Chapter 597: Doing Wrong Things Comes with a Price

Li Chengkai tried hard to think of an excuse: "Could it be that Tongchi is having a temporary cash flow issue and can't raise the full amount of funds?"

"Mr. Li, Tongchi is a foundation, and there's a bank behind it! We aren't asking for billions, just one hundred and sixty million—"

"Then it must be a problem with the transfer, like incomplete paperwork that got it sent back?"

Zhou Zhilin was stunned for a moment and shut his mouth.

If one's conviction can remain firm and unshakable, then one's confidence is naturally indestructible, as solid as Mount Tai.

But these two phone calls had already caused two cracks in Zhou Zhilin's conviction: if everything Lin Sicheng said was wrong, why would Tongchi be stalling?

He steadied himself on the chair and took two deep breaths: "Mr. Li, let's not argue for now, let's calm down first—"

Li Chengkai twitched his lips, but in the end, he said nothing.

In fact, he also knew he was being unreasonable. But to make him admit that Tongchi wanted to set a trap to swindle them, he really couldn't accept it.

Zhou Zhilin looked at Lin Sicheng again: "General Manager Lin, are there still problems?"

Of course, and many.

Lin Sicheng was straightforward: "Bonhams is an international auction house. Since they can register domestically and successfully hold auctions, they must have understood all the—"

"Have they never reminded you what procedures are needed to transfer funds from Hong Kong to the mainland?"

"Secondly, they have a complete and professional finance department with both domestic and Hong Kong accounts. Why didn't they suggest that both parties could settle through offshore accounts and then pay taxes domestically?"

"Or perhaps, they don't know you are from Hong Kong, and don't know that the transaction funds you borrowed were guaranteed by the Tongchi Fund?"

Zhou Zhilin looked at Li Chengkai, meaning for him to answer, but Li Chengkai didn't know how to answer.

After the auction ended, all information was filed and registered at the auction house: including their identity information, the principal's information, the source of funds, and the settlement method.

Then why didn't Bonhams remind them?

The thought swirled in his mind, and Li Chengkai's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot: the guarantor and the auction house colluding to set a trap—no, impossible.

This was no longer a question of whether he could accept it; once it became reality, it would be more painful than killing him.

Because Li Chengkai was the one who contacted the Tongchi Fund, and it was his wife who introduced it.

Which was equivalent to saying his wife was trying to harm him—

He narrowed his eyes and stared at Lin Sicheng: "Evidence?"

"Not yet, but we can try. The method is very simple: make a phone call—"

Lin Sicheng was unhurried, "This time, Manager Li, you make the call. Call the auction house and tell them: Tongchi Fund's paperwork has run into problems and they cannot transfer the funds, and Mr. Zhang also does not agree to pay the advance."

"But since you can't come up with that much money for the time being, to avoid breach of contract, you request to transfer the debt and the purchase rights!"

To put it bluntly: change the buyer.

"And then?" Li Chengkai didn't understand, "I'm talking about after the auction house agrees."

Lin Sicheng was exceptionally certain: "Don't worry, they won't agree!"

"Impossible!" Li Chengkai shook his head decisively, "This is reasonable and logical!"

"Manager Li, the premise of being reasonable is that there is someone to take over, and the premise of being logical is that there is a clear clause in the agreement allowing for transfer, and the transferee must be specified the moment the auction is won. Otherwise, if you transfer the debt to a pauper, what will they use to settle, and how will the auction house collect?"

Li Chengkai sneered: "Don't you worry, there are plenty of people who would take over!"

Lin Sicheng sighed: "Manager Li, how many more times do I need to say it, and how blunt do I have to be for you to understand?"

"The goal of the auction house and the Tongchi Fund is to sell this manuscript to Mr. Zhang. Apart from Mr. Zhang, there won't be a second buyer!"

To put it plainly, the two are in cahoots, just to trap Zhang Zongxian—

It wasn't that Li Chengkai didn't understand; it was that he didn't want to believe it.

He took out his phone: "Fine, I'll call!"

The call was dialed, and it was answered quickly.

The Person in Charge was very polite and very enthusiastic.

When Li Chengkai explained his intent, there was a full half-minute of silence on the line.

"Mr. Li, this violates the agreement! We cannot conduct investigations and audits on the background and credit of a transferee."

"Why can't you investigate if they possess the corresponding strength?"

"Mr. Li, since they have the strength, why not let the transferee help you pay the advance first? Once you complete the agency agreement with Mr. Zhang, you can pay them back with interest?"

Li Chengkai was left speechless because he couldn't refute it: borrowing money was simpler than transferring debt—

"Mr. Li, I suggest settling and closing according to the agreement. Additionally, I would like to remind Mr. Li that there are ten days left until the deadline, including two weekends, leaving only six normal working days—"

"If you cannot perform as scheduled, you and Mr. Zhou will face serious legal and financial risks—"

"Did you not understand what I said?" Li Chengkai suppressed his anger, "Mr. Zhang has canceled the agency. If you don't let me transfer the debt, I can only forfeit the bid—"

The other side paused: "Then I am very sorry, Mr. Li, we will have to see you in court—"

"Sorry your mother—"

Before he could finish cursing, with a "beep," the other side hung up the phone.

Li Chengkai stared at his phone, unable to recover for a long time.

The auction house didn't even ask who the person taking over the debt was before telling him it wasn't allowed?

Do they know how many wealthy people I know? What if I could find Li Chaoren?

Li Chengkai didn't believe that for a treasure that could sell for three or four hundred million, there would be no one to take over.

He flipped through his phone book, just thinking about who would be suitable, when Lin Sicheng suddenly said: "Huiheng, Jinhang!"

Li Chengkai looked up: "What?"

"If Manager Li wants to find a suitable transferee, you might as well look for Huiheng and Jinhang first. These two are famous art funds in Asia and are among the best art investment institutions in the industry; they are fully capable. The key is that they have made valuations far exceeding the transaction price—"

"General Manager Li has worked in international firms for so many years, surely you have friends you know. You can ask them: say that you have already closed with Bonhams. But because of a small problem, you have now terminated the contract with Mr. Zhang."

"You want to find a new buyer and ask if they are willing to take over. You don't need much, just enough for you to make a ten percent profit!"

Li Chengkai was stunned: "Just ten percent? What if they agree, do I have to go back on my word?"

Lin Sicheng did not know what to say: at a time like this, are you still considering how much less you will earn?

Rather, it is how much you need to compensate, whether it is two hundred million or three hundred million—

Lin Sicheng sighed: "General Manager Li, you do not need to go back on your word. If they are willing to take over, I will make up the ten percent you earn less!"

Li Chengkai was half-believing and half-doubting.

Ten percent is over ten million; Lin Sicheng can definitely come up with it. Li Chengkai also believed that Lin Sicheng would not go back on his word in front of so many people.

He was suspicious of these two funds.

Even if his mouth was stubborn, Li Chengkai had a basic judgment: things were developing step by step according to Lin Sicheng's predictions.

What if, what if it develops into the result Lin Sicheng predicted?

His hand trembled inadvertently, and Li Chengkai took a deep breath.

He first called Jinhang; this company is in Japan, their cooperation is relatively limited, and the relationship is more distant, so he could probe their stance.

As soon as he stated his purpose, the other party directly refused: "Sorry Mr. Li, our company has no investment plans for large-scale artworks recently, sorry!"

Li Chengkai was very puzzled: "But you gave a valuation of three hundred million RMB for this manuscript?"

The other side paused for a moment: "Mr. Li, the one responsible for valuation is the Investigation Department, we are responsible for investment, which belongs to the Operations Department! For the same artwork, the two departments execute two different systems, including different reference standards—if you want to know, I can give you the phone number of the Investigation Department—"

What use is it for me to know this?

Li Chengkai hung up the phone, did not call Huiheng directly, but turned his head: "Brother He, I remember your younger sister is at Huiheng?"

She was indeed at Huiheng; he was the one who introduced her there in the first place.

He Jian took out his phone: "Okay, I'll call!"

It was also answered quickly. He Jian also knew the seriousness of the matter, skipped the pleasantries, and was straightforward: "Ani, you should know that your company did a valuation for the Zhu Zi Manuscript. You must also know that Mr. Li, entrusted by Mr. Zhang, has successfully won the bid!"

The other side paused: "Big Brother, I know."

He Jian's heart skipped a beat: what he feared was not that his sister told him she knew, but the few seconds of pause in between—

"Ani, do you know anything else?"

This time the pause was longer, nearly half a minute: "Big Brother, this valuation from the Assessment Department was very sudden and did not seek advice or ratings from the Investment Department and Management Department. At the same time, the Investment Department has no corresponding inspection and Artifact Research plans—"

"In addition, I heard news: your two friends are suspected of breach of contract, and Bonhams has united with Tongchi, entrusting Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Law Firm, preparing to sue your two friends—"

"Boom," as if a thunderclap had sounded, He Jian's brain felt like it was going to explode.

If there is no rating from the Investment Department and Management Department, what kind of valid valuation is this?

If the Investment Department has no corresponding inspection plan, it only explains one thing: this item is not worth that much at all.

Combined with the pause his sister intentionally made, He Jian could completely guess the whole truth: this valuation was likely written down randomly by Huiheng after taking money, according to the client's request.

But this is secondary; the key lies in the last sentence: Bonhams and Tongchi are preparing to sue jointly, and they have found the second-ranked law firm in Hong Kong.

The problem is, it has only been a few minutes since Li Chengkai finished his call, and these two have already united?

Even, the news has already reached Huiheng?

He Jian's sister is only a middle-level manager, not the boss. Huiheng has no affiliation with Bonhams, and they are even very unfamiliar.

The only reason she knew so quickly is one possibility: these three companies have a partnership, and the content of the partnership is that manuscript—

He Jian stared straight at Zhou Zhilin, his mouth opened and closed, but he dared not say: Huiheng, Bonhams, and Tongchi are all in the same gang.

Then what about the remaining one, Jinhang in Japan?

Everything went black before Zhou Zhilin's eyes.

Fortunately, he was sitting in a chair, otherwise he would have fallen over headfirst.

Li Chengkai's face was deathly pale, and his legs were trembling.

He really wanted to say it was impossible, but the facts were laid out before him like iron.

Suddenly, two "buzzing" sounds.

Li Chengkai woodenly picked up his phone and pressed the answer button.

It was a woman, speaking in standard Cantonese: "Hello Mr. Li, I am Lin Yi, a Lawyer from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, entrusted by Bonhams Auction Company and Tongchi Fund—"

Before the person on the other side finished speaking, with a "clatter," the phone fell to the ground. Li Chengkai went deaf instantly, unable to hear any sound in his ears.

Zhou Zhilin's eyes were lifeless, and he did not move.

No matter how stupid they were, they understood by now: these three—no, these four: Bonhams, Tongchi, Huiheng, and Jinhang, were all in the same gang.

The purpose of these institutions was to trap Zhang Zongxian's two hundred million. But now, they didn't trap Zhang Zongxian, but instead got themselves stuck at the bottom of the pit?

The problem is, what will they use to pay the two hundred million?

The remaining people were dumbfounded, staring straight at Lin Sicheng, all with expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

If she hadn't been following Lin Sicheng every day and knew very clearly what he was doing every day, Liang Shiya would have even thought that Lin Sicheng was the mastermind behind the scenes. Everything was planned by him and executed by him.

If not, why was every step developing according to his predictions?

Zhang Zongxian stared at Lin Sicheng for a long while, then turned his head back and looked at the man behind him.

The middle-aged man shook his head, meaning it had nothing to do with him.

To be precise: what Lin Sicheng said, and what just happened, did not originate from the person Zhang Zongxian thought, nor the person the man represented.

After thinking about it, the man felt it was better to explain. He stood up and walked behind Zhang Zongxian, then bent down: "Mr. Zhang, I did not receive any notice, nor did I receive any news. The only instruction was on the day of the auction—"

The man's superior asked the man to tell Zhang Zongxian: if possible, try not to let the people Zhang Zongxian arranged in the shadows bid.

Actually, Zhang Zongxian did not arrange anyone, because there was no time.

But this is not the point; the point is what just happened—

Zhang Zongxian calmed his emotions: "Lin Sicheng, can you tell me who did this?"

Lin Sicheng knew he wouldn't say it for nothing, the problem is, he really didn't know.

"Mr. Zhang, I really don't know. But at least I am certain: whoever has the original work in their hands is the one who did it—"

Including the time long, long ago, framing her sister's father-in-law, and that matter with Mr. Huo—

Zhang Zongxian replied without hesitation: "Then how did you find out about all this?"

"I didn't check; it was pure guesswork!"

After saying this, Lin Sicheng perhaps felt it was too perfunctory, so he explained further: "Mr. Zhang, I've been in some trouble recently and cannot leave the country. Whether it's Hong Kong, the UK, or even Japan, I don't know anyone, nor do I have any channels for information."

"If I must explain, I can only answer like this: I made a preconceived judgment, firmly believing this was a scam targeting you, and then I applied the 'Rolling Bead Strategy'—"

Zhang Zongxian paused: "Rolling Bead Strategy?"

"Yes!"

The 'bead' is the Zhu Zi Manuscript, and the 'plate' is Zhang Zongxian. No matter how the bead rolls, jumps, or flies, and no matter how many people fight or scramble for it in the process, in the very end, it will only land in the plate that was determined from the start.

To put it bluntly: a scam targeting only one person!

Zhang Zongxian's eyes brightened.

With one phrase about preconceived judgment and another about applying the strategy, Lin Sicheng explained it very simply, and the listener felt it was indeed very simple.

But whoever thinks it's simple, let them try it.

Zhang Zongxian could guarantee that whoever tried it would fall for it, and it would absolutely leave them without even their underwear left.

To tell the truth, if Lin Sicheng hadn't suddenly appeared, he would have already fallen for it.

Thank goodness—

After pondering for a while, Zhang Zongxian looked up: "Lin Sicheng, what is their intention in filing a joint lawsuit?"

"They think you probably don't know what happened yet. They hope Master Zhou and Manager Li can persuade you to continue fulfilling the agreement. Persuade me?"

Zhang Zongxian sighed: Lin Sicheng was being too subtle; to put it accurately: coaxing and deceiving, using moral blackmail.

He didn't doubt for a second whether these two would do such a thing: things had reached this point, which was no different from forcing them to jump off a building; what wouldn't they dare to do?

"Forcing good people into prostitution, deceiving the world!" Zhang Zongxian sighed, "Lin Sicheng, you are remarkable!"

"Mr. Zhang, you flatter me!"

Zhang Zongxian shook his head.

Whether it was flattery or not, he knew best—

He thought again: "Lin Sicheng, are you afraid I might go back on my word?"

It was as if Lin Sicheng had revealed the answer to the riddle in advance; since he knew it was a scam, it was impossible for Zhang Zongxian to be fooled again.

Naturally, there would be no need to pay the two hundred million; even if there were, it would be Zhou Zhilin and Li Chengkai paying. The problem was that Lin Sicheng and Zhang Zongxian hadn't signed an agreement, and there wasn't even a verbal promise.

Zhang Zongxian meant that as long as he didn't acknowledge it, the sixty million wouldn't have to count.

Lin Sicheng spoke bluntly: "Mr. Zhang, what you care about isn't the sixty million, or even the two hundred million, but who did this!"

Zhang Zongxian paused and gave a thumbs up.

Since he suspected this thing was fake, why did he still decide to bid for it first and talk later?

He just wanted to know where the manuscript came from.

"Lin Sicheng, can you investigate it?"

Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation: "I can, but I can't guarantee anything!"

"I don't need your guarantee. I'll give you the sixty million as promised, and then another sixty million—" Zhang Zongxian waved his hand, "even if you find nothing!"

Before the words had even faded, many people's eyes widened again.

For example, Liang Shiya, Guo Yongxin, and Chen Jiashan.

Sixty million plus sixty million, that's one hundred and twenty million; converted into US dollars, it's infinitely close to twenty million.

The three women looked at each other: twenty million in entry capital, and Lin Sicheng solved it just like that?

He just moved his mouth—

"Fine, let's discuss this matter later!" Zhang Zongxian pointed at Zhou Zhilin, "You talk to them first!"

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang!"

After expressing his thanks, Lin Sicheng called out toward the door, "Lawyer Tan!"

"Teacher Lin, I'm here!"

Following the voice, the door was pushed open, and three people entered together.

Besides Tan Zheng, there was the Center's newly appointed Director, as well as the new financial Consultant, Du Luoyan.

The three were holding several agreements, along with the official seal and inkpad.

Lin Sicheng took the agreements and walked to the front of Zhou Zhilin: "Master Zhou!"

Zhou Zhilin slowly came back to his senses, and after seeing Lin Sicheng's face clearly, he subconsciously shrank back.

Immediately, he lifted his head again, his face showing a trace of determination: "General Manager Lin, have you ever seen the bidding agreement of an international auction house?"

"I have!"

Lin Sicheng knew what he meant: General Manager Lin, this case cannot be overturned.

Bonhams would not give them the slightest chance.

Zhou Zhilin gritted his teeth: "General Manager Lin, I don't have that much money either. I don't have sixty million, let alone two hundred million—I don't have it, and Mr. Li has even less!"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "It is indeed hard to overturn, but the auction item has flaws!"

"As for the sixty million, you don't need to pay it all; you only need to pay a portion, which won't exceed twenty million—"

"Of course, if we lose the lawsuit, then there's nothing more to say!"

Zhou Zhilin was stunned, his pupils dilating bit by bit. Suddenly, he remembered the sentence Lin Sicheng had said when they first entered the conference room: "Mr. Zhang's decision to revoke the commission is not because you exceeded the agreed floor price, but because the auction item has major flaws, and you, as the agents, concealed them—"

At the time, Li Chengkai had laughed out loud: We have spent half our lives in appraisal; do you think we can't tell if there are flaws?

Zhou Zhilin hadn't laughed, but he had seen clearly at the time that the two Experts from the Forbidden City were staring straight at Lin Sicheng, their expressions both suspicious and strange—

At the time, he had felt it was ridiculous: everyone felt there was no problem, so what gave Lin Sicheng such confidence?

But now, it had become a life-saving straw: if the manuscript had no problems, why would the auction house and the fund company join forces to set up a trap?

If there is no problem with the manuscript, why has no one taken it over?

Zhou Zhilin's eyes brightened, and before he could open his mouth, Li Chengkai suddenly rushed over: "What flaw?"

Lin Sicheng did not answer, but instead handed over a Technology Authorization Agreement: "If you want to know, then sign!"

Li Chengkai was stunned, took it into his hands, and Zhou Zhilin also took a copy; the two of them flipped through it impatiently.

The Technology Authorization Agreement was very simple: the two of them entrusted Lin Sicheng with full authority to represent them in the litigation case concerning the auction of the Zhu Zi Manuscript involving Bonhams and the Tongchi Fund.

The agency fee is 60 million, sourced from two parts: first, Zhou Zhilin and Li Chengkai entrust Lin Sicheng with full authority to represent them in filing a counterclaim against the plaintiff and claiming damages.

Regardless of how much can be awarded in the end, this portion belongs entirely to Lin Sicheng. If it is less than 60 million, Zhou Zhilin and Li Chengkai will make up the difference. But no matter how much it falls short, they only need to pay 20 million.

If it exceeds 60 million, it will all be counted as Lin Sicheng's service fee.

This means that there is a high probability that Zhou Zhilin and Li Chengkai will not need to pay money, and at most, they will pay an agency fee of 20 million.

The eyes of the two men grew brighter and brighter.

Because they were not novices; on the contrary, both were seasoned individuals, and even more so, Experts.

They knew very clearly what it meant if the auction item had a major flaw: regardless of the country, regardless of the type of law, as long as an auction house and a consignor conceal a major flaw and mislead bidders, it is treated as fraud.

The buyer may rescind the Contract, recover the payment for goods, and claim damages.

As for how much to claim—the law stipulates how much, so that is how much is claimed. China's is relatively low: involving fraudulent sales, up to three times the amount.

Of course, the hope for three times is a bit high, but there is a high probability that they will not need to pay money. They might even make a little profit—

Thinking of this, Zhou Zhilin and Li Chengkai looked at each other again: if they spoke their true thoughts, did that manuscript have a flaw? They were inclined to think it did not.

At least they had not discovered it, and the Experts at the Forbidden City had not discovered it either.

But as things have developed to this point, every step is playing out according to the script arranged by Lin Sicheng.

It is even unbelievable and inconceivable that an internationally renowned auction house would join forces with three equally internationally renowned foundations to set a trap for an equally famous major collector.

But it happened, so what else is impossible to happen?

Li Chengkai's eyes grew brighter and brighter: "General Manager Lin, if we win the lawsuit, the compensation amount will not be small, and it is entirely possible to cover the agency fee you requested. It might even exceed it by a lot."

"But you insisted that I and Mr. Zhou be responsible for part of the agency fee; this is not fair—"

Before he could finish, Lin Sicheng waved his hand to interrupt, "Manager Li, I understand what you mean: you also want to earn a little. But don't think about it—let me be blunt: the reason I set it at 20 million is because that is all you can scrape together. If you could scrape together more, I could have set it higher—"

Pausing, Lin Sicheng stared into Li Chengkai's eyes, "Manager Li, doing the wrong thing requires paying a price—"

At first, Li Chengkai was still confused: I just wanted to make some money, does that count as wrong?

But meeting Zhou Zhilin's eyes, he suddenly remembered.

He thought of that scene that happened at the very end on the day the auction concluded.

"Manager Li, the item has a problem, and furthermore, you have breached the Contract—"

"Heh—you say it's a breach of contract, so it's a breach of contract? What kind of thing are you? Like a loser—"

, added together, were there even twenty characters?

But Lin Sicheng wants 20 million from them?

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