Chapter 286 Two Unearthed Goods

"We don't have sweet white glaze, and we certainly don't have eggshell cups!"

“But we have samples of Song Dynasty Yingqing porcelain, Jin Dynasty Hejin porcelain, Huozhou porcelain, Yuan Dynasty egg white glaze, and Qing Dynasty Dehua white porcelain, and we have enough of them.”

"The techniques used in these types of porcelain are all inherited from those of sweet white glaze and eggshell cups. The only differences are in the glaze color, body thickness, and light transmittance. Once you understand these four types of porcelain, you can follow the clues and trace the origins of the craft."

In particular, the Yuan dynasty's egg-white glaze and the Yongle dynasty's sweet-white glaze are directly inherited from each other, with essentially the same technological parameters. The only difference is that the former is white and thick, and opaque, while the latter is slightly bluish, thin, and semi-transparent. Using the egg-white glaze as a starting point, it is not difficult to demonstrate the technological process of the sweet-white glaze.

"And then there's Dehua white porcelain. Because of the collaboration between the government and private kilns during the Ming Dynasty, the Dehua kilns learned the thin-bodied porcelain techniques from the official kilns, which led to the extremely thin and transparent Dehua porcelain of the Qing Dynasty. This is also why we have the Dehua porcelain we have today that is thinner than paper and more transparent than gauze..."

“Using this as a starting point, we can trace back to the origins of eggshell porcelain and study its craftsmanship. The only difference between sweet white glaze and eggshell porcelain is that it's slightly thicker, making its origins easier to trace…”

Lin Sicheng spoke calmly and eloquently, while the group of experts remained silent.

At first glance, it doesn't seem too difficult, and it is theoretically feasible.

However, the premise is that you must first demonstrate and prove that the craftsmanship and art of these six types of porcelain—Hejin porcelain, Huozhou porcelain, egg white glaze, sweet white glaze, eggshell porcelain, and Dehua white porcelain—all originated from the shadow celadon porcelain of Hutian Kiln in Jingdezhen during the Song Dynasty.

The most crucial discovery was the Hejin and Huozhou kilns, which proved their inheritance relationship with the Hutian kiln and the egg-white glaze.

The connection between the past and the future is crucial. Without these two kilns and sufficient samples, no matter how high the level of the institution, how strong the research capabilities, or how many experts there are, no matter how hard one tries, it is impossible to link Yingqing porcelain and sweet white glaze together.

That's one point. Secondly, there's the issue of time and probability.

Starting from scratch, in less than half a year, they researched the inheritance relationship and craftsmanship characteristics of seven types of porcelain and restored the complete technical chain. The number of trial and error experiments was not thousands or tens of thousands, but thousands multiplied by thousands.

It's like a math problem with an accuracy rate of only one in a million, but Lin Sicheng answered the only correct answer in a second.

It is precisely because they are all experts, and because the experts know so much, that it is so awe-inspiring.

But the object is right in front of you, how could it be made up out of thin air?

Suddenly, the experts' enthusiasm and initiative plummeted: Lin Sicheng had already studied the technology to this extent, so what else could they study after going to Hejin and Huozhou?

Kiln layout and furnace structure?

It was as if Lin Sicheng had eaten all the meat, leaving only a few mouthfuls of soup and some dry bones.

But if the higher-ups assign work, you still have to go, even if it's just a quick visit.

Lu Chenglong sighed: "Xiao Lin, after we're done, could you send us a copy of the technical documents? We'd like to think about it too."

"Of course!" Lin Sicheng nodded. "No need to wait until it's finished, we can copy it today!"

Lü Chenglong paused for a moment, then said, "Okay!"

It's the Forbidden City, after all, and a well-established institution; it wouldn't stoop so low as to steal the research findings of a junior like Lin Sicheng.

But Lin Sicheng did not hesitate at all, without the slightest stumble, which moved the experts.

It's not just about trust, but also about confidence and strength.

In a flash, the group went up to the third floor.

The third floor is a training room, and at Lü Chenglong's request, the table is covered with porcelain restoration materials from the center.

As planned, this was the second major attraction for the tour group during their visit to Northwest University, besides the Yingqing porcelain exhibit.

Because they were all very curious: Lin Sicheng didn't even know which way the gates of the Forbidden City faced, and no one had ever taught him. How did he learn the blue and white porcelain restoration techniques that only the Forbidden City had?

As for Wang Qizhi's claim that Lin Sicheng became self-taught after obtaining information from the Palace Museum and receiving guidance from Old Lady Zhao, no one believed it at all.

Lu Chenglong didn't believe it, the experts didn't believe it, including the few remaining, leading figures like Mr. Geng Baochang and Mr. Wang Liying, they also didn't believe it.

If restoring blue and white porcelain were so easy to learn, there would be ancient ceramic restoration experts everywhere.

But after touring the second floor, the experts suddenly felt bored.

Leaving aside the other five types, let's just talk about sweet white glaze and eggshell porcelain. Nobody even thought about researching their firing techniques. It was like there was nowhere to learn them, and no materials to borrow. Yet Lin Sicheng still managed to recreate them, didn't he?

In contrast, blue and white porcelain has at least available documentation and data, and even guidance from a descendant of a top craftsman from the Qing Dynasty's Imperial Household Department, such as Old Lady Zhao. Compared to that, the difficulty level is drastically lower, so it's not surprising that Lin Sicheng was able to learn it.

After thinking for a moment, Lü Chenglong waved his hand: "I'm not watching!"

The experts nodded in unison.

Wang Qizhi extended another invitation, saying he wanted to visit his laboratory and offer some guidance on the iron artifact rust prevention project, but the experts showed little interest.

In this respect, Director Wu and Vice President Ma are the true experts. Even they are full of praise and sincerely convinced. What can a group of people who study porcelain and calligraphy offer any guidance?

Lu Chenglong then called Lin Sicheng to his side: "Director Lu has already coordinated everything that needs to be coordinated. As long as you and we arrive in Shanxi, the excavation project can start. When do you plan to leave?"

"It might take about a week!" Lin Sicheng calculated. "This time, there are a lot of personnel involved, and the trip will take longer. We need to apply for coordination with the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, the Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage, and the Provincial Museum."

“Okay, one week it is!” Lü Chenglong nodded, then looked at Shan Guoqiang, “Director Shan, when do you want to talk?”

Shan Guoqiang smiled and said, "I'm not in a hurry!"

What should we talk about?

Lin Sicheng and Wang Qizhi were completely baffled, and the school leaders were even more perplexed.

The group went downstairs. It was still early, just past ten o'clock, so the experts went back to the hotel to rest.

Just as they left the school gate, Lin Sicheng and Wang Qizhi's phones rang simultaneously: Shan Guoqiang and Lü Chenglong wanted to invite them to dinner.

After exchanging a few words and hanging up the phone, the teacher and student suddenly realized:

No wonder Director Shan is in charge of the Palace Museum's exhibition work and his research focuses on calligraphy, painting and epigraphy, which have little to do with ceramics. So why did he accompany Director Lü to visit Xida University?

So it was all about Xu Weili's documents?

Director Shan plans to discuss with Lin Sicheng the possibility of borrowing the Palace Museum's exhibits on a loan basis. If Lin Sicheng has further research plans and can collaborate with the Palace Museum, that would be even better.

If it were a different company or a different person, Lin Sicheng would not hesitate at all and would refuse on the spot.

However, based on his understanding of the Forbidden City and his trust in Director Shan, he agreed.

Wang Qizhi was too lazy to offer any advice: with him as the teacher, no one could possibly criticize Lin Sicheng's work.

...

The sun rose as usual, and it was another bright and sunny day.

Lin Sicheng and Wang Qizhi carried the plaque and hung it up.

The other two plaques remained unchanged; only the first one was replaced. The brand-new plaque still smelled of paint: Xijing City Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center.

Compared to the previous one, it's missing three words: Beilin District.

This means that the ceramic restoration project of the Institute of Cultural Relics Restoration at Northwest University has been officially included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of Xi'an City.

Compared to the day of the unveiling, the commotion was negligible: there was no celebration, no guests to offer congratulations, and not even a single decoration was hung on the plaque.

A deputy director from the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Deputy Director He from the Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics came to provide guidance.

Silent and still, without a ripple.

Unbeknownst to many, a new photo appeared in the list of staff members of the School of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies' Youth League Committee: Lin Sicheng, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Department of the School of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies.

(Parentheses: staff member)

In his previous life, Lin Sicheng had worked as an expert, a consultant, and an engineer. But he had never actually done any work within the system.

He pondered for a moment: "Teacher, if I stay in Beijing for a long time later on, and don't return to school for a year or two, will I be expelled?"

"Expelled?" Wang Qizhi scoffed. "Lin Sicheng, what are you thinking?"

Unless one breaks the law or commits a fundamental political offense, that day will never come.

"No matter where you are, you are always doing research, right? And every time you publish a paper or produce a research result, the school's reputation and influence will increase. How could you possibly be expelled?"

"Don't even mention a year or two, I could go eight or ten years without showing up, and my salary and bonuses will still be paid, along with all the corresponding support and benefits."

That's true.

The so-called complementary and mutually reinforcing relationship is what makes them mutually beneficial.

He nodded: "I'm leaving for Shanxi the day after tomorrow. I'll have to ask you for help here at the center!"

Wang Qizhi didn't care at all: "Don't worry! For the first six months, you and President Zhao, Shang Yan and I were not around, and things were still running smoothly, weren't they?"

With Lin Changqing in charge and the school keeping an eye on things, and this time with people from the Municipal Bureau of Culture and the Bureau of Cultural Relics overseeing the coordination, there's absolutely nothing to worry about.

"How long do you estimate it will take to go to Shanxi this time?"

"The excavation of six sites of varying sizes will definitely take a long time, at least a year, and at most two or three years! But I am just a technical consultant, just offering advice. I won't be staying for long, and I don't need to be stationed here permanently."

He was indeed just a technical consultant, but not at all as Lin Sicheng claimed, that he went there only to offer advice.

To put it bluntly, Lin Sicheng has developed over 80% of the technical aspects related to these two sites. The only remaining aspects are the kiln structure and the influence and role of local culture in the transmission and evolution of the craft.

Projects with little technical content and negligible impact would be rejected by the Palace Museum and the Academy of Cultural Heritage even with their eyes closed.

Even if they went, it was just to make a brief appearance and show the importance that the higher authorities attached to this project; the research phase was still handled by Lin Sicheng and the original team.

However, Lin Sicheng had already thoroughly researched what could be studied, and even completely restored the craftsmanship. What remained was simply to verify the findings through archaeological excavations: to verify the origins and dissemination of the techniques of Hejin and Huozhou porcelain, as well as their connection to the techniques of Song Dynasty Yingqing porcelain and Yuan Dynasty egg-white glaze.

This kind of work doesn't require Lin Sicheng at all; Qin Tao, a key researcher at the center, could do it, not to mention the original research team led by Professor Huang Zhifeng.

Since the focus isn't on this, there's no need to occupy the position without doing anything.

Moreover, time was of the essence: the Institute of Advanced Study in Chinese Literature and Technology (AAP) needed to release its research report on BTA compounding technology by the 11th of the month at the latest. Before that, Vice President Ma could be invited to Beijing at any time to guide the institute's verification experiments.

Therefore, Lin Sicheng rejected Director Wu's proposal and did not serve as the deputy director of the project command, but only symbolically served as a technical consultant.

"Okay, go and come back soon!"

Wang Qizhi was a little worried and added, "Don't be too shy."

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment, then laughed and cried at the same time: Is this what you call shyness?

He even wondered if he would be tricked into putting a sack over his head during his trip to Shanxi.

"I'm not talking about the locals, I'm talking about the experts!"

Wang Qizhi patiently guided him, "Deputy Director Lü, Vice President Ma, and Director Lü are not only leaders, but also authoritative scholars in archaeology and cultural relics. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be following this path in the future, so don't be shy, ask questions when you need to, and learn what you need to learn!"

Lin Sicheng seemed to understand: "Teacher, I understand!"

As soon as he finished speaking, with a "buzz", Lin Sicheng took out his phone. The screen showed a message from Lü Chenglong: Xiao Lin, we're planning to leave a day early to visit the Jiexiu Guandi Temple. Do you want to come along?

The teacher just finished teaching a class; how can you say you won't go?

Lin Sicheng replied with a single word: Go!

...

The sky wasn't very clear; it was gloomy and foggy.

It wasn't a holiday, a festival, or a temple fair, so there weren't many tourists at the Guandi Temple. After lunch, the portly boss, covered with a blanket, leaned back in his recliner and dozed off.

As I squinted, a slightly familiar voice reached my ears:

"Director Lü, it was here that I discovered the shards of fine white porcelain."

"There's also Tianqi blue and white porcelain?"

"right!"

The mention of Tianqi blue and white porcelain conjures up a young face in one's mind, and the fat boss instinctively opens his eyes.

An old man and a young man, the old man around fifty and the young man in his early twenties, were standing in front of the stall.

At just one glance, the chubby boss recognized him: "Oh, Mr. Lin?"

Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "Boss, you still recognize me?"

"Of course I recognize it, how could I not?"

He sold a few broken porcelain shards for three thousand yuan, and his impression of Lin Sicheng was very deep.

"It's been a long time. I thought you went out of town?" The chubby boss quickly stood up, his face beaming. "I contacted Boss Zhao twice, but he kept saying you were busy."

He didn't go to another place; he was originally from another place.

However, Lin Sicheng could speak both Taiyuan dialect and southern Shanxi accent, which the fat boss couldn't tell.

The fat boss did contact Zhao Xiuneng, saying he had found two good items, but they were both in Beijing at the time.

When they arrived in Yuncheng, Lü Chenglong said he wanted to visit the Jiexiu Guandi Temple, which reminded Lin Sicheng of the idea.

"I've been quite busy!" Lin Sicheng smiled. "That's why I came here as soon as I got back!"

"Luckily, Mr. Lin arrived in time. If you had been two days later, I would have already sold the goods!"

The portly boss glanced around and said, "Please have a seat, I'll be right back!"

As he spoke, he pulled out two small stools and gave a sly wink.

Lin Sicheng nodded, indicating that he understood.

Looking at the fat boss's furtive figure, constantly turning back to look at him, Lü Chenglong asked suspiciously, "How much of a bargain did the boss take advantage of you to trick you like this?"

"Actually, it wasn't much. The first time I spent three thousand and bought more than ten porcelain shards. The second time I spent one thousand five hundred and bought five large baskets of locally produced blue and white porcelain from the Republic of China era!"

"All porcelain shards?"

"They're all shards of porcelain!"

Lü Chenglong couldn't help but chuckle: "Give it that high?"

Let alone here, even in Panjiayuan or Liulichang, how many stall owners know that blue and white porcelain was actually fired during the Tianqi reign?

Let alone knowing anything about Jinhe fine white porcelain.

The shopkeeper rarely encounters a customer who would spend thousands to buy a few broken porcelain shards; he only sees one in ten years. The shopkeeper simply considers Lin Sicheng a sucker. Whenever he comes across something even remotely pleasing, he immediately thinks of Lin Sicheng.

After exchanging a few jokes, the portly boss returned, this time wearing a light trench coat. His hands were in the coat pockets, his chest bulging.

He was still acting suspiciously, taking one step and looking back every few steps.

Neither of them paid any attention, assuming that the fat boss was still using the same old tricks.

When he arrived at the stall, the chubby owner looked around to make sure no one was passing by before unbuttoning his trench coat.

It was a small box, wrapped in cloth. But the fat shopkeeper didn't take it out directly; instead, he covered it with the corner of his clothes.

Upon opening the box and peeling back the top layer of foam, Lin Sicheng and Lü Chenglong were both taken aback.

Two genuine antiques!