Chapter 590: What Can You Do About It?

The auction officially began; the beautiful host stood on stage, and as the auction items came up one after another, the atmosphere in the room was quite good, with bidders raising their number plates higher and higher.

It had only just started, and to warm up the crowd, the items put up for auction early on were definitely good things, so it was normal for it to be a bit lively.

But a bit further back, the circle sitting diagonally across from the stage was exceptionally quiet.

Lin Sicheng kept his head lowered, not saying a word for a long time.

The few people beside him looked at him from time to time, then exchanged glances.

The more Zhang Yuanfan watched, the stranger she felt: she sensed that it was as if everyone's emotions and state of mind were held in Lin Sicheng's hands.

If he was relaxed, everyone was relaxed. If he was heavy-hearted, everyone was heavy-hearted.

She was very puzzled: "Uncle Tian, what is he worried about?"

Tian Rulong replied without hesitation: "Worried that you'll be swindled!"

Zhang Yuanfan was stunned: "He's worried about me?"

"Who else could he be worried about?"

Once the words were out, Tian Rulong realized that this statement was ambiguous.

What Lin Sicheng was worried about was: if the item was fake, the state would have to pay out several hundred million.

But Zhang Yuanfan did not understand Lin Sicheng's status; if you explained it to her, she would only think it was too lofty and too fake.

Secondly, Zhang Yuanfan only knew that it had to be bought, but didn't know why it had to be bought, and even less about the background of this manuscript. Yet, Tian Rulong didn't dare to say too much.

Seeing him not speak, Zhang Yuanfan was even more puzzled: "If it's just out of a personal relationship, why would he take it so seriously?"

Zhang Yuanfan had her own perceptions and, more importantly, basic judgment: it definitely wasn't for her sake.

Thinking about it, it must be out of personal friendship with Tian Rulong and Sheng Guoan that Lin Sicheng was putting in so much effort. However, it seemed he was trying a bit too hard, even more concerned than she, the principal, was.

This question stumped Tian Rulong: should he tell Zhang Yuanfan that he and Sheng Guoan had signed a document, and if there was a problem with the manuscript, both of them would have to be held responsible?

As a friend, it was only right and proper for Lin Sicheng to bail them out.

Furthermore, to be more utilitarian: Lin Sicheng and the Pottery Research Institute were at a critical stage of cooperation; if Tian Rulong ran into trouble, what would happen to the projects they were collaborating on?

Whether for public or private reasons, it was impossible for Lin Sicheng not to intervene.

But having signed a Technology Authorization Agreement, some things could only be understood intuitively and could not be spoken of. The problem was, Zhang Yuanfan couldn't intuit it.

Forget it, let her misunderstand; it was better than leaking secrets.

Tian Rulong pressed his lips together tightly.

Zhang Yuanfan was even more confused.

Unable to ask and unable to figure it out, Zhang Yuanfan chose not to think about it.

As long as the item was brought up, she would just raise her plate.

After making up her mind, Zhang Yuanfan no longer hesitated, and her mood gradually relaxed.

After a few more items were auctioned, Ye Anning nudged Lin Sicheng's arm: "Number 22 is up for auction!"

Lin Sicheng looked up: it was that Nest Lake Map imitating Shitao.

The image was playing on the screen, and the auctioneer was introducing it.

Li Zhen, Fang Jin, as well as Zhao Da and Zhao Er were all there, so Lin Sicheng didn't need to raise his plate.

He estimated that it should go quite smoothly.

Sure enough, the auctioneer asked twice, but the room remained silent.

A work by an anonymous artist, and not painted particularly well, yet it was asking for six thousand?

Nobody's money was blown in by a strong wind—

The auctioneer asked for the third round: "This piece is valued at twenty-eight thousand, and we are starting the bidding at six thousand. Is there anyone who will take the offer?"

Still, no one raised a plate.

This was a normal phenomenon: even in the most successful auctions, there were bound to be items that failed to sell.

The auctioneer was not very disappointed and prepared to withdraw the item, but just as he was about to raise his hand, a number plate was raised in the corner.

"Number fifteen, number fifteen bids six thousand—is there any higher bid?"

"Six thousand once, six thousand twice—sold, congratulations—"

With a "clack," the wooden gavel fell.

Sheng Guoan squinted his eyes: "Old Tian, why does it look to me like that girl raising the plate is Lin Sicheng's Assistant?"

It wasn't just like it; it actually was!

Tian Rulong nodded: "It must have been arranged by him!"

Sheng Guoan was taken aback and looked at the big screen. But it happened to be the turn of the next auction item, and the image flashed and vanished.

He flipped through the catalog again, but unfortunately: there were too many Calligraphy and Painting items, and the catalog had limited space, so this one only had a text description, no photo.

But for Lin Sicheng to specifically arrange for someone to raise the plate, there must be something to it.

He leaned forward: "Lin Sicheng, whose painting is this?"

"

"Shitao's!"

"I'm asking who imitated it?"

"Anonymous!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "Director Sheng, isn't it written right there?"

No—it's already been hammered down, what else are you afraid to say?

Just as Sheng Guoan was about to ask, Wang Qizhi hurriedly signaled with his eyes.

It was hammered down, that was true. But before the handover, as long as the item wasn't in their hands, it couldn't be considered Lin Sicheng's.

Liang Shiya, Guo Yongxin, Chen Jiashan, and those three Appraisers invited from Hong Kong were all sitting behind them, and quite close at that.

If they heard anything and caused some trouble, the cooked duck would fly away.

Sheng Guoan did not understand why, but he did not ask any further.

The auction continued, and after a few more items were sold, it was the turn of that Landscape Pattern album by Hong Daoren.

The valuation was 280,000, with a starting bid of 50,000.

There was no lack of experts in the room who knew their stuff; although they did not know who Hong Daoren was, they could tell that these twenty-four small album leaves were painted quite well.

Therefore, there were many people bidding.

In less than two minutes, the price climbed to 100,000.

By the time it reached 120,000, the number of bidders grew smaller and smaller, and when it reached 150,000, only three remained.

Sheng Guoan stared at the younger one among them.

"Lao Tian, this is also Lin Sicheng's Assistant, right?"

Tian Rulong replied without hesitation: "Correct!"

Li Zhen had known Lin Sicheng the longest, but because of gender, it was actually Fang Jin who had been with Lin Sicheng the longest.

Every time he came to Beijing, it was Fang Jin who followed Lin Sicheng; Sheng Guoan and Tian Rulong had seen him more than once.

Including the last time at the Xiling auction, Fang Jin had also raised his paddle.

Sheng Guoan squinted his eyes and looked at the image on the big screen. But he did not know if it was an issue with the angle, he always felt it was somewhat distorted.

He flipped open the catalog again.

This item was relatively expensive, so besides the text, it also included photos.

Sheng Guoan stared at it for a good while: "This brushwork, this style, why does it feel somewhat familiar?"

Tian Rulong was unimpressed: "It's familiar for a reason, otherwise why would Lin Sicheng want to bid on it?"

That was true.

They had both been to the Research Center at Xida; which of those paintings that Lin Sicheng placed in the exhibition hall was he not familiar with?

Setting aside the gifts guests gave during the opening, most were items Lin Sicheng had picked up as bargains from various occasions.

Tian Rulong was exceptionally certain: "I reckon this kid can make a lot again. Director Sheng, can you tell who painted it?"

"Lao Tian, you really think too highly of me: if I could appraise a painting through a screen, would I still be sitting here?

Let alone him, even Teacher Xu wouldn't dare to boast like that—"

Sheng Guoan closed the catalog, "I'll stop looking. I assume it's some famous master; once Lin Sicheng wins the bid, we'll borrow it to study it then!"

Tian Rulong was noncommittal: "Don't be in a rush, let's get through this hurdle first!"

Sheng Guoan paused and said nothing more.

Seeing the expressions of the two, Zhang Yuanfan became curious again.

She did not understand: since Sheng Guoan was not certain of the origin of this album, nor the author, why was he so convinced that Lin Sicheng would definitely pick up a bargain?

Actually, she had wanted to ask just now: why were they so firm in their belief that if Lin Sicheng thought the manuscript had issues, it must definitely have issues?

But the scope of that statement was too broad, effectively negating everyone else, so Zhang Yuanfan did not dare to ask.

Seeing her blinking her eyes, Tian Rulong smiled and pointed at Lin Sicheng, who was sitting diagonally in front: "Are you very curious?"

Zhang Yuanfan nodded very honestly.

"Because he is very strong! His Ceramics Appraisal is not inferior to mine, his Painting Appraisal is not inferior to Director Sheng's, and he also covers jade, horn, gold and silver, and miscellaneous items—and that's just appraisal; if we talk about Artifact Restoration and Artifact Research, he is even stronger than me and Lao Sheng—"

Tian Rulong was dead serious, "There is an old saying: in learning, there is no distinction of seniority; the one who achieves is the master."

Zhang Yuanfan opened her eyes wide: of course she knew that Director Tian was using a metaphor. He was expressing their recognition and trust in Lin Sicheng, not that they really felt Lin Sicheng could be their teacher.

But how many types of Cultural Relics and antiques are there in total? She had never seen, nor had she ever heard of, anyone who was proficient in all of them.

And then there was Artifact Restoration and Artifact Research: how many years had Tian Rulong and Sheng Guoan studied, and how many years had Lin Sicheng studied?

"Some people cannot be explained by normal logic and traditional empirical knowledge, because they have long since exceeded common sense!"

Tian Rulong smiled, "You'll understand once you have more contact with him in the future!"

Zhang Yuanfan was half-understanding, and subconsciously looked forward.

Without knowing when, Lin Sicheng was holding the catalog, as if looking at something.

Looking closer, it was unexpectedly the Zhu Zi Manuscript—

Zhang Yuanfan could see it, and Liang Shiya could see it too.

Zhou Zhilin even specifically reminded her: Miss Liang, what General Manager Lin and those two experts from the Forbidden City are discussing might be the Zhu Zi Manuscript.

Having watched for so long, did he have some idea?

It was not impossible, but Liang Shiya was thinking: this thing is worth at least a hundred million, where would Lin Sicheng get the money?

Furthermore, it was not mentioned in the Financial Plan; whether Lin Sicheng bid or not had little to do with the technical research.

At the very least, he could not use a single cent of this money—

Just as she was thinking this, a commotion came from beside her; Li Chengkai had raised his paddle.

"Mr. Number Thirty is bidding, 160,000. Very good, is there any higher bid—"

After two rounds, Li Chengkai put down the paddle and switched with Zhou Zhilin. The two alternated, and in a few moves, they pushed the price to 250,000.

At first, Liang Shiya did not pay attention. Li Chengkai was not invited by her, but by Zhou Zhilin. Whether he bid on things or not had nothing to do with Liang Shiya.

This included Zhou Zhilin and He Jian as well; no matter what they bid on, as long as it did not affect her commission, it was fine.

But after bidding for several rounds, Li Chengkai and Zhou Zhilin kept following very closely; they raised their paddles almost as soon as the auctioneer called a price, and only then did Liang Shiya realize something was wrong.

She took a closer look: the screen displayed a set of ancient books—oh no, a pile of ancient books: spread across a long table, at least over a hundred volumes.

Looking at the name of the auction item, Liang Shiya was stunned: "Jiyin Outline", "Jiyang Outline"—wasn't this the set of Medical Book that Lin Sicheng was preparing to bid on?

And at this moment, the price had already reached 300,000, which was already more than five times the starting price.

"Master Zhou, didn't you say before that this set of Medical Book was worth at most a few tens of thousands?"

"Miss Liang, this item is indeed not worth much, but General Manager Lin has not raised his paddle, so we suspect: there is a Top Hammer in the room—"

Zhou Zhilin paused: "Including the two items from before, General Manager Lin hasn't raised his paddle either!"

Top Hammer is jargon for an agent; Liang Shiya could roughly understand: Lin Sicheng had arranged for someone to bid on his behalf.

"Then why are you driving up the price?"

"Because of the Zhu Zi Manuscript!" Zhou Zhilin said bluntly, "General Manager Lin will very likely stop Miss Zhang from bidding!"

Liang Shiya only half-understood: Is there a connection between these two items?

After a brief thought, she realized: If Zhang Yuanfan doesn't bid, then Zhou Zhilin has to.

But what if someone else bids, and Zhou Zhilin isn't as wealthy as that person?

Only if the item ends up in Zhang Zongxian's hands will they get their commission and travel expenses.

Liang Shiya suddenly realized: It amounts to Lin Sicheng indirectly cutting off their source of income.

"But, Lin Sicheng just met Miss Zhang, does he have that kind of ability?"

Zhou Zhilin replied without hesitation: "General Manager Lin might not, but those two Experts from the Forbidden City he knows certainly do!"

After all, this is a business deal worth millions, and it could potentially earn tens of millions, so ever since Zhang Yuanfan and Lin Sicheng sat together, Zhou Zhilin had been observing.

At first, the group was laughing and talking. But afterwards, Lin Sicheng opened the catalog, pointed at the manuscript and said something, and the expressions of the group became grave.

Following that, Lin Sicheng discussed things privately with those two Experts; although he couldn't hear what was said, he could infer from their expressions: Lin Sicheng was persuading them to let it go.

Although Zhou Zhilin couldn't figure out how Lin Sicheng could influence the decision of these two, it was clear that he already had.

Looking at Miss Zhang's attitude toward these two Experts and the degree to which she relied on them, Zhou Zhilin knew: their business today would likely fall through.

As the old saying goes, a person fights for a breath of air, and a Buddha fights for a stick of incense—

"But why drive up the price?" Liang Shiya half-understood, "If it gets stuck in your hands, wouldn't that be a loss that outweighs the gain?"

Zhou Zhilin was very confident: "Miss Liang, that won't happen!"

Li Chengkai and He Jian are not only senior appraisers but also professional auctioneers, and they work for the world's number one and number two international auction houses.

No one is more familiar with the tricks of art auctions than they are.

This set of items is only worth a few tens of thousands, but why has the bidding reached four hundred thousand, with five or six people still following?

Because there is more than one Top Hammer raising a paddle; among them, two or three are shills for the seller.

Li Chengkai is certain: even if it doesn't get stuck with Lin Sicheng, it can be stuck with the seller's Top Hammer.

In any case, it definitely won't end up in Lin Sicheng's hands.

Liang Shiya was stunned: Isn't this just harming others without benefiting oneself?

"Master Zhou, he might not be very professional. Or perhaps, he doesn't know about the agreement between you and Miss Zhang—"

Zhou Zhilin was taken aback; he hadn't expected Liang Shiya to actually speak up for Lin Sicheng.

Aren't you rivals?

Liang Shiya sighed: It's true they are rivals, but there are many ways to compete.

She had also said more than once that she wanted to use underhanded tactics and trip Lin Sicheng up. But up until now, it had always remained just talk.

Liang Shiya had never actually done it once—

Just as she was thinking this, He Jian suddenly pointed: "Mr. Li, Mr. Zhou, look!"

Directly ahead, Lin Sicheng was staring at them, with a look that was half-smile, half-not.

Zhou Zhilin and Li Chengkai snorted coldly: What can you do?