65: Chapter 65 Let Brother Hu Tian take a look.

Su Huairen took over the conversation, his tone calm yet persistent. "While the blue and white porcelain of the Yongle and Xuande eras share the same lineage, there are still differences in the details. The treatment of the mouth rim and the foot-trimming technique on this vase are indeed more consistent with Xuande characteristics."

Fang Jiye interjected at this point, "Let's set aside your debate for a moment. I'm actually more interested in this piece."

He reached out and pointed to a mottled, rusted Bronze Jue in the center of the table. "The decorative style of this Bronze Jue is extremely rare. The carving of the Animal Mask Motif is sharp and fierce, unlike the heavy style common in the Shang Dynasty; instead, it possesses a certain agility characteristic of the Spring and Autumn or Warring States periods. Yet, the vessel's shape is clearly that of the late Shang Dynasty, which is quite puzzling."

As they were speaking, Zhang Mingyuan finished his conversation with Li Huaqiang and walked over with large strides.

A peaceful smile returned to his face, but as he passed by Hu Tian, he said softly, "Little Hu, I heard from Xiao Li about what happened on the road just now. Don't worry, I will contact the leaders of the Municipal Public Security Bureau to ensure a thorough investigation. In broad daylight and under a clear sky, they actually dared to carry out a kidnapping so brazenly."

Hu Tian felt a chill in his heart and quickly cupped his hands in thanks. "Director Zhang, I am truly incredibly grateful for this."

Zhang Mingyuan waved his hand and gave a hearty laugh. "Little Hu, why are you being so polite with me? This little matter isn't worth mentioning. Maintaining public order and protecting the people is part of our duty. Besides, you are a distinguished guest invited by the Cultural Relics Bureau, which makes you my, Zhang Mingyuan's, guest. How could I let anyone bully you right under my nose?"

He patted Hu Tian on the shoulder, his tone casual as if it were just a minor favor. Turning his gaze to the row of collectibles on the table, he leaned in with great interest. "Alright, let's not talk about those unpleasant things. I've been looking forward to this appraisal session for a long time. It's a rare opportunity to have three professors gathered together. Let's talk about these treasures."

Seeing this, Fang Jiye chuckled and took the opportunity to bring the topic back. "Mingyuan, you've come at the right time. Come and take a look as well; what's your take on this Bronze Jue?"

Director Zhang smiled faintly and said sheepishly, "With my meager abilities, I won't make a fool of myself in front of you professors."

Zhang Mingyuan then turned to the old professors and said, "Gentlemen, let's continue. I trust Little Hu's eye. Today, let's have Little Brother Hu Tian help us take a look, haha."

Upon hearing this, the three old professors almost simultaneously turned their inquisitive gazes toward Hu Tian.

Jiang Peiyuan raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes holding a hint of scrutiny but also no lack of expectation.

Su Huairen stroked his short, grizzled beard, a faint, ambiguous smile on his lips, clearly harboring an intent to test the young man.

Fang Jiye, being the most familiar with him, had a gaze filled mostly with encouragement and less with challenge, yet he too waited with focused attention.

Three pairs of eyes were fixed on a single young man. This silent pressure would have made anyone else feel restless and uneasy.

Having been tempered by the experience of antique treasure hunting, the Hu Tian of today could face such situations with composure.

Hu Tian's expression remained normal. He showed neither the panic of being overwhelmed by favor nor the impetuousness of trying to show off. He simply looked up calmly at the three professors, then returned his gaze to the dozen or so items on the table, saying in a steady voice, "Then I shall humbly try. If I say anything incorrect, I ask the three professors to please provide your corrections."

As he spoke, he naturally turned to take a pair of white cotton gloves from Master Li's hand. He put them on unhurriedly, his movements skilled and composed, clearly long accustomed to these rules.

Seeing this, the eyes of the three old professors lit up slightly in unison.

This detail seemed insignificant, but it was precisely where true mastery was revealed.

How many so-called 'experts' would grab an item as soon as they reached it or put on gloves carelessly, completely disregarding the basic protection rules for cultural relic preservation? Yet this young man, without needing a reminder, naturally reached for the gloves, and his movements in putting them on were as smooth as flowing water—a pleasing sight. This was clearly a habit ingrained into his very bones.

Jiang Peiyuan's originally scrutinizing gaze had now quietly softened. He smoothed his sleeves and leaned half a step closer.

Su Huairen's fingers stroking his beard paused for a moment, and that faint intent to test him was subtly replaced by a hint of genuine interest.

Fang Jiye's lips curled upward, his gaze filled with the relief of 'as I expected.'

Meanwhile, Director Zhang Mingyuan stood to the side with his hands behind his back. His expression remained gentle, but deep in his eyes, a faint, flickering light flashed by.

Hu Tian was completely oblivious to these onlookers' gazes, or rather, he didn't focus on others' reactions at all.

He carefully fitted the gloves, lightly tugging back with his thumb to ensure a snug fit. Only then did he lean over, his gaze falling calmly on the first collectible on the table.

At this moment, Jiang Peiyuan couldn't help but be the first to speak. His tone was no longer as guarded as before, but instead carried a hint of appreciation. "Little Hu, just the act of putting on those gloves makes you better than many 'experts' I've seen. In this industry, the ones who destroy things the fastest are often not tomb raiders, but our own people who don't know the rules."

Hearing this, Hu Tian nodded respectfully. "Cultural relics hold information from thousands of years. Once sweat and oil from the hands seep in, it causes permanent damage. I wouldn't dare be careless about this."

Upon hearing this sentence, Su Huairen let out a soft "Oh." His original casual intent to test the boy had now completely transformed into sincere expectation.

He looked up at Jiang Peiyuan, and the two old men exchanged a silent look that seemed to say: This young man is worth listening to.

At the same time, deep within Hu Tian's sea of consciousness, the Treasure Hunting Radar quietly activated.

Familiar halos of light spread out silently, enveloping the dozen or so collectibles on the table one by one.

A stream of information flowed like a small creek. The era, material composition, and authenticity of each object emerged in his mind one after another, as clear as reading a pre-written appraisal report.

Hu Tian's eyes were steady. He first walked to the Bronze Jue Professor Fang Jiye had mentioned. He leaned over to look closely for a moment, then reached out, gently lifting the Bronze Jue and turning its base to examine it carefully against the light.

Hu Tian held the Bronze Jue gently in his palm. Through the cotton gloves, he could vaguely feel its heavy texture, and the weight of accumulated ages washed over him.

At that instant, the halo of the Treasure Hunting Radar deep in his sea of consciousness suddenly contracted, turning into a clear stream of information that unfolded in his mind like a silent whisper.

[Item Name: Late Shang Dynasty Animal Mask Motif Bronze Jue] [Year: Approximately 1200 BC to 1046 BC, over three thousand years old, a standard vessel type of the late Shang Dynasty]

[Source: Unearthed in the Central Henan region. Based on circulation records, it is inferred to have originally belonged to a batch of private illegal excavations from an unrecorded site, later entering the folk antique market and changing hands several times]

[Circulation History: This vessel has changed hands at least four times. When it first entered the market, it was sold at a low price as a common imitation. Later, a collector from Chaozhou recognized it as genuine and purchased it for over 300,000 yuan. It was then sold to a Hong Kong businessman, who held it for about seven years before selling it due to capital turnover. It finally entered this appraisal session through a certain channel]

[Craftsmanship: Cast using the composite mold method. The main decoration on the belly is a Taotie Animal Mask Motif, with protruding round eyes, a broad nose bridge, and powerful, vigorous lines. Two pillars stand on either side of the rim, with mushroom-shaped caps perfectly preserved. The three legs are in an outward-flaring blade shape. It is exquisitely cast, with slight wear marks on the base of the legs, indicating it was an actual functional vessel rather than a specialized funerary object]

[Estimated Market Value: Based on current cultural relic market trends, the reference auction price for this vessel ranges between 24.8 million and 56.2 million RMB. If accompanied by complete excavation information and a provenance chain, the premium could rise to over 68 million RMB]

All the information flashed through his mind like flowing water, taking no more than a few breaths. Yet, Hu Tian's face remained unperturbed, his expression no different from an ordinary person examining an object closely.

He turned the Bronze Jue over, his gaze falling on the inner wall of the foot. Using the side light coming through the window, he looked quietly for a moment, then slowly rotated the jue's body. His gaze followed the Taotie motif on the belly, finally stopping at a tiny groove on the edge of the rim, where he paused slightly.

Fang Jiye, watching from the side, couldn't help but ask, "What is it? Is there a problem with the rim?"

Hu Tian did not rush to answer. Instead, he leaned in closer again, examining it under the light for a full ten seconds before slowly straightening up. He said in a steady voice, "Professor Fang's eye is indeed sharp. This groove is not a casting defect, but natural wear from long-term use. This indicates that this jue was not made specifically for burial, but was a practical vessel used during life that was later interred. This point is quite rare."

He paused for a moment and continued, "The vessel's shape is regular, the twin pillars are intact, and the outward flare of the three legs is standard. The contours of the eye sockets in the Taotie motif on the belly are full and undulating, with even spacing between the lines. These are typical characteristics of the late Shang Dynasty Composite Mold Casting Method, details that later imitations cannot easily replicate. There is a very thin layer of green patina on the inner wall of the base, distributed naturally without signs of deliberate buildup. The color of the rust transitions from the inside out; the growth logic of this oxidation layer cannot be faked through aging processes."

At this point, he looked up slightly, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the three old professors, his expression remaining calm. "In my humble judgment, this jue is a practical vessel from the late Shang Dynasty, over three thousand years old. Its condition is superior among similar circulating pieces."

As his voice fell, the room became silent for a moment.

Su Huairen's fingers, which had been stroking his beard, slowly stopped. His long eyebrows twitched upward, and the genuine interest in his eyes was now completely unconcealed.

After a moment of silence, Hu Tian continued, "Professor Fang said the carving of the motifs on this Bronze Jue shows the agility of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, yet the vessel's shape is that of the late Shang Dynasty. This contradiction is indeed thought-provoking."

He paused, placing the Bronze Jue steadily back onto the velvet cloth, his tone slow but forceful. "However, in my humble opinion, this contradiction might itself be the answer. This jue was very likely not cast in the Shang Dynasty, but is a ritual vessel cast by craftsmen in the middle to late Spring and Autumn period according to the old style."

As soon as he said this, Fang Jiye's eyes flickered slightly, and Jiang Peiyuan and Su Huairen subconsciously exchanged a glance.

Hu Tian continued, "The casting process of Shang Dynasty bronzes emphasized one-time mold casting, with uniform wall thickness and subtle mold seam traces on the inner walls. But look at the inner wall of this jue; although mold seam traces exist, they have clearly undergone secondary polishing and refinement. This technical habit was extremely rare in the Shang Dynasty, but was more common in bronze workshops of the Spring and Autumn period."