Chapter 608: Bathing

Amidst the shock and suspicion, everyone looked over, and when they saw clearly that it was Zhang Yuanfan, many were stunned for a moment.

When Zhang Zongxian came in, it was this girl who pushed the wheelchair; although there was no introduction, it was nine times out of ten that she was his granddaughter or granddaughter-in-law. Since she raised the paddle, it must have been at Zhang Zongxian's instruction.

The question is, was the five hundred thousand he called actually worth the price, or was it for the sake of a favor, acting as a shill for Lin Sicheng?

Ninety percent of the people present felt it was the latter.

The remaining ten percent either understood Lin Sicheng, understood Zhang Zongxian, or understood both. For example, Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng, or for another example, Tian Rulong.

Only General Manager Chen understood, and not only did he understand, he admired Lin Sicheng, and wanted even more to repay Lin Sicheng.

The winter before last, if not for Lin Sicheng, he would have been the scapegoat in the Zhang Anshi Tomb Robbery Case. Even if he could have cleared his name in the end, he would have been driven to bankruptcy.

Chen Yangyan had waited nearly two years to find this opportunity.

He had long since made up his mind that today, whether new or old, real or fake, he would bid on at least eight, nine, or ten items.

Therefore, to his ears, Zhang Yuanfan's five hundred thousand was like the bugle call to charge.

Since it is about personal favors, then surely I cannot be left out—

Before Zhang Yuanfan's hand had even come down, Chen Yangyan's hand went up again: "One million!"

"

The voice was not loud, but it was enough for everyone to hear.

As if someone had directed it, dozens of gazes pierced over in unison.

The five hundred thousand just now was shocking enough, but not a few seconds later, another one million popped up?

What, is there nowhere else to spend all that money?

At the first sight of Chen Yangyan, everyone was thinking: Who is this?

But when they saw Zhang Zongxian sitting in the row in front of him, and Wang Qi Zhi sitting beside him, many people revealed expressions of self-assured realization:

Aren't these two in cahoots?

But heaven have mercy, Zhang Zongxian didn't even know who he was.

He subconsciously turned his head and took a couple of glances.

Chen Yangyan smiled, his voice very low: "Mr. Zhang, no need to go to such trouble!"

Hearing this, Zhang Zongxian did not know what to say.

If this were a formal auction, this sentence would be tantamount to a provocation, roughly equivalent to saying, "If you don't have the money, don't put on a show."

But Zhang Zongxian knew that Chen Yangyan did not mean that, but was telling him: Mr. Zhang, I will handle the shill work for this piece.

To put it bluntly: Chen Yangyan took Zhang Zongxian for a shill for Lin Sicheng.

The problem is, Zhang Zongxian really wanted to bid, not act as a shill.

He wanted to say something, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back: wanting to buy this painting for five hundred thousand, even if Lin Sicheng agreed, he wouldn't.

"That's true!" Zhang Zongxian smiled, "The highest bidder wins!"

Chen Yangyan was confused: What does that mean, raise it even higher?

Just as he was suspicious, Zhang Yuanfan raised her hand again: "One million five hundred thousand!"

Suddenly, Chen Yangyan misunderstood: He really hadn't guessed wrong; Zhang Zongxian meant for him to feel free to keep raising the price.

Isn't this great?

Since it was giving away money anyway, giving twenty times five hundred thousand or once one million made no difference to him.

Chen Yangyan raised his hand without hesitation: "Two million!"

Zhang Yuanfan did not show weakness: "Two million five hundred thousand!"

"Three mil—"

He had only shouted two characters, and before the word 'million' could be shouted out, Lin Sicheng slammed the microphone: "Stop!"

No sooner said than done, from the moment Zhang Yuanfan first raised her hand to Chen Yangyan shouting three million, not even half a minute had passed.

This speed of bidding would have moved a Sotheby's auctioneer to tears.

The key was, Lin Sicheng hadn't even stated the reserve price, let alone started.

He was even a bit dazed: Paper is not like silk; it has extreme toughness. Mounting paper must be allowed to soak in water until it reaches a semi-soft state before one can use a blade.

He was still observing the humidity, thinking about whether to spray a little more, when Zhang Yuanfan suddenly called out a price.

Almost immediately following, Chen Yangyan raised the price.

Then one after another, in just over ten seconds, the price soared to three million.

For a moment, Lin Sicheng didn't know what to say: Now it's great, everyone thinks the two of you are shills I brought in?

One or two had half-smiles, all with expressions of watching a show.

Only the small group around these two were completely bewildered—they hadn't even reacted: How did Zhang Zongxian and Chen Yangyan suddenly start clashing?

Get it straight, will you: You two are supposed to be in cahoots—

Lin Sicheng looked helpless: "General Manager Chen, do you know who painted this?"

"I know!" Chen Yangyan nodded firmly, "Zhang Daqian!"

What do you know?

General Manager Chen, look at Professor Wang beside you first, then look at Senior Brother Zhao, and then at Senior Brother Hao (Hao Jun) right next to you—look at their faces, how shocked they are?

Forget it, you won't admit it if I ask you, I'll ask her.

Lin Sicheng stared at Zhang Yuanfan: "Miss Zhang, are you sure this painting is worth three million?"

Zhang Yuanfan really wanted to nod, but meeting Lin Sicheng's gaze, she couldn't get it out.

Lin Sicheng stared at her, his eyes as clear as two pools of water, and like two perspective lenses, shining into her heart.

Of course she wasn't sure, but her grandfather hadn't said stop, which meant it was worth it.

Zhang Yuanfan smiled and answered a question with a question: "General Manager Lin, then do you think it's worth it?"

Lin Sicheng was choked up for a moment.

Of course it's worth it.

It would be worth it even if the price doubled—

However, it cannot be auctioned like this.

In an auction house, it is not uncommon for friends to turn against each other over competing for an item.

Secondly, Lin Sicheng had not yet figured out: did these two have more of a purpose to bid on this painting, or more of a purpose to act as shills for him?

He thought for a moment and looked at Chen Yangyan: "General Manager Chen, I won't hide it from you. This imitation is indeed an authentic work by Zhang Daqian, but it is not well painted and does not have much collection value."

"If you spend several million, it is actually not very worth it."

If Lin Sicheng had said this before, Chen Yangyan would have believed him one hundred percent. But now, he had to put a question mark on it first:

If it had no value, would Zhang Zongxian's granddaughter dare to drive the price up without even taking a breath or hesitating for a second?

That is not how one acts as a shill—

Chen Yangyan was half-believing and half-doubting: "Teacher Lin, Miss Zhang just asked you if it was worth it, so is it worth it or not?"

Lin Sicheng was choked up again: I said it wasn't worth it for you, yet you ask me if it's worth it for Zhang Yuanfan?

"General Manager Chen, Miss Zhang didn't know how to answer and was changing the subject."

Seeing him say this, Chen Yangyan became even more suspicious: he was indeed not very professional; at least compared to the Experts present, he was a far cry behind.

But he knew how to read people: Lin Sicheng clearly did not want them to fight until Fire Qi flared up, which indirectly indicated that the price of this painting was definitely going to be higher than the price he and Zhang Yuanfan had offered.

Thinking of this, Chen Yangyan was even more certain, and he looked at Lin Sicheng with a smile: "Teacher Lin, don't change the subject either, answer the question first!"

Lin Sicheng was speechless: The General Manager had suddenly become incredibly shrewd—

There was a slight pause in the room, and most people had a look of confusion on their faces:

Looking at this situation, both Zhang Yuanfan and Chen Yangyan wanted to bid on this painting, rather than acting as shills for Lin Sicheng?

Because no shill would keep driving the price up, not giving anyone else a chance to bid.

However, a price of three million was already comparable to the fine works from Zhang Daqian's prime years; could this painting be worth that much?

Zheng Shanghui narrowed his eyes: "Everyone, why am I a bit unable to understand this?"

It wasn't just him who couldn't understand; the circle of people sitting next to him didn't understand either:

Before Lin Sicheng had even finished the introduction, Zhang Zongxian's granddaughter had already made her move; this clearly showed she didn't want Lin Sicheng to reveal the final mystery.

But that was only secondary; the key was: both sides had just started bidding, and after only two bids each, they were stopped by Lin Sicheng?

A seller stopping a buyer from raising the price—in an auction, this situation had never been seen since ancient times—

Sun Yan pondered for a moment: "There is probably something strange about this painting."

No need to estimate; anyone with eyes could see it.

Zheng Shanghui laughed: "The problem is, do you dare to bid?"

The few people beside him thought for a moment and shook their heads in unison.

They were investment institutions, seeking steady growth rather than getting rich by picking up scraps.

Even if it were confirmed to be a fine work from Zhang Daqian's prime years, they would still have to hesitate. Given the current situation, let alone three million, they would have to consider even thirty thousand.

Just as they were turning this over in their minds, Lin Sicheng's voice came over again: "General Manager Chen, we have known each other for so long, I certainly wouldn't lie to you:

This painting is truly not cost-effective for you."

"The reason Miss Zhang is bidding is only because this painting is an early transitional work of Zhang Daqian, which carries the nature of academic historical material and has a certain degree of Artifact Research value."

"Therefore, it is very appropriate for Miss Zhang to bid on it, but if you buy it back for your collection, the purpose is different, and the value is naturally worlds apart."

Only Artifact Research value, and not collection value?

Chen Yangyan pondered for a moment and understood Lin Sicheng's subtext:

Zhang Zongxian was not buying it back for collection, but would transfer it to a research institution.

And he had been traversing the collection world for more than half a century, and three or four out of every ten antiques he collected were of this nature.

Therefore, selling it to Zhang Zongxian could be considered worth the price.

Chen Yangyan could also understand: Lin Sicheng was telling him not to compete anymore.

He also believed that Lin Sicheng would definitely not deceive him.

Chen Yangyan was exceptionally straightforward: "A gentleman helps others achieve their goals, but Teacher Lin, you must compensate me!"

Lin Sicheng did not hesitate: "Okay!"

"I want that seal of Qianlong!"

Lin Sicheng still did not hesitate: "General Manager Chen, no problem!"

The room was suddenly in an uproar: there was actually a seal of Qianlong as well?

It was not a wasted trip today—

Chen Yangyan actually didn't necessarily have to bid on that seal; he was helping Lin Sicheng reveal the hidden goods.

Look, didn't it have an effect?

The matter came to an end here, and only Zhang Yuanfan remained as a bidder in the room. But out of respect, Lin Sicheng still asked: "Is there anyone else who wants to bid?"

No one responded.

Lin Sicheng smiled: "To avoid any teacher saying later that I was operating behind the scenes or fishing in troubled waters, I will explain again:

According to my deduction, this painting should be a transitional work from Zhang Daqian's youth: it has strong art historical documentary value, and its academic weight outweighs the value of the painting itself."

"Secondly, the finished product has been lost; this is the only surviving work of Zhang Daqian imitating Shitao's 'Nest Lake Map', and it is also the only one in circulation. From a certain perspective, it can even be considered the initial draft of Zhang Daqian's imitation of Shitao—"

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: "So, I will ask one last time: is there anyone who wants to bid?"

Still no one responded; most had expressions of "I'm not stupid."

Lin Sicheng, that General Manager Chen is your friend, right? You persuade him not to bid, yet you persuade us to bid—what is the meaning of this?

The original draft—if it were truly the original draft, that General Manager Chen would have paid to snap it up even if it meant getting his head bashed in.

Lin Sicheng did not mind; he had never intended for anyone to bid, and the reason he said so much was to avoid giving people cause for gossip.

Because this painting truly had significant academic value, if certain things were not stated upfront, someone would definitely accuse him of backroom dealings later.

Some might even resent him: "You are the seller; you started the auction without explaining the item clearly, clearly intending to pass off fish eyes as pearls."

Therefore, it had to be explained clearly.

Still, no one responded, and Lin Sicheng raised his hand to signal to Zhang Yuanfan. The word "sold" was already on the tip of his tongue when Zhang Zongxian suddenly raised his hand: "Five million!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: "Mr. Zhang, Miss Zhang has already placed a bid."

"Lin Sicheng, that doesn't seem right, does it?" Zhang Zongxian smiled, "How do I remember it being General Manager Chen who raised his hand in the final round?"

It was indeed General Manager Chen who had raised his hand, but he had not finished calling out the bid; he had only just shouted "three hundred" when Lin Sicheng called a halt.

Therefore, strictly speaking, the "two point five million" bid by Zhang Yuanfan could count.

Just as Lin Sicheng was about to say something, Zhang Zongxian waved his hand: "Even as a friendship price, three million is a bit low. Even five million is a bit low—"

As he spoke, he pointed to Sheng Guoan beside him: "My junior brother says: the value of this painting should be between six million and eight million—"

Lin Sicheng paused and gave a thumbs up: Good eye.

His own valuation of this painting was also around six million.

The eight million Zhang Zongxian mentioned referred to the highest market price, belonging to those rare items that have a price but no market; selling it for five million was not a loss.

In fact, selling it for two point five million, Lin Sicheng still would not have lost. Regardless, he had just earned sixty million from Zhang Zongxian.

And Zhang Zongxian had even helped him pay the taxes voluntarily, paying an extra seven or eight million—

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang, then five million it is!"

Lin Sicheng tapped the table, signifying that the painting was sold at the price of five million.

The room was suddenly in an uproar: a painting like this, sold for five million?

Even a paper Landscape Pattern from Zhang Daqian's peak period would only be worth about that much.

The key was, even though the hammer could have fallen at two point five million, Zhang Zongxian had insisted on doubling the price?

What, is his money burning a hole in his pocket?

What was even stranger was that Lin Sicheng was not surprised at all, even giving people the impression that it was "a matter of course" and "should have been this way."

But you have to understand, this is two point five million, not two dollars and fifty cents.

Thinking of this, many people had expressions of sudden realization: no wonder they didn't wait for a third bidder, and didn't even wait for Lin Sicheng to finish his introduction, before Miss Zhang and that General Manager Chen raised the price to three million?

Could it be that they were "washing" this painting?

To put it simply: the best way to raise the price of an antique is to have it circulate in the market a couple of times.

Find a larger auction house, invite a few well-known collectors in the industry to raise the price a few rounds. In reality, no one actually buys it, and the item remains in the seller's hands.

One only needs to pay some tea money and commissions, and the market price of the item can multiply several times, or even over ten times.

After a few years, put it up for auction again, and it might even rise another wave—

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