Chapter 178: It Was All in Vain

Gray-white mist drifted over the window sill, and strange frost patterns condensed on the glass.

The cold light from the ceiling lamp spilled downward, and the porcelain in the display cabinet emitted a moist, celadon glow.

"The blue of the sky after rain, as the clouds break apart, this is the color to be brought forth"—the Great Zhou Emperor Chai Rong loved celadon above all else, and subsequently, there came the Central Chai Kiln, the South Longquan, and the North Yaozhou.

These three types of celadon, even in the Five Dynasties and Northern Song Dynasty, were hard to come by.

These are, of course, modern imitations, but they are imitated so vividly that they are enough to pass for the real thing.

From this, it can also be seen that Director Meng put in a great deal of effort to restore the firing techniques of the Yaozhou Kiln.

As Lin Sicheng watched, he explained to Li Zhen: "Director Meng studied under Mr. Li Guozhen. In 1940, Mr. Li was admitted to the Chemistry Department of Northwest University and graduated in 1944. Because of his excellent grades, he was assigned to the Chongqing Central Industrial Laboratory..."

"In 1953, Mr. Li was dispatched by the Light Industry Ministry to Jingdezhen to implement the instructions of Zhou regarding the restoration of famous historical porcelain as soon as possible. Afterward, Mr. Li served as the Group Leader, and in conjunction with the Light Industry Ministry's Research Institute and the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (Ceramics), established the National Porcelain Group to restore ancient famous porcelain techniques..."

"Later, he also led the restoration work of famous kilns such as the Zhejiang Longquan Kiln, Fujian Jian Kiln, and Dehua Kiln... It can be said that for the Five Great Kilns and the Six Great Porcelain Systems, Mr. Li made an indelible contribution to these famous porcelains being able to reappear in the world..."

Li Zhen listened quietly, Director Du and Minister Liu also listened quietly, and from time to time they exchanged glances: Does this kid understand things so thoroughly?

After looking around for about half an hour, the researchers arrived one after another to start work, and Minister Liu opened the anti-theft door of the research institute.

There were not many people, about eight or nine, and they were not young, mostly in their thirties or forties.

Each person had an individual workstation, with mechanical walls and micro-display instruments all fully equipped.

After a brief introduction, it was said that these three were from the Xida Cultural Heritage Conservation Department and were here to observe and learn for a few days.

It is estimated that they had heard about it long ago and knew that this group was here to steal technology, so the expressions of the researchers were all a bit strange. Especially when they saw Lin Sicheng, they couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

A top student from Xida, a Cultural Heritage Inheritor of ancient porcelain restoration techniques, preparing to apply for a National Level intangible cultural heritage project.

But no matter how high, he was still just a student. And from the time Director Meng started the research, to the basic restoration of the technique, and then to the World Heritage Application, how long did it take?

A full twenty-six years.

It wasn't that they looked down on him, they just felt a bit unable to understand: with so many professors at Xida, why couldn't they choose an inheritor with more experience, more mature technology, and more seasoned craftsmanship?

It wasn't just these researchers; this included Director Du, Minister Liu, and even the leaders of the Tongchuan local Cultural Bureau and Industrial Bureau who had only heard the names but never met the people.

You couldn't blame others for thinking in the wrong direction: hanging up a sheep's head to sell dog meat—if you aren't here to steal technology, what are you here for?

That is why they were strictly on guard, defending against them like thieves. And so, even though they felt it was only half a month and Lin Sicheng certainly couldn't learn anything just by looking, Director Du and Minister Liu still decided that for as many days as Lin Sicheng watched, they would follow him for as many days.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone went to their stations.

Since she couldn't understand it anyway, Xu Gaolan found a corner and sat quietly.

Lin Sicheng moved a little closer, but not too close: about three meters away, a female researcher in her early thirties was concentrating on molding the embryo.

The other eight were also molding embryos, all doing the same work. It was still early before shaping, and he didn't see this person being particularly fast, but Lin Sicheng still saw clues: among the nine researchers, this person's technique should be the most proficient.

Li Zhen also followed over, holding paper and a pen, hesitating for a long time.

Because she didn't know how to take notes.

Just like the current embryo molding, she knew what she should know, so there was no need to record it. But when it came to the later Carving Embryo, she would certainly know the "what" but not the "why." Even if she forced herself to record it, it would be in vain.

Unless Lin Sicheng explained while watching.

But if she understood, the others would understand too. For example, Director Du and Minister Liu: You kid just arrived, and you're learning so fast... Do you believe they would kick them out on the spot?

After struggling for a long time, Li Zhen poked Lin Sicheng with her pen.

Lin Sicheng glanced at her and immediately understood.

"Just watch!"

"Ah?"

Li Zhen stared with her big eyes, her pupils flashing with a light of confusion, as if asking: Then what is my role as an assistant?

Lin Sicheng smiled: "It's not for you to use a pen to record, but to use your brain to remember. It doesn't matter if you don't understand, it doesn't matter if you don't grasp it..."

After a pause, Lin Sicheng's voice lowered: "I'll explain it after we go back, and then you'll understand!"

Li Zhen felt a shock in her heart, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and the pen in her hand gradually tightened.

Unknowingly, a few traces of crimson appeared on her cheeks, and her breathing seemed to become a bit heavier.

Lin Sicheng glanced at her: No... Senior Sister Li, what are you thinking about?

It is said that seeing something a thousand times is not as good as doing it once. As time passes, the memory will fade, so after going back, Lin Sicheng would certainly have to copy it as soon as possible to deepen the impression.

At that time, he would not only have to explain it to Li Zhen, but also to Sun Le (male assistant), and he would also have to invite Professor Shang to discuss it with her synchronously.

At the same time, he would record it to form audio-visual materials. Even after going back, he would have to teach it systematically: including the new researchers recruited by the studio, as well as Zhao Da and Zhao Er, who were already his nominal disciples and the fourth-generation inheritors of the Porcelain Restoration Technique, just short of setting up an incense table to offer wine and kowtow.

To inherit the technique and protect the technique—if you don't teach it, what kind of inheritance and protection are you doing?

Therefore, he wouldn't just teach Li Zhen.

The reason he brought her was that compared to Master Sun, whether it was comprehension, knowledge accumulation, or proficiency, Li Zhen was several stories higher than him.

Whether an assistant is professional or not has a considerable effect and influence on Lin Sicheng, and he really didn't have the time or energy to break things down and teach them hand-in-hand.

Therefore, since there is a proficient Li Zhen who can enter the state in a second, why must he use a half-baked Sun Le who can't help much and might even be a hindrance?

Even if he was arranged by Professor Wang.

But what should be reminded, still needs to be reminded...

Lin Sicheng tilted his head and thought for a moment: "Senior Sister Li, the scale of the studio will get bigger and bigger, more and more people will be recruited, and external reception work will gradually increase..."

"After the New Year, a comprehensive department might be established to be responsible for personnel management and reception work... Which one do you choose!"

Li Zhen didn't even think: "I choose assistant!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned: Did I say assistant? And you're already choosing assistant?

After a pause, he smiled again: "Since energy is limited, then study hard!"

The tone was very calm, and the smile was as gentle as ever, but for just a moment, Li Zhen's face turned red from the roots of her neck to the tips of her ears.

Why give up being a leader to do the dirty, tiring, and busy work of an assistant?

The reason is simple: not to mention how high she learns, if she can learn three or four tenths of Lin Sicheng's ability, it would be enough to walk sideways in the Cultural Heritage Conservation Department.

But human energy is limited, and Lin Sicheng has no time or energy to deal with so many messy things.

Since you want to learn, then learn properly. If your goal isn't to learn the technique, you might as well go be the Person in Charge of the General Department; at least the salary is higher there... That was what Lin Sicheng meant.

It was also the first time Lin Sicheng had spoken so bluntly and with such heavy words.

Just as she was letting her imagination run wild and feeling at a loss, Lin Sicheng glanced at her indifferently: "Start trimming the embryo!"

Li Zhen hurriedly collected her thoughts.

At the nine workstations, the speed was more or less the same; the nine mud embryos had all taken shape and were placed in the Electric Kiln for medium-speed drying, baking them into semi-wet plain embryos.

The nine Researchers had all just about started trimming the embryos; the next step would be Carving Flowers.

After scanning the area, Lin Sicheng walked a bit further, still toward that same female Researcher from before.

Director Du and Minister Liu exchanged a look: Lin Sicheng had been standing there before, and they had thought it was a coincidence. But having not moved from that spot for so long, and even getting closer, it was clear he had noticed something.

In the entire Research Center, Wang Hong was the youngest, and among all of Director Meng's disciples, she was also the youngest.

But Director Meng, and the research institute as a whole, acknowledged: Wang Hong had the highest aptitude and studied the most diligently.

So, although she arrived late, her technical level in the Research Center was the highest.

This kid has a sharp eye, but he only stood by and watched for such a short while?

The two leaders looked at each other in dismay, while Lin Sicheng and Li Zhen stared intently:

Trimming the embryo is very simple; just ensure the vessel shape is symmetrical and the surface is smooth, there is no real technical content.

After that comes outlining the wheels; to put it plainly: using a bamboo stylus or iron Needle to hook the outline of the decorative patterns.

The technical content is moderate; Li Zhen certainly knows how, and Lin Sicheng knows even better. So, at the very first glance, he saw something was wrong: Double-hook Technique?

Is this incorporating the techniques of traditional Chinese painting into Carving Embryo?

It's not strange; ancient famous porcelains known for Carving Flowers would basically all incorporate traditional Chinese painting techniques. But to see "using a knife as a brush" used so proficiently and integrated so perfectly is rare.

If nothing goes wrong, this person should have majored in fine arts, or more likely, come from an art academy.

Continuing on, as she started Carving Flowers, Lin Sicheng narrowed his eyes: Why does this feel a bit off?

She is using double knives, one for carving and one for shaving. The carving one goes from shallow to deep, and the shaving one goes from deep to shallow...

This method has diverse transitions and changes, which can make the lines deep or shallow, and even wide or narrow, in order to use lines to represent surfaces and present the three-dimensionality and layering of the patterns as much as possible.

To put it bluntly: it makes the decoration present light, dark, and three-dimensional effects, aiming to achieve a more realistic visual sensation.

After it is fired, it looks roughly like this:

But this knife technique is wrong: although she is using double knives, it is not the "Double-entry Straight Knife Technique" of the Yaozhou Kiln; it looks more like the line carving technique that combined carving and scratching from the Ding Kiln during the Five Dynasties to Northern Song Dynasty.

This method has a characteristic: the knife is used very shallowly, yet it is bold and decisive, with distinct edges and corners.

The reason is simple: the Ding Kiln specialized in firing White Porcelain and generally used lime as a slip; the semi-wet embryo quality was extremely hard and solid, so the carving method was closer to the dry embryo carving method.

This carving method is more suitable for High Relief porcelain; if it is fired without further refinement, the shape of the vessel will appear extremely rigid, with sharp edges and corners.

Just like this one:

Therefore, the master craftsmen of the Ding Kiln would perform fine refinement using the White-ground Carving Technique before putting it into the kiln. This makes the embryo body thinner and the knife marks shallower, which allows the lines to be fine and smooth, achieving a Shallow Relief effect where the glaze color and knife marks blend softly.

The Celadon of the Yaozhou Kiln is Deep Relief, which is a combination of high and low, with extremely prominent three-dimensionality and strong light-dark contrast, yet without losing delicacy.

Therefore, in terms of Carving Embryo, the two are vastly different; if there is any similarity, it is only one point: both are carved flower embryos.

But this female Researcher is currently using the typical line carving technique of Ding Kiln porcelain, and even the plain embryo after throwing is very thick. To achieve the unique Deep Relief effect of Yaozhou Porcelain, she can only refine it: use the Shallow Shaving Technique to remove the background, and then use the Needle Carving Technique to refine the details.

It's not that it can't be used, but it's putting the cart before the horse, making the simple complex: it could have been completed in three steps, but now it has added two more, becoming five?

For a moment, Lin Sicheng didn't quite understand: is this because the restoration of the craft wasn't comprehensive enough, leading to the use of substitute techniques, or has she not mastered it?

But looking at her technique with the force and the Needle, she is clearly an expert?

Looking back, the nine Researchers are all more or less the same, all using this method, so Lin Sicheng cannot be certain for the time being.

Just like that, time gradually passed; they ate lunch at the institute's cafeteria, and then continued in the afternoon.

It took one day, and the Carving Embryo was basically half finished.

The Researchers got off work as usual, and Lin Sicheng and Li Zhen returned to the laboratory.

Shang Yan looked expectant and rushed up impatiently: "How was it?"

"A bit strange!" Lin Sicheng thought for a moment, "Senior Brother Sun, first throw an embryo with a thickness of one centimeter... Let me try it out and then I'll say."

Sun Le went to turn on the throwing machine, and Shang Yan looked at Li Zhen again.

Li Zhen remained silent, her face turning red bit by bit.

Shang Yan sighed: does that mean you spent the whole day watching Lin Sicheng and learned nothing?

But she couldn't blame her: what the school taught, apart from protection and prevention, only involved Exhibition Repair, and the craft part was only slightly understood.

Not to mention it was an ancient craft that had been restored after being lost; it was normal for Li Zhen not to understand.

Amidst her sighs, Sun Le finished throwing the embryo and baked it until it was semi-dry; Lin Sicheng put on gloves and picked up an iron Needle.

He pointed again: "Captain Ge, please record this!"

Ge Jun curled his lips and raised the camera.

Honestly, he was speechless: he had been following Lin Sicheng for half a month, hadn't seen a single hair of the case, but had learned a whole bunch of messy skills...

Afterwards, Lin Sicheng picked up a bamboo knife and looked at Li Zhen again: "You still remember the knife technique, right!"

Li Zhen hesitated for a moment and nodded.

She did remember part of it, but she really didn't quite understand it.

"It's fine, I'll explain it now. Listen carefully. If there's anything you don't hear clearly or don't understand, ask immediately. If you still can't understand, it doesn't matter. You can check the materials later and watch the recording... Senior Brother Sun, the same goes for you!"

Sun Le was stunned for a moment, then ecstatic.

Lin Sicheng teaching hands-on—how many such opportunities are there?

Regardless of anything else, by following the recording and imitating Lin Sicheng's method, he would eventually learn it through practice.

As if struck by electricity, Sun Le grabbed paper and a pen.

Lin Sicheng lowered the knife, trimmed the embryo body in a few strokes, and then lowered the Needle.

The speed was very fast, yet very steady, and extremely fluid; with a dozen "zzzt" needle strokes, the outer outline of the peony had already taken shape.

He picked up the knife again, speaking as he carved:

"Ding Kiln and Yaozhou Kiln are both Northern kiln systems, both originating in the Tang Dynasty, maturing in the Five Dynasties, and flourishing in the Northern Song Dynasty... but Ding Kiln focuses primarily on White Porcelain, while Yaozhou Kiln fires Celadon. If we speak only in terms of form, they are actually the same: Carved Flower Porcelain..."

"But the techniques are very different: White Porcelain requires a lime glaze, which is relatively hard and solid. Also, because of the unique Covered Firing Technique of Ding Kiln (where the vessel is fired upside down), the internal gases cannot escape, which forms a unique 'Expansion Cavity' phenomenon that very easily leads to the body cracking. Therefore, the knife enters very shallowly; it can only be carved as Shallow Relief..."

"Yaozhou Porcelain is different. There is occasionally Shallow Relief, but most of it is Deep Relief with a stronger three-dimensional sense, more vivid and realistic... So, if one uses the Shallow Relief carving method to carve a Deep Relief porcelain body, what should be done? It's very simple, just the kind Senior Sister Li saw today: thicken the body, then Carving Out Flowers, shallow shaving, and Needle carving!"

Li Zhen could roughly understand, Sun Le listened half-understandingly, but Shang Yan furrowed her brows.

No... you came here to learn Yaozhou Porcelain this time, why are you talking about Ding Porcelain again?

The key is, the technique Lin Sicheng is currently using is also the Carving Embryo method of Ding Porcelain.

Upon hearing "the kind seen today," Shang Yan suddenly realized: "What you saw at the R&D Department today was the Ding Porcelain carving method?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Yes!"

Shang Yan widened her eyes: "Then their so-called innovative technique is actually Ding Porcelain craftsmanship?"

Lin Sicheng paused: "Professor Shang, the Yaozhou Porcelain firing technique has already been listed in the National Level Intangible Cultural Heritage catalog... whether it is innovative technology or mere plagiarism, the national departments can still tell..."

Shang Yan froze, then suddenly reacted: That's right?

The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism are not idiots; if it were a hodgepodge of pieced-together techniques, how could they have passed the review?

Let alone National Level, they wouldn't even pass the provincial level.

So, this is hiding one's light?

With a "thump," Shang Yan's face turned mostly red: Was this treating Lin Sicheng like a Japanese person to be toyed with?

"No... are they really that petty?"

"Saying the core data isn't there, fine, then we'll pretend the core data isn't there; whatever you give us, we'll look at."

"Saying it can't be photocopied, okay, then I'll copy a little, just a tiny bit... and I have to let them inspect it after I'm done copying?"

"Saying that during observation and study one cannot take photos or videos, so I won't take photos or videos. You say one cannot disturb the work of the Researcher, and don't even let us ask questions, so I won't ask."

"Just standing to the side, watching without making a sound, and the result is being fooled like this?"

"This isn't hiding one's light, this is deliberately leading people down the wrong path..."

"And when we first arrived, the attitude of that Department Head Liu: speaking to Dean Su with a condescending air, not even looking at you directly, looking sideways... making it seem like we came to beg for food..."

Shang Yan's mouth was like a machine gun, *da-da-da-da-da*, her face was flushed completely red, and she was puffing heavy breaths through her nostrils.

The first day she arrived, she felt it was very unpleasant. Dean Su and Lin Sicheng were fine; men are relatively more rational, feeling that they were here to learn technology, and the reception standard didn't matter.

Furthermore, they are, after all, the first batch of National Level Intangible Cultural Heritage protection units, so it's normal for them to have some arrogance.

But Shang Yan didn't think so: Dean Su is a dignified Deputy Director of the Cultural Relics and Museology College, at least a division-level official; if you don't provide equal reception, a section-level institute director would have sufficed.

As it turned out, the so-called R&D Department Head was just an ordinary staff member. Being a staff member would be one thing, but whenever she remembered the arrogant look on Department Head Liu's face, with his eyes looking up at the sky when they first met, Shang Yan felt furious.

And then, ignoring them and treating them with indifference would be one thing, but did they really treat them like thieves?

So, Shang Yan had long been full of anger, but she kept persuading herself: Keep the big picture in mind, keep the big picture in mind...

But this time today was like lighting the fuse of a gunpowder barrel; the more Shang Yan thought, the angrier she got, the more she spoke, the more furious she became, so angry that her complexion turned crimson, her body trembled, and her lips quivered.

To hell with the big picture...

"Lin Sicheng, do we really have to learn this technique of theirs?"

She gritted her teeth and took out her phone. Lin Sicheng didn't understand and blocked her: "Professor Shang, what are you doing?"

"Besides scolding people, what else can I do... no, I also have to file a complaint..." Shang Yan was so angry she was incoherent, "Isn't this treating people like monkeys?"

No... you're this angry, just to scold them a couple of times?

Professor Shang's way of venting is too simple.

"Professor Shang, calm down!"

"How can I calm down? If you don't want people to see, just say so; why use such underhanded tricks!"

"It really can't be called an underhanded trick!" Lin Sicheng sighed, "Regardless of whether I came to steal the craft or really came to learn the technology, the title of 'Cultural Heritage Inheritor of Ancient Ceramic Restoration' isn't fake, right?"

"So, in their view: as long as you have a little bit of ability, it doesn't need to be very high, you wouldn't be unable to distinguish between Ding Porcelain technology and Yaozhou Porcelain technology."

Shang Yan froze again.

This is telling them to leave in plain sight: You should be going now?

But Shang Yan was even angrier: It's not like they are eating and living for free, and the laboratory isn't being used for free, right?

When they first arrived, Dean Su said it very clearly: learning and exchange, both learning and exchanging; after this study ends, Xida will send a guidance group to Tongchuan to provide guidance to major factories and the Industry Association, and conduct centralized training for technical backbones.

They even let the Industrial Bureau set the time themselves: three or five months is fine, half a year is fine, regular or irregular is fine.

It's not just Cultural Relics Protection, and it's not just porcelain, but also Chemical Engineering and Technology, which Xida is also very good at.

As it turned out, were they casting flirtatious glances at a blind man?

This is too bullying... No, just complaining to the school isn't enough?

If she doesn't vent this anger, she'll explode on the spot...

Shang Yan pushed Lin Sicheng's hand away and resolutely dialed the number.

Lin Sicheng glanced at it: Oh, Professor Wang?

He stopped trying to persuade her and gave a look to Li Zhen, Sun Le, and Captain Ge.

The few understood and stepped out of the laboratory on tiptoe, leaving only Xu Gaolan behind.

Shang Yan angrily made the call, and as soon as it connected, she roared: "Wang Qi Zhi, your student has been bullied to this extent, are you going to manage it or not?"

Wang Qi Zhi's eardrum felt itchy from the shock; he picked up the phone and looked at it: What is this old woman going crazy about?

He pondered for a moment: Lin Sicheng being bullied, that's not very likely, right?

"Professor Shang, don't be anxious, tell me slowly..."

As if she had found a place to vent, Shang Yan poured it all out: "They gave us attitude the first day we arrived... they won't let us photocopy the materials, we can only copy them, and we have to let them inspect them after we're done... we begged for half a month before they let us observe and study, but they only let us watch, and wouldn't even let us ask questions..."

Wang Qi Zhi's eyelids twitched as he listened: "Why didn't anyone say anything?"

Although it had only been half a month, he had basically called every three days, but Lin Sicheng hadn't mentioned it, and Sun Le had mentioned it even less...

His voice suddenly turned cold: "Who did it, Meng Shufeng?"

Shang Yan actually wanted to say yes, but was Director Meng even there?

She held it in for a long time: "It must be Director Meng's apprentice, that Department Head Liu who received us on the first day... but Deputy Director Du must be in the know..."

When a woman gets angry, you can only believe half of what she says. Wang Qi Zhi directly filtered out the second half of the sentence: That was just a little trick played by the people below; the problem wasn't very big.

But it was indeed a bit bullying, even a bit condescending. To say that Lin Sicheng could swallow this insult, it felt even more impossible...

Think about those two fake artifact dealers with the Inverted Pot, then think about that group of grave robbers who sold him out to the quicksand pit and wanted to blow him up... what was their final outcome?

Being teacher and student for nearly half a year, Wang Qi Zhi knew perfectly well: this student of his looked gentle and kind, with an impossibly good temper, but that was only if you hadn't provoked him.

He thought for a moment: "What is Lin Sicheng doing?"

"He is watching... what else could he be doing? No... he is still smiling..." Shang Yan was even angrier, "Lin Sicheng, how can you still smile?"

Lin Sicheng pursed his lips: "Professor Shang, don't be angry, it's bad for your health..."

It would have been better if he hadn't spoken; once he did, Shang Yan was even angrier: to be bullied like this, she, a bystander, was trembling with rage, yet Lin Sicheng, the person involved, could actually keep his cool?

Wang Qi Zhi, however, secretly thought to himself, as expected: I knew it couldn't just end like this... Lin Sicheng must be brewing a big move.

"Professor Shang, give the phone to him!"

Shang Yan snorted coldly, and the mobile phone reached Lin Sicheng's hand.

"Teacher!"

Wang Qi Zhi thought for a moment: "If it doesn't work out, come back!"

"Yes, definitely coming back!" Lin Sicheng nodded with a smile, "Watching for two more days... tomorrow I finish carving the embryo, the day after tomorrow I need to prepare the glaze, so at most two to three days!"

"Good, I will send a car then... so Dean Su won't be going?"

"Yes, Teacher, Dean Su doesn't need to come, let's just handle it by the book."

"Good!"

With that one word "Good," Wang Qi Zhi hung up the phone.

Shang Yan was stunned, her eyes widening bit by bit: Just like that... it's over?

He didn't say how to vent this anger, didn't even ask how much grievance Lin Sicheng had suffered, and even Dean Su wasn't coming for the final handover?

Wang Qi Zhi, it's a waste that you are some kind of third-generation... where is your temper, where are your connections, where is your backdoor?

Seeing her about to get hot-headed again, Lin Sicheng hurriedly smiled: "Professor Shang, stop being angry, I definitely won't let us suffer any grievances..."

"Lin Sicheng, stop talking nonsense..." Shang Yan gritted her teeth, "If anyone is suffering grievances, it's you who is suffering the most!"

Think about it again: whether it was Deputy Director Du, Department Head Liu, Section Chief Zhang (Data Section), or the old and young Researchers he had come into contact with, they all looked at Lin Sicheng as if they were looking at a monster...

"Of course, I won't suffer any grievances either..." Lin Sicheng nodded, "Anyway, since I haven't learned anything, it doesn't count as a study exchange, so let's just handle it by the book: stay for two more days, then settle the expenses and leave..."

Still want to settle the expenses?

I'll settle his...

Having just cursed half a sentence, Shang Yan paused: Handle it by the book?

And, Dean Su isn't coming for the handover?

And Wang Qi Zhi, with such a flighty and irritable personality, was acting contrary to his nature, calm enough to be frightening?

Shang Yan realized belatedly: Ah, is Lin Sicheng... planning to do something bad?

In the research institute's cafeteria, three people, four small stir-fried dishes, half a bottle of liquor placed in the middle of the table.

Director Du sipped half a cup, frowned, and slowly savored it: "Lao Liu, this way of doing things is inappropriate!"

In the morning, Du Liangzhi also thought that today was just normal embryo carving.

But after finishing the embryo and hooking the lines, seeing Wang Hong constantly shaving the embryo, he realized belatedly: the usual plain embryos were three millimeters, at most no more than five millimeters thick, but today, it was a full centimeter thick?

And then looking closer: this was no Yaozhou Celadon Double Knife Method, this was a Ding Kiln line carving knife.

Not to mention whether that kid understood it or not, that Professor Shang was at least the Person in Charge of the Ceramic Group of the Xida Cultural Heritage Conservation Department; you don't fool people like this, do you?

Liu Dong, however, was unimpressed: "Director Du, I don't think there's anything inappropriate: there is only the principle of a thief stealing for a thousand days, not a thief guarding for a thousand days, right? Since we have to guard, then guard thoroughly..."

After a slight pause, he frowned again: "And I always feel that we have misjudged!"

Du Liangzhi was taken aback: "Misjudged what?"

"That kid... seems to really know how to perform Ceramic Repair? I didn't see the actual object, and the surveillance was also very blurry, but I can tell: his technique is very proficient, and his hands are very steady... the key is that he is fast..."

A lotus-patterned Tang grass jar shattered into more than ten pieces; if it were me, it would take me at least two to three days, but that kid, he only used half a day?"

"Flash drying?"

"Yes, flash drying... but Director Du, this isn't a question of how he dried it: even if he was just repairing it randomly, even if it was repaired like a dog's breakfast, it shows: shaping the cracked embryo, filling the cracks, secondary glaze application, temperature-controlled re-firing... he knows it all..."

Du Liangzhi paused, his hand holding the wine glass suspended in mid-air.

He had previously felt that Liu Dong's cold and indifferent attitude over the past half month, the fact that he had to check the data again after it was copied, and not allowing questions during observation, was too petty and a bit excessive.

But according to this, if that kid really understood the technology and his level wasn't low, it seemed like he really had to be guarded against like this?

He thought for a moment: "But your attitude is still problematic. After all, it's Xida, we'll see each other often..."

"Director Du, don't confuse things: it's the Xida Cultural Relics and Museology College... besides, no matter how big it is, the technology that the teacher worked hard to research for twenty years cannot be let them learn just because they say so... just by flapping their lips: study exchange... you should exchange first, then study, right?"

Sighing, he picked up the wine glass again and filled it for Du Liangzhi: "Of course, if you, Director Du, want to say: it doesn't matter, let him learn, let them watch, then I will follow your instructions..."

Du Liangzhi gave a "Heh": Is Liu Dong starting to talk nonsense again?

He himself was only a deputy director, and the Research Center was entirely Meng Shufeng's apprentices. Including Liu Dong and Wang Hong sitting across from him.

If he really took it all upon himself, these two could call Meng Shufeng in Beijing with one phone call.

That's right, after all, it was the result of Old Meng's hard work for decades; he couldn't be generous with someone else's property, could he?

In a flash, he sighed again: "But there's no need to deliberately give people a hard time... checking the copied data, not allowing questions during observation... what you've done is truly too heartless, and it makes people feel too embarrassed..."

"Lao Liu, loosen up a bit: it's not the most core technology, so if he wants to photocopy it, let him. If he wants to ask, let our Researcher answer; what loss could there possibly be?"

Liu Dong did not speak. After a long while, he finally raised his head: "Director Du, wait until the carving of the body is finished. When it comes to glaze preparation and glaze application, if he has anything he wants to ask, he can ask then..."

Du Liangzhi wanted to cover his forehead.

Stuck in his ways, rigid and dogmatic... there is no saving him.

He stood up and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp: "Suit yourself!"

Watching Du Liangzhi's back, Liu Dong let out a secret huff: it's easy to squander what you didn't earn... how many days have you even been at the Porcelain Research Institute?

While he was secretly pondering, Wang Hong beside him picked up the wine bottle: "Senior Brother, Director Du was sent over by the bureau; don't just keep going against him..."

"Fair point."

Liu Dong nodded, "After the carving of the body is finished tomorrow, starting the day after, whatever he wants to ask, let him ask..."

Wang Hong was stunned: my advice was wasted...