Indeed, in Wang Guan’s eyes, Cai Peng could certainly be considered a bringer of good fortune. The first time they met, it was in Macau, and it was thanks to Cai Peng that Wang Guan acquired the Seven-Colored Bead embedded in the Scarlet Heaven Sword.

Their second meeting took place in Hong Kong. Again, because of Cai Peng, Wang Guan obtained the Gongbu Sword and a clue suggesting the Scarlet Heaven Sword might be in Hanzhong.

In any case, in Wang Guan’s memory, every time he encountered the young Master Cai, something good always happened—how could he not be a lucky star? Of course, in Cai Peng’s mind, Wang Guan was also a friend worth befriending.

Especially after Hong Kong, borrowing Wang Guan’s Gongbu Sword had severely diminished the arrogance of his rival, Young Master Hu, which delighted him and made him feel indebted to Wang Guan. That’s why, upon receiving the call, he rushed over enthusiastically.

“When did you get here? Why didn't you call earlier so I could pick you up?” After meeting, Cai Peng was all smiles, continually urging, “And why are you staying in a hotel now that you’re here?

You should have just come straight to my place.” “I have matters to attend to; staying at your place isn't convenient,” Wang Guan explained. “What matters?” Cai Peng asked with curiosity, slapping his chest.

“Just say the word. This is my turf; I can sort out anything for you here.” “You said it,” Wang Guan chuckled lightly.

“I actually do need your help with something…” “Don’t say ‘need help,’” Cai Peng shook his head, showing loyalty. “You helped me in Hong Kong; now I’m helping you; it’s perfectly normal.

Tell me what it is; if I can help, I absolutely won’t refuse.” “A small matter, certainly a small matter for you.” As he spoke, Wang Guan gestured, “Brother Gao, come over here for a moment.” Just then, Gao Zhuang quickly walked over. After the introductions, Wang Guan smiled and said, “Actually, it’s not my business; it’s his.

But we are good friends, so I’m hoping to borrow a favor from you…” “What kind of favor?” Cai Peng looked a bit confused but was also straightforward: “Don’t beat around the bush, just tell me quickly what the issue is.” “This…” Wang Guan hesitated for a moment, pulled Cai Peng a few steps aside, and whispered, “To be frank, Brother Gao is in the business of shipwreck salvage. He recently received reliable information that there might be an ancient shipwreck or some treasure near Tamsui Town in Taipei.

But due to the delicate cross-strait relations, it’s difficult for him to sail over for recovery, so he hopes to borrow your prestige.” This statement was direct, and though slightly reserved, it conveyed the intention and goal clearly. The reason for such candor was that Wang Guan had a decent understanding of Cai Peng’s nature; being honest was better.

Moreover, Cai Peng came from a wealthy family; he might not even value shipwreck treasures. If Wang Guan lied and Cai Peng later learned the truth, he would certainly be furious.

It was better to lay everything out from the start, assuming that given Cai Peng’s pride, he wouldn't take the matter too seriously. And so it was.

Although he didn't know if the shipwreck treasure was real, upon hearing it involved such matters, Cai Peng immediately agreed without any hesitation. “Thank you,” Wang Guan beamed as he spoke.

“If we find anything, you’ll definitely get a share.” “Are you being formal?” Cai Peng waved his hand, not taking the matter to heart at all, and then laughed heartily. “Enough talk, since you’re here, I can’t let you off; let’s go for a drink…” Not long after, Cai Peng lay sprawled on the sofa, completely drunk, perhaps regretting his suggestion to drink.

Meanwhile, seeing Wang Guan whose face hadn't flushed and ears weren't red, Gao Zhuang couldn't help but feel a wave of admiration, even knowing Wang Guan’s capacity for alcohol. Of course, not getting drunk didn't mean Wang Guan enjoyed drinking.

Seeing Cai Peng passed out, he discreetly signaled someone to switch the drinks to clear tea. After sipping the warm tea, he finally smiled, “Brother Gao, you can rest easy now.

With this young master’s backing, you can cruise back and forth in those waters with his yacht without any trouble.” “I was confident because you said there was a way,” Gao Zhuang also smiled broadly. “No more flattery, let’s talk business,” Wang Guan’s expression grew more serious.

“I’ll be busy with the exhibition tour these few days and can’t spare the time, so I’ll have to rely on you and Tao Li to search.” “Mm,” Gao Zhuang nodded seriously. After all, he didn't think having a nautical chart meant the job was easy.

The level of detail on a nautical chart was limited; a seemingly small dot on the map could actually be a very large island. Especially with ancient charts, the errors caused by limitations in surveying technology were even greater.

Before coming, Gao Zhuang was prepared for the possibility of not finding anything for ten days or half a month. “No need to be so pessimistic,” Wang Guan smiled at that moment.

“Once I’m done with my business, I’ll come over immediately to help. You know my luck has always been excellent; perhaps we’ll find it right away.” “Then I must find it before you do, or I’ll lose face…” Amidst their chatting and laughter, the first night in Taiwan passed.

Truthfully, Wang Guan and his group saw nothing; they merely took a quick tour of the city's high-rises, ate some local specialties, and enjoyed some fine wine. It wasn't until the next morning, under the guidance of Curator Cui, that Wang Guan truly experienced the local customs and ambiance of Treasure Island, Taiwan.

As they traveled, they eventually arrived at the Taipei Palace Museum. In fact, what is called the Taipei Palace Museum is a term used on the mainland.

On the island of Taiwan, it is properly called the National Palace Museum, formerly the Sun Yat-sen Museum, later acquiring the national designation. Regardless, while the Taipei Palace Museum’s architecture is solemn and elegant, rich in national character and quite grand in scale, it inevitably falls slightly short when compared to the Forbidden City in Beijing due to inherent constraints.

However, this deficiency is only in outward appearance; discerning the depth of its contents is difficult. This is because the Taipei Palace Museum houses many rare treasures.

Its collections of Shang and Zhou bronzes, jade ware from various dynasties, ceramics, ancient books and documents, famous paintings, and stele rubbings all originated from the collections of the former Beijing Palace Museum, Shenyang Palace Museum, and the Rehe Imperial Retreat, among others. Due to historical reasons, these treasures were relocated to Taipei.

Coupled with donations from people both domestically and internationally after the Taipei Palace Museum was established, the total collection has reached over six hundred thousand items. The richness and rarity of the objects are enough to make any cultural enthusiast’s mouth water.

Wang Guan was much the same; he had visited the Forbidden City in Beijing many times, but this was his first trip to the Taipei Palace Museum. Upon arriving, he didn't rush to discuss business but requested arrangements to tour the exhibits first.

Curator Cui naturally agreed readily to this reasonable request and personally served as the guide, introducing the history of the Taipei Palace Museum to Wang Guan. Construction began in 1962 and was completed in 1965.

It is a typical Chinese palatial style building, four stories high, with white walls and green tiles, presenting a beautiful sight. The main building of the museum is divided into four floors, with the central courtyard shaped like a plum blossom.

The first floor houses offices, the library, and the lecture hall; the second floor exhibits calligraphy, painting, bronzes, and ceramics; the third floor displays jade ware, ritual objects, carvings, books, documents, stele rubbings, and textiles; the fourth floor is reserved for various thematic special exhibitions. After briefly passing through the first floor, the formal viewing journey began upon reaching the second floor.

The world-renowned Qing Dynasty jade sculpture, the White Cabbage, the unique Dongpo Pork stone, the Western Zhou bronze vessels Mao Gong Ding and San Shi Pan, Wang Xizhi’s Kuai Xue Shi Qing Tie, Huang Gongwang’s The Dwelling of the Yuan Master section of Fuchun Mountain Residence, Huaisu’s Zixu Tie, Su Dongpo’s Cold Food Observance… Setting aside these well-known, rare treasures, the largest quantity of items is likely the rare ancient books, numbering nearly two hundred thousand volumes. However, the richest holdings are the Ming and Qing archival documents, which include memorials and edicts from successive Qing emperors, archives from the Grand Council, records from the Qing History Office, Veritable Records, and Diaries of Activities, among others.

These materials were the archives left behind from the Qing Palace. After the Xinhai Revolution, because the Qing Emperor was forced to abdicate and was granted certain courtesies due to the influence of the Beiyang warlords, the Qing Palace archives were not destroyed by war.

Ending the imperial system in a relatively peaceful manner, without bloodshed, is something worthy of praise from a modern perspective. At the very least, various documents and literature were preserved, which is a huge contribution for scholars researching culture.

It’s also worth mentioning as an aside: compared to the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Taipei Palace Museum does a very good job with its surrounding cultural products and understands marketing well. For instance, leveraging the recent fervor around Qing Dynasty dramas, they launched reproductions of imperial instructions from emperors like Kangxi and Yongzheng, which became quite popular.

In terms of commercial operation, the Taipei Palace Museum undoubtedly has its own set of procedures. After roughly touring the museum, under Curator Cui’s suggestion, Wang Guan and the others returned to the first floor.

Meanwhile, in the lecture hall on the first floor, a crowd of domestic and international reporters had already gathered. These individuals were naturally invited by Curator Cui to generate buzz for the overseas publicity campaign.

This was also part of the operational process, and Wang Guan was expected to cooperate. Seeing the group enter, the reporters knew the principal figures had arrived and immediately raised their cameras to snap pictures.

Some focused on Curator Cui, while others noticed Wang Guan, a new face, and directed their lenses toward him. Instantly, before Wang Guan and the others could even speak, the flashbulbs turned the podium into a dazzling ocean of light.

Both Curator Cui and Wang Guan were long accustomed to such a scene. They simply smiled faintly, letting the reporters take photos until the lights finally subsided after two or three minutes.

“Thank you, thank you all…” At this point, Curator Cui stepped forward and smiled, “Today is a great honor to introduce a friend to everyone, Mr. Wang from the Xiyi Museum!” Under Curator Cui’s introduction, Wang Guan also displayed a composed smile, behaving naturally as he walked lightly to the podium, commencing the first wave of promotion for his overseas exhibition tour.

“Xiyi Museum?” However, a look of confusion crossed the faces of some reporters, who were trying to place the Xiyi Museum. But some reacted quickly, instantly recalling the widely discussed treasure exhibition that had been in the news recently.

At that moment, their professional training and good journalistic ethics told them that today's press conference was likely not about some trivial matter but a major, sensational news event. With this thought, the flashbulbs, which had already dimmed, erupted once more…