The entire room erupted in excitement upon seeing the porcelain that Professor Tian had brought out, because the porcelain that Professor Tian had brought out was exactly the same as the two pieces that Shanmu had. At least, these reporters could not tell the difference.
"this……"
Yamaki was also shocked by Professor Tian's action. He was closest to the porcelain, and the other two pieces of porcelain had the greatest impact on him. Yamaki felt his head buzzing.
"hehe……"
Zhuang Rui, watching this scene on television, couldn't help but laugh. After scheming to extort money from Shan Mu, he immediately informed Xu Guoqing, asking him to try his best to produce more pieces identical to the previous two porcelain pieces.
Zhuang Rui did this to prevent the Japanese from doing anything shameless, and now it seems that it has indeed come in handy.
"Professor Tian, the fact that you can produce these two porcelain pieces doesn't prove anything. These two porcelain pieces were unearthed in our country more than a month ago. You have plenty of time to replicate them. I seem to have heard that your country is very good at counterfeiting..."
When the chairman of the Wild Union Association, who was sitting in the last row, saw that things were getting out of his control, he immediately stood up and said the words above. And you know what? To the reporters from various countries, these words sounded quite reasonable.
At that moment, countless viewers in front of their televisions uttered the word "shameless," including the usually gentle and refined Qin Haoran.
"Damn it, they won't shed a tear until they see the coffin..."
Zhuang Rui cursed inwardly, thankful he had prepared a backup plan.
Professor Tian was not stumped by the question about illicit relations. He smiled and said, "Since I have produced these two pieces of porcelain, I naturally have evidence to prove that your two pieces of porcelain and mine are the work of the same person. However, are you... willing to destroy these exquisite pieces of porcelain?"
"This is a national treasure of Japan, of course it cannot be damaged..."
Yehe immediately refused Professor Tian's offer.
"National treasure? It has a price, right? You can name any price you want. If it's proven to be genuine after damage, I'll compensate you according to your stated price... If it's a fake, well, that means it was a deliberate forgery, and it deserves to be broken..."
Professor Tian's words caused another sensation in the room. What was originally an ordinary press conference had taken many twists and turns, and now everything was on the line.
Chapter 874 Turmoil (Part 2)
In fact, the cross-section of new porcelain is quite different from that of old porcelain. However, this difference can be made up for through certain techniques. Even if you break the porcelain to examine the cross-section, it is still difficult to distinguish between them.
However, the methods for treating the internal body of porcelain are very costly. Ordinary imitation porcelain does not have that aged look, so if you break the porcelain, there is a high probability that you can tell the difference between the real and fake pieces from the broken surface.
However, it is important to note that every piece of art that has been passed down for thousands of years is a precious, irreplaceable, and unique object. If it is smashed and proven to be genuine, it would be an irreparable loss.
Authentication itself is a matter that requires a great deal of professional knowledge. If every antique had to be broken down for authentication, there probably wouldn't be many antiques left in the world.
So when Professor Tian made this request, the entire room erupted in uproar, and some journalists who understood art were already questioning Professor Tian's professional competence.
"If it's true, then it's not just about paying money..."
"Yes, although broken porcelain can be repaired, its historical and collectible value is far less than that of a complete piece..."
"What if they're fake? Didn't you see that Professor Tian also brought out two identical pieces of porcelain?"
For a moment, the room was divided into two factions: one faction agreed to smash the porcelain for identification, while the other faction believed that this was inappropriate and an insult to the inheritance of ancient civilization.
At this moment, Yamaki was also very conflicted. If he didn't agree to Tian Fan's conditions, it would give people the impression that he was guilty.
However, Yamaki was really unsure if he agreed, since these two pieces of porcelain were not unearthed from any so-called "ancient kiln site," but were purchased from China.
To put it bluntly, Yamaki was truly guilty. If there was any hidden secret within the porcelain, then even committing seppuku wouldn't wash away this immense disgrace to the Japanese academic community.
"Mr. Yamaki, what do you think? You can name a price for your porcelain. With so many reporters in front of me, I can't possibly renege on my promise. If it's genuine antique porcelain, I can compensate you according to your price..."
Professor Tian is now on the verge of taking action. If he cannot uncover the secrets inside the porcelain, this matter will remain a mystery, and there will always be people who believe it and people who doubt it.
Unlike Yamaki, who was currently filled with anxiety and uncertainty, Tian Fan had complete faith in Zhuang Rui. In his pocket, he even had a check for 80 million US dollars that Zhuang Rui had given him, which was a sum of money that Zhuang Rui had gathered from all his available funds.
Recalling receiving Zhuang Rui's call and meeting the young man, Professor Tian still felt a bit like he was in a dream. Originally, they couldn't verify that the two pieces of porcelain were fake, and even some members of the expert group were about to give up when Zhuang Rui suddenly gave him a surprise.
Tian Fan never dreamed that the Cizhou official kiln auction that had caused such a stir eight months ago was actually orchestrated by Zhuang Rui, who even had a backup plan, seemingly having foreseen today's situation back then.
After much deliberation, Yamaki still couldn't make up his mind. After a moment's thought, he said, "Professor Tian, smashing antiques for appraisal is unprecedented in the art market. I need to consider this carefully..."
"Please do as you please. If you're afraid, then stop promoting these so-called unearthed ancient porcelains..."
Tian Fan's words made Shan Mu's face darken, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he told several bodyguards to guard his porcelain and quickly walked back to Ye He's side.
"Yehe-kun, what do you think we should do?"
Throughout this incident, Nogai has always served as Yamaki's strategist. Now that Yamaki is somewhat at a loss, he naturally seeks advice from Chairman Nogai.
"I want to examine their porcelain first..."
Noga had his doubts about the two identical porcelain pieces that had suddenly appeared. After all, the incident had already blown up, and if it was eventually proven that the porcelain was fake, not only Yamaki, but he too would have to wash away the shame with his blood.
After obtaining Tian Fan's permission, Ye He took a magnifying glass and carefully examined the two pieces of porcelain that Tian Fan had brought on the table.
About five minutes later, Yehe smiled slightly, put the magnifying glass back in his pocket, gave Yamaki a wink, and the two walked to the side.
"How was it, my love affair?"
"I can't wait to hear it," Yamaki asked anxiously.
"Haha, the Chinese aren't satisfied with just being humiliated, they've come to us for a beating again. Mr. Yamaki, agree to their terms, whatever price they ask for. I think victory will definitely be ours. As for those two pieces of porcelain they brought..."
As soon as I touched it, I could feel that although the porcelain brought by the Chinese was extremely exquisite in its firing process, it was almost flawless in terms of shape and painting.
However, one thing is certain: the gleaming sheen on that porcelain piece indicates that it is definitely a newly made piece, completely lacking the profound sense of history and vicissitude inherent in antique porcelain. Yehe dares to swear on his life that he is not mistaken.
Yes, Nogai was not mistaken. Although Zhuang Rui had enough time to age the pieces, he did not do so because if the two porcelain pieces were exactly the same, the Japanese side probably would not agree with Professor Tian's opinion.
Zhuang Rui has orchestrated a grand scheme. From releasing the rumors to selling the porcelain, and now to the tit-for-tat confrontation, this scheme is nearing its end and has reached its climax.
Of course, Zhuang Rui hadn't thought that far ahead, but events had unfolded to this point, and sitting in front of the television, Zhuang Rui was a hundred times more excited than anyone else present. ...
"Yoga-kun, do you mean... we can gamble with the other party by destroying the porcelain?"
Seeing Nogai's confident expression, Yamaki's confidence also increased. He was knowledgeable about ceramics and had noticed that the two pieces Nogai had taken out were slightly different from his own ceramics in subtle ways.
"Of course, Mr. Yamaki, you need to understand that as long as they can't find any evidence after smashing the porcelain, then we've won. We've given the Chinese a resounding slap in the face in front of the whole world, which is more important than the porcelain itself. I believe you'll become a hero of our Yamato people... Also, you can ask for a very high price, which will make up for the loss caused by the broken porcelain..."
As Yehe spoke, he became excited. He seemed to see people in China's scientific research community crying, and he saw the Chinese people, who had always been proud of their ancient culture, bowing their proud heads before him.
Yamaki was also excited by the talk of the wild union. The only thing the two brothers didn't think about was what kind of consequences it would bring to them if the porcelain was really fake.
"Professor Tian, in order to prove that these two porcelain pieces are indeed part of the civilization of our Yamato people, I am willing to accept your conditions..."
Yamaki and Noga walked together to the table at the press conference. After agreeing to Professor Tian's conditions, Yamaki continued, "Art is priceless. If Professor Tian insists that I give these two pieces of porcelain a price, I think they should be worth at least 5 billion yen. If Professor Tian can come up with that amount of money, I am willing to... conduct this unique appraisal with you right now." After saying these words, Yamaki felt his scalp tingle and his blood boiling. It seemed as if all of Japan was cheering for him at this moment, and he could already see the frustrated and disappointed expressions on the faces of the Chinese.
"My God, five billion yen?"
"This is way too expensive!"
"Quickly calculate, how many US dollars is 5 billion yen?"
"Yes...it's fifty million US dollars, which definitely exceeds the price of that Yuan blue and white porcelain piece auctioned two years ago..."
After Yamaki announced the price of the two porcelain pieces, the entire press conference erupted in excitement, with all the reporters trying to convert the figure of 5 billion yen into a monetary amount they could understand.
Finally, the reporters discovered that this was a bet of up to fifty million US dollars.
Yamaki bought these two porcelain pieces for less than 200 million RMB. Now he's asking for around 400 million RMB. Even if he only breaks one piece, he'll still recoup his costs.
This was a win-win situation, and Shanmu stared intently at Professor Tian. At this moment, he actually hoped that Professor Tian would agree.
In that case, he would be a hero of the Yamato people, someone who... shattered the rumor that Japanese culture originated from China.
Of course, the fact that he acquired these two porcelain pieces from China has now been automatically filtered out of Mr. Yamaki's mind. Academically speaking, this is called self-hypnosis, treating something illusory as reality.
All eyes were on Professor Tian, and even the cameras were pointed at his face.
Yamaki has already issued a challenge, and will Professor Tian, who has been pressing him relentlessly beforehand, accept the challenge? This has put the hearts of viewers, including those watching on television, on tenterhooks.
"Hehe, there's an old Chinese saying: 'What's fake can't become real, and what's real can't become fake.' Mr. Yamaki, here's a promissory note from a Swiss bank, with an amount of eighty million US dollars... All the reporters here and the millions of viewers watching on television can testify that if smashing this porcelain can't prove it's fake, you can immediately receive fifty million US dollars."
Professor Tian's hand trembled slightly as he pulled out the check. He was just a scholar who would never argue with anyone normally, but at this moment, for the honor of his country, Professor Tian spoke those words with a resounding voice.
"Turn on the TV, it's that Phoenix Channel!" "What are you watching? Change the channel! Hurry up, or I'll beat you up..."
"That concludes today's meeting. Now, let's watch together a clash between our Yamato people and Chinese culture. I believe Japan will prevail." In countless places in China and Japan, the above scene is playing out, with countless people glued to their television sets, waiting for the answer to be revealed.
Chapter 875 A Despicable Race (Part 1)
"Xiao Rui, do you... do you think this porcelain is real or fake?"
Back in Zhuang Rui's home in Beijing, even though it was still the dead of winter in February, Qin Haoran was sweating profusely as he watched. Although the fifty million US dollars were nothing to him, it was a gamble concerning national dignity.
If Yamaki wins, China will not only lose money, but also lose face. It's like trying to do something you're not qualified for; breaking a vessel and then claiming it's genuine is simply a laughing stock.
Conversely, if Yamaki loses, the entire Japanese academic community, and even the country of Japan, will become synonymous with vulgarity and shamelessness.
Therefore, this porcelain appraisal has risen to several levels, not just an academic exchange, but a collision between the civilizations of two countries. This has brought many people who were originally indifferent to collecting to sit in front of the television.
"It must be fake, Dad. Do you really believe that Japan could produce such exquisite porcelain 1,000 years ago?"
Zhuang Rui replied with a smile that he hadn't intended to make such a big deal out of it, but the Japanese had taken advantage of his position, so this was a case of reaping what he sowed.
"But……"
Qin Haoran was still a little worried.
"No buts, kid, why so many questions? Look, it's about to start..."
Grandpa Qin was much calmer than his son, teasing his former granddaughter in his arms while scolding Qin Haoran.
Their gazes returned to the television screen. Zhuang Rui saw that the security guards at the press conference venue had cordoned off a ten-square-meter area, and the two porcelain pieces were placed on a table within that area. ...
Although Professor Tian firmly believed that Zhuang Rui would not lie to him, he was still a little nervous in this situation. The "ancient porcelain" incident, which had been making headlines for more than a month, was about to come to an end today.
"Professor Tian, please..."
Yamaki took a step back and gestured to Tian Fan. In his view, the Chinese man's actions were bound to be futile, and his name would resound throughout Japan from this day forward.
A staff member handed over an electrician's hammer, which had just been found. Professor Tian took the hammer, took a deep breath, and said, "To help everyone more clearly understand that these four artifacts were made by the same person, I think we should start with the porcelain I brought..."
"It will be all right……"
Shanmu waved his hand dismissively. "It's your right to smash your own things, but if you're going to smash mine later, you'd better be prepared for that fifty million dollars to change hands."
"Professor Tian, smashing an object to authenticate a work of art is unprecedented. Are you confident in your ability to do so?"
A female reporter, holding a long microphone, passed it from beside the security guard to Professor Tian. This was the first question from a reporter at today's press conference.
"I'll say it again: the truth will out, and the falsehood will become the truth. We'll soon find out whether it's real or fake. Facts speak louder than words. Once you smash these porcelain pieces, you'll know..."