Chapter 719
At this time in London, the air was filled with damp chill, and the mist rising from the Thames enveloped the ancient city.
The temperature today has dropped to six degrees Celsius. People on the street are wrapping themselves tightly in their coats, and the white breath they exhale quickly dissipates in the cold air.
Counsellor Lin Guorong, wearing a dark blue tweed coat, went to Charles's house with his colleagues.
After getting off the car, he looked up at the slightly dilapidated but still majestic building in front of him. The gray-white stone walls were covered with ivy, trembling slightly in the cold wind.
The fountain in front of the manor has long dried up, and the cracks on the statues silently tell the story of the family's past glory and present decline.
"Are you ready?" Counselor Lin whispered to the young assistant beside him.
The assistant nodded, holding a brown paper file bag tightly in his hand. Behind them stood a colleague from the Cultural Affairs Department and a legal advisor, each with a serious expression.
"Remember, we are not here to beg. Those cultural relics originally belonged to China, and today we are discussing their return on an equal footing," Counselor Lin whispered to the team members.
This contact may determine whether the national treasures that have been lost overseas for nearly a hundred years can return to their homeland.
Charles and his parents were already waiting at the door. Xiaodie, as his family's special consultant, stood behind the Grays with Charles.
Counselor Lin was the first to extend his hand to Mr. Gray:
"Hello, Sir Grey, it's a pleasure to have you here."
Sir Grey was a tall and thin man in his fifties, with meticulously combed gray hair and a stern face, but his eyes did not have the arrogance and vigilance typical of other nobles.
He shook hands warmly and said, "Welcome, my friends from China. This is my wife Olivia, my son Charles, and his college classmate from China, Ms. Hu."
Mrs. Grey had a very gentle face, and her light blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.
After the greetings, Sir Grey led everyone into the castle. Hu Xiaodie nodded slightly when she passed by Counselor Lin.
As he walked through the corridor covered with Persian carpets, Counselor Lin noticed the family portraits hanging on the wall. The serious faces of the patriarchs of the Grey family from generation to generation seemed to be examining the group of visitors from the East.
The living room was spacious and warm. The crackling fire in the fireplace dispelled some of the chill and filled the conversation between the two sides with warmth.
An 18th-century mahogany coffee table is decorated with exquisite tea sets.
After some very ordinary exchanges, Counselor Lin naturally turned the topic to collectibles.
Before the two sides came into contact, the Gray family had already asked Hu Xiaodie about China's current attitude towards foreign countries.
Knowing that China now communicates with the outside world with an equal and open attitude, and that it cherishes traditional culture and national treasures, I no longer have too many concerns.
Sir Grey said frankly:
"I guessed it. Ever since Charles brought Miss Hu to visit our home and saw those porcelains, I had a premonition that this day would come.
Our family does have some art collections from China, but they are all legally acquired family inheritances, and I don’t understand why you would be interested in these private collections.”
"Sir Grey, those porcelains are just works of art in your eyes, but to us, they are national treasures. China has a civilization history of thousands of years, and these porcelains are witnesses of civilization.
You are a noble from the Eagle Country, and your family name has a long history, so you should understand this feeling."
The living room was silent, with only the soft crackle of burning wood in the fireplace.
Sir Grey's fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrest of his chair, the rhythm revealing his inner turmoil, and then he suddenly said:
"The heritage of the nation and the glory of the family, our family declined long after my great-grandfather joined the expeditionary force.
My kids always say these are stolen goods, but...in those days, all expeditions brought back souvenirs."
His voice was trembling, which proved that he had been struggling for a long time.
Young Charles suddenly spoke in a firm voice:
"Father, we can't deceive ourselves anymore. We all know how those cultural relics came to our home. Miss Hu is right. Now is the time to correct historical mistakes."
"But... these are the inheritance left by my great-grandfather, and they are related to the family honor!"
Mrs. Grey put down her teacup, and the china made a soft sound as it hit the tea table.
She changed her gentle attitude and looked directly into her husband's eyes:
"Family honor, Henry, what honor do we have left? The manor is dilapidated and heavily in debt. Who knows if this is retribution for the mistakes we made back then? And now, we have the opportunity to do the right thing, why not?"
The three members of the family suddenly started arguing in front of Counselor Lin and others.
Counselor Lin keenly realized that a breakthrough in the negotiations had already appeared, and if they continued arguing, they might reach a dead end.
So, he coughed lightly and intervened at the right time:
"Sir, we fully understand your emphasis on family honor. In fact, the Chinese government highly appreciates those who promote cultural exchanges between China and Britain.
If your family is willing to donate these cultural relics back to China, our government will award the Grey family the honorary title of "Pioneer of Sino-British Cultural Exchange" and report it in the official media.
Of course, considering the cost of preserving the cultural relics over the years, we will also provide appropriate financial compensation."
Sir Grey's eyes wandered over the several people, his inner struggle obvious.
On one side are family traditions and reputation, on the other side are historical justice and practical interests...
At this moment, young Charles spoke again:
“Father, think about it, this title might help us regain some attention in social circles.
Besides... these artifacts are just gathering dust in our hands. Since you're unwilling to sell them, why not use them for a reasonable exchange?"
Hu Xiaodie also joined the persuasion team and said softly in fluent English:
"Sir Grey, do you know that in China, we have an idiom called 'Returning the Jade Complete to Zhao', which tells the story of returning a precious jade to its original owner?
For two thousand years, this story has been told because it represents the highest virtue.”
The flames in the fireplace cast flickering shadows on everyone's face.
After a long silence, Sir Charles finally sighed:
"I need time to consider... and I also need to know what you mean by 'appropriate compensation'."
"Okay, Sir Grey, we need to go back and discuss the specific amount. I hope to bother you again in three days."
Counselor Lin exchanged glances with his colleagues. In the first round of negotiations, they successfully opened a gap.
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