Mystery One, Toyotomi's Secret Order

Connoisseurs..."

"Based on the contents of his previous donations, I don't think he needs experts to prove the true value of the antiquities. I think what he really wants to understand... should be the..."story" behind the two ancient relics."

"Then... what else does he want?" Zhang Wei's eyes widened suddenly, showing the appearance of a fish taking the bait.

The wily curator always knows what can catch the taste of his favorite students.Even if Zhang Wei knew it was Yang's conspiracy, he couldn't resist it.

"I have recommended several first-class connoisseurs to him. I can't think of any reason why these experts, including Christy and the guys from Sotheby's, can't meet his requirements. Unless, he wants something else That's all. Otherwise, probably no one in this world can complete this task."

The provocative and seductive tone used by the old curator really achieved the expected effect.Zhang Wei soon found himself caught in Redman's trap again.In desperation, he had no choice but to lie back and let out a long sigh.

"It seems that, teacher, you really found me a good summer job."

"Now, you are the "last" and "only" candidate in this world. If you can't handle it...I don't think anyone in this world can handle it."

The old curator's deliberate compliment was a kind of compensation to Zhang Wei.Zhang Wei knew that this vain praise was to appease, so he had no choice but to blink.

"Teacher, I'm really flattered. Now...I'm only worried about offending this museum."

Zhang Wei raised his hands, bent his middle and index fingers and made a quotation mark gesture, which strengthened the "important sponsor".

"Then... don't mess up the errand." The curator smiled with satisfaction.

"However, I have confidence in you. I believe you can absolutely convince this Mr. Austin."

Laidman's eyes are brighter and firmer than Zhang Wei's.

"Since the teacher values ​​me so much, I can only do my best and live up to my mission. When are you going to meet this difficult..."guy"?"

"Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow?"

The curator strikes while the iron is hot, knowing that his student is a busy man.As soon as the holidays come, they go around the earth in circles and can't be idle for a moment.

"Didn't you say that you would come to see me in a few days?"

Although he complained, his tone was not strong.It's just that Redman was so disturbed in his heart, he was really confused.

"Yes! But you have already agreed. Why do you have something to do the day after tomorrow?"

Summer vacation is just about to start.The itinerary hasn't been scheduled yet, so what happened?

"no."

"Then tomorrow!"

"Texas?"

"Yes!"

"Don't worry about transportation, Mr. Austin will provide private transportation for his distinguished guests. However, don't bring too much luggage."

There is something in Redman's words, but also half revealing the unfathomable truth.Before leaving, Zhang Wei's scalp was already numb, and he smiled wryly at Raideman frequently.The curator at the other end smiled and solved another troublesome matter.Now he sits on the couch like a completely unrelated spectator.

cowboy aristocrat

PrestonHollow (PrestonHollow, TX) 1940

Early the next morning, Zhang Wei arrived at Newark Airport (New Jersey, NJ) on the west side of Manhattan Island with a carry-on suitcase.

Immediately, Zhang Wei understood Redman's suggestion not to bring too much luggage.There is no luxurious private airliner in front of us, but a modified civil biplane two-seater aircraft based on the military aircraft Curtiss P-6 Hawk is ready to go in the hangar.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang Wei realized that the pilot of this journey was Austin himself.After departure, we landed on the way to refuel, and near dusk, we landed at a private airport in the outskirts of Dallas (Dallas, TX). When P-6 slowly slid into the tarmac, an eight-cylinder 38-65 series black Cadillac sedan (1938CadillacV-8Stylenumber: 38-6549ConvertibleSedan) was already waiting.The pilot turned off the engine and jumped out of the plane, got into the car with the only passenger without saying a word, and left the airport quickly.

Preston Harlow, the destination of the journey, is not far from the airport. It is located in the northern suburbs of Dallas (Dallas, TX), a large city in North Texas. It was not officially gathered to form a small town until last year (1939).Different from the vast and monotonous and arid wilderness landscape in most of Texas, this emerging town is picturesque, with trees and grass, like an oasis in the desert.Hidden behind the lush forest are mansions and mansions that can be seen from a distance but cannot be seen up close.This is one of the most affluent emerging communities in all of Texas and in the United States.The mansion of Mr. Austin, an important donor to the Metropolitan Museum, is hidden behind a green forest beside the road.

The car slowly approached the Austin mansion under the golden light of the sunset. After a day of fatigued flying, Zhang Wei was half awake and wondered whether he had really arrived in Texas.

Surrounded by dense forests such as American Holly and Leyland Cypress, a huge green wall is formed to isolate the mansion from the outside world. After passing through a narrow and long green passage about [-] meters long, the landscape in front of you is suddenly bright, and the green grass of Ruogao Stadium is reflected in it. Eyelids: PossomHaw, Pecan-Native, MexicanBuckeye and other tree species are sparsely scattered on a large expanse of green grass, like guards stationed in charge, and also like naughty and playful children, shivering with the golden light of the setting sun , the car slid forward slowly, and after a while, the invisible mansion suddenly appeared in front of my eyes.

The entire mansion covers an area of ​​more than ten acres, and clusters of flower gardens of CarolinaJa□□ine, MorningGlory, MealyBlueSag, and TexasLantana are intertwined. At the end are stables, garages, and warehouses; as soon as the field of vision turns outward, there is an endless ocean-like beauty of green land, which definitely changes the stereotype of the wilderness of Texas for foreigners.

The car stopped in front of a bungalow with a wooden roof and stone house.To be honest, this is the frontmost building in a series of connected stone houses the size of fireboxes and dominoes. In front of the house is a circular plaza full of Spanish-style statues and fountains. In front of the gate are four or five people wearing Mexican round hats, dark servants waiting.

Zhang Wei got out of the car with Austin, and the oncoming servant greeted loudly with a smile on his face: "Senor! (Mr. Spanish)"

Before he could reply, Austin explained to the servant in fluent Spanish; the servant took Zhang Wei's suitcase and the car keys in the owner's hand.Austin turned around and greeted Zhang Wei, and then went straight into the house, while Zhang Wei was led by the butler into the inner living room to rest for a while.

There are no portraits of people in the East Coast mansions to show family identity and background, no splendid painted ceilings with golden walls, or exquisite porcelain collections to show off their taste, stunning crystal chandeliers, and ancient antique kitchens. Cabinets, or from the curved edge of the second floor, a dramatic red carpet curved staircase like a Hollywood movie; uneven walls made of unpolished bare stones, coffee-colored log floors, and leather of the same color Sofa furniture, monotonous ceiling fans, exude a simple, rough, unpretentious Texas style.It lacks the restraint of aristocrats, but has more of the bold and unrestrained feeling of cowboys.

Zhang Wei quickly got used to it, and even began to like this environment a little bit.This feeling makes Zhang Wei temporarily forget the purpose of coming here, and the difficult owner who once rejected two major sale companies and many experts--Texas Collector/Austin.Zhang Wei was still intoxicated by the natural scenery surrounded by logs and boulders, a low voice with a thick and vague Texas accent came from the corner of the room.

"Hi! Boy, you're welcome here. It's hot in Texas!"

The tall and straight Mr. Austin put on a casual shirt and walked slowly into the living room. He came to Zhang Wei, and extended his big rough hand to Zhang Wei with a powerful Texas-style handshake.In front of him, this nearly seventy-year-old Mr. Austin, whose appearance is somewhat similar to the young movie star "Duke" John Wayne in the recent Hollywood movie "Duke Carriage", has two lines on his wrinkled, angular face. White mustache like white clouds, deep blue eyes as blue as the cloudless sky in Texas, a cowboy hat on his head, leather carvings on his feet, tall cowboy leather boots with tail wheel spurs, his clothes have already told The visitor is an authentic old Texas cowboy.

[Note: Stagecoach (Stagecoach, 1939) is a classic American western film, directed by John Ford; John Wayne (John Wayne, May 1907, 5-June 26, 1979), a well-known American film star, nicknamed Duke. 】

Zhang Wei squeezed out a weary smile, and replied: "Mayday... is still pleasant. But... in July and August, Texas will become a big oven. I hope this work... will not end there time."

The visitor's answer surprised the old cowboy.

"Oh boy. You know Texas well."

"Mr. Austin, I spent a year in Denton [a small town north of Talas]. So. I'm half Texan."

Zhang Wei responded politely and cautiously.He didn't want to offend this Redman mouth at all.