Reborn As Super Heiress

Capítulo 1487: Chapter 1471: Yongle Encyclopedia Fragmented Pages

Ouyang Jun was left speechless by Huo Sining’s remarks, looking at him both amused and exasperated.

Even Su Qingqing couldn’t bear it anymore and jestingly scolded, “What do you mean Empress Dowager Cixi’s demise? It was the burning of Yuanmingyuan!”

“The burning of Yuanmingyuan? Oh, I know this, it’s in the literature textbook. It’s what the Anglo-French Alliance did when they invaded, burning, killing, looting, and taking many national treasures.”

After Ouyang Jun finished, his eyes stayed on the scraps in Huo Sining’s hands, unable to believe as he asked hesitantly, “I say, my dear sister-in-law, you wouldn’t be saying these scraps were looted by the Brits from Yuanmingyuan, would you?”

Huo Sining raised an eyebrow, “Why, is that hard to imagine?”

Ouyang Jun couldn’t help but swallow, “Is this stuff valuable?”

“Valuable?” Huo Sining first nodded and then shook her head.

“So is it or isn’t it?”

Seeing Ouyang Jun jumping up and down, Huo Sining couldn’t help but chuckle, but when she lowered her head to look at the large stack of materials in her hand, her face involuntarily sank.

“Let me put it this way, this thing collected seven to eight thousand kinds of books from ancient to modern times, and was once called the largest encyclopedia in world history. Do you think it is valuable?”

Huo Sining sighed long and deeply, “This thing is a great classic of Huaxia Country, bringing together the most glorious achievements of the Han culture of the Ancient Huaxia Country. If it weren’t for that war, its status today would certainly be unshakable.”

“You only know the burning of Yuanmingyuan, but you don’t know that the burning did not just destroy Yuanmingyuan, but also set ablaze the three hills and five gardens of the capital’s western royal area, with a scope far bigger than Yuanmingyuan alone. Longevity Hill, Yuquan Mountain, Fragrant Hills, Garden of Clear Ripples, Yuanmingyuan, Garden of Eternal Spring, Garden of Tranquil Brightness, Garden of Tranquillity and Pleasure, all were turned to ashes.”

“Those robbers plundered half of the civilization of the Ancient Huaxia Country. The stuff in my hands is merely one insignificant piece. I once read an English report in which an old French soldier recalled the invasion, saying soldiers recklessly destroyed and discarded antiques and treasures, even using jade and ancient books for construction.”

“That report imprinted deeply in my memory, yet I have been unwilling to believe it. Now seeing the condition of the booklet in my hands, it’s truly hard not to believe. The things that our people cherish as treasures and hold dear were filled in trash pits here. Isn’t that somehow a tragedy?”

Huo Sining’s mood turned heavy, and she didn’t blame Windsor Reed for these events, as the harm brought by war to the people was not Windsor Reed’s responsibility.

Yet, seeing these remnants, Huo Sining didn’t know whether to feel angry or relieved. Were it not for Windsor Reed’s ignorance, these remnants might never have landed in her hands, but such precious classical solitary volumes being treated so rudely, Huo Sining couldn’t suppress her inner anger.

Outsiders may not understand that feeling; only those who engage in antiques and love collectibles would have intense resentment towards that catastrophe, towards the barbaric acts of the invaders, towards the burnt-down art treasury, all mixed with complex emotions.

Huo Sining could even imagine those cultural relics archaeologists carrying cameras, visiting museums worldwide to photograph ancient Huaxia relics and classical images to secretly study upon returning, likely with bloodshot eyes refusing to bow or yield.

Upon hearing Huo Sining’s words, others exchanged glances, only Su Qingqing grasped it somewhat, looking at the badly battered papers in Huo Sining’s hand with wide eyes, incredulous, “Ningning, the thing you talked about, could it be… the ‘Yongle Encyclopedia’?”

Huo Sining nodded, pointing to one of the remnants in her hand, “Look here, you should recognize the words ‘Wenxian Dacheng’, right? The ‘Yongle Encyclopedia’ was initially named this, only renamed by Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di after it was completed.”

Upon hearing, Su Qingqing and others gathered to look at the residue Huo Sining pointed to, indeed seeing the striking words of ‘Wenxian Dacheng’ on that remnant.

Huo Sining’s gaze fixed on those words, remaining silent for a moment before suddenly wanting to call some elders back home.

Acquiring the ‘Yongle Encyclopedia’ remnants was truly unexpected; she didn’t even know whether she could piece together a complete volume with the sheets in her hand, but to those elders who study classics day after day, it would undoubtedly be a huge surprise.

The WGC finals eventually arrived late under the spotlight. From the start of the finals, not only did Las Vegas local TV stations broadcast it, but even the most famous American sports TV channel ESPN reached an agreement with JK Entertainment Center for live coverage.

ESPN used special satellite encryption and transmission methods, enhancing program coverage.

Because of this, ESPN became the world’s largest cable channel with extremely high program recognition globally, not only in Europe and America, but also audiences from Mainland China, Xiangjiang, Liuli, Southeast Asia, and other regions could watch.

Unlike previous preliminary rounds, the finals employed a round robin approach.

Four thousand people were divided into four hundred groups, contestants randomly drew lots, with the first four numbers starting the competition. Eliminated players missed the finals, and the waiting players took over to continue battling until 400 remained the next day.

The finals lasted two days, with the remaining fifty contestants competing for ten major spots.

Huo Sining was fairly lucky, drawing the eighth number in her group, meaning four people would be eliminated before her turn, allowing her to leisurely observe the surroundings.

“My dear sister-in-law, do you know what I just found upon checking the betting outcome outside? Ha, wonder which fool bet fifty million US dollars on your name, even more than ours. To me, this person must be brainless, how did they place their faith in you?”

Ouyang Jun’s face wore an expression of astonishment, bewildered by the betting act.

Huo Sining raised an eyebrow upon hearing and laughed, “This person’s got a good eye, huh? Why, when they bet on me, it turns to foolishness in you, do you resent seeing me do well?”

Huo Sining’s smiling eyes glanced over, making Ouyang Jun feel a cold chill, hastily shaking his head:

“No, no, I wouldn’t dare think that. This person’s ancestors must have blessed them to be so wise, actually betting on your odds. My dear sister-in-law, your gambling skills are superb, something not easily seen by others.”