Chapter 77 Washing Goods
Lin Sicheng sighed and stretched out his hand again: "Machine Report!"
The section chief quickly handed it over.
Open it and look again:
X-ray diffraction was performed, and the corrosive components in the rust layer were: copper oxide, calcium acid, basic copper sulfate, basic copper carbonate, etc., that is, the coexistence of oxygen-rich dry oxide rust layer and low-oxygen wet hydrated rust layer, both dating back to about 300 years ago.
For example: if you light a fire in the water and it burns for hundreds of years... isn't that nonsense?
Therefore, the forensic center determined that the rust layer was artificially transplanted.
An electron microscope analysis revealed glue residue at the bottom of the rust layer. Further analysis of the glue composition showed urushiol, catechin…it was undoubtedly glued on with raw lacquer.
Ultraviolet fluorescence was also performed: adhesive traces were detected both inside and outside the copper furnace, and the traces were almost completely covered.
Therefore, the city appraisal and provincial department's identification of the bronze censer as a fake is entirely correct.
But as I said before: instrument-based testing is too targeted, and if done intentionally, there are many ways to fool high-tech testing.
The rust may be transplanted, but that doesn't mean the item is fake.
What made the middleman, who was already imprisoned, and the experts hired by the lawyers so certain that this thing was genuine?
From Guan Xingmin's account, it's clear that the middleman's eyesight was indeed a bit lacking: he thought everything looked right and could only tell that the rust was real, but he couldn't tell that it was artificially glued on.
The experts invited from Beijing certainly have the eye, but they can't see the actual items; their assessment is based solely on photos taken by the lawyers while reviewing the case files.
But to be honest: let alone experts in Beijing, even experts from the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences wouldn't dare to authenticate cultural relics based on just a few photos.
Then look at his assessment results: vague and ambiguous, using words like "maybe," "should," etc.—not a single substantive statement.
It seems that Li Guojun (the middleman's partner) paid enough money, and the lawyer wanted to use the title of "expert from Beijing" to delay the prosecution so that the procuratorate would not prosecute so quickly.
As long as there is no verdict, there is always a chance to find a sliver of hope in the impossible... It's nothing more than trying to survive against all odds and fighting for a glimmer of hope.
Believe it or not, he actually won?
After a moment of reflection, the master and disciple fell silent again, then looked at each other.
Guan Xingmin has worked in the public security bureau for half his life, and reading people's expressions is just a basic skill for him.
Seeing Lin Sicheng and Wang Qizhi looking at each other, hesitant to speak, he was not only pale-faced, but his heart sank to the bottom.
Lin Sicheng was right after all; she laughed too soon!
Subconsciously, he started calculating: how many more days could he remain as the deputy director?
It's better not to think about it, because once I start, I feel disheartened, as if my bones have been removed and I've shrunk several centimeters.
His face was gloomy and his eyes revealed deep weariness.
Glancing at the crowd, Lin Sicheng picked up the magnifying glass again: "Don't be in such a hurry!"
Guan Xingmin's eyes lit up instantly: "You've seen wrong?"
Lin Sicheng shook his head: "It's possible, but the possibility is extremely low. What I want to say is that the logic is wrong: if it's genuine, why would you need to forge it into a fake?"
There are plenty of illogical cases; the city appraisal department encounters hundreds of them every year.
With a deep sigh, Guan Xingmin still clung to a sliver of hope: "Could it be that the forger was mistaken and didn't recognize it as genuine..."
But he paused halfway through his sentence: Even if it were, it wouldn't be very relevant to the case. Because if the items were genuine, there would be no question of fraud.
Subsequently, the case should be overturned, and he will bear some responsibility!
Wang Qizhi thought for a moment and then shook his head.
The technique used to apply the patina is extremely skillful, clearly indicating an expert. Therefore, based on the shape, inscription, material, and craftsmanship, one can determine with a 70-80% certainty that the bronze censer is genuine.
It's impossible for me to be wrong.
But as Lin Sicheng said: Why pretend the real thing is fake?
The group frowned, racking their brains, but after a long time, they still couldn't come up with a solution.
It can't be just to amuse people, right?
Unless you're out of your mind: this is worth millions...
With his mind wandering, Lin Sicheng unconsciously stroked the bronze incense burner. With a soft rustling sound, a few specks of green patina fell onto the tablecloth.
Lin Sicheng reached to the other side and continued rubbing, but nothing happened.
Because this half is genuine rust, it can't be ground off.
A thought struck him, and he held the bronze furnace in his palm, glancing at it first: the rust layer on the inner wall was intact, but the color was greenish-blue, a standard hydrated rust layer.
In short, it was glued on later.
Strangely, there were no signs of rust. When you scratched it with your fingernail, wow, it was incredibly firmly stuck together.
Why is the outer layer so loosely attached, even falling off with a single tap?
It feels like... they're afraid experts won't recognize it?
Lin Sicheng picked up the flashlight and magnifying glass again and looked carefully. The more he looked, the brighter his eyes became.
After a long while, he straightened up and pointed to the shinier side, the one he had examined earlier: "Director Guan, when you conducted your previous identification and testing, did you use the rust layer on this half as a sample?"
Guan Xingmin replied without hesitation: "Yes!"
"And how did the buyer find out?"
Lin Sicheng asked himself, "Was the half that's shiny now also green rust (hydrated rust layer) when I bought it? But it started to peel off after a short time, and the buyer only called the police when they realized something was wrong?"
Guan Xingmin nodded: "Yes!"
"Let me speculate further..." Lin Sicheng closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them again, "It should have started rusting about ten days after we bought it, at most half a month?"
Guan Xingmin's expression was somewhat strange: This forensic report certainly wouldn't mention it, so how did Lin Sicheng guess it so accurately?
Instead of answering, he asked, "Why half a month, and not longer?"
"Because raw lacquer contains alcohol, which is most likely ethanol... This mixing reduces the adhesiveness and durability of the raw lacquer, which is why the outer rust peels off so quickly!"
"The rust layer inside the cavity is also transplanted rust, but it's likely made with chemical adhesive, so it's extremely strong... If I'm not mistaken, it should contain epoxy resin..."
Lin Sicheng took the test report and exclaimed, "Huh? Why isn't this written on it?"
Guan Xingmin was suddenly stunned.
Since this is a machine inspection report, as long as adhesive varnish is detected in the glue, it proves that the rust layer on the artifact was artificially transplanted and pasted. How could a single sheet of paper possibly provide a detailed breakdown of all the components?
It was indeed found that spirits and epoxy resin were detected, but there's no need to mention it.
The section chief and policewoman next to them were even more exaggerated, their mouths agape and their eyes bulging out: "Brother, this is molecular composition testing. It's to test the mixed components and molecular structure of the gel. You're just going to rely on your eyes?"
Thinking back to the paperweight from last time, and the reverse-flow kettle from the time before that, the section chief and the policewoman stared at Lin Sicheng as if they were looking at a god.
Wang Qizhi was stunned for a moment: it felt like there was only a thin layer of paper separating them: "Then why is the outside glued so loosely while the inside is glued so firmly?"
"Because the counterfeiters did it on purpose, they wanted to make a genuine stove look fake and sell it, so that buyers would discover it was a fake as soon as possible and report it to the police. That's why they glued the outside so loosely. But they were also afraid of being exposed and having their true nature revealed, so they glued the rust inside very firmly..."
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. After studying the shape of the bronze furnace, a sudden idea struck Lin Sicheng: a sutra-pressing furnace. Where are the sutras?
Why would you press a furnace without it?
Lin Sicheng's eyes lit up, and he pulled over Wang Qizhi's tool bag, taking out a needle-like awl.
Then I reached into the furnace opening and slashed hard against the inner wall... and it didn't fall off?
"Haha~" Lin Sicheng laughed, "This bronze furnace is for washing goods!"
Upon hearing the words "cleaning goods," Wang Qizhi leaned back sharply: "It's just a thin layer of paper separating us."
Guan Xingmin paused for a moment, then slapped his forehead hard, making a crisp "smack" sound: How dare he, a policeman?
What is "washing goods"?
Money laundering looks like this, and so does goods laundering...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
