Chapter 24: Six Division Assessment (2)

“Indeed, as this young man said, many people are still lamenting their unrecognized talent, constantly imitating and copying the ancients, yet they remain frustrated and unfulfilled. The reason lies in the fact that even if they replicate the form and style, they can never capture the spirit and principles behind the ancient artists’ works.”

“That’s what we call depth and foundation.”

Old Zhao sighed with emotion: “It’s like having a body without a soul. In the end, it’s nothing more than a walking corpse.”

Old Feng nodded in deep agreement: “What’s laughable is that it took us until today to realize this, and it was a young lad who reminded us. He’s absolutely right. Chairman Li has already walked far down this path, and I believe in this era, few can surpass him.”

After speaking, both Old Feng and Old Zhao looked at Yang Ning with shining eyes: “The young people these days are remarkable. Every word you speak is a gem, every sentence thought-provoking. The younger generation is truly formidable. My vote goes to you.”

Minister Niu’s expression flickered between dark and light. He had previously dismissed Yang Ning as a greenhorn, and now he felt like he’d been slapped in the face.

At the very least, he knew he couldn’t have come up with those words, let alone thought of so many profound ideas.

Zhou Bokang also felt a bit troubled. However, he believed that even if Yang Ning had some talent, it was likely limited to the field of antiques and calligraphy. There was no way he could be proficient in everything.

After all, Yang Ning was just too young.

Moreover, Zhou Bokang was brimming with confidence. He was certain Yang Ning wouldn’t get the vote in his hand. To make things difficult for Yang Ning, he had spent an entire night crafting a particularly tricky test question.

Old Xu from the Stamps and Coins Division kept his eyes squinted. Only when Yang Ning had spoken those earlier words did a flicker of surprise cross his face, but afterward, he remained calm as ever.

Old Zhao smiled, bent down, and pulled out an ancient, rustic wooden box from his bag: “Young man, I could’ve just given you my vote directly, but out of respect for you, and to avoid idle gossip from certain people, and most importantly, to adhere to the company’s rules and regulations, I’ve decided to test you.”

Yang Ning grumbled inwardly. After all that talk, it still came down to an assessment. Did he have to beat around the bush so much? Even if the old man had outright said he wanted to make things hard for him, Yang Ning would still have to find a way to pass, wouldn’t he?

“Old Zhao, no problem. I’d also like to learn from you and seek your guidance,” Yang Ning said with a touch of flattery.

Lin Manxuan, standing nearby, pursed her lips slightly. Yang Ning’s stunning performance in the first round of the assessment had surprised her, and at the same time, brought her joy. Even the negative emotions caused by Uncle Fu’s betrayal and death had faded somewhat.

“Very good.”

Old Zhao smiled. Who doesn’t like hearing compliments? He slowly opened the wooden box: “As long as you can tell me some information about this item, no need for too much detail, my vote is yours.”

Aside from Old Xu, who still kept his eyes squinted, everyone else focused on Yang Ning. His performance in the first round had been astonishing, and they were all curious to see if he had equally impressive expertise in the field of rare books.

Inside the wooden box were twelve well-preserved ancient texts, clearly very old.

Yang Ning activated his Eye of Appraisal to determine the origins of these texts.

Discovered Item: [Lingshu Twelve Volumes]

Quality: Excellent

Evaluation: Collectible. Compiled and revised by the renowned physician Xiong Zongli during the Chenghua era. Originally twenty-four volumes, now condensed into twelve. The twelve volumes contain the original manuscript hidden within using a unique Zhongmen technique. The manuscript can be extracted and restored using a [Restoration Scroll]. The manuscript holds potential for appreciation in value, estimated at 1,140,060 Huaxia Currency.

Yang Ning was dumbfounded and blurted out subconsciously: “Old Zhao, how about we make a deal? Sell me these twelve volumes of the Lingshu Classics.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Yang Ning regretted it!

Lin Manxuan, who knew Yang Ning’s temperament best, understood that for him to lose his composure like this, these twelve ancient texts must hold astonishing value.

In Lin Manxuan’s memory, even when Yang Ning got his hands on that Amber Thumb Ring, he was merely excited and delighted, nowhere near the stunned state he was in now!

“Not for sale!” Lin Manxuan said coldly.

“Not for sale!” Meng Jianlin quickly echoed.

Though their time together had been short, Meng Jianlin knew just how sharp this kid’s eye was. He could play dumb and act innocent in front of a snuff bottle worth over 200,000, so how valuable must these twelve ancient texts be to leave him stunned?

Old Zhao hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from Lin Manxuan and Meng Jianlin. He couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time: “These are just ordinary twelve volumes of the Lingshu Classics. If they were truly valuable, I wouldn’t dare bring them out. Look at your reactions!”

Old Feng also chuckled, finding the scene quite amusing.

Old Xu still kept his eyes squinted, while Minister Niu sneered: “Really, he’s never seen the world. With this kind of temperament, if he participates in the Appraisal Tournament, he might even drag the company down with him. I was there when these twelve ancient texts were acquired. The seller claimed they were passed down from their ancestors and asked for 500,000. Teacher Zhao said they were just printed copies, not worth much, and finally got them for 30,000.”

Though Zhou Bokang didn’t say anything, the disdain on his face was obvious.

Lin Manxuan remained unmoved, staring intently at Yang Ning: “Tell me, what did you discover?”

Yang Ning’s face fell, and he muttered: “Didn’t I already say it? Twelve volumes of the Lingshu Classics, likely a Ming dynasty edition, not worth much.”

Old Zhao smiled and nodded, about to say that Yang Ning had passed the test, but Lin Manxuan’s brows twitched, and she said coldly: “I want the truth. These twelve ancient texts must be auctioned off. Do you want the company to suffer a loss?”

“Manxuan, these really are the Lingshu Classics, a Ming edition. Even if they’re well-preserved, they’re only worth…”

Old Zhao tried to explain, but Lin Manxuan shook her head: “Grandpa Zhao, you don’t know this guy. Even if he picks up a thumb ring worth a million, he’d just secretly laugh about it. He’d never lose his composure to the point of being stunned.”

Not just Old Zhao, but even Old Feng, Old Xu, and Zhou Bokang’s brows twitched at her words. Their gazes toward the twelve volumes of the Lingshu Classics grew heavy with suspicion.

Minister Niu, on the other hand, scoffed: “Miss Lin, he doesn’t have that kind of ability, does he? He’s just a naive kid who hasn’t seen the world. How could he possibly…”

“At the very least, he earned a million from me,” Lin Manxuan said coolly. “Does Uncle Niu have that kind of skill?”

Minister Niu’s face alternated between pale and flushed. He didn’t dare offend Lin Manxuan. Though he was also a high-ranking member of the company, unlike Old Feng, Meng Jianlin, and Old Zhao, who were the true backbone and founding pillars of the company, he and Zhou Bokang were, at best, just well-paid executives.

“What’s in it for me?” Yang Ning also realized he couldn’t snag this treasure. Besides, he didn’t have the money right now, so he had to settle for the next best thing.

“You’re asking me for a reward?” Lin Manxuan said with a cold face.

“Even if we’re close, shouldn’t we settle accounts clearly, even between brothers? Who told you that hiring someone for an appraisal is free? Our original deal was only for me to participate in the Appraisal Tournament. I didn’t sell my personal freedom to you, did I?”

Yang Ning got angry: “Besides, you’re not my wife, and I have no ties to the Lin Family. If the Lin Family makes a bad deal, to put it nicely, I’ll express my sympathy. To put it bluntly, what does it have to do with me?”

“Fine, what do you want?” Lin Manxuan’s expression softened. She realized she had overstepped just now in her urgency.

“That’s more like it.” Seeing Lin Manxuan relent, the frustration in Yang Ning’s chest eased: “Fifty thousand!”

“Fifty thousand?”

Lin Manxuan’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Yang Ning.

Old Feng, Meng Jianlin, and Old Zhao were also stunned. Old Xu even opened his eyes wide, looking at the twelve volumes of the Lingshu Classics with a grave expression.

If this kid wasn’t crazy, then he must have something to back up his confidence. Otherwise, how could he dare to ask for such an outrageous price?

Fifty thousand for an appraisal fee was no small sum!

Zhou Bokang sneered. Truly young and reckless. He was just waiting to see the drama unfold.

As for Minister Niu, the arrogance and disdain in his eyes had vanished. Instead, he stared at Yang Ning as if he were looking at a fool. Asking for fifty thousand right off the bat—did this guy escape from some mental institution?

“Fine, I agree.” Lin Manxuan’s chest heaved, not out of anger, but out of shock.

Her intuition told her that these twelve ancient texts were anything but ordinary!