Chapter 172: The face worn by sand and dust, he loved
Inside the Shanghai Museum's auditorium, the mosaic marble floor was covered with cameras. The glass-domed auditorium was bathed in afternoon sunlight, and the crimson seats were packed with reporters. A podium covered with flowers sat side by side with Ming Yuanxing, Qin Tian, the Party Secretary, and others.
The reporter on the left side of the second row stood up.
"I'm a reporter from Oriental Weekly, and I'd like to ask Director Ming Yuanxing. When you personally led your team to Niya for archaeological excavation, you likely had no idea we would uncover such a large tomb. What motivated you to make that decision? Was it your intuition as a cultural and museum expert, or were there hidden clues?"
Ming Yuanxing picked up the microphone with a smile.
"Both. Since it's a hidden clue, I certainly won't disclose it here. As for my intuition, it's more about people than about artifacts. It's like when we go to the hospital, we always feel that specialist clinics are more reliable. Qin Tian is an expert in our museum, and she often surprises me. This time, she called me during the Chinese New Year, and my intuition was that this was a big deal, she might be giving me a New Year's gift. As it turned out, it was more than just a New Year's gift. Before I retired, I witnessed the most shocking and moving moment of my career. I'm truly grateful and honored."
"I'm a reporter from Huaxin TV, and I'd like to ask Professor Qin Tian. I heard that you went to Niya alone to search for the Tomb of Chunjun, and you were the only woman on the subsequent archaeological team. Does your identity as a woman cause any trouble for you given the unique nature of your job?"
Qin Tian picked up the microphone and thought for a few seconds.
"I've been to many places alone, but not Niya. This was my second trip to Niya, where I was with my friends and teachers. During the nearly four months of archaeological excavation, I wasn't the only woman, but I was the only woman we reported on and identified with. We tend to only see those at the core and ignore those who serve and help us. From this perspective, being a woman has always been troubling. But this isn't based on the specificity of the profession; it's a common concern for women in all walks of life. For me, the only problem with being a woman is that I'm much slower than men when digging."
"Hello, Miss Qin Tian. I'm a reporter from the Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao. I understand that your father is the son-in-law of renowned antique dealer Han Yehua, and he also worked in the Shanghai Museum's appraisal team. I heard that 20 years ago, he found the Jiangcun Tomb, believing it to be the true location of the Ba Mausoleum. And this time, you've also found the Chunjun Tomb. Is this powerful ability to perceive artifacts a legacy of experience, or did Han Yehua leave you the location of his treasure before his death?"
The reporters below were obviously hearing this secret for the first time. Some looked at each other in confusion, some were surprised, but the auditorium was unusually quiet, and they were obviously looking forward to Qin Tian's answer.
Ming Yuanxing cast a concerned look at Qin Tian. This question concerned the Han family rumors, a family matter Qin Tian had never publicly disclosed. Just as he was about to smooth things over, Qin Tian's gaze slowly swept over the reporters and cameras, and his calm, warm voice echoed in the Shanghai Museum's auditorium.
"Over 20 years ago, my father discovered the Jiangcun Tomb. His work diary records that he traveled to Xi'an over a dozen times during those years, just to prove that the Jiangcun Tomb was actually the Ba Tomb. I only learned about this last year. At the time, I only knew I had a father I couldn't see often.
The year I graduated, I started working at the Shanghai Museum. I had seen and touched more than half of the artifacts in the collection catalog. Only then did I understand why my father was always away from home when I was a child. I realized that even though those childhood memories were so lonely and sad, I still chose the path of cultural relics. Because in my childhood memories, there are artifacts found by my father everywhere. I don't know where the emotion comes from, but it is so deep. My deep love for artifacts is the legacy my father passed on to me. Next to the names of the artifacts, there are the names of the donors and the places where they were discovered. But there is no father's name, because it doesn't matter who discovered it. What my father does, and what I do, is work that does not need to be seen. Because we have already received the highest reward. In the short journey of life, in the cracks of time, the moment we meet with artifacts that are thousands of years old is our reward. This is the treasure my grandfather left us.
The reporter from Ta Kung Pao still held the microphone.
"Thank you for your answer. I have another question. Legend has it that the Chunjun Tomb that was recently opened is the tomb of Han Yehua's ancestor. In other words, you are a descendant of Chunjun! Is this rumor true?"
Instantly, the reporters erupted in an uproar, and the venue could no longer remain silent. A buzz of conversation rose and fell. Cameras were trained on Qin Tian, shutter clicks raining down, and spotlights blared in all directions, like stars.
A smile appeared on Qin Tian's face, which was illuminated by the bright sunlight.
"Yes, it's true."
The whispers suddenly turned into a clamor. Reporters rushed to their feet and asked questions one after another.
"Ms. Qin! I'm Huanan..."
"Teacher Qin! Excuse me..."
"Teacher Qin! Can you..."
Seeing that he was about to lose control, the host quickly picked up the microphone and suppressed the situation with a loud voice.
"I'm sorry, everyone. The press conference has exceeded its time limit. Questions regarding Chunjun Damu have concluded. Regarding Mr. Qin Tian's personal questions, please find another time."
As he finished speaking, a reporter from the Ta Kung Pao, holding a microphone, took advantage of the moment and shouted, "Excuse me, last question. Miss Qin, the Chunjun Tomb is the burial site of your ancestors, and your ancestors have protected it for generations. May I ask why you chose to open it? I mean, besides your status as a Shanghai Museum expert, is there any other reason?"
At this moment, apart from the sound of flashes, there was no other sound. All the reporters once again held their breath, waiting for the answer.
The camera focused on her face. Not only was she the discoverer of Chunjun's tomb, but she was also his descendant. Her three-dimensional features conveyed the mystery and legend of her genes.
"The other reason is probably because of the bonus."
There was a friendly smile in the meeting room.
The host wittily continued, "Teacher Qin is quite humorous. After the meeting, I'd like to ask her how much bonus she received to make such a significant sacrifice. Okay, that concludes the questioning. Thank you, leaders, teachers, and journalists, for your hard work."
The attendees exchanged pleasantries with smiles on their faces. Qin Tian remained seated, her gaze fixed, as if she were still pondering the previous question. The camera remained focused on her, gradually zooming in, lingering on her face before fading out.
Tong Zhongyuan pressed replay on the ending video. The scene returned to the windswept sands of Niya. He had personally restored coins bearing roses. He had traveled tens of thousands of kilometers to search for the world-renowned Han Dynasty gilded plates. That increasingly slender figure.
The wind from the English Channel blew up a stack of papers on the table, and hundreds and thousands of bright red seals fluttered in the wind, like blooming English roses.
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