16: Returning a favor

Chen Ying immediately stood up to offer her support: "When a private individual acquires a leader's work through legal means, such as inheritance or a formal auction...

And can provide complete proof of origin, then the act itself is not a violation."

"Not only is this work not included in the national catalog of cultural relics prohibited from circulation, it also does not involve confidential content.

Furthermore, there is complete evidence of its provenance; his ownership is reasonable and legal.

Mr. Lu has not mentioned a transaction from beginning to end.

It is you who keeps shouting about 'transactions' and 'guilt.' Everyone, wouldn't you agree?"

Li Jianguo spoke with powerful resonance, drawing agreement from everyone present.

Liu Half-Fat continued to stubbornly hold his ground: "So what?

With such an important cultural relic, what capability does he have to properly protect it?

Handing it over to a professional institution is the only way to ensure better protection and research."

A sneer hung on the corner of Lu Fan's mouth. The atmosphere had reached this point; he had to make a move!

"As everyone has seen, my paperwork is complete, and my ownership of the work is reasonable and legal.

Furthermore, the Duke of Zhou's handwriting has been kept quite properly in my hands.

Judging by its condition, it's safe to say my preservation skills crush those of an average cultural relic preservation office, right?"

With the existence of his Space, preserving this relic was a total cheat; Lu Fan directly countered Liu Half-Fat's doubts to his face.

In the face of the facts, the crowd of experts and professors couldn't help but nod in recognition.

Chen Ying and Li Jianguo stood even more firmly on Lu Fan's side.

Liu Half-Fat was left speechless, his pride shattered into pieces, his face turning various shades of blue and red.

Looking around the room, not only did he have zero support, but everyone was looking at him with eyes full of disdain.

Fuming, he began to shout hoarsely: "Chen Ying, Li Jianguo, do you two know what you are doing?

For such an important cultural relic, you are actually encouraging private ownership.

If the relic is damaged, can you afford the responsibility?

I must hand this over to the relevant departments."

Despite Liu Half-Fat looking like a fat pig, his movements were not slow at all as he nimbly reached out to grab the short scroll.

The Duke of Zhou's work had become his final life-saving straw.

Words didn't work, so he was switching to force?

Did he really think my ten years as a police officer in my past life were for nothing!

Lu Fan pressed one hand onto Liu Half-Fat's shoulder and exerted force through his feet; with a simple move, he sent Liu Half-Fat sprawling flat on his back.

He experienced a 'butt-landing, flat-sand falling-goose' style fall.

"President Li, this fat man intends to destroy a precious cultural relic and damage a national treasure. Are you going to do something about it?"

Lu Fan condemned him from a position of moral high ground; he knew this trick too.

"Security, restrain Liu Half-Fat! Do not let him get near the relic!"

With the order from the top, the well-trained security personnel directly hauled Liu Half-Fat up.

"Let me go~~ Let me..."

Liu Half-Fat was screaming hysterically when the door to the VIP room opened, and a spirited elderly man paced inside.

"What is going on?"

The steady, powerful voice caused the noisy VIP room to fall silent instantly.

"Chairman, these people refuse to hand over the Duke of Zhou's handwriting.

They are also attempting a private transaction, trying to embezzle a national treasure.

On top of that, they hit me. You must help me get justice."

Seeing the elderly man, Liu Half-Fat raised his volume and immediately played the victim, making false accusations.

"Shut up!" The elderly man's sharp gaze swept over everyone as he spoke calmly: "Jianguo!"

"Chairman."

Li Jianguo stepped forward and quickly provided a brief narration of what had occurred.

Accompanying Li Jianguo's explanation, the elderly man walked slowly to the appraisal table and carefully examined the calligraphy on the table.

When Li Jianguo finished speaking, the elderly man straightened up, his eyes gleaming.

The elderly man asked with a serious face: "Liu Half-Fat, what else do you have to say?"

"Chairman, I..."

Just as Liu Half-Fat was about to quibble, Lu Fan directly played the recording from just now, a fatal blow.

Since he had already offended him, he would pull him out by the roots as much as possible.

"Liu Half-Fat, for attempting to destroy a precious cultural relic, take him away."

The elderly man cut through the mess decisively, his word being final, putting an end to this farce.

"Mr. Lu, I am Xia Yunting. First, I thank you for your trust.

Secondly, I apologize to you for my subordinate's recklessness."

He put on no airs at all, offering both thanks and an apology right away.

The anger in Lu Fan's heart dissipated significantly.

"Elder Xia, you are too kind!"

"Everyone else, you may leave! Jianguo, help Mr. Lu register his items and report them. Little Chen, make some tea!"

Xia Yunting raised a hand in gesture: "Mr. Lu, shall we sit down and chat?"

After three rounds of tea, Xia Yunting spoke composedly: "Mr. Lu, do you know the meaning of these words by the Duke of Zhou?"

Lu Fan replied very modestly: "I only know the general idea. I hope Elder Xia can enlighten me on the details."

Xia Yunting nodded with satisfaction and began to explain eloquently.

"'The way of all benefit is to move with the times.' This comes from the 'I Ching'.

It means: things that yield harvest are those that receive the special favor of the Heavens' timing; they will proceed particularly smoothly."

"During the White Terror period, Tang Jifeng provided help in a time of need. The Duke of Zhou gave him these words; he was worthy of them."

Lu Fan recalled Tang Jifeng selling his house to raise money; he was indeed worthy of these words.

A sharp light flashed in Xia Yunting's eyes: "Mr. Lu, you seem to know the situation of that period very well!"

Lu Fan waved his hand and said: "Not really. I heard the elders talking about it when I was a child, so I know a few bits and pieces."

"Recently, our company was commissioned to compile the history of Shanghai's cultural celebrities around the year 1937.

This batch of your paintings and calligraphy is just what we need to understand the social conditions of that period.

Our company is willing to offer three and a half million. I wonder what Mr. Lu thinks."

Xia Yunting subtly expanded the topic, taking the initiative to show goodwill.

Such an obvious premium was, of course, aimed at the Duke of Zhou's work.

Lu Fan chanted in his heart: "Stay steady, don't panic!"

If it were his past life, he would have brainlessly donated the items.

But the situation was different now; business was business.

He not only had to complete the system's mission but also had to consider raising money to pay off debts.

He couldn't be reckless; he had to maximize his interests.

"I also have one more presumptuous request. I hope Mr. Lu can serve as a consultant for the revision of the History of Shanghai Cultural Celebrities.

I wonder what you think!"

Seeing no reaction, Xia Yunting showed goodwill once again.

"Elder Xia, regarding this official status, is it appropriate for someone like me to hold it?"

Lu Fan seemingly declined, but was actually making indirect inquiries about the nature of the job.

If this consultant position was official, wouldn't things become much easier!

Xia Yunting waved his hand and gave him a reassuring look: "Although this status is official,

it only involves cultural research and has no real power. It's an off-budget position within the system; there's nothing inappropriate about it."

Lu Fan was delighted in his heart. Here it was!

"Thank you, Elder Xia. My knowledge is shallow; I might not necessarily be able to help."

Even though he had a mission, he still had to be a bit modest; it was the custom!

Xia Yunting invited him with a sincere face: "With Mr. Lu's family background, please do not decline the consultant position again."

"Then I shall thank Elder Xia."

Lu Fan accepted the offer smoothly, while simultaneously carefully putting away the Duke of Zhou's work and placing it in front of Xia Yunting.

"Elder Xia, since this calligraphy has been appraised as authentic, there will be no shortage of people eyeing it.

I would like to ask your company to keep it safe on my behalf. After all, it's not the thief you fear, but the thief's constant attention."

He gave a peach and received a plum in return; he had to keep up with the ways of the world.

This masterpiece by the Duke of Zhou was a hot potato in his hands.

Once targeted, his secret of dual-world travel would inevitably be leaked, which would lead to his death.

Giving it away would not only count as a favor but also ensure his own safety.

Xia Yunting thought for a moment and spoke slowly: "How about this!

We'll sign a contract. Our company will lease it at a price of 1 million per year.

For a period of ten years, paid in one lump sum, with an option to renew upon expiration. During the lease, our company will be fully responsible for the security and protection of the relic.

This way, it's not a violation, and the relic can be better protected. What do you think?"

"Elder Xia, you are the expert. I'll follow your lead."

After Lu Fan readily agreed, the signing ceremony was quickly arranged.