87: A surprise
Thank you, boss DerKaiser, for the God-level authentication. I will add another chapter for the boss.
“Director Wang, leaders, the nine cauldrons have been placed in the backyard and are guarded by dedicated personnel. I will take you there.”
To go to the backyard, they had to pass through the living room. An accompanying expert stopped when he saw the main beam of the villa.
“Young friend, what a grand undertaking, to use red sandalwood for the main beam, and nanmu for the secondary beams.”
“Just the price of these timbers alone must have exceeded that of this villa, right?”
Although these main beams were well decorated, his main area of expertise was timber, so he could tell at a glance.
The reason he came to Modu was purely to admire the majesty of the nine cauldrons.
These pillars, which he usually found an eyesore, were actually so expensive?
He originally thought the previous homeowner was stingy and didn't leave any treasures, but now it seemed he had stumbled upon a great find.
“I’m not too sure about that. When I bought this villa, these pillars were already here.”
This was the truth. It was probably because the previous homeowner couldn't take these pillars with him, which was why Li Youqian got a bargain.
You got a bargain my foot!
This system spent 1.8 billion to acquire this villa!
One point eight billion?? Then why did you buy this place?
Wouldn't buying Tan Palace be better?
Li Youqian had already checked; the average price of Jiujiangtang was only around 150 million, even if his unit was the king of villas.
That wouldn't cost 300 million!
This dog-system always said he was a sucker, but now it seemed the biggest sucker was the system itself!
What do you know?!
You only know how to focus on petty gains, with no foresight at all.
Some things, you can't just look at their superficial value; you also need to look at the value behind them.
Forget it, forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Just be a rich old man in peace.
Bah, who are you looking down on?
...
“Thrice fortunate, truly thrice fortunate! I can actually see the nine cauldrons in this lifetime.”
Director Wang couldn't help but shed tears the moment he saw the nine cauldrons.
The greatest dream of these older generation antique workers was to see national treasures brought back to light.
However, many national treasures are still missing to this day, such as the transmitting seal of the realm, the Yongle Encyclopedia, and so on.
These national treasures lost in the long river of history are a huge loss for the entire nation.
Antiques are not just Simple cultural relics; they embody the cultural spirit of our nation.
“Don’t get too excited, you’ll be able to see it often in the future.”
“By the way, would you like to see those two bronze artifacts?”
“Yes! Yes!”
Although the xiaochen yu's rhinoceros zun of the shang dynasty and the zi zha nong bird zun cannot compare to the nine cauldrons, they are also national treasures lost abroad.
Director Wang and the others were also very eager to see them.
“Mr. Li, we have discussed with the relevant departments and decided to give you 500 million in compensation.”
“If you don’t mind, we would like to invite you to join the China Antique Association and serve as an honorary president.”
“Although these things are nothing compared to your contributions, they are the most we can offer.”
Director Wang showed shame when he said this. Although Li Youqian voluntarily turned over the items, they were bought with real money.
Moreover, even if Li Youqian didn't turn them over, the officials couldn't say anything.
After all, he bought them back from abroad.
“You are too kind. These are all things I should do.”
Li Youqian couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth; this was a complete surprise!
Anyway, these antiques didn't cost him a penny; they were all Free Stuff from the system.
Even if it was 500 yuan plus a banner, it was better than nothing.
“Good, good, good. With young people like you in our Huaxia, why worry about not being able to revive?!”
“Our generation is old now; the future belongs to you young people.”
Director Wang patted Li Youqian's shoulder with satisfaction. To be honest, he himself felt that 500 million was too little.
Their budget was indeed tight, and they really couldn't afford to take out much more.
“You flatter me. When national treasures are lost abroad, I believe every son and daughter of Huaxia feels uneasy.”
“Now that I have the ability, I naturally want to do something for the country.”
The more Director Wang listened, the more pleased he became. It was a pity he only had a grandson and no granddaughter, otherwise he would definitely introduce her to Li Youqian.
“The state department has already contacted the military. In two days, the military will send people to escort the national treasures back to the capital.”
“Moreover, we are holding a return ceremony in the capital, and we hope you can come and witness it together.”
The national treasure return ceremony was a major event that could be featured on CCTV News.
Unfortunately, Li Youqian currently did not want to appear in public, so he could only politely decline.
“Thank you for your invitation, but I won’t be going.”
“I don’t want to be exposed to the public yet.”
Director Wang felt a bit regretful when he heard Li Youqian's refusal, but he could also understand.
Many people from prominent families do not like to show their faces, so information about them is rarely found online.
“Alright, since it’s inconvenient for you, I won’t insist.”
“Since we have already seen the nine cauldrons, we won’t bother you any further.”
Director Wang was usually busy with official duties, and it was quite difficult for him to squeeze out time to come to Modu this time.
They had also completed the evidence collection for the nine cauldrons and were just waiting for the military to escort them.
So Director Wang directly bid farewell.
“You’ve come all the way to Modu, so no matter what, you must let this junior fulfill his duty as a host.”
Li Youqian really didn't expect Director Wang and his party to be in such a hurry.
Let alone eating, they didn't even take a sip of the prepared tea.
“No, no, I’m busy with official duties, so I really can’t help it.”
“When you come to the capital, we’ll have a good drink then.”
If he wasn't truly unable to spare the time, Director Wang would have liked to have a good chat with Li Youqian, but alas~
“Then… alright, please be careful on your way.”
“I will visit you when I go to the capital.”
Li Youqian also knew that he couldn't persuade them, so he stopped trying.
He just felt a bit regretful. This was a vice-ministerial level cadre, and he naturally wanted to make connections.
Although Director Wang's position seemed like a leisurely one, anyone who could become a vice-ministerial level cadre in the capital would have significant influence behind them.
“Alright, then I’ll wait for you in the capital.”
“Stay here, no need to see us off. The car is at the door.”
After seeing Director Wang off, Li Youqian also let out a sigh of relief.
Only after having direct contact with those high-ranking officials did he realize that aura truly exists.
Li Youqian had been very careful with his words just now, not even daring to use his catchphrases, which really stifled him.
“Yuwei! Tell the chef not to prepare so much food; they have already left.”
“If it’s already done, then let’s eat it together. I can’t eat it all by myself anyway.”
(Writer's block, couldn't write a single word for a long time -.-)