Chapter 525 - 525: No Genuine Artifacts in the Tokyo Museum?
As the morning sun rose, Luo Feng and his entourage made their way to the museum. Unlike previous occasions, the host, Kawashima Miyuki, was punctual.
Her gaze towards Luo Feng had shifted subtly.
Furthermore, there were no late arrivals from her superiors intending to embarrass Luo Feng and his party. The old ploy was no longer in play. The anticipation of a successful trade for Luo Feng’s katanas still lingered.
“Mr. Luo, could I ask a favor?”
“Go ahead,” Luo Feng responded with a nod.
“Could you livestream your visit to our museum?”
The request came from a decision-maker at the Tokyo Museum.
“I realize this might be somewhat unexpected, but we hope to share our historical artifacts with a larger audience! ”
Luo Feng studied the man closely. There was more to this request than mere promotion.
Why were they insistent on beginning the livestream at the Oriental exhibition area?
Most of the artifacts in this area were of Chinese origin.
It seemed like a ploy to inform the world that these artifacts were taken from a once weak China.
After pondering the situation, Luo Feng managed a smile. “No problem, I agree!”
Despite the signals from Kawashima Miyuki cautioning him against this, Luo Feng nodded in agreement.
“Hahaha, excellent, thank you, Mr. Luo!” the decision-maker of the Tokyo Museum erupted into joyful laughter. Yet, inside, Luo Feng sneered.
Keep laughing. Let’s see how long it lasts.
In the absence of his drone, Luo Feng held his phone to start the livestream.
As soon as the livestream began, millions of netizens flooded in. “Wow, another stream today!”
“Isn’t that Long Jianfei next to Old Luo, the museum director from the Forbidden City? Long time no see!”
“The lady there is quite the stunner! That wrap dress is a killer!”
Luo Feng addressed his audience: “Hello everyone, I’m currently at the
National Museum of Tokyo. I’ll be showing you the artifacts here.” The decision-maker, stepping into the frame, introduced himself. “Hello
everyone, I’m Yamamoto KazuK1, In cnarge or tne unental wxn1D1t1011!”
A flood of online comments ensued. “No! Not a Japanese man!” “Don’t soil my screen!”
“I came for the artifacts, not the men!”
“Artifacts and Japanese women, yes, but not the men!” “You’re just jealous of those films where Japanese women kneel before them!” “Hahaha, are you trying to make me die laughing?”
Yamamoto, oblivious to the online chatter, proceeded with a smile, “This is the first floor of the Oriental Exhibition, a specialized exhibition!”
He gestured towards a long display case filled with ancient-style bronze drums.
The assortment spanned from the sixth century AD through the Han and Tang periods, evolving into the Ming and Qing periods.
Accompanying these were relevant period artifacts from Japan.
They were presented as mutual influences between the two countries, but in reality, the influence was predominantly from the Han and Tang towards
Japan.
Just like when Japan adopted the clothing of the Tang Dynasty.
Or when they copied the Tang Dynasty’s trousers.
If they hadn’t, their clothes and kneeling ceremonies wouldn’t resemble ancient China so closely.
“The color of this blue and white porcelain is off, but the imitation is decent! ”
“Look, Tang tri-colored camels, Tang tri-colored horses? All of these are fakes!”
As Luo Feng continued to inspect the artifacts, he found it harder to suppress his laughter.
However, he had to admit that the craftsmanship of the replicas was commendable.
Some could even fool the experts.
The irony was not lost on him – these stolen artifacts, believed to be genuine and proudly displayed, were merely counterfeits in the eyes of Chinese experts.
“Old Luo, why are you laughing?”
“How could I not, seeing these ‘artifacts’?”
“You’re saying these are fakes? Are they real or fake?” “If you’re asking, you could ace a foreign listening test!” “So, are the artifacts in this sentence real or fake?”
“I have no idea! Hahaha!”
The tour continued.
They encountered numerous famous paintings from the Tang Dynasty, some from the Song Dynasty, and particularly from the Ming Dynasty.
“Li Bai Xingyin”, “Wu Ma Tu”, among others.
All exceptional pieces. “Authentic…Authentic!”
“Fake…”
“Fake!”
As they progressed, Luo Feng couldn’t help but marvel.
The replicas were so convincing, discerning flaws was challenging.
If not for Luo Feng’s system, he would have been deceived.
Their techniques of inducing aging were nothing short of miraculous.
By noon, the large group had finished inspecting a third of the artifacts. They paused the livestream and took a break for lunch and rest..