Chapter 621: The Southern Song Emperor

Working in the same trade, he still possessed the necessary keenness, and Zheng Shanghui kept feeling that something was not right.

But everything happened too suddenly; for a moment, he could not figure out the thread of it.

Only Sun Yan was first startled, then sighed inwardly: So from the very beginning, Jiang Cheng had been aiming for Zhang Zongxian.

Both he and Zheng Shanghui had been a step too slow, and the key was that even knowing what he wanted to do, they did not have the guts he had.

What if the gamble was lost?

As it turned out, he had won the gamble—

In a daze, Lin Sicheng's gavel fell with a "Clang": "One hundred and sixty-five million, congratulations to Ms. Zhang—

""

The sound of the gavel was crisp, and Lin Sicheng's voice was not loud, but in everyone's heart, it felt like a thunderclap on flat ground:

This was over one hundred and sixty million?

Counting on one's fingers: since history began, how many Chinese art pieces have reached over one hundred million?

Just a handful; this is the sixth Chinese antique to break one hundred million.

If comparing the transaction price, this one ranks second. Only one is higher than this: the Yuan blue-and-white "Ghost Valley Descends the Mountain" jar auctioned in London the year before last, with a transaction price of 16 million pounds, approximately 230 million RMB.

This is also the first Chinese art piece in history to break one hundred million.

But that is not the point; the key lies in the fact that of the previous five, not a single one was auctioned domestically, and even less so was any auctioned by a third-party auction house other than Sotheby's or Christie's.

Therefore, this is the only Chinese art piece auctioned domestically, the only one auctioned by a Chinese company, that has broken one hundred million in transaction price.

No—it is not even a company, just a very small-scale private auction. There were not even one hundred guests participating.

For a moment, everyone stared at Lin Sicheng, silently calculating in their hearts: just from this auction today, how many records were broken?

Some calculated more, some calculated less, and after calculating, others remembered the provenance of these lots.

For a moment, the shock in their hearts was beyond words: Lin Sicheng had unearthed this Imperial Edict from Daiyuexuan?

The key is the history of this item before Lin Sicheng encountered this Imperial Edict.

Those two sellers, that mother and son, had almost run through every antique company and major auction house in Shanghai and Beijing before meeting Lin Sicheng.

But without exception, every house treated this item as a Ming Dynasty imitation, with the highest offer only reaching two hundred thousand, and some even offering only tens of thousands.

And Lin Sicheng only paid five hundred thousand?

No, it cannot be calculated that way: because the five hundred thousand also included a "Huashan Painting" by the famous Ming Dynasty court artist Wang Lü, as well as a Ming Dynasty eunuch-engraved Medical Book: "Hooking the Essence of a Hundred Diseases."

These two items alone were worth three or four times five hundred thousand. Which means, this Imperial Edict was picked up for free.

Therefore, this is no longer a problem that can be explained by the word "luck." If it were a matter of luck, why couldn't those antique companies and major auction houses that the mother and son visited keep this item?

Subconsciously, many people could already imagine what a sensation this would cause in the collecting and auction circles once today's scene spread.

Other guests could think of it, and the Persons in Charge of several funds could also think of it. Only at this moment did General Manager Zheng realize it belatedly:

Picking up an Imperial Edict as a bargain, and finally auctioning it for over one hundred and sixty million—would anyone dare to write this in a novel, would anyone dare to act this out on television?

How high must the story value be, and how strong must the narrative ability be?

Thinking of this, General Manager Zheng gritted his teeth: No wonder the one surnamed Jiang dared to gamble?

If he could win the bid, use this as a selling point, and promote it appropriately, the name of Poly Guotou Trust could spread throughout the country.

Ordinary people, of course, do not know what this Poly investment company does, but as long as they are high-net-worth clients involved in collecting and art investment, they understand as soon as they see the word "Trust": Art Fund!

With the "Poly" prefix and the daring to bid over one hundred million for an Imperial Edict, the strength must be very great. Instinctively, clients would lean toward Poly Trust: since it is an investment anyway, why not invest in one that is more powerful—

The key is that Jiang Cheng wants more than this; he also wants Zhang Zongxian to endorse him and advertise for him.

If you ask how to endorse?

It couldn't be simpler: buy the Imperial Edict back from Zhang Zongxian at a premium.

It means this Imperial Edict will advertise for the one surnamed Jiang at least twice, and each time more explosively: once today, and once more when Guotou Trust buys the Imperial Edict back from Zhang Zongxian—

Thinking of this, Zheng Shanghui wished he could slap himself twice: why didn't he dare to gamble?

He could already imagine that smug and ugly face of the one surnamed Jiang—

Chen Yangyan clenched his fists, looking even more excited than Lin Sicheng.

He is also considered a veteran collector and has attended countless auctions. As for strength, he exceeds ninety percent of the guests in the venue.

But he is truly seeing a lot worth over one hundred million for the first time.

Calculating again: it is even higher than that Zhu Zi Manuscript from last time—

He took a deep breath: "Director Tian, you just said that this Imperial Edict would sell for at most fifty or sixty million?"

Tian Rulong was choked up.

That's right, that is what he said. But who could have imagined that Lin Sicheng could actually obtain appraisal reports from Teacher Luo and Teacher Guo?

Those two have been retired for so many years; he and Director Sheng cannot even see them, and Lin Sicheng doesn't even know them. How did he get these two teachers to agree to the appraisal and issue reports?

At the very least, he and Sheng Guoan have never seen these two appraise anything for anyone—

But regardless of the reason, this appraisal report must be real. Do not think it is just a piece of paper; with this item, the valuation of this Imperial Edict rises by at least twenty percent.

The rest is because this Imperial Edict does not conform to ritual systems. But precisely because it is unreasonable, it is even more expensive.

To give the simplest example: a misprinted banknote.

Precisely because the item is wrong, it is more valuable. The premium is even higher than that appraisal report: at least a thirty percent increase.

"Twenty percent plus thirty percent is only half, about seventy or eighty million." Chen Yangyan was even more puzzled, "But Mr. Zhang bid one hundred and sixty million?"

Calculated this way, wouldn't Zhang Zongxian lose seventy or eighty million immediately after buying this item back?

"General Manager Chen, you still don't see it?" Tian Rulong lowered his voice, "Yongyuan Hang's branch in Beijing is opening soon; don't they need to create some buzz?"

After a slight pause, Tian Rulong pointed backward again, "Don't worry, there are plenty of people who want it, and they are fighting to get it!"

Chen Yangyan looked in the direction of Tian Rulong's gaze: the Persons in Charge of the three funds were staring like wolves at the Imperial Edict on the stage, and at Zhang Yuanqiao.

Thinking about it again, he figured out most of it: the funds from Taikang and Poly want to advertise and make a name for themselves, and Zhang Yuanqiao's Yongyuan Antique Company and auction company also need to make a name for themselves.

This is called hitting it off, and killing two birds with one stone.

Oh no—killing three birds with one stone: there is also Lin Sicheng, and Lin Sicheng's Appraisal Center and Art Center, which are also about to open immediately.

Isn't today's auction just Lin Sicheng building momentum for the two centers about to open?

And building it big enough, sensational enough.

It's just that Lin Sicheng didn't expect that Zhang Zongxian and that General Manager Jiang would happen to coincide, and in the process, let him hitch a ride again.

Chen Yangyan sighed inwardly: compared to these few, he felt like a novice.

Of course, referring only to the collecting world—

On stage, the settlement was taking place: Zhang Yuanfan personally wrote out a check for 165 million.

The camera took a close-up and broadcast it onto the big screen: the check was filled out directly to the top-most line.

Just based on this image, it would be enough to make the front-page headlines of several tabloids tomorrow.

Immediately after, Zhang Yuanfan left the stage, and Zhang Yuanqiao went up.

He sat with Lin Sicheng to sign the "Auction Contract" and "After-Sales Guarantee Agreement" with every customer who made a purchase.

Likewise, the camera gave a close-up, and every single clause, even every single word, was displayed on the big screen.

The customers grew excited again, many of them picking up their phones to take pictures.

They dared to guarantee that this current scene could at least make the headlines of a mid-tier newspaper, or perhaps even a major one, because regardless of whether it was domestic or international, daring to sign an "After-Sales Guarantee Agreement" at an art auction and daring to guarantee the authenticity of the lots was absolutely the first time in history.

The venue grew more and more lively, and the sound of discussion grew louder and louder. But the circle toward the back of the stage was terrifyingly quiet.

Three women stared at Lin Sicheng on stage, not knowing what to say.

After a long while, Liang Shiya turned her head and stared at Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan: "Mary, CoCo, have you calculated it yet? What is the total transaction amount of General Manager Lin's auction?"

The two were stunned for a moment and lowered their heads: "No!"

"Then calculate it, now!"

Liang Shiya's tone was very calm, light and airy, but Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan felt a tremor in their hearts.

The two dared not delay; one held a phone, the other held paper and pen, adding them up item by item:

Zhang Daqian's painting, 5 million—Fu Shan's Landscape Pattern album and Medical Book, 33 million.

The color-changing Purple Clay Teapot, 7.3 million—Qianlong's Congyun Seal, 3.8 million.

Yongzheng's "Yuanming Jushi" seal, 5.2 million—Qianlong's "Manjushri Emperor" Sanskrit iron lion seal, 8.2 million.

And the portraits of Qianlong and Yongzheng, one for 4.5 million, one for 4.2 million.

Qianlong's annotated "Liu Ji Shen Xiang" 1.6 million, Yongzheng's Imitation Xuande Double Crane Censer 4.6 million, Ming Dynasty Five-Beam Gold Threaded Consort Crown, 11.5 million.

Plus the final "Wang Shu Edict"—when they saw the final number, Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan stared with wide eyes and open mouths, as if they had seen a ghost:

254.9 million!

Even though she had a rough amount in her heart, when she saw this number, Liang Shiya's heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

250 million, what kind of concept is this?

During the previous background check, finding that Lin Sicheng had earned 60 or 70 million in less than two years was already enough to surprise them.

And now?

It had nearly quadrupled—

She sighed: "Mary, CoCo, when you finished the background check and reported to me, what was the approximate valuation of all of General Manager Lin's collections?"

Guo Yongxin twitched her lips: "10 million to 20 million!"

"Last week, General Manager Lin notified us that he would hold a collection exchange salon this week, and I asked you again. Including this morning when we entered the venue and learned that General Manager Lin had changed the salon into an auction, I asked you again, a total of three times.

Each time, you gave me a definitive answer: a standard valuation of 10 million, with a maximum upward adjustment of one-fold, not exceeding 20 million—"

Liang Shiya pointed to the stage: "But now, 250 million, how many times the difference is this?"

The two were speechless.

Even though Liang Shiya was a friend, she was first and foremost their leader. With such a big oversight in their work, if Liang Shiya didn't ask them, who would she ask?

But the problem was, this was already them infinitely overestimating Lin Sicheng's appraisal ability, giving a valuation so close to crazy that it would make people laugh.

First, let's calculate how much Lin Sicheng spent: that Purple Clay Teapot 80,000, Qianlong's Congyun Seal 70,000, "Dong Qichang Sanskrit Heart Sutra" plus Qianlong "Manjushri Emperor" Sanskrit iron lion seal 1.5 million.

The "Yuanming Jushi" seal, the portraits of Qianlong and Yongzheng, the Yongzheng Imitation Xuande Double Crane Censer, and a pile of less well-known paintings and seals, a package price of 1.8 million.

Five-Beam Gold Threaded Consort Crown plus a Song Dynasty Three Preceptors Official Crown Bead Flower, spent 350,000. That Imperial Edict along with Wang Lü's "Huashan Painting," and a Ming Dynasty eunuch-engraved Medical Book, a package price of 500,000—

There were many more like this. Then add the 430,000 from the Banghans Auction; Lin Sicheng only spent less than 6 million to buy these things.

The key is, he also sold many:

The block-printed "Essentials of Governance from All Books," the Southern Song Dynasty vermilion lacquer gold lotus petal-style box, the "Wei Family Music Score," the Three Preceptors Official Crown Bead Flower, Dong Qichang's "Heart Sutra," Wang Lü's "Huashan Painting," Dai Jin's "Pine and Crane Longevity Painting," Shen Du Authentic Work, Zhan Jing Zhai Pastel Cup,

Agarwood Bracelet, Jiaqing Potter Bottle, Xingyi Quan Original Manual—and so on and so forth.

Otherwise, how did he earn those 60 or 70 million, and how were those two centers of his opened?

Even many had not yet been revealed: "Hundred Diseases Hook String," the seals that were with the Congyun Seal, the paintings and seals that were with the "Yuanming Jushi" seal.

So, when giving the valuation after the background check, should these have been subtracted?

Did they also have to consider: were the remaining ones not sold because the price was relatively low and they weren't very valuable?

To tell the truth: the 20 million valuation was already the result of Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan biting the bullet, pulling Lin Sicheng's ability infinitely high, and expanding the redundancy that might lead to their underestimation or misestimation to infinity.

If there hadn't been this auction today, even if they were asked to investigate again, they would still have given a valuation range of 10 million to 20 million.

But who could have thought that Lin Sicheng's thinking was different from normal people: selling the worthless ones first and keeping all the most valuable ones for the very end?

If he hadn't been pushed to the edge this time, he wouldn't have sold them at all—

The two turned similar thoughts over in their minds and looked at each other again, not knowing how to explain.

Actually, Liang Shiya also knew that this couldn't be blamed on these two. To give the most obvious example: that painting by Zhang Daqian, Fu Shan's Landscape Pattern album and the cipher poem manuscript.

These three items, He Jian had seen, Zhou Zhilin had seen, Li Chengkai had seen. Even the appraisers from several fund companies,

And many well-known Appraisers have seen it.

Everyone took it for an anonymous work, worth only two or three hundred thousand. Why was it that in the end, Lin Sicheng was the one who picked up a bargain and auctioned it for a full thirty-eight million?

If even top-tier Experts are like this, let alone Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan, who are complete laymen?

If one really had to make a comparison, the two of them were actually much more reliable than those Experts: the Experts valued those three pieces at two or three hundred thousand at most, yet they ended up auctioning for thirty-eight million, a gap of over a hundred times.

Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan estimated a total transaction price of twenty million, while Lin Sicheng auctioned for over two hundred million, a gap of just barely ten times.

If you compare it this way, don't you think these two are more professional?

Liang Shiya frowned, her tone softening significantly: "The problem is, how do we explain this to the United Association?"

Before sending them here, several foreign capital companies all felt that the thirty million USD entry capital alone would be enough to make Lin Sicheng give up halfway.

But in the end, not only did Lin Sicheng raise the thirty million, he even exceeded the task?

Let's calculate his total funds now: nearly four hundred million, about sixty million USD.

If you tell the United Association that part of it was raised by Lin Sicheng selling his collection, and part of it was earned temporarily in less than a month, and that it is all compliant, do you believe the representatives of those companies would curse?

But no matter how much they curse, it must be reported.

Whether it is compliant, Liang Shiya knows best; she cannot go against her conscience and distort the truth.

"Wait for General Manager Lin to finish, ask him for a copy of the procedures, and it would be best to get a copy of the recording from the scene too!" Liang Shiya pinched the bridge of her nose, looking at the stage, "Then think about how to write the report when we go back!"

Knowing what she was worried about, Guo Yongxin whispered comfortingly: "Diwen, General Manager Lin has already sold everything he could, but now it's only sixty million, still over four hundred million short of the five hundred million Startup Capital—"

"General Manager Lin has nothing left to sell; if he sells any more, he'll be selling himself—"

These words were humorous, but Liang Shiya couldn't laugh, because before, they had thought the same: even if Lin Sicheng broke his head, he wouldn't be able to scrape together thirty million USD.

But Lin Sicheng let them witness firsthand what it means to create something from nothing, and what it means to turn Stone into Gold.

If following normal logic: there is still a gap of over four hundred million USD, nearly three billion RMB; even if Lin Sicheng were broken into pieces and sold, it wouldn't be enough.

But for some reason, Liang Shiya had a hunch that Lin Sicheng should have a way to solve it. Otherwise, why would he have sold everything he owned?

It is precisely because he has confidence that he dares to take a gamble—

"Forget it, don't think so much, at worst they'll fire me!" Liang Shiya gritted her teeth, "As long as I have the ability in my hands, am I afraid of having no food? It's nothing more than changing places—"

Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan looked at each other: why did these words sound so familiar?

Oh, I remember—it seems like something Lin Sicheng said?

The auction was nearing its end; according to the normal rhythm, most people would have left by now.

But the strange thing was, the venue was still full, and less than one-tenth had left.

A small number of people were curious: Lin Sicheng and Zhang Yuanqiao were settling the transaction on stage, and the screen was playing the contract signed by both parties in real-time. These people were studying whether Lin Sicheng really dared to guarantee authenticity, or if there were loopholes in the contract that were not easily noticed by ordinary people.

Most people stayed because Zhang Zongxian hadn't left either. They came here today specifically for him, so since Zhang Zongxian hadn't left, they had to at least get familiar with him.

At this moment, the old man was sitting in a wheelchair, chatting and laughing with Sheng Guoan, with no intention of leaving at all.

Just right, Wang Qizhi and Zhao Xiuneng were inviting people one by one, saying that a light meal had been prepared at the hotel and they hoped the bosses would grace them with their presence.

Hearing it was a Chinese-style banquet, and in the same hall, someone asked if Mr. Zhang would also attend.

After receiving an affirmative answer, the group wanted to leave even less.

Especially those from the fund companies, staring at Zhang Zongxian, their eyes glowing: the path was indeed paved by Jiang Cheng, —

But who Zhang Zongxian sells to doesn't matter, right?

It's nothing more than whoever offers a higher price—

The contracts were all printed in advance; there were only about ten items, so it didn't take long.

Finally, they took a group photo: after all, it was a historic moment, and as participants, they had to leave a memento no matter what.

Just when everyone thought it was time to leave, Lin Sicheng went back on stage and picked up the microphone again.

He tapped it, and after attracting everyone's attention, he spoke unhurriedly: "I originally planned to talk to the directors and general managers of several funds individually after the banquet ended, but I didn't expect all the bosses and teachers to be so gracious? While there are many people here, I would like to ask everyone for a favor—"

Lin Sicheng clicked the remote control, and several photos appeared on the big screen: one was several stacks of documents, one was a Rhino Horn Cup, another was several porcelain jars, and a book of ancient texts.

"To be honest with everyone, I have recently undertaken several technical research projects. Because the initial investment is huge and time is tight, I could only find ways to self-fund, which is why today's auction happened. But even though the transaction volume is amazing, there is still a significant gap, and there was no other way but to sell everything I own—"

"In addition to the collections already sold, I have a few more, but because they involve academic issues, circulation is restricted, and they cannot be traded directly, so I can only seek financing from banks and financial institutions—"

"These are the four items in the photos. Next, I will briefly introduce them. At the same time, there is detailed information, and interested bosses can take a copy. If you have friends in banks or other institutions, please introduce them on my behalf; I would be very grateful—"

As he spoke, several Assistants went off stage to distribute the materials to the guests.

Instinctively, a bad premonition arose in Liang Shiya's heart: Lin Sicheng's funding gap was not just significant, but extremely large?

The funds he raised were just barely four hundred million, while the initial Startup Capital for the nineteen technologies was a full five hundred million USD. Calculate it, and he was still short a full three billion.

But that was not the point; the point was the few words Lin Sicheng said: seeking financing from banks?

Isn't that just a loan?

So, he is planning to use these items as collateral?

Liang Shiya glanced at the screen but didn't see the point. But it didn't matter; there was an Expert right beside her.

"Master He, what does it mean to involve academic issues and have restricted circulation? Is it that the ownership is disputed?"

"It's not an ownership issue, but a restriction due to academic value!"

He Jian thought for a moment, organizing his words, striving to make them understandable to a layman Li Keliang Shiya: "To put it simply, the historical data and research significance of the antique are greater than its art market value, such as unique pieces or rare items.

Some have even reached the level of precious Cultural Relics; for this type of item, the law prohibits buying and selling, and they can only be donated or exchanged—"

"Then what about mortgage financing?"

"There is no explicit provision in the law, but as long as it is verified, as long as it is not a state-owned financing institution, most will be stopped. Because law enforcement departments cannot define: are you trading in the form of a mortgage?"

He Jian paused: "Of course, General Manager Lin's situation is an exception—"

Liang Shiya understood in a second: Lin Sicheng didn't need to look for legal loopholes; he must be looking for state-owned institutions. If not banks, then major funds or trusts.

But the problem is, he would look for loopholes in the six foreign companies and the United Association: what if something only worth ten thousand is mortgaged for one hundred million?

What are you saying, banks aren't stupid?

The bank is certainly not stupid, but the problem is that right now, the bank and the relevant departments are anxious to shove money at him; never mind collateral, they would have no problem even giving it away for free.

Thinking of this, Liang Shiya immediately became alert: "MaRy, CoCo, do these few items appear in the background check data?"

The two nodded in unison: "Yes!"

Not only were they there, but the data was unusually complete, even more complete than the dozen or so items Lin Sicheng had just sold.

First were those four small jars; these were Northern Song Cizhou Kiln Rust Flower Jars, which Lin Sicheng had scouted from Hangzhou, spending 120,000.

The second item was those stacks of documents, called the Xu Weili Documents, dating to the Southern Song Dynasty; these were also scouted by Lin Sicheng from Hangzhou, totaling seventeen scrolls, and cost 150,000.

The third item was a Rhino Horn Cup, which had a very pleasant name, the Chixia Cup. It was likewise scouted by Lin Sicheng from Hangzhou; this one was a bit more expensive, costing 260,000.

The last item was that ancient book, which seemed to be a book from Japan called Yuedian Music; this one was the lowest, costing only 8,000.

Chen Jiashan flipped through the data: "Diwen, for these four items, General Manager Lin has reported them all to the Cultural Relics department."

"Reported?" Liang Shiya was stunned for a moment, "When?"

"The year before last, right when he bought them back!"

He Jian explained at the appropriate moment: "According to the laws and regulations of the Mainland, if an antique has significant academic value, it must indeed be reported to the relevant departments!"

Suddenly, that bad premonition became even more intense.

Liang Shiya frowned: If they were reported the year before last, it meant that even back then, Lin Sicheng knew that the academic value of these items was extremely high.

And isn't the reason antiques are expensive precisely because of the artistic, craft, historical, and other academic values they possess?

And if these items could even reach the level of "restricted circulation" or "state law strictly prohibiting trade," then how expensive would they be?

"Master He, can you provide a valuation?"

"I can, but it requires sufficient supporting documentation—"

Just as he was speaking, Li Zhen arrived, and He Jian shut his mouth.

Li Zhen greeted them one by one and left them a few more documents.

Not many, just ten or so pages, averaging three pages per item.

He Jian subconsciously flipped them open, but after just one glance, he was suddenly stunned: "What on earth is this?"

Those four small porcelain cups were actually Cupping Jars used by the emperors of the Southern Song Dynasty?

Why don't you just say they were chamber pots?

Counting them up, starting from the first emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, Gaozong Zhao Gou, they were used all the way until the third-to-last emperor of the Southern Song, Emperor Gong of Song, Zhao Xian. Calculating the time: from 1127 to 1274, spanning six emperors and nearly one hundred and fifty years.

But one had never heard that the Song Dynasty even had Cupping Jars—

In shock and suspicion, He Jian brought the data up to his eyes and read it word for word. Gradually, his eyes opened wider and wider, wider and wider—