Chapter 21: I Knew It

“It is an honor to invite all the teachers here, and we are deeply grateful for your strong support of the City Cultural Relics Exchange Center and the City Folk Museum...”

The female leader spoke eloquently, while Lin Sicheng’s mind was elsewhere: so inviting so many experts was actually a fundraising effort?

Basically, during the National Day holiday, the City Folk Museum planned to ride the wave of the golden week tourism peak and organize an exhibition related to the folk culture of Xijing City.

However, Qin opera, paper-cutting, waist drum, shadow puppetry—all these had been promoted year after year by multiple institutions, leading to public aesthetic fatigue.

Therefore, Director Lan came up with a fresh idea: to hold a unique cultural relic exhibition themed “Tea Culture of Sanqin,” relying on the Cultural Relics Exchange Center, and adopting a format that combined exhibition with appraisal at the Folk Museum.

Since it was an exhibition, artifacts were indispensable. But the Folk Museum’s collection was far from sufficient, and with many similar exhibitions during the holiday, temporary loans were impossible. So, Director Lan’s plan was to involve these experts.

First, for appraisal and quality control: the Exchange Center planned to quickly collect as many tea culture-related artifacts as possible within a month. Given the tight schedule, there was bound to be some counterfeit or substandard items. To avoid embarrassment at the exhibition, they needed these experts’ discerning eyes.

Second, to borrow exhibits from the experts themselves: all were renowned collectors in the city, and who among them didn’t have a few prized tea utensils? If the collection fell short, borrowing would be the only option.

Third, to serve as commentators and appraisal guests. The prospect of top experts providing free appraisals guaranteed an enthusiastic atmosphere.

Hearing this, Lin Sicheng finally understood why Director Lan called his grandfather every day.

Who was the old man? A well-known ceramic research expert, collector, and appraiser in the city.

He might not claim to be the very best, but among these three roles, he was undoubtedly among the top three. Whether it was collection appraisal, lending exhibits, or on-site appraisal, no one was more comprehensive or suitable than him.

But unfortunately, he happened to be hospitalized?

Just as Lin Sicheng was gleefully pondering this, a sudden burst of warm applause filled the conference room.

He joined in the clapping.

After Director Lan finished speaking, two deputy leaders took turns for about an hour and a half; Lin Sicheng nearly nodded off.

Then, the center leaders invited the experts to the exhibition hall for a concentrated appraisal of recently collected exhibits.

A crowd shuffled out, and Lin Sicheng still followed at the rear.

Just as he stepped out, laughter came from nearby: “Junior Brother Lin~”

The address revealed it was Hao Jun. Lin Sicheng quickly turned around: “Senior Brother Hao, what a coincidence!”

Hao Jun smiled brightly, nodding: “Indeed, quite a coincidence.”

Not just coincidence—what was that look in your eyes?

And that tone, why so sour?

Hao Jun, unusually familiar, patted Lin Sicheng’s shoulder: “You’ve been dragging your feet for a week just to sign and collect the payment. Don’t you want the money anymore?”

He was referring to the final payment for the Buddha statue, over two hundred thousand yuan—how could Lin Sicheng not want it?

He sighed: “Sorry, Senior Brother. My grandfather’s hospitalized, so I really haven’t had time!”

“Just joking with you. The important thing is the matter itself.”

Lowering his voice, Hao Jun’s eyes gleamed with admiration: “I heard about the case. You’re impressive. If it weren’t for you, this would have become an international news story for sure!”

Lin Sicheng was startled: the case was still under investigation, and the information was supposed to be sealed—how did he know?

But he soon relaxed: as branch manager of Rongbaozhai, professor at Peking University’s Resource and Cultural Relics Appraisal Institute stationed in Xijing, no matter which role Hao Jun represented, he had wide connections and access to information.

Most likely, the police had asked him to learn about the suspect’s identity.

Lin Sicheng modestly replied: “It’s not as exaggerated as you say, Senior Brother.”

Hao Jun chuckled: “Exaggerated? Not at all!”

He knew all too well the story behind that Buddha statue; how many twists and turns Bai Hong had gone through?

So even if Lin Changqing didn’t sign, the relic company would inevitably buy that reverse-flow teapot.

Then they’d say: “Wow, it fills a gap in the province, represents the highest craftsmanship of Yaozhou kiln…” What kind of political achievement wouldn’t they publicize?

Leaders would surely come to observe, at least half from the provincial level, and all from the municipal level.

They might even pretend to fondle it.

After that, major publicity and a public exhibition would follow, attracting tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions of visitors.

But one day, they suddenly discovered the item was a radioactive source… Haha, that’s not just international news—that’s explosive!

No exaggeration, once foreign media learned of it, they’d be laughing their heads off… The scene was too surreal for Hao Jun to even imagine.

So, without guessing, Hao Jun knew just how fearful and relieved the provincial and municipal cultural relic and publicity leaders were these days.

And how grateful they were to Lin Sicheng.

That’s why he was envious—how could this kid be so lucky?

Hao Jun rolled his eyes and poked Lin Sicheng: “Where did you learn that?”

Lin Sicheng feigned ignorance: “What?”

“What else, the uranium stuff!”

“Oh, I stumbled across a few magazines by chance!”

“What magazines? Where did you find them?”

“Forgot a long time ago!”

What nonsense was that?

If there were such magazines, could he possibly not find them?

The key point: whether it’s carbon-14 dating errors or thermoluminescence interference, these techniques were hardly popular abroad, let alone studied in China.

So forget magazines, there wasn’t even a single related report.

Seeing him unwilling to elaborate, Hao Jun chuckled again.

The two whispered at the back, entering the exhibition room where other experts were already inspecting the exhibits.

Five or six of them gathered around a long table, seemingly intrigued by something new.

Hao Jun whispered introductions: “That one is the vice president of the Provincial Folk Art Association, retired from the Provincial Museum, quite close to your grandfather.”

“And that one, deputy director of the City Bureau’s Appraisal Center, also good with your grandpa.”

“Appraisal Center? The police?”

“You wish!”

After replying, Hao Jun pointed again: “The one beside him is Chairman Ding of the City Calligraphy and Painting Collectors Association, his deputy... not on good terms with your grandfather!”

“Why?”

“Professor Lin once snagged a bargain from him, buying a Yu Youren calligraphy piece at an extremely low price!”

Yu Youren? The modern master calligrapher of the Republic era?

Lin Sicheng was stunned: my grandpa is amazing!

To be president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, one must be an expert among experts. But for his grandfather, a ceramic researcher, to pick up calligraphy pieces from such an expert was like taking a slap in the face.

So this wasn’t just bad blood—it was bitter enmity.

He shook his head: “I’m not going over there!”

“Professor Lin is so distinguished, can’t you show some backbone?” Hao Jun gave a sidelong glance. “Besides, everyone else gets along well. Only he’s an enemy. What are you afraid of? Besides, I’m here…”

Heh?

This fat guy just loves stirring the pot.

It was strange how suddenly close Hao Jun had become to him.

Still suspicious, Hao Jun nudged him again as they approached the long table.

Hao Jun introduced each person; Lin Sicheng greeted them one by one. The experts smiled warmly.

When it came to Chairman Ding, he didn’t even glance sideways, treating Lin Sicheng as if he were invisible.

Not deaf, Lin Sicheng heard Hao Jun clearly say: this was Lin Changqing’s grandson, a senior in the Cultural Relics Department at Western University, a rising star.

Could he really be that arrogant?

Lin Sicheng didn’t mind, following behind Hao Jun and sneaked a glance.

Several people were gathered around a square bamboo basket, roughly half a meter wide and about sixty centimeters deep. It was quite dirty, evidently neglected for years. Some parts exposed the lacquered bamboo strips woven in a crisscross pattern.

The basket was filled to the brim: square wooden boxes engraved with characters, carved gourd ladles, small bowls stamped with patterns, and peachwood clamps wrapped in silver sheets.

There was even an object resembling a modern egg beater, but woven from bamboo fibers, now dilapidated.

The “Twenty-Four Instruments of the Great Tang Dynasty”?

Of course, they were replicas, but quite cleverly made.

Tea utensils other than porcelain were scarce, and most items in this basket were bamboo and wooden, fitting the category of miscellaneous utensils.

Exactly, there were few experts on miscellaneous items present, and none more prominent or renowned than Hao Jun.

Yet he remained silent, letting Chairman Ding point and criticize, spitting as he spoke:

“The patina is too light, the bamboo strips too new—clearly contemporary items.”

“The workmanship is mediocre, the inscriptions very ordinary.”

“The poems are half-educated gibberish, barely coherent; any literate person could see the author lacks culture.”

“How did such things get accepted?”

Others were not as sharp but agreed the items were worthless.

After some discussion, someone invited Hao Jun: “Secretary Hao, you’re the expert on miscellaneous items. Have a look?”

Hao Jun nodded, rolled up his sleeves, and examined while commenting: “Though all handcrafted, they’re not very old—at most thirty or forty years. The design concept is good, but too rushed and rough.”

After a pause, he mused: “Like something made in a hurry?”

Lin Sicheng inwardly praised Hao Jun’s keen eyes. This set truly was hurriedly made.

One person pointed to two lines of poetry on a wooden box: “Secretary Hao, does the poem have any background?”

Hao Jun read carefully:

“West Lake Longjing is famed and prized,
Its refined roasting technique divine;
Tender green buds both sweet and crisp,
Fragrant and flavorful, attracting visitors.”

“Sorry, I’m no expert in poetry or calligraphy, definitely no match for Chairman Ding.”

After a moment, Hao Jun rolled his eyes and beckoned Lin Sicheng: “Come, you give it a look!”

No sooner had he spoken than Chairman Ding scoffed: “Secretary Hao, don’t joke around. You’re young and inexperienced. What can he possibly contribute?”

Suddenly Hao Jun’s eyes brightened: “Chairman Ding, don’t say that. Professor Lin will be displeased!”

“What’s there to be displeased about? I say the same to Old Lin: must earn every last eight hundred yuan!”

Lin Sicheng sighed.

Where did the eight hundred come from?

It was an old custom: some events invited experts, and simply showing up earned an honorarium, colloquially called travel expenses.

Although the old man didn’t come, Lin Sicheng represented him, and the organizers were not so shortsighted—they would certainly give him a red envelope.

So Chairman Ding meant: Lin Changqing was desperately broke.

The enemy was unmistakably here.

But why was this fat guy relentlessly stirring trouble?

Just as he was quietly guessing, Hao Jun poked him again: “Can you handle it? Anyway, your grandfather certainly can…”

Lin Sicheng muttered a curse under his breath, then spat out: “Zhuang Wanfang!”

Hao Jun was startled: “What Wanfang?”

“The contemporary Tea Sage, Zhuang Wanfang!”

In an instant, the fat man’s eyes shone brightly: I knew it!