Chapter 543: Thinking It Through

Fang Yin had prepared many contingency plans, but she never anticipated that before the equipment was even delivered, she would be the one arrested by the police.

But why?

Why did Lin Sicheng suddenly turn hostile, so suddenly that there were no signs at all?

Fang Yin racked her brain, recalling every single detail.

A week ago, during the initial inspection at the warehouse... the day before yesterday, while unpacking downstairs...

Yesterday, the formal calibration... and last night, the performance verification began... Every time, Lin Sicheng was there, and every time, he acted completely normal.

So where did things go wrong?

The policewoman put handcuffs on her, and Fang Yin struggled to lift her neck: "Lin Sicheng, why?"

How could there be so many "whys"?

Lin Sicheng was expressionless: "General Manager Fang, if it were really as you imagined: that I don't understand the instruments, then why would I order them?" The implication was: You understand them very well?

Fang Yin shook her head vigorously: "Impossible!"

Because very few sets of these instruments had ever been imported into the country, and the few that existed were limited to the medical and biological fields, having absolutely nothing to do with the field of Cultural Relics appraisal. Moreover, they had only been in the country for a few months, and the Engineers in charge of the equipment hadn't even figured out the basic structure of the machines. Lin Sicheng had nowhere to learn even if he wanted to. The reason they dared to do this was because they were certain of this point.

"There is nothing impossible; you were just self-righteous, limited only to your own cognition."

Lin Sicheng pointed at the laptop in the hands of the technical investigation officer, "General Manager Fang, you had better confess properly; you won't be able to deny it!"

Fang Yin shuddered, her face turning pale bit by bit: That's right? What is the point of discussing whether Lin Sicheng understands or not now? He even knew about the Audit Tracking that only high-level administrators had permission to view, and even took advantage of Engineer Qin and Engineer Xu's carelessness to hack into the system, decrypting and copying all the operation traces.

So, what else is there that he doesn't understand?

These data, including how the original factory Engineers opened the Backdoor to reserve permissions, how they preset the programming, and how Engineer Qin and Engineer Xu modified the parameters, forged the calibration and verification data, and so on and so forth.

All the operation traces were laid bare, ironclad evidence that was set in stone.

She wanted to deny it, but how could she?

"So, from the very beginning, you knew?" Fang Yin gritted her teeth, "Lin Sicheng, you are despicable and shameless!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned by the insult: It was his first time seeing a fraudster, after their tracks were exposed, curse the victim for being shameless?

"General Manager Fang, instead of cursing me, you might as well think about: for an amount of over ten million, how many years should you be sentenced!"

In an instant, Fang Yin's lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a coherent sentence.

The other two were no better off, their faces deathly pale, their legs shaking like a sieve.

They were not desperate criminals who didn't care if they died. They were certainly not street thugs with no way out, living hand-to-mouth and content as long as they had a place to eat. They were foreign-funded Executives with annual salaries over ten times that of ordinary people. Life was so good; how could they have ever imagined that one day they would go to jail? Seeing them looking terrified, Lin Sicheng was particularly uncomprehending: "No... before you did this, didn't you ever imagine what the outcome would be if you were exposed?"

"Or even, didn't you do any background checks? Otherwise, how could you be so sure that we wouldn't understand or discover your tricks?" Imagined it, my foot?

If they had considered the consequences even a little, they wouldn't have been able to embezzle nine million out of a twelve-million-worth shipment.

Whether it was the three of them or that foreign Executive at the headquarters, they were all very certain: there would absolutely be no accidents this time.

They never even thought that someone might be as if they were cheating?

As for the background check... who said they didn't do it?

A small company that had just been registered and had never been heard of in the industry. At least in the antique and appraisal circles of Beijing and Shanghai, they had never heard of it. And without any famous Experts cooperating, just a professor from Northwest University running around—what did that mean?

It meant no strength, no background, and even more, it meant unprofessional, pure laymen.

If they didn't take a cut when encountering such a situation, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

Lin Sicheng didn't know what to say: The antique world, the appraisal world?

If you carry a lantern and ask a blind man, it would be a miracle if you got an answer!

"Who told you that buying Digital Display, XRD, XRF, and similar instruments must be for antique appraisal? Why can't they be used for Cultural Relics Artifact Research?"

He pointed outside, "There is such a big sign at the door: Cultural Relics Protection Research Center, can't you see it?"

Fang Yin gritted her teeth: "Lin Sicheng, are you sick? Which private Research Center buys so many instruments to do research?" Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment, speechless.

It seemed, there really weren't any?

Those who do this are all state-owned units; if a private individual dares to play with this, they would definitely lose their shirt.

Therefore, any private institution that hangs a sign like "Cultural Relics Protection Center" or "Cultural Relics Research Center" is just selling dog meat under a sheep's head.

In this way, since they didn't do background checks in the antique or appraisal circles, were they supposed to go ask in the research circle?

But to be honest, let alone non-official appraisal institutions, even if you went to an organization like the Appraisal Committee to ask, you still wouldn't get a thing. Because those who understand appraisal and also know Lin Sicheng are limited to a very small circle: for example, the Forbidden City.

In such units, the Experts who do the appraisal don't manage the equipment; they don't have access to it, so of course, they wouldn't be able to ask.

By a stroke of luck, by a twist of fate.

Thinking about it, Lin Sicheng laughed: "General Manager Fang, don't blame your bad luck!"

"Lin Sicheng, don't be smug!" Fang Yin's eyes were red, "Saishi Company will not admit it, you won't get a single cent of compensation!" "It doesn't matter, if Saishi Company doesn't admit it, then you three will bear it!" Lin Sicheng said calmly, "I imagine Saishi Company would be very happy to." The three of them were stunned in unison, and then, their faces turned completely white.

Saishi Company is a technology giant, a local star tax-paying enterprise; they have plenty of ways to avoid it, plenty of ways to drag it out. For example, pinning it all on the three of them, and then severing their employment relationship with Saishi Company.

What, you want compensation?

This matter was the personal behavior of those three people; if you want compensation, go ask those three people.

If it really couldn't be dragged out, Saishi Company would still use other methods to solve it, for example, privately paying Lin Sicheng a sum of money.

But no matter which way, Saishi Company would not admit that this matter had anything to do with them. In the very end, the three of them would still have to bear it!

So, for ten million, how many years can one actually be sentenced?

Fang Yin shuddered: "It wasn't us who did it, we were also instructed by others!"

Lin Sicheng was expressionless: "General Manager Fang, whatever you want to say, say it when you get to the Public Security Bureau!"

Fang Yin's mouth opened, then closed again.

Engineer Qin and Engineer Xu were anxious and afraid, looking like they wanted to speak but didn't dare.

Yan Wenjing stood to the side, giving a thumbs up: Look, knew it would be like this?

Once Lin Sicheng makes a move, these three can't last three minutes.

Wang Qi Zhi was confused: "What is there to brag about in this?"

"You don't understand!" Yan Wenjing lowered his voice, "The same words, spoken by different people, have vastly different effects."

Wang Qi Zhi half-understood: "Even the Police can't do it!"

"It's far from it; it might even have the opposite effect!"

After replying, Yan Wenjing waved his hand, and everyone was taken downstairs.

The cars were parked right at the building entrance; as soon as one was filled, it drove away. They had implemented control measures in advance, calling it a fire drill, so the people in the park didn't even know what was being hauled away in these vehicles.

The others followed closely behind; whether it was the three from the Cultural Relics Research Center, or Fang Jin and Li Zhen, they all had to go to the Public Security Bureau to give statements.

Wang Qi Zhi, Zhao Xiuneng, and Lin Sicheng followed at the very back, and the three of them got into a Santana.

The police leadership had only just visited yesterday, so Wang Qi Zhi wasn't the least bit surprised by this display today.

What he found strange were the last few sentences Lin Sicheng and Fang Yin had exchanged.

Compared to that, Lin Sicheng was certainly not as professional as the Police; things like "If the company doesn't acknowledge it, you'll have to take the fall" were things the Police would definitely say during an interrogation.

Yet Yan Wenjing had said that if it were the Police, it would only have the opposite effect.

Then why, when it was Lin Sicheng, did those three lose their nerve so quickly and become so afraid?

"Teacher, because I am the victim! Only with my consent can an agreement be reached with Saishi Company, and only then is it possible that, in the final verdict, they won't be linked to Saishi Company."

"But the Police are different; their duty is to uphold justice. Saishi Company couldn't possibly go to the Police and suggest, 'I can pay the money, but the criminal charges must all be pinned on those three'..."

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned: you can play it like that?

Considering it from Fang Yin's perspective: Lin Sicheng's requirement was to suffer no losses, regardless of who went to jail or who got off the hook.

Saishi Company's requirement was to avoid a public scandal, so they would naturally try every possible way to distance themselves.

With the two combined, in the end, those three still had to take the fall?

"Then why not let them talk?"

Lin Sicheng explained patiently: "There are still many ordinary technicians at the scene; these people definitely weren't involved and will be detained for twenty-four hours at most. Once they get out, they will definitely report to the head office..."

"Secondly, the prisoner's dilemma: even if they confess, it cannot be the three of them confessing together..."

Wang Qi Zhi suddenly realized: there was actually so much knowledge hidden in a few simple sentences?

He finally understood why the Public Security department wanted to invite Lin Sicheng over to share his interrogation experience.

"Did you interrogate Wang Chun the same way back then?"

Of course not; there was a world of difference between the two.

That one was a true battle of wits and courage, exhausting both heart and effort.

Lin Sicheng was noncommittal: "More or less!"

"Then what about next? Are you really going to negotiate with Saishi Company?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "I was just bluffing Fang Yin!"

If tech giants were that easy to admit fault, the Court wouldn't be piled up with so many foreign trade dispute cases.

Even if the sun rose in the west and Saishi Company were willing to negotiate, it would only be at the very, very end: when they could no longer avoid admitting fault, or else it would cause huge and irreparable losses.

So, it's still too early.

"Teacher, I'll still need your help later!"

Wang Qi Zhi glared at him: Isn't that a waste of breath? If I don't help you, who will?

"How can I help?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "I haven't thought it through yet!"

Wang Qi Zhi was completely confused.

He turned his head and looked at Zhao Xiuneng; Zhao Xiuneng shook his head. The meaning was: don't look at me, I don't know either.

He had fought plenty of fraud cases, but every time he was the defense attorney; Zhao Xiuneng really didn't know how to sue as a plaintiff.

What's more, this wasn't a Cultural Relics peddler, but a foreign-funded company. His usual tricks wouldn't be of any use.

While he was secretly pondering, the Santana drove to the Criminal Investigation Division General Team.

The police car drove fast, and Yan Wenjing had arrived early and had already begun the interrogation.

Two police officers around forty years old were waiting for them in the lobby.

Just as they entered the main gate, one of them took the initiative to walk over: "Teacher Lin, my surname is Zhao. Bureau Chief Li has instructed that I am in charge of this case!" "Sorry to trouble you, Branch Captain Zhao!"

"You're too polite, it's my duty!"

As they spoke, the group walked toward the elevator.

Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng took a special look: the one with two flowers had been seen yesterday, and Lin Sicheng had mentioned him later; he seemed to be the Deputy Branch Captain of the Economic Investigation Division. To make a comparison, he was at the same rank as Deputy Bureau Chief Chen Peng of Xijing.

The other one they hadn't seen before, the one who had just spoken to Lin Sicheng: on his shoulder straps were three four-pointed stars, a Level One Police Inspector.

If he was a Branch Captain, there was a high probability he was the primary officer, one rank higher than Chen Peng.

Thinking secretly, Wang Qi Zhi clicked his tongue: Lin Sicheng gets this kind of treatment?

After going upstairs, everyone was separated to give statements. Because there were too many people brought back—dozens of them—there wasn't enough space, so the less important ones were arranged into the conference room.

For example, Lin Sicheng, and Zhao Xiuneng and Wang Qi Zhi.

That Deputy Branch Captain even arranged for clerical staff to pour tea for the three of them.

The interrogating officer would be a while, so Wang Qi Zhi took the opportunity to ask: "Which branch is that leader with the three stars from just now?"

"Anti-Smuggling Detachment!"

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned for a moment.

Although he wasn't a professional, he at least knew: Beijing is not a coastal city; if there is an Anti-Smuggling Detachment, there is only one: the Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau. So, the Bureau Chief Li that Branch Captain Zhao mentioned refers to Bureau Chief Li Shichen of the Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau?

"How did they know about this case? Did the leaders here at the Criminal Investigation Division help you contact them?"

"No!" Lin Sicheng said unhurriedly, "After reporting the case yesterday, I specifically paid a visit to Bureau Chief Li!"

Wang Qi Zhi was dumbfounded: What the hell, you paid a visit to Li Shichen?

Lin Sicheng, do you remember the look Director Li gave you when we were in Guangzhou?

It was as if there were knives in his eyes, wishing he could stab you hundreds of times.

He was stunned for a long while: "Where did you pay a visit to?"

"The General Administration of Customs!"

"No... Lin Sicheng, you actually dared to go?"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Teacher, Director Li is quite gentle!"

Heh heh... Wang Qi Zhi twitched the corners of his mouth, not knowing what to say.

Lin Sicheng, do you believe that yourself when you say it?

Besides, is Li Shichen the only one you offended? It's the entire Customs...

"No, Lin Sicheng, what did you go to Customs for?"

"This batch of equipment came in through Customs; since it was swapped and replaced with second-hand machines, I wanted to ask them to help investigate: where did the original machines go!"

Wang Qi Zhi's face was full of disbelief: if it were him, being pressured time and again by a green kid, he would definitely use a Needle to carve Lin Sicheng's name onto his hand.

He would take a bite every time he saw it, just to vent the hatred in his heart.

So, it would be good enough if they didn't dig a pit or trip him up, let alone help?

Customs not only helped, but were also that polite?

Wang Qi Zhi could not figure it out no matter how he thought about it...