Chapter 187 Where is it fake?
The Mercedes-Benz stopped in front of the studio, and the three siblings got out of the car.
But as soon as they looked up, all three of them were startled.
They had come just before the National Day holiday. Although it was still the same building, only two rooms were open on the first floor, with ordinary steel doors and windows, a small storefront, and a small square plaque hanging above the entrance: Lin Sicheng Studio.
Inside, it was even more ordinary; it had just been painted casually. One room served as the control room, and the other as the office.
In just over three months, everything has changed dramatically: the first floor is a panoramic exhibition hall, and I don't know what the second and third floors are, but the exterior wall tiles and windows have been completely replaced, and they are as new as can be.
The square plaques were replaced with three long plaques, one white and one black, each with a distinct character. Upon closer inspection, the three lines of text were dazzling:
Beilin District Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center.
Northwest University Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Center
Lin Sicheng Cultural Relics Conservation and Restoration Research Center, Northwest University
Fang Jingxian didn't quite understand what intangible cultural heritage was, but she felt that the "Beilin District" on the first piece was very eye-catching: it was directly a district-level prefix, followed by the protection center?
This indicates that this is a legitimate unit under the district government.
The area behind it, however, became a personal studio.
She had visited many organizations, but this was the first time she had seen a personal studio with a department-level unit prefix.
What does this mean? It means that Xida University, which is at the ministerial level, is endorsing Lin Sicheng.
Unheard of, unseen.
As if they had come to the wrong place, the three siblings stood at the door looking around aimlessly, hesitant to go in.
The large glass door was pushed open, and Shang Yan waved her hand: "Come in, what are you standing there for?"
Fang Jingxian took a breath and, in her high heels, strode forward to meet him.
Before she had even stopped, she pointed to the three signs and asked, "What's going on?"
Shang Yan replied matter-of-factly, "The World Heritage Application Research Center? The district government is responsible for protection and guidance, and the school is responsible for management... However, the first plaque was just put up today, and the ribbon-cutting and unveiling ceremony will be held next week. Only then will the district send someone to be stationed there permanently!"
Should we send someone to be stationed there permanently?
As expected, it's a legitimate government agency.
Fang Jingxian then pointed to the last piece: "What about Lin Sicheng?"
"He is the inheritor and also the head of the center, responsible for specific research and training!"
"No, that's not what I meant..." Fang Jingxian pointed again, looking astonished, "Why is it Xida in front of Lin Sicheng?"
"Oh, you mean this?" Shang Yan said casually. "That's normal!"
"ah?"
Fang Jingxian looked completely bewildered: How come it's normal?
According to her understanding, shouldn't those who can hang such a plaque be the top professors and scholars in a university?
They are certainly in charge of a key research project, and will likely receive a national-level award or honor soon.
As if guessing what she was thinking, Shang Yan smiled and said, "Don't be surprised. In a year at most, the sign for Beilin District will be changed to Xijing City. In three years at most, it will be changed to 'National Level'."
In this case, isn't it normal to add "Xida" before "Lin Sicheng"?
Of course, the school leaders were truly decisive: according to Lin Sicheng's idea, at most they could just add a secondary institution, such as the "Xida Cultural Heritage Academy." But the principal waved his hand and said: "Scratching along and changing it back and forth is too much trouble."
Just Western University.
This is because the school leaders had personally seen the Ming blue-and-white porcelain jar repaired by Lin Sicheng, and had even personally received the inspection team that had rushed from Tongchuan overnight...
Seeing that Fang Jingxian was stunned, Shang Yan emphasized again: "Also, be more polite in the future, don't call me 'Little Lin'... Call me Teacher Lin when you see me from now on!"
Fang Jingxian was stunned: "No... he hasn't graduated yet?"
"Nonsense, after graduation you'll have to call him Director Lin!"
Fang Jingxian not only didn't understand, but felt completely confused.
When government departments establish their institutions, they will inevitably provide policy and financial support. When schools establish their institutions, they will inevitably provide academic and technical support.
But at the heart of this center is a private studio?
Although Fang Jingxian didn't understand it very well, she could at least figure out that this center was built with Lin Sicheng's help.
Those three signs were put up specifically for Lin Sicheng...
It just feels so exaggerated?
While pondering this, Shang Yan led them into the reception room, where Zhao Xiuneng sat calmly on the sofa, fiddling with a string of jade beads.
Fang Jingxian paused for a moment, glanced at him several times, and quickly bent down, saying, "President Zhao!"
Zhao Xiuneng thought for a moment, feeling he didn't remember anything, then smiled, stood up, and extended his hand: "Hello!"
Fang Jingxian was flattered and quickly grasped it.
In the Qin Chuan region, almost everyone in the antique business knows Zhao Ba Tou. But the only person who could make him stand up and shake hands is definitely Fang Jingxian.
But that's secondary. She couldn't understand why someone like Zhao Xiuneng, a powerful figure in the underworld who walks the gray area, shouldn't be able to get along with Lin Sicheng.
Just by looking at the two signs at the entrance, you can tell that this place has a completely official background...
Fang Jingxian was incredibly curious, but dared not ask.
Zhao Xiuneng could tell what she was thinking at a glance, and smiled: "My son is currently learning from Teacher Lin..."
Fang Jingxian nodded subconsciously: "Xiao Lin... well, Teacher Lin's appreciation level is indeed very high!"
Zhao Xiuneng frowned: The Zhao family only knows how to pluck loose hairs, who knows how to appreciate them?
He shook his head: "It's cultural relic restoration!"
Fang Jingxian was completely stunned: No... In the Shaanxi region, who doesn't know Old Lady Zhao's skills? Why would she want to learn from Lin Sicheng?
Zhao Xiuneng didn't offer any further explanation. To be honest, the fact that he took the initiative to stand up, shake hands, and greet her was already quite commendable.
He pointed to the sofa, inviting the three siblings to sit down, and then asked Zhao Er to pour tea.
Just as I sat down, I heard footsteps outside, and a group of people came down the stairs.
A large, swarming group entered the adjacent exhibition hall.
Fang Jingxian took a closer look through the glass door.
The person in front should be a school leader, and the one next to her is someone she recognizes—a leader from the district's cultural bureau.
Following them were Wang Qizhi and Lin Sicheng, and then several others, all of whom were deputy heads of departments related to culture, tourism, and cultural relics.
They must have come to visit, and after they finished looking around, they were about to leave. Before parting, they shook hands with each of them.
I don't know if it was just my imagination, but when I shook hands with the school leaders and Wang Qizhi, the leaders seemed quite normal, and they only said some polite platitudes.
But when it was Lin Sicheng's turn, he felt that the leaders' smiles were much more genuine. They stopped saying polite words and instead kept encouraging him, telling him not to be nervous and to relax.
It was the way he looked and spoke to his own juniors.
Even if there are relatives of Lin Sicheng among them, it's impossible for them to all be relatives.
After everyone left the house and got back into the car, Shang Yan explained in a low voice, "The unveiling ceremony is next week, so the leaders came in advance to familiarize themselves with the venue!"
Fang Jingxian stared blankly for a long time, then asked, "How big is this World Heritage application you're talking about?"
A group of leaders went around comforting Lin Sicheng, saying: "They're all acquaintances, don't be nervous, just relax..."
Shang Yan paused for a moment.
The application for World Heritage status is one aspect, but more importantly, it was achieved by Lin Sicheng risking his life.
Believe it or not, when the city bureau leaders came, they were even more cordial and approachable than these people.
There were many things she couldn't say, so Shang Yan gave a vague reply: "It is quite big!"
In a daze, they saw the leaders off. The dean, vice dean, Wang Qizhi, and Lin Sicheng then went into the office next door.
It took about half an hour before they came out.
As always, Lin Sicheng remained gentle and polite: "President Fang, thank you for waiting!"
Fang Jingxian quickly stood up: "Teacher Lin, you're too kind!"
She used to be quite respectful to Lin Sicheng, but now she's even more respectful, and she's unconsciously started using honorifics.
It's actually quite normal, just like when Zhao Xiuneng first saw Lin Sicheng and Chen Peng with their arms around each other, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
They have long operated in the gray area, and when they see officials, they feel an instinctive sense of awe...
Making money was the priority. After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, Lin Sicheng and Fang Jingxian went out.
He didn't bring many people with him, just himself, Zhao Xiuneng, Zhang Feng, and Xu Gaolan.
Even though it wasn't the first time, every time Zhao Xiuneng rode in these two men's cars, he couldn't help but sigh: "They're like brothers with the bureau chief, and they have officers by their side around the clock. If I could reach that level, I'd die happy..."
With a sigh, the car drove out of the campus and arrived at Maple Leaf Garden in about half an hour.
Seeing the villas scattered around, Zhao Xiuneng looked around.
Lin Sicheng also looked over: "President Zhao, do you remember him?"
"No, I've never been here before!" Zhao Xiuneng shook his head. "Maybe they just moved here recently!"
Lin Sicheng neither confirmed nor denied: It's not impossible.
It's standard practice in the trade not to ask about the seller's background. Because Xi'an is only so big, and there are only so many famous collectors. What if you went behind the scenes with a middleman and made a private deal?
So he didn't ask, and Fang Jingxian didn't tell him either.
But knowing yourself and your enemy is the best policy: if the path is too unconventional, you can take precautions in advance.
Unfortunately, Zhao Xiuneng didn't know either.
He quickly stopped the car in front of a villa. He must have called beforehand; a man in his early thirties was waiting at the door.
Presumably someone was leading the way, Fang Jingxian didn't introduce them, and the group followed them into the villa.
There were two men and one woman inside, all very young. Zhao Xiuneng glanced at them and shook his head slightly, indicating that he did not recognize them.
Lin Sicheng nodded: It doesn't matter if you don't recognize it, as long as the item came from a legitimate source...
Shang Yan had instructed in advance that Fang Jingxian did not introduce Lin Sicheng and Zhao Xiuneng, only saying that they were friends.
After a few pleasantries, they got straight to the point. Fang Jingxian took the woman's hand and whispered a few words to her. The woman nodded, and a man brought over a tray.
Covered with a red cloth, placed on the coffee table, then lifted to reveal eleven ancient coins.
The ten outer rings are all normal size, about three centimeters in diameter. The one in the middle is slightly larger, about four centimeters.
It's quite thick, about three millimeters. The inscription in the center isn't something like "Tongbao" (通宝), but rather auspicious phrases. In a clockwise direction, they are:
One wind blows in harmony, two south winds bring elegance, three stars shine brightly, the four seas are at peace, the five grains are plentiful, the six ministries are well-governed, the seven policies are balanced, the eight tones are in perfect harmony, the nine merits are recorded, and all nations come to pay homage.
At first glance, it looked like a coin used for prayers and sacrifices, or a charm coin from a temple. But Lin Sicheng's eyelids twitched slightly: Was this a coin from the Guangxu Mint's first minting operation?
The term "opening furnace coin" refers to a special auspicious coin made by the mint to re-carve molds and re-mint coins when a new emperor ascends the throne. This coin was presented to the emperor for approval before the official minting of copper coins.
Every dynasty cast them, but very few were actually produced, even fewer than the original master coins.
So it's not just expensive.
If it's a single coin, it's worth at least 500,000 to 600,000 yuan. If you collect a complete set, it's worth at least two or three times that amount.
Even if it were only 2008, this set would cost at least tens of millions.
Upon closer inspection, Lin Sicheng's expression turned strange: he had thought it might be fake, but he hadn't considered that there might be both real and fake.
The Guangxu auspicious coin in the middle with the inscription "Zhengda Guangming" is genuine. Of the remaining ten coins minted for the first time, only the ones with the inscriptions "Three Stars Surrounding the Emperor" and "Seven Seas in Peace" are genuine. The other eight are all counterfeit.
But the casting is extremely realistic: the size is exactly the same, the edges are smooth and without burrs, and there is not a single sand hole in the whole body.
The color is very pure, a yellowish-red hue. It also has a few traces of antique black lacquer (copper oxide patina).
Pick it up and tap it again; the sound is extremely crisp, and there are no signs of repair, forging, or acid soaking.
Even the materials are identical. At first glance, there really isn't much difference between three real coins and eight counterfeit coins.
But there is no doubt that this was made by casting molds with real coins, refining ancient coins from the same period, and then casting them in sand.
The method for aging is extremely simple, yet incredibly effective: first bake it, then fry it, and then bury it in semi-dry, semi-wet medicinal sand.
However, it is extremely time-consuming, requiring at least three to five years to preserve the medicine. If the temperature and humidity differ by even one degree, or if the weight of the medicine is wrong by even one qian (a unit of weight), the money will be wasted.
But as long as you keep it covered up, even a mediocre expert like Fang Jingxian can fool her every time.
Look at Zhao Xiuneng, he looked at it, scraped it, then tapped it, then weighed it...
He probably didn't realize it, otherwise he wouldn't be so serious. But he's definitely suspicious and would never buy it.
Because seasoned veterans like this are extremely cautious about rare and unusual items: how did such a treasure, which even a layman could recognize at a glance, end up in their hands?
As he looked at the set, Zhao Xiuneng suddenly asked, "What's the price of this one?"
The woman sitting next to Fang Jing smiled and said, "Not expensive, six million!"
Doesn't that mean the discount resulted in a hip fistula?
That would be truly bizarre...
After pondering to himself, Zhao Xiuneng slightly pursed his lips and looked at Lin Sicheng again.
Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "It's worth more than a million!"
Zhao Xiuneng suddenly understood: I knew it, how could something like this be something for him and Lin Sicheng to see?
He put the money down and leaned back, only then did Fang Jingxian belatedly realize: there was something wrong with the items!
But Lin Sicheng also said: It's still worth a million or so.
After a moment's thought, she suddenly realized: half true, half false?
Even the woman who was holding her hand, as close as sisters, understood. Her brows furrowed, and she stared intently at Lin Sicheng.
See? They knew all along.
Having worked for so many years, Fang Jingxian still had some composure. She smiled and said, "Secretary Gao, there are a few more items. Let's bring them out all at once!"
Knowing that Fang Jingxian had found a master, the woman nodded: "Good!"
As they spoke, they brought out several more plates. Lifting the red cloth revealed that this time the items were porcelain.
One is a plain-bottomed black-decorated plum vase with wave patterns, and the other is a Qing dynasty famille rose vase with figures.
After taking a closer look, Zhao Xiuneng almost gasped.
He only glanced at the first bottle and barely paid attention to it, but the second bottle... if he wasn't mistaken, it should be a Qing Jiaqing period famille rose porcelain vase made by a kiln worker.
But as far as he knew, there was only one such vessel in the world, now housed in the Shanxi Museum. So where did this vessel come from?
More importantly, he had spent most of his life studying porcelain. He had even spent a month or two studying the only genuine piece he owned. But now, he simply couldn't tell if it was fake. If it was, how was it fake?
Subconsciously turning his head, Lin Sicheng frowned deeply...
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