Chapter 119: Do You Want to Win an Award? (Monthly Ticket Bonus Chapter 77)

The autumn evening sun was like melted honey, slowly flowing across the concrete ground.

Yao Hansong's eyes were very bright, like sparks suddenly ignited in ashes, parting a ripple of light.

His thin, withered palm slowly opened, gripping Lin Sicheng's hand tightly. The corners of his mouth slowly curved upward, gentle and appropriate.

"I am at the Museum every day; even when the weekend arrives, I come by to take a look. As long as you have time, you can come anytime..."

"You know Chen Fen, and you have met Xiao Zheng from the archives room. When you come next time, I will take you to meet Xiao Huang from the laboratory."

"If you don't have time to come, it doesn't matter. Save my phone number; if there is anything you don't understand, call Chen Fen or me anytime..."

"Of course, if you have time, you should still come more often. Because your theory is already sufficient; relatively speaking, the Museum places more importance on practice and more importance on Artifact Research..."

Feeling the old man's sincerity, Lin Sicheng sighed inwardly.

Even though they had only known each other for a day, why did it feel like they had been spiritual friends for a long time?

Because the old man saw hope, as well as a thirst for talent.

He nodded heavily: "Professor Yao, I will definitely come often!"

"Good!"

The old man smiled, then turned his head: "Professor Wang, walk slowly!"

Wang Qi Zhi did not know what to say: when it was Lin Sicheng's turn, there were a thousand instructions and ten thousand exhortations, but when it was his own turn, it was just two words: walk slowly.

And what was the meaning of that last sentence of yours? What do you mean by "your theory is already sufficient, you should focus on practice and Artifact Research"?

Does that mean I can't teach him, right?

Grumbling inwardly, he still smiled: "Director Tian, Professor Yao, Group Leader Chen, please stay!"

They shook hands one by one and bid each other farewell.

Lin Sicheng drove, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee slowly pulled out of the parking space. Approaching the exit, the car window rolled down, and Wang Qi Zhi waved his hand.

Afterward, they drove into the flow of traffic.

Watching the gradually disappearing taillights, Director Tian looked suspicious: in the morning, although Yao Hansong and Chen Fen were also very enthusiastic, it was more out of formulaic social niceties.

Yet beneath the surface of enthusiasm, there was a bit of estrangement, exclusion, and resistance: we have worked hard for so many years and finally achieved some results, and now the leaders above say one word and we have to share it with others?

Anyone would have some opinions about that.

But in just one day, their attitude took a sharp turn: check the archives as you please, use the laboratory as you please, and if there is anything you don't understand, call anytime.

It was as if they were rushing to give it away for free?

The problem is: even if you give it away for free, you should give it to Wang Qi Zhi, yet you give it to his student?

Whether he can understand it is another question.

The more he thought about it, the less he could understand it, and the Director was completely confused: "Old Yao, Xiao Chen, what is the situation?"

Yao Hansong exhaled forcefully: "Talent!"

Chen Fen nodded heavily: "A genius!"

Afterward, the two of them, one after the other, gave a rough account of what had happened.

The Director's eyes widened bit by bit.

Relying only on a Thesis, journals, and a few folk imitations, he had cracked seven or eight-tenths of the technology the Provincial Museum had been researching for eight or nine years, and could even take it a step further?

Even more, he had already researched the Tang Dynasty "Granulation" and "Gold Welding" techniques to a considerably deep level?

And the Provincial Museum had only just made a start on these two items...

"That's not very likely, is it?" The Director was very skeptical, "Could it be one of He Jintang's apprentices? For example, someone here to steal the craft?"

"Definitely not. He Jintang only has a deep understanding of Gold Welding; as for the rest, he doesn't even know as much as Wang Qi Zhi!"

Yao Hansong shook his head firmly, "Besides, there's no need!"

Upon hearing "no need," the Director realized: this kid is Wang Qi Zhi's student.

If you really pushed Wang Qi Zhi to the limit and he completely abandoned all shame, insisting on getting his hands on the Provincial Museum's technology, do you think he could get it?

He wouldn't even need to go through the Provincial Museum; the Cultural Relics Bureau has backups...

"But Wang Qi Zhi?" The Director was a bit doubtful, "Doesn't he research bronze?"

"Correct!" Yao Hansong nodded heavily, "So he doesn't understand it either!"

What the hell?

The Director was stunned: the student understands more than the teacher?

Oh no, it should be that the teacher doesn't understand at all, but the student understands too much?

He looked up blankly, and Yao Hansong and Chen Fen nodded in unison.

……

"That old man must be laughing at me!"

Wang Qi Zhi slumped in the passenger seat, let out a "heh," and said, "What does 'your theory is already sufficient' mean? He might as well have told you: that graduate degree of yours, you might as well not read for it..."

Listening to him grumble, Lin Sicheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Teacher, I'm only a senior, I haven't even graduated from my undergraduate degree..."

"I know, I'm just nagging!"

Wang Qi Zhi just felt that Lin Sicheng was like Tang Monk meat; everyone who saw him wanted to take a bite.

Having said that, this favor from Yao Hansong had to be accepted, and it was a considerably large favor.

For example: if Wang Qi Zhi said, I want to check your Provincial Museum's data and learn your Provincial Museum's technology, would the Provincial Museum agree?

Of course they would, just like today. Because even if they didn't agree, he could still get his hands on it.

But agreeing is one thing, whether they cooperate, whether they curse in their hearts, and whether they give you a good look is another thing entirely.

It's nothing like it is now, with them exhorting him over and over again, afraid that Lin Sicheng wouldn't come to learn?

Wang Qi Zhi thought for a moment: "When you come tomorrow, I will get two cartons of good cigarettes for you to bring to Professor Yao. Afterward, ask him if he likes to drink ten-year-old Moutai; if he does, bring two bottles as well."

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment.

Being able to do it oneself is one thing, but the spirit of Yao Hansong, who passes the torch and teaches without reservation, is truly moving.

He nodded, "Good teacher, but how about we go another day? I haven't been to the lab for several days; should I go check on it tomorrow?"

"If you go, you just pop your head in and give some guidance; how much time could that take?"

After saying this, Wang Qi Zhi also felt he sounded a bit like Huang Shiren: "Lin Sicheng, with me in the lab, you don't need to worry about it. But the opportunity at the Provincial Museum is rare; you must take it seriously! I'm not asking you to go every day, but at least twice or three times a week!"

"Understood, teacher!"

Lin Sicheng also felt that such a good opportunity was hard to find: putting everything else aside, when it comes to the study of Tang Dynasty palace craftsmanship, if Shaanxi History Museum claims second place, no one dares to claim first.

Even if it were the Hebei Museum, at most they would just say: "Then I am second."

Since there is such a good opportunity, he must take the time to study and supplement his knowledge, and solidify his foundation.

Thinking this to himself, he gave his consent.

Wang Qi Zhi said nothing more and lowered his head in thought.

As they were about to reach the school, the car stopped, and Wang Qi Zhi suddenly straightened his back: "Lin Sicheng, setting aside the lost techniques, if you were asked to restore the remaining Tang Dynasty gold and silver craftsmanship, how much confidence do you have?"

"Huh?"

Lin Sicheng was caught off guard by the question, and after thinking seriously, he replied, "If the conditions are sufficient: such as the venue, facilities, and assistants, it is basically no problem!"

"What about the lost techniques, such as Gold and Silver Flat-removal, Gold Bead Welding, and Seamless Welding?"

Lin Sicheng was slightly conservative: "Gold and Silver Flat-removal should also be no problem, but for Gold Bead Welding and Seamless Welding..."

Wang Qi Zhi pressed on: "Sixty percent or seventy percent?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Seventy percent!"

Based on Wang Qi Zhi's understanding: what is the difference between Lin Sicheng's seventy percent and ninety percent?

Do it!

He clapped his hands sharply: "Like this, go back and make a plan, then establish a studio: don't make the title too grand, don't mention Han or Tang, and don't mention technical restoration, just write 'Gold and Silver Craft Research'... leave the rest to me!"

Just after saying this, Wang Qi Zhi realized he might have been a bit too hasty, speaking without context.

He let out a breath: "Lin Sicheng, do you want to win an award?"

Lin Sicheng was confused, but still nodded.

"Do you want to go to Beijing and stand in the Great Hall of the People to receive an award?"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment, then nodded very honestly: what man wouldn't want that?

"Have you heard of: ICH!"

It was as if a light flashed in his mind, and Lin Sicheng suddenly realized: the UNESCO World Heritage protection program.

One of the items is: Intangible Cultural Heritage protection, abbreviated as ICH.

It provides research funding, provides protection training, and supports international promotion.

But this is only secondary; the key lies in the country's attitude and the strength of its support:

In 2004, China joined the UNESCO "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage," in 2005, the State Council issued the "Notice on Strengthening the Protection of Cultural Heritage," and in 2006, the "Provisional Measures for the Declaration and Evaluation of National Level Intangible Cultural Heritage" was officially implemented.

At the same time, the selection of the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage projects was completed and announced simultaneously.

Just to say one thing, this award really requires going to Beijing, and it really is received in the Great Hall of the People.

With the state attaching importance to it, local authorities will only attach even more importance to it. And the first batch of inheritors were all personally accompanied by provincial leaders to receive the awards.

There are a whole bunch of other benefits, and there are plenty of them.

To give the most shallow and vulgar example: for the same handmade silk belt, a regular one sells for ten, but one woven by an Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor must be at least fifty...

Lin Sicheng's mouth hung open: why hadn't he thought of this, or rather, why had this consciousness never even existed in his mind?

Because in his past life he had received many awards, but he had never received this one, and he hadn't even properly looked into it.

And who could refuse the temptation of standing in the Great Hall of the People, wearing a Bright Red flower on their chest, and receiving an honorary certificate from a leader's hands?

With a "whoosh," Lin Sicheng's eyes lit up.

The application for Tang Dynasty Gold Craftsmanship to be recognized as world heritage definitely meets the basic requirements:

First is historicity, with over a thousand years of inheritance, which is more than enough.

Second is vitality, requiring that it still has an inheritance to this day and has not completely disappeared... the three generations of the family of Director He, whom Professor Yao mentioned, are ironclad proof.

Third is cultural value, which goes without saying.

Fourth, and this is the most critical point: endangerment, and it is a priority consideration.

And techniques like Gold Bead Welding and Seamless Welding are on the verge of being lost; how could they be anything but endangered?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was possible, and Lin Sicheng let out a breath: "Teacher, I'm afraid there isn't enough time."

Lin Sicheng remembered very clearly: the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage projects will be announced in June next year. It is already the end of September, and it needs to pass through district, county, municipal, provincial, and national department reviews and evaluations; there simply isn't enough time.

It is not the time to research the results, but the time for the application review.

"Just relying on you and me might not be enough!"

Wang Qi Zhi was exceptionally firm, "But what if we add the school, and then add the Provincial Museum?"

After a slight pause, Wang Qi Zhi gritted his teeth again, "If that's still not enough, I'll add Porcelain Restoration to it for you... I don't believe that with such a great honor, and a buy-one-get-one-free deal, the relevant provincial departments and leaders won't be tempted?"

Lin Sicheng's eyes brightened, and he pondered it carefully again: they would definitely be tempted, but as he said before, he was afraid there wasn't enough time.

Fearing that Wang Qi Zhi would get too worked up and try to take a shortcut, Lin Sicheng kept quiet.

It would certainly be fast, but there are pros and cons, and besides, he was only in his early twenties, and the accumulation of...