Live Appreciation, Congratulations to Brother

Chapter 304 Why transport it to the island?

"There are really no male and female swords for killing evil in the Three Fives, but there are male and female double swords."

"Is it that useless weapon with an attack range increased by 2?" Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

"Hahaha, yes, but the Three Kingdoms are fully responsible for making Liu Bei's weapons look like this."

Cheng Zongwen understands tricks, but it is a pity that the male and female double-pronged swords he mentioned were only props used by the royal troupe of the Qing Dynasty after Zhang Yang identified them.

In terms of value, it is not as good as the erhu that the uncle appraised before.

"TMD, since it's a prop, why did they transport it to the island?"

Mr. Cheng looked at the rusty iron sword in his hand and was speechless.

"Hey, how can normal people understand the thoughts of those people?"

"If I remember correctly, they specially selected and took away the originals of the famous unequal treaties in modern history. That's the case, even if they inherit the throne." Zhang Yang smiled as he spoke.

"That's really a clear idea." Mr. Cheng nodded in agreement.

After the small talk, let’s get down to business.

Mr. Cheng entered the study and wanted to show Zhang Yang the extremely precious cultural relics he mentioned.

First, of course, look at the bronzes.

Nowadays, people know that bronzes are important to the country, but in modern times, the atmosphere of collecting them was completely different from now.

At that time, bronze ware was not even considered a specialized category, and Xuande furnaces did not receive as much attention.

Therefore, the total number of bronze wares finally shipped to the island province was only more than 5000 pieces, less than half of the jade wares and one-fifth of the porcelain wares.

Among the cultural relics transported away at that time, books and archives accounted for the majority.

The so-called cultural inheritance, of course, the most important thing is writing. Even on the most precious bronze vessels with inscriptions, the total number of words in all the bronze inscriptions on them is probably less than a fraction of the number of words in the "Sikuquanshu".

The total number of bronzes transported away was small, so Cheng Erye's grandfather-in-law naturally sent back few.

There are five pieces in total:

Two tiger-shaped belt hooks (belt buckles) from the Spring and Autumn Period, a lei (lei three sounds) carved with dragon patterns, and two [water notes] from the Han Dynasty.

As a necessity in ancient literati's study rooms, water injectors not only have the function of pouring water into the inkstone, but are also important decorations.

The two water injections of Mr. Cheng were so different in shape that it was the first time for a well-informed person like Zhang Yang to see them.

The more expensive one is shaped like a kneeling attendant.

The water outlet is on the head, standing like a chimney; the water filling outlet is on the horn in the hand of the attendant.

The interior is empty and used to store water.

It can be regarded as a fine work among the humanoid bronzes of the Han Dynasty.

If it was put on the foreign auction market a few years ago, it would be worth at least 50.

However, Zhang Yang was more concerned about another cheap water injection.

The carving is a toad, but the shape is similar to Bulbasaur.

On the back of this bronze toad, a bamboo-shaped water outlet protrudes.

But Zhang Yang searched for a long time and couldn't find the water injection port.

Where do you get water from?

"Could it be that the original design was to slowly pour water in through this thin outlet?" Mr. Cheng guessed.

"I would rather believe that the craftsmen at that time made a mistake in making the mold, but I can't believe your explanation."

Zhang Yang thought for a while, took a photo of the Bronze Bulbasaur, and planned to ask experts in this field after returning to Linhai.

After all, if nothing else happens, this thing will be displayed in the Bronze Hall of Hailin Museum in the future.

At that time, the important task of writing the item introduction will still fall on his head.

After saving the photo, Zhang Yang said something from his heart:
"Brother Wen, these bronzes of yours are not very good."

"Why?" Cheng Zongwen scratched his head and expressed confusion: "I have robbed a total of six Han tombs before, and I have never found such things, such as tiger charms, water injections..."

"That's a tiger-shaped hook, and it has nothing to do with the tiger talisman." Zhang Yang corrected.

"Anyway, I've never seen anything in the shape of a tiger. The most common ones are dragon heads."

"That's because your sample size is too small, or you're digging incorrectly." Zhang Yang analyzed.

"Oh, what you said makes sense."

Cheng Zongwen suddenly sighed and regretted that he had entered the wrong profession.

What can I say, if I had learned treasure appraisal at that time, even if I didn’t go to the tomb, I would still have all kinds of treasures.

To Zhang Yang, what he said was just talk, but he had seen how Zong Wen kept talking about Feng Shui knowledge. It was definitely not as simple as entering the wrong profession.

"Brother, don't be sad for the spring and autumn. Where are those precious cultural relics you mentioned?"

"Isn't this... I was despised by you just now." Cheng Zongwen pursed his lips in embarrassment.

In front of Zhang Yang, he occasionally felt that the knowledge he had accumulated over the years of tomb robbing was not enough.

"Now I don't know if these things are precious."

"Generally speaking, the more severe the punishment, the more precious it is." Zhang Yang explained thoughtfully.

Just like the methods of getting rich are written in the criminal law, the case value of most antiques shows how precious they are.

"Depends on the case value? You should have said it earlier, here."

Cheng Zongwen opened a large wooden box. The green paint on the box made Zhang Yang suspect that this was the box used to contain weapons and ammunition during the war years.

Now, the contents inside are worth a handful of peanuts.

After Zhang Yang saw the contents of the box clearly, he took a breath of cold air.

There are actually eight rhinoceros horn statues inside.

And they are all antiques from the late Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.

Given how rare rhinoceros horns are now, each piece is worth more than 500 million.

Seven of them are rhino horn cups.

The only difference is that the embossed patterns on the cup are different. The more exquisite the cup, the more expensive it will be.

There is only one sculpture, which depicts the scene of "Zhang Qian taking a boat trip across the Tianhe River".

The carved old man is smiling, wearing long sleeves and a long beard, sitting on a raft with a bunch of lotus flowers in his hands...

For such an exquisite rhinoceros carving from the early Qing Dynasty, Zhang Yang's conservative estimate should be upwards of 900 million.

"Is the case value enough?" Mr. Cheng asked Zhang Yang with a smile.

"That's enough, it's just... I can't handle these things like yours."

Mr. Cheng has always been generous, and Zhang Yang never thought of cheating him, so he just said what he had to say.

If all are valued based on Christie's auction prices, not counting the previous bronzes, these eight items alone can directly cut off the Hailin Museum's cash flow.

In Zhang Yang's opinion, this is not worth it.

"I know, but I don't know how to deal with it."

Cheng Zongwen spread his hands helplessly.

The stuff was indeed valuable, but there was no way to sell it.

Because he couldn't explain the origin of the thing clearly, he couldn't bring his grandfather-in-law, who had long since been buried, to be scolded, right?
"This...I understand too." Zhang Yang nodded and said.

Many data surveys have shown that in modern times and up to 20 years ago, a large number of precious cultural relics continued to flow to the public.

Of course, most of the channels of circulation are illegal.

But in the cultural relics market, fakes still account for more than 99%. .

The reason is that many treasure holders are in the same situation as Mr. Cheng:
We know the items are genuine and valuable, but the source is not known to outsiders and there is no way to sell them.

If someone in the family has a special status, they would only dare to keep it in the basement and watch it secretly, and would not even dare to show it off.The best result may be like what Cheng Zongwen says now:

"I was thinking, how about donating it directly to the museum. You can't sell it anyway."

"I'm very grateful for your thoughts, but this thing..." Zhang Yang looked embarrassed: "I guess after reporting it, the staff reviewing the cultural relics will not be able to sleep at night."

"Is it such an exaggeration?" Mr. Cheng didn't believe it. He pointed to the green box next to him and said, "There are more in here!"

"What else?"

"It's not as valuable as rhino horn, just some old ivory."

As Cheng Zongwen spoke, he opened the lid of the box next to him.

Zhang Yang's breath was choked again.

Just old ivory?
He originally thought that those ivory carvings that embossed some festive patterns or images of Buddha and ladies on the basis of ivory raw materials were already the most luxurious ways to use ivory in ancient times.

But the ivory screen in front of him proved that Zhang Yang still thought too simply.

The circular screen measures more than 25 centimeters, and also uses hollow relief technology.

There are very three-dimensional pavilions carved inside.

Zhang Yang estimated that for every hollow pillar carved out for the pavilion, the weight of wasted ivory would be enough to serve him in prison for three months.

When a whole screen is carved, more than half of the raw materials have to be thrown away.

This is the luxury of the Qing Dynasty royal family.

There are five more screens with this kind of relief craftsmanship in the box.

"Fortunately, you brought me to watch it live." Zhang Yang said with emotion: "If the live broadcast is like before, there will probably be two police cars."

"Why two cars?"

"One car will catch you, and the other one will transport these things back. Otherwise, if one thing is missing, who does it belong to?"

Zhang Yang looked at the ivory screens in the box. They were all good goods. The only drawback was that they were expensive.

However, according to what Cheng Zongwen said before, as long as Zhang Yang wants it, these will definitely be given to the Hailin Museum for exhibition.

I didn’t even dare to write down the donor’s information clearly, so I could only write “a donation from a good Samaritan.”

"Director Zhang, if you are having trouble with these things, I also know someone in Lin'an Museum..." Cheng Zongwen thoughtfully helped with suggestions.

"Embarrassed? Haha, how is it possible?"

"Even if there are police outside, I will bring these things back to Hailin Museum. Protecting cultural relics is everyone's responsibility!"

Zhang Yang performed a wave of Sichuan Opera face changes on the spot.

After all, it is a combination of bronze + rhinoceros horn cup + ivory screen. If it doesn't work, let Master Wang show his face. In short, it must be won.

……

"Are there any cultural relics that are not suitable for trading, but are very suitable for museum preservation?"

Zhang Yang raised his eyebrows at Chong Zongwen, suggesting that he increase his efforts.

"I think about it..."

Mr. Cheng looked at the remaining boxes, thought for a while and replied:
"There are some dragon robes. If you are interested, I will give them to you directly."

"That's so embarrassing... let me take a look?"

"Let's look for it first. I haven't looked through this pile of things for a long time."

Cheng Zongwen muttered and checked the label on the outside of the box.

He told Zhang Yang that although these were the dowry his wife brought when she got married.

But his family was very rich at the time, so he didn't worry about it at all and kept it in the villa in Lin'an.

It wasn't until his first time in prison that his wife went to see him. When she visited the prison, she found out that there was a gold mine at home, and he was still out there digging for gold, which seemed very funny.

"If I get rid of all these things this time, I will feel relaxed."

When Cheng Zongwen said this, he felt a sense of relief.

"What's wrong? Are you going to switch to archaeology in the future?" Zhang Yang asked half-jokingly.

"Archaeology team? Didn't Chu Zhenmin tell you?"

"say what?"

"I guess he has so many things to do that he forgot about it. After celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday next month, my wife and I will travel around the world. I probably won't be involved offline in the future regarding the archaeological team."

When Zhang Yang heard this, he froze on the spot.

Now that Cheng Zongwen is gone, the archaeological team can be disbanded on the spot!

Because Mao Shiqi is just an ordinary craftsman and has no ability to divide gold and fix acupuncture points.

Although Zhang Yang barely knows a little bit about Feng Shui, he can't always be out in the field.

Who will I rely on to find the tomb in the future?
Seeing Zhang Yang's shock and confusion, Mr. Cheng introduced while prying the wooden box:

"Chu Zhenmin has already found someone to replace me. I think we will arrange a meeting for you in a while."

"So, Mr. Cheng, are you here to meet me today?"

"How is that possible? Hedong Group asks you to help from time to time. This little thing should be regarded as my advance payment."

remuneration?Zhang Yang felt somewhat ridiculous.

Those things just shipped overseas could be sold for tens of millions.

The reward was tens of millions, and the price to save the lives of Cheng Shihui and his wife was probably just this amount.

However, Cheng Zongwen obviously didn't think so. It was illegal to transport those things out of the country and sell them. When he was reforming inside, the key thing he learned was to abide by the law.

The next few boxes of things were the "gifts" he wanted to give to Zhang Yang.

"Let's take a look at these dragon robes... Damn it, why are they like rags?"

"Hahaha, what a rag." Zhang Yang laughed.

In front of him, Cheng Zongwen had to pry open the box with great effort. The dragon robes stacked inside were all moldy.

Zhang Yang recognized the one on top as the emperor's uniform.

If it wasn't moldy, it would still sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

"Shall I pick it up and take a look at it?"

Cheng Zongwen is a ruthless person who has touched corpses, and mold cannot stop him at all.

But Zhang Yang couldn't bear it.

"No, no, no, just leave this stuff here and I'll get professionals to clean it up. Don't make the air in the room bad. We still have several boxes of stuff waiting to be looked at."

Cheng Zongwen thought about it and said, yes, it is going to be given away anyway, as long as Zhang Yang doesn't dislike it.

He pointed to the remaining boxes and asked Zhang Yang:
"Which should we look at first, calligraphy, painting, ancient books or Buddha statues?"

"Look at the paintings and calligraphy. I'm afraid some of your paintings have been eaten by mice."

"How is that possible? This is a villa."

Cheng Zongwen shook his head and picked up the crowbar.

Three minutes later, there was a thud and the lid of the box fell to the ground.

Zhang Yang poked his head out and took a look, only to see a thick pile of yellowed old books in the cardboard box.

The top one, even the cover is brown, with six traditional Chinese characters written in calligraphy - The Complete Book of the Imperial Siku.

There are small prints at the bottom: Ji Bu, Wenzhong Ji Volume [-].

"Did you really get the complete library of Siku back?"

Zhang Yang couldn't wait to see what the old books were underneath.

(End of this chapter)