Chapter 186 A Rising Tide Can Raise a Boat
Six or seven dishes, plus a bowl of soup.
The dishes were just ordinary home-cooked meals, but the banquet was a proper family feast.
Lin Sicheng had no concept of politeness and kept eating bowl after bowl of rice.
Dan Wangshu beamed and kept putting food on his plate.
"Thank you, Master's wife!"
"No need to thank me, eat more if you like it!"
Ye Anning sat beside him, picking at her food absentmindedly. Her eyes were fixed on Lin Sicheng, blinking rapidly.
Wang Qizhi would drink a glass, smack his lips, drink another glass, and smack his lips again.
He didn't even pick up a single vegetable leaf, but just stared at Lin Sicheng as he drank.
Lin Sicheng felt uneasy under the stare: "Teacher, you eat too!"
"It's alright, let me see!"
No... you're looking at the dishes too?
Lin Sicheng paused, about to say something, when Wang Qizhi smiled and said, "Not bad... well said... oh no, not bad!"
Very insightful, very perceptive, direct, and quite blunt.
The key point is that it's also satisfying.
Lin Sicheng may have been praising them for wanting to benefit the local area, but in Wang Qizhi's opinion, what's the difference between that and criticizing them for being shameless in pursuit of political achievements?
He could even imagine the expressions on those faces at the time: so angry that their veins were bulging, their faces probably even turned green.
Thinking back to a few days ago, he discovered that these people were trying to do something crooked and unethical. At the time, he thought: "They dare to do something so improper?"
Lin Sicheng could take care of them without Lin Sicheng even having to lift a finger.
In the end, it turned out exactly as expected?
The more he thought about it, the more relaxed he felt. Wang Qizhi poured himself a glass of wine and handed it to him: "Here, let's clink glasses!"
Lin Sicheng quickly accepted it: "Thank you, teacher!"
He downed the drink in one gulp, then paused again: "Actually, it's just because I have a teacher backing me up!"
Wang Qizhi paused for a moment, then pursed his lips.
This reason accounts for a small part, but only a limited portion.
Without his teacher, Lin Sicheng might not have been so sharp-tongued or impolite. He might not have said those words that so bluntly and disregarded all dignity.
More likely, they will speak softly and gently, smiling as they engage in a back-and-forth exchange with the other party.
But Lin Sicheng would never skimp on anything: he would register patents when they were due, license technologies when they were due, and produce products when they were due.
They might even go further: they wouldn't mention celadon glaze, ink painting, or carved relief at all. Only when the other party takes advantage again and truly sees them as an easy target would they launch a counterattack.
It doesn't need to be too complicated. Just register the core patent for something like the teapot with a handle in advance, and those other people will be stuck in a bind. They might not even know who did it before others have already started production.
What's this called?
Subconsciously, a bunch of derogatory terms flooded Wang Qizhi's mind.
But don't be surprised; anyone who can accomplish anything has this trait. It was also a personality trait that was ingrained in Lin Sicheng from birth.
Of course, there's a saying before that: "Return a favor with a gift of wood, and a plum with a peach." It's not sarcasm; it means that if someone treats me with respect, I will treat them with even greater respect.
Therefore, the appearance of his teacher at most made Lin Sicheng less calculating and more dignified.
Hmm, thinking about it carefully, it seems that I've changed Lin Sicheng quite a bit too?
Wang Qizhi felt gratified and picked up his wine glass again.
Lin Sicheng's eyelids twitched: In just ten or twenty minutes, he had only eaten three bowls of rice, while Wang Qizhi had drunk more than half a jin of liquor.
"Teacher, why don't you eat first, and I'll have a drink with you later!"
"Alright!" Wang Qizhi immediately covered the wine bottle and picked up his rice bowl.
The teacher and student ate and chatted, and as they talked, they started talking about Sun Le (the new assistant).
"I saw him the day before yesterday. He said you suggested he spend two days in the training group first. What's wrong, can't keep up?"
Lin Sicheng nodded and said frankly, "My foundation is a bit weak. I suggest that Senior Brother Sun supplement it a bit more... If I'm busy here, I'll have Senior Sister Li cover for me for now!"
Upon hearing "Senior Sister Li," Shan Wangshu paused, her chopsticks still in her mouth. Ye Anning, who had been eating quietly, also looked up.
The two exchanged a furtive glance, then looked at Wang Qizhi.
Wang Qizhi remained unmoved: "Yes, add some details."
Shan Wangshu and Ye Anning both curled their lips in unison.
After briefly mentioning it, Wang Qizhi didn't ask any further questions. He then brought up the district-level application for World Heritage status, saying that the studio would be officially inaugurated in a few days.
"School leaders will definitely be coming, and one or two bureau-level leaders from the district should also be coming, such as from the Culture Bureau and the Tourism Bureau... I'll have Feng Lin draft a procedure for you, just take a look..."
Lin Sicheng nodded: "Thank you, teacher!"
"What's there to thank me for? I'm your teacher and the academic advisor for the studio. It's one thing if I'm not responsible for academics, but I can't let you be distracted by all this messy, trivial stuff. Oh, right..."
Halfway through his sentence, Wang Qizhi suddenly remembered something: "The dean nominated you to serve concurrently as the deputy secretary of the college's Youth League Committee, responsible for academic and scientific innovation, and it has already been approved at the meeting..."
Lin Sicheng paused with his chopsticks, his eyes widening: What the heck?
Why don't I know what kind of deputy secretary I'm going to be appointed as?
"Making a fuss?" Wang Qizhi scoffed. "The school has always had this position, but we just haven't found a suitable candidate. Besides, it's just a volunteer service position for outstanding students' social practice. There's no salary, and no permanent position. What's the rush?"
"Teacher, I'm not panicking!" Lin Sicheng breathed a sigh of relief. "But what about the Academic Innovation Department?"
"Oh, yes..." Wang Qizhi said casually, "Of course, right now it's just salary; your rank and position will have to wait until after you graduate..."
He paused for a moment, then glanced sideways at him: "Or are you saying you're not up to the task?"
Lin Sicheng paused, remaining silent.
He is certainly capable of the job, and even the school leaders know that he is capable.
Putting aside other aspects, take the ancient porcelain restoration technique, for example. If the school works harder and pushes it more, the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation could add one or two more majors in two or three years at most.
For example, Professor Wang's laboratory, with the two projects he is specifically in charge of and guiding, can quietly conduct research for another year or two before submitting applications to the national authorities.
How many national-level projects can Northwest University apply for each year?
Based on these two points alone, he would be more than qualified to take on a part-time position in an academic and scientific innovation department. Especially considering it's just a department under the university level, or even just a youth league organization?
To be honest, the school has been cautious and reserved enough.
It was just so sudden that Lin Sicheng wasn't mentally prepared.
"Actually, it's not surprising at all. After the district came to the school for a preliminary review of the World Heritage application project, the dean brought it up on his own initiative. I was thinking of discussing it with you when you came back from Tongchuan..."
"Before you even arrived, people from Tongchuan had already tracked you down to the school. The dean, seeing this, thought, 'What's there to discuss?' and immediately reported it to the principal..."
The principal's original intention was to directly assign him to the school's Youth League Committee, but I thought that since you would graduate in six months, even if you were assigned as a deputy secretary, you would be dismissed in six months. What kind of influence would that have?
It would be better to stay in the institute, engage in academic research, scientific and technological innovation, and conduct training... In six months, if you make any significant moves, it will simply solidify your position.
What is being confirmed? Of course, it's their rank and position.
To be honest, he'd been an expert for half his life. But he'd never actually been a government official...
"What kind of official are you, with such trivial matters?" Wang Qizhi scoffed. "To you, it's like child's play!"
It's certainly not as exaggerated as Professor Wang said, but to be honest, it shouldn't be too difficult.
"Thank you, teacher!"
"What are you thanking me for? Lin Sicheng, you're great in every way, except you're too polite..."
Wang Qizhi rambled on and on, then opened another bottle of wine: "Come on, have a couple of drinks with me!"
The teacher and student drank together, but not much; they only drank the small half-bottle that Wang Qizhi had left.
They chatted until four o'clock, then the family saw him off at the door.
He only brought a few packets of medicine when he came, but when he left, Shan Wangshu insisted on giving him two large packets.
Donkey-hide gelatin, cordyceps... none of them were cheap, making Lin Sicheng feel extremely embarrassed: "Thank you, Master's wife!"
Shan Wangshu smiled, pursing her lips: "Lin Sicheng, instead of thanking me, you should take some time to let me get to know Teacher Jiang!"
"My mistake, I'll do it as soon as possible!" Lin Sicheng laughed again. "Actually, my mom nags me whenever she sees me!"
Of course, they nag. Even Lin Changqing nags: the gifts Lin Sicheng brought back from his teacher's house have almost filled the cabinets at home.
The father-in-law and daughter-in-law had been teaching for half their lives, and this was the first time they had ever seen a student like this...
After exchanging a few words, watching him go downstairs, and then hearing the door slam shut with a "bang," Shan Wangshu closed the door.
Then, glaring at Wang Qizhi, he asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Wang Qizhi was completely bewildered: "What? What's going on?"
"I was talking about Lin Sicheng's assistant. Didn't you change her? Why did you change her to Li Zhen again?"
"I don't want to change, but Sun Le has to be able to hold on?"
Wang Qizhi scoffed, "To take notes, do I have to ask Lin Sicheng what kind of porcelain it is, what kind of clay it's made of, what kind of body it's shaped into, and what kind of glaze it's applied to? Is he an assistant, or a baby who hasn't taken off his pacifier?"
Shan Wangshu glared at him again: "Of course I know, what I mean is, can't you find someone better?"
"To be honest, Sun Le is already quite good. The key issue is that Lin Sicheng is too skilled. If we look for someone else, we can only find a PhD? But even a PhD has to be willing to work as an assistant, let alone an undergraduate."
Don't underestimate Li Zhen. Shang Yan has put so much effort into her; she's more than capable of being a PhD. Although her research ability isn't as good as Lin Sicheng's, she's more than qualified to be his research assistant..."
Wang Qizhi looked completely bewildered: "Besides, with Lin Sicheng's personality, what are you two worried about? He doesn't even have time to deal with Ye Anning, let alone Li Zhen. Believe it or not, if there's even the slightest hint of trouble, Lin Sicheng can shut her down."
Shan Wangshu slapped him on the shoulder: "What do you mean by 'just getting by'?"
As she spoke, she turned back and glared at Ye Anning, who was clearing the table: "What's wrong with you today? When it's your turn to shine, you're playing dumb?"
Ye Anning opened her mouth, unsure of what to say. Then, her face gradually turned red.
Huh, is that strange?
The couple paused for a moment, then looked at each other.
Shan Wangshu thought for a moment: "Lin Sicheng, what did I do to you?"
"Aunt, how could that be?"
Ye Anning's face turned even redder. "When I picked him up, he called my name... Aunt, you don't know, the tone of his voice, the expression on his face, and the emotions he conveyed..."
It's like... it's like, we talked for a long time, we were head over heels in love, deeply in love... and he even said that as long as I like hearing it, he'll keep calling me that from now on?"
Shan Wangshu's eyes widened: Ye Anning, what nonsense are you spouting?
He just called your name once, and you're already this embarrassed? Could he have been using some kind of demonic voice?
Also, Lin Sicheng is so busy he's practically a ghost; you can't even see him for ten days or half a month. You two haven't even started dating, so what's with all this talk of life and death?
Suddenly, she stopped again: "You didn't agree?"
Ye Anning lowered her head: "I was startled at the time, so I told him not to call me that again..."
Dan Wangshu was stunned for a moment, then gritted her teeth: "Ye Anning, when did you become so useless? It's just a name being called, what's there to be afraid of? And the person has already left, why are you still so ashamed? Where's your intelligence, your IQ, gone to the dogs?"
Ye Anning opened her mouth, unsure how to defend herself.
I felt quite clear-headed and my IQ was on point at the time, but for some reason, I just couldn't handle it...
After a long pause, she said matter-of-factly, "I've never been in a relationship before?"
"Nonsense, did Lin Sicheng talk to him about it?"
Ye Anning was speechless.
Wang Qizhi watched coldly from the sidelines and sighed again.
Dan Wangshu casually smacked him with a hammer: "What are you sighing about?"
Wang Qizhi remained silent: He could tell from now on that when they were actually together, Ye Anning would be a dutiful and obedient person.
Yes, his niece was indeed quite smart, but Wang Qizhi increasingly realized that her intelligence was still somewhat lacking compared to Lin Sicheng's.
Besides, Lin Sicheng hadn't even used his full strength yet. But that's for the best: there has to be someone who makes the decisions, and someone who listens...
Dan Wangshu grew angrier the more she thought about it: "Ye Anning, I gave you a chance but you failed!"
While cursing, she hit Wang Qizhi with the hammer again.
Wang Qizhi grinned, looking completely wronged.
After watching Shan Wangshu scold Ye Anning for a while, he suddenly remembered something, his face darkened, and he picked up his phone and went into the bedroom.
Sensing that Wang Qizhi's mood had suddenly become off, Shan Wangshu shouted, "What are you doing!"
"Nothing!"
With that, he closed the bedroom door.
I've already said this is definitely not going to work. But you insist on negotiating? It's not that we can't talk, but we need to talk properly and not resort to underhanded tactics.
As it turned out, they did what they were supposed to do.
So, you think I, Lin Sicheng's teacher, am just coasting along?
...
The setting sun bathed the gray bricks, and the remaining snow at the base of the wall melted into black mud. Icicles on the curb scraped against the soles of shoes, shattering into puddles with a strange "crunch."
Lin Sicheng stepped on the ground with great concentration, one foot after another, while his mind wandered freely, like a wild horse galloping across the sky.
It seemed like a random arrangement, so small as to be insignificant, but Lin Sicheng understood Professor Wang's intention: Lin Sicheng, you should take this path in the future: use academics to discuss politics.
It doesn't matter whether I like it or not, nor am I afraid of difficulties; it's just that my perspective and starting point are different.
The so-called success and fame, and the attainment of both fame and fortune, are simply a matter of which comes first and which comes later.
It won't cause any problems.
For example, Vice Dean Fan of the School of Chemical Engineering at Northwest University has his own key laboratory, research and development center, and company in addition to his position at the university.
When he traveled back in time, Vice Dean Fan was already Vice Principal Fan and also the richest man in Shaanxi Province. He could be said to have managed to excel in academia, politics, and business.
Whether I can reach that point, or even go higher, is still unknown, but at least I have a direction...
Thinking to myself, I arrived at the studio without even realizing it.
As twilight descended, the three-story white building was bathed in the glow of the setting sun. A north wind blew, and the locust branches in front of the building rustled softly.
The iron horse bumped against the eaves, clanging and banging.
The white plaques with black lettering hung quietly on both sides. The exhibition hall on the first floor was brightly lit, clean and spotless.
Next to it was the office area, where Zhao Xiuneng sat with his legs crossed, seemingly scolding his son.
The second floor is the laboratory. Through the window, Xiao Yuzhu is leading several students in wiping down the newly arrived machines.
The third floor is the training center, which is also lit up, and Li Zhen's figure can be vaguely seen.
Before we knew it, a huge change had taken place. Compared to the previous one office and one control room, it's now a world of difference. If you said this was a medium-sized science and technology innovation and research center, people would definitely believe it.
Lin Sicheng barely had to worry about any of this. In fact, the first-floor showroom had only just been renovated before he went to Tongchuan, and the second floor had only just started receiving materials.
After carefully examining him, as if he had spotted him, Zhao Xiuneng pushed open the door.
"Teacher Lin!"
Mr. Zhao stopped calling him "boss" and started calling him "teacher."
Lin Sicheng smiled and walked over: "Thank you for your hard work, President Zhao, during this time!"
"I just sit in the office all day, how hard can that be? You're the one who's really working hard."
Zhao Xiuneng pushed the door open for him, his face full of indignation: "I still have to put up with this!"
It wasn't actually that hard, just a bit mentally taxing.
I did get a bit upset, and I just got my revenge, didn't I?
He could even imagine how agonizing those four leaders must be right now…
He chuckled and went inside. The two brothers were already waiting inside, their hips clasped in unison: "Teacher!"
Without the "Lin" in his name, he simply called him "Teacher," just like how he addressed Wang Qizhi.
But he was much more respectful than when he met Wang Qizhi.
At first, Lin Sicheng felt uncomfortable and mentioned it twice. But Zhao Xiuneng not only ignored him, but also said that his two sons should kowtow to him when he formally became his apprentice, so Lin Sicheng never tried to persuade him again.
The saying "a teacher for a day is a father for life" is a bit of an exaggeration, but it's no exaggeration to say that he and these two brothers were bound together from then on.
Because you don't kowtow for nothing; if you kowtow, you have to teach them something real.
Of course, he wasn't given the title of mentor for nothing; Zhao Xiu was responsible for half of the equipment in the second-floor laboratory.
The school has to get involved, otherwise he could have taken care of everything...
Zhao Da wanted to make tea, but Lin Sicheng waved his hand and went upstairs with Zhao Xiuneng.
Xiao Yuzhu was as lively and natural as ever, but her classmates behind her were unusually reserved.
Think back: just six months ago, they were in the same classroom. Lin Sicheng was a poor student, and he relied entirely on connections to pass exams.
But in just six months, they suddenly reached a height that they might never be able to reach in their lifetime.
Restraint is inevitable...
After exchanging greetings and a couple of jokes, the two went up to the third floor.
In the large training room, there were only three people: Li Zhen was writing something without even looking up, her pen flying across the paper.
Shang Yan stared at Sun Le expressionlessly. Sun Le, on the other hand, was both obsequious and at a loss for words.
Two sheets of paper were placed in front of the two of them. Upon closer inspection, they were papers on ancient Yaozhou porcelain.
Lin Sicheng was taken aback for a moment, then secretly praised: Professor Shang's magnanimity is truly admirable.
She always felt that Professor Wang had ulterior motives in arranging Sun Le as her assistant. In addition, Sun Le's background was indeed a bit weak, and his personality was not very stable, so Professor Shang had always looked down on him.
I've never said it to your face, but I can still sense it in your emotions from time to time.
But I have to admire her for being able to tutor Sun Le.
Upon seeing Lin Sicheng, Shang Yan was startled: "What brings you here?"
As she spoke, she sniffed again: "Did you drink with your teacher?"
Lin Sicheng doesn't smoke and rarely drinks, except when he's with Wang Qizhi...
Then I thought again: Oh, it seems that the group from Tongchuan left. Wang Qizhi chased them away?
She felt a secret sense of relief and gave Wang Qizhi another thumbs up: Don't let Wang Qizhi's harmless appearance fool you; he can be a bit of a slacker at times, but he's reliable when it matters.
Not knowing whether Lin Sicheng had solved it himself, Shang Yan made a bunch of wild guesses, then pointed to the opposite side and asked Lin Sicheng to sit down and talk.
"Yesterday, I was discussing with your teacher that you gained a lot from your trip to Tongchuan. Should we organize your experiences and create a file?"
"Of course we should build it, and it would be best to conduct a training session before the Chinese New Year!" Lin Sicheng looked at Li Zhen, "We'll have to trouble Senior Sister Li!"
"She's a research assistant, if she doesn't work hard, who will? Besides, it's not really hard work..."
Shang Yan didn't seem to care, then paused slightly, "But speaking of training, what kind of training are you planning to provide?"
"Of course it's Yaozhou porcelain... but it's ancient Yaozhou porcelain, not the new ancient Yaozhou porcelain that Director Meng created..."
Lin Sicheng thought for a moment, "Actually, the training I designed focuses on tea dust glaze, but it's quite difficult and might be hard for people to grasp..."
Shang Yan was stunned, her eyes turning strange.
While there are indeed strict requirements for heritage preservation and training in the application process, it doesn't mean that nothing can be preserved at all...
"Professor Shang, don't worry: once the basics are covered and you can understand Yaozhou porcelain, the patent will definitely be registered. There's nothing I can't teach you!"
Lin Sicheng understood immediately and smiled, "Professor Shang, all the students have signed agreements!"
Shang Yan didn't speak, she just pursed her lips: she was temporarily in charge of personnel and training, how could he not know that the trainees had all signed agreements?
For example, the Zhao brothers, Li Zhen, Sun Le, Xiao Yuzhu, and several newly recruited researchers. The most important factor is the length of the collaboration.
Both she and Wang Qizhi signed confidentiality and non-compete agreements.
But Lin Sicheng teaches when he wants to, and he teaches real things without holding anything back... How lucky you must be to have a boss like that.
Lin Sicheng remained silent: "There's no such thing as hoarding."
Instead of keeping it to ourselves, we should bring it out and create the value that the technology itself should have.
The same applies to trainees: if you want the horse to run, you have to give it grass. If you don't teach them real skills, how can they improve and unleash their full potential?
As the water rises, the boat can rise higher...
After discussing with Shang Yan for a while and making an appointment with Li Zhen, it got dark.
The old man was probably very anxious and needed to be comforted, so Lin Sicheng didn't stay for dinner.
After saying goodbye and preparing to leave, Shang Yan suddenly remembered: "If you could spare some time, there's a batch of things you need to take a look at!"
Approval?
It means "go and take a look," not "take a look for someone else"...
Lin Sicheng suddenly understood: someone was about to ship a lot of goods. Shang Yan was probably unsure, or perhaps not interested, so she asked him if he was interested.
Of course I'm interested.
There hasn't been any income for a long time; the two million I earned from Fang Jingxian is long gone.
But with the studio renovations and equipment purchases underway, we can't keep letting Mr. Zhao quietly foot the bill...
Lin Sicheng nodded: "Professor Shang, whose stuff is it?"
"It seems to be a fairly well-known old collector in the city. Fang Jingxian has seen him a few times, but she's not quite sure. So she wanted to ask you for help... I told her you didn't have time... Then she asked if we could partner up: It's not much, just help her look at two or three items!"
Goodness, you're amazing...
"Professor Shang, when are we going?"
"Of course it depends on your schedule!"
Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation: "Then tomorrow!"
Shang Yan was stunned, her face showing a strange expression.
Lin Sicheng didn't say anything, but rummaged through his empty pockets.
Shang Yan paused for a moment, then smiled with pursed lips: Indeed, Lin Sicheng is extremely short of money right now.
If it weren't for Mr. Zhao's sponsorship, he wouldn't even have been able to give out red envelopes before the Lunar New Year...
"Okay, then tomorrow..."
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