Chapter 261 Conspiracy
Just like when they dealt with Wang Qizhi, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying pulled Lin Sicheng aside and gave him a good talking-to.
But for some reason, the more they talked, the more upset they became.
No matter what they said, Lin Sicheng remained polite, gentle, and humble, and his responses were always impeccable.
It's like throwing a punch with all your might, only to hit cotton.
Shui Jisheng watched coldly from the sidelines, sighing incessantly: Lin Sicheng wasn't unperturbed, nor was he unangry, but he knew he could retaliate immediately, so he remained remarkably calm.
Otherwise, why would he be so wary of you two like you're thieves?
Throughout, his words conveyed the same message: understanding, tolerance, and support.
Let me translate: If you can do it, then I can do it too; it's just a matter of the first and fifteenth of the month.
Both being shrewd individuals, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying quickly grasped the meaning halfway through the conversation. But what they couldn't understand was: why would Lin Sicheng repay?
However, one thing is certain: even if it is repaid, it will be in the future; at least it cannot cause trouble again today.
In a flash, the two exchanged a glance, and Chief Engineer Shui thought for a moment: "Xiao Lin, what kind of cooperation are you referring to?"
Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "Of course it's egg white jade!"
The two of them were both stunned: What the heck?
I asked Director Sun, Chief Engineer Shui, and consulted more than one of the most authoritative research institutions in China.
What value is there in cooperating with something that has already been sentenced to death?
Thinking about it this way, it seems like Lin Sicheng is deliberately making empty threats?
As he was pondering this, Lin Sicheng pointed to the dining table: "Teacher Shui, would you two leaders like to have something to eat together?"
Fearing further trouble, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying felt it was best for them not to stay there.
The two smiled and said, "Please go ahead, Teacher Lin!"
After shaking hands again, Lin Sicheng turned and walked towards the dining table. Zheng Ming smiled at Shui Jisheng and said, "Teacher Shui, I'd like to ask you for a favor!"
Shui Jisheng sighed: In the end, I still have to clean up this mess myself.
If I had known, I should have pretended to be deaf and dumb.
He nodded and entered the restaurant, leaning on his cane.
He didn't take any food, but just asked his assistant to pour him a glass of water.
Lin Sicheng glanced at it: Is this person using the old man as a stabilizing force?
So be it. I never intended to cause trouble; if I were going to, I would have done it already…
Ren Xinbo and Wang Xiaoyi left the restaurant, presumably to be called away to inquire about the specifics. Sun Jiamu and Wang Qizhi chatted while they ate.
"Lin Sicheng is good; he's steady enough!"
"He's just too mature!" Wang Qizhi sighed. "He doesn't seem like a young man in his early twenties at all!"
"How lively and outgoing do you want him to be, like you?"
Halfway through his sentence, a hint of suspicion flashed in Sun Jiamu's eyes. "So, why did you suddenly change your personality? Did you learn it from your students?"
Wang Qizhi's eyes widened: "I'm his teacher!"
"Ha, so what if they're teachers? There are plenty of teachers who are worse than their students..."
After a sharp retort, Sun Jiamu lowered his voice and asked, "Tell me, does Lin Sicheng have any backup plans?"
Wang Qizhi remained silent.
Anyone with a keen eye can see that if Lin Sicheng were truly as soft-hearted as clay, easily manipulated, how could he possibly manage dozens of people so obediently?
Not to mention Huang Zhifeng, Tian Jie, and Gao Zhangyi, he couldn't even subdue the thirty archaeological team members.
Since we are not pushovers, we cannot pretend this never happened.
Just one question: Will you continue to lead teams in the future, and will you continue to cooperate with Huang Zhifeng, Tian Jie, and others?
And look at those people: one moment they were indignant, practically ready to start a full-blown fight. But after Lin Sicheng calmed them down a little, their faces lit up with joy, their eyes shining.
Seeing that Wang Qizhi didn't speak, Sun Jiamu poked him with his chopsticks.
"He only said he wanted to talk to you in person, but I really don't know what we're going to talk about..."
Halfway through his sentence, Wang Qizhi rested his chin on his hand and said, "Here it comes!"
Just as he finished speaking, Lin Sicheng walked over. He was carrying a plate of meat, looking like a mountain of exhaustion.
He sat down to the left of the two men and smiled, saying, "Director Sun, teacher!"
Sun Jiamu was stunned for a moment: Is he really that shy?
Just from his smile, an uninformed person would think: This child is not only introverted, but also timid.
But an introverted person can manage dozens of hot-tempered men like an army.
He sighed: "Lin Sicheng, what are you going to talk to me about?"
Seeing Lin Sicheng straighten up, Sun Jiamu waved his hand and said, "Don't be shy, just eat and we can talk!"
There's really no need to be shy; after all, we've been working together for almost two months.
Lin Sicheng readily agreed and picked up his chopsticks: "Wu Si's plane ticket is for the day after tomorrow, right? Director Sun, don't look at me, my teacher told me."
"I would like to invite you and Director Wu to visit the center first, specifically to see the egg white jade... Hmm, we found some more samples this time, almost a ton!"
As soon as Sun Jiamu picked up the water glass, his hand trembled involuntarily, and his eyes widened like light bulbs.
Lin Sicheng was not surprised to learn that Wu Si was coming the day after tomorrow, because it was he who had told Wang Qizhi.
Sun Jiamu was surprised to find egg white jade.
If it were anyone else, he would have given a cold laugh: This isn't cabbage, it's ancient tribute porcelain that's been lost for a thousand years, there are hardly any pieces in museums.
You're something else, searching for tons of things... Isn't that just ridiculous?
But when he thought about how Lin Sicheng found the ancient dugout and Guzhen ruins, Sun Jiamu swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Shanxi has no famous kilns, let alone famous porcelain... This has been a consensus for nearly four hundred years, from the Qing Dynasty to the present.
But Lin Sicheng broke that record: not only were there famous porcelains, but they were also tribute porcelains, and there was more than one type: porcelain pillows with poems, tricolor pottery pillows, and egg-white jade porcelains.
These five kiln sites, in particular, had no markings on the surface, making it like searching for a needle in a haystack. Did Lin Sicheng find them by sheer luck?
Sun Jiamu took a deep breath: "Lin Sicheng, one ton?"
"Hmm, maybe a little more!"
That's more than a ton, or even two tons?
Sun Jiamu had a strong feeling that this was unlikely, and he really wanted to ask where they found it.
But after thinking about it, he didn't ask.
This has nothing to do with trust or distrust; it's simply that the location is unsuitable.
He thought for a moment and said, "After you've seen the sample, what do you want me and Wu Si to do?"
"The main thing is to ask Director Sun and Director Wu for guidance!" Lin Sicheng grinned. "Secondly, didn't Director Sun promise to help us recommend journals and help us apply for World Heritage status? Shouldn't we go and find out more about it beforehand?"
Sun Jiamu paused for a moment before remembering the bet he had made with Lin Sicheng: if Lin Sicheng lost, he would work for him long-term; if he lost, he would help Lin Sicheng get connections.
But isn't it too early to talk about winning or losing at this point?
First, the tons of samples that Lin Sicheng mentioned are still questionable: where did he find them in just one week?
Secondly, having samples does not guarantee the restoration of lost techniques. Even if restoration were possible, the research process would take years.
For example, the five famous kilns, such as Longquan Kiln, Dehua Kiln, and Jian Kiln, have enough sites and enough samples, right?
Each of these projects was led by a state-owned institution, with multiple institutions collaborating on the research. Even the shortest Jianzhan (a type of Chinese ware) project took two years.
How long did Lin Sicheng study it?
It's only been four months since he arrived in Shanxi...
"I know, that's why I invited Director Sun and Director Wu to visit. Firstly, to ask the two leaders for guidance, and secondly, to see for ourselves how likely it is that we can restore the process!"
"Director Sun, don't worry, it won't take more than a few days, two or three days at most. Then, I'll have my teacher treat you, Director Wu, to some aged Moutai, at least ten years' worth..."
Lin Sicheng gestured and said in a relaxed tone, "And it will definitely not be a wasted trip: after the visit, Director Sun, you can tell me where to hit and I'll hit. You can tell me how long to work for free and I'll work for that long. I'll do anything."
Wait, doesn't this mean Lin Sicheng has already admitted defeat?
Sun Jiamu was skeptical: "That good?"
"Of course!" Lin Sicheng said decisively, "The teacher is my witness!"
Sun Jiamu pondered for a moment: It's not time to give guidance yet. I guess Lin Sicheng doesn't need their guidance either. Besides, he and the director don't have the time.
This guy probably wanted to show off his abilities: after all, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage is a national agency, and it's also managed by the Ministry of Culture. When it comes to applying for World Heritage status, especially for projects related to cultural relics and craftsmanship, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage has a lot of influence.
On the other hand, Xi'an is only about 200 kilometers away from here, which is not far. It's just a matter of the director taking a slight detour, and it won't take more than a few days.
Why not take the opportunity to make a quick trip and pick up a reliable assistant who's easy to use?
Of course, there are still some doubts: it seems that Lin Sicheng made a very confident statement.
Previously, when he mentioned it to the director, the guy flatly refused. This time, not only did he eagerly offer it up, but he also said, "Use it for as long as you want, use it however you want?"
What, he's abandoned that center?
But then again: every day we can use it for free is a day we should...
After a moment's thought, Sun Jiamu nodded: "I'll go with you tomorrow. I need to ask the director for instructions!"
"Thank you, Director Sun!"
"You're welcome!" Sun Jiamu said solemnly. "I remember what you said!"
Lin Sicheng patted his chest and said, "Director Sun, don't worry, I will definitely do my best and won't slack off!"
There's no need to worry about that.
After observing for two months, if Sun Jiamu were to tell the truth, even the donkeys in the production team weren't as capable as Lin Sicheng.
His concern was that the kid was being cunning.
Of course, Sun Jiamu would definitely go. Even if Lin Sicheng hadn't mentioned the conditions, Sun Jiamu would still go, even if it was in his private capacity.
We should at least go and see if, as Lin Sicheng said, he has found tons of eggshell-white porcelain.
If so, then we must find out where he found it from...
In a flash, Ren Xinbo and Wang Xiaoyi returned to the restaurant, and the group changed the subject.
After the banquet, Sun Jiamu reported to Wu Hui, and as expected, Director Wu immediately agreed.
Out of respect, he informed Ren Xinbo as well. He didn't say much else, only that: "Go to Xi'an and see how Lin Sicheng restored the Egg White Jade."
Ren Xinbo was completely baffled. After reporting to his superiors, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying were even more confused.
How could Lin Sicheng restore the artifacts based on only the few pieces collected in the early stages?
The two leaders were just bored out of their minds: there was absolutely no need to watch it.
Only for Chief Engineer Shui, a thread seemed to emerge in his mind, faint and indistinct, yet he couldn't quite grasp it.
He even had a bad feeling: it seemed like something bad was going to happen...
P.S.: Gentlemen, I'm humbly asking for a monthly vote.
Thank you!
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