Through the colors and radiance emitted by these Chinese antique artworks and ancient books and documents in front of me, it is absolutely certain.
These antique artworks and ancient books and documents are all genuine and authentic, and each one is of amazing value!
In particular, the large number of Dunhuang Buddhist scriptures contained in four wooden boxes are of extremely high historical and cultural research value. Each volume of the Buddhist scriptures is a national treasure.
After some perspective, Xiao Ran was sure in the blink of an eye.
The Metropolitan Museum had not tampered with these Chinese antiques and ancient books and documents, and had kept its promise. He immediately felt relieved.
But this is normal and expected.
After several interactions, Thomas and the others already knew.
Xiao Ran's vision is very sharp. No matter what kind of antiques, cultural relics and works of art, he almost never misses them!
What's more important is that behind him stand many of the top experts in appraising antiques, cultural relics and artworks, and each of them is famous.
Among them are both Chinese appraisal experts and top antique art appraisal experts from Europe and the United States.
Under such circumstances, if the Metropolitan Museum of Art manipulates this batch of Chinese antique artworks and ancient books and documents, it will be a complete disgrace to itself!
It is precisely because of this understanding that the Metropolitan Museum chose an honest transaction.
Xiao Ran looked at the Chinese antiques on the conference table, but did not start checking them immediately.
At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door of the conference room.
Immediately afterwards, Mike led Counselor Wang and his party into the conference room.
Along with Counselor Wang, there were two diplomats from the Chinese Mission to the United Nations, both officials from the Cultural Department.
After entering the conference room, Counselor Wang immediately smiled and said:
"Gentlemen, I'm very sorry. I had something to do and was delayed for a while."
"Fortunately, I'm not late, I arrived in time!"
Hearing this, Xiao Ran and Thomas both said polite words.
In today's heavyweight transaction, Counselor Wang and the others were the third-party supervisors and were on hand to witness the transaction.
After a few words of greeting, Counselor Wang suddenly changed the subject.
"Xiao Ran, let me tell you good news."
"The 40 volumes of "Yongle Dadian" that you exchanged before were safely transported to Beijing more than an hour ago."
"After arriving in Beijing, the ancient books and documents were immediately transported to the National Library for testing and protection."
A smile flashed in Xiao Ran's eyes, and he pretended to be surprised and said:
"That's great! Now that the 40 volumes of "Yongle Dadian" have arrived in Beijing safely, I feel relieved!"
"I hope that the antique artworks and ancient books and documents exchanged this time can be shipped back to China smoothly without any further twists and turns."
After the words fell, Counselor Wang nodded decisively and said:
"Don't worry, Xiao Ran, things like that before will never happen again!"
After performing in coordination with each other, everyone got down to business.
Next, Xiao Ran turned to look at Fang Yufei and the others, and nodded lightly.
"Yufei, let's establish video contact with Shan Lao and the others."
"The appraisal and evaluation of these antiques, artworks and ancient books and documents still rely on a few old men."
"Okay, I'll start now"
Fang Yufei nodded in response and immediately took action.
She and another Chinese employee each took out a laptop and placed it on the conference table to operate it.
Metropolitan Museum staff who were also at the scene also cooperated.
In just a moment, Mr. Shan and Mr. Jin appeared on the big projection screen.
At this time, it was already night in the country, but it was not yet time to rest.
The old men looked in good spirits, their faces were glowing, and they were very excited.
The first time he saw them, Xiao Ran waved and said hello.
"Mr. Shan, Mr. Jin, and the other old men, are you not disturbing your rest?"
"I'm at the Met now, ready to make a deal"
Shan Lao nodded, and then said angrily:
"It's not time to rest yet. We've been thinking about you all day, so we can't sleep!"
"You kid made a fool of yourself this morning and whetted everyone's appetite, but you quit the live broadcast room yourself."
"Now the answer can be revealed. Tell me, what national treasures did you bring back from the Metropolitan Museum this time?"
Before he finished speaking, Mr. Jin and Mr. Qiu also complained a few words.
Xiao Ran was not in a hurry to introduce the Chinese antiques and artworks, but first introduced Thomas and others.
Mr. Shan and Mr. Jin both knew Thomas, but there were two old men who had never seen these Americans.
After the introduction, Xiao Ran announced the details of the transaction.
"That's it, gentlemen, I reached an agreement with the Metropolitan Museum of Art yesterday afternoon."
“I used some of the top Western artworks I discovered to exchange with the Metropolitan Museum for some Chinese antique artworks and ancient books and documents in their collection.”
"This antique art transaction is based on a valuation recognized by both parties, is open and transparent, and is a win-win transaction."
After hearing this, the eyes of the old men suddenly became brighter and they became more energetic.
But they did not rush to speak out, but continued to listen.
"What I exchanged was a painting by three art masters: Holbein, Dürer, and Menzel, as well as two other top-notch antiques!"
"The objects that the Metropolitan Museum of Art put up for trade were "Stream Bank Picture" by Dong Yuan of the Five Dynasties, "The Biography of Lian Po Lin Xiangru" by Huang Tingjian of the Northern Song Dynasty, "Bamboo Bird Picture" by Zhao Ji, Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, and "Double Pine Flat" by Zhao Mengfu of the Yuan Dynasty. "Far Picture"
"In addition, there are also "Wang Xizhi Watching Geese" by Qian Xuan of the Yuan Dynasty, as well as the blue and white moon vase of the Yuan Dynasty and the colorful chicken jar cup of Ming Chenghua, etc."
“The most important among them are the 150 volumes of Dunhuang Buddhist scriptures, each of which can be regarded as a national treasure.”
Before he finished speaking, several old men far away in Beijing were shocked to the point of being completely dumbfounded and dumbfounded.
Immediately afterwards, Shan Lao woke up first.
He suddenly stood up from his chair and said excitedly:
"Xiao Ran, are you kidding me? Or am I hallucinating?"
"Did you really exchange for national treasure-level artworks such as Dong Yuan's "Stream Bank" and Huang Tingjian's "The Biography of Lian Po Lin Xiangru"?"
"Really, in exchange for Zhao Mengfu's "Twin Pines Flat in the Distance" and 150 volumes of Dunhuang Tibetan Scriptures?"
Following Shan Lao's words, the other old men all woke up.
The next moment, the small conference room far away in the Forbidden City in Beijing was boiling.
"We can exchange for 150 volumes of Dunhuang scriptures and so many national treasure-level antiques and artworks in one go. Aren't we dreaming?"
"If this is really the case, Xiao Ran, you have achieved another great achievement!"
Jin Lao said excitedly, almost dancing.
Xiao Ran smiled and nodded, but did not respond immediately.
He casually took out a pair of white gloves and put them on, then carefully took a scroll placed on the conference table and opened it gently.
The scroll is about 50 centimeters long, but its horizontal length is unknown.
The answer can only be found by fully unrolling the scroll.
What is shocking is that this scroll is as thick as a bucket and has dozens of layers.
From this we can see how amazing its length is!
Due to its age, the surface of the scroll has turned into apricot yellow, which is antique, full of historical charm, and also reveals a sense of vicissitudes of life!
Fortunately, this scroll is relatively well preserved, with not much damage.
With Xiao Ran's movements, the content on the scroll gradually appeared.
The first thing that appeared in front of everyone was the many red seals stamped on the front of the volume. They were densely packed and there were dozens of them.
If you look carefully, you'll see it.
Among these red seals, there are 'Neifu Shuyin', 'Shaoxing' Lianzhu Yin, 'Neishingzhai', 'Qiuhe Shuyin', 'Ouyang Xuanyin', 'Xiang Zijing Family Collection' and so on.
Without exception, these seals are famous in the history of Chinese calligraphy and painting collections, and are basically equivalent to the quality certification of ancient calligraphy and painting works!
Following these red seals is a piece of cursive calligraphy with flying dragons and phoenixes, opening and closing. The words are full of atmosphere and awe-inspiring!
In this cursive calligraphy scroll, there are occasionally some red seals, which are very eye-catching, and each seal is famous.
While slowly unfolding this cursive calligraphy work, Xiao Ran also began to introduce it.
"Old gentlemen, what you are seeing now is the longest cursive scroll in the history of Chinese calligraphy, "The Biography of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru" by Huang Tingjian, a great calligrapher of the Northern Song Dynasty."
"According to legend, this long cursive scroll was originally 21 meters long, but now it has just over 18 meters left. The length is still amazing!"
"Judging from the size of the scroll in my hand, it is very likely that it is the original work of Huang Tingjian. Americans cannot forge such a masterpiece."
“Of course, it’s up to you to identify whether this long scroll in cursive script is the authentic work of Huang Tingjian!”
Before he finished speaking, Shan Lao's excited voice came again.
"You are right, Xiao Ran. Americans cannot forge such a masterpiece."
"Who can write such a long cursive scroll with flying dragons and phoenixes and various scenes now? Who has the calligraphy skills of Huang Tingjian?"
"When I went to the Metropolitan Museum for exchanges a few years ago, I admired this long cursive scroll. It is indeed the original work of Huang Tingjian, a master of calligraphy in the Northern Song Dynasty!"
"I have to say, you are really awesome, you can get all kinds of national treasures back!"
As Mr. Shan gave a positive appraisal conclusion, every Chinese in the conference room cheered excitedly.
Several old men far away in Beijing were filled with admiration and intoxicated appreciation of this masterpiece in the history of Chinese calligraphy!
