Chapter 237 Welcome Engineer Lin
The silver spoon was gently stirred, and the bubbles burst one by one, filling the air with the aroma of coffee.
Fruit was laid out on the table, and seven or eight old smokers were puffing away.
Director Liu Xin of the Cultural Relics Bureau stubbed out his cigarette and glanced at the document in his hand again. As he looked at it, he unconsciously raised his hand and ran his fingers through his sparsely shaved forehead.
After glancing at it, Liu Xin gave a wry smile: "This kid really is...you two, what do you mean?"
The two bureau chiefs next to him exchanged glances but remained silent: "Director Liu, our colleagues from Shanxi are sitting right across from us. What are we supposed to say?"
From a personal perspective, it's really hard to understand: Lin Sicheng, what were you thinking? You didn't want so many benefits, why did you have to do this?
Putting everything else aside, that bowl alone must be worth at least several million, right?
Lin Sicheng, on the other hand, was just about to start the discussion when a report was faxed over: "For ease of management and collaborative execution, it is recommended that the original personnel structure of the survey team and the testing team be retained..."
No... our counterparts from Shanxi have come to our door, how can we keep this?
We can't expect the field research institute, archaeological team, and provincial museum laboratory to also open a branch center in Shanxi, can we?
However, from a different perspective and from a fair standpoint, the three bureau chiefs were quite pleased:
He Zhigang's efforts were not in vain, nor were Tian Jie, Gao Zhangyi, Huang Zhifeng, and their team's hard work with Lin Sicheng.
To put it bluntly: Lin Sicheng has no intention of letting go of any of the exploration reports, excavation reports, journals, papers, or academic reports that will be produced at that time.
It doesn't matter which organization it's affiliated with, whether it's Shaanxi or Shanxi, but all the people under him have to be listed on paper.
Sighing inwardly, Liu Xin looked at the people opposite him and asked, "What do you think, leaders?"
No one spoke; some sighed, others wore bitter expressions.
Teacher Shui said this kid is quite difficult to deal with, and he really is quite difficult.
I don't want the bowl, and I don't need the technology. I'm not in a hurry to talk about things like "collaborative research between departments of two provinces" or "jointly applying for national-level projects."
No need for any honors, bonuses, or gifts; just get my people arranged for me first.
If it were someone else, they would have flipped the table long ago: "You think you're so capable, and you're already talking about conditions?"
But remembering what Chief Engineer Shui had said earlier, the group felt deflated:
Don't underestimate him just because he's a kid. Let me tell you, you really can't get by without him.
Have you read their interim experimental reports in Yuncheng? Have they already started refining the clay and preparing the glaze?
What does this mean? It means he has begun to tentatively study the ingredient ratios. To put it bluntly, he already has a complete restoration plan in mind and has begun to put it into practice.
We don't need much. We'll give you three years. Can you catch up? But by then, they'll have already applied for patents and probably even built factories. What good will it do you even if you catch up?
It's not that I, an old man, look down on you, but I estimate it will take you more than a year just to find a kiln site...
As the saying goes, "Even without Zhang the butcher, you can still eat a pig with its hair on." But this time, it seems that's really not the case?
The problem is that if this happens, the archaeological units in Shanxi will just be nominally affiliated with the organization?
The group exchanged glances, and the leader of the archaeological institute smiled: "Principal Geng (Dean of the School of Cultural Relics and Museology), Director Liu, how about this: could we communicate with Professor Lin again?"
Just as Liu Xingang was about to say something, Dean Geng paused for a moment: "Our side, which side are we on?"
Xida University, Xijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics?
The question is, how do we communicate?
Are you suggesting I tell Lin Sicheng: "Look, Lin, this person is giving you so many personal benefits: millions of dollars worth of antiques, an honorary advisor to the provincial cultural and industrial departments, free restoration techniques for applying for intangible cultural heritage status, and even a substantial bonus?"
With so many benefits, the people below can just bear to suffer a little. Let's just do it quietly.
But if he really told Lin Sicheng that, would Geng Yanmin still be a worthless dean?
Subconsciously, his brows furrowed. Dean Geng looked at the person opposite him and said, "Dean He, please don't take offense, but schools are places for teaching and nurturing people, don't you agree?"
Dean He was stunned, and his face gradually turned red.
There's a saying that you shouldn't hit someone in the face or curse someone's mother, but that saying is even more offensive than cursing someone's mother.
You're a teacher, you're noble, and I'm fucking despicable, right?
They're like they've fallen into a latrine; their mouths are fouler than the next, and their personalities are harder than the next.
Seeing that things were about to get tense, the leader in charge quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Teacher Lin's considerations are not unreasonable: after all, it's easier to communicate and coordinate with someone who is experienced."
Therefore, I think keeping the original team isn't a big problem; it's just a matter of hiring a few more honorary advisors, and we'll definitely provide logistical support. At the same time, we'll definitely strengthen our assistance in areas where there are weaknesses and provide simultaneous technical support…”
Just as Dean He was about to say something, he swallowed back his words when he heard the final "technical support".
yes?
Lin Sicheng only said to retain the original personnel structure of the survey team and the testing team, without mentioning adding any more people.
Let's not even talk about field surveys; we're definitely not as good as them in that area. But that kid's move of diving into a pit of wood ash with a single stroke is something they'll need to learn for a long time.
But how can a single experimental group handle the testing, analysis, and mixing of reagents?
Local institutions will be needed to assist in the process; it will simply come down to who can conduct research faster and produce more academic results sooner.
To put it another way: it's not certain who publishes their papers earlier or more often.
After a moment's thought, Dean He nodded: "I have no objection!"
Haha, no objections?
Dean Geng and Liu Xin exchanged a glance, a strange look flashing in their eyes.
You think that because Lin Sicheng only led Huang Zhifeng's group, he definitely wouldn't be able to research it very quickly?
That's because you don't know how he usually conducts his research:
Regarding Wang Qizhi's laboratory, although he was in charge, he was practically invisible.
Even Lin Sicheng, the person in charge, only goes there once every ten days or so. But each visit, with just a few pointers, is equivalent to the efficiency of three to five months' worth of work.
I've always heard of project leaders complaining about slow progress and low efficiency. But have you ever heard of someone deliberately slowing down the pace because they think their subordinates are working too fast?
In a flash, Dean Geng nodded: "I have no objection either!"
Huh?
They were so firm just now, but they agreed so quickly?
Something felt off, but the people on the other side didn't think much of it: as the saying goes, the longer you wait, the more things can go wrong; strike while the iron is hot, who cares why they agreed, as long as they agreed.
With the most difficult problem solved, everything else is negotiable. It's simply a matter of win-win cooperation and the exchange of benefits.
The bowl is obviously out of the question, and the Pingding pottery and black-and-white engraving techniques were never mentioned again.
Lin Sicheng was given a whole host of titles:
Honorary Advisor of Shanxi Cultural Relics Bureau, Special Expert of Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Institute of Archaeology, and Special Engineer of Shanxi Provincial Bureau of Industry.
The pay is good; you can receive several salaries, plus periodic bonuses.
There was originally an allocation for the renovation and equipment purchase of the branch center, but Lin Sicheng said it was unnecessary.
The laboratory is still borrowed from the YC City Museum; the branch center will just provide an office and hang up a sign.
After about two days, a basic agreement was reached, and the Yuncheng branch of the Lin Sicheng Cultural Relics Protection and Restoration Research Center of Northwest University was officially inaugurated.
It was very low-key, with no ceremony, no leaders cutting the ribbon, and not even a single firecracker was set off.
Anyone who knows Lin Sicheng has some doubts: Is this kid planning to run away at any time?
Running away was out of the question. Lin Sicheng simply felt that there was no need to make a fuss over a single egg white jade.
...
The branch center is located right next to the Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics, occupying an entire floor.
Originally the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau Heritage Protection Center, it had just been renovated and was preparing to move in when Lin Sicheng was granted permission to have an extra floor.
The facilities and equipment are all brand new, including meeting rooms, offices, showrooms, training rooms, and dormitories.
They even reserved half a floor for a laboratory. If Lin Sicheng just nodded, all the equipment would be in place within three days at most.
Tian Jie stroked his chin: "Director He, I have a feeling that the local government wants Lin Sicheng to settle down here?"
He Zhigang nodded: "We can completely remove the word 'feeling'."
According to the local government's initial plan, the branch center should ideally be located in Taiyuan, and ideally be a one-to-one replica of the main center of Xida University.
This includes facilities and equipment, departmental structure, staffing, and even research projects.
The leader also specifically told Lin Sicheng not to worry about spending money, as there were research grants and policy support.
This includes research funding. If you can't get national-level support projects, then apply for provincial-level ones; it doesn't matter who approves it first.
If the craftsmanship of the eggshell jade can be successfully restored, it will definitely be submitted for intangible cultural heritage status. At that time, even if it doesn't reach the provincial level, it will at least be designated as a protected site in TY city.
However, because Lin Sicheng insisted on retaining the original personnel structure of the survey team and the testing team, the matter could not be discussed any further.
Lin Sicheng was frank and open, even stating bluntly: "We can conduct joint research; Yuncheng can, Taiyuan can, and provincial departments can even more so. But no matter which department it is, we must take action ourselves."
If you're asking me to share technology and research results with you... well, I'm sorry, I have so many people working under me that I can't possibly share them all.
In this case, the impact on personal professional title evaluation and promotion is secondary; the key lies in the follow-up: the egg white jade restoration technology must definitely be implemented locally, without a doubt.
However, the resulting scientific research achievements, academic honors, and influence will only benefit Lin Sicheng's team and will have little to do with the local departments.
It's expensive and laborious, and we're just doing the work for someone else; the locals definitely wouldn't want that.
Of course, Lin Sicheng's words were also very direct: This is for the best. Rather than arguing at the end, it's better to be clear about things in advance, so as to avoid owing favors...
Just thinking about that time makes Zhao Xiuneng clench his teeth and look pained.
Tian Jie felt increasingly uncomfortable as he looked at it: "President Zhao, what are you trying to say?"
After a slight pause, Zhao Xiuneng gritted his teeth and said, "I just feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick!"
He Zhigang, Tian Jie, and Gao Zhangyi remained silent.
Who loses?
Of course, Lin Sicheng is at a disadvantage.
Putting everything else aside, just consider these two centers: how much effort did Lin Sicheng put into building the center at Xida University from scratch?
The school and district did provide support, but at most a quarter or a fifth of it. General Manager Zhao then contributed a quarter. In total, ten million was spent, and more than half of that came from Lin Sicheng's ill-gotten gains.
Lin Sicheng doesn't need to spend a single penny here.
Furthermore, consider the level: the school is only at the district level, but here it's at the provincial level. Tell me, isn't that a lot of support?
However, just to prevent He Zhigang, who initially proposed the plan, from working in vain, and to prevent the dozens of people who came here with him from working for nothing for more than two months, Lin Sicheng did not agree.
Didn't agree?
Lin Sicheng, do you understand what "full support from provincial departments" and "authoritative results can influence policy inclination" mean?
Lin Sicheng certainly understood.
He Zhigang sighed: "I asked him if it was worth it, and he said: Some things can't be measured by whether they are worth it or not!"
Zhao Xiuneng paused for a moment, a strange emotion rising in his heart.
Ask yourself honestly: Who doesn't want their leaders, colleagues, friends, students, and even business partners to be loyal and steadfast?
Regardless of whose perspective we take, whether it's Zhao Xiuneng, He Zhigang, Tian Jie, Gao Zhangyi, or Wang Qizhi, Shang Yan, Huang Zhifeng, or the center's staff, researchers, and archaeological team members.
The group remained silent.
Putting themselves in each other's shoes, they all felt that Lin Sicheng was at a great disadvantage.
Is it worth it for them?
But Lin Sicheng didn't think so.
He leaned back in his chair, speaking slowly and deliberately: "To be honest, the support here is indeed substantial, and the conditions are undeniably tempting. But looking beyond the surface, it all boils down to two words: choice."
It's either one or two. There's no "want both" option. So, if you don't want to choose, no matter how much you're given, you're just a rootless duckweed.
There's a saying: "A woman shouldn't marry two husbands, and a subject shouldn't serve two masters..." Teacher, if you were in that situation, would you agree?
Wang Qizhi remained silent.
If it were him: whether he agrees or not is one thing, whether he refuses or not is another.
It sounds contradictory at first glance, but it's not at all.
Tacit understanding is something that can only be felt, not explained. If you have the ability, what's wrong with juggling three or four relationships, let alone one?
Porcelain restoration is done in Shaanxi, and egg white jade is done in Shanxi. See, isn't that a good thing?
So ultimately, Lin Sicheng refused without hesitation because of the people around him.
Because no matter where the research is conducted, he must be the overall person in charge. Whether it's a paper, a journal, an academic report, research results, etc., his signature will definitely be in the column for person in charge and first author.
As for the rest, whether someone from Shaanxi signs or someone from Shanxi signs, what's the difference?
The answer is yes: It's impossible for people from Shaanxi to give Lin Sicheng an antique bowl worth millions, or to set such high bonuses for him periodically. It's even more impossible for them to build him a research center worth millions without him contributing a single penny.
Subconsciously, Wang Qizhi recalled the question he often asked Lin Sicheng: Is it worth it?
Lin Sicheng always said: Some things just have to be done by someone...
Upon hearing Wang Qizhi's mention, Lin Sicheng laughed, "Wasn't that to make a better impression on you? If you asked me that now, teacher, I definitely wouldn't say it like that. Because it's too fake, too high-sounding..."
Wang Qizhi stared wide-eyed: "Isn't it high-class and sophisticated?"
Lin Sicheng laughed again: "Teacher, I'm really not that great. I'll just say one thing: once the center is built and produces results, who will take credit? If I want to do something that affects local interests, will unpleasant things happen?"
For example, if I wanted to license the patent for egg white jade to Xijing, would the local authorities interfere? What would happen if I insisted on licensing it?
Wang Qizhi opened his mouth, the words were on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't know how to say them.
Who can predict what will happen in the future?
But then again, if it were in Shaanxi, it definitely wouldn't be like that.
The reasons are complex. To put it simply, the Xida Center was built from scratch, almost entirely through Lin Sicheng's own efforts. In essence, it is a privately-owned research company, and Lin Sicheng's word is law.
The key point is that Lin Sicheng has proven his ability, professionalism, and even his character, morality, and sentiments through his actions time and time again.
If you count on your fingers: the number of Lin Sicheng's names listed in the archives is too many to count on two hands.
And He Zhigang, Chen Peng, Li Chunnan, Guan Xingmin, Hao Jun, and even the dean and principal of the college, as well as myself, their teacher, and so on, are all people who have a profound influence in various industries.
And every time, it's just like this time.
Wang Qizhi used to scoff at the saying that suffering a loss is a blessing. But ever since he met Lin Sicheng, he felt that Lin Sicheng embodied this saying perfectly.
After thinking for a long time, Wang Qizhi sighed: "The bowl that Mr. Shui gave us, it couldn't be fake, could it?"
“It’s true!” Lin Sicheng nodded. “But one shouldn’t accept favors without merit, and it’s easy to owe someone a favor but hard to repay it. What if we can’t pay it back?”
Wang Qizhi remained silent.
If it were him: "If I can't pay it back, then I can't pay it back?"
Of course, he only thought it to himself. After all, Lin Sicheng called him teacher, and he, surnamed Wang, had his pride too.
With these thoughts swirling in his head, the car entered the city of TY, made two more turns, and arrived at the building in front of the Cultural Relics Bureau.
As soon as the car came to a stop, two men came down the steps to greet him.
One was in his forties, leading the pack, while the other was in his early thirties, slightly behind.
As soon as they reached the car, the older man extended his hand: "Professor Wang, Teacher Lin, thank you for your hard work. My surname is Ren, and I work in the Science and Technology Department of the Cultural Relics Bureau. Mr. Shui is my teacher..."
"Hello, Director Ren!"
They shook hands with each other and then went into the building.
They walked and talked, and were both very polite, but Lin Sicheng had a feeling that this person must have seen him before.
And his eyes looked strange.
Well, let it be strange.
The locals found their actions quite incomprehensible.
With that thought in mind, the group went up to the conference room on the fourth floor. As soon as they entered, Lin Sicheng paused for a moment.
Many leaders from the Cultural Relics Bureau, the Culture Bureau, and the Industry Bureau.
He was meeting the man for the first time, but during the week or so he had been free, he had made many trips to these bureaus to look up information. He passed by the lobby every day, and even if he only glanced at him briefly each time, he remembered him.
Strangely, Shui Jisheng was also present, sitting in the front right position.
What's even stranger is the way these people looked at him the first time they saw him.
What's the difference between this and when I run into Director Ren downstairs?
Thinking it over, he greeted everyone with a smile: "Hello Mr. Shui, hello leaders!"
Everyone stood up, and the leader at the head of the table clapped his hands: "Welcome Engineer Lin!"
Then, thunderous applause erupted!
Wang Qizhi was stunned for a moment, and a tingling sensation rushed to his head.
As an opponent, Lin Sicheng is a tough opponent, but honestly, who wouldn't want a colleague, subordinate, or friend like him?
Who can say they don't admire him?
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