Change the title after Chapter 96

The laboratory was very quiet.

The five new colleagues buried themselves in their desks, sometimes writing furiously, sometimes deep in thought.

Lin Sicheng and Feng Lin quietly pieced together another white bowl made of lard on the stage.

It was very fast, only about half an hour.

It was a truly pitiful sight: with holes on the left and eyes on the right, it would leak even if you tried to put broad beans in it, let alone water or rice.

The key point is that most of the holes are in the middle of the bowl, not on the edge, which increases the difficulty of repair by several levels.

Feng Lin frowned: "Isn't this difficult to replenish?"

"It's okay, let's give it a try!" Lin Sicheng said nonchalantly. "It only cost two hundred yuan, I won't feel bad about fixing it!"

That's true.

Feng Lin nodded and carried the base into the electric kiln.

When I turned around, I saw Lin Sicheng also hunched over the table, writing nonstop.

After glancing at the title, Feng Lin immediately understood: it was written for Zhu Kaiping.

Shang and Zhou Dynasties: The golden age of bronze, dating back 3600 years.

The copper smelting technology at the Taosi site (Linfen, Shanxi) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River dates back 3,900 years.

Majiayao Site (Dingxi, Gansu): Bronze knife, dating back 4,500 years.

Jiangzhai Site, brass sheet and brass tube (Xi'an), dating back 4700 years.

The principle of "one piece of evidence is not to be examined" applies here. If we only study the brass pieces from the Jiangzhai site, no matter how detailed the data is, the historical and archaeological communities will not accept it.

Therefore, there must be strong supporting evidence, just like what Lin Sicheng is writing now: pushing back from the end.

First, we trace back from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the Taosi site, then to the Majiayao culture (600 kilometers from Xi'an), which is closer in time and geographically. Then, we go further back to the Jiangzhai site.

This means that Lin Sicheng outlined a highly probable "route for the inheritance of Chinese copper smelting technology" and explicitly told Zhu Kaiping: "You should follow this path to study and verify it simultaneously."

But isn't this a bit too comprehensive?

Just as she was wondering, she saw Lin Sicheng write a few more messages, and Feng Lin narrowed her eyes:

Counter-evidence 1: The difference between the copper smelting technology at the Taosi site and that at sites in the southern Eurasian steppe (present-day Ural region of Russia)...

Counter-evidence 2: The differences and connections between Jiangzhai brass and the copper smelting technology of the Shijiahe culture (Tianmen, Hubei, 4300 years ago). That is, the origin of the Shang Dynasty bronze culture.

The first one is alright; it's used to refute the widely held belief abroad, and even the more affirmative view held by domestic historians and archaeologists than abroad, that is "the Western origin of copper smelting."

But the second one... It is generally acknowledged by historians and archaeologists that the bronze culture of the Shang and Zhou dynasties was inherited from Shijiahe. Is Lin Sicheng trying to stir up a hornet's nest?

Feng Lin lowered her voice and reminded him, but Lin Sicheng dismissed it: "The domestic academic community also generally agrees that 'Shang and Zhou bronze technology originated from West Asia.' If we can't even refute this, how can we prove that 'Chinese copper smelting originated independently'?"

Feng Lin was speechless after being refuted.

She only realized now that she had no choice but to poke the hornet's nest...

She glanced again at the titles Lin Sicheng had listed: "How likely is it...?"

Lin Sicheng nodded firmly: "Don't worry!"

In its previous life, the Chinese Academy of Sciences traced its origins along this path, ultimately achieving a perfect connection.

However, there is still one link missing: the Xichengyi site in Gansu, but this site will not be excavated until 2010.

Therefore, Lin Sicheng planned to take some time to travel to Gansu and find a way to get the Gansu Institute of Cultural Relics to excavate the site ahead of schedule.

At the latest, next year; otherwise, Zhu Kaiping's research will have to stop.

With that thought in mind, he got off the lab bench and walked to a corner.

Zhu Kaiping subconsciously raised his head and stood up again.

"Senior brother, please sit down!" Lin Sicheng waved his hand and handed over the manuscript. "It's just a quick idea, senior brother, take a look first. If you think it's feasible, we can discuss it further!"

After glancing at it, Zhu Kaiping's pupils shrank: It's more than just a possibility?

Highly likely: First, consider the time frame; the difference between the two dates is only a few hundred years.

Looking at the geography: it is equivalent to radiating outwards from the Jiangzhai site as the center.

Why didn't he think of that?

Because there are more than a thousand bronze smelting sites from the Shang Dynasty and earlier, it's like a combination lock. You have to pick a combination from 1 to 1000 to open the lock. How difficult is that?

Suddenly, Zhu Kaiping halved the research cycle he had envisioned: from five to six years to three to four years.

The only problem is that the last two counter-arguments are too far ahead of their time.

But he understood even more clearly that if he wanted to prove Lin Sicheng's final idea: that copper smelting in China had an independent origin, these were two mountains that had to be climbed.

Zhu Kaiping nodded vigorously: "Junior Brother Lin, I will do my best!"

"No rush, take your time!"

With a smile, Lin Sicheng replied and turned to leave.

Zhu Kaiping glanced at the manuscript on the table and stared at his back: How could a mere idea on the spot be possible?

He took a breath, sat down, and began to rewrite the research plan based on the original draft.

The laboratory fell silent again.

Not long after, Wang Qizhi, carrying a thermos, sauntered into the laboratory.

As soon as he entered, he exclaimed, "Huh? It's so quiet?"

Lin Sicheng was mixing lacquer paste, while the rest of them, including Feng Lin, each occupied a corner and wrote furiously.

In fact, no one even noticed when his mentor returned?

Upon closer inspection: it's either a project plan or an outline of the difficulties.

Wow, suddenly so proactive and cooperative?

Thinking back to when he left in the morning: one by one they were both doubtful and disappointed... At that time, Wang Qizhi thought that it would probably take two or three days to make these people submit.

As a result, he couldn't even last half a day?

Secretly suspicious, he tiptoed onto the lab table. Lin Sicheng glanced at him and scoffed.

No doubt about it, he must have overslept at home: Whose meeting can go on from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon?

Traitorous disciple!

Wang Qizhi glared at Lin Sicheng, then gestured with his chin towards the audience, asking in a low voice, "What's going on?"

"I gave a general overview of the research approach and the ultimate goal of the project, and the senior students were very enthusiastic."

Lin Sicheng, what nonsense are you spouting?

Wang Qizhi squinted: "You think they'll believe you just because you say so?"

“I believe you!” Lin Sicheng nodded. “Senior Brother Zhu’s research level is very high, and he has a sharp eye: he can hit the nail on the head…”

In an instant, Wang Qizhi guessed almost exactly what was going on: If Lin Sicheng said it, it would definitely sound like bragging no matter how you look at it... I don't believe you for a second?

However, if it is Zhu Kaiping who has a doctoral degree, has published in journals multiple times, and has achieved certain scientific research results, then others would believe him 100%.

This is the persuasiveness and authority that comes from one's own strength.

But just by looking at that extremely rough report, one can see Lin Sicheng's true level; Zhu Kaiping's level is indeed not low.

It was worth all the effort I put in, from research to reviewing papers.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Qizhi sat down.

Just then, Wei Hong finished organizing her ideas and ran over excitedly. Halfway there, she realized Wang Qizhi was also there.

"Oh, Professor Wang!"

Wang Qizhi nodded. "What is it?"

"I've written down some of my understanding and ideas for the project plan, and I'd like to ask Junior Brother Lin to take a look!"

"Oh!" Wang Qizhi glanced at the manuscript. "Change the way you address me from now on!"

What kind of title is this? Is the title wrong?

Suspicious, Wei Hong instinctively looked up and discovered that Professor Wang wasn't looking at the manuscript, but at her.

His expression was somewhat serious.

Wei Hong's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly realized: Since it was a review, since it was a request for advice, why did you call Lin Sicheng "junior brother"?

Moreover, is this just giving pointers?

What is the argumentation process for a near-national-level research project? It's about passing on knowledge and skills…

Furthermore, the research plan was right there, with "Co-Pi: Lin Sicheng" prominently displayed.

Wei Hong had a sudden inspiration: "Senior Brother Lin!"

Wang Qizhi nodded in satisfaction: "As the first disciple, shouldn't you call me senior brother?"

Zhu Kaiping doesn't count; he's a disciple of a friendly sect, practically equivalent to a monk staying at a temporary monastery...