Chapter 178 All Advice Was in Vain
Grayish-white mist drifted over the windowsill, condensing into strangely shaped frost flowers on the glass.
The cool light from the overhead lamps spilled down, giving the porcelain in the display case a lustrous bluish glow.
"After the rain, the sky clears and the clouds break, this is the color of the future." Chai Rong, the last emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, loved celadon, which led to the establishment of the Central Chai Kiln, the Southern Longquan Kiln, and the Northern Yaozhou Kiln.
These three types of celadon were extremely rare, even during the Five Dynasties and Northern Song periods.
These are, of course, modern imitations, but they are so lifelike that they can easily pass for the real thing.
This also shows that Director Meng has put in a lot of effort to restore the firing techniques of Yaozhou Kiln.
As Lin Sicheng read, he told Li Zhen, "Director Meng studied under Mr. Li Guozhen. In 1940, Mr. Li was admitted to the Department of Chemistry at Northwest University and graduated in 1944. Due to his excellent academic performance, he was assigned to the Central Industrial Experiment Institute in Chongqing..."
In 1953, Mr. Li was assigned by the Ministry of Light Industry to Jingdezhen to implement Premier Zhou Enlai's instructions to restore the historical porcelain as soon as possible. Subsequently, Mr. Li served as the team leader, collaborating with the Research Institute of the Ministry of Light Industry and the Shanghai Silicate Research Institute (Ceramics) to establish the National Porcelain Group, aiming to restore the techniques of ancient porcelain…
Afterwards, he spearheaded the restoration of famous kilns such as Longquan Kiln in Zhejiang, Jian Kiln in Fujian, and Dehua Kiln... It can be said that Mr. Li's contributions to the revival of these famous porcelains from the five major kilns and six major porcelain systems are indispensable..."
Li Zhen listened quietly, as did Director Du and Minister Liu, who occasionally exchanged glances: Does this kid understand things quite well?
After observing for about half an hour, the researchers arrived at work one after another, and Minister Liu opened the security door of the research institute.
There weren't many people, about eight or nine, and they were all quite old, mostly in their thirties or forties.
Each person has their own workbench, complete with mechanical walls and a micro-display.
They gave a brief introduction, saying that these three people were from the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation at Northwest University and that they would be observing and learning from them for a few days.
Presumably having heard rumors that this group was there to steal technology, the researchers all wore strange expressions. They couldn't help but scrutinize Lin Sicheng a few more times when they saw him.
A top student from Xida University, an inheritor of ancient ceramic restoration techniques, is preparing to apply for a national intangible cultural heritage project.
But no matter how advanced they are, they are still just students. How long did it take Director Meng from starting his research to basically restoring the technique, and then to applying for intangible cultural heritage status?
Twenty-six years in total.
It's not that they look down on them; they just find it a bit hard to understand: with so many professors at Xida University, why can't they find a more experienced, technically more mature, and skillfully crafted successor?
Not only these researchers, but also Director Du, Minister Liu, and even a group of local leaders from the Tongchuan Cultural Bureau and Industrial Bureau who had only heard of them but never met them thought so.
It's not that people are wrong to think the worst: you're just putting up a false front, what are you here for if not to steal our technology?
That's why they're so vigilant, treating him like a thief. Even though they think it's only half a month and Lin Sicheng certainly won't learn anything just by watching, Director Du and Minister Liu still decided that they would follow him for every day he observed.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone took their places.
Since she couldn't understand it anyway, Xu Gaolan found a corner and sat quietly.
Lin Sicheng moved a little closer, but not too close: about three meters away, a female researcher in her early thirties was intently working on a plastic blank.
The other eight were also working on the preform, doing the same thing. It was still a long way from completion, and this one wasn't particularly fast, but Lin Sicheng still noticed something: of the nine researchers, this one's technique should be the most skilled.
Li Zhen followed, holding paper and pen, and hesitated for a long time.
Because she didn't know how to record it.
Just like with molding the mold now, she already knows what she needs to know, so there's no need to memorize it. But when it comes to carving the mold later, she'll definitely only know the surface, not the underlying principles. Even if she tries to memorize it, it'll be a waste of time.
Unless Lin Sicheng reads and explains at the same time.
But if she understood, the others understood too. For example, Director Du and Minister Liu said: "You've only just arrived, and you've already learned so quickly... Believe me, we'll kick them out on the spot!"
After much deliberation, Li Zhen nudged Lin Sicheng with her pen.
Lin Sicheng glanced at it and immediately understood.
"Just look!"
"ah?"
Li Zhen stared with wide eyes, her pupils flashing with doubt, as if asking: Then what am I supposed to help with as an assistant?
Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "I'm not asking you to use notes, but to use your brain to remember. It's okay if you don't understand it or not..."
After a pause, Lin Sicheng lowered his voice: "I'll explain it to you when we get back, and you'll understand!"
Li Zhen's heart skipped a beat, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she gradually tightened her grip on the pen in her hand.
Unbeknownst to her, a few blushes appeared on her cheeks, and her breathing seemed to become a little heavier.
Lin Sicheng glanced at him: No... Senior Sister Li, what are you thinking?
As the saying goes, seeing something a thousand times is not as good as doing it once. Over time, memories will fade, so Lin Sicheng will definitely try to copy it as soon as possible after returning home to deepen his impression.
At that time, we will not only talk to Li Zhen, but also to Sun Le (male assistant), and we will also invite Professor Shang to discuss with her.
Simultaneously, the video was recorded to create audio-visual materials. Even after returning home, he would systematically teach this skill to: including the newly recruited researchers in the studio, and Zhao Da and Zhao Er, who were practically his nominal disciples—almost ready to be offered incense, wine, and kowtows—the fourth-generation inheritors of the porcelain restoration technique.
If you don't teach and pass on skills, how can you claim to be passing on and protecting them?
Therefore, it's not just Li Zhen who is taught.
The reason I brought her along was that, compared to Master Sun, Li Zhen was several levels above him in terms of comprehension, knowledge accumulation, and proficiency.
Whether an assistant is professional or not has a significant impact on Lin Sicheng, and he really doesn't have the time or energy to teach them step by step in detail.
So why not use Li Zhen, who is skilled and can get into the zone in a second, instead of Sun Le, who is only half-baked, can't help much, and might even make things worse?
Even if it was arranged by Professor Wang.
But some reminders are still necessary...
Lin Sicheng tilted his head back and thought for a moment: "Senior Sister Li, the studio will grow bigger and bigger, we'll recruit more and more people, and the amount of external reception work will gradually increase..."
"After the New Year, a comprehensive department might be established to handle personnel management and reception work... Which one do you choose!"
Without a second thought, Li Zhen declared, "I'll choose the assistant!"
Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: Did I say assistant? You still choose assistant?
He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Since everyone's energy is limited, let's study hard!"
Her tone was calm, and her smile was as gentle as ever, but in just a moment, Li Zhen's face turned red from the base of her neck to the tips of her ears.
Why would someone give up a leadership position to become a dirty, tiring, and busy assistant?
The reason is simple: regardless of how high one's academic level, if one can learn 30% or 40% of Lin Sicheng's skills, it will be enough to make one's head spin in the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation.
But people's energy is limited, and Lin Sicheng didn't have the time or energy to deal with so many messy things.
Since you're going to learn, then learn properly. If your goal isn't to learn technical skills, then you might as well become the head of the general affairs department; at least the salary is higher there… That's what Lin Sicheng meant.
This was the first time Lin Sicheng had spoken so bluntly and so harshly.
Lost in thought and at a loss, Lin Sicheng glanced at her calmly and said, "Let's begin the prenatal repair!"
Li Zhen quickly composed herself.
Nine workbenches, all operating at roughly the same speed, have produced nine clay figures that are now placed in an electric kiln for medium-speed drying, resulting in semi-wet unglazed pieces.
Almost all nine researchers have started repairing the body; the next step is to carve the patterns.
After scanning the area roughly, Lin Sicheng walked a little further and found the same female researcher as before.
Director Du and Minister Liu exchanged a glance: Lin Sicheng had been standing there before, and they had thought it was just a coincidence. But the fact that he hadn't moved for so long and was even getting closer and closer clearly meant that he had figured something out.
Wang Hong is the youngest person in the entire R&D center, and she is also the youngest among Director Meng's disciples.
But Director Meng and the institute generally agree that Wang Hong has the highest comprehension and studies the most diligently.
So even though she arrived late, her technical skills were the highest in the R&D center.
That kid has a sharp eye, but he only stood there watching for a short while.
The two leaders exchanged glances, while Lin Sicheng and Li Zhen stared intently.
Repairing a tire is very simple; just ensure the embryo's shape is symmetrical and the surface is smooth. It doesn't require much technical skill.
Next comes drawing the outline, which, to put it simply, involves using a bamboo needle or iron needle to outline the decorative lines.
The technique was of moderate difficulty; Li Zhen certainly knew it, and Lin Sicheng knew it even better. So, at first glance, he immediately noticed something was wrong: the double-line drawing method?
Is this a technique that incorporates traditional Chinese painting into the carving process?
It's not surprising, as many famous ancient porcelains known for their carved designs incorporate techniques from traditional Chinese painting. However, it's rare to see such skillful and seamless integration of the "knife as a brush."
Unsurprisingly, this person should have majored in fine arts, and more likely graduated from an art academy.
Continuing on, as they began carving the flowers, Lin Sicheng squinted: Something felt off.
They used two knives, one for carving and one for shaving. The carving knife worked from shallow to deep, and the shaving knife worked from deep to shallow...
This method offers a variety of variations, allowing lines to vary in depth and width, aiming to convey the three-dimensionality and layering of the pattern through lines.
To put it simply: to make the patterns present light and shadow and three-dimensional effects in order to achieve a more realistic visual experience.
After being fired, it will look something like this:
However, the carving technique is incorrect: although it uses two knives, it is not the "double-entry straight knife method" of Yaozhou kiln, but rather resembles the line engraving method of Ding kiln from the Five Dynasties to the Northern Song Dynasty, which combines carving and engraving.
This method has a characteristic: the knife is used very shallowly, yet it is bold and decisive, with sharp edges.
The reason is simple: Ding kiln specializes in firing white porcelain, and generally uses lime as slip. The semi-wet body is very hard, so the carving method is closer to the dry body carving method.
This carving technique is more suitable for high-relief porcelain. If it is fired without any embellishment, the shape of the vessel will appear extremely rigid and angular.
Like this one:
Therefore, before the Ding kiln masters put the porcelain into the kiln, they would use the carving technique, also known as white-ground carving, to refine the porcelain body. This makes the body thinner, the tool marks shallower, and the lines more delicate and smooth, achieving a shallow relief effect where the glaze color and tool marks gradually soften.
Yaozhou celadon is characterized by deep relief, which combines high and low relief, resulting in a very prominent three-dimensional effect and strong contrast between light and shadow, yet it is still delicate.
Therefore, if we consider the carved body, the two are very different. If we want to talk about similarities, there is only one point: they are both carved bodies.
However, the female researcher is now using the typical Ding kiln porcelain line engraving method, including an extremely thick unglazed body after throwing. To achieve the deep relief effect unique to Yaozhou porcelain, meticulous refinement is necessary: the background is removed using a shallow shaving method, followed by fine drawing using a needle-carving method.
It's not that it can't be used, but rather that the fundamentals have been reversed, making the simple more complicated: what could have been completed in three steps has now become five steps with two more.
For a moment, Lin Sicheng was a little confused: was it because the restoration process was not comprehensive enough, the substitute techniques used were not properly employed, or he had not mastered the skills?
But judging from the force she used and the way she applied the needle, she was clearly a master.
Looking back, all nine researchers used roughly the same method, so Lin Sicheng couldn't be certain for the time being.
Time passed by, and we ate lunch at the institute's cafeteria before continuing in the afternoon.
It took a day to complete about half of the carving.
The researchers left work as usual, and Lin Sicheng and Li Zhen returned to the laboratory.
Shang Yan, her face full of anticipation, eagerly came forward: "How was it?"
"Something's strange!" Lin Sicheng thought for a moment. "Senior Brother Sun, let's make a blank first, one centimeter thick... I'll give it a try!"
Sun Le went to turn on the potter's wheel, while Shang Yan looked at Li Zhen.
Li Zhen remained silent, her face gradually turning red.
Shang Yan sighed: So you mean you spent the whole day with Lin Sicheng and didn't learn anything?
But she couldn't be too critical: what the school taught, apart from protection and prevention, only involved exhibition restoration, and the craftsmanship was only superficially understood.
Moreover, it's an ancient technique that was lost and then revived, so it's normal that Li Zhen doesn't understand it.
With a sigh, Sun Le finished shaping the dough and dried it until it was half-dry. Lin Sicheng put on gloves and picked up an iron needle.
He then pointed and said, "Captain Ge, please record this!"
Ge Jun pursed his lips and raised the camera.
Honestly, he was speechless: after following Lin Sicheng for half a month, he hadn't made a single dent in the case, but had learned a whole bunch of random skills...
Then, Lin Sicheng picked up the bamboo knife and looked at Li Zhen: "Do you still remember the knife skills?"
Li Zhen hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
She did remember some of it, but she didn't really understand it.
"It's alright, I'll explain now. Listen carefully, and if there's anything you don't understand, ask immediately. If you still don't understand, that's okay too. You can look it up later and watch the video again... Senior Brother Sun, you can do the same!"
Sun Le was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.
How many times can you get such an opportunity to be taught by Lin Sicheng step by step?
Regardless of other factors, I followed the video recordings afterwards and imitated Lin Sicheng's methods, gradually learning how to do it step by step.
Just like being hit by an electric shock, Sun Le took the paper and pen.
Lin Sicheng made a cut, quickly repaired the embryo, and then inserted a needle.
The speed was fast, yet steady and extremely smooth. After about ten needle strokes, the outer outline of the peony had already taken shape.
He picked up the knife again, and as he carved, he spoke:
"Ding ware and Yaozhou ware are both northern kiln systems, both originating in the Tang Dynasty, maturing in the Five Dynasties, and flourishing in the Northern Song Dynasty... However, Ding ware mainly produces white porcelain, while Yaozhou ware produces celadon. If we only consider the shape, they are actually the same type: carved porcelain..."
"But the techniques are quite different: white porcelain needs to be coated with lime, making it relatively hard. Also, due to the unique inverted firing method of Ding kiln (firing the vessel upside down), the internal gas cannot escape, which will form a unique 'cavity expansion' phenomenon, making it very easy for the body to crack. Therefore, the cuts are very shallow, and it can only be carved as a shallow relief..."
“Yaozhou porcelain is different. It occasionally has shallow relief, but most of it is deep relief with a stronger three-dimensional effect and more vivid and realistic depiction. So how do you carve a deep relief porcelain body using the shallow relief carving method? It’s very simple, just like what you saw today, Sister Li: thicken the body, and then use carving, shallow cutting, and needle carving!”
Li Zhen could roughly understand it, Sun Le only half understood it, but Shang Yan frowned.
No... You came here to learn about Yaozhou porcelain, so why are you talking about Ding porcelain again?
Crucially, the technique Lin Sicheng is currently using is also the carving method of Ding ware.
Upon hearing "the one we saw today," Shang Yan suddenly realized: "What you saw at the R&D center today is the Ding porcelain engraving method?"
Lin Sicheng nodded: "Yes!"
Shang Yan's eyes widened: "So their so-called innovative techniques are actually Ding ware craftsmanship?"
Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: "Professor Shang, the Yaozhou porcelain firing technique has been listed in the national intangible cultural heritage list... Whether it's an innovative technique or just a copycat application, the national departments can tell..."
Gao Yan was stunned, then suddenly realized: Oh right?
The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism aren't idiots. If it were just a patchwork of random ideas, how would they have passed the review?
They can't even get past the provincial level, let alone the national level.
So, this is a case of hiding one's true abilities?
Shang Yan blushed instantly: Was he treating Lin Sicheng like a Japanese person?
"No... are they really that bad?"
"You say the core data is missing? Fine, then we'll pretend the core data is missing, and we'll look at whatever you give us."
"They said I can't photocopy, fine, then I'll just copy a little bit... and then I have to let them check it after I'm done?"
“You said we couldn’t take photos or videos during the observation and learning session, so I didn’t. You said we couldn’t disturb the researchers’ work, and you wouldn’t even let me ask questions, so I didn’t ask any questions.”
"They just stood there, didn't say a word, and looked around, and that's how they got away with it?"
"This isn't a hidden treasure trove; it's deliberately leading people astray..."
"And when we first arrived, the way Minister Liu acted: he spoke to Dean Su with such condescension, he wouldn't even look at you directly, he'd just glance at you sideways... making us look like we were beggars..."
Shang Yan's mouth was like a machine gun, rattling away, her face turning bright red, and she was breathing heavily through her nostrils.
She felt particularly uncomfortable on her very first day. Dean Su and Lin Sicheng were alright; men are relatively more rational and felt that since she was there to learn technical skills, the level of hospitality didn't matter.
Furthermore, as one of the first batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage protection units, it's normal for them to be a little arrogant.
But Shang Yan disagreed: Su Yuan, the vice dean of the School of Cultural Heritage, is at least a division-level official. If you don't treat him with equal respect, you could send a section-level director instead.
To make matters worse, he was supposed to be the head of the R&D department, but he was just an ordinary staff member. Being a staff member was one thing, but just thinking about how arrogant and haughty Director Liu was on their first meeting made Shang Yan furious.
Then, not only do they ignore them and treat them like thieves, but they also treat them like thieves.
So, Shang Yan was already furious, but she kept telling herself: Consider the bigger picture, consider the bigger picture...
But this time, it was like lighting the fuse of a powder keg. The more Shang Yan thought about it, the angrier she became. The more she talked, the angrier she got. Her face turned red, her body trembled, and her lips quivered.
I'm so sorry, I had to consider the bigger picture...
"Lin Sicheng, do we really have to learn this technology from them?"
She gritted her teeth and took out her phone. Lin Sicheng, not understanding what was going on, stopped her, saying, "Professor Shang, what are you doing?"
"Besides cursing, what else can I do... No, I also have to tattle..." Shang Yan was so angry that she was incoherent. "Isn't this treating people like monkeys?"
No... you're so angry, and you just want to swear a little?
Professor Shang's way of venting his anger is too simple.
"Professor Shang, calm down!"
"How can I stay calm? If you don't want people to see, just say so! Why resort to such underhanded tactics!"
"It's really not a dirty trick!" Lin Sicheng sighed. "Whether I came here to steal your skills or to genuinely learn the techniques, the title of 'inheritor of ancient ceramic restoration techniques' isn't fake, is it?"
"Therefore, in their view: if you have any ability, you don't need to be very good, you can't be unable to distinguish between Ding ware and Yaozhou ware techniques."
Shang Yan was stunned again.
This is a blatant attempt to kick you out: You should leave?
But Shang Yan was even angrier: It's not like we're eating and living there for free, and the lab isn't being used for free.
When we first arrived, Dean Su made it very clear: learning and exchange, both learning and exchange. After this learning trip, the Western Conference will send a guidance team to Tongchuan to provide guidance to major factories and industry associations, and to conduct centralized training for key technical personnel.
They even let the Industry Bureau set the time frame itself: three to five months, half a year, regular or irregular, it doesn't matter.
It's not just about cultural relics, nor is it just about porcelain; it's also about chemical engineering and technology, which Northwest University excels in as well.
And what happened? She flirted with the blind man?
This is too much... No, just reporting it to the school won't do.
If she doesn't vent her anger, she'll explode on the spot...
Shang Yan pushed Lin Sicheng's hand away and resolutely dialed the number.
Lin Sicheng glanced at it: Huh, Professor Wang?
Instead of trying to persuade them, he gave Li Zhen, Sun Le, and Captain Ge a wink.
The group understood and tiptoed out of the laboratory, leaving only Xu Gaolan behind.
Shang Yan angrily dialed the number and yelled as soon as the call connected, "Wang Qizhi, your student is being bullied like this, aren't you going to do anything about it?"
Wang Qizhi's eardrums tingled from the shock. He picked up the phone and glanced at it: What's wrong with this woman?
He thought about it again: It's unlikely that Lin Sicheng was being bullied, right?
"Professor Shang, don't rush, please speak slowly..."
As if she had found a place to vent, Shang Yan poured out her grievances: "They gave us attitude on the very first day... They wouldn't let us photocopy the materials, so we could only copy them, and after that we had to let them check them... I begged for half a month before they finally let us observe and learn, but they only let us look, they wouldn't even let us ask questions..."
Wang Qizhi's eyelids twitched as he listened: Why is no one talking about this?
Although it had only been half a month, he called almost every three days, but Lin Sicheng didn't mention it, and Sun Le didn't mention it either...
His voice suddenly turned cold: "Who did it, Meng Shufeng?"
Shang Yan wanted to say yes, but was Director Meng even here?
She hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "It must be Director Meng's apprentice, the same Minister Liu who received us on the first day... but Deputy Director Du definitely knows..."
When a woman gets angry, you can only believe half of what she says. Wang Qizhi immediately filtered out the second half of her sentence: "It's just some petty tricks by the subordinates; it's not a big deal."
But it was definitely bullying, even blatantly disrespectful. To think that Lin Sicheng could swallow this insult seems highly unlikely...
Think about those two fake antique dealers who sold him the reverse-flow pot, and then think about the group of tomb raiders who sold him the quicksand pit and tried to blow him up... what were their fates in the end?
After nearly half a year as teacher and student, Wang Qizhi was perfectly clear: his student seemed gentle and kind, with an impeccable temper, but that was only because you hadn't provoked him.
He thought for a moment: "What is Lin Sicheng doing?"
"He's watching... what else could he be doing? No... he's even laughing..." Shang Yan was even angrier, "Lin Sicheng, how can you still laugh?"
Lin Sicheng pursed his lips: "Professor Shang, don't get angry, it'll hurt your health..."
He should have said something, because once he did, Shang Yan got even angrier: she, as an outsider, was trembling with anger at being bullied like this, yet Lin Sicheng, the person directly involved, was still able to remain calm.
Wang Qizhi thought to himself, "Just as I thought: It's impossible to let it go like this... Lin Sicheng is definitely preparing a big move."
"Professor Shang, give him the phone!"
Shang Yan snorted coldly, and the phone ended up in Lin Sicheng's hands.
"teacher!"
Wang Qizhi thought for a moment: "If it doesn't work out, come back!"
"Yes, I'll definitely go back!" Lin Sicheng nodded with a smile. "I'll wait a couple more days... I'll finish carving the blank tomorrow, and then I need to prepare the glaze the day after, so it'll be at most two to three days!"
"Okay, I'll send a car then... So Dean Su won't be going?"
"Yes, teacher. Dean Su doesn't need to come. Let's just do business as usual."
"good!"
With a simple "Okay," Wang Qizhi hung up the phone.
Shang Yan stared blankly, her eyes widening little by little: It's... over just like that?
They didn't say how they vented their anger, nor did they ask how much Lin Sicheng had suffered. In fact, even Dean Su didn't come to make the final handover.
Wang Qizhi, what a disgrace to your family name, a third-generation descendant... Where is your temper? Where are your connections? Where are your backdoors?
Seeing that she was about to get angry again, Lin Sicheng quickly smiled and said, "Professor Shang, don't be upset. I definitely won't let us suffer any injustice..."
"Lin Sicheng, stop talking nonsense..." Shang Yan gritted her teeth, "If anyone has been wronged, it's you!"
Think about it: whether it was Deputy Director Du, Minister Liu, Section Chief Zhang (from the Data Section), or the researchers of all ages they had met, they all looked at Lin Sicheng as if he were a monster…
"Of course, I won't be treated unfairly..." Lin Sicheng nodded, "Anyway, I didn't learn anything, so it can't really be considered an academic exchange. Let's just do it officially: stay for the last two days, then settle the fees and leave..."
Do I still need to settle the fees?
I'll just...
She had only uttered half a sentence when Shang Yan stopped: "Should we handle this officially?"
Moreover, Dean Su didn't come to hand over the responsibilities?
Wang Qizhi, whose personality is so unruly and easily angered, was unusually calm, which was frightening.
Shang Yan belatedly realized: Oh, Lin Sicheng... is he up to something bad?
...
In the research institute's canteen, three people were served four stir-fries, and a half-empty bottle of wine sat in the middle of the table.
Director Du took a sip of his glass, frowned, and slowly savored it: "Old Liu, the way you're doing it isn't appropriate!"
In the morning, Du Liangzhi also thought that today was just a normal carving process.
But after finishing the blank and drawing the lines, he saw Wang Hong constantly cutting the blank and realized belatedly that the blank blank was usually three millimeters thick, and the thickest was no more than five millimeters, but today it was a full centimeter thick.
Upon closer inspection: this is not the double-knife technique of Yaozhou celadon, but the line engraving knife of Ding kiln.
Putting aside whether the child understands or not, Professor Shang is, after all, the head of the ceramics group in the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation at Xida University. You can't fool people like this.
Liu Dong disagreed: "Director Du, I don't think there's anything wrong with it: how can you be a thief for a thousand days and guard against thieves for a thousand days? If you're going to guard against it, then guard against it thoroughly..."
He paused for a moment, then frowned again: "And I always feel like we've misjudged them!"
Du Liangzhi was taken aback: "What do you mean, 'misjudged'?"
"That kid... he seems to really know how to repair porcelain? I didn't see the actual piece, and the surveillance footage was blurry, but I could tell: his technique was very skilled, his hands were very steady... and most importantly, he was fast..."
"A lotus-patterned arabesque jar shattered into more than ten pieces—if you gave it to me, it would take at least two to three days, but that child used it for most of the day?"
"Quick drying?"
“Yes, quick drying… But Director Du, it’s not about how to dry it: even if he just haphazardly patched it up, even if it looks like a dog chewed it up, it shows that he knows everything: molding cracked clay, patching cracks, re-glazing, temperature-controlled re-firing…”
Du Liangzhi paused, his hand holding the wine glass hovering in mid-air.
He had previously thought that Liu Dong's lukewarm attitude over the past two weeks, his insistence on checking the copied materials and the prohibition of asking questions during observation, were too stingy and a bit excessive.
But if that's the case, if the child really knows the technology and is quite skilled, then it seems like we really have to take precautions like this.
He thought for a moment: "But your attitude is still problematic. After all, it's Xida University; we'll run into each other all the time..."
"Director Du, don't confuse the two: it's the School of Cultural Heritage at Xida University... Besides, no matter how big or small the university is, the technology that the teachers painstakingly researched and restored over twenty years can't just be learned by them... It's not like they just say 'learning and exchanging ideas'... Why don't you exchange ideas first, then learn?"
He sighed, then picked up his glass and refilled Du Liangzhi's: "Of course, Director Du, if you say: It's okay, let him learn, let them see, then I'll do as you instruct..."
Du Liangzhi scoffed: "Liu Dong is spouting nonsense again?"
He was only the deputy director; the entire research center was filled with Meng Shufeng's apprentices, including Liu Dong and Wang Hong, who sat opposite him.
If they really wanted to take on everything, these two could easily make a phone call to Meng Shufeng in Beijing.
That's right. After all, it's the result of Lao Meng's decades of hard work. We can't be generous with other people's money.
Then he sighed again: "But there's no need to deliberately give them a hard time... Checking copied materials and not allowing questions during observation... What you did was really inhumane and made them feel very embarrassed..."
"Old Liu, relax a bit: it's not the most core technology; he can copy it whenever he wants. What loss would it cause to have our researchers answer that?"
Liu Dong remained silent for a long time before finally raising his head: "Director Du, once the carving is finished, when it comes to preparing and applying the glaze, he can ask whatever he wants..."
Du Liangzhi wanted to cover his forehead.
Being stuck in old ways, rigid and dogmatic... there's no hope for them.
He stood up and downed the drink in his glass in one gulp: "You figure it out yourself!"
Watching Du Liangzhi's retreating figure, Liu Dong snorted inwardly: "You're selling your father's land without a care... You've only been at the Porcelain Research Institute for a few days."
As he pondered this, Wang Hong picked up a bottle of liquor and said, "Senior, Director Du was sent by the bureau. Don't go against him all the time..."
"That's true."
Liu Dong nodded, "After the mold is finished tomorrow, starting the day after tomorrow, let him ask whatever he wants..."
Wang Hong was stunned: All her persuasion had been for nothing...
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