Chapter 589: The Position Is Set

The expressions of the few people were slightly solemn; Zhang Yuanfan's gaze shifted.

It was not her first time seeing Tian Rulong, nor was it her first time seeing Sheng Guoan. She was very clear about the status these two held in the appraisal world.

It could be said like this: her grandfather started from scratch, and to have the family business, status, and influence he had now, the credit for more than half of it had to be attributed to these Senior Brothers of his.

Her grandfather had also said more than once that although Master Xu and Senior Brother Geng were still alive, the former was nearly a hundred years old (98), and the latter was also at an advanced age (88).

Nowadays in the Forbidden City, and even in the domestic appraisal world, Sheng Guoan and Tian Rulong were the actual leading masters.

They might not be the number one in their respective fields, but apart from those old seniors who were almost living totems, no one dared to claim to be number one in front of them.

When they spoke on the phone with her grandfather yesterday, Zhang Yuanfan was right there. She heard very clearly that these two held a positive attitude toward the item to be auctioned today.

But why, upon arriving at the scene, did the two of them hesitate after being persuaded by this young man with just a single sentence?

Zhang Yuanfan could not figure it out: since when was a master's conviction so easily shaken?

Where was your professionalism, your authority, and your self-confidence?

Comparing the ages of these three: Director Tian was forty-six this year, old enough to be Lin Sicheng's father. Department Head Sheng was even older, already sixty-seven, old enough to be Lin Sicheng's grandfather.

Zhang Yuanfan was even wondering if Lin Sicheng had some dirt on these two.

Otherwise, it did not make sense.

The atmosphere was somewhat quiet; Zhang Yuanfan took the initiative to break the silence: "Mr. Lin, Department Head Sheng and Director Tian have seen the catalog and the photos."

"Besides that, they have also seen the video materials regarding this Cultural Relic—very clear and very comprehensive!"

Lin Sicheng was noncommittal: "Ms. Zhang, the organizer's catalog, exhibition posters, and photos are all retouched."

To put it bluntly: all the advantages are magnified, and all the disadvantages are covered up.

"What about the video materials then?" Zhang Yuanfan stared at Lin Sicheng, "These materials did not come from the auction company; there is no need to question their authenticity and professionalism—"

Lin Sicheng knew what she meant: besides the recordings, there were also analyses and judgments from professionals.

And these judgments, nine times out of ten, came from scholars more authoritative and professional than Department Head Sheng and Director Tian.

For example, Zhao Wanli, Gu Yanlong, and Ji Shuying.

Even more so, Li Zhizhong, Mr. Chen, and Shen Naiwen.

These individuals were all ancient book Experts at the National Library, and furthermore, authoritative scholars in the fields of appraisal of Song and Yuan dynasty block-printed editions and the textual research of version origins.

If Lin Sicheng were to tell the truth, in the field of rare ancient books, the National Library was more authoritative than the Forbidden City.

He thought for a moment: "Ms. Zhang, roughly what era were the video materials filmed?"

Zhang Yuanfan answered without hesitation: "There are three versions in total; the first version was filmed in the early 1970s, the second version was filmed in the millennium, and the third version was filmed in 2006—"

"And for every version, there were professional scholars who conducted research, analysis, and textual research, and they left behind a large amount of note materials—"

Pausing slightly, Zhang Yuanfan emphasized again: "They are very authoritative!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: As expected?

Not only had Experts researched and analyzed it, but there was even more than he had imagined.

No matter how arrogant Lin Sicheng was, he dared not say that his own eye for appraisal was necessarily higher than these old seniors.

He also firmly believed in the source channels and the authenticity of these video materials.

However, what the old seniors saw in the video materials was not necessarily this set at the auction.

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Can I take a look at these materials?"

Zhang Yuanfan paused: "Mr. Lin, the materials are not with me."

Lin Sicheng looked at Sheng Guoan and Tian Rulong; before he could open his mouth, the two of them shook their heads in unison: "They are not with us either!"

Lin Sicheng paused: "How can I see them?"

Sheng Guoan thought for a moment: "Finding Department Head Xiao (Xiao Heng) or Department Head Wu (Wu Hui) should both work, but there is no time."

Understood: the materials were at the Cultural Relics Bureau, but besides the Cultural Relics Bureau, the Ministry of Culture and even other units were pushing this matter.

Lin Sicheng was not an internal staff member; he could not see internal materials just because he wanted to. If he absolutely had to see them, he could only apply through special channels.

These units did not belong to the same department; by the time this procedure was completed, it would take at least two or three days.

But this set of manuscripts was going to be auctioned this afternoon.

In an instant, Lin Sicheng thought of many ways. But the moment the ideas popped up, he rejected them one by one.

Finding people was useless, whether it was finding Department Head Xiao, Department Head Wu, or the old gentleman Zhang Zongxian.

No matter how much Department Head Xiao and Department Head Wu trusted him, they could not possibly stake their political futures to guarantee for Lin Sicheng.

As for the old gentleman Zhang—this was not his previous life, where he would follow his every word. Now, Zhang Zongxian did not even know who he was.

It seemed there was no way?

He sighed: "Ms. Zhang, have you thought about this: if there is a problem with the manuscripts, you will lose a lot of money."

Zhang Yuanfan stared at Lin Sicheng, her expression very strange.

Her eyebrows were slightly raised, the corners of her mouth curled up, her lips moved slightly, and her eyes were bright and piercing.

Someone who did not understand might think she was questioning or refuting: what if there is no problem?

But Lin Sicheng knew she was hesitating, and she was still scolding him: why are you such an annoying person?

Lin Sicheng suppressed a laugh: "What is the floor price?"

Zhang Yuanfan did not speak; she blinked her eyes twice.

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Understood!"

The others were all a bit stunned: Lin Sicheng, you really dare to ask?

Not to mention who was behind the scenes or the nature of this auction item, just looking at the current occasion: this is an auction, and we are currently discussing something worth hundreds of millions.

Even from a commercial perspective, Zhang Yuanfan could not be foolish enough to tell others the floor price. Moreover, the two of you only met today; you are not much closer than strangers.

Zhang Yuanfan was even more stunned: I didn't say anything; what did you understand?

But Lin Sicheng truly understood; in just an instant, he had a countermeasure.

He checked his watch: "Everyone, ten minutes left, let's enter!"

Everyone stood up.

Tian Rulong gave a wink and stayed behind with Sheng Guoan.

Lin Sicheng also stayed behind.

Knowing they had something to discuss, the others were very tactful and took the initiative to quicken their pace.

As he left, Zhang Yuanfan glanced at Lin Sicheng, but did not say anything.

Tian Rulong looked grave: "Sicheng, what exactly is wrong?"

Lin Sicheng was concise: "The layout is wrong, and the characters are wrong too!"

After a pause, he sighed again: "But the issue now isn't where the flaws in the manuscript are, but that I have no way to prove it to you!"

Because the flaws were extremely subtle, if they could not see the physical object or clear images of it, even if Lin Sicheng pointed them out, Sheng Guoan and Tian Rulong would have no way to compare them.

Human memory is limited; no matter how good their memories were, it was impossible to imprint those few pages into their brains one hundred percent.

Although he trusted Lin Sicheng, Sheng Guoan was still somewhat suspicious: "I watched the video, and I really didn't see what was wrong."

Lin Sicheng was unequivocal: "Director Sheng, what if the one up for auction and the one in the video are not the same piece?"

""

"I am very certain that the few pages being auctioned today are old: Southern Song Dynasty paper, Southern Song Dynasty ink, and even those seals are all genuine. But who can guarantee that those small handwritten characters are Zhu Zi's handwriting?"

"Song Dynasty printed editions are rare, but they do exist. The 'Collected Works of the Two Chengs' is not some obscure classic, is it? Just counting the ones I know of, from the Xiang family collection (Xiang Yuanbian), collected through the 'Tianlu Linlang', and stamped with the 'Jixi Palace Lock', there are no fewer than ten sets."

"Of course, they are not in the country, but in the United States and Taiwan. However, if someone were to pull out a few sheets, imitate Zhu Zi's handwriting, forge annotations, and age them, it would not be very difficult."

"At least with modern technological levels, it cannot be observed with the naked eye alone. Director Tian, Director Sheng, think about the gap in between—"

A single sentence awakened the dreamer; Sheng Guoan suddenly realized: if it were Zhu Zi's authentic handwriting, a single character could sell for hundreds of millions.

But if it were only a Song Dynasty printed edition, a page would sell for at most a few tens of thousands, and one hundred thousand would be the absolute limit.

Between the two, how vast is the difference?

He frowned and looked at Director Tian: "Is there any way to see the physical object?"

Before Tian Rulong could speak, Lin Sicheng shook his head first: "Rest assured, you won't be able to see it!"

The reason is simple: as long as someone places a bid, the transaction amount for that Zhu Zi manuscript will be at least one hundred million; it is one hundred percent the star lot of this auction, and the commission alone would be twenty or thirty million.

To avoid complications, from the closing of the exhibition until the hammer falls, the auction house will only keep the lot locked in a safe.

If you want to see it, you can only wait until after the settlement.

Tian Rulong muttered to himself: "This is trouble!"

He and Sheng Guoan had both signed their names on documents for the relevant departments.

But just one day later, the two of them were going back on their word together?

If the higher-ups asked for the reason, how would the two of them explain it? Should they tell the leaders: we didn't see the physical object, we only heard Lin Sicheng say there was a problem with the item, so we overturned yesterday's conclusion.

Do they still want their reputations?

Sheng Guoan thought for a moment: "I will call Senior Brother Zhang and have him find someone to apply for permission to let Lin Sicheng see the image data as soon as possible—"

Tian Rulong, however, shook his head: "Lao Sheng, it's too late!"

First, Sheng Guoan would have to convince Zhang Zongxian to let him make an emergency application to pull out these materials.

After Lin Sicheng saw them, he would have to find a way to convince Sheng Guoan, and then Sheng Guoan would have to convince Zhang Zongxian. And then after that, Zhang Zongxian would have to convince the level above him.

The key is that just talking is useless. Just as Lin Sicheng could not make Xiao Heng and Wu Hui bet their political futures on him just by talking, Sheng Guoan similarly could not make Zhang Zongxian bet the future of his family just by talking.

Either Sheng Guoan takes the evidence to Hong Kong, or Zhang Zongxian risks his old life to fly to Beijing.

How much time would that back-and-forth take?

And those few pages will be up for auction by the afternoon at the latest.

That is one point; the second is, based on Lin Sicheng's understanding of the relevant departments: besides the execution plan, there is also a backup plan.

At least one overt and one covert: the overt one attracts fire, the covert one maneuvers around; to put it bluntly: the one arranged to bid is definitely not just Zhang Yuanfan, there is at least one more, or perhaps even two.

This is to prevent Zhang Yuanfan from being targeted and having someone latch onto her.

Therefore, just convincing Zhang Zongxian is useless. Even if Zhang Yuanfan doesn't bid, there are others who will.

Anyway, no matter how you put it, Sheng Guoan and Tian Rulong are definitely going to take the fall for this—

"The so-called law does not punish the masses; even if, as Lin Sicheng says, there is a problem with the item, I am not afraid!" Tian Rulong comforted himself, "There are so many Experts who signed it together, which one is not more authoritative than me and Lao Sheng?"

"That is indeed the logic!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "But besides you and Director Sheng, which of the other Experts who signed it came to the scene?"

Tian Rulong was dumbfounded: not a single one.

The Experts from the National Library don't know Zhang Yuanfan, let alone Zhang Zongxian. Does that mean the final blame still falls on the two of them?

Of course, the main responsibility is certainly not theirs alone, but for an item worth several hundred million, if everyone shares a bit, the responsibility won't be small.

At least internally, the reputations of the two are finished. From now on, let alone participating in such tasks, whenever anything related to academics or Artifact Research comes up, as soon as the leaders see their names, they will immediately question: having made such a big mistake, are these two even capable?

Things that could have been approved will definitely be doubted. Things that could be approved or not will be an immediate cross—

Tian Rulong's heart sank, but he held onto a final glimmer of hope: "Lao Sheng, don't be afraid, what if Lin Sicheng misjudged it?"

Sheng Guoan sighed: "Do you believe these words yourself?"

Tian Rulong was speechless.

Lin Sicheng picking up treasures right under their noses was not the first or second time.

Zheng Banqiao's calligraphy, Qianlong's Congyun Seal, Wang Shu's imperial decree—

Especially that Congyun Seal: it was also at an auction, Tian Rulong had seen it, Sheng Guoan had seen it, but in the end, Lin Sicheng managed to get his hands on it for a price so low it was negligible.

Of course, it was not that the two were less professional than Lin Sicheng; most of it was a matter of luck. However, what they feared most was luck.

Just like this time, if Zhang Zongxian had just a bit more luck and knew earlier that this item had appeared at the auction, they would have been able to see the physical object.

If they had just a bit more luck and could have met Lin Sicheng yesterday, or even if they didn't meet, as long as they could have had a phone call with Lin Sicheng and known that there was a problem with this item, they wouldn't have signed it yesterday.

But it was just a coincidence, everything was a coincidence; through some twist of fate or ghostly intervention, he ended up accompanying Zhang Yuanfan to the scene?

Lin Sicheng was neither hurried nor impatient: "Don't panic, that thing might not necessarily end up in Miss Zhang's hands!"

Tian Rulong sighed: "Lin Sicheng, you really know how to comfort people!"

Lin Sicheng could think of it—that the few pages up for auction might not necessarily be the same ones from the video—could the leaders not think of it?

Yet they still organized so many Experts to verify them; what kind of mindset does that show?

Better to kill the wrong one than to let one go.

Even if Miss Zhang doesn't bid, someone else surely will. If Lin Sicheng's words come true and they bid on a fake, then as long as they signed the documents, not one of them will be able to escape.

Lin Sicheng looked surprised: "Putting it that way, does the Zhu Zi Manuscript really exist?"

"Of course!" Tian Rulong replied without hesitation, "Uncle-Master Zhang has been tracking it for fifty years."

Sheng Guoan looked left and right, then lowered his voice: "It even flowed out from the inside."

Lin Sicheng's eyelids twitched: Zhang Zongxian has been tracking it for fifty years, so it was lost in the fifties of the last century?

And this "inside"—

He was suddenly stunned: "The Forbidden City?"

Sheng Guoan nodded: "Many people were dealt with at the time, but no clues were found!"

Lin Sicheng suddenly realized: No wonder the relevant departments are pursuing it so tightly, and why the scale this time is so grand?

Even knowing it might be fake, they are still sparing no cost to bid for it; so it turns out there is an unsolved case?

Given the national situation in the fifties, this is definitely a major espionage case!

It's even harder to say if there are other cases involved: because the library of that year was right on the edge of the Three Seas—

Thinking of this, a flash of light crossed Lin Sicheng's mind: It's over, this trap is set for sure—