Chapter 110 You big idiot

Many agate cups have been unearthed in China, but only one in the world uses the techniques of color contrast, granulation and gilding, and has such a high level of hollowing technique: the Tang Dynasty gold-inlaid animal head agate cup.

Excavated in the southern suburbs of Xi'an in 1970, it was subsequently kept in the Shaanxi History Museum and never exhibited, only used for internal research. In 2002, it was included in the "List of Cultural Relics Prohibited from Being Exhibited Abroad".

Three years later, in 2014, it was borrowed by the National Museum of China and kept there for internal research. It was not until 2014 that it was publicly exhibited as part of the "Silk Road and Belt and Road" large-scale cultural relics exhibition.

At the time, Turkey offered to buy it for $100 million, but the offer was rejected.

The reason it is so expensive is not just because it is rare, but because of the craftsmanship: agate is extremely hard, and with the technology of the 9th and 10th centuries, it was possible to hollow out the inside of the glass and create a flowing wine channel, which is no different from making a nuclear bomb by hand.

Secondly, the gilded pearl blasting technique, when placed in the Tang Dynasty, was absolutely a groundbreaking and innovative technological advancement.

To put it simply: It's necessary to ensure a sufficiently high temperature to soften and thin the gilding liquid enough to guarantee a sufficiently uniform adhesion of the gold layer, which is less than 0.1 mm thick. It's also crucial to ensure that the gold beads adhering to the gilding layer, with a diameter not exceeding 0.2 mm, do not deform due to the high temperature.

Isn't that contradictory?

If there were no contradictions, the value of this piece wouldn't be apparent. That's why it's recognized as "the pinnacle of ancient Chinese jade carving and gilding art."

If this isn't a national treasure, then what is?

Rather than believing that this was the second one outside the National Museum of China, or even that it was found on the street, Lin Sicheng would rather believe that he was an alien.

Therefore, it must be a counterfeit.

But strangely, the imitation is extremely similar?

The agate is alright; although it's genuine agate, it's been dyed. The cup's interior and the wine channel were made using modern machinery.

The key is the gilded cap on the sheep's snout: it is not an ornament, but exactly the same as the original in the National Museum. You can pour wine into it by removing the gold stopper, and it can also be used as a wine pot.

Of course, even with the use of some modern chemical raw materials and scientific technology, it still falls short of the true granulation and gilding technique of the Tang Dynasty.

But what's strange is that this piece is almost a one-to-one replica of the original. This applies to everything from size and shape to even the curves.

This is really strange: to be able to imitate it so perfectly, it would be impossible without studying it closely for two or three years. The question is: has the genuine article never been publicly exhibited?

In an instant, Lin Sicheng made a rough judgment: the researcher was either from the National Museum of China or the Shaanxi History Museum, and the latter was more likely.

After all, it had been in the Shaanxi History Museum for a full 35 years, giving it ample time for research.

In a flash, Lin Sicheng turned back to look at the gold bracelet: the craftsmanship was so similar to that of the sheep's snout, and the gilding layer had added rhenium, so it must have been made by the same person.

That's impressive.

This craftsmanship would be among the best even in a provincial museum. The key ingredient is rhenium: historically, the most effective method used by gold shops to verify the authenticity of gold has been burning, including in 2025.

To know how to use this kind of material to make fake gold that doesn't change color no matter how it's burned, one must either be a materials science major, or have a solid background in it.

Lin Sicheng secretly admired it, then looked up and asked, "Where did Teacher Bai buy it?"

"Bell Tower, Folk Custom Street!"

Wasn't it that time when Professor Wang and Ye Anning met the Bai Ma ethnic girl?

He then asked, "How much did it cost?"

"Forty-two thousand!"

"Not expensive!"

It's really not expensive: just based on the gold-plated beads on the cap, which are completely modeled after the ancient method, this thing is worth 42,000.

Lin Sicheng replied, and Bai Wan was stunned for a moment, taking a long time to react: "Is it fake too?"

"certainly!"

It really is in the National Museum's warehouse.

"The gilded layer of the sheep's mouth plug also uses rhenium, so it's definitely a replica. But its artistic value is extremely high, far exceeding that of the gold bracelet on the arm. Of course, if Teacher Bai doesn't like it, he can return it!"

Bai Wan looked at Lin Sicheng with resentment: No matter how tall it is, it's still a modern imitation, isn't it?

As for withdrawing, it's really hard to say!

Judging from her expression, Lin Sicheng guessed most of it: "When they introduced it to you, they definitely said it was a handicraft. When you asked about its origin, they said they found it at a second-hand market?"

Bai Wan's eyes slowly widened, and her mouth opened little by little: cover her face, and make her voice even older, and she'd sound exactly like the shop owner who sold her things. Because even her tone of voice was exactly the same.

She even suspected that Lin Sicheng might have been fooled as well.

Lin Sicheng smiled: I haven't actually been on one, but I've experienced enough of similar tactics.

In the past, I would have said: "Don't worry, boss, I'll never cheat you... I bought it as a counterfeit back then, and I'm selling it as a counterfeit now. Please give me a break, I'm just trying to make a living."

In today's terms: Boss, this is a craft item, but it's purely handmade, so its artistic value is definitely high. That's why it's priced this way, it can't be lower.

To put it bluntly, it's all about playing on the contrarian mentality: because the counterfeit is so realistic, the more I tell you it's a fake, the less you believe it, and you insist on picking it up as a bargain.

This is why disputes involving antiques are so difficult to classify, and judicial authorities generally handle them based on the principles of "verbal agreement" and "once the purchase is final."

Moreover, those who fall for it are mostly people with a little bit of insight, like the person in front of us...

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment and then asked, "Teacher Bai, could you tell me what the shop is called?"

"Sheng Tang Xuan!" Bai Wan said, somewhat puzzled, with a hint of self-mockery, "Do you want to fall for their tricks too?"

Of course not.

Lin Sicheng was just curious and wanted to learn more: with such high-level antique craftsmanship, and even knowing how to use "rhenium" to enhance the gold imitation, it was impossible for them to be unknown.

To put it simply, if you take these two items to Panjiayuan Market, more than half of the experts will be fooled.

But he had no recollection of spending so much time in Xijing in his previous life?

Just as I was feeling a bit wistful, Li Zhen entered the room, carrying a glass box with two test strips inside.

One of them is lead acetate, which is jet black, indicating that the surface of the gold ring contains lead sulfide.

The other sheet is mercuric bromide test paper, which is yellowish, indicating that it not only contains sulfur, but also mercury in the aging solution.

Wow, that's impressive!

That's why I haven't encountered any professional dealers of counterfeit goods. Otherwise, even knowing it's fake, I would dare to spend millions to buy it: because Tang Dynasty noble tombs mostly used cinnabar for preservation, which contains both lead and mercury.

Therefore, these two test strips became irrefutable evidence: either a princess or a prince's burial goods... He dared to ask for ten million.

Lin Sicheng became increasingly curious about the person who created these two items.

He pushed the item forward a bit, then smiled and said, "It's a counterfeit, and it's been artificially aged with chemicals... If you can't get a refund, Mr. Bai, you can have it tested by a more authoritative institution after you return to Beijing..."

Bai Wan believed it, of course. Just based on the two bowls on the table, she was 90% convinced: even the porcelain master of Prince Gong's Mansion could only do this much.

Unfortunately, more than 60,000 yuan went down the drain.

She thanked him, put away the two pieces of gold jewelry, and then took out her wallet. Just as she was about to mention the appraisal fee, her eyes lit up again: "Oh right, what about that bowl?"

When I walked in, I was thinking, "What great luck!" But when I heard that both pieces of gold jewelry were fake, I was so upset that I'd completely forgotten about them.

"Lin, that bowl is a Dehua white glaze bowl, isn't it?"

"Yes, Dehua pork fat white!"

really.

The woman's eyes lit up: "Will you sell it or not?"

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: "I'll definitely sell."

"But Teacher Bai, it's not finished yet!"

Bai Wan was immediately delighted: "Precisely because it wasn't repaired properly... then it's settled, I'll bring someone over to take a look tomorrow!"

Lin Sicheng was taken aback: You're really going to buy it?

This flavor is quite unique.

Lin Sicheng nodded, about to say "okay," when Ye Anning winked at him.

"Teacher Bai, it's too much trouble to go back and forth. Just take it back with you. If you're satisfied, we can discuss it again tomorrow, and we can settle the appraisal fee then!"

Bai Wan looked at Lin Sicheng: "Is it okay?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Of course!"

Although he didn't know the situation, could Ye Anning really lie to him?

Teacher Bai was very happy, and his depression was swept away. He felt that if he hadn't paid the 60,000 yuan, he wouldn't have gotten this bowl.

After packing her things, Lin Sicheng and Ye Anning took her to the school gate and then hailed a taxi.

Once in the car, she waved excitedly, "Assistant Ye, Lin, I'll show this to Old Zhang as soon as I get back..."

The two nodded in unison.

After the taxi drove away, Lin Sicheng asked, puzzled, "Who is Lao Zhang?"

"Teacher Bai's spouse works in the business department of Prince Gong's Mansion!"

Lin Sicheng was taken aback: Prince Gong's Mansion, directly under the Ministry of Culture?

The so-called business department is actually the collection department.

Suddenly, he remembered the two gold ornaments, and his eyelids twitched rapidly.

Ye Anning knew exactly what he was thinking: "Those two items were bought secretly by Teacher Bai; her husband doesn't know yet!"

Lin Sicheng exhaled: I was startled.

In this way, Teacher Bai perfectly fits the description of someone who "knows a little, but not much, yet has a huge addiction."

Lin Sicheng nodded: "If you have a good relationship with them, then give them some advice!"

"Don't worry, Teacher Bai is very smart!" Ye Anning laughed as she spoke. "Although she loves to buy things, she basically has them appraised after buying them, and if there's a problem, she immediately confesses to her family..."

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment, then gave a thumbs up: "Indeed smart."

Once the seller heard that his wife was at Prince Gong's Mansion, the probability of him not returning the item was very, very low.

That's why she bought it – precisely because the bowl wasn't fully replaced.

Because there is a fundamental difference between research-based restoration and commercial restoration: the former strives for authenticity, while the latter emphasizes aesthetics.

For example, when restoring porcelain in major museums, they simply glue it on and fill it with plaster, without painting or glazing it. That's the principle.

In the blink of an eye, the two entered the school, and Lin Sicheng's stomach rumbled loudly.

He then realized: he hadn't eaten yet.

"Sister Anning hasn't eaten either, has she? Why don't we eat something together?"

Ye Anning paused for a moment: "Is it okay?"

"What's wrong with that!"

Lin Sicheng asked casually, then took out his phone and told Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu to go directly to the restaurant.

Ye Anning didn't speak, but just smiled.

It's good that nothing's wrong!

The two of them weren't in a hurry and leisurely made their way to the cafeteria.

As she walked, she reached a point not far from home. Ye Anning seemed to sense something and subconsciously looked up.

Two heads were squeezed into the living room window, but they quickly shrunk back in.

Oh!

Ye Anning chuckled inwardly.

Lin Sicheng's mind was filled with "Tang Bajin" and "Zhazhu Liujin", and he didn't pay any attention.

When he arrived at the cafeteria and sat down to eat, he was still thinking about it.

It's no wonder he was so engrossed: he only remembered after Teacher Bai left that, according to the original plan, the art of gilding pearls was still in a state of being lost.

It wasn't until 2020, when the tombs accompanying Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi and Empress Wu Zetian's Qianling Mausoleum were excavated (in Xijing), that the related craftsmanship was restored.

Now, in 2007, how was the gold plating on that agate cup achieved?

His chopsticks would pause every now and then, his eyes glazed over, completely unfocused.

Knowing he was thinking, they didn't disturb him. The three girls ate and chatted as they pleased.

Although they weren't very familiar with each other, perhaps because smart and beautiful women naturally have empathy, Ye Anning and Li Zhen got along very well.

Xiao Yuzhu quietly ate her rice and listened quietly. For some reason, she felt a tingling sensation all over her body.

But no matter how much she thought about it, she still couldn't figure out why this was happening.

Just as they were finishing their meal, Ye Anning's phone rang twice. After listening for a few moments, she turned around and said, "Teacher Zhang asked if 180,000 is acceptable. If so, we'll have the finance department come over to settle the bill tomorrow, but we need an invoice!"

Teacher Zhang?

Upon hearing "180,000," Lin Sicheng realized that Ye Anning was referring to the bowl.

Based on current market prices, even if that lard-white pig were intact, it would only fetch between eighty and one million.

The problem is that it's too dilapidated. A full third of it has been repaired. According to Lin Sicheng's estimate, even if the repairs are done beautifully, it will only cost around 80,000 to 90,000 yuan.

This teacher Zhang doubled the price as soon as he quoted it, and only paid half of it.

Indeed, no matter how skilled you are, you still need to sell your products in the right place.

He nodded, and Ye Anning immediately replied, and they arranged a time to meet again.

Across from them, Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu stared in disbelief: Lin Sicheng had said himself that he had spent over two hundred yuan just to buy the porcelain shards from that bowl.

The gold painting was only half done, and only one sheet of gold leaf was applied. Adding in all the other materials, the total cost would be at most one thousand.

After deducting taxes, it means that Lin Sicheng earned 170,000 yuan in just two days using his skills.

Suddenly, their eyes lit up. Especially Xiao Yuzhu, in her eyes, Lin Sicheng had become a golden goose.

After hanging up the phone, they continued eating. After finishing their meal, Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu returned to their dormitory together.

The restaurant was quite far from the family compound, and it was getting dark, so Lin Sicheng took Ye Anning home.

The four people parted ways downstairs at the restaurant.

Looking at the figures under the streetlights, Xiao Yuzhu was confused: These two... seem rather strange?

But to say that the two are dating doesn't seem quite right: what guy is like Lin Sicheng, with his girlfriend sitting next to him and his mind full of cultural relics and research?

Even on the way home from dropping off your partner, you're still thinking about it?

That Assistant Ye is way too easy to talk to.

To be honest, they seem like a good match... but somehow these two seem quite compatible?

Just as she was making wild guesses, Li Zhen turned around and said, "Ah Zhu, let's go!"

"Okay, senior sister~"

Xiao Yuzhu caught up, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Senior sister, are they dating?"

Li Zhen shook her head: "It's an illusion!"

Is it just an illusion?

It seems a bit... but how can you be so sure, senior sister?

Just as she was starting to think about it, Xiao Yuzhu suddenly froze again: she didn't know if it was just her imagination, but she finally understood why she had felt itchy while eating at the restaurant.

She turned around abruptly: Lin Sicheng had his hands in his pockets, head drooping, counting ants like a baby.

No need to guess, he's definitely still thinking about the Eight Arts of Tang and Jin.

Ye Anning followed silently beside him. When he slowed down, she slowed down; when he stopped, she stopped... Quietly and without making a sound.

Ha ha……

Lin Sicheng, you big idiot!