70: Chapter 70 Ru Kiln? Are you sure? This is no joke.

Hu Tian's gaze fell upon the chip, and three restoration methods flashed through his mind almost simultaneously, as if he were a divine physician contemplating the best "treatment plan" for a scar on a peerless beauty.

The first is the most conservative and common method: Kintsugi restoration.

It is like draping the beauty in a golden robe.

By mixing lacquer with gold powder and meticulously filling in the cross-section of the chip, the golden lines become a unique feature on the vase.

This restoration method is very popular in Japan; it emphasizes the "beauty of imperfection," viewing flaws as a gift from time.

However, for a top-tier national treasure like a Ru Kiln piece, while Kintsugi is elegant, it ultimately steals the show. The golden lines appear too ostentatious against the gentle, sky-blue glaze, destroying that sense of subtlety and restraint described as "the color of the sky after rain, when the clouds break."

The second is the epoxy resin restoration method, commonly used in modern ceramic restoration circles.

This is like modern plastic surgery.

Special resin materials are used to precisely match the color and simulate a texture close to the original glaze, filling and polishing the chip before applying a protective coating.

After this method of restoration, the appearance is nearly complete, and at first glance, it can indeed pass for the real thing.

But resin material is ultimately not the porcelain itself—it is a case of "an imposter meeting the real master." Under professional instrument inspection, it leaves obvious traces. Moreover, over time, the resin will age and discolor, much like a beauty in her twilight years, unable to hold onto her youth.

The third is the truly high-difficulty restoration: the ancient method of porcelain powder sintering restoration.

This is practically a miraculous art of "resurrection."

It requires extracting porcelain powder from shards of the same period and kiln, mixing it according to the unique formula of the Ru Kiln, and then using special techniques to fill the chip with this powder. Then, through low-temperature sintering, the newly filled part forms a molecular-level bond with the original body.

Finally, a layer of the same formula of sky-blue glaze must be applied to the surface, followed by a second firing in an antique-style kiln.

After restoration using this method, the tactile feel, luster, and internal structure can achieve an almost perfect unity with the original object. Even when tested with modern precision instruments, one can only see the traces of restoration, but cannot deny its integrity.

However, the difficulty of this method is extremely high; it is practically a "hell-level" challenge.

It requires the restorer to have a profound understanding of the Song Dynasty Ru Kiln firing process, with control over temperature, time, and glaze ratios precise down to the millimeter. The slightest error, and the entire object would be completely ruined during the firing process, leading to a "total destruction" from which there is no recovery.

Hu Tian quickly weighed these three options in his mind, his gaze lingering on the chip for a few seconds.

He had already made up his mind.

For such an epic national treasure, only the third method could match its value.

After reviewing this information, Hu Tian already had a complete judgment in his heart; the feeling was like "parting the clouds to see the clear sky."

He slowly turned around and looked at Jiang Peiyuan. His voice was very low, but his tone was extremely certain. "Uncle Jiang, this vase is no ordinary object; it is a 'national treasure-level' piece."

Jiang Peiyuan's eyes widened further, and he asked hurriedly, "Tell me, what exactly is its origin? Don't keep me in suspense."

Hu Tian took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the famille rose vase once more, and said, word for word, "If my judgment is correct, this is a famille rose plum vase from the early period of the Ru Kiln, dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty. This is a 'rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns' treasure."

Jiang Peiyuan was stunned. His lips moved, and it took a long time before he squeezed out a sentence: "Ru Kiln? Are you sure? This isn't a game."

Hu Tian nodded slightly. "I am sure. And it is a very early work of the Ru Kiln, from a time when the firing technology was not yet fully mature. Therefore, the glaze color differs slightly from the standard Ru Kiln pieces that came later, but it is precisely this difference that makes it even more precious. This is what is called 'great skill appears clumsy.'"

Jiang Peiyuan subconsciously raised his hand to wipe his forehead; his palms were already slightly sweating.

He had been struggling in the antique circle for decades and had seen everything, but the name Ru Kiln was an insurmountable peak for any antique practitioner; it was a "god-like existence."

Surviving pieces from the Ru Kiln are already rare—there are only a few dozen in the entire world, and the vast majority are lying in various Museums. For a private individual to possess a piece of Ru Kiln ware, it is truly a matter of their ancestral graves emitting green smoke; it is "a blessing cultivated over eight lifetimes."

What's more, what Hu Tian was talking about was an early Ru Kiln famille rose piece.

Jiang Peiyuan's Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice sounded a bit dry. "That chip... the color."

Hu Tian heard the hesitation in his words and knew what Jiang Peiyuan was worried about.

"Uncle Jiang, when a Ru Kiln piece is damaged, the color of the cross-section is indeed an important basis for identification, but this chip is precisely proof of its journey through the vicissitudes of time."

Hu Tian's tone was calm and firm. "Those damaged Ru Kiln pieces you have seen should have shown a very delicate incense-grey body at the break, perhaps even with a faint greenish-grey tint, right?"

Jiang Peiyuan nodded repeatedly. "Yes, that's the color. When I was studying at the restoration department of the Palace Museum, I saw a damaged Ru Kiln washer with my own eyes. I remember the color of that cross-section clearly—just as you said, incense-grey with a hint of green."

"But the chip on this vase is clearly whitish, even slightly yellowish."

Jiang Peiyuan frowned, gesturing in the air with his fingertips. "This has left me feeling unsure; I always felt it was a bit different from what I remembered."

Hu Tian smiled slightly. "Uncle Jiang, the color you remember is the characteristic body color of the mature period of the Ru Kiln. By the middle and late stages of the Ru Kiln's development, a very stable formula had been formed. The clay was repeatedly washed, impurities were minimal, and after firing, it presented that pure incense-grey color."

He paused and continued, "But this vase is different. It is an early work of the Ru Kiln. At that time, the technology was still in the exploratory stage. The processing of the clay was not as refined as it was later, and the proportions of iron content and other minerals were also different. Therefore, the fired body color would be whitish, or even slightly earthy yellow."

Jiang Peiyuan's eyes widened slightly, as if he had suddenly been enlightened.

"Furthermore," Hu Tian continued, "because this type of early Ru Kiln is extremely rare, many people have never had the chance to see it with their own eyes. Therefore, the market's understanding of Ru Kiln body color is basically summarized from those mature-period pieces. But in reality, the body color characteristics of the early Ru Kiln are precisely different from the mature period."

Jiang Peiyuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a long breath.

He reached up to adjust his glasses, and his gaze fell back onto the famille rose vase. This time, there was a more complex look in his eyes.

"I understand," Jiang Peiyuan said in a low voice. "My experience limited my judgment. I kept trying to apply the standards of the mature Ru Kiln to this vase, which is why I felt something was wrong."

Hu Tian nodded. "Uncle Jiang, your caution is correct. But sometimes, it is precisely those unconventional characteristics that serve as evidence of authenticity."

Hu Tian raised his hand and pointed to the chip on the rim of the vase, his tone remaining calm. "This chip was left by a later impact; it is not a defect from the firing process. Judging by the patina and erosion marks on the cross-section, this chip is at least several decades old and was likely caused by an accident during its circulation."

Jiang Peiyuan's brows were tightly knit. "It was precisely because of this chip that I couldn't make up my mind. Ru Kiln pieces are already rare; if it really is a Ru Kiln item, how could it have such an obvious chip? I was worried that it was a later imitation, with the chip deliberately made to increase its sense of authenticity."

Hu Tian shook his head. "Uncle Jiang, your concern is not without merit, but this chip is precisely one of the proofs of its authenticity."

Jiang Peiyuan was taken aback. "How so?"

Hu Tian raised his hand and gestured vaguely in the air at the position of the vase's rim. "Look at the cross-section of this chip; the edges have completely lost their sharpness. The erosion marks on the glaze gradually change from the inside out. This kind of naturally formed patina cannot be faked. Moreover, look at the glaze color around the chip; there is a subtle color difference. That is because the glaze layer at the chip was impacted, and the internal body material has been exposed to the air for decades, slowly oxidizing."

Jiang Peiyuan stared at the chip for a long time, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

Hu Tian continued, "There is one more point. The early firing technology of the Ru Kiln was not mature enough, and the glaze color control was not as stable as it was later. So, look at this vase; although it is generally famille rose, there are variations in the depth of the glaze color. This variation is not artificially controlled but caused by uneven kiln temperature and atmosphere. When later generations made imitations, they would instead make the glaze color too uniform and too perfect, which actually causes it to lose that natural aura."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peiyuan's breathing became somewhat rapid.

He had been in the antique circle for so many years and had seen many good things, but items of the Ru Kiln level, he had only seen a few times through glass in Museums, and had never had the chance to touch them so closely, let alone possess one.

If Hu Tian's judgment was correct, then the value of this vase was simply immeasurable.

Hu Tian looked at Jiang Peiyuan's expression and knew that he was mostly convinced, but he hadn't finished speaking yet.

He raised his hand and pointed to the patterns on the vase's body. "Uncle Jiang, take another look at these patterns."

Jiang Peiyuan looked in the direction of his finger. The vase was painted with dense scrolling lotus patterns, with layers of petals and winding, twisting branches and leaves. The brushwork was delicate, and the colors were steady and restrained.

Hu Tian said softly, "This type of scrolling lotus pattern is a typical design for imperial utensils of the early Northern Song Dynasty. And look at this brushwork; the start and end of every stroke are extremely particular, the force is even, and the lines are fluid. This is not something that could be painted by folk artisans; this is the work of an imperial court painter."

Jiang Peiyiyat stared at the patterns, his eyes becoming increasingly focused.

Hu Tian continued, "And look at the use of color in this famille rose. Look at this red; it is not that gaudy, vulgar bright red, but a vermilion with a hint of dullness. This is because the purification technology for mineral pigments at that time was not advanced enough, so the fired colors have this natural sense of sedimentation. When later generations made imitations, they used modern pigments, which are too pure and too bright, causing them to lose that sense of antiquity."

As Jiang Peiyuan listened, more sweat had broken out on his forehead.

He took a deep breath, looked up at Hu Tian, and his voice trembled slightly. "Hu Tian, are you really sure that this is an early Ru Kiln item?"