Chapter 194 The troublemakers are yet to come.
The four red glazed pieces shimmered under the spotlights, and sunlight streamed through the French windows, climbing onto the cups like gems soaked in red oil.
Light and shadow swept across the porcelain shards, revealing hundreds of golden threads in the crackled ice patterns. Two turquoise roosters stood proudly among the flowers, their cobalt blue plumage gleaming brilliantly.
The inscription is framed by two blue circles at the bottom of the cup. The six characters are sometimes bright and sometimes dark, sometimes thick and sometimes thin, and rust spots like cloud patterns seep out from the depths of the cobalt material.
Made during the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty!
The crowd looked at each other, speechless with astonishment.
A few months ago, Hao Jun was truly amazed when he saw the large yellow-glazed jar with dragon and floral patterns that Lin Sicheng had repaired. He insisted that Lin Sicheng sell the jar to him, offering as much as 500,000 yuan.
But Lin Sicheng did not sell it.
First, it's not worth that much; I wouldn't want to cheat my friends. Second, the restoration process was recorded, and I'll need to submit the sample and video footage together when I file the application.
Lin Sicheng also advised him: "Brother Hao, don't worry, I'll slowly add more later, blue and white porcelain, sacrificial glaze, famille rose... I'll sell them until you're sick of them."
If you want to broaden your horizons, that's fine too. I'll call you when we're getting the chicken cup.
Hao Jun scoffed, not believing a word: "Chicken cup, how many are there in the world?"
Lin Sicheng, don't even mention you want to repair it; the Palace Museum and the National Museum want to repair it even more. But go ask them, let alone repair it, can they even find one or two pieces of the chicken cup porcelain?
Don't even mention repairing it. If you can just let your senior brother take a peek at a piece of porcelain from the chicken cup, you'll have opened his eyes to the heavens for the rest of your life.
But what about now?
It's not just porcelain stars.
A whole small box, two inscriptions, two roosters, two hens, and a bunch of countless chicks—aren't these two cups?
Holy crap, this is truly eye-opening!
It wasn't just Hao Jun, but also Lin Changqing... on the day he officially took office as the studio's technical advisor.
Wang Qizhi and Shang Yan showed him a video of Lin Sicheng repairing a large blue-and-white porcelain jar with a dragon design from the Chenghua period. Surprised, he asked Wang Qizhi, "If Lin Sicheng can repair even a blue-and-white dragon design, what kind of porcelain can't he repair?"
Wang Qizhi thought for a moment and then uttered three words: "Chicken Cup!"
At the time, Lin Changqing simply took it as an analogy from Wang Qizhi. In his view, even if Wang Qizhi had extraordinary connections, he couldn't possibly have found such an item for Lin Sicheng.
It's not that I'm reluctant to part with it, nor am I afraid that Lin Sicheng will ruin it; it's just that I simply can't find it...
As it turned out, someone actually sent Lin Sicheng two of them?
If you can fix it, then fix it; if you can't, then practice...
Just thinking about the nonchalant expression on Zhao Xiu's face when he said those words made Lin Changqing's eyelids twitch involuntarily: Who could afford to practice with something like this?
If even he's like this, what about everyone else?
Is it possible to open a studio and immediately offer a gift worth tens of millions?
These are rare treasures, so rare that calling them the "King of Imperial Porcelain" wouldn't be an exaggeration. They were given to Lin Sicheng to practice on, and he even took two of them.
Are there still partners like this?
Before this, many people thought that bringing such generous gifts today would be a great honor for Lin Sicheng.
But now, when I compare them, I feel that the things I gave away look rather shabby.
This includes Chen Peng and He Zhigang.
Before coming, He Zhigang asked Chen Peng what gifts he should bring. But Chen Peng retorted: "Old He, it's best not to bring anything."
If we don't bring our parents, they'll be treated like elders, and not only will they be treated to good food and drink, but they'll also be given the seats of honor.
If we bring someone along, we're friends. Even though we'll still treat them well and put them at the head table, other friends give gifts worth tens or hundreds of thousands, while we'll only give a few thousand. Can you handle that while you're sitting at the table?
Sure enough, Chen Peng's words came true: the items displayed in the cabinet were worth far more than tens or hundreds of thousands.
Looking around the exhibition hall, you'll see a diverse group of people: businesspeople, government officials, scholars, researchers, and even those involved in shady dealings.
It's like everyone from all walks of life has come together to do something. Whenever Lin Sicheng wants to get something done, he has money, connections, and methods.
There is no doubt that most of them will give their all: such as Hao Jun, Guan Xingmin, Chen Peng, He Zhigang, Zhao Xiuneng, and Wang Qizhi.
Suddenly, Zhao Xiuneng looked at Lin Sicheng with envy in his eyes: In the past, many colleagues said that he was the local tiger and the wandering immortal of Shaanxi, and Zhao Xiuneng thought it was true.
But I only realized today that he wasn't even a fraction of a talent.
Thinking about Lin Sicheng's age, Zhao Xiuneng couldn't contain his excitement: he was only in his early twenties, and could at least support his two sons for another fifty or sixty years. By then, not to mention his grandsons, his great-grandsons would probably be in their twenties or thirties.
Sure enough, my mother's eyes are truly sharp: that kid is blessed with good fortune and virtue, and has a keen eye for talent. If we stick close to this powerful figure, at least three generations will be blessed...
Just as Mr. Zhao was feeling relieved, a few buzzing sounds brought him back to reality.
Wang Qizhi took out his phone and answered the call: The district's tour group has arrived.
Looking back, I saw that the college leaders had already arrived at the door.
The dean, secretary, two vice deans, two deans, as well as the Youth League Committee, assistants, and heads of various special groups... a total of about ten people.
We hired a professional event planning company, and without any prompting, the "Welcome March" started playing. The volume was just right, not too loud, not too soft.
Then, a group of guests went out to greet them.
At first, the hospital leaders were quite puzzled: Just yesterday, Wang Qizhi and Lin Sicheng said that they hadn't invited many people?
But looking at the parking lot, it was mostly full, and each car was more luxurious than the last.
Looking further into the exhibition hall, there was a huge crowd, at least twenty or thirty people, not counting the school staff.
Immediately, the group of leaders were stunned: No... how come it's these two?
The Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Municipal Bureau's Authentication Center are co-construction units, so they are certainly familiar with Chen Peng. Since he studies cultural relics, they are even more familiar with Deputy Director He.
People recognized them, but for a moment they didn't understand why these two were here.
Let me think back again, they weren't even on the guest list. So, did these two just show up on their own?
Amidst surprise and doubt, the two sides met. Dean Geng shook hands with each of them, half-jokingly saying, "I am flattered that you two have arrived so gracefully!"
"Dean, don't be alarmed."
Chen Peng chuckled, "I heard Xiao Lin is hosting a banquet, so Lao He and I are just here to freeload a meal."
Upon hearing "Xiao Lin," the dean's eyelids twitched.
The college leadership knew exactly what Lin Sicheng had been doing during the two months he was missing. To express their gratitude, Director Li Chunnan and Chen Peng even made a special trip to the school to thank him.
Wang Qizhi also specifically mentioned that Lin Sicheng had helped the Public Security Bureau and the Cultural Relics Bureau a lot, and had a very good relationship with the leaders of the two bureaus.
The dean assumed that Wang Qizhi's claim of "getting along well" simply meant that the leaders of the two bureaus appreciated Lin Sicheng.
I never imagined that we would reach the point where no invitations were sent out and he came to congratulate me on his own.
The problem is, what do we do later?
Just as he was pondering this, Chen Peng added, "Don't worry, Dean, it's just adding a couple of pairs of scissors, it won't cause any major chaos..."
Dean Geng paused for a moment, then nodded: That's right.
At most, we'll revise the opening remarks and add two more people for confetti and ushers. Even if things get a bit chaotic, it won't be too bad.
Dean Geng asked a few questions, and there were basically no oversights. Afterwards, the visiting convoy entered the school.
Two Audis, three Passats, and then a Coaster following behind.
Upon seeing the Audi and glancing at the license plate, Dean Geng's eyelids twitched again: he recognized the previous car; it belonged to Deputy District Head Feng, who was in charge of publicity in the district, and was on the list.
But the car behind it has a Shaanxi license plate (陕B)? Isn't that a license plate from Tongchuan?
Just as I was secretly wondering what was going on, the car stopped at the door, and the back doors opened simultaneously.
The person in front was indeed Deputy District Chief Feng, but behind him were Wang Zeyu and Tian Chengming.
The two also brought their secretaries, who took out a plaque from the trunk. It was black with gold lettering and had an antique feel.
Anyone who knew the gist of it was stunned: if Wang Zeyu had gone to the district first, the district would have not notified the school. So, most likely, he was waiting on the way and had infiltrated the convoy.
Or perhaps, they've been waiting at the school gate all along...
Subconsciously, the group exchanged glances: Chen Peng and He Zhigang were nothing compared to this real troublemaker.
But we're already here.
In a flash, the two sides met. Chen Peng and He Zhigang even pretended to shake hands with District Chief Feng, saying, "You've worked hard, leader, you've worked hard..."
District Chief Feng was both amused and exasperated: "Luckily, the district took it seriously enough, and it was him who came today. If it were just the heads of three bureaus, they would have been quite taken aback."
After making a couple of jokes, District Chief Feng introduced Wang Zeyu in a more formal manner, saying that he was from a sister unit and came to observe.
The two were quite polite, and Wang Qizhi and Lin Sicheng assumed they were there to observe. They thanked them and then had Zhao Da and Zhao Er hang up the plaque.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, we entered the reception room on the first floor, rested for a while, and then the ceremony officially began.
District Chief Feng and Wang Zeyu went up on stage together, followed by the principal, and then Chen Peng and He Zhigang, the three bureau chiefs.
Following at the back, Wang Qizhi gave Lin Sicheng a wink, and Lin Sicheng nodded slightly.
The two of them came because they felt it was a rare opportunity: district leaders were there, college leaders were there, and Wang Qizhi and Lin Sicheng were also there, so they could have a chat.
But Lin Sicheng felt that they probably wouldn't even get past the district level: judging from Deputy District Chief Feng's expression, he was also caught off guard...
Thinking to myself, the ceremony began. Although the weather was nice, the speeches were all short. Even with the addition of Wang Zeyu, Chen Peng, and He Zhigang, the three last-minute troublemakers, it only lasted a little over half an hour.
Finally, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, accompanied by the sounds of drums and music, and the deafening roar of cannons.
Finally, District Chief Feng and the Dean handed the three certificates to Lin Sicheng, one after the other.
It corresponds exactly to the three vertical plaques at the entrance:
A successor of ancient ceramic restoration techniques, a non-material cultural heritage protection project in Beilin District.
Deputy Director of the Beilin District Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center and Training Center.
Director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Research and Innovation Center and the Ancient Ceramics Conservation and Restoration Research Center at Northwest University.
Two directors in a row, even if they don't have any official rank yet, just positions. But looking at Lin Sicheng's face, everyone felt an indescribable strangeness...
Next, the routine visit.
The hospital leaders accompanied them, and it was originally planned that Wang Qizhi and Shang Yan would take turns explaining.
But once inside the exhibition hall, the two realized that if the leaders asked: What kind of glaze are these four red vases? What kind of porcelain are the hundreds of broken pieces and countless porcelain shards? And where did the chicken cup come from? How would they respond?
In a moment of quick thinking, Wang Qizhi gave Lin Sicheng and Zhao Xiuneng a push.
One is the head of the center, and the other is a partner of the center. Both are third-generation successors. If you two don't take the position, who will?
But immediately, sweat poured down Zhao Xiuneng's forehead.
You can let Lao Zhao brag to a group of colleagues, of course he won't be intimidated at all. But explaining it to the leaders... Professor Wang, aren't you just setting them up for failure?
Seeing his distressed expression and hesitation, Lin Sicheng gave him a look. Then, he led the group of leaders into the exhibition hall.
At first, everyone thought it was just a formality. Because both Feng Jian and Geng Yuan knew that today's ceremony was too rushed, and the exhibits in the so-called exhibition hall were all borrowed from the institute.
There weren't many items, nothing new, and nothing worth seeing.
But once inside, the group realized something was wrong: Why was it so crowded?
Those gold carvings, jade artifacts, bronze basins, and ancient paintings were all decorated with colorful ornaments, clearly gifts from relatives and friends.
But where did those broken pieces, those colorful fragments of porcelain, come from?
There are hundreds of pieces of broken artifacts and porcelain.
The two exchanged a glance, each more suspicious than the other.
"Distinguished leaders, all of this was supported by General Manager Zhao!"
Lin Sicheng spoke methodically, pointing to Zhao Xiuneng, "At the beginning of the studio's establishment, General Manager Zhao traveled to various provinces, visiting famous kilns and ancient kilns... It took several months and countless funds to produce the more than one hundred decorative items and thousands of restoration samples that are now on display in the exhibition hall."
From the painted pottery of the Western Han Dynasty, to the proto-celadon of the Eastern Han Dynasty, to the semi-glazed pottery of the Three Kingdoms period, and the dense porcelain of the Yue kiln during the Jin Dynasty, and then to the Gongxian tri-color pottery, Xing kiln white porcelain, and Changsha painted pottery of the Tang Dynasty…
Then there are the five famous kilns and six major kiln systems of the Song Dynasty, and the official kilns and folk kilns of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties... It can be said that the research and creation center now has all the ancient famous kilns and porcelain samples..."
Lin Sicheng recounted the events in a straightforward manner, but Zhao Xiuneng's eyelids twitched: "Traveling all over the country and visiting famous kilns, how come I didn't know?"
He only went to the capital once, but Lin Sicheng exaggerated it as if he had gone through countless hardships, not to mention climbing mountains and wading through rivers, and spending an uncountable amount of money.
A group of leaders were also stunned: all kinds of famous ancient kilns and porcelains were available.
Lin Sicheng, aren't you exaggerating a bit?
Dean Geng shared this view.
However, there was indeed a lot of information, so he didn't say much. He just glanced at it and mentioned the more representative items.
At first, no one paid much attention, but when they saw something unusual, District Chief Feng inquired about it in more detail. Director Geng also chimed in with a few jokes.
But when talking about Song Dynasty porcelain, Feng Jiancai realized something was wrong: This painted vase with a missing spout is actually Jun ware.
Although he didn't know much about it, he had at least heard of the ancient proverbs about Jun ware: "One color goes into the kiln, ten thousand colors come out," "Gold has a price, but Jun ware is priceless," and "A fortune is not as good as a piece of Jun ware."
Therefore, even damaged pieces of Jun ware should be rare. But here, there are seven or eight pieces?
Just as I was wondering, Lin Sicheng then talked about a Song Dynasty official kiln beige-glazed straight-necked bottle, as well as several pieces of Ru kiln porcelain.
At first glance, it was broken and unremarkable, but in an instant, Dean Geng's eyes widened.
District Chief Feng paused for a moment: Does that mean these few broken pieces, as well as these seven or eight porcelain shards, are all genuine?
Then think back to what Lin Sicheng said before, the five famous kilns and six kiln systems: Ru, Guan, Ge, Ding, Jun... It turns out that not a single kiln was inferior?
Guan, Ge, Ding, and Jun ware are one thing, but Ru ware… to be honest, Dean Geng had only seen a few pieces in museums. He never imagined that one day he would see one of these things at school.
Could it even be studied on the spot?
He looked at it again and again, making sure it was true, and then slowly exhaled: "Thank you, Mr. Zhao!"
Zhao Xiuneng perked up and gave a reserved smile: "Dean, you're too kind!"
Continuing on, when they saw the four pieces of Qing Dynasty imperial red glaze that Zhao Xiuneng had given them, the group of leaders were shocked again: to give away items worth tens of millions of yuan as a congratulatory gift, how high were Mr. Zhao's expectations of Lin Sicheng, and how much trust did he place in him?
The key question is, are they willing to give it up?
While reminiscing, Lin Sicheng brought up the chicken cup again.
At first, everyone thought they were fakes, until Lin Sicheng mentioned "Da Ming Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup" three or four times, and then a group of people belatedly realized: these two things are real?
For a moment, they were at a loss for words.
It's no exaggeration to say that his expression was exactly the same as the guests who had been gathered around him, speechless with shock.
I just thought, how could this Mr. Zhao be so willing to give away something like this?
The crucial point is, how dare Lin Sicheng accept it?
He even dared to make up for it?
What if the repair fails?
Overwhelmed with emotion, Feng Jian stared for a long time before turning back to Zhao Xiuneng and smiling, "Thank you for your support, Mr. Zhao!"
General Manager Zhao was taken aback: "You flatter me, sir!"
The saying goes, "He shines in public, but his name is remembered in private." Today, he deliberately waited until the very last minute, not only to give Lin Sicheng the spotlight, but also to wait for this very moment.
Whenever Lin Sicheng achieved something in the future, he would always mention that a partner once gave him two chicken cups.
That's enough...
In this way, even though Lin Sicheng tried to keep the presentation concise and to the point, he still hadn't finished speaking in half an hour for just one exhibition hall.
Just as he was wondering whether to skip the rest, Wang Qizhi stood beside him and subtly gave him a wink.
Thinking he was being asked to speak faster, Lin Sicheng nodded slightly, spoke about another matter, and then ended the conversation on the spot.
Wang Qizhi took over and prepared to lead the way to the second floor. Someone with sharp eyes glanced outside.
He was taken aback at first, then looked closely: "Is that Mayor Li's car outside?"
A group of people turned around in unison.
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