.

Lin Sicheng carried his bag and pulled open the front passenger door.

The car was newly bought, a proper Santana. The driver was also newly recruited, a comrade-in-arms of Tang Nanjin, whose skills were not just ordinary.

Zhao Xiuneng sat in the back seat, looked around, and then looked at the Santana 2000 in front of the Santana.

His expression was strange, wanting to speak but stopping.

You are the boss of a large company and institution worth tens of millions, and you drive a Santana?

"Junior Brother Lin, why not drive Professor Wang's car, or drive my car instead..."

"Senior Brother, it's just a means of transportation, this car is quite good!"

It is not that Lin Sicheng has no money, nor that Lin Sicheng does not want to ride in a good car, but it is out of multi-faceted considerations.

One is image: nowadays, he has already stepped half a foot into the ranks of "Cultural Relics Experts" and "Artifact Research" scholars. The key is, he is still so young? With his fame growing larger and social attention becoming higher, voices of doubt will only become more and more. One must try to avoid causing moral scrutiny and resentment from the public.

An expert and scholar in his early twenties is already eye-catching enough; you still drive a luxury car?

Naturally, the public will associate it with "academic cliques" and "using the Backdoor to fake things."

Second is the antique industry; although it is niche, the costs are not transparent, and profiteering is an indisputable fact.

Being too high-profile will give clients a sense of "you are preparing to slaughter me a few more times" and "how much more money are you preparing to cheat me out of."

There are many more like this.

Therefore, even though Zhao Xiuneng gave him a Maybach, he hasn't ridden in it many times. Most of the time, he drives his grandfather's old Santana. Zhao Xiuneng was a bit worried, "Will it affect the image of the Center?"

It is indeed possible, but there are gains and losses.

Compared to inviting unnecessary trouble, losing a few purely layperson clients can be completely ignored.

Those who truly know the trade will not care what car you drive, but look at whether you have solid discernment and craftsmanship.

Knowing Lin Sicheng's personality, Zhao Xiuneng did not dwell on it: "That's true, I won't drive my Mercedes-Benz either, I'll buy a Santana too!"

Lin Sicheng: Hehe... what's true?

If he really bought one, it would just be left to gather dust.

If Zhao Shixiong could drive a Santana, would he be able to give himself a Maybach?

The two joked, and the car drove toward Daxing Yizhuang.

This place is an economic development zone, the first network digital park in Beijing. China's first chip production line and first display Technology Park are both here.

As well as many high-end manufacturing enterprises and technological innovation enterprises, including biomedicine, integrated circuits, and inspection and testing.

The purchasing enterprise cooperating with the Center is also here; most of the instruments have already arrived, and today they have an appointment to inspect the goods.

As agreed upon before, Fang Yanlin sent the Person in Charge of the Cultural Heritage Center's Equipment Section, as well as two operators. Wang Qi Zhi accompanied them, sitting in the Santana 2000 car in front.

After about an hour, the car drove into the park.

After getting out of the car, Lin Sicheng looked around. It was quite a large building, with a long plaque hanging at the entrance: Sciex (China) Co., Ltd. This company is quite famous, with its headquarters in the United States and branches all over the world. It is both a sales company and an R&D company, specializing in analytical instruments, laboratory equipment, and technical services.

The price is moderate, and it is fast. The key is that the after-sales service is relatively more comprehensive.

At the very beginning, Wang Qi Zhi's opinion was to cooperate with domestic import equipment agencies, as the price could be even cheaper.

For example, the state-run Scientific Equipment Co., Ltd.

But Lin Sicheng considered it for a moment and decided to switch to this company instead.

There is nothing wrong with admitting it: due to technical blockades, at the current stage, in the field of high-end instruments, international giants like Scifis are more comprehensive in both technology and service systems, and their efficiency is also higher.

Especially the after-sales service.

Lin Sicheng did not want the work to be halted for several months the moment the machine had a minor problem.

After getting out of the car, Wang Qi Zhi made a phone call, and before he had even finished speaking, several people came out of the building to greet them.

The person in the lead was a lady, very enthusiastic; even from over ten meters away, her face was already wreathed in smiles.

Her voice was so sugary it made one's bones go soft: "Professor Wang, you've come..."

Zhao Xiuneng narrowed his eyes and took a look at the woman.

She was around thirty, very pretty, and had a great figure; even in a plain work skirt, she looked curvaceous and exquisite.

Especially her pair of peach-blossom eyes, which were watery and seemed to be emitting electricity.

He lowered his voice: "A female PR representative?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "For a business deal worth tens of millions, it's normal to take it seriously!"

Zhao Xiuneng was stunned: "Junior brother, how did you know what I wanted to ask?"

Lin Sicheng did not speak: what kind of scenes had his teacher not seen before?

Zhao Xiuneng chuckled: "What if Professor Wang just happens to like this sort of thing?"

Lin Sicheng stopped making a sound.