Chapter 92 The return date is approaching, and he is wavering
After being rebuked several times, he finally got to the point: "Who wrote this paper?"
"My new girlfriend."
Eithans laughed heartily. "Okay. Let me rephrase the question. Where was this paper published? The cases it uses are all from China, so it's in Chinese, right? I've read it. It discloses the radiation doses of bronze and ceramic molds from 1,800 to 2,700 years ago. So that's the source of these forgeries, right?"
“I think so. But it’s not a public paper; it’s published in the internal journal of the Shanghai Museum.”
"It doesn't matter. Once it's published, it will spread. Why did you translate it into English?"
"As you said, once published, it will spread, so I want to shorten this dissemination process."
"Wait a minute, Tony, do you want to make the data completely public?"
"It's only a matter of time."
"No, no, no, I take that back. If it's just an internal journal, there's still time to retract it. Only a few people know about it now. If you make it all public, the barriers to bronze artifact authentication from this era will be gone, and forgeries will proliferate. The studios that originally possessed this set of thermoluminescence data will all lose their advantage, including us."
"Eithans, it's not us who are losing our advantage, but the counterfeiters. When museums and studios around the world know that the data has been made public, it loses its meaning. Counterfeiters can't get an authentication report based solely on the matching of thermoluminescence doses. They won't do something that is meaningless and increases costs."
"No!" Eithans was furious. "Remember what I said? Don't stand in their way! Besides, you're not just blocking the counterfeiters! You're also blocking the path of all thermoluminescence researchers! Once the data is released, how are we going to authenticate bronze artifacts? With our naked eyes?"
"It's only a matter of time before the data is made public. Counterfeiters already know, and more will too. But the major museums don't know they know. I'm not blocking the way, I'm paving the way. After the data is made public, there may indeed be a period of regression, leaving us with no choice but to use our eyes and hearts to look at the bronze artifacts, to study the inscriptions, to listen to their sounds and smell their scents. We must use experience and exploration to find the glorious moment of their birth, rather than relying solely on a string of data. Then, we will eventually move forward. After twenty years, thermoluminescence research has reached the point of continued progress. We can separate and subdivide the rays, and we will reshape brand-new data that no one has ever known. This is not our defeat, but our opportunity."
"Fuck you," Eithans cursed. "I forgot you were such a good talker. Anyway, just turn on the video and let me see your new girlfriend hiding in the hotel, and I'll agree."
Tong Zhongyuan couldn't help but laugh. He said goodnight, hung up the phone, and lay down on his bed. For the past three months, he'd been sleeping in hotels, with no workspace, no living room, just a bed. Ming Yuanxing had asked if he wanted to rent a place temporarily, but he'd been hesitant about the hassle. He counted the days; this was just temporary; he could just hold it in a little longer and then go back.
This paper has only been published fortnight, and already there are artificially forged copies. Someone precisely delivered the paper to those who wanted the data. Before the paper spread, forgers will frantically distribute it, taking advantage of the time it takes to spread the data. This will surely harm not only the National Museum of China, but also many smaller museums and collectors.
Sooner or later, Qin Tian will know what caused this, she will feel guilty, she will doubt herself, and she will apologize to the victim. But this is not her fault.
He had just spoken with such high-sounding confidence. He was trying to advance thermoluminescence, protect major museums from being deceived, and restore the ideal state. Only he knew his goal was a single one: for one person.
.
Qin Tian woke up in the morning and saw a message from Tang Zhixu at 5 a.m. He said he had arrived in Shanghai, had just returned home from the museum, and would be back to work this afternoon. She was a little surprised. He had always announced his return time in the past, but this time he hadn't said anything. She thought about it and suddenly understood. No wonder Ming Yuanxing flew to Hong Kong last night. Chunhua Ge Tie, it must be that Chunhua Ge Tie has returned! Otherwise, he wouldn't have left in the middle of the journey.
She hurried to the museum, and as soon as she put down her bag, she went to the calligraphy and painting department to inquire about the news, but found that no one in the calligraphy and painting department was at work. She returned to the office in disappointment. This group was brought up by Tang Zhixu, and they were as undisciplined as he was.
Song Suiyang had also gotten wind of the situation; she was a gossip buff. Xiao Ge, the on-duty attendant, said that late last night, numerous armed police officers had arrived at the museum to escort Tang Zhixu back. She was astonished that Tang Zhixu had returned without a word. She left her bag behind and headed to the calligraphy and painting department. It was deserted, and she saw Qin Tian's disappointed expression. Tong Zhongyuan had told her to leave Qin Tian alone, and she had done so.
She returned to the restoration room, where Tong Zhongyuan was already working as usual. She said excitedly, "Tang Zhixu returned to Shanghai last night. He'd been away for such a long time, and the armed police had brought him back. He must have bought something special."
Tong Zhongyuan put down the tweezers and picked up the brush to wipe off the excess glue.
Seeing that he was not interested in this topic, Song Suiyang was about to wash the cup when he heard Tong Zhongyuan ask slowly, "Really?"
Song Suiyang paused. "Really?" Although it was only two words, it was a question. Was he interested? She said, "Well, I don't know what he bought. I went to the calligraphy and painting department this morning, but no one was there. Qin Tian was there, though. I guess he was looking for Tang Zhixu. What did he buy? So precious? He needed an armed police escort to bring it back?"
She waited for him to continue, but Tong Zhongyuan fell silent after a single "really?" He silently turned the Song rabbit-hair teacup and rubbed the glue.
Song Suiyang waited for a moment, then, sure he didn't want to talk anymore, picked up the cup and left. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him still slowly turning the black-glazed rabbit-hair teacup to rub in the glue. She wondered, considering his skill, how much glue had overflowed, rubbing it in circles until now?
Qin Tian bit her fingers, shook her legs, and stared at the clock on the wall. It was a quiet day. She had known since she entered the museum that few people knew about the Chunhua Pavilion Calligraphy Collection, and even fewer knew that Mingyuanxing was already being auctioned at Sotheby's.
At Sotheby's autumn auction, the auctioneer looked around and asked for the last time: "682,000 once, 682,000 twice, 682,000 three times."
With one hammer drop, the small Doucai coiled flower cup from the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty was sold.
"Next item, 3022, 14 Western Zhou chime bells, starting price, 800,000. Increment of 50,000 each."
Ming Yuanxing sat in the third row. When he arrived, he saw representatives from the Taipei Museum and the Japan Museum. They were surprised to see Ming Yuanxing in person and approached him for a few pleasantries. The conversation inevitably turned to the Western Zhou chime bells. Ming Yuanxing said he happened to be passing through Hong Kong and had taken a look.
As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, people in the venue began to raise their hands.
Ming Yuanxing arrived in Hong Kong yesterday and only had time to inspect the goods. The moment he saw them, he was convinced his judgment was correct. However, the Western Zhou chime bells could no longer be removed from the auction list. He could only take them away after a fierce competition at the auction.
The bid had reached 1.2 million. Ming Yuanxing raised his sign.
"One million and two hundred and fifty thousand!" the auctioneer shouted.
Representatives from the Taipei Museum were astonished. Many people at the auction knew Ming Yuanxing, and the venue was buzzing with controversy.
According to auction law, while auction houses have an obligation to conduct appraisals, given the unique nature of antiques, they cannot guarantee the authenticity of the items and assume no liability for any such guarantee. Ming Yuanhang's sale has encouraged some private buyers. Since the Shanghai Museum director has expressed interest in purchasing the chime bells, can we assume that they are authentic?
"1.3 million! 1.45 million! 1.6 million!"
The bids kept coming one after another and the prices continued to rise.
The Taipei Museum representative was a bit anxious, worried that Ming Yuanxing had seen something in the Western Zhou chime bells that he hadn't. He kept sending messages on his phone. Finally, he couldn't help but raise his bid at 2.8 million.
Ming Yuanxing remained unmoved, lowering his sign and not raising it again. His actions were like a bellwether, and the price had already reached NT$3.5 million. The Taipei Museum, noticing Ming Yuanxing had only bid once, didn't dare repeat the price.
Ming Yuanxing's face remained expressionless. He whispered a few words to his friend Chen Weiming, then stood up and left. Suddenly, there was another uproar. Ming Yuanxing made only one bid before leaving. What did this signify?
Is this set of Western Zhou chime bells real or fake?
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