Chapter 718
After reporting the matter clearly to the teachers and commanders, the next step is to wait.
Since this matter involved national treasures and diplomatic affairs, Su Miao did not think that an ordinary college student like him could stand out.
At this time, the most important thing is to follow arrangements and commands.
A week later, Su Miao was called to the department head's office.
When she opened the door, she found that in addition to Professor Wen and the department head, there were two middle-aged men with unfamiliar faces.
Professor Wen greeted her when he saw her come in:
"Miao Miao, come sit on the sofa over here. Let me introduce you. This is Director Zhang from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, and this is Counselor Lin Guorong, who will be taking up his post at the Chinese Embassy in the UK.
After we reported the matter, it received great attention, and the Cultural Heritage Bureau was very interested in the solution you proposed."
Counselor Lin was a middle-aged man in his early twenties, with meticulously combed hair. He spoke with a refined demeanor:
"Student Su, we have discussed your proposed 'honor exchange' plan and believe it is indeed feasible under the current international situation.
The embassy is willing to provide an official channel to formally contact the Charles family. On the one hand, this is more formal and can make them feel our sincerity;
Secondly, it can release a certain amount of pressure.”
Compared to Counselor Lin, Director Zhang was more serious:
"Student Su, we have already held three special meetings on the framework you envisioned of exchanging national cultural medals for dispersed cultural relics, and we believe it is highly feasible.
But... although it is a good method, there is a red line that must be maintained.
That is, the handover process must be open and transparent, with the entire process recorded on video and observers from the International Council of Museums invited to participate;
All legal documents must be dually authenticated by the Ministry of Justice of China and the UK.
To avoid future disputes and being slandered by them, saying that we obtained it through unclean means.
You know, their country has always been a place where people have a gentlemanly appearance but a mean heart. They call themselves gentlemen, but they do all sorts of dirty things.”
Su Miao nodded, took it seriously in mind, and asked:
"Then...is there anything I can do to help?"
Counselor Lin said, "We hope you can help contact your friend who discovered the cultural relics and ask her to mediate. Of course, all actions must wait until the embassy formally contacts her."
"Okay, no problem. My friend's parents are both government employees. They have been well-educated and have a strong sense of responsibility. They will definitely cooperate with the leadership."
Several teachers showed admiration, and Director Zhang said:
"You are truly the hope of our country's future. With young people like you who are aware and motivated, we can confidently hand over our work to you in the future."
After seeing off Director Zhang and Counselor Lin, the department head said with satisfaction:
"Su Miao, if this thing succeeds, you will have made a great contribution, and your name will also be mentioned in the history of the return of national treasures.
Take what Director Zhang said just now seriously. He's really interested in you. After you graduate, you'll most likely be able to work at the Cultural Heritage Bureau, where you can continue to shine."
Su Miao smiled modestly, thinking in her heart: Oh no, I'm going to disappoint my teachers. After graduation, she wants to go back to Su Ji to take care of her own land. After all, she will be a millionaire in a year and doesn't want to dig the land anymore.
It was rainy in London in November. Hu Xiaodie had been concerned since she received Su Miao's fax.
While continuing to interact with Charles and telling him about China's interesting traditional culture, his favorability towards China soared.
While keeping a close eye on whether there was anyone else trying to find out about the cultural relics like her, fortunately, things were relatively peaceful during this period.
It wasn't until mid-November that the newly appointed Counselor Lin contacted her...
Two days later, Charles suddenly found her after class:
"Hu, there's something strange. Your country's embassy contacted my parents and said they want to do some cultural exchange."
Hu Xiaodie pretended to be calm: "Really? That's great. Our country is now having more and more international exchanges, and many people want to get such opportunities."
Charles said distressedly, "But... why did they choose our family? Firstly, we're not that special, and secondly... we don't even know what we should discuss."
Hu Xiaodie paused, as if to help him think, and said happily:
"I remember your family has a collection from China, right? It's the one you showed me before. We can use this as the intersection point to connect them."
"Which one? Ah! Now I remember, you mean those green bottles and jars? This... I don't think it's good."
"Why?"
Charles scratched his head, looked at the classmates coming and going around him, and suddenly pulled Hu Xiaodie to the secluded bushes nearby.
Hu Xiaodie was wearing small leather shoes with heels today. She almost slipped when she stepped on the grass and shouted anxiously:
"Charles, slow down, what are you hiding from?"
When they reached a deserted place, Charles stopped and said to Xiaodie, panting:
"Hu, I want to apologize to you and your country first. I've never been able to tell you before that the origins of most of my family's collections... well, my great-grandfather's generation, the way they collected them was probably... not very glorious."
Charles didn't dare to mention burning, killing and looting, but it was already good enough to say so.
After all, many European aristocrats are still proud of that period of history, believing that their ancestors were victors and could look down on China.
Charles's honesty was exactly the opportunity Hu Xiaodie had been waiting for. The leader had practiced the words of persuasion with her many times:
"Charles, if those artifacts were truly obtained illegally, wouldn't it be great if we could return them to their country of origin? This would prove that you are upright and civilized people, and would enhance your family's international image."
Charles nodded thoughtfully. "You have a point. Those collections come from both my mother's and father's families. My mother has always been uneasy about those 'trophies', but my father might not want to donate them."
Hu Xiaodie's voice was soft, as if she was repairing a fragile piece of porcelain:
“Charles, the world is now advocating for icebreaking and peace.
If your family were the first noble family to voluntarily return cultural relics, how would the media in both countries, and even in other countries, report on the event? How would you describe it as "A Century of Civilizational Reconciliation"?
I suggest that your family have a serious discussion with our embassy first. Perhaps your concerns can be resolved through communication.
As far as I know, there are very few Eagle families who can have such official exchanges. This is a very rare opportunity."
Charles was silent for a moment, then nodded and said:
"Okay, I will go back and convince my parents. I would also like to invite you to participate in this exchange activity as our family's consultant. I wonder if you are willing."
"It's my great honor."
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