Chapter 90: A Bit Mystical (4K: For Alliance Leader

Before he had even arrived, Hao Jun kept apologizing: "Professor Wang, I'm late... it was bad timing: the General Manager of the head office came for an inspection, and I really couldn't get away!"

Having already explained over the phone, Wang Qi Zhi naturally didn't mind and hurriedly stood up to offer a seat: "Not late, just in time!"

Hao Jun then introduced those in the middle: the man accompanying him was surnamed Wu, and he was the Department Head of Miscellaneous Items at Rong Bao Zhai.

It was also a coincidence that he happened to be with the group visiting Xijing for an inspection, and he happened to be a Peking University alumnus of Wang Qi Zhi. He was not only Hao Jun's superior but also his Senior Brother: during his time at university, he had majored in Indian languages and Dunhuang Buddhist scripture manuscripts, while also studying the cultural exchanges between Chinese and foreign Buddhism.

Hearing "Dunhuang Buddhist scripture manuscripts," Lin Sicheng's heart skipped a beat: Indian languages were one thing, but as long as the research didn't predate the Middle Ages, it basically had nothing to do with Brahmi Sanskrit.

The key lay in the Dunhuang Buddhist scriptures: there was a vertical research direction within this major: Ancient Sanskrit.

And what had he said earlier: to translate these two pieces of Sanskrit clearly, one would have to go to Peking University and the two academies? And only minutes after he finished speaking, Hao Jun had brought him one?

Honestly, he was truly impressed: Senior Brother Hao, you couldn't come earlier, you couldn't come later, you come at this time?

Coming was one thing, but you even brought an expert. What's more incredible is that you even brought that Teacher Ma back with you?

Muttering inwardly, after a few pleasantries, the group sat down. Hao Jun looked at the box and case on the coffee table with a hint of curiosity:

"It's a coincidence, I ran into Ma Lan just as I got off the car: she said there was a super wealthy and super generous 'little milk dog' upstairs who spent a fortune buying two items from her... and she said the surname was Lin... I guessed it was you!"

At the mention of "little milk dog," Hao Jun couldn't help but laugh: "I heard, you sold them for a full 1.5 million?"

Suddenly, Teacher Ma lifted her chin, her face full of smugness.

Lin Sicheng guessed it immediately: having earned over a million all at once, this woman must have been smug to the point of losing her head. It just so happened she ran into an acquaintance, and then couldn't help but brag:

Secretary-General Hao, you don't know, I ran into a super silly, super gullible sucker who bought two items I'd been stuck with for seven or eight years for 1.5 million...

Silly, am I? A sucker with potential? Fine, you'll have your time to cry.

Cursing inwardly, Lin Sicheng nodded: "Something like that!"

Something like that? What do you mean something like that? The invoice was still sitting on the table: 1.65 million.

Hao Jun glanced at it and pointed to the box: "Open it and let me take a look!"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Nothing much to look at."

Huh, that's not right, is it?

Given his relationship with Lin Sicheng, when had this kid ever been so unaccommodating?

There was something going on here, and it wasn't a small matter...

In the time it took for a thought to cross his mind, Hao Jun had guessed seven or eight out of ten: Haha, did Ma Lan miss a treasure?

Just saying, Lin Sicheng was sharper than a monkey; how could he possibly be a sucker?

Hao Jun tried hard to open his eyes wide, blinking them.

Lin Sicheng understood in a second: "I'll arrange it for tonight, Tang Le Gong, Xi'an Restaurant, take your pick, Moutai is on me!"

Haha... just saying, it must be a big deal?

But there was no time.

"The leaders are still at the hotel, I have to go back to host them tonight!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Then another day!"

"Good, another day!"

Hao Jun replied happily and took the coffee from the receptionist.

Perhaps he was truly busy, or perhaps he was tired of waiting, the Supervisor smiled: "Mr. Lin, please check it, so I can let the finance department record the account!"

As he spoke, he casually lifted the lid of the box.

Hao Jun only glanced at it, and his smile froze on his face. Then, as if a needle had pricked him, he leaned back.

The coffee in his cup swayed twice, splashing a few drops onto his pristine white shirt. But Hao Jun was completely unaware, staring at the remnant scroll for several moments.

What did I just say: Ma Lan missed a treasure? She missed nothing... Lin Sicheng, oh Lin Sicheng, you've been taken for a huge ride!

Hao Jun turned his head abruptly: "Anonymous imitation of the Heart Sutra in Sanskrit?"

Lin Sicheng didn't know what to say: if he were the leader of Poly, this Supervisor would have been fired eight hundred times over.

He nodded: "Senior Brother has seen it?"

More than just me, Lao Guan and your grandfather have both seen it.

Hao Jun put down his coffee cup and looked at it a few more times: that's right, it was that one. The key was, there was a small box next to it?

The calligraphy and the seal were a matching set; if this wasn't that Iron Seal, Hao Jun would dare to chew it up and eat it. The problem was, Lin Sicheng had not only paid the money but even signed the contract, meaning there wasn't even a shred of room to back out.

Thinking of this, Hao Jun felt liver pain from anger: working hard for half a year, only to return to pre-liberation overnight... if only he had arrived ten minutes earlier?

He gritted his teeth: "Remember Chairman Ding? The time we had a meeting at the Cultural Relics Center, he said, 'For an 800-yuan Red Envelope, is Professor Lin poor to the point of madness?' It was him!"

Hao Jun got straight to the point and pointed at Ma Lan again, "They are good friends!"

He emphasized the three words "good friends" heavily.

Lin Sicheng suddenly realized: "And then?"

"And then one day, Chairman Ding brought this piece of calligraphy and an Iron Seal for Lao Guan to see... Lao Guan said: I can't be sure!"

Seeing Lin Sicheng unmoved, Hao Jun looked frustrated: "Don't disbelieve me, in the city, Lao Guan's level of Calligraphy and Painting Appraisal is absolutely top-tier, and he can even rank in the province... and your grandfather has seen it too!"

Lin Sicheng certainly believed it; Guan Xingmin came from the China Academy of Art, specialized in Calligraphy and Painting, and his attainments were certainly high. His grandfather was also well-versed in other areas, and his level wasn't bad either.

He also knew what Hao Jun meant: Lin Sicheng, you were cheated by this woman.

But there was one point: these two were not like him, having seen the authentic Sanskrit Heart Sutra by Zhao Mengfu. Nor were they like Ye Anning, who treated the Forbidden City like her own home, and was already intimately familiar with the calligraphy styles of Dong Qichang from all periods.

Therefore, even if he told them the answer—that this was an imitation by Dong Qichang—Guan Xingmin and his grandfather wouldn't believe it. Just like the Appraiser from Poly, and Teacher Ma, who was still ignorant and looking blank at this moment.

Seeing Hao Jun looking self-reproachful, as if he wanted to slap himself, Lin Sicheng felt a warmth in his heart and gestured again: "Senior Brother, look!"

Look at what, look at the lesson you bought for 1.5 million?

Cursing inwardly, Hao Jun turned his head: Huh, what is Teacher Wu doing?

He didn't know when, but Wu Jun had moved to the other side, put on his reading glasses, and was pointing his finger at the Sanskrit on the scroll, muttering to himself.

Hao Jun sighed: "Teacher Wu, this is the Heart Sutra!"

"Do you think I don't know this is the Heart Sutra? Don't speak for a moment..."

Very quickly, in the time it took to retort, Wu Jun had already finished reading the scripture and turned his head to study those two Seal Marks.

After a rough look, he raised his head again and looked at Lin Sicheng: "Is this an imitation of the Zhao Mengfu Heart Sutra?"

Lin Sicheng was startled: "Has Teacher Wu seen the original?"

"I haven't, but it's written right here!" Wu Jun pointed to that imitation seal of Zhao Mengfu, "Imperial Consultant Zhao Zi'ang—don't say, the transliteration of the name is quite accurate!"

Hao Jun was completely bewildered: Where did this Zhao Mengfu pop out from again?

Wu Jun began to study the second seal, but suddenly, he froze as if he had been turned to stone.

Staring at it for a long while, he raised his head and swept his gaze left, then right. Everyone present was scrutinized by him.

Then, his gaze landed on Lin Sicheng's face. His eyes seemed to hide a Needle, piercing straight over.

Lin Sicheng's heart stirred: Have I encountered an expert?

Just as he was secretly guessing, Wu Jun smiled: "Young man, not bad. Where did you learn Sanskrit?"

No... starting off with praise, how can you be so certain?

If it were an ordinary person, wouldn't they ask first: Young man, have you studied Sanskrit?

Lin Sicheng paused slightly: "From books!"

"Impressive, isn't it?" After offering a compliment, he smiled and asked, "Which books?"

Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation: "Mr. Ji Xianlin's 'Shakuntala', 'Ramayana', 'Collected Essays on Ancient Indian Languages'... and Mr. Huang Baosheng's 'Mahabharata', 'Raghuvamsha'..."

"Oh, not bad, not bad... You've even read the works of Senior Brother Huang Baosheng?"

Wu Jun's eyes lit up, "My teacher is Ji Xianlin!"

Lin Sicheng's eyelids twitched: More than just an expert? This is a true master.

After just a brief glance, Wu Jun did not pursue the matter further and turned back to study the Seal Mark.

And the longer he looked, the brighter his eyes became. After about five or six minutes, he suddenly straightened his back and "clapped" his hands once: "Not bad!"

What was not bad? Naturally, it was that scripture seal of the Highest Yoga Tantra.

Lin Sicheng smiled and said nothing.

The others were completely confused: Isn't this an anonymous imitation Heart Sutra? Why is this Teacher Wu looking at it so seriously?

And why is he clapping and saying "not bad, not bad"?

Only Hao Jun was peering around with his eyes, looking at Wu Jun one moment and at Lin Sicheng's face the next.

When did Lin Sicheng learn Sanskrit? Why didn't he know?

And those treatises he mentioned: he himself dabbles in Indian Buddhist Cultural Relics, yet he hasn't really studied them?

Hao Jun blinked his squinty eyes, feeling more and more that something was wrong: The key is Wu Jun's attitude; it's been so many years, he hasn't seen him this serious before.

It couldn't be that these lousy characters... are actually a hidden treasure?

Amidst his shock and suspicion, Wu Jun began to mutter to himself:

"..., Heavenly King? Heavenly God? Hmm, it should be Heavenly God..."

"..., Like Virtue, Wonderful Auspiciousness, Wonderful Good Fortune... No, this is Jamyang (the Tibetan name for Manjushri Bodhisattva)!"

"..., is it the Wheel-Turning Holy King, or the Great King? It must be the Great King... Huh..."

With a low exclamation, he suddenly raised his head, and just like before, his eyes were fixed squarely on Lin Sicheng's face.

No, even sharper than before.

Lin Sicheng smiled again.

He also followed with a smile, and suddenly, he let out a "hehe": "Don't worry, they can't understand!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned, not knowing how to answer.

Subsequently, Wu Jun pointed to the small box: "What is this?"

Lin Sicheng sighed: "A seal!"

Wu Jun's eyes shone: "May I take a look?"

At this point?

Lin Sicheng opened the lid and handed it over.

Wu Jun didn't take it, just glanced at it, and then the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch twice. It was as if he were saying: I knew it would be like this!

Then, his lips were pressed tightly together, his eyes widened a circle, the corners of his eyes trembled slightly, and his eyes were burning with spirit.

That look was exactly like in the TV show: the expression of Xiao Yang standing at the door watching the bare-bottomed Xiaoshenyang wrapping dumplings: it was as if he wanted to laugh, but was holding it back, mixed with a few traces of admiration and envy.

"Put it away!"

Wu Jun nodded, and his tone shifted, "You haven't graduated yet, right? What is your major?"

"Cultural Relics Protection, senior year!"

"Very good!"

Wu Jun's "very good" made Wang Qi Zhi's heart jump: that look was exactly like the look the Public Security Bureau leaders gave Lin Sicheng—really, exactly the same.

But he didn't say anything more, taking the Towel to wipe his hands.

Hao Jun really couldn't hold back: "Teacher Wu, what are these two items?"

Wu Jun's tone was very calm: "Just ordinary Sanskrit Heart Sutra, ordinary Iron Seal!"

Impossible?

Hao Jun puffed out his cheeks: Old Wu, do you take me for blind?

But precisely because he wasn't blind, he didn't ask further, his heart feeling like a roller coaster: before he regretted arriving late, now he should be glad he didn't arrive early.

If it had been earlier, if Wu Jun had accidentally let something slip, it might have ruined this business deal for Lin Sicheng.

Thank goodness!

They had come to watch a joke, but unfortunately didn't get to see one, and fearing Lin Sicheng might go back on his word, Teacher Ma slipped away first as a courtesy.

Everything that needed to be handled had been handled, so there was no need to linger here; Lin Sicheng packed up his things.

Afterward, the group went downstairs.

At the moment of parting, the few of them spoke politely, but without exception, their eyes all darted toward the box in Lin Sicheng's hand... it was all quite funny.

In any case, it had dragged on for quite a while and they were quite busy, otherwise Hao Jun definitely would have made Lin Sicheng take out the seal and the calligraphy, let him see them clearly, and ask about them clearly.

In the end, Hao Jun and Wu Jun left first.

Ye Anning still had to go to work, so Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi headed back first.

Once in the car, Wang Qi Zhi looked suspicious: "If you were recognized, you were recognized; the Contract is already signed and payment made, so even if that Teacher Ma goes back on his word, he'd have to go to Poly. But looking at you, you were acting like you were guarding against a thief the whole time?"

Was that really what Lin Sicheng was guarding against? It was that Teacher Wu.

In this country, those who dare to claim success in the research of Ancient Sanskrit could be counted on the fingers of his and Wang Qi Zhi's hands and feet combined.

If one traces the lineage further back, there are only four: Ganghetai, Chen Yinke, Ji Xianlin, and Jin Kemu from the Republic of China era. Everyone who researches this is a student of these four.

After the founding of the nation, it split into two factions: Peking University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and they are intertwined. For example, Mr. Chen Yinke and Mr. Ji Xianlin both taught at Peking University first, then later went to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The circle is just that small, and there are so few people, so they are all extremely familiar with each other. Who has how many students and what their research focus is—it's all crystal clear.

Therefore, if Lin Sicheng dared to open his mouth, Wu Jun would be able to tell: whether he was truly self-taught, or who had taught him...

He certainly couldn't tell Wang Qi Zhi this, so Lin Sicheng smiled: "It's mainly because that Teacher Ma is too difficult to deal with!"

"That's true!"

Just thinking about it gave Wang Qi Zhi goosebumps.

He started the car and asked again: "With that Teacher Wu having taken a look, there's no need to rush to Beijing anymore. But I have to say, that Teacher Wu's eye for things is truly high!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: It was indeed high.

And a bit eccentric...

On the other side, the eccentric Teacher Wu looked completely eccentric, suddenly baring his teeth, then grinning, then laughing in a neurotic manner.

Hao Jun looked at the rearview mirror, feeling a chill: "No... Senior Brother Wu, what are you doing?"

Wu Jun looked wistful: "Self-taught in Ancient Sanskrit, and learned it so well—this kid has some real talent!"

Did he only have "some talent"?

But Hao Jun had to admire that Lin Sicheng was truly idle: whether Ancient Sanskrit is hard to learn is secondary; the key is that there are too few application scenarios. Just ask yourself, once you learn this stuff, where do you use it?

Aside from staying at Peking University to teach, you can only enter the two Academies, but are those three places so easy to get into?

Just like Wu Jun, just like him, what they learned was only related to Sanskrit, and in the end, they all had to find their own way to make a living.

"By the way, I haven't asked you yet, what exactly were those two items?"

Wu Jun spoke slowly and methodically: "I don't know about the calligraphy, but I know the seal—that iron seal!"

Hao Jun perked up: "What is it?"

"A Qianlong Imperial Treasure!"

"What the hell?"

Thinking he hadn't heard clearly, Wu Jun raised his volume: "Qianlong's appraisal and collection seal!"

With a "screech" of the brakes, Hao Jun slammed his head into the steering wheel...