Professor Li is a hot-blooded person. Although he is old, he can still finish three bowls of white rice.

The way he slammed the table and said something like "If the British can do it, so can we", left Zhang Yang no doubt that if he introduced Higgs to the old man, he would find a way to empty the British Museum.

But this would probably scare Higgs half to death.

However, it turned out that Zhang Yang had underestimated the old man.

Professor Li is not just an ordinary passionate old man, he has another identity...

"Zhang Yang, how did you come up with the idea of ​​buying this [lost cultural relic]?"

"What do you think about the recovery of cultural relics lost overseas?"

"Also, what is your purpose for coming to see me today? It's not just for communication, right?"

The old man asked three questions in a row, and then stared at Zhang Yang's face, expecting an answer while obviously not wanting to miss any changes in Zhang Yang's expression.

"I think……"

Zhang Yang looked at Professor Li hesitantly, he had a vague feeling that he was taking a test.

Professor Li not only wanted to know the answers to these three questions, but also seemed to be taking the opportunity to examine his own attitude towards certain things.

The two people thought of the same thing at the same time.

"I think if there is a chance to recover cultural relics, we should try our best to recover them. If there is no chance to recover cultural relics, we should create opportunities to recover them."

"But it is limited to cultural relics with research value. If they are antique artworks that do not have much cultural relic value, there is no need to devote too much energy to them."

"Oh?" Professor Li seemed surprised and answered: "Then what kind of antiques do you think have no cultural value?"

"Things like ancient coins and ordinary bronze swords are unnecessary." Zhang Yang answered fluently.

"Copper coins? The common ones really have no research value, as ancient coins are not regulated in China. But bronze swords are not necessary either? They are the most popular type of bronze artifacts for collection!"

"Yes, it is unnecessary." Zhang Yang nodded: "A bronze sword without an inscription is actually an ordinary bronze artifact. It has no research value now..."

"Well, as expected of a company that specializes in imitating bronze artifacts, you have a deep understanding of this business! Is this the reason why you sell imitation antique bronze swords?" Professor Li nodded and said meaningfully.

In other words, Zhang Yang and the old man are familiar with each other now. If it were in the past, or if it was Shen Yiyi's uncle who said this, Zhang Yang would have broken out in a sweat after hearing it.

But now, Zhang Yang replied with a grin: "Yes, that's why we imitate bronze artifacts, so as not to cause trouble for our archaeologists."

"Hahaha, you're so slippery, kid."

Professor Li smiled as he helped Zhang Yang fill the empty cup with tea. He then made a gesture of invitation:
"Now tell me, what is the purpose of your visit today?"

"I don't have any purpose, I just want to talk to you, Professor Li, so that I don't buy the wrong thing. You are the one who knows the most about bronze artifacts among the people I know."

"Is it true or false?"

"Well, there really isn't."

"Okay, since you don't... ahem..." Professor Li suddenly cleared his throat and raised his teacup to toast Zhang Yang.

Of course Zhang Yang didn't answer it. Who knows what the old man is up to?

But this did not stop Professor Li from drinking the tea in one gulp, and he said as if he were not an outsider at all:

"Then I'm sorry to ask you, Zhang Yang, for small requests. You came to me on your own accord. If I don't say it, I probably won't be able to sleep tonight."

"Look, can you give me the contact information of the mysterious seller you contacted?"

"I am also very interested in this hero from the British Museum." "Ah? This... Professor Li, do you also want to buy lost cultural relics?" Zhang Yang asked in surprise.

The other party's request was not at all abrupt, but rather seemed very reasonable.

"More than that." Professor Li slowly waved his fingers, took out a business card from under the coffee table and handed it to Zhang Yang.

On the white business card, a few large gold-plated characters read:

[Li Chuqi, standing director of the China Lost Cultural Relics Recovery Association]

While Zhang Yang was staring at the business card in a daze, Professor Li also briefly introduced the organization.

This is an organization founded by people in the archaeological academic circle.

In fact, in the domestic cultural and museum circles, there have always been two groups of people holding completely different views on whether or not lost cultural relics should be recovered.

One group of people felt that when the things were stolen, they were no longer the property of ordinary people. It would be fine for foreign institutions and organizations to return them voluntarily, and there was no need to spend manpower and resources to recover them.

If we spend money to buy it back, wouldn't that mean the foreigners will reap the benefits of their bandit ancestors again?
Another group of people feel that although the cultural relics in the Old Summer Palace and even the Forbidden City are private property of the Aisin-Gioro family, they are essentially shared by the people of this land.

If the mountains don't move, the water will, so how can the kings, princes, generals and ministers be born into a special class?

If the Europeans hadn't come in and snatched the things away, you never know when these things would have become yours, mine, or his.

So, things that have been stolen should be recovered.

Professor Li and the members of the [China Lost Cultural Relics Recovery Association] behind him obviously belong to the latter group.

Since it was stolen, it must be recovered openly.

At the same time, Professor Li is also a radical in the association, advocating the use of various means to recover the lost cultural relics.

After all, no matter how cruel the current means are, they are not as bad as the British who simply closed the door and set it on fire to rob.

"Give me the contact information of the seller. I will ask my friends abroad to contact him. I guarantee that your identity will not be exposed..."

“We have a very professional team…”

"Zhang Yang, these righteous sellers usually have difficulties in life, and they sell something for a short time. They won't sell it forever. Leave it to us so that we can make the most of this opportunity..."

Professor Li was very sincere. He talked until his mouth was dry and he drank cup of tea again and again.

You can see that he is very anxious.

But unfortunately, he never mentioned what benefits would come if Zhang Yang gave him the contact information.

It is possible that he forgot, or it is possible that he could not guarantee anything before contacting the mysterious seller.

After all, the information Zhang Yang provided was too little.

In addition, Zhang Yang was worried that doing so would scare Higgs away, so he couldn't agree to hand over the contact information.

"Professor Li, I understand what you mean. I have no doubt about the professionalism of your team, but I have a better idea."

"Hmm? What's your idea?" Professor Li pretended to listen attentively: "Tell me about it?"

"This is a method that will definitely not waste the association's resources." Zhang Yang said with a smile: "I will find a way to contact the mysterious seller and buy the most valuable item he can get. Then I will hand it over to you, professor, to help me clean up the name... No, I will legally own it."

"Then, I am willing to lend the items to the institution designated by you, Professor Li, for exhibition and research."

"You go by yourself?" Professor Li couldn't help but frowned, and suddenly he seemed to have figured something out, and said, "Zhang Yang, tell me the truth, have you already thought about what you want to buy next?" (End of this chapter)