"I'll also allocate additional funds for publicity surrounding the unveiling of the golden mask and the Krause Treasure. I want everyone in the archaeological and antique circles of the world to know this news..."
When the Dingguang Museum opened, Zhuang Rui held a national industry conference and launched a professional website that included almost all of the country's top collectors. The Dingguang Museum's reputation is now approaching that of some well-known state-owned museums.
This time, Zhuang Rui's ambitions were even greater. He planned to hold a world-class academic conference, inviting renowned experts from around the world to participate and verify the origin of the golden mask. In this way, the Dingguang Museum would surely become world-famous. "President Zhuang, don't worry, I will immediately send letters to professional associations in various countries. I will definitely make this press conference a sensation around the world." Upon hearing Zhuang Rui's ambition, Huangfu Yun also became excited. Due to China's weakness over the past century, the country had closed its doors to the outside world and rarely exchanged with foreign countries. As for some precious cultural relics, they were mostly exported but never imported.
Therefore, the collections in domestic museums now mainly carry China's five thousand years of history and civilization, and have little connection with international standards. Even the Palace Museum is far from being an international comprehensive museum.
If Zhuang Rui's statement is true, and he can indeed produce the golden anchor and the Egyptian gold mask, then the Dingguang Museum will definitely set off an academic frenzy in the international scientific research and collecting circles, and the Dingguang Museum will naturally become a comprehensive internationally renowned museum.
By then, the Dingguang Museum will no longer need to beg travel agencies; they will naturally include it as a key exhibit.
Fame has always been commensurate with income; otherwise, why would celebrities keep creating this or that scandal every now and then? It's just because they're afraid of being forgotten by the public!
Chapter 852 Press Conference (Part 2)
"King Kong, be careful, this has brakes, I've told you so many times..."
At Zhuang Rui's manor, Jin Gang was driving an electric scooter when he crashed headfirst into a tree.
This guy got addicted to yachting, and since arriving at the estate, he's fallen in love with electric cars. He removed the roof and has been having a blast every day.
King Kong is a bit stubborn and doesn't know how to brake. Once he gets in, he can't get out. Several times, he's been wandering around the manor for most of the day. Only after the battery runs out does he finally saunter off the car with a smug look on his face.
However, it was clear that King Kong was having a bad day. He had wanted to show off in front of Zhuang Rui, but he ended up being knocked unconscious and his car was wrecked.
"Awooo!" King Kong roared at Zhuang Rui in dissatisfaction, lifted the several-hundred-pound electric scooter with both hands, and forcefully put it back in its original position. This was a good habit that Zhuang Rui had taught him: put things back where they came from.
"Alright, stop showing off. You're pretty good, okay? Go ahead and push my son and daughter around..."
Zhuang Rui laughed and cursed, then handed the cart to Jin Gang.
Upon seeing the two children, Fangfang and Yuanyuan, inside the twin stroller, Jin Gang's movements and facial expression immediately softened. He reached out and pushed the stroller cautiously, afraid of disturbing the two children.
Two little girls, Ya Ya and Nan Nan, followed closely beside Jin Gang, one on each side. Every weekend was the happiest time for the children, because Zhuang Rui would bring them to this place that was completely different from the city.
"How can you be such a father? You've got some nerve..."
Ouyang Wan glared at her son and followed after him. Zhuang Rui was relieved to see King Kong, but she was very worried. No matter how intelligent King Kong was, it was still an animal. What if it hurt the child?
Zhuang Rui smiled and didn't refute it. King Kong had a special fondness for children. He would immediately become quiet whenever he saw a child. Zhuang Rui was quite at ease with King Kong.
More than a week has passed since the museum began renovations, and in just two or three days, the renovations will be completed. However, none of this concerns Zhuang Rui. During this time, Boss Zhuang has not even gone to school and has been spending all his time with his family.
Because Ya Ya was in school, the family spent their time in the courtyard house from Monday to Friday. Every weekend, the whole family would come to the manor to stay with King Kong for a few days.
However, according to the security guards, King Kong is not lonely. He spends his days either swimming in the pool or driving his electric scooter around. When he gets really bored, he goes to the security guards to show off his muscles.
After spending some time with this manor's security guards and staff, they all grew fond of this docile, large creature.
"Honey, after Fangfang and Yuanyuan turn 100 days old, I want to take them to Hong Kong to see Grandpa..."
Qin Xuanbing nestled beside Zhuang Rui, happily watching the two little girls playing around their children, and the golden eagle circling in the sky. This was a life she had never imagined before; it seemed like living in a fairy tale.
“Okay, we’ll go together then…” Zhuang Rui nodded in agreement. Old Master Qin had always treated him well, and he couldn’t refuse his wife’s request.
When the topic of going to Hong Kong came up, Zhuang Rui suddenly remembered something: his compensation for the private plane crash had been processed, totaling more than 90 million RMB.
With this money, Zhuang Rui commissioned another luxury private jet worth 260 million yuan, but it will not be delivered until six months later.
The main reason Zhuang Rui purchased a luxury private jet that exceeded his budget was due to concerns about aircraft safety.
He plans to hire a flight safety expert to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection of the aircraft every time it is used. Having learned his lesson, Zhuang Rui never wants another bomb to be planted on an airplane.
As for funding, it shouldn't be a problem in six months. The Myanmar jade mine distributed over 100 million in dividends in one go, and although the Xinjiang jade mine is nearing completion, there are still nearly 200 million in remaining funds. Buying an airplane is still an easy matter for Zhuang Rui.
Tom from Hawker Corporation made another trip to Beijing because of this. Zhuang Rui's large order finally solidified Hawker Corporation's decision to establish a branch in China.
After returning, Zhuang Rui contacted the crew and treated them to a meal, since they had gone through thick and thin together.
Whether it was He Shuang, Ding Hao, or the two flight attendants, they were all extremely grateful to Zhuang Rui. If it weren't for Zhuang Rui's extraordinary senses, they would probably have perished in the plane crash by now.
Zhuang Rui originally intended to continue paying their salaries for the next six months, but the group decided to wait until the new plane was purchased before calculating their salaries. The money they had earned was enough to live on in Beijing for several years.
Zhuang Rui didn't press the matter. He knew they had treated him with sincerity, and he would naturally repay them in the future. Having shared this experience of hardship, Zhuang Rui felt more comfortable using them. ...
Hello, who is this?
Zhuang Rui was chatting and basking in the sun with Qin Xuanbing when his phone suddenly rang.
"Zhuang, this is Ezkener, old friend. I heard you had some trouble recently?"
A voice with a thick London accent came through the microphone.
"Oh, it's an old friend. What made you think of calling me?"
Zhuang Rui was puzzled. Because of Muta, he hadn't publicized the plane crash, so how did Ezkena know? Zhuang Rui didn't want that madman in Africa to connect his son's disappearance with him.
"Hey, old friend, you're being dishonest. Your museum got Klaus's treasure, which you probably obtained through your own exploration, right?"
For some time now, the entire world's scientific research and collecting communities have been completely shocked by a piece of news from China: the Krauss Treasure, dating back six centuries, will be displayed in a Chinese museum.
What's even more astonishing is that among these treasures is a gold mask from ancient Egyptian civilization. According to faxed images received by various countries, this gold mask is even more impressive than the gold mask in the Cairo Museum.
These two bombshell announcements sent the global scientific community into a frenzy, with countless archaeologists and collectors flocking to China.
According to Zhuang Rui's plan, the first step is to hold a press conference, followed by inviting scientific experts from all over the world to conduct an on-site scientific expedition to the Golden Mask and the Klaus Treasure, and finally, to hold a world-class academic symposium. All of this is organized by the Dingguang Museum.
As soon as the news was released, the museum's phone lines were immediately overwhelmed with calls. Experts and scholars from all over the world were asking the museum to send them invitations. Now, it wasn't Zhuang Rui inviting people; instead, those people were shamelessly asking to come on their own.
In addition, those who did not receive an invitation were also scrambling to get one to participate in the academic exchange, because the people invited by the museum were all experts with huge reputations in the scientific research field and billionaire collectors. Being able to participate in this seminar was a symbol of status in itself.
Although Ezkener is a top British collector, his expertise lies in Chinese ceramics, and he does not invest in museums. Therefore, he was not included in the invitation list when the preparatory group, headed by Huangfuyun, was compiling the list.
However, all of these things were handled by Huangfu Yun, and Zhuang Rui didn't know much about them. Moreover, he had changed his phone, and Ezkena was the first person to call him because of the announcement of the Klaus Treasure.
"Old friend, I did indeed discover that batch of Klaus's treasure. Are you interested in it too?"
Zhuang Rui breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Ezkena mention the treasure. In this world, every day some people become rich and become billionaires, and every day some people go bankrupt and become penniless.
Although he had acquired a large sum of money, it wasn't exactly sensational news; at most, it would only attract attention within certain circles.
Upon hearing Zhuang Rui's words, Ezkena said half-jokingly, "Of course, Zhuang, you know I'm a collector, and Klaus was captured by the British, so of course I'm interested in his treasure... But old friend, why didn't you send me an invitation? Is it possible that someone of my status is not allowed to attend this grand event?"
"Hey, old friend, you must have misread it. If you were already in Beijing, the invitation would be delivered to your hotel right away..."
Zhuang Rui's ceramics museum was able to open smoothly thanks to Ezkena's help. Without the hundreds of Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain pieces he donated, Zhuang Rui's ceramics museum would not have been able to reach this scale.
Moreover, in the period that followed, the price of Chinese ceramics soared, but Ezkena didn't say anything and maintained a good relationship with Zhuang Rui. In fact, Zhuang Rui owed Ezkena a great favor.
"Zhuang, thank you so much. I think we can meet at this time tomorrow..."
Ezkener was pleased to hear Zhuang Rui's courtesy, but just as he was about to hang up, he suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "By the way, old friend, there's something I need to tell you. Some people might be showing unfriendly attitudes towards the ownership of your treasure..."
"What? I understand. Thank you, old friend..."
Zhuang Rui was taken aback when he heard this. He hadn't expected that someone would actually try to take advantage of the treasure he had obtained from the deserted island.
"Damn it, this isn't the time of the Eight-Nation Alliance anymore. Trying to take advantage of others is asking for trouble." After hanging up the phone, Zhuang Rui cursed inwardly.
Chapter 853 Ownership (Part 1)
In early April, Beijing was bathed in sunshine. Magnolias were in full bloom along the roads leading to the museum. Their snow-white flowers were exceptionally beautiful, and a fragrance filled the air.
Early in the morning, the area outside the Dingguang Museum was packed with people, with cameras and microphones everywhere, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
These people included journalists stationed in China from various countries and regions around the world, experts and scholars who came from all corners of the world to attend the conference, and even some notorious thieves from international theft organizations who came to scout the location. Their identities were diverse and varied.
The Dingguang Museum has reported to the Ministry of Culture regarding this press conference and the subsequent academic conference. Due to China's weakness over the past few centuries, cultural relics have always been exported but not imported. The fact that the Dingguang Museum now possesses world-class precious cultural relics is of great importance to the country.
This is something worth publicizing. Just a few days ago, the Palace Museum contacted Zhuang Rui, proposing to acquire the two precious cultural relics, the Golden Cat and the Golden Mask, but Zhuang Rui refused.
Are you kidding me? Zhuang Rui risked his life to obtain these few items, and the state wants to take them back with just a word? Zhuang Rui doesn't have such noble awareness. Rather than keeping these treasures in the imperial treasury, he'd rather keep them in his own museum for tourists to admire.
Even when the Palace Museum later conceded and offered to hold a special exhibition of the pirate treasure for a month, Zhuang Rui still refused. He wasn't entirely confident in the Palace Museum's security measures, as the museum's artifacts had been stolen at least five times since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The leader who had initially approached Zhuang Rui for talks had intended to criticize him and put him in a bad light, but after learning about Zhuang Rui's background, he immediately backed down and began to lavish praise on Zhuang Rui for the profound significance of the academic conference.
For this reason, this press conference was designated as the highest-level event, and its scale and the number of countries and regions involved were comparable to those of a press conference held by the General Office of the State Council.
Outside the museum, several old police cars and military vehicles were parked, and some police officers in uniform and armed police officers with live ammunition were maintaining order.
Given that two priceless treasures will be unveiled at the press conference, security is naturally the top priority.
"Mr. Zhuang, there are media reporters from ninety-three countries here today, what a grand occasion..."
Inside the museum's conference room, watching the staff making the final arrangements, Huangfu Yun was somewhat excited. He had organized today's press conference, and there was no doubt that "after this press conference, the reputation of Dingguang Museum will resound throughout the world."
As the actual manager of the Dingguang Museum, Huangfu Yun later secured a place in the world of museums. With its golden mask and Picasso works, the Dingguang Museum could certainly be considered a world-class museum.
"Brother Huangfu, you're just reading from a prepared statement, but I still have to answer questions from the reporters..."
Zhuang Rui glanced at Huangfu Yun with displeasure. He was also a little nervous. He was originally unwilling to show his face and attend the press conference, but since he was the discoverer of the treasure, only he could answer the reporters' questions. No one else could answer them.
Today, Zhuang Rui was dressed very formally. Not only was he wearing a suit and straw sandals, but his face had also been slightly enhanced by the makeup artist. His originally tanned face had become much fairer. Zhuang Rui was worried that he might sweat from nervousness and that his foundation might show through.
Security Director Yang Jian rushed over from outside the conference room and whispered in Zhuang Rui's ear, "Mr. Zhuang, everything is arranged perfectly, ensuring absolute safety..."
"At 9:50, let the media in. Also, invite the experts attending the academic conference to sit in the main conference room..."
Zhuang Rui glanced at his watch. "There are still 20 minutes until 10 o'clock. Holding the press conference and academic conference inside the museum will be a huge challenge for the museum's security."
Zhuang Rui originally wanted to hold the meeting in a conference room of a five-star hotel, but the gold anchor and the Egyptian gold mask were too valuable, and he was worried about problems during transportation, so he finally decided to hold the meeting on his own turf.
At 10:00 a.m., the conference room, which could accommodate 300 people, was already packed. The photographers had already set up their cameras and were pointing them at the podium of the press conference.
The two areas covered by red silk and guarded by armed police were particularly noteworthy, as everyone knew they would be the focus of the entire press conference.
Zhuang Rui and Huangfu Yun entered the conference room through a side door. The moment they sat down on the stage, the flashbulbs started clicking incessantly…
A loud bang rang out, and the blinding light forced Zhuang Rui to squint.
Zhuang Rui was very uncomfortable in this kind of setting, and looked at Huangfu Yun, saying softly, "Let's begin..."
Huangfu Yun appeared quite natural. As a lawyer, he was used to engaging in heated debates, and his earlier nervousness had long since disappeared. After hearing Zhuang Rui's words, he first tested the microphone and then began his speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media around the world, it is a pleasure to have you all here at the press conference for the unveiling of the Klaus Treasure."
Now, I will introduce the location of the treasure and how it was discovered. After that, you can ask Mr. Zhuang Rui any questions...
This treasure, belonging to the 13th-century pirate Krauss, was discovered accidentally by our museum's founder, Mr. Zhuang Rui, during an adventure. The treasure includes…