The next evening, Jiang Tiansheng, who had gone out to spread the word and play the role of the patron, returned to find Gu Zi'an standing respectfully in the suite, reporting.
"That Sun family mansion changed hands seven times before the Sun family took possession. It was occupied by different people, especially during the war-torn era when it was even occupied by invaders!" Gu Zi'an said slowly. "These seven owners have different backgrounds. I wonder what Mr. Long is investigating?"
Chen Fan looked at the documents and nodded slightly. "After the Su family, the owner of this mansion was Hua Yunping, and then Saito Shizuyuki. One occupied it for a year, the other for three?"
"Hua Yunping's identity and background are unknown. Too much time has passed, he might have used a pseudonym! As for Saito Shizuyuki, he was the son of a prominent family. A hundred years ago, during the war, he served as a garrison officer in Jinling, and his hands were stained with the blood of many Chinese patriots at the time. This man died thirty years ago."
"The current Saito family is still a prominent one!"
Gu Zi'an had done his homework thoroughly and spoke eloquently.
Chen Fan tapped his fingers on the table and said thoughtfully, "I want to know Hua Yunping's true identity and origin. Is there a way?"
"No!" Gu Zi'an shook his head decisively. "A person from less than a hundred years ago, who used a pseudonym, I can't find him."
"Oh!"
Chen Fan simply replied calmly, his expression unruffled.
Gu Zi'an's face twitched fiercely, and he changed his tune. "I will try my best to investigate. Ordinary people certainly can't find out, but some members of those old families might still have some memory. I'll go inquire."
Chen Fan still just nodded, not committing.
"As for the mansion, I can take you there tomorrow noon."
A flash of hatred and venom crossed Gu Zi'an's eyes, and he lowered his head to say.
"How do we get in?" Chen Fan asked.
"I know Sun Ming'en, the eldest son of the Sun family. He's known for his love of collecting and showing off. Tomorrow he's invited some friends over for tea, so it shouldn't be a problem for me to take you."
"Good," Chen Fan nodded.
Is that all?
Gu Zi'an swallowed and said, "Mr. Long... where is the antidote?"
Chen Fan smiled and looked at Gu Zi'an. "What antidote? Didn't I say you weren't poisoned? Since you're not poisoned, where do you need an antidote?"
You bastard... Gu Zi'an wanted to punch Chen Fan's face into pulp.
He was filled with resentment, but after taking a deep breath, he said, "We'll talk about it tomorrow after we go to the Sun family. Don't worry, I'll handle everything perfectly!"
Chen Fan smiled and waved his hand. "You can go now."
"Yes, yes!"
Gu Zi'an plastered on a smile and said, "Then I won't disturb your rest."
He got up to leave and met Jiang Tiansheng, offering him a smile.
After sitting down in front of Chen Fan, Jiang Tiansheng exclaimed, "Mr. Chen, Gu Zi'an is so docile, it's truly unbelievable."
Chen Fan laughed. "Perhaps, he's just being warm-hearted, and we've misunderstood him."
Warm-hearted to that extent, Jiang Tiansheng couldn't help but chuckle.
Then he had his subordinates place the items on the table.
They were several antiques, porcelain, jade, and a scroll of calligraphy and painting.
Chen Fan picked them up and examined them. They were all quite good.
"The purchase price was a bit high," Jiang Tiansheng said. "However, the message has been spread. The current collection circles in Jinling should all know of my existence. I want to acquire fragments of the Dragon Pattern Compass at any price, no matter how high!"
"Well done!"
Chen Fan nodded. "The Sun family probably won't yield any clues. It all depends on whether you can lure the fish out!"
Just now, Gu Zi'an had said that among the owners of the Su family's ancestral home back then, there was Saito Shizuyuki.
Back in Hangjiang, among the forces coveting the compass fragments, there were forces from Sakura Country.
Therefore, Chen Fan estimated that one fragment of the Dragon Pattern Compass was in the hands of the Mitsui consortium behind that force.
Now it seemed that fragment might have been brought back to Sakura Country by Saito Shizuyuki.
There were nine fragments in total. Chen Fan had already obtained four. One was with the force behind Su Yuhua, one with the Mitsui consortium, and another should be in the hands of a mysterious lone cultivator in North America.
The remaining two fragments were still unknown, and it was uncertain if there were any more in Jinling.
Looking at the rise and fall of the Su family, the possibility of there being some in Jinling was not low.
...
Outside the hotel, Gu Zi'an, with a dark expression, walked to a car.
A young man got out of the car and respectfully called out, "Young Master An."
"Did you find anything?"
"Young Master, look!"
The man pulled up a picture on his phone and said, "Their goal is probably this thing. I asked the bosses Jiang Tiansheng contacted. This thing is called the Dragon Pattern Compass. It's part of something larger, and its specific use is unknown."
"Jiang Tiansheng has already released the news that he will buy it at a high price, any price is acceptable."
Looking at the picture, Gu Zi'an frowned. "They're after this?"
"As far as we can see, yes."
Gu Zi'an fell into thought and said, "Forward the picture to Uncle Wen and have him ask those collectors if anyone has this thing!"
"Yes!"
"Send me a copy of the picture!"
"Yes!"
After receiving the picture, he sent it to someone and then made a phone call.
"Young Master Sun, it's me. How is it? Have you seen this thing in the picture, or does your Sun family possess it?"
Chen Fan was going to the Sun family, and Gu Zi'an wasn't stupid, so he naturally thought the Sun family might have this item.
"Oh, Young Master Gu, it's been a while. Why are you interested in antiques now? Anything from your family would be an antique, wouldn't it?"
"Heh heh, everyone in Jinling knows you, Young Master Sun, are an expert in this area," Gu Zi'an said with a smile. "It's just that I heard you're inviting friends to admire your collection tomorrow, so I thought I'd join. But tell me first, have you seen this thing in the picture?"
"No, what is this thing? It doesn't look like an antique, and it's incomplete."
The Young Master Sun on the other end said carelessly, "I say, Young Master Gu, you have status and position. Why bother with such trivial things? If we want to play, we play with class. Hetian jade, emeralds, blue and white porcelain, these show status?"
"If you want to play, follow me, brother. I guarantee you won't make a mistake. It's just a matter of spending money, right? Do we lack money, haha!"
"..."
After hanging up the phone, Gu Zi'an frowned.
What the hell is the Dragon Pattern Compass? He hadn't heard of it, and Sun Ming'en hadn't seen it either. What was Mr. Long looking for it for?
How could he, the great Young Master Gu, be willing to be controlled? Naturally, he wanted to find a way to cause trouble for Chen Fan.
He finally figured out Chen Fan's purpose in coming to Jinling, but he had no clues about that damned thing, which made it difficult to act.
He could only hope that Uncle Wen would have news.
Uncle Wen was the head butler of their Gu family, with extensive connections. He hoped he wouldn't disappoint him.