It was already the next morning.
In view of the chaotic security in Paris and the martial law in the Marais district, Elaine and Fang Yufei did not go out shopping, but stayed in the presidential suite with Xiao Ran.
After having breakfast and taking a short rest, Xiao Ran walked into the study and started a video connection with relevant people in the country.
At this time, it was already noon in the country and everyone had time.
The video call was connected in a blink of an eye, and what appeared on the video screen was a medium-sized conference room at the National Expo.
In this conference room, there were my aunt, leaders of the Ministry of Culture, and several leaders of the Cultural Relics Bureau.
There are also several experts and scholars from the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China, the National Library of China and other top cultural and museum institutions. Everyone is a very familiar old friend.
Seeing the people in the video, Xiao Ran immediately raised his hand to say hello and greeted them.
"Good afternoon, leaders and old men, I'm sorry to bother you all, you have to be busy with my affairs again."
Before he finished speaking, the Vice Minister of Culture smiled and waved hello.
"It should be morning in Paris, Xiao Ran, good morning, nice to see you."
Immediately afterwards, the leaders of the Cultural Relics Bureau, Gu Gu, Shan Lao and others said hello one after another.
After saying hello, Mr. Shan asked excitedly:
"Xiao Ran, I heard from the leaders of the Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Relics Bureau that you can exchange for a large number of antique cultural relics and works of art that have been lost to France this time. It seems that you can get more than ever before."
"I heard that there are all the antique cultural relics of the Old Summer Palace in the Palace of Fontainebleau, a large number of Chinese antique cultural relics and works of art in the Guimet Museum, and all the Dunhuang scriptures stolen by Pelliot."
"I also heard that you might be able to exchange for some of the twelve missing beast heads from the Old Summer Palace. Are these true?"
"If this is true, if you can really get back so many antique cultural relics and works of art that have been lost overseas, from now on, we old men will only follow your lead!"
Before he finished speaking, many experts and scholars in the conference room of the National Museum of China smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Shan Lao is right, Xiao Ran, if you can really get back so many national treasure-level antiques and cultural relics that have been lost overseas, you will definitely be the best in the domestic antique business from now on!"
"I second the proposal. As long as you can get back so many national treasure-level antiques and cultural relics at one time, you can do whatever you want to this old man like me in the future, and I will be willing to do so."
Seeing this scene, Xiao Ran quickly shook his head.
"Old men, please stop teasing me. How dare I? I don't want to be poked in the spine by all my colleagues."
"You are all seniors in the antiques industry. No matter how capable I am, I would not dare to instruct you."
Hearing this, all the old men in Beijing laughed.
After joking for a while, Xiao Ran returned to the topic.
"I believe that the Embassy in France has informed the country of the relevant situation. Tomorrow morning, I will start a series of transactions with the French and American governments, as well as major French and American museums and top collectors."
"As you just said, I will exchange a large number of Chinese antiques and art that have been lost overseas from the French, including all the antiques from the Old Summer Palace in the Palace of Fontainebleau."
"There are a large number of Chinese antiques in the Guimet Museum, a large number of Dunhuang scriptures collected in the French National Library, and even several missing twelve animal heads from the Yuanmingyuan. I am asking people to look for them all over France."
"When the transaction starts tomorrow morning, I will rely on everyone to help me remotely identify those Chinese antiques and artworks. Due to the large scale of this transaction, I am worried that I will miss something."
Following his words, everyone in the National Expo conference room suddenly beamed with joy.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the conference room nodded in unison.
"No problem, Xiao Ran, we have a duty to do such a great thing. This is our honor. No matter how hard it is, it's worth it."
"That's great. Let's have a good rest tonight, and tomorrow we will participate in the grand event. This transaction will definitely cause a sensation in the antique shop and is also a cultural event."
Next, Xiao Ran discussed the details of tomorrow's transaction, appraisal and other aspects with everyone in the country.
However, he did not say how to safely transport these antiques back to the country.
This is of course for confidentiality reasons to avoid any accidents.
The discussion lasted for more than twenty minutes and then ended.
Just when everyone in Beijing thought that Xiao Ran was about to end the call.
But he took out an exquisite brocade box, placed it on the desk, and then said with a smile:
"Everyone is a little tired after discussing trading for a long time. Let me show you something good to relax your body and mind and satisfy your eye addiction."
"By the way, I would also like to ask a few old men to help me identify the origin of this treasure. I would like to see if my identification results are accurate."
Hearing what he said, everyone on the other end of the video call suddenly became very interested.
Everyone looked at the brocade box placed on the desk, everyone's eyes were full of curiosity.
The next moment, Xiao Ran gently opened the brocade box and took out the things inside.
Then he placed it on the desk and slowly unfolded it.
What he opened was the freehand painting of flowers and birds, "Mandarin Ducks Playing in the Water" by the famous Ming Dynasty painter Xu Wei.
While opening this freehand painting of flowers and birds, he was also introducing relevant information.
"The freehand painting of flowers and birds that you see now, "Mandarin Ducks Playing in the Water", was discovered by me in the mezzanine of an antique piece of furniture from the mid-Qing Dynasty."
"That piece of antique furniture from the mid-Qing Dynasty came from the famous Red House in Paris, which was built by the great traitor Lu Qinzhai in the 8th arrondissement of Paris."
"In other words, Lu Qinzhai brought that piece of antique furniture to Paris, and the freehand painting of flowers and birds hidden in it was also hidden by Lu Qinzhai."
"After my preliminary appraisal, I think this painting should be by the famous Ming Dynasty painter Xu Wei. On this painting, there is Xu Wei's name and seal..."
Before he could finish speaking, Mr. Jin and two other calligraphy and painting appraisal experts said in unison:
"Xiao Ran, your identification is very accurate. This is indeed a freehand painting of flowers and birds, "Mandarin Ducks Playing in the Water" by Xu Wei, a master of Ming Dynasty painting. It is a masterpiece."
"This painting "Mandarin Ducks Playing in the Water" by Xu Wei is a famous painting that has been passed down in an orderly manner. It was once the favorite of Emperor Qianlong. The seal of the old man Shiquan on the painting is the best proof."
Hearing this, a smile immediately flashed in Xiao Ran's eyes.
"That's great. It just needs to be Xu Wei's "Mandarin Ducks Playing in the Water". I've got a big advantage from Lu Qinzhai."
He knew better than anyone whether this painting was Xu Wei's work.
The reason why he took out this painting now was to let Mr. Jin and others confirm it.
This famous painting was discovered in France, witnessing the origin of this painting.
In this way, whether you collect it yourself or sell it in the future, you will save some trouble.
Mr. Jin smiled and nodded, and continued:
"This painting is clearly recorded in the "Shiqu Baoji". It was leaked out of the palace around the 1920s and has disappeared since then. Who would have thought that it would fall into the hands of Lu Qinzhai?"
"But luckily, this famous painting finally fell into your hands. I have to say that your luck is so incredible that you can find any kind of treasure."
"This result couldn't be better. I heard that you bought the Red Mansion. It would be even better if you could find more antiques and cultural relics that were smuggled out by that beast Lu Qinzhai."
Following his words, the other old men and several leaders nodded.
Next, Xiao Ran will appreciate and discuss this freehand painting of flowers and birds with everyone through a series of high-definition video images and screenshots.
After everyone finished admiring it, he put away the painting, ended the video call and went to the living room.
When he entered the living room and sat down for a while, his cell phone suddenly rang.
It's that guy Antoine's call. I don't know what's going on.
Xiao Ran glanced at the display of his phone, then swiped it casually and started to answer the call.
The next moment, Antoine's excited voice came.
"Good morning, Sean, I heard about two of the Yuanmingyuan animal heads you want. I wonder what treasures you are planning to exchange for them?"
