Chapter 602: Darkness and Obscurity

Lang Qingxiang narrowed his eyes: "General Manager Lin, do I have a grudge against you?"

"No, we've never met before!"

"Then why?"

Lin Sicheng didn't speak; he looked at Lang Qingxiang, then looked at Jin Yuzhen.

"General Manager Lang, are you and Madam Jin from the Banner people?"

Lang Qingxiang was stunned for a moment: "What does that have to do with anything?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "Just a casual question."

It truly had nothing to do with him, but it had to do with Zhang Zongxian, and even more so with the thirty volumes of the "Collected Works of the Two Chengs" that were lost from the Forbidden City back then.

After a brief pause, Lin Sicheng spoke slowly: "General Manager Lang, I am mainly engaged in Artifact Research, and when I have money and time, I also dabble in collecting. Occasionally, I also help friends authenticate—"

"Sometimes, if a friend likes something, I will also transfer one or two pieces—but there is one thing: I never deceive people, and I never harm people—"

Lang Qingxiang narrowed his eyes: "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what you think I mean!"

Lang Qingxiang was so angry he laughed: "You know jack shit—"

"Clang, clang, clang—" The Police officer knocked on the table twice, "If you curse again, I'll take you back!"

Lang Qingxiang shut his mouth: they were suspects now, and they could be taken away just like that.

So I won't argue with you; I'll let the Lawyer speak.

If you push me too far, I'll invite the Ambassador—

Economic cases are considered minor cases; according to normal procedures: suspects can meet with their Lawyer, and if they are foreign nationals, they may be allowed to be interrogated in the presence of their Lawyer.

Furthermore, because the physical evidence is quite special, requiring a high degree of professionalism, and there are major contradictions in the statements of both parties.

Secondly, both parties have requested to cross-examine the evidence as soon as possible, so the Police have arranged this rather special identification procedure: the suspects, the victim's representative, and both parties' Lawyers are all present. Organized and controlled by the Police, the physical evidence is to be identified.

For all three parties, this will save a lot of trouble.

The auction side and the commissioning side are afraid that the defaulting party will engage in under-the-table dealings: it wouldn't take much, just dragging them here for a week, and Zhou Zhilin and Li Chengkai could at least transfer more than half of their assets away.

But that is only secondary; what they fear most is that the people will run away: they must make these two admit in person that they participated in the auction under the commission of Zhang Zongxian.

Only by dragging Zhang Zongxian into this can they stir up greater heat.

Lin Sicheng has only one goal: to get money, and the faster the better, the faster they can pay, the better.

The Police are doing this to control the impact: haven't they seen how much trouble Lawyers from Hong Kong can stir up?

Do you believe that in no more than forty-eight hours, they could churn out several small essays and publish them openly in mainstream overseas media?

Talk of black-box operations, talk of collusion between inside and outside—they would absolutely fabricate it all perfectly for you.

So, since it can be handled and concluded quickly, why wait until it attracts public opinion?

Thus, the three parties reached a rare consensus.

It is not that the procedure is non-compliant; on the contrary, it is very compliant. According to the laws of China, if foreign nationals are involved in a case, they can apply for this set of procedures.

Sometimes, there might even be diplomatic personnel present.

It is only because of the need to ensure the one-way nature and confidentiality of investigative activities, fearing collusion in testimony, that the Police generally do not agree to it.

That is why Lin Yi cannot figure it out, and Feng Laien, Lang Qingxiang, and Jin Yuzhen also cannot figure it out: where does the Police get their confidence?

If nothing can be identified during today's identification session, they will have to be released that same day—

The Police officer explained the process and emphasized order: only the person allowed to speak may speak.

Both parties indicated their acceptance.

Before coming, she had been notified, and Lin Yi brought all the documents she felt were necessary:

The "Entry Agreement", "Auction Contract", auction floor recordings, and "Performance Demand Letter".

As well as catalogs, photos, posters, flyers, and other promotional materials.

The reason for bringing these was to demonstrate: the auction side had clearly informed the guests of all disclaimer content before the auction began.

A whole pile of various things, filling up two tables. Looking at the opposite side, it was completely empty.

Lin Yi looked at Tan Zheng, "Lawyer Tan, the Police officer clearly informed me that the reason the Police summoned us is because you have sufficient evidence to prove that my client engaged in fraudulent sales."

"Now, where is the evidence? Could it be that you are relying solely on your mouth?"

Tan Zheng smiled: "Yes, relying on my mouth is enough, unlike Lawyer Lin, who needs a whole pile!"

Lin Yi curled her lip: "I hope Lawyer Tan can be as confident later as you are now—"

Before she could finish speaking, the presiding Police officer knocked on the table again: "Do you want to be kicked out for arguing again?"

The two of them sensibly shut their mouths, and the Police officer looked at Lin Sicheng and sighed.

At first glance, this Hong Kong woman was looking for trouble as soon as she started. In fact, she was setting an emotional trap for Tan Zheng.

The problem is, this Lawyer Tan is just here to put on a show today. Lawyer Lin, your opponent today is that man—

The Police officer tapped the table: "Begin!"

Lin Yi glanced at Tan Zheng, full of energy, preparing to strike first. But before she could open her mouth properly, Lin Sicheng stood up.

"General Manager Lin, what are you doing?"

"Cross-examination!"

"You?"

"Yes, me!"

While speaking, Lin Sicheng had already walked around the table and arrived at the opposite side.

Lin Yi was bewildered: If you are cross-examining, then what is the Lawyer you hired for?

The key is, can you explain it clearly?

Lin Yi calmed down, and just as she was about to say something, Lin Sicheng waved his hand: "Lawyer Lin, don't get excited, I'll ask first!"

If it were Tan Zheng, she might have some reservations, but if it were Lin Sicheng?

To ask first is to admit defeat first—

Lin Yi curled the corner of her mouth: "Very well!"

"Good, Lawyer Lin, first question: Do you understand Cultural Relics?"

A second ago Lin Yi was still smiling, but upon hearing this question, her face "dropped" instantly.

It was purely subconscious; she instinctively thought of the scene where the Police stood at the door and asked her, "Have you ever studied law?"

How similar it was!

Seeing her expression was off, Lin Sicheng explained: "Lawyer Lin, don't misunderstand, I don't mean anything else: if you don't understand Cultural Relics, you might not be able to answer the following questions!"

Lin Yi's expression became even uglier.

Lin Sicheng was reminding her: Lawyer Lin, the evidence involved in the case is Cultural Relics, and today's cross-examination will revolve entirely around Cultural Relics. If you don't even understand Cultural Relics, how can you defend?

Lin Yi's mouth opened and closed; in an instant, countless phrasings surged into her mind. However, she did not know which set to use.

If she said she understood, she had only crammed at the last minute and had a superficial understanding. If Lin Sicheng happened to ask some strange or tricky questions, she definitely wouldn't be able to answer.

If she said she didn't understand, the Police would very likely cancel her right to cross-examine. If Tan Zheng were to take over the questioning later and set traps in her language, the three involved parties would definitely fall for them.

Lin Sicheng didn't have time to wait for her to think slowly: "Lawyer Lin, second question: In this case, the Zhu Zi Manuscript—"

"What font is used for the engraved content?"

Lin Yi pursed her lips: because she really didn't know.

She only knew what font was used when Zhu Xi added annotations on it: Northern Song Dynasty Cai style.

Lang Qingxiang was just about to speak when the Police tapped the table: "Others be quiet. Lawyer Lin, please answer!"

Lin Yi had nowhere to hide and no way to avoid it.

She gritted her teeth: "Song style!"

In an instant, the three people beside her sighed in unison.

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Lawyer Lin, here is a bit of common knowledge: there was no Song style in the Song Dynasty; it only appeared in the Ming Dynasty. Song Dynasty engravings all used Tang style—"

A group of Police held back their laughter, and the three people beside her exchanged glances, not knowing what to say.

Lin Sicheng was too wicked—

Lin Yi's face turned red to the roots of her ears.

It was indeed common knowledge, but she truly didn't know it. The problem was, this couldn't be blamed on her.

A lawyer born in Hong Kong, raised in Hong Kong, and focused on the field of economic disputes, had no need to pay attention to any Cultural Relics.

Bonhams hired her to handle lawsuits regarding economic disputes and contract breaches. The focus of her knowledge was whether there were loopholes in the contracts, whether there were weaknesses in the disclaimers, and whether the auction process was compliant.

With only three or four days of time, the fact that she could learn some information about the evidence involved in the case was already diligent enough,

and professional enough.

Besides, who could have imagined that just as Bonhams filed the case in Court, and before they even knew when the hearing would be, the opposing party would turn around and report them to the police first, accusing them of fraudulent sales?

So from beginning to end, no one had anticipated this scene today, and Lin Yi had never anticipated that she would be humiliated like this—

Feeling both ashamed and angry, Lin Yi's face was so red it seemed as if it would drip blood.

Lin Sicheng pressed his advantage: "Lawyer Lin, the following questions are relatively professional. To save time, I suggest it would be best to let General Manager Feng and General Manager Lang answer."

Lin Yi's teeth were almost crushed as she stared fixedly at Lin Sicheng: What was the difference between this sentence and telling her, "Since you're useless, then step aside"?

"Does Lawyer Lin have any objections?"

After struggling for a long while, Lin Yi squeezed two words out of her throat: "No!"

If she said she had objections, what if Lin Sicheng asked her more questions related to Cultural Relics?

Tan Zheng almost laughed out loud: With just this level of psychological fortitude, you still want to set traps for me?

You should get past Lin Sicheng's hurdle first—

"Good, General Manager Feng, General Manager Lang, then I will begin—sorry, Lawyer Lin, let me borrow this!"

Without waiting for Lin Yi to say whether she could, Lin Sicheng picked up a Folder from in front of her. After opening it, it was filled with photos of the Zhu Zi Manuscript.

Front, back, side—from every angle, the nine pages of the manuscript were incomparably clear.

Subsequently, he pulled out a promotional brochure, the kind with three or four pages folded together.

One of the pages was a photo of the Zhu Zi Manuscript, but only the four pages from the Gaozong reign.

Among them was also a page of text introduction: first discussing the two Cheng brothers, their status, and their influence. Then discussing the Collected Works of the Two Chengs, and then discussing Zhu Xi.

With over a thousand flowing words, it covered Zhu Xi's life, his research on Rigaku, his influence on the Song and subsequent dynasties, and the contributions his theories had made to the operation of the country and the rise and fall of dynasties over the past thousand years.

Finally, there was an evaluation of these nine pages of the manuscript.

It was very fair, not bragging, and the wording was very affirmative.

After finishing the whole page, Lin Sicheng flipped it over.

The back was an introduction to the Bonhams auction house, listing in detail Bonhams' auction history, as well as some representative antiques they had auctioned in the past.

There were pictures and text, very flashy, making one's eyes dazzled.

Right at the bottom of the brochure, in a space less than two centimeters wide, a few lines of small print were printed.

The characters were extremely small, squeezed extremely tightly, and the entire paragraph didn't even have a single space. It was like a pile of ants squeezed together, the kind that would make one's scalp tingle at a glance.

Looking closer:

All catalogs, promotional materials, condition reports, Expert commentary, lot naming, dating, identification of marks, descriptions of provenance, and reference estimates produced by this company are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute any express or implied warranty regarding the authenticity, age, author, material, completeness, restoration status, condition, or market value of the lot.

In accordance with the provisions of the Auction Law, this company does not assume warranty liability for the authenticity, quality, or defects of all auction items, and all lots are sold in their current condition.

By participating in the bidding, the bidder represents that they have fully inspected the physical item, accepted the entire current condition of the lot, and voluntarily assumes all transaction risks regarding judgment of authenticity, condition, and age.

After the auction is concluded, the buyer may not request the cancellation of the auction Contract, or the refund of the purchase price, commission, or storage and logistics fees on the grounds that the lot has been identified by a third-party institution as a forgery, imitation, later imitation, inconsistent in age, or containing restorations or condition defects.

In addition, a clause was specifically added: Due to photography, printing, lighting, screen color differences, and other reasons, if there are color or detail discrepancies between the catalog/images and the physical item, the original condition of the item during the preview shall prevail, and this company does not assume responsibility for image deviations.

Lin Sicheng sighed: No auction house would list a disclaimer in such detail, even considering color differences caused by lighting?

This is for fear that someone might discover the paper of the two editions of the block-printed book is different.

But no one would look that closely, and even if they did, they wouldn't care: because all auction houses are the same, their disclaimers are much the same.

Whether foreign or domestic.

So, if Lin Sicheng were to tell the truth: going to an auction to bid is no different from strolling through Panjiayuan. They will fleece you when they should, and they will fool you with fakes when they should.

Like this time, it is not uncommon for the consignor and the auction house to join forces to set a trap for a specific bidder.

Sometimes, they can even cut out the middleman consignor; it has happened that an Executive of a well-known auction house directly used worthless fakes to fool a bidder, swindling tens of millions or even hundreds of millions.

For example, two senior managers at a certain firm kept fleecing one collector, swindling five hundred million from this collector in just a few short years.

And this is only in cases clearly verified as using modern crafts to pass as antiques, using items worth a hundred or so to swindle collectors out of millions or even tens of millions. If you count the times they passed off inferior goods as superior, using flea-market junk from the late Qing Dynasty as palace treasures from the Song or Ming Dynasties, it would be more than a billion.

Therefore, reality is stranger than art.

After sighing with emotion, Lin Sicheng picked up the documents and the brochure, and looked at the opposite side.

Whether it was Feng Laien or Lang Qingxiang, both were mentally prepared. The two braced themselves, secretly on guard.

"The two of you, don't be nervous!"

Lin Sicheng smiled and pointed to a photo in the Folder, "General Manager Feng, is this page of pictures a part of the current auction item, the Zhu Zi Manuscript?"

Feng Laien stared at him: This is a waste of words, you are holding the physical evidence from Bonhams, don't you know?

Just as he was about to answer, Lang Qingxiang frowned: What Lin Sicheng was pointing at was exactly one of the five pages that were in the photos but not in the promotional brochure or the leaflet.

Could it be that they discovered the problem with the paper?

Actually, even if they discovered it, it wouldn't matter, the disclaimer isn't just for show, is it?

Although he thought this in his heart, Lang Qingxiang intuitively felt something was wrong and answered first: "Yes, but I want to state one point—"

"General Manager Lang, I am not asking you—" Lin Sicheng interrupted immediately, "General Manager Feng, please answer!"

The two exchanged a look, and Lang Qingxiang's eyelids flickered.

The two had not known each other long and had no rapport. But Feng Laien at least knew this meant yes.

He nodded: "Yes!"

Lin Sicheng opened the brochure: "Then why was it not displayed in the promotional materials?"

Feng Laien was unhurried: "General Manager Lin, since you know these are promotional materials, you should know: materials only promote the highlights—just like the two sets of Medical Books (Jiyin Outline and Jiyang Outline) you participated in bidding for, there are over a hundred volumes in total, must every page be displayed?"

"That makes sense!" Lin Sicheng paused and drew a circle on the brochure, "Then let's set that aside for now!"

Subsequently, he flipped the brochure over and pointed to the disclaimer at the very bottom: "General Manager Feng, does Bonhams assume any guarantee liability for the authenticity and quality of the auction items?"

Feng Laien answered without hesitation: "We do not!"

"Do you assume any guarantee liability for the defects of the auction items?"

"We do not!"

"Can Bonhams assume the necessary disclosure obligation for key defects and major defects of the auction items, and guarantee that known defects are disclosed truthfully?"

Feng Laien really wanted to say no, but the words hesitated on his lips: because this clause was not in the disclaimer, he didn't know if he should say it.

After pondering for a moment, he looked to the side.

Lang Qingxiang was still pondering what this sentence meant, while Lin Yi nodded.

What are key or major defects?

To put it bluntly: problems that can be seen as long as one is not blind.

For example, porcelain with chips, Calligraphy and Painting with wormholes, or ancient coins with missing edges.

And what is called "truthfully disclosing known defects"?

It means the auction house must prominently mark known key defects in the catalog, preview labels, and promotional materials; they cannot leave them blank, use vague descriptions, or cover them up with photo editing.

This is a rigid responsibility, just like having to pay after you eat a meal; there is no room for disclaimer, and even if stated, it is invalid.

If you deny it, not only will it achieve no effect, but it will become a sign of dishonesty and resistance to the law, which will worsen the court's negative impression of you—

Seeing Lin Yi nod, Feng Laien followed suit and nodded: "We assume it!"

"Good!" Lin Sicheng flipped the brochure back over and pointed to the introduction of Zhu Xi in the text content: "General Manager Feng, what is Zhu Zi's name?"

Looking at the brochure, Feng Laien's eyes widened: Mr. Lin, are you teasing me?

Although I am a foreign national and my name sounds like a foreign name, I am Chinese.

If I couldn't even read Chinese characters, how could I become the Person in Charge of the Asia region for Bonhams auction house?

It is written clearly here: Zhu Zi, the honorific for Zhu Xi—

"General Manager Feng, please answer!"

Feng Laien answered reluctantly: "Zhu Xi!"

"General Manager Feng, anything else?"

"I said it, Zhu Zi is called Zhu Xi, what else is there?"

Lin Sicheng was unhurried: "General Manager Feng, you only answered the given name, you did not answer the courtesy name!"

He said with a dark face: "General Manager Lin, what does this have to do with this case?"

Feng Laien suspected that Lin Sicheng was deliberately playing with him.

Or worse, deliberately trying to provoke him.

"General Manager Feng, believe me: it has a lot to do with it!"

A lot to do with your head?

Feng Laien made a prompt decision: "I refuse to answer!"

As soon as the words fell, the police officer knocked on the table: "General Manager Feng, this is a normal identification process, please answer!"

Even Lin Yi nodded: Lin Sicheng indeed had the suspicion of playing with people, but identification and cross-examination are just like this. If necessary, every clause and every line needs to be confirmed by the other party.

Feng Laien gave a cold snort through his nose and looked at the brochure: "Zhu Xi, courtesy name Yuanhui, pseudonym Huian——"

"Good, thank you, General Manager Feng!" Lin Sicheng pulled the brochure back and switched to a photograph: "General Manager Feng, next, I must ask you to read two passages of the original manuscript and the annotations——not many, just two passages!"

Was this a question of whether it was many or not?

Feng Laien felt more and more that Lin Sicheng was simply exhausting his limited patience.

He frowned: "General Manager Lin, what is the necessity of this?"

"General Manager Feng, if it were not necessary, the Police would have reminded us!"

Feng Laien paused and looked at the Police.

The Police remained expressionless: "Please cooperate!"

Feng Laien let out a laugh: "Fine, I will read!"

He had already made up his mind: after returning today, he would definitely call the head office and publish everything the Police did today in the newspapers——

"Which passage?"

Lin Sicheng pointed: "Read this passage of the original text first!"

Feng Laien read word by word: "There is no one who does not have knowledge in the human heart; only when obscured by human desires does one lose Tiande."

This was the original text from the "Collected Works of the Two Chengs," taken from the "Sayings of Master Yichuan."

Lin Sicheng pointed further down: "And this passage of annotations."

This passage was the annotation written with a brush, which was the so-called "Zhu Xi's Authentic Handwriting."

"The Master says: The original heart is bright, but desires obscure it, which is a loss of Heavenly Principle; these words of Mingdao are essential for beginners."

Lin Sicheng pointed to another photograph: "General Manager Feng, there is also this passage!"

"Qianyuan is that which begins and flourishes. Li and Zhen are the nature and feelings. To be long-lasting and unceasing, to be steadfast and firm, is the true nature of The Way."

This was the original text, followed by the annotation: "Yuan means great; Heng means to penetrate; Li means appropriate; Zhen means upright and firm——this passage is only because the character Yuan is obscure, so the Master explains it——"

Feng Laien finished reading in one breath and gave a forced smile: "General Manager Lin, do you need me to translate it for you?"

"Thank you, General Manager Feng, my classical Chinese is passable!"

After replying, Lin Sicheng pointed at the photograph, "General Manager Feng, have you noticed that there is something wrong with the two passages you just read?"

"General Manager Lin, you don't need to be an alarmist!" Feng Laien snorted, "If you want to find flaws and loopholes in the conversation between you and me, I suggest you bring in someone more professional——"

Before the words had even faded, the whole row began to laugh.

They did not laugh out loud, but their expressions were very obvious: they were mocking Lin Sicheng for pretending to understand when he did not.

Lin Sicheng did not mind: "General Manager Feng, one last question: have you ever learned about the ancient Chinese system of naming taboos?"

Feng Laien remained expressionless.

It was true that he was an American, but he was also Chinese, and furthermore, a senior Consultant for Asian art investment.

Before joining Bonhams, he served as a senior manager at the Doyle Auction in New York, primarily serving Anglo-Saxon and Jewish wealthy families.

Although they mainly dealt in porcelain, Jadeite jewelry, and scholar's studio ornaments, Calligraphy and Painting and ancient books were not absent, just relatively fewer.

But no matter how few, he at least knew about the Chinese system of naming taboos: it began in the Zhou Dynasty, was established in the Qin Dynasty, and was used all the way until the Qing Dynasty——