Hey! The Criminal Assistance System Can Even Be Used Like This? 24

Seeing Xu Zhizhi’s confusion, Wu Wenyu stepped forward to explain, “This is a batch of exported handicrafts intercepted at Jiang City Customs recently. They suspect that this batch of handicrafts intended for F Country is too exquisite in craftsmanship and suspect it might be smuggled cultural relics. However, we need to provide an appraisal opinion. Only after experts confirm that these are indeed authentic can we conclude whether they can pass through customs.”

“There should be quite a few reputable experts in Jiang City, right? Besides, can’t we use technology to test for things like carbon-14? As long as technology determines the dating, we can directly ascertain whether it’s a smuggled cultural relic,” Xu Zhizhi asked, puzzled.

Wu Wenyu fell silent, thinking for a moment before admitting somewhat sheepishly, “It’s a bit complicated…”

Qin Su directly interrupted Wu Wenyu, turning to Xu Zhizhi. “The customs and the declaration agents have done their part, proving these are modern handicrafts. However, Mr. Wu Wenyu and some professionals are still skeptical, believing these items are very suspicious. We’d rather go through a bit more trouble to verify their authenticity than risk cultural relics flowing out.”

“So, you want me to confirm this?” Xu Zhizhi pointed to herself, feeling flattered that they held her in such regard, given she had only done this once.

Wu Wenyu nodded, somewhat embarrassed. The key reason was that he had asked the police to check Xu Zhizhi’s phone. He explained urgently, “It’s mainly because of your performance the other day. I felt you had great insight into forgery…”

Xu Zhizhi: … What a great insight. The cultural person’s way of speaking is indeed different. With eyes like torches, she knows how to forge things.

“I heard Wu Wenyu say you are quite good at this, even identifying counterfeit items in a shop to help a girl out. So we want you to take one last look. If it’s still the same as the previous results, we’ll let it go,” Qin Su said.

Xu Zhizhi understood everything and nodded slightly, “Then let’s get to it.”

The wooden lid of the porcelain box was opened, revealing beautifully arranged porcelain inside. The other boxes contained various exquisite porcelain items, with plates, cups, and bottles all included. These items, even if counterfeit abroad, would still have quite a market, as many people love such beautiful items.

Xu Zhizhi picked up a flashlight and began to carefully examine the beautiful porcelain vase. Qin Su handed her a vase and placed it on a fixed wooden box. Nearby, there were two camera operators recording the entire process, ensuring everything was documented with audio and video. Otherwise, it would be hard to clarify details later and give the public an explanation.

Wu Wenyu stood beside Xu Zhizhi, watching how she examined the items. For him, it was an endless learning journey. Xu Zhizhi reached out, rubbed the body of the vase, and inspected it carefully, even bringing it to her nose to sniff.

This step was mainly to discern authenticity, as the sense of time of certain items is hard to erase. The skill of forgery, from the moment she exchanged for it, had become like a skill familiar to her since elementary school, deeply etched in her mind. Therefore, when Xu Zhizhi used it, she wouldn’t feel unfamiliar, handling it with ease.

She glanced at the nearby information. This was a celadon lotus vase imitating the Yongzheng period, approximately thirty-five centimeters tall and fifteen centimeters wide. The vase’s mouth was surrounded by lotus petals, very elegant.

She picked up the vase’s mouth to look at the marking on the bottom, which was exquisitely crafted with only minor imperfections. It was a very fine replica, and even as a craft, it could sell for a good price.

This provided a reason for the export.

However, Xu Zhizhi knew the customs and Qin Su wouldn’t easily hold back this batch of items. There must be some unknown details. It was just inconvenient for them to tell her; otherwise, they wouldn’t be so hesitant to explain why they were being held.

Xu Zhizhi rubbed the marking at the bottom and then looked at Qin Su, “Give me some water mixed with hand soap.”

Everyone watched Xu Zhizhi’s actions nervously. Upon hearing her request, Qin Su immediately nodded and walked out.

“Any clues?” Wu Wenyu asked curiously, standing by.

Xu Zhizhi furrowed her brows, “A little. Let me see.”

In fact, Xu Zhizhi already knew how the other party had done the items; she just wouldn’t reveal it unless she was a hundred percent sure. She was also quite curious; the person who made these was rather interesting—a craftsman just like her. If it weren’t for years in the forgery business, one wouldn’t be able to reach this level.

Soon, Qin Su returned with a spray bottle. “There wasn’t anything like bowls, only a little bit of hand soap left over from the restroom, so I brought back some water.”

“That’s fine, give it to me,” Xu Zhizhi said, stabilizing the vase with one hand and using the hand soap to squeeze and apply it to the vase.

After finishing, there wasn’t any miracle; just like regular porcelain getting wet, a gentle wipe cleaned it up perfectly.

Wu Wenyu watched curiously and asked, “What’s the purpose of this? Will adding hand soap create any special chemical reactions?”

There were about seven or eight of them, all with curious eyes watching Xu Zhizhi.

“Nothing much, just makes it quicker. Water alone would work,” Xu Zhizhi replied with a smile.

Qin Su looked at Xu Zhizhi, “I spent quite some time looking for the restrooms here to find those almost-empty hand soap bottles.”

“You owe me one; who told me I was so jumpy earlier,” Xu Zhizhi said playfully, a natural smile on her face.

This process would take nearly half an hour, so afterwards, everyone could only chit-chat to pass the time.

“How about we look at some calligraphy and paintings? I don’t know if Miss Xu has studied them,” Wu Wenyu suggested, since the wait was getting long.

Compared to porcelain, there were only a few pieces of calligraphy and painting, and they had invited a specialized appraiser who had confirmed these were fake.

Xu Zhizhi nodded.

The items were very fake, easily discerned. Wu Wenyu figured it was merely a diversion while waiting, and commented, “Just look casually; it’s to pass the time.”

The two opened a painting. Xu Zhizhi looked at the landscape painting and said nothing of high appreciation. Instead, she frowned slightly, extending her hand to feel the thickness of the paper and the mounting on both sides.

Common mountings include mirrors, vertical scrolls, horizontal banners, albums, and hand scrolls. This imitation ancient painting was smaller and used a hand scroll, featuring all the traditional components, evident by using traditional mounting techniques.

However, upon unfolding it, Xu Zhizhi saw the perfectly smooth cover, which was abnormal because such an utterly flat Song brocade cover could not be made nowadays. If it were her operating, she could naturally restore this technical challenge.

But in current circumstances, due to the Song brocade covering issues, even traditional methods wouldn’t enable a cover to be perfectly flat; it would definitely curl and not lay flat.

She carefully felt the item, sliding her fingers along to sense the hand scroll’s texture.

Qin Su keenly sensed something was off and inquired, “Is something wrong with this item?”

Xu Zhizhi nodded and then picked up a prepared knife, quickly and decisively cutting the entire cover off the painting with a few sharp strokes.

Gasps filled the air from those present; even if it was a replica, its price was substantial.

What confidence Xu Zhizhi had in herself to slice it off like that!

Qin Su remained silent; if Xu Zhizhi was wrong, he would take the responsibility.

Xu Zhizhi didn’t even blink, continuing her actions under everyone’s watch.

She moved to find a flat table, leaned down, and carefully peeled, seeking out the layers of adhesion. Then she used the small knife to gently cut through the paper’s adhesive area, lifting it lightly to reveal what lay hidden beneath.

“It’s a corner of the Listening to the Guqin painting!” Wu Wenyu stepped forward to examine it for a few seconds, tugging at his sparse beard with wide eyes as he exclaimed.

He wasn’t too good at appreciating ancient paintings, but just a glance told him this one could not be a fake!

Others gathered around, gazing at the ancient painting’s segment depicting someone sitting and playing the qin, their expressions filled with shock.

Qin Su looked at Xu Zhizhi and quickly said, “Did they cut the ancient painting and hide it within these covers only to repair and mount for sale overseas?”

“We can look into it,” Xu Zhizhi nodded.

She let out a sigh of relief, after all, her risk wasn’t in vain. Had her predictions been incorrect, she might have had to bear the experts’ fees completely.

Next, everyone worked together to retrieve the remaining parts of the ancient painting, unfolding them so Xu Zhizhi could separate them, and then piecing the painting back together.

Wu Wenyu donned gloves, laid white paper on a large table, and cautiously pieced the artwork together.

“The Listening to the Guqin painting! It’s a copy created by the Qing dynasty master Dai Xi based on the Song dynasty’s Zhao Ji’s Listening to the Guqin painting. Although it doesn’t have the same artistic value as the piece in the Capital City Palace Museum, it’s already very remarkable and a valuable collectible!” Wu Wenyu spoke with excitement, his lips slightly trembling.

Mainly, he was furious, as a fine painting had been intentionally destroyed and split into four parts! Ancient paintings are already incredibly difficult to preserve. To smuggle by doing so was immensely heartbreaking for a collector of cultural artifacts and paintings like him.

After finishing, Xu Zhizhi stood by, feeling somewhat regretful. After all, it looked like it was worth a lot.

At that moment, someone pointed at the vase that Xu Zhizhi had sprayed earlier and exclaimed, “That one! It’s peeling!”

Everyone’s heads snapped up; Wu Wenyu didn’t have time to wallow in sorrow as he hurriedly looked in the direction the person was pointing.

Qin Su glanced at Xu Zhizhi, who showed no surprise on her face.

They approached quickly and soon saw what the person had described. Just as he said, the vase’s surface was bubbling up, with pieces that would fall off with the slightest touch.

Xu Zhizhi stepped forward, no one daring to touch it before her. Inside must be a cultural relic; it would be such a pity to ruin it.

Xu Zhizhi slightly bent down, peeling away the thin layer of porcelain, around ten millimeters thick, gradually revealing the pale green lotus vase beneath.

The monochromatic glaze sparkled beautifully under the flashlight, gleaming like jade and exuding a luster.

Low gasps of amazement resounded.

Wu Wenyu stared, enraged, “This is official porcelain! A priceless cultural relic! Its value is beyond estimation!”

After Xu Zhizhi cleaned up the last pieces of porcelain and handed them to him, since the interior wasn’t wrapped in porcelain shards, she looked directly at Qin Su, “Have half of you film it, and the other half spray water. This is going to be a big project.”

“I’ll arrange it and try to get it done before the afternoon, then have the Jiang City Museum come by for proper maintenance and restoration work,” Qin Su nodded, picking up the phone to start arranging.

Xu Zhizhi clapped her hands and laughed, relieved that she wouldn’t have so much to do now.

Wu Wenyu, holding the items carefully, confirmed and then walked over to where Xu Zhizhi was seated. “Miss Xu, your ability to distinguish truth from forgery is truly remarkable. If it weren’t for you, this batch of cultural relics would have flowed overseas to be publicly auctioned off!”

Wu Wenyu’s eyes were filled with gratitude and relief. The outflow of cultural relics has long been a heartache for the relic community, and many efforts over the years have reduced such circumstances. However, they still exist, and their tactics have evolved into something more sophisticated.

Xu Zhizhi waved her hand, “Didn’t you say before! I’m quite familiar with forgery—each to their own field of expertise.”

Forgery was her profession.

“I was too abrupt earlier; I didn’t realize how hasty I sounded,” Wu Wenyu apologized.

Saying someone has expertise in forgery is indeed quite a blunt statement, akin to saying another enjoys counterfeit goods.

Xu Zhizhi shook her head, “You’re stating facts. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Wu Wenyu then inquired further about how Xu Zhizhi made her discoveries and how the other party managed to do it.

How could such thin porcelain sheets be formed into a vase, maintaining flexibility and deformability, while not harming the porcelain itself? That was impressive.

Xu Zhizhi briefly explained the method without going into detail, just about the general principles.

Wu Wenyu had no intention to dig deeper; understanding and knowing the weaknesses was sufficient.

Soon, Qin Su arrived with a large group. The boxes containing the porcelain had all been pried open, and they began spraying water as they waited.

Of course, not everything was wrapped in porcelain shards; precious porcelain pieces didn’t have that luxury.

People from the Jiang City Museum also arrived, greeting Wu Wenyu with pleasantries before Xu Zhizhi chatted with them briefly.

These pieces were stolen goods, and as the actual condition remained unclear, they couldn’t directly hand them over to the museum. The items would be kept temporarily to prevent damage and to provide proper storage.

Xu Zhizhi found a small stool and sat quietly in the corner, playing games during the wait.

I must say, playing games when you’re being paid does feel interesting.

“Game cleared!” Xu Zhizhi clicked the screen for acceleration, a smile spreading across her face.

She had played the last level for over two hours yesterday and today, wanting just one shiny star. After so much grinding, she thought it was impossible, yet unexpectedly struck luck.

And then onto the next level.

Just when Xu Zhizhi was engrossed, a tall figure quietly stood behind her.

It took another round of gameplay before she realized someone was there, turning her head up to see Qin Su. “Qin Su, why are you standing here silently? Shouldn’t you be organizing the relics? What about the criminal gang? Aren’t you going to find them?”

Her rapid-fire questions left Qin Su speechless.

After a moment, he managed to recover. “I need to speak to you about something,” Qin Su said.

Given it was his request, he felt a bit awkward.

Xu Zhizhi shifted position on her stool. “I don’t have time right now; I’m a bit tired, you know.”

“It’s about another price…” Qin Su began slowly, looking at the top of Xu Zhizhi’s head.

In the next moment, Xu Zhizhi suddenly stood up, “Serving the People’s Police is a duty I cannot ignore.”

Qin Su: …

Xu Zhizhi reached out to pat his arm, “Let’s go; I’m a professional.”

She certainly knew why he was looking for her; it was about the counterfeit currency they had mentioned earlier. Had he said about the extra cost sooner, she would have brought it up by now.

She could not only identify but also produce counterfeit currency. However, since this was illegal, she could only think about it but must never act on it! Nonetheless, she hadn’t expected that gold will shine wherever it is, and she could profit from it!

Qin Su delegated the responsibilities on site to others and took Xu Zhizhi to the Public Security Bureau.

On the way, Xu Zhizhi learned from Qin Su about the context and this time’s work details.

Although this world is parallel, some things differ.

For instance, in the realm of electronic payments, compared to Xu Zhizhi’s previous life, this world has been lagging several years behind.

Simply put, while they are developed, cash still holds a significant place, especially in vast rural areas and small towns where cash payments are quite common.

This provides criminals with opportunities. They produced extremely fine counterfeit currency and used it in villages and towns around Jiang City.

“The estimated number of victims is over 300, with total amounts reaching millions. Some families are in serious financial difficulty. The higher-ups demand we solve the case quickly to prevent the surrounding villagers from suffering significant losses,” Qin Su explained while driving.

Xu Zhizhi asked curiously, “What about Chen Xu’s case?”

“That was handed over to another criminal investigation team. One of the victims is my uncle, so I need to step back,” Qin Su said casually.

Xu Zhizhi lowered her head, feeling a bit helpless. Qin Su had been monitoring that case for so many years while going around.

Qin Su smiled, “That’s normal; it should have been done this way. Chen Xu will receive the punishment he deserves.”

Xu Zhizhi smiled back, and the two of them fell silent until they arrived at the Public Security Bureau.

Though Xu Zhizhi was unclear why they had asked her to come and identify counterfeit currency. Was it that no one else could recognize it?

According to the current system, that seemed nearly impossible.

Soon, Xu Zhizhi discovered why they had summoned her.

Not only did Qin Su want her to verify the currency, but he also wished for her to analyze how they produced the counterfeits.

He analyzed that the points of counterfeit production were around Jiang City and its periphery. As long as Xu Zhizhi could identify the materials needed for making the counterfeits or any special techniques and find out who sold similar machinery, they could uproot the counterfeiting gang all at once.

Originally, he hadn’t anticipated this; it was actually Wu Wenyu praising Xu Zhizhi in the criminal investigation team.

He mentioned that she had great sensitivity to fake items, being able to tell counterfeit cups apart by just half an inch, and had insights on patterns and paintings.

Combining these, he extended an invitation to Xu Zhizhi.

Although he didn’t hold out much hope, Xu Zhizhi’s demonstrated sensitivity and understanding of fakes exceeded his expectations by far.

Thus, Qin Su decided Xu Zhizhi was an alternative expert, and he was set on having her on board.

As for funding, that would be covered by the team.

Soon they arrived at the office, and it was Xu Zhizhi’s first visit to the Criminal Investigation Team’s office.

After Qin Su poured water for Xu Zhizhi, he had someone bring in a stack of evidence.

Red bills were sealed with paper. Xu Zhizhi took a sip from her cup, set it down, and drew out a bill to examine closely.

She rubbed it to check the thickness, observed the patterns, and examined the ink and the embossed watermark.

To verify if it was counterfeit, many people go through these steps.

Qin Su stood nearby, allowing Xu Zhizhi to inspect, and at that moment, the officers involved in this case also crowded around, watching her.

The counterfeit currency in this instance was meticulously crafted, with great attention to detail. The intaglio printing, color-changing inks, and the meticulously drawn detailing on the bills were all fine, indicating they had likely manufactured an electric plate as well.

It had already reached a point where most people couldn’t discern the authenticity, hence they were curious to see if Xu Zhizhi could distinguish it.

Unbothered by the surrounding onlookers, Xu Zhizhi picked up a bill, held it with both hands, shaking it up and down to make a sound from the paper.

Then she put it down, picked up another one, and repeated the process, placing it in her hand with her eyes closed to sense it.

“The weight of genuine bills floats around 1.15 grams, with no more than 0.1 variance. The counterfeit’s weight is 0.2 grams heavier; the patterns might be slightly distorted because of insufficient drawing skills or from the electric plate’s production. The embossed patterns were made with a homemade machine, pressed onto damp paper before it dried, using too much cotton in the paper, which dulls the sound. The ink was uniquely concocted by them, with the ratios off, lacking the kind of aroma found in real money and appearing somewhat dull, hence they opted for a certain degree of aging treatment.”

Xu Zhizhi articulated all the flaws of the counterfeits in one breath.

Then she concluded, “It’s not professional enough; the production lacks perfection.”

The entire office fell silent, with gazes directed at Xu Zhizhi shifting to admiration.

Qin Su frowned, “If you were to make it, to what extent could you achieve?”

“Enough to barely fool an unprofessional bill validator; otherwise, it wouldn’t work at all,” Xu Zhizhi replied sincerely.

Then sensing the doubtful eyes on her, she left her serious demeanor examining the cash, looking up at the dozen or so officers.

She weakly asked, “If I say I don’t know how to, will you let me off the hook?”

Had it not been for their certainty that Xu Zhizhi had been on the film set, nearly always acting, Qin Su indeed would have suspected her credibility.

Of course, the main reason was his trust in Xu Zhizhi’s character. She couldn’t possibly have caught Chen Xu if it weren’t for her integrity.

However, the knowledge she held was too dangerous; whether others wanted to kidnap her for her talents or use coercion and inducements against her, or if one day she chose certain paths for money, it was a significant concern.

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