Chapter 147 Jade Pig Dragon

Hao Jun drove eastward.

After passing the Drum Tower and then the Bell Tower, we headed south.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was covered with a layer of dust, hazy and gray. The Tang Dynasty Never Sleeping City was just beginning construction; Zhenguan Square was still on its foundation, and the outer city wall had only been encircled by a stone ring.

Dump trucks shuttled back and forth, and excavators roared. The sun seemed to be covered by frosted glass, and everything was covered in dust and ash.

Continuing south, passing the lakeside, the roar of the machines gradually subsided, and the air became much cleaner.

Across the lake embankment, Furong Garden is lush and green, and the crescent-shaped Furong Lake shimmers with light.

Lin Sicheng was looking closely when the Audi stopped for a moment and then drove into a palace-style gate.

Lawns, shady trees, fountains, and artificial hills glided past. Then, several courtyard-style villas appeared.

Lin Sicheng paused, then subconsciously turned around: on the top of the palace-style gate from which they had driven, were four large seal script characters: Qujiang Mansion.

In 2007, if you were to ask where the city center of Xi'an was, it would definitely be the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower, and the Kaiyuan Tower.

But if we're talking about which house is the most expensive: Qujiang Mansion by Furong Lake.

Apartments near Gulou sell for around 4,000 yuan per square meter, while villas here cost at least 15,000 yuan per square meter, with the smallest unit being 300 square meters.

The project opened in 2005, and within just one year, all 120 units in the first phase were sold out.

All I can say is, there are so many rich people.

A golf cart led the way, followed by an Audi, which slowly drove up to a detached villa.

The iron gate opened automatically, and the golf cart entered the courtyard. Hao Jun parked the car by the roadside, and he and Lin Sicheng got out.

As he walked inside, Lin Sicheng raised his chin and asked, "Big Boss?"

Hao Jun nodded: "Of course, Shenfu mines have both coal and iron."

Wow, that's impressive!

This guy is a real big shot.

Hao Jun lowered his voice again: "This man, surnamed Chen, is a fairly well-known collector in wealthy circles. He has a good eye, but his tastes are rather strange: he likes the oldest things the most, and he collects everything. So, you know..."

Lin Sicheng certainly knew: everyone has their own expertise. Like the old man, he studied cultural relics for most of his life and did archaeology for most of his life. Isn't that professional enough?

Even ordinary investors can make mistakes sometimes, like those two Russian jade pieces still in the bank. Let alone the average investor?

Therefore, accepting everything means that it is very easy to make a mistake.

Furthermore, the earlier the artifact is from which it was made, the fewer related documents remain, and naturally, the fewer research materials and bases for identification are available.

Lacking experience, they're always right from the start.

Lin Sicheng nodded: "So this time, should we appraise it or ship it?"

"Ship the goods! Even the richest man can't just take in and not leave..." Hao Jun gestured, "Including this time, this is my fourth trip. I even had the head office engineer take a look, but I'm still a little unsure..."

"What are you unsure about?" Lin Sicheng's heart skipped a beat. "Those two desks?"

“I’m even less certain about that one, so I won’t accept it for now! I’m talking about that inkstone…” Hao Jun paused slightly, “The lid has a dragon, deer antlers, and five claws!”

Five claws, a true dragon?

Last time in Qishan, Lin Sicheng was astonished by a fish-shaped inkstone bestowed by the Ming Dynasty emperor. This time, it's even more amazing: a Han Dynasty inkstone with a five-clawed deer antler dragon design has appeared?

To put it simply: if the item is genuine, it can only be an imperial inkstone, which only the emperor could use.

The key point is that, to Lin Sicheng’s recollection, there had never been any artifacts of this kind unearthed.

Many of the feudal lords used inkstones with dragon motifs.

He paused for a moment: "The Emperor's Inkstone of the Han Dynasty?"

Hao Jun nodded: "It looks quite similar to me, and the mechanic sent by the head office also said it looks quite similar!"

"Then why not accept it?"

"Nonsense, over four million is enough to buy a villa here!"

Hao Jun sighed: "If you also think it looks similar, then I'll have someone else take a look!"

Lin Sicheng was both amused and exasperated.

That's actually the right way to do it: who would dare to buy a rare item worth millions if they weren't absolutely certain?

The two whispered to each other as they entered the gate.

An elderly man in his fifties was standing on the steps, followed by a man and a woman.

They look about six or seven parts alike, clearly father, son and daughter.

The three of them were still seven or eight steps apart when they came down the steps. The old man shook hands with them and looked back, asking, "Professor Hao, you didn't bring any experts today?"

"This is him." Hao Jun pointed to Lin Sicheng. "President Chen, don't let his youth fool you, his eyesight is absolutely sharp!"

Is it true or false?

The old man hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand again: "Young and promising!"

Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "You flatter me!"

The two seemed to know each other well, and in a half-joking manner, Hao Jun didn't introduce Lin Sicheng in much detail, only saying that they were friends.

Mr. Chen didn't ask any further questions. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he led them into the living room.

The decoration is very unique and tasteful.

He spoke very politely and did not neglect Lin Sicheng because of his youth. His children were also very well-mannered, which was not in line with the usual impression of a coal mine owner.

After making tea and chatting for a few more minutes, Mr. Chen asked his son to fetch some things.

Mr. Chen left the living room and came back in about five or six minutes later, carrying a box.

It's quite large, and the feet are very heavy, so it's probably quite heavy.

Placed on the coffee table, the lid was opened, revealing a blue stone inkstone.

It is very large, with a diameter of about 20 centimeters and a height of about 14 or 15 centimeters.

The stone is brownish-green, and the inkstone cover features six intertwined dragons, with the six dragon heads facing inwards, all playing with a pearl inside the cover.

The bottom has three legs, the lid is inscribed with a kui dragon, and the inkstone rim is decorated with cloud patterns.

Hao Jun took it out and placed it in front of Lin Sicheng. After lifting the inkstone lid, he took out a magnifying glass.

Lin Sicheng took it and casually shone a light on it. Suddenly, the stone appeared to have a "brownish-reddish" visual effect.

Then, he turned the inkstone over, laid it flat on a soft cloth, and carefully compared it with a magnifying glass.

Hao Jun remained calm and composed, but President Chen's expression grew increasingly strange: Was he really going to let this young man see this?

Previously, he genuinely thought Hao Jun was joking.

Surprised as they were, they weren't alarmed; the four of them remained quiet and didn't utter a sound.

This look lasted for more than ten minutes.

Lin Sicheng straightened up and shone a beam of light on the inkstone lid again: "The stone is sandstone-type limestone, which is usually bluish-gray. However, the stone contains feldspar and quartz crystals, and after being carved, it was carefully polished to almost a 'mirror effect,' so when exposed to strong light, it will produce a color difference effect!"

"The dome is adorned with six intertwined dragons, their bodies sculpted in three dimensions. The dragon scales resemble comb patterns, carved using a layered relief technique. The edges and base are decorated with kui dragons and clouds, a combination of high relief and line engraving..."

"The base has three legs and a composite inkwell: the bottom is for grinding ink, and the side grooves hold water... The inkstone lid and body are joined by mortise and tenon joints..."

Lin Sicheng turned off his flashlight and stepped back slightly: "A Luoyang Qingni stone inkstone from the late Eastern Han Dynasty!"

“Yes, Mr. Wu from the company also said it was the late Eastern Han Dynasty…” Hao Jun nodded vigorously, “And then?”

What's next?

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: "Hornless, three claws!"

Hao Jun froze, and subconsciously leaned forward: Was he seeing things, or did Lin Sicheng not know how to count?

Count your toes: one, two, three, four, five!

Looking at the horns again: they branch out in many directions, resembling a palm...

General Manager Chen, along with his two junior colleagues, stared wide-eyed. They looked at Lin Sicheng, then at the inkstone lid, then back at Lin Sicheng, and then back at the inkstone lid.

Lin Sicheng didn't say anything, but rummaged through Hao Jun's bag and took out a tinder needle and a lighter.

Then he handed it forward: "Mr. Chen, who's coming?"

Hao Jun was stunned for a moment, while the other three stared at the needle, their expressions changing slightly: The dragon horns and claws had been tampered with?

After a long pause, Mr. Chen took the needle and asked, "Where?"

Lin Sicheng pointed to the inkstone lid: "The twelve dragon horns were all added later. And any dragon claws that protrude outwards and have obvious claw patterns were also added later!"

It was added later... I can't tell?

Hao Jun lowered his head again: The horn markings are very natural, and the claw markings are even more natural. The patina in the engraved lines of the horns and claws is no different from that elsewhere.

Just as he was wondering, President Chen pinched the needle and forcefully flicked it along the dragon's horn.

But it didn't provoke anything?

"Mr. Chen, it needs to be baked. The epoxy resin is incredibly strong!"

Lin Sicheng handed over a lighter, "But don't worry, it's made of stone, it won't burn!"

They must have a really good relationship. Hao Jun took the lighter and the needle too: "I'll do it!"

With a "pop," flames burst forth, and Hao Jun set them on fire, aiming them at the dragon's horns.

Suddenly, a layer of oily sheen appeared on the stone.

After baking for about seven or eight seconds, Hao Jun forcefully flicked along the engraving on the dragon horn.

With a soft "clang," the yellow grime, like a thread, caught on the needle tip.

It's not long, only about one centimeter.

But for something that is nearly two thousand years old, the patina is already an integral part of the stone and its rust, so how could it be picked off so easily?

Upon closer inspection: the outer layer resembles loess, and beneath the loess lies a bright, shiny gel.

Looking at the grooves again, they are a full two millimeters deep. Crucially, the engravings are brand new. Moreover, the edges and depth are exceptionally neat; it's clearly machine-engraved.

As if in disbelief, Mr. Chen took the needle and lighter, and then picked up one needle at a time, and then another.

Hao Jun's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

If Lin Sicheng doesn't come, he'll definitely ask someone else to take a look. But the problem is, what if the person he asks also can't figure it out?

That's over four million...

Hao Jun gritted his teeth: "How did this happen?"

Lin Sicheng gestured: "Laser engraving of tombstones, you've seen that before... Computer copying of drawings, then laser engraving... It's probably a design taken from some artifact from the Eastern Han Dynasty, which is why the patterns look so natural at first glance!"

"Fuck your mother..."

Halfway through his outburst, Hao Jun realized, "President Chen, I wasn't insulting you!"

“I know!” President Chen sighed, looking at Lin Sicheng, “So you first use a laser to carve grooves, and then fill them with glue?”

“Yes, after filling in the glue, you apply layers of patina on top, letting the glue slowly penetrate. But it’s not yellow clay…” Lin Sicheng picked up a little and rubbed it, “It should be grime scraped off from the base, which is why you can’t see the flaw!”

The method is very simple, but the effect is surprisingly good. Most of the jade gambling sites at the Ruili Port use this method to create semi-open windows on rough stones.

They're incredibly effective at scamming people, and even by 2025, they'll be scamming wave after wave of victims...

Mr. Chen took the lid again: "A chilong is also a dragon, so what level does it represent?"

“Marquis!” Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation. “The Book of the Later Han Dynasty, Treatise on Carriages and Clothing states: “The clothing and utensils of princes and marquises can be decorated with dragons. However, a prince is one rank lower than the emperor, and a marquis is one rank lower.”

"The emperor is a true dragon with five claws and deer antlers, the feudal lords are four-clawed, hornless dragons, and the marquises are three-clawed dragons, or even descended to a dragon-tiger (tiger head and dragon body)..."

Lin Sicheng then pointed to the semi-convex stone bead at the top of the inkstone lid: "The Han Dynasty Old Rituals also states: feudal lords should not use gold and jade... If it were an inkstone for the emperor, this should be inlaid with a jade bead, or at least turquoise!"

"A marquis's inkstone?" President Chen scoffed. "Then, does it still qualify as a marquis's inkstone now?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head.

Of course not, it's already ruined.

Mr. Chen immediately understood, let out a long sigh, and picked up the teapot again: "Teacher Lin, you've worked hard. Have a cup of tea first!"

Lin Sicheng looked puzzled: Had he become a teacher himself?

He quickly replied, "Mr. Chen, you flatter me!"

Hao Jun, however, disagreed: "That 'teacher' saved Chen Yangyan four million in losses. If it were me, I'd call him 'father' or 'teacher'!"

Old Chen poured it himself, and Young Chen held it with both hands. Lin Sicheng quickly got up and took it from him.

"Teacher Lin, please don't be so polite!" Chen Yangyan smiled. "There are a few more items at home that I've always felt were a bit off. Could you please take another look?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Okay!"

Since we're already here...

Furthermore, someone of Mr. Chen's status would certainly not allow himself to be implicated in a false case.

In a flash, the brother and sister left the living room. This time they were gone for a while, almost a quarter of an hour, before they each returned carrying a box.

Lin Sicheng opened them one by one and glanced at them.

He was stunned: What is this, a jade pig dragon?

I've learned something new...