Chapter 279 Finding a bargain at the auction

Ye Anning blinked, looked at the painting, and then at Qin Ruozhi.

Lin Sicheng's guess was spot on: as long as Qin Ruozhi raised her paddle, the shills arranged by the seller would definitely follow suit.

Sure enough?

As I was reminiscing, the image on the screen changed, and then moved on to the next one.

The auction featured items from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Republic of China era, and modern times, proceeding smoothly and systematically.

Occasionally, Qin Ruozhi would raise her sign. Gradually, some people noticed something was wrong.

Each time she raised her paddle, it was right at the very moment the bidding began, just before the hammer fell. That is, when the auctioneer called out a certain amount for the first bid, and then another for the second.

But if someone follows her, she rarely does; most of the time she gives up.

After three or four times in a row, several sellers turned green with anger: Why does it seem like she's pressed the pause button every time she follows her?

Regardless of whether the painting is worth it or not, and no matter how much room there is for further bidding, true collectors will not participate.

She didn't understand it at first, but after being tricked like this a few times, whenever she raised her paddle, eight out of ten times no one would follow, which was basically the same as the hammer price.

Lu Meng looked surprised: "Brother, what's going on?"

"Because every time she raises her paddle, it's when the auctioneer calls out a price, which means the item is basically at its peak value and is worth no more than that price. Real collectors naturally won't bid anymore."

And anyone who suddenly raises their price is 70-80% likely a shill for the seller. Otherwise, why would you follow their bid when they suddenly raise it, since you didn't respond to any of their previous bids? It's simply because they think they have money.

But as soon as she tries to negotiate, she gives up, meaning the seller not only loses the product but also has to pay a hefty commission. After doing this a few times, which shill or seller would dare to compete with her on price?

Lu Meng still couldn't understand: "But sometimes, she would still follow me?"

"Because those are the things she really wanted to photograph?" Lu Zhen sighed. "Didn't you see? Of all the ones she photographed, they were either Li Keran, Huang Binhong, or Fu Baoshi and Pan Tianshou."

Lu Meng suddenly realized: They were all famous artists with a red theme?

The tactics weren't anything new; it was simply a matter of one real and one fake. But you couldn't be sure which pieces she actually wanted. More importantly, the consignors of most of the works she acquired were descendants of these renowned artists, who, out of consideration for long-term success and the reputation of their ancestors, dared not tarnish their reputation.

Naturally, there was no such thing as using shills or hiring people to inflate prices.

In a flash, Lu Zhen lowered her voice: "I've never heard of her liking this. Besides, her father works in the Ministry of Culture. She wouldn't need to go through all this trouble to get works by famous artists. So, she's probably just doing the bidding for someone else!"

Lin Sicheng secretly praised him: Regardless of his character, Young Master Lu's experience and deductive reasoning ability are quite strong.

In a flash, the auction continued, and the calligraphy and painting session finally ended after about two and a half hours.

Lin Sicheng roughly calculated that it cost about five million, one million more than the previous budget.

The good thing is, not only did I get all fourteen paintings I had initially planned, but I also got two extra orchid and bamboo paintings by Pan Tianshou. Just these two, if I keep them for three years, their value will triple…

The organizers arranged for a self-service event, but Lin Sicheng and Ye Anning didn't go to avoid running into acquaintances. The third session started at 3 PM.

This auction featured scholar's objects, seal carvings by modern masters, and elegant desk ornaments. There were even more guests than in the previous auction, many of whom were experts from major museums in Beijing.

Upon seeing the familiar figure, Lin Sicheng subconsciously stood up. Ye Anning, puzzled, turned her head to look.

Four or five people, both men and women, all in their forties, were parked in the back row.

They seemed to know Wang Qizhi, and the group chatted and laughed together.

Subsequently, Wang Qizhi introduced that whether it was Zhao Xiuneng, Zhao Xiuxian, or Hao Jun and Chen Yangyan, they all looked as if they had long admired his name.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group walked down the aisle to the front row. Just as they passed, Teacher He lowered her voice: "Those two who just passed by are Director Shan of the Palace Museum's Exhibition Department and Director Lü of the Palace Museum's Ceramics Institute!"

Lu Zhen's eyes lit up: "So, if they raise their paddles, can we confidently follow suit?"

"Don't worry, they won't raise it. Even if they have something they like, they'll arrange for someone else to do it."

Lu Zhen paused for a moment, then sighed, "That's true!"

As they spoke, Ye Anning and Lin Sicheng sat up straight and exchanged a glance.

When Ye Anning was in elementary school, she followed Shan Wangshu around the Forbidden City. These people who watched her grow up, who doesn't know her?

Lin Sicheng gave a lecture just the day before yesterday. Director Shan and Director Lü were both there, and they were very impressed with him.

It didn't matter, he had already won most of the bids, and only the last seal was left. Both Zhao Da and Zhao Er could raise their paddles, so Lin Sicheng was prepared to say hello.

But as soon as he stood up, Ye Anning pressed him back down.

Better safe than sorry: Lu Zhen hasn't even taken a picture of that seal yet.

The auction began shortly afterward.

There are many good things: brushes, ink, inkstones ... sticks, and seals.

The inkstone that Lin Sicheng had seen, "Presented by Ji Xiaolan to Liu Yongfu," started at auction without a reserve price and sold for 520,000 yuan. This was roughly in line with his estimate: over 500,000 yuan.

Including that Ming Dynasty Shi Zhongming begonia inkstone, many people could tell that the inkstone and the box were not a set, but in order to bid for the box with Yu Yue's inscription, the starting price of 40,000 yuan soared all the way to more than 270,000 yuan.

Some items were worth millions, but most were seals. Lin Sicheng, itching to make a move, bid on two Tianhuang stone seals with shallow relief designs.

One piece costs 70,000, and another costs 130,000.

Once the auctioneer brought down the gavel, it meant the two items were already Lin Sicheng's. Lu Zhen scoffed, "These are just two ordinary Tianhuang stone ornaments, machine-carved ones at that. Spending 200,000 yuan on them? Are you out of your mind?"

Seeing his gloating expression, Ye Anning was furious: "Hindsight is 20/20! Where were you before?"

Lin Sicheng didn't say anything, but pressed Ye Anning down: "The angrier you get, the more smug he becomes."

Besides, although they are modern machine-engraved pieces, these two pieces are not the ordinary yellow ones that Lu Zhen described.

Because the buyer cherished the stone so much, he dared not make a deep cut or even crack it. After receiving the stone, he only made a micro-carving based on the original shape.

If a deeper carving technique were used, or if the stone were cut along the crack, it would be discovered that the central part of these two stones has reached the level of "frozen stone".

The price of Tianhuang jelly is dozens of times that of ordinary Tianhuang.

Lin Sicheng planned to take it back and immediately cut out the frozen stone, then carve two seals, one for his grandfather and one for his father.

In the blink of an eye, the gold Han Dynasty "crossbow" seal appeared on the auction stage. The starting price was only eight thousand, but there were only three or four bidders.

Lu Zhen pretended to be serious: "Lu Meng, isn't your classmate's boyfriend trying to snag a bargain? Why isn't he raising his paddle?"

Lu Meng glared at him, and Ye Anning scoffed.

Just now she was thinking about whether she should let Lu Zhen off the hook for Lu Meng's sake.

But in the blink of an eye, that bastard started doing something bad.

Okay, you just wait and see.

Knowing it was fake, Lin Sicheng certainly wouldn't raise his paddle, and there were basically no genuine collectors bidding against it.

When the seller realized the price wasn't going up, he had the person who arranged the bidding give up after only two rounds, and the price finally dropped to 28,000.

Then two more jade seals were photographed, with the tortoise-shaped seal making its appearance.

Suddenly, Lu Zhen's eyes lit up.

During halftime, he took Teacher He to see him, and Teacher He said there were basically no problems. Therefore, he was determined to win today.

In the blink of an eye, the auctioneer made an offer, and before he could even finish speaking, someone raised their paddle, bidding seventy or eighty thousand.

The starting price was 40,000, but it broke 100,000 in just one round.

Then the increments went from 2,000 to 10,000, then 20,000, and then to "2, 5, 8, 0". In less than three minutes, it reached 800,000.

Why would Ye Anning be needed as a free shill?

She stared at Lin Sicheng with a strange expression.

Lin Sicheng shook his head.

He didn't understand why the seal could move so fast, but looking ahead, Director Shan, Director Lü, and the experts from the Palace Museum who came with him all had expressions of disbelief.

This shows that they had seen the exact same one in the Forbidden City and could determine that this one was fake, which is why they were so surprised.

In the blink of an eye, the price broke through one million, and Lu Zhen got his wish, finally selling it for one million one hundred thousand.

The moment the hammer fell, Lu Zhen felt a great sense of relief and smiled broadly.

Then he turned his head and asked, "Weren't you guys going to take pictures too? Why aren't you holding up any signs?"

Ye Anning was too lazy to talk to him, and Lin Sicheng just smiled and said, "Whatever makes you happy!"

Lu Zhen nodded: "We got the Han seal for only one million. Who wouldn't be happy?"

As the thought crossed my mind, another item came up for auction.

The photos on display were still from the catalog, all square-shaped and closed.

The following notes remain the same as those used during the preview:

A set of four Qing Dynasty seals of various styles.

Inscription: Take the cloud, use it and it will be effective.

Different sizes.

Estimated price in RMB: No reserve.

Lin Sicheng felt relieved: as long as the four seals were closed and the inscriptions were not changed, there would be no accidents.

Unless, as Cousin Ye said, someone is laundering the goods.

The auctioneer gestured for someone to proceed, and someone raised their paddle: one thousand.

Then, one after another.

It's no surprise that most of these people are just playing around: they can buy four Qing Dynasty seals for a few thousand yuan, just to fill their bookshelves.

So it didn't take long for the price to reach tens of thousands, but even for fun, there's a limit, so fewer and fewer buyers were willing to pay that price.

When the price reached 18,000, the auctioneer called out two prices. Seeing that no one else was bidding, Lin Sicheng tried raising his paddle.

If no one follows, then there's no danger; you've gotten a great bargain. If someone follows and relentlessly pursues you, then it means someone is indeed involved in the illegal sale, and you can hand it over to Li Zhen and Zhao Da and Zhao Er.

Lin Sicheng's plan was: even if it was a case of "cleaning up" (i.e., selling counterfeit goods), it wasn't necessarily impossible to succeed. However, he estimated that finding a bargain was out of the question; it would cost at least three million.

Strangely, no one followed suit, including the one who just quoted 18,000.

The auctioneer began calling out bids, and Lin Sicheng had just breathed a sigh of relief when Lu Zhen raised his paddle.

He even turned his head and gestured with his chin towards Lin Sicheng.

Lu Meng was stunned for a moment, and Lin Sicheng was also stunned for a moment.

Does Lu Zhenzhen really want to bid on this square seal?

No, he deliberately inflated the price.

Ye Anning's face darkened.

Lin Sicheng had previously advised her: It's okay to be angry, but don't let money get in the way. If you raise the price with him, what if Lu Zhenyi gets angry and thinks that you and I are poor and can't afford the final payment, and deliberately tries to cheat you and me? Then the tortoise-shaped seal will be stuck in our hands.

Although you can back out of the purchase, the 15% commission is at least over 100,000 yuan. Why not buy something else with that?

Ye Anning thought it made sense, so she didn't cause any trouble. If she had known Lu Zhen was like this, she should have raised the price of that tortoise-shaped seal to 1.5 million.

Ye Anning was certain that as long as it didn't exceed 1.5 million, Lu Zhen would definitely go along with it.

In a flash, Lin Sicheng continued lifting, and Lu Zhen followed closely behind, reaching 68,000 in the blink of an eye.

Lin Sicheng raised his number again, and Lu Zhen laughed and put it down.

The auctioneer called out the price three times, but no one bid, and then the hammer fell.

Lin Sicheng was both laughing and angry.

The funny thing is that no one tried to sell it; it was indeed a huge blunder by the organizers, mistaking the imperial seal for a regular seal. Buying a Qianlong seal for 70,000 yuan—that's the absolute best deal ever.

What angered the young master Lu was that he raised the price to exactly 70,000, no more, no less, 50,000 more than the previous asking price.

Is 50,000 a lot?

For Lin Sicheng, it was certainly not much, but if he was the poor student the siblings thought he was, 50,000 was equivalent to four years of tuition and living expenses at university.

Lu Zhen was clearly trying to trick him, hence the carefully chosen cards. It's a classic case of harming others without benefiting oneself; with such a background and wealth, yet such a personality, it's no wonder Ye Anning called him a shiny-but-bad-thing, sleazy, and petty person.

In the blink of an eye, the auction was nearing its end, and staff members came one after another to remind Lu Zhen and Lin Sicheng to go backstage to complete the formalities.

Normally, payment should be made within one to two weeks after the auction ends. However, if the auctioned item's premium exceeds twice the highest estimated price, or if the item starts with no reserve price, these are all separate settlement processes.

To put it bluntly: to prevent buyers from backing out of their bids, the transaction must be completed on-site.

The two worked one after the other. Lu Zhen finished his work a little faster, and it was almost time for Lin Sicheng to finish before he returned.

Holding the seal in his hands, his face was filled with barely suppressed joy. But despite his happiness, he remained cautious and asked Teacher He to take a look at it for him.

Xiling is a large company, so it's unlikely that a scandal like switching products would happen. Therefore, there were no unexpected issues, and the seal remained the same.

Ye Anning glanced at it from afar, and a scene from one day flashed through her mind: Lu Zhen stamping his feet and beating his chest.

Just as he was lost in thought, Lu Meng exclaimed, "Hey, brother, look!"

Lu Zhen turned around.

Jing Suxin and Qin Ruozhi held hands, smiles on their faces. Their eyes were on this side, and they walked towards each other.

It's obvious they've come looking for them.

Lu Zhen was still a little suspicious: although he had seen them at a friend's birthday party, they hadn't sat at the same table and hadn't even spoken. In fact, these two didn't even know his last name?

In the blink of an eye, the person was already beside him. Lu Zhen smiled and was about to greet him when Qin Ruozhi waved and said, "An Ning!"

In an instant, the smile froze on Lu Zhen's face.

The brother and sister had the exact same expression: they turned around abruptly, their faces full of surprise and suspicion.

Qin Ruozhi looked smug, holding up her number: "Anning, aren't I amazing? I didn't miss a single item that Cousin Lin asked for, and I even bought two more!"

That's because Lin Sicheng had good foresight, accurate calculations, and excellent arrangements.

Ye Anning pursed her lips and pointed to the seats next to her: "Please sit down first and wait a moment!"

The two sat down, looking around: "Where's your cousin Lin?"

"What do you mean 'my house'? Speak properly!" Ye Anning glared at him. "He bid on an item with no reserve price and went to complete the transaction!"

"Ha, no reserve price...did I snag a bargain?"

Ye Anning nodded: "Don't shout!"

The two girls were very excited, chattering away, while the brother and sister next to them were both confused and surprised.

Anyone with eyes can see that these three people have an excellent relationship.

But isn't Ye Anning an orphan? Where did he get friends like Jing Suxin and Qin Ruozhi?

The key point is: according to them, the dozen or so paintings that Qin Ruozhi photographed were all photographed on behalf of Lin Sicheng?

Let's do the math: it's almost five million. Where would a poor student get so much money?

Just as they were wondering what was going on, Lin Sicheng walked over carrying a box, and the two girls quieted down a bit.

With a smile still on his face, he said, "Cousin Lin, you have to treat us!"

"Please, of course!" Lin Sicheng said with a smile, handing the box to Ye Anning. "Please have a seat for a while. There are some acquaintances here; I'll go say hello!"

I pretended not to see them before, but now that the filming is finished, it's only right and proper that I go over and greet Director Shan and Director Lü.

Ye Anning showed the number labels on the dozen or so paintings: "What about this one?"

"You take it first!"

After replying, Lin Sicheng turned around and then stopped.

Just seven or eight steps away, Bai Wan smiled, looked at Qin Ruozhi, and then at the number in Ye Anning's hand.

"I was just wondering: who's being so generous, bidding at the highest possible price? Now I know: Anning, those paintings were bought by you... no, by Teacher Lin?"

Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "Teacher Bai, there's a reason for this, please don't mind!"

"You paid with real money, what's there to mind?"

Jokingly, Bai Wan then introduced, "Teacher Lin, this is my husband, and this is Professor Yu from the Institute of Fine Arts!"

"Professor Zhang, Professor Yu, I've long admired your names!" Lin Sicheng extended his hand. "I've read both of your works!"

It wasn't that Lin Siyi was flattering him; he had indeed seen it: Zhang Jindong was not only in charge of the collection and exhibition work at the Prince Gong's Mansion Museum, but also an expert in Ming and Qing dynasty architecture.

Yu Zhiyuan is even more famous: he is an authority on ancient murals and grotto tomb sculpture art in China, and few people who study cultural heritage protection and archaeology do not know him.

The two shook hands, and Zhang Jindong mentioned the white bowl with lard he had acquired last year. Yu Zhiyuan subconsciously took a few more glances at it.

The China Academy of Fine Arts is located in Prince Gong's Mansion. He had also seen the bowl that Zhang Jindong mentioned. At the time, he heard that it was repaired by an ungraduated college student, and he questioned it.

Bai Wan kept calling him "teacher," praising him to the skies: she said that after sending him a few photos from the computer, he could identify the object with remarkable accuracy after just a glance. His restoration skills were also superb; he could even repair blue and white porcelain and enamelware.

Yu Zhiyuan didn't believe a word of it: With such eyesight and repair capabilities, why would he stay in Xi'an?

The Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, and Prince Gong's Mansion—which museum wouldn't be eager to acquire them?

Of course, he still has some doubts, but that's not what he's concerned about; he's focused on Qin Ruozhi.

This is the girl who just bought all ten-plus works by famous revolutionary artists that the institute planned to auction. Combined with Bai Wan's statement, the answer is obvious: those sixteen paintings were all bought by this young man?

He was a little confused: why would someone who specializes in appraisal and porcelain restoration spend so much money to photograph so many contemporary paintings?

That's one reason. The main reason is that he always felt the name "Lin Sicheng" sounded familiar.

The two companies shared offices in the same courtyard and often hung out together. Zhang Jindong could tell what he was thinking at a glance, so he reminded him: "Xi'an, Zhang Anshi!"

Upon hearing the name Zhang Anshi, Yu Zhiyuan suddenly realized: In April of this year, the Shaanxi History Museum invited him to provide guidance during the rescue excavation of Zhang Anshi's tomb. Only after arriving did Yu Zhiyuan learn that if the police hadn't discovered it quickly, the Zhang Anshi tomb complex would have been completely excavated long ago.

At that time, he was deeply impressed by the name Lin Sicheng and thought that young people today are remarkable: they are bold, insightful, courageous, resourceful, perceptive, and capable.

Putting everything else aside, just the fact that Lin Sicheng didn't refuse or shy away from difficulties at all, helped the police crack down on a group of tomb raiders who had been entrenched in the Northwest for many years, and even preserved the tomb of a Western Han Dynasty marquis, is enough to earn him his high regard.

To put it somewhat inappropriately: your fate is ultimately your own, isn't it?

However, several months later, he was somewhat dazed and couldn't recall it for a moment.

Suddenly, Yu Zhiyuan's eyes lit up, and he stretched out his hand again: "Teacher Lin!"

Lin Sicheng was taken aback for a moment: "Professor Yu, you are a senior, please don't call me that!"

"Why can't we call him that?" Yu Zhiyuan smiled. "There's no order of precedence in learning; those who are accomplished are our teachers!"

Even someone who isn't a professional scholar of Han history and tombs wouldn't recognize Zhang Anshi's posthumous strategy if it were placed before them. Let alone speculate that Zhang Anshi's tomb has been robbed.

It is clear that this young man's eyesight and abilities are in no way inferior to those of professional appraisers and archaeological experts.

For this reason alone, I am worthy of being called a "teacher"...

The two sides chatted and laughed for a while, exchanging pleasantries. Zhang Jindong and Yu Zhiyuan even invited Lin Sicheng to Prince Gong's Mansion for further exchanges.

Qin Ruozhi looked surprised: she didn't know Bai Wan, but she remembered Zhang Jindong and Yu Zhiyuan. Both of them were authoritative experts from institutions directly under the Ministry of Culture.

When I occasionally see him, he seems so serious, always with a stern and unapproachable demeanor. But standing next to Lin Sicheng, he's like a completely different person, inexplicably approachable.

The key was the attitude of these two: their words and expressions were full of appreciation.

Lu Zhen and Lu Meng didn't know these two people, but Teacher He did. He remained quiet throughout the entire conversation, listening intently.

Only after they said their goodbyes and the group had walked a distance did he introduce them to the brother and sister: "The thin one is Director Zhang of the Exhibition Department of the Prince Gong's Mansion, and the tall one is Director Yu of the Ancient Art Group of the Institute of Fine Arts at the Chinese Academy of Arts..."

The brother and sister stared wide-eyed.

The full name of Prince Gong's Mansion is "Prince Gong's Mansion Museum of the Ministry of Culture," which is at the same level as the National Museum of China and the Palace Museum, but with different characteristics and focuses.

The National Museum of China focuses on showcasing the nation's historical narrative, the Palace Museum emphasizes the imperial palace complex and royal collections, while the Prince Gong's Mansion focuses on analyzing the social ecology of the aristocracy.

It's just that it's not as famous as the previous two because of the need for publicity. But Lu Zhen at least knows what it means to be in charge of exhibitions and collections at a national first-class museum: not to mention him, even his father can't get a word in edgewise.

Ignoring Teacher He, he is at least an advisor to the Jinghua Seal Society (a social organization under the Beijing HD District Federation of Literary and Art Circles) and a well-known expert in seal carving in Beijing. Yet he looked like a primary school student standing next to those two.

As for the next one, you can tell from the name: it has the character "国" (guo, meaning country).

Therefore, Lu Zhen couldn't understand why these two people immediately changed their demeanor upon hearing Lin Sicheng's name. In fact, Director Yu even shook hands with Lin Sicheng again to show his apology and called him "Teacher Lin".

Didn't you just graduate from university? Where did this "teacher" title come from?

Just as they were completely astonished, Lin Sicheng came out of the passageway and took two steps forward to greet them.

Looking further ahead, a group of people walked along the aisle, seemingly preparing to leave.

But when they saw Lin Sicheng, the two leaders were taken aback for a moment, and then they actually shook hands with Lin Sicheng.

Lu Zhenmeng leaned back: "Previously, Teacher He specifically mentioned that one of these two is the head of the Palace Museum's Exhibition Department, and the other is the director of the Palace Museum's Ceramics Research Institute."

Compared to the previous two, he is even more famous and has a greater social influence.

But he was also seen chatting and laughing with Lin Sicheng?

They were indeed chatting and laughing, and I don't know if it was just my imagination: although we had only met once at a lecture, both Director Shan and Director Lü felt that this kid was very approachable.

Holding Lin Sicheng's hand, Lü Chenglong joked, "I saw your teacher earlier, and I asked him if you were here. He said you were here, but I definitely wouldn't be able to find you. I was thinking to myself, were you hiding in some corner, planning to secretly take pictures of something? Looks like you succeeded?"

As he spoke, he pointed behind him again: "This is Director Shan. You met him when you gave a lecture at the Institute of Cultural Heritage last time. Let me reintroduce him to you: He is your teacher's wife's former boss, and also her senior brother. Both of them are highly accomplished students of Mr. Xu Bangda (a famous contemporary painter and a leading authority on calligraphy and painting appraisal. He studied under the renowned modern painter and appraisal master Wu Hufan). Even your teacher would have to call him senior brother..."

After a slight pause, Lu Chenglong glanced at Ye Anning, who was feigning shyness in the back, and smiled: "It might not be long before you have to call him 'Master Uncle'!"

Suddenly, fragments of his previous life flashed through his mind.

Lin Sicheng suppressed the urge to bow and called out, "Director Shan."

In his previous life, he called him "Senior Brother Shan".

It wasn't a respectful title, but a proper senior apprenticeship: both of them had set up incense tables, offered wine to Mr. Xu Bangda, and kowtowed. However, Director Shan had been a disciple of Lin Sicheng for more than forty years earlier, having become his apprentice in 1966.

When Lin Sicheng became Xu's apprentice, Mr. Xu was already 99 years old, so most of the time, Shan Guoqiang was the one who taught him on his behalf.

Over three years, Lin Sicheng's hands were swollen from being hit by Shan Guoqiang no less than fifty times. The two were both teacher and friend, and when they met again, they felt an immense sense of warmth...

Secretly reminiscing, the two clasped hands, and Shan Guoqiang smiled:

"Last time, your teacher brought a large Chenghua jar to the Palace Museum, saying that you repaired it. At first, I didn't believe it. But after watching the video, I saw your teacher and Uncle Geng (Geng Baochang) laughing and scolding each other, saying that Qi Zhi had gotten incredibly lucky... So this time when Lao Lü goes to Xi'an, I will also go. I must see your research center and laboratory and broaden my horizons..."

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

"You're really not taking this seriously!" Shan Guoqiang's expression was very solemn. "If you don't believe me, just ask Lao Lü!"

Lü Chengcheng nodded with a smile.

There are many pieces of blue and white porcelain that can be repaired in the Palace Museum, but those that can be repaired so quickly and so well are few and far between.

The key point is that Lin Sicheng's method is in line with the style of the Forbidden City. Then the question arises: since no one taught him, where did he learn it from?

Therefore, it's not just ordinary curiosity.

Then, Ye Anning came over to greet them, her words particularly sweet: "Uncle Shan, Uncle Lü..."

The two laughed and cursed, calling Ye Anning an ingrate: "She doted on me so much when we were kids, and now she pretends not to know us?"

Lu Zhen and Lu Meng's minds were in complete disarray: Lin Sicheng had his own research center and laboratory?

Moreover, he also gave lectures at the Institute of Cultural Heritage, but how many "Institutes of Cultural Heritage" are there in Beijing?

But that's not the point. What they couldn't understand was Ye Anning: she went to the Forbidden City when she was very young, and she went there for more than ten years. Moreover, these two men had taught her.

The problem is, whose orphan treats the Forbidden City like their own home, coming and going as they please?

The two siblings instinctively turned around and looked at Jing Suxin and Qin Ruozhi. A thought flashed through their minds: Whose orphans could be so close to people of such background as if they were sisters?

Lu Zhen's face paled, and she glared at Lu Meng. Lu Meng stammered, unsure how to explain.

Although they were university classmates, they only studied in the same department for two years before Lu Meng went abroad. At school, Ye Anning never mentioned her family, never talked about anything outside of school, and never brought any friends from outside the school to campus.

Over time, everyone assumed she came from a poor family. Somehow, the rumor spread that "Ye Anning" was an orphan. The crucial point is that Ye Anning never offered an explanation…

Just as they were wondering what was going on, Wang Qizhi and his group came over, and the two sides greeted each other again.

Afterwards, Jing Suxin and Qin Ruozhi respectfully bowed and called him "Uncle".

Lu Meng was both surprised and doubtful: she was right, this was indeed Ye Anning's uncle.

But if it's just that Ye Anning has a good relationship with him, why would these two young ladies from prominent families act so obediently when they meet Ye Anning's uncle?

Lu Zhen glanced at Ye Anning, his lips trembling: Is it over?

What orphan? This is a princess!

The others, including the senior CEO Zhao and Chairman Hao, both addressed Lin Sicheng as their junior brother, while the junior CEO Zhao and CEO Chen called him "Teacher Lin".

Especially Mr. Chen, who is worth hundreds of millions, but his expression and tone were full of obsequiousness.

It's no exaggeration to say that Lin Sicheng is just too young, otherwise President Chen would have been even more attentive: the incident at Zhang Anshi's tomb could be said to be a coincidence, but what about this time?

The thought of sending a fake painting as a valuable gift and being discovered by the recipient afterwards made Chen Yangyan's eyelids twitch...

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wang Qizhi's eyes lit up when he saw the box in Ye Anning's hand: if Lin Sicheng wasn't mistaken, then this thing would have to be taken to the Palace Museum for authentication sooner or later.

Thinking it over, he pretended to look at his watch and said, "Senior Brother Shan, Director Lü, it's better to meet by chance than to invite each other. Let's have the three of us sit together tonight, and let Ye Anning serve the dishes and Lin Sicheng pour the wine!"

"You don't even know how you got this job as a teacher, yet you act all high and mighty, putting on airs?" Shan Guoqiang joked. "You're leaving next week, and there are still so many things to arrange. Once you get to Xi'an, you won't be able to leave without making arrangements."

"Is that so? That's fine then." Wang Qizhi stretched out his hand. "Then let your Uncle Shan take a look first, otherwise I'll have to swallow my pride and go into the Forbidden City!"

Looking at the box Ye Anning handed him, Shan Guoqiang was stunned for a moment, then laughed and cried at the same time: "Wang Laosi, you're really something else. Getting a drink from you is like going on a pilgrimage to the West..."

As he spoke, he took the box from his hands.

At first, Shan Guoqiang didn't pay much attention, thinking that with his eyesight, there was no need to specifically look for a place to look; he could just glance at it while passing by and make a clear judgment.

But when he opened the box, he was taken aback: these were the four Qing Dynasty seals that he had only photographed at the very end.

He hadn't seen the items himself, only the photos on the screen, which were taken when Lin Sicheng and Lu were bidding. At the time, he had discussed it with Lü Chenglong: considering the material and provenance, these four seals were indeed not worth 70,000.

However, the carving of that agate seal was quite good, somewhat resembling the Suzhou style of the Qing Dynasty.

There were too many people in the venue at the time, and they were far apart, so the two only mentioned it casually. They didn't know that one of the people taking the photos was Lin Sicheng, and they only glanced at the photo on the screen.

Looking at it now: the other three are still just average, the material is average, and the engraving is also average.

Especially that agate seal: it seems to have very few engravings and the engraving is very hasty.

But only experts can see the intricacies.

The saying "a heavy sword has no edge" perfectly describes this: with just a few strokes, a bird can be made lifelike and exquisitely expressive.

This is clearly the pinnacle of Suzhou craftsmanship, the work of Suzhou artisans from the jade workshop of the Imperial Household Department.

After confirming that everything was correct, Shan Guoqiang turned the seal over again. As soon as he saw the inscription, he instinctively paused for a moment, and then his pupils suddenly contracted.

A genuine Qianlong-era artifact.

But secondly, the key is the inscription: Congyun?

Upon careful recollection: Yes, during the auction, the inscription on the photo did indeed read "Take the cloud" and "Take it for use".

But once the item arrived, how did it become "Murakumo"?

These two characters were originally inscribed by Emperor Qianlong after his ascension to the throne for the Xianlou Pavilion in the West Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation (a small room where Qianlong read memorials and had private conversations with his ministers).

The Complete Archives of the Imperial Household Department of the Qing Dynasty: On the sixth day of the tenth month of the first year of the Qianlong reign, Xia An, the head of the Imperial Household Department, reported that Su Peisheng, the chief attendant of the Palace Supervisor, had presented him with two plaques inscribed with the imperial calligraphy "Changchun Study" and "Congyun" on the Xianlou Pavilion in the West Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation...

Later, when Emperor Qianlong frequently resided in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, this plaque was also moved there and hung in the West Warm Pavilion of the Baohe Taihe Hall in the Yuanmingyuan Garden.

Later, Emperor Qianlong issued an imperial decree to carve a vermilion bird seal in the shape of "Congyun" (meaning "clouds" or "misty clouds").

On the sixth day of the fourth month of the third year of the Qianlong reign, the treasurer Liu Shanjiu and the supervisor Bai Shixiu conveyed the imperial edict: to make new seals from agate with engraved patterns, with the words "Only the finest and most unified" engraved on the upper circle of the outer layer and "What is treasured is the virtuous" engraved on the lower circle. The second layer was engraved with "Qianlong's Imperial Handwriting" on the upper circle and "Congyun" on the lower circle.

In addition, among the works included in the first, second, and third editions of the *Shiqu Baoji* alone, more than eighty pieces bear this small seal. Shan Guoqiang has seen at least a hundred other pieces in the Palace Museum that are not included in the catalogues but bear this seal.

Among them are imperial inscriptions and calligraphy by Emperor Qianlong: poems inscribed on Li Shizhuo's "Gaotu Hermitage Picture", poems inscribed on "A Visit to Gaotu Hermitage at Yuhua Temple on the Fifth Day of Late Spring in the Year of Dingmao", poems inscribed on the third and eleventh paintings of "Layered Rocks and Flying Greenery" and "Sword Dance Platform" in Dong Bangda's "Album of Scenic Views of Tianpan", poems in "Imitation of Li Di's Picture of Chicks Waiting to be Fed", and "Imperial Copy of Wang Xianzhi's Thirteen Lines of the Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River with Illustration"...

Furthermore, there are seals affixed by Emperor Qianlong after appreciating works by famous artists, such as the world-renowned "Wang Xizhi's Shenlong Edition of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" and Gu Kaizhi's "Nymph of the Luo River" scroll, and so on.

Shan Guoqiang studied under a master of calligraphy and painting and worked at the Palace Museum for more than 40 years. It's not like he couldn't recognize whether this seal was real or fake, or whether the seals on the imperial calligraphy and paintings in the Palace Museum were from this particular piece.

This seal is the one recorded in the Qing court archives as being affixed to the collections inscribed and appraised by Emperor Qianlong...

How about 70,000, or fifty 70,000s?

After watching for a while, he raised his head, his eyes filled with a complex and inscrutable expression.

Wang Qizhi went to great lengths to get Lin Sicheng to see the seal, treating him to meals and making sarcastic remarks. Could it be that Lin Sicheng just happened to win it by chance?

This means he knew what it was before he even took the picture...

Then think about all the boasts Wang Qizhi could make when he arrived at the Palace Museum: "It's only because my student didn't want to come; otherwise, with his eyesight and knowledge, he would be more than qualified to be an associate researcher at the Palace Museum..."

At the time, everyone laughed and scolded Wang Qizhi, saying that he was bragging without thinking.

But now that I think about it: Wang Qizhi took the bargain that Lin Sicheng picked up to the Palace Museum for authentication several times.

Southern Song Dynasty Xinglin Cup, Ming Dynasty Chixia Cup (Rhinoceros Horn Cup), Qianlong Iron Seal, Dong Qichang Heart Sutra, Chen Du Calligraphy Copybook, Jiaqing Imperial Kiln Famille Rose Porcelain Bottle Made by Kiln Workers, Jiaqing Zhanjingzhai Mark Sima Guang Smashing Jar Famille Rose Cup.

How many items have you picked up from front to back?

Now, another item must be added: the Qianlong Emperor's Congyun Seal...

On second thought: No matter how much money it costs, no matter which dynasty it is, to obtain an imperial seal is a matter of ancestral graves emitting auspicious smoke and eight generations of burning incense.

But Lin Sicheng, just this is the second one with the Qianlong seal, how much of a connection must he have with the Qianlong Emperor?

And each time it cost very little: the Qianlong iron seal cost a little more, around 300,000. This one, however, only cost 70,000?

The key point is where he bought these two seals: the first time was at Poly Auction, and the second time was even more amazing, at an auction in Xiling.

Finding a bargain at an auction?

hehe……