89: I'll help you with this.

Qin Yun was stunned when he saw the two characters for "Zhang Qian."

Zhang Qian was a Chinese Han Dynasty diplomat, traveler, explorer, and pioneer of the Silk Road.

He was the first envoy in Chinese history to step beyond the country's borders.

He opened the doors for communication between the Xia Nation and Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe, promoting the exchange and development of Eastern and Western culture and economics, laying a solid foundation for the prosperity of the Han Dynasty.

The Silk Road had an even more profound impact, injecting new vitality into the civilization and progress of the entire world.

Zhang Qian could be said to be the first person to open the curtains of world history!

If this tally stick really belonged to Zhang Qian, this unremarkable wooden stick before his eyes would hold immense significance.

Price could no longer measure the value of this tally stick.

It represented the Xia Nation's spirit of adventure and belief in open exchange; for the Xia Nation, it was an important cultural relic!

A stormy sea of emotions surged within Qin Yun's heart.

A thought took hold in his mind: he must obtain this tally stick!

Only after a long time did his gaze leave the tally stick.

He wondered to himself: could the tally stick be a fake?

But in America, there was no need to forge cultural relics from the Xia Nation.

If sold, the price wouldn't be very high, but the impact would be massive, potentially even drawing the attention of the Xia Nation's government.

A forger wouldn't need to invite such massive trouble.

Despite thinking this, Qin Yun still felt uneasy and took the tally stick to inspect it carefully.

The wood was weathered, carrying a simple and ancient aura that didn't seem like a modern product.

The wheat ears were sparse, and the characters on it were indeed in the style of the Han Dynasty.

It felt smooth and rounded to the touch; it seemed the tally stick had been handled by many people and was extremely well-preserved.

He reached a conclusion: this was Zhang Qian's tally stick!

Seeing Qin Yun's attention entirely focused on the wooden stick, Bruno was very satisfied with the gift he had chosen.

When he met Qin Yun, he had been thinking about what could impress this recently risen Eastern Kid.

The Eastern Kid had only been participating in Warehouse Auctions for about a month, yet he had already found many rare treasures.

Ordinary treasures probably wouldn't catch Qin Yun's eye, and Bruno was reluctant to part with anything too valuable.

Recalling that Qin Yun was very patriotic and loved Xia Nation cultural relics, he had come up with a plan.

This wooden stick carved with Xia Nation characters was just right.

The wood quality was good, and it looked to be several hundred years old; its value wasn't high, making it a perfect meeting gift for Qin Yun.

"I'm glad you like it. I got this wooden stick at a Warehouse Auction. Although I'm not clear on its origin, it was kept in a mahogany box and wrapped in several layers of deerskin. It seems the previous owner cherished it very much."

"The stick is made of agarwood and is quite valuable. It has a fresh fragrance and is a great collector's item."

"Look at the patina on it; it shows the stick has a long history. It's just a shame the wheat ears have mostly fallen off, otherwise it would be a fine treasure!"

Seeing Qin Yun's shocked expression, Bruno began to talk about the process of buying the stick and its unique features.

As he spoke of the stick's merits, he waved his hands excitedly, appearing quite infectious.

Qin Yun echoed Bruno's words from time to time, his heart reeling with shock, yet his face betrayed little emotion.

He thought to himself that Bruno likely didn't know the origin of the tally stick.

This was the tally stick Zhang Qian used on his mission to the Western Regions; it held immense historical significance!

Its value was unaffected by external factors like material, patina, or age.

Even if it were a blade of grass, it would hold enormous value.

He knew that because of his own arrogance, Bruno hadn't properly researched this tally stick at all.

It was even highly likely he hadn't let anyone else appraise it.

"You're right, this is a wooden staff with great commemorative value. I like it very much. How do you want to trade? How much money will it take for you to part with it?"

Since this man couldn't see the true value of the tally stick, Qin Yun didn't want to owe Bruno a favor and intended to buy it directly with money.

A Tycoon's favor is not easily repaid, regardless of how much this man claimed to be his fan earlier.

If he didn't agree to his request, Bruno certainly wouldn't give Zhang Qian's tally stick to him.

"No, no, how could I possibly take your money?"

"I have plenty of money. Greed for money would be an insult to our friendship. I'd rather throw this wooden staff away or burn it than take money for it."

Bruno waved his hands repeatedly, his face looking a bit anxious.

It was as if he had suffered a great insult.

Qin Yun didn't know what to say about Bruno's performance.

The two were meeting for the first time, even if Bruno said he was a fan.

Neither of them actually took that seriously.

Qin Yun understood that Bruno was acting so friendly and giving him Zhang Qian's tally stick as a gift only because he needed something from him.

"Just tell me what's on your mind. I'm here to participate in the internal company auction, so I'm afraid I don't have much time."

"I do like this wooden staff, but if it wastes too much time, I'm afraid it will be hard for me to agree."

Qin Yun didn't want to beat around the bush with this shrewd Tycoon; if it dragged on, it would be easy for Bruno to sense something was wrong, so he spoke plainly.

Bruno gave a few awkward laughs, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

However, he quickly returned to normal.

"As expected of the miraculous Eastern Kid, you're very straightforward."

"I do have a small matter I need your help with. Regardless of whether you agree or not, I will give this wooden staff to you."

Bruno looked Qin Yun straight in the eye and spoke with a face full of sincerity.

Julia, standing to the side, finally understood. It turned out Bruno needed a favor from Qin Yun, which was why he was being so nice to them.

The man had been full of compliments earlier, and it was impossible to tell what was true or false.

She looked at Qin Yun curiously.

She thought to herself that Qin Yun wasn't the type of person to follow someone else's lead just for a bit of money.

Especially not for a Tycoon he was meeting for the first time.

But she saw that Qin Yun seemed inclined to agree.

Could this wooden stick be something good?

Julia looked at the wooden stick a few more times, but she didn't recognize the ancient characters on it and discovered nothing.

Hearing Bruno say this, Qin Yun didn't feel particularly happy.

"You should still tell me what it is. If it's something I can't do, I definitely won't accept your gift," Qin Yun responded calmly.

If he appeared too concerned, Bruno might become suspicious.

He might think the wooden staff had some value and that he could manipulate Qin Yun as he pleased.

Only by keeping a low profile and hiding his true thoughts and desires could he maintain the upper hand.

"Putting it that way makes me look a bit hypocritical."

"I have no other choice. I just need you to help me vent some frustration; with your ability, it's just a simple, small matter."

"I'm ashamed to say, but an old friend and I have known each other since childhood. We are both warehouse treasure hunting enthusiasts and have attended many Warehouse Auctions together. Just buying warehouses is boring, so we added a little stakes—whoever loses treats the other to dinner, drinks, outings, and such."

"But that person recently hired an expert, and I've been losing lately. I don't care about the small amount of money, but the other party is too arrogant, so I'm asking for your help. Just help me win once!"

Bruno spoke very earnestly.

Face was a huge deal for someone like him. He really couldn't stand his friend's behavior, which was why he sought Qin Yun's help.

Qin Yun smiled. This man had beaten around the bush so much that he thought it was something major.

It turned out it was just to win a point of pride at a Warehouse Auction.

"Fine, as long as time permits, I'll definitely help with this."