Chapter 717
"Can public opinion help us? Miaomiao, tell me what you think." Professor Wen took off his reading glasses and looked at Su Miao thoughtfully.
The other professors also turned their heads and looked at the young college student, which made Su Miao's cheeks feel hot.
She took a deep breath, straightened her back and said:
"Professor, you just said that international opinion is currently in our favor. Although the Charles family holds the title, they have been in decline for a long time.
Both their social status and economic conditions have plummeted, not much different from those of ordinary people.
In this situation, they are unwilling to sell their ancestral collections publicly because they do not want to send a signal to the outside world that their family is really in trouble and thus be completely squeezed out of the upper class circle.
Moreover, according to my friend's observation, they do not think that their ancestors' participation in the history of plunder is glorious, and they are not very attentive to the collections in the room, throwing them around and even wiping them with rags.
"What?! Such a waste! Such a waste! The glaze on Ru kiln porcelain is already very thin, how can you wipe it with a rough rag?
When Mr. Zhou led his team to restore the artifact, they tried over 300 different glaze recipes. Yet, they just casually used whatever they wanted. As expected! Those who steal and rob don’t know how to cherish.
After hearing what Su Miao said, Mr. Ma couldn't help but shout in pain, shaking the sycamore leaves outside the window to the ground. One leaf stuck to the glass, and the veins of the leaf looked like the crackle pattern of Ru kiln porcelain.
"Old Ma, don't get excited yet. Listen to what Miaomiao has to say." Professor Wen said.
Su continued, "They don't want people to know they're selling it. So what if it's in the name of cultural exchange, or even a 'gift' rather than a 'sale'?"
Ma Lao slapped his thigh suddenly. "Great! Give them a decent way out! But... you said they're in a bad financial situation, will they really give it as a gift?"
"What Charles' family lacks most now, besides money, is honor and status. According to their current mediocre behavior, it is basically impossible for them to receive the royal family's recognition. So what if we give it to them?
We can give the Charles family an honorary title in the name of some association, such as "China-Eagle Cultural Exchange Ambassador" or something like that.
In this way, they can not only save face, but also gain social recognition, and maybe even be featured in their local newspaper or something.
As for the actual price… since I have the honorary title as a supplement, I can bargain with them and try to get a good deal.”
The department head and Professor Chen exchanged approving glances.
Professor Wen smiled with satisfaction: "Miaomiao, your idea is very creative. However, this is a serious matter, and we need to report it to our superiors."
Su Miao nodded quickly: "Of course, this is just an immature idea of mine..."
"No, this is a good direction." Professor Wen stood up and began to pace around the office.
"Old Ma, I remember you still hold a position in the Cultural Relics Protection Association? Let's prepare for both situations. We will report this matter to our superiors and seek support. You can also hold a meeting to discuss whether you can give us this title.
If they don't see the value of the association, we can upgrade it and register it with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, using the model of the 1986 Sino-French Cultural Exchange Award as a reference!"
Mr. Ma nodded. "Okay! I'll talk to those old guys tomorrow. It shouldn't be a big problem. By the way, classmate Su, how did you get in touch with that friend who went abroad?"
It would be best if you could write her back as soon as possible, and please ask her to remember not to leak the news. The international antiquities black market is treacherous, and if the news leaks, the consequences will be disastrous."
Su Miao replied, "Usually, we send it by fax. I don't know why she said it couldn't be sent in recently, so she sent it to Hong Kong first. Her uncle then forwarded it to me, and the photos were sent by airmail."
Lao Ma picked up the photos and looked at them again, saying, "Can't send it? It's probably because the fax number you gave her is not of a high enough commercial grade. It can still be sent to authorized agencies.
It would be best if you could send it directly. After all, Hong Kong City hasn't recovered yet. It used to be a transit point for cultural relics to leave. Your fax machine isn't encrypted, so it could easily lead to information leaks."
Professor Wen thought for a moment and asked, "Miao Miao, what classes are you taking tomorrow morning?"
The department head raised his hand, the wolfberries in the thermos cup floating in the water:
"The two classes in the morning are mine. Su Miao has studied ahead on his own, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't come."
Now that he had the teacher's guarantee, Professor Wen suggested taking Su Miao to the Foreign Affairs Bureau to send a fax to Hu Xiaodie.
"It can be delivered there, and it won't cost us anything. Go back first, and come find me in this office tomorrow morning during the first class."
When I left the office, the campus had become quiet and most of the students had gone to the cafeteria to eat.
The autumn wind blows the sycamore trees on campus, making a rustling sound.
Su Miao rode past on a bicycle, with golden sycamore leaves stuck to the wheels. As the wheels turned, the veins of the leaves revealed fine lines in the sunlight.
When passing a pothole, the sudden vibration made the bell on the handlebar ring, startling the sparrows in the treetops.
Amid the flapping of wings, she seemed to hear the creaking sound of a relic box being opened from faraway England.
Can those national treasures that are randomly piled up in the corners of the ancient castle really go home?
The next day, Professor Wen took Su Miao to the Foreign Affairs Bureau to send a telegram to confirm the authenticity of the cultural relics. Su Miao did not dare to reply bluntly anymore.
She said vaguely that she had confirmed the matter mentioned in Xiaodie's last letter with an authoritative professional, and was now seeking help from the higher authorities. She asked Xiaodie to continue to follow up but not to leak the news, and asked her to help keep an eye on the movements of Charles' family.
If there is an emergency related to this matter in the future, you can send a telegram to this fax number and give her a transaction code.
The person who brought Professor Wen and Su Miao in to send the telegram was Professor Wen's long-time friend. He was very kind and amiable to Professor Wen's favorite student.
He said that the Asian Games had just ended, and due to the surge in non-governmental exchanges at home and abroad, there was a certain degree of confusion, so some control was implemented during this period, but it would be relaxed soon.
"Hosting the Asian Games is supposed to be in line with international standards. The open attitude and principles will not change, but some details need to be refined in their implementation.
As early as 1950, the United States was the first Western country to recognize the New China. In 1972, it formally established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. There are also many Chinese, overseas Chinese and Chinese students there.
Don't worry, after you release it, it will be more convenient for you to contact your friends."
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