"Director Feng, to be perfectly honest, persuading a professor to give up his quota for entry into Capital University is extremely difficult. Capital University is the premier institution in China, a supreme honor unrelated to money. Gaining admission is akin to becoming a top scholar in ancient China; such prestige cannot be bought with wealth. This is precisely why, despite your family's affluence, your daughter is so eager to attend Capital University. However, I can use a special method to have my professor friend release his quota for Capital University."
Chen Feng explained patiently.
"A special method? Tell me, what kind of special method?"
Director Feng asked eagerly, his interest piqued.
"Director Feng, since we've come this far, I won't hold back. My professor friend is deeply fond of antiques, he's obsessed with them, and he's willing to do anything for the antiques he likes..."
Director Feng was a shrewd man. After Chen Feng's explanation, he immediately understood.
"Chen Feng, with your explanation, my daughter's admission to Capital University is settled. There's no time to waste, please proceed with it immediately. As for the loan, don't worry. I'll disburse the funds the moment you need them, without a second's delay."
Director Feng replied with palpable excitement.
Without further ado, Chen Feng boarded a plane to Italy.
The reason Chen Feng rushed to Italy by plane was that the antiques his professor friend at Capital University favored were European antiques.
To put it plainly, they were nude oil paintings from the European Renaissance period.
Italy was the most important country during the Renaissance. Many Italian painters were active during that era, so traveling to Italy would allow him to find relevant antique nude paintings quickly.
However, upon arriving in Italy, Chen Feng discovered that the reality of Italy was somewhat different from his imagination. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
In his imagination, many people in Italy spoke English.
He had the impression that European countries generally spoke English.
In reality,
Very few Italians spoke English.
Especially in Rome, despite being the capital, it's located in southern Italy, where the English penetration rate is lower than in the north.
Northern Italy, being closer to mainland Europe, has a much higher English penetration rate.
Places like Milan and Florence have more English speakers.
However, despite the fact that Italians didn't speak much English, there was one advantage: Italians could piece together the general meaning of English through context and guesswork.
It was similar to how Mandarin Chinese relates to regional dialects in China.
Many people in remote areas of China might not understand Mandarin well, but they could grasp the general meaning of Mandarin through their regional dialects.
Therefore, communication wouldn't be a problem for Chen Feng's trip to Italy; it would only be slower.
After some investigation, Chen Feng found that purchasing Italian antique oil paintings through official channels was very difficult.
Italy, like China, had strict regulations for antique protection.
In Italy, ordinary oil paintings could be traded freely without any issues.
For oil paintings of a certain age, trading became restricted.
For oil paintings that qualified as antiques, trade was halted.
They could only be exhibited, studied, or exchanged... but never bought or sold.
Of course, no matter how strict the regulations, there were always ways to acquire antiques.
There is no fortress that money cannot breach.
Thus,
Chen Feng spent a week finding an underground antique dealer in Italy.
"Mr. Chen, I do have many antique oil paintings from the Renaissance period. However, I must tell you frankly, money alone will not get you antique oil paintings. Furthermore, even if you manage to buy one, you won't be able to get it through Italian customs. Therefore, I suggest you buy some other antique oil paintings."
The underground antique dealer, Guayana, said seriously.
"Mr. Guayana, thank you for your honesty. Although buying antique oil paintings is fraught with difficulties, I am determined to acquire them. Please tell me, how can I get my hands on antique oil paintings? I understand that masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance are certainly unobtainable. But perhaps I can buy paintings by lesser-known artists, as long as they are antique oil paintings from the Renaissance period. As for how to transport them out of Italy once acquired, I already have a plan."
Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"First, tell me what method you plan to use to transport the antique oil paintings out of the country."
Guayana asked with curiosity.
"I'll divide the antique oil painting into four parts and have them pass through customs separately, four times. The Italian customs would immediately recognize a complete antique oil painting. But if the painting is divided into four pieces, they certainly won't know."
Chen Feng explained.
"That's a good idea, but the problem is, if you divide an antique oil painting into four, won't it be damaged?"
Guayana countered.
"It's fine. China is very adept at restoring antiques. As long as the repair fee is sufficient, they can restore a damaged antique to perfection, without any flaws."
Chen Feng said with confidence.
"Chen Feng, since you say so, I won't hold back either. As long as you can handle the power players here, I'll sell you the antique oil paintings without hesitation."
Guayana exclaimed excitedly.
"It's a deal then."
Chen Feng had initially worried about the difficulty of buying antique oil paintings from Guayana, but as soon as he heard Guayana say that if he could handle the power players, his worries vanished.
He was an old hand in the corridors of power and had ample experience in dealing with influential figures.
"This power player is unyielding; how can you be so confident you can win them over?"
Guayana was taken aback.
"Mr. Guayana, to be frank, I was a civil servant in China, and I've been navigating the system for years. I have considerable experience in dealing with influential figures."
Chen Feng stated truthfully.
"Mr. Chen, I must remind you, this is Italy, not China. Are you being too presumptuous by using your Chinese experience to deal with the Italian power structure?"
Guayana said with a serious expression.
"Mr. Guayana, thank you for the reminder. But rest assured. The most similar thing in the world is the system of power. Human reactions to power are largely the same."
Chen Feng said confidently.
"And what if this Italian power player is a woman?"
Guayana asked again.
"Then I'll be even more confident in handling it."
Chen Feng replied with a smile.