Live Appreciation, Congratulations to Brother

Chapter 285 Referring to Dragon as Ox
Bronze gong? !

In Ouyang Xiu's "The Drunkard's Pavilion", when describing the scene of drinking, the four words "gangchaojiao" are used.

Gong, naturally it is this precious wine glass in front of everyone.

But in fact, Ouyang Xiu of the Song Dynasty most likely never used bronze wine glasses. This kind of wine glass was only popular from the late Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty and was quite rare.

At present, less than a hundred bronze gongs have been unearthed by archeology, and they are scattered in museums around the world.

The last antique with less than a hundred pieces left in the world was called Ru Porcelain.

However, the cultural relic value of the bronze gong is much higher than that of Ru porcelain. It is guaranteed to be a first-class cultural relic, and the upper limit can be as high as a national treasure.

Zhang Yang glanced at Fatty Fu, why do you look so proud?
If there are any questions about his origins, just wait until he is released from prison and celebrate his 60th birthday.

"Put it down and let me take a look first."

Zhang Yang picked up this wine glass from the table, which was reserved for nobles of the Shang Dynasty.

The cup body is drum-shaped. Compared with ordinary wine glasses, it has an extra rim for pouring water and a long and narrow lid.

The biggest feature of the whole cup is that a beast with two horns is carved on the front of the lid.

Zhang Yang recognized that this was very similar to the pair of dragon head accessories that he had photographed for Lao Chu at the auction, which were suspected to have been separated from the bronze square pot.

The decoration is correct.

The patina is not a big problem either. Although someone seems to have brushed off the traces of green embroidery, it has not damaged any of the patterns on the body.

50?
If you put it at Christie's, if it's less than 500 million, it will be missed.

But Zhang Yang is not at the auction now, he is purchasing goods from the second dealer.

Get the goods for free from the owner of the tomb, and then sell them for 50?

This is not in line with the market.

"Should we trick Fatty Fu into going to Linhai, call the police, and buy it for zero yuan?"

This strange idea was killed by Zhang Yang as soon as it came up. It was too difficult.

"Boss Fu, this thing is pretty good!"

Zhang Yang had no intention of denying that this bronze goblet was authentic. The fact that the other party dared to offer 50 yuan already spoke volumes.

"It's just that I can't stand your offer of 50 yuan."

"Boss Zhang was joking."

Fatty Fu refused to accept this trick and said with a smile on his face:

"You are relying on the group. None of us are outsiders. We know how abundant the group's cash flow is..."

"But aren't there still six boxes of stuff? I have to make sure I have money to buy them later."

"It's okay, you don't have any money, I can wait. These are originally prepared for the group. Unless my store quits, I will definitely keep them for the group."

"Is that so..."

Zhang Yang showed a thoughtful expression, opened the lid of the bronze gong, brought it to his eyes and said:

"The cup is quite nice, but it's a pity that it has a bull's head carved on it."

"Although cows are cute, in ancient times, people who used cow-head cups probably didn't have a high status. This thing costs 50 yuan, which is still too expensive."

"How about it be cheaper?"

"Bull head? This is not a bull head, this is a dragon head."

Fatty Fu quickly corrected Zhang Yang's statement:
"Mr. Zhang, look carefully. The carving on this is a dragon head. This is the most noble dragon head drink in ancient times."

"Don't make trouble." Zhang Yang waved his hand and said firmly: "This is a cow."

"The dragon is our totem of China. If you say the dragon looks like this, I really can't accept it."

"Look at the horns, they look like two nails. The horns of a dragon should be like a deer, with forks."

"Look at this nose again, it's obviously a cow's nose!"

"I put the lid on, and the whole cup looks like a cow!"

How can we not look for circumstantial evidence to refer to a dragon as an ox?

After Zhang Yang finished speaking, he took turns asking Xu Jie and the others to express their opinions.

"It's indeed a bull's head."

"What a cute cow!"

"I think what Mr. Zhang said makes sense."

The votes were outnumbered four to one, and Fatty Fu was the only one to hold on.

"Boss Fu, it's boring for you to be so stubborn."

"30, if you agree, we will close the deal immediately."

After hearing the quotation, Fatty Fu had a gloomy expression on his face.

He stared at Zhang Yang, as if he wanted to tell from his appearance whether Zhang Yang really didn't understand or was just pretending to be stupid.

Zhang Yang's expression was quite calm when he was stared at like this.

He's used to it.

These resellers of cultural relics like to do such useless work, speculating, guessing, and testing. In the end, it is not about whether the money given is enough.

He was waiting for Fatty Fu to respond to the price when his phone in his trouser pocket suddenly vibrated.

Zhang Yang took it out to see the call reminder, Teacher Ma?

Last time Chen Yanguang met Mr. Ma from the National Expo in Yanjing.

Hearing that the other party wanted to introduce his granddaughter to Zhang Yang, Chen Yanguang immediately sold all the information about Zhang Yang.

Later, Teacher Ma called and asked Zhang Yang when he would be free to visit Yanjing.

But at that time he was visiting the tomb in Weijiagou, so naturally he was not free.

This may be the second invitation.

Seeing the fat man's appearance, Zhang Yang made an apologetic gesture and went out to answer the phone.

"Teacher Ma?"

"Hey, Xiao Zhang."

On the other end of the phone, Teacher Ma said cheerfully:
"Are you in Shenghai now?"

"Yes, I am participating in an event here. Teacher Ma, are you also in Shenghai?"

Although Zhang Yang was confused as to how the old man knew his movements, considering that there was a spy like Chen Yanguang, it seemed that he could explain it.

"Hey, guess what is the reason why I'm looking for you today?"

"Of course it's a good thing." Zhang Yang replied with a smile.

At the same time, my heart skipped a beat. Could it be that his granddaughter was also in Shenghai?
"Hahaha, yes, it is indeed a great thing."

Teacher Ma likes to breathe heavily when talking, so he paused and continued:
"Italy wants to return some cultural relics involved in the case to us. They have arrived in Shenghai and the handover will begin tomorrow."

"The Cultural Relics Bureau took the lead in this matter. Now we need a few coolies to help on site and check..."

"Should I go?" Zhang Yang was very surprised: "Am I qualified?"

He asked this question from the bottom of his heart.

The handover of the repatriation of cross-border cultural relics can already be regarded as a diplomatic matter, and it will 100% be on CCTV.

Although Zhang Yang is an employee of Curry, there are actually many experts in Curry.

A small character like him is generally not involved in criminal cases, nor is he an expert at the National Museum or the Forbidden City. He basically has no chance to appear on CCTV.

It's not like being a coolie, that's gold plating!
"Logically speaking, you are indeed not qualified." Teacher Ma answered very straightforwardly: "But I will fight hard and risk all my wealth and life to send you to this event to show your face."

"Of course the people from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage have to give me this face."

"How do you like it? Are you impressed? Do you want to consider becoming my grandson-in-law?"

Such an exaggerated reason sounds false at first sight.

Zhang Yang said "Ah~" and tried his best to express his inner shock.

"Hahaha, since you don't refuse, then I'll assume you agree."

"My granddaughter will also be present at this handover ceremony. You can get to know her well then."

Teacher Ma hung up the phone on his own initiative amid cheerful laughter.

Zhang Yang is stupid.

No way, is it really because Teacher Ma found connections to help?Just because of him?
While he was in a daze, the phone rang again.This time it was Lao Chu who called.

As soon as the call was connected, Chu Zhenmin asked Zhang Yang if he was answering Teacher Ma's call just now, so it was always shown as being on call.

"Yes, Director Chu, is it really Teacher Ma who recommended me to this cultural relic handover?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

On the other end of the phone, Lao Chu laughed loudly.

One could faintly hear Chu Ziqiang laughing wildly beside him.

"Zhang Yang, just take it like this and have a good blind date tomorrow!"

"What do you mean? You... hello?"

"Damn! Is it dead now?"

Zhang Yang walked back to the store with a depressed look.

After looking at the news in the expert group, Chu Zhenmin had already sent out the time and location of tomorrow's event, which seemed to be in the office building of Shenghai Museum.

Apart from him, the remaining people who were Aite were all old experts, and they probably knew about this a long time ago.

Anyway, no matter what, I will definitely go take a look tomorrow. When I get to the scene, everything will be clear.

His eyes returned to Boss Fu's collection.

Xu Jie quietly told Zhang Yang that when he went out to answer the phone just now, Boss Fu and the three of them had a heated discussion together for a long time, and asked him to wait to be careful not to be cheated.

"Mr. Zhang, I've thought about it."

Fatty Fu said solemnly:
"This bronze goblet costs 35 yuan. If you agree, I will sell it."

"I added the [-] yuan for a reason. You won't want all the things I bought for Hedong Group later, and they will still fall into my hands. I have to give myself some blood, after all, you also I know, now I..."

"Okay, okay, then it's 35." Zhang Yang interrupted Fatty Fu's chatter.

"Mr. Zhang is such an open-minded person." Miss Zhao flattered from the side.

Zhang Yang just smiled politely.

He thought to himself, don’t these people know what it means that wool comes from a sheep?

Since Fatty Fu was afraid of losing money on the next few boxes of antiques, so he raised the price, then Zhang Yang would naturally satisfy his wish.

After the bronze gong was sold, the valuable bronzes disappeared from Fatty Fu's private collection.

He actually took out two mirrors from the Tang Dynasty and wanted to sell them for 3 yuan each.

But the mirrors were corroded so much that the pattern was no longer visible, and Zhang Yang could only go out to [-].

This is a serious first-line market purchase price.

Seeing that the fat man still wanted to bargain, Zhang Yang simply waved his hand and said no.

"To be honest, I don't even know how to sell this kind of junk if I take it back."

"Boss Fu, if you don't have any other good stuff at the bottom of the box, let's look at what you receive from the group."

"And more, Mr. Zhang, don't worry."

Fatty Fu hurriedly rummaged through his own collection box.

Burial objects such as copper coins, pottery pots, pottery figurines, and soul bottles were placed on the table one by one.

But after Zhang Yang saw these things, he only had one action: shaking his head.

The sentence for these things is enough, involving at least three Han tombs and two Song tombs, but they can neither be traded nor are they suitable for exhibition, so they really cannot inspire the desire to consume.

Xu Jie, on the other hand, quietly asked Zhang Yang if he could buy two pieces for collection.

"Which one do you like?" Zhang Yang asked in a low voice.

"Just those bottles."

"Oh, that's a soul bottle, for the owner of the tomb to rest his soul."

"Then no, how about that cow pottery figurine?"

"There's nothing wrong with the pottery figurine. This is the pottery figurine. It's colorful. You have to prepare a box with constant temperature and humidity, otherwise the color will disappear quickly."

"Is there anything that can be preserved in the air without the elements of the underworld?" Xu Jie gave up thinking and turned to Zhang Yang for help.

"This wood carving will do."

"Then I want this wood carving."

"No." Zhang Yang shook his head: "I want this."

Wood carving is a layman's term. The accurate name of this treasure should be "Buddha niche".

The Buddhist altar that Fatty Fu took out was about the same size as a corn.

It is carved with the Samantabhadra Bodhisattva riding an elephant and holding a wish.

Although the surface of the Bodhisattva statue is somewhat damaged and the color has fallen off because it is an unearthed cultural relic, it is definitely considered top-grade among the Yuan Dynasty wooden Buddhist niches.

800 years ago, traveling monks in the Yuan Dynasty carried such Buddhist niches with them so that they could worship Buddha anytime and anywhere.

"How does Boss Fu plan to sell this Buddhist altar from the Qing Dynasty?"

"Twenty-five thousand, what do you think, Mr. Zhang?"

"Sixteen thousand," Zhang Yang said with a casual slash.

But maybe because he cut it lightly, Fatty Fu didn't struggle much and immediately agreed to the price.

The objects that Zhang Yang can look at in the future are almost all in this process.

He has been telling nonsense for an era, and he has been chopped off with a knife.

Unless the other party can persuade Zhang Yang with reasonable evidence, it will be "no deal or lose".

Even Xu Jie followed suit and bought a Guanyin statue from Hutian Kiln at a price tens of thousands lower than the market price from Fatty Fu.

The two stayed in the shop until nine o'clock in the evening, and finally finished their work.

A total of 57 items were sold, with a turnover of 110 million.

……

The next day, in the large meeting on the first floor of Building C, Shenghai Museum.

Zhang Yang was wearing a suit and was leaning on the back of his chair, listening to the person in charge of this cultural relic handover introduce the specific situation.

"Dear teachers, the cultural relics returned this time are cultural relics with obvious Chinese cultural characteristics that were seized by the Italian government in several cultural relic trafficking cases."

"There are 537 items in total."

How many? More than 500 pieces?
Zhang Yang suddenly felt that the "coolie" mentioned by Teacher Ma was not a joke.

However, it should be easy to identify the cultural relics involved in the case, right?
"Based on the last time we handed over more than 900 cultural relics, Italian experts responsible for cultural relic identification often have certain errors in their judgments about the age and value of our country's cultural relics."

"So I hope that when you identify this batch of cultural relics, you will not refer to too many appraisal opinions given in the data, and just give your own judgment."

"This work adopts a one-vote veto system. As long as an expert determines that the cultural relics are doubtful, the cultural relics will be placed in the pending area, waiting for the completion of the initial appraisal, and a second round of meeting review will be conducted together."

"Do you have any questions?"

Zhang Yang has no problem, he just wants to start quickly and enter the second round as soon as possible.

Because he had a hunch that the appraisal results he gave would deviate from many people.

When people look at age characteristics, they look at the date of production, not the same thing.

The review stage is the real deal.

"I have a question." An old expert who participated in the last appraisal raised his hand and asked: "The cultural relics they returned this time were still confiscated from the street stalls, right?"

"Teacher Liu, I don't know that either." The person in charge replied with a wry smile.

"Oh, that's right." Teacher Liu shook his head and said, "Everyone, especially the new teachers, if you find a lot of problematic cultural relics, don't doubt yourself."

"You think of this batch of things as the urban management collected a few stalls in the antique market and sent them over to try their luck."

Is it so exaggerated?

Zhang Yang thought, this is a good thing!

Wouldn't this reduce the pressure on myself a lot?
Two days later, the review stage.

The person in charge directly asked Zhang Yang to sit in the host's seat.

"Everyone, there are as many as 98 cultural relics that Teacher Zhang thinks are questionable. Let's finish discussing the few he listed first. There is no need to worry about the remaining 23."

"Now let's ask Teacher Zhang to say a few words."

(End of this chapter)