Modu Police Station, meeting room.
Sunlight filtered through the translucent curtains like golden ribbons, gently spilling into the room, dancing on the wooden conference table and casting dappled shadows. The green plants in the corner gleamed with an especially verdant hue, wafting a hint of floral fragrance.
Under the watchful eyes of the others, Lin Chuan took steps forward, approaching the conference table.
His gaze didn't linger on the expressions of those present, but fell directly upon the 'Qing dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase' that had already cracked open.
The sunshine was ample, the translucent quality of the jade vase finely textured, crystal clear. Bright light pierced through the vase's thin-as-wings body, softly casting subtle, warm shadows that emerged from within.
At the same time, its internal patterns were also distinctly visible.
After taking a few glances, the details of the thin-walled jade vase once again confirmed his thoughts. Lin Chuan turned his head to look at one of the key figures of the meeting.
—National Cultural Relics Bureau Director, Li Zeguang.
"Director Li, before we continue, I'd like to ask a question," Lin Chuan said.
In the eyes of everyone present, Lin Chuan wasn't nervous but appeared rather relaxed, with a faint smile on his face.
"Ask," Li Zeguang said, eyebrows raised slightly in surprise as he regarded Lin Chuan's demeanor.
Putting aside relics, just Lin Chuan's confidence and bearing in such a scene were indeed eye-catching and deserved a closer look.
Bearing is very hard to fake.
Just like antiques themselves, genuine cultural artifacts possess their own unique artistic charm as well as a kind of weathered beauty shaped by time, an allure that cannot be replicated.
A true treasure appraiser also knows how to 'appraise' people.
Ever since Lin Chuan appeared at the entrance of the meeting room, Li Zeguang had been observing him, noting his attire, speech, and even the subtle expressions on his face, without missing a single detail.
To Li Zeguang, Lin Chuan exuded composure.
Yes!
Calm and confident.
"According to procedure, the 'Qing dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase' needs to be authenticated by a large group of experts before it can be repatriated. There should be records of this," Lin Chuan said while looking at Li Zeguang with a slight smile.
The records included detailed data, images, and even 3D models, quite comprehensive.
"We do have the relevant records," Li Zeguang nodded.
Lin Chuan smiled again, "I need all the information on record."
Last night, Lin Chuan had thought for a long time.
This artifact had a ninety percent chance of being switched after repatriation but before the handover ceremony.
Besides, the craftsmanship required for the 'Qing dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase' was extremely exquisite, and there were very few inheritors of the Suzhou Jade Carving craft within the country.
Foreigners wanting to create a replica would also need to seek out a master jade carver from within China.
Most importantly, the repatriation of overseas artifacts is essentially a diplomatic gesture.
It facilitates cultural exchange between countries, fostering closer relations. There's no need for the returning party to provoke a reawakened Eastern Dragon by replacing an item with a fake.
So, Lin Chuan speculated that someone had tampered with the process after its repatriation.
If that was the case, then the detailed information obtained during the experts' appraisal should be original and authentic.
The Modu Cultural Relics Bureau kept the information, while the National Cultural Relics Bureau retained a copy.
If even this firsthand material was not genuine, then Lin Chuan would have nothing more to say, resigning himself to his bad luck and willing to quietly serve three years in prison.
Li Zeguang's face shifted subtly. He watched Lin Chuan for a while, then finally nodded, "I can give you the detailed information for comparison."
"Thank you," Lin Chuan said with a smile. He made another request, "Could you help me get some precision weighing and measuring equipment here?"
Beside Lin Chuan, the police chief directed, "Chen Hui, go fetch it."
Chen Hui nodded and hurried out of the meeting room.
Soon, the Cultural Relics Bureau provided the information about the 'Qing dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase,' which was displayed on the large screen in the meeting room.
On the screen, the 3D image of the 'Qing dynasty Chinese tangled branch pattern thin-walled jade vase' rotated slowly, providing a 360-degree view without a blind spot.
Below it were details about its specifications.
For instance, the height of the vase body, the diameter at the base, the circumference at the widest part of the body, the diameter at the opening, the thickness of the walls, and its weight—basic data.
More detailed information included "Carved from Qinghai jade employing Suzhou Jade Carving techniques" and similar details.
At that moment.
Chen Hui returned with the precise weighing and measuring equipment, setting it before Lin Chuan.
Chen Hui harbored complex feelings toward this individual not exactly rival. It wasn't animosity.
Mostly, Chen Hui felt somewhat difficult to reconcile how Shen Qianqian could esteem Lin Chuan so highly, so he subconsciously paid attention to Lin Chuan's actions.
Could he, like last time with the appraisal of the Taotie pattern wine vessel, succeed in identifying a forgery again?
Lin Chuan gratefully nodded.
Then, he put on gloves and meticulously commenced measuring the height of the vase.
Everyone in the room watched in silence as Lin Chuan worked.
Youyou stood beside Lin Chuan, her clear eyes showing a hint of worry. She watched Lin Chuan with nervous anticipation, her palms sweating slightly, causing her to unconsciously twist the corner of her clothes.
Li Zeguang observed with deep eyes, a flicker of doubt crossing his gaze.
Was Lin Chuan going to use these basic measurements of weight and size to discern the authenticity?
But before the handover ceremony, each artifact is re-measured for these basic values.

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