Chapter 2: Indulging in the Expertise

I believe that everything will be different in four hundred days

After resolving matters here, I took the bus back to the Siheyuan in Qianmen

I understand their thoughts. Indeed, in this era where one can purchase authentication certificates with money, a mere piece of paper may not suffice to clarify the issue. However, the key point is that Yan Wanru and Zhao Lindong have an excellent reputation in the industry, and with the addition of Teacher Liu, there are a total of three experts in cultural relics and one authoritative institution. Since they are willing to guarantee with confidence, it is absolutely impossible for this painting to be a forgery

I reassembled the scattered sheets of paper, and this painting, suspected to be by Mr. Qi Baishi, is a small-sized work featuring a lively little bird perched on a branch. The style is quite simple, and there is no signature of Qi Baishi on the painting. I organized my thoughts and said: "In today's world, methods of forgery are emerging one after another. Who can say that the detection by high-tech instruments is absolutely correct?" I understand why you are so certain. Indeed, the brushwork of this painting does exhibit the style of the late Mr. Qi Baishi, and it aligns more closely with his middle-aged style. Therefore, the possibility of it being a fabricated piece is ruled out. Furthermore, to date, there has been no appearance of this bird's form in any of Qi Baishi's known works, and the likelihood of it being a reproduction using woodblock watermarking techniques is also extremely low.

"Where?" Yan Wanru asked curiously

The scene was in an uproar

From a stamp worth a few hundred yuan to the nationwide sensation of a jadeite emergence

This year, the stock market has fluctuated, and housing prices have swayed; it is evidently unrealistic to make money from here. Upon reflection, collecting seems to be a good avenue for profit. One year is neither long nor short, but for me, it is sufficient, and it is even the outcome I wish to see. In the past, during summer vacations, I also worked in the Beijing Antique Market, where I heard numerous bits of insider information. The memories are still vivid. If I were to go back two years, five years, or even ten years, I would not be able to remember every event, which would actually be detrimental. One year is neither long nor short, but for me, it is sufficient, and it is even the outcome I wish to see. In the past, during summer vacations, I also worked in the Beijing Antique Market, where I heard numerous bits of insider information. The memories are still vivid. If I were to go back two years, five years, or even ten years, I would not be able to remember every event, which would actually be detrimental.

Someone outside said: "Young man, the pretense can no longer be maintained; both Teacher Yan and Teacher Liu have seen through it."

This is not a complete piece of calligraphy and painting, but merely a partial imitation. I assert: I deduce that the forger possesses the original of this painting. Their cleverness lies in knowing the saying 'the more one speaks, the more one risks'. No matter how skilled a forgery technique is, it will inevitably reveal some flaws. Therefore, the less they paint, the fewer flaws will naturally appear. This is also the reason why they did not use instruments for an absolute cloning technique to imitate the signatures, tree trunks, rivers, clouds, and other elements. Moreover, the forger keeps the original painting hidden, which increases the deception...

Yan Wanru gently blinked her eyes and handed me the tattered scroll, as if she wanted me to point out what was wrong

Yan Wanru borrowed a laptop from the shop owner, and shortly thereafter, a clear image appeared before everyone.

This is precisely the cleverness of the forger. I turned my head to look at Yan Wanru and the others, and continued: You are all experts, so it is not my place to show off here. Look at this, while the form and meaning of the bird are quite good, why does it give me a vague feeling? Moreover, I would like to ask, why is this painting so small? Just one bird and a few branches? Does it not feel incomplete? Also, why did Mr. Baishi not sign it? This is certainly not a draft.

None of the four experts can compare to you! Impressive!

Well done, young man

Indeed, I think you should find the person who just squeezed you out; it is unlikely that all four experts would make the same mistake at once

My parents are not at home because they are at work. I spent three hours confirming and finally accepted the reality of returning to last summer's vacation.

"That painting was in the hands of a Taiwanese individual a few months ago. Later, I heard it was sold to Mr. Song Luyou." I racked my brain as I recalled and said, "Mr. Song is also a collector; you should know him. If you don't believe what I said, you can call him and ask Mr. Song to send over a photo of the original."

To say that one is not shocked would be absolutely deceptive, yet what follows is an indescribable surge of excitement

This is an opportunity

Yan Wanru, with her gentle and compliant gaze, carefully looked at the drawing paper several times, "... ... please share your judgment"

"Alright, let me ask. " Yan Wanru seemed to have some doubts about the painting, pulled out a Nokia phone, and held it to her ear: "... Hello, Mr. Song, this is Yan Wanru. ... Yes, I would like to inquire if you recently received a piece of artwork by Mr. Bai Shi from www.hetushu.com. ... You did? What? It's a replica? That's fine, I would like a photo. ... Yes, I have something to compare it with ... Thank you. ... You did? What? It's a replica? That's fine, I would like a photo. ... Yes, I have something to compare it with ... Thank you. ... Alright, please hold on ..."

The shop owner impatiently interrupted me, tapping his index finger on the table: "What I want is real evidence!"

A brief comparison will reveal that the image of the bird I tore apart is precisely modeled after this section of the painting

The feeling of being held in high regard is somewhat unfamiliar to me. I smiled awkwardly and said nothing. In fact, I am fully aware of my own worth; no one knows me better than I do. If it weren't for Yan Wanru's detailed account of the situation on television last night, I would have been completely in the dark, unable to discern truth from falsehood.

Perhaps it was heaven that heard my deep-seated dream of wanting to become wealthy, and thus specially provided me with an opportunity

ceramics and porcelain, Ming and Qing furniture, dressing accessories, ancient coins, the Four Treasures of the Study, cigarette labels and posters

"Wait a moment." Yan Wan looked at me with suspicion in her eyes and said, "Did you just mention tree trunks? Rivers? Glowing clouds? Have you seen the original of this painting?"

"Are you saying this painting is fake?" The shop owner, furious yet amused, responded: "Have you not heard of Teacher Zhao Lindong? He is an authority from the older generation in the collection field! His authentication certificate is clearly displayed here! How could it be fake? Fine! Even if Teacher Zhao made a mistake, can our country's high-tech instruments malfunction? Are you trying to play tricks? If you don't have money, just say so! Let's call the police!" Even if Teacher Zhao made a mistake, can our country's high-tech instruments malfunction? Are you trying to play tricks? If you don't have money, just say so! Let's call the police!

This painting has become much larger; in addition to the birds and the tree branches, it also features the full view of the trunk, the meandering stream, and the faint glow of the sunset

"I don't see any ambiguity," Teacher Liu said, barely perceptibly curling her lips. "There are also quite a few famous calligraphies and paintings without signatures."

Immediately, waves of applause came crashing in from the crowd.

"Not at all," I coughed lightly and then changed the subject, saying, "However, I have seen its replica, a counterfeit."

"You do have some insight," the shop owner said, slightly surprised as he glanced at me. "Then why do you still claim that this painting is not authentic?"

Yan Wanru turned around and smiled at me, clapping her hands enthusiastically.

Not a single detail is amiss

Teacher Liu smiled and shook her head, not even glancing at me.

I took a deep breath, eagerly picked up my pen, and recalled the stories of fortunate finds, whether from hearsay or news broadcasts.