Chapter 233: Promoted by Half a Grade

More than a month ago, when Lin Sicheng had just started looking for kiln sites and was wandering all over Yuncheng, what was the local people's mindset?

This group of old Shaanxi folks had money to burn and were even more bored: if there were any ancient kiln sites in Yuncheng, they would have been found long ago; would it ever be your turn?

Even half a month ago, when the Xijing Cultural Relics Bureau inexplicably organized an inspection team and brought in dozens of people to assist Lin Sicheng, they still held this same view.

But since it didn't require them to spend money, and even less to exert effort, they only had to arrange for a few people to lead the way and coordinate with the Xie.

Even if nothing was found in the end, the region wouldn't have lost anything, right?

Generally, everyone held this mindset; from top to bottom, they never expected them to find anything at all.

But suddenly, the kiln site was found?

The ruins cover nearly a hundred mu, from porcelain clay mining to raw material processing, then to shaping and glazing, and finally to firing aids, in-situ (finished products and broken shards) unearthed items, and kiln industry waste.

Including the core kiln furnace itself, greenware production, all process relics, and all craft equipment—nothing is missing.

What kind of concept is this?

Even in the whole of Shanxi, it can rank in the top three. If one were to be pedantic, the first two sites are actually not very complete and both lack key workshop facilities.

The Jinyang Ancient City Porcelain Kiln did not have glazing relics discovered, such as Chengni or dipping vats. The Hozhou Chen Village Porcelain Kiln did not have auxiliary production tools discovered, such as potter's wheels, stone mills, or water wheels.

Thus, this discovery can actually be called the only one in the entire province: the only porcelain kiln site in the province that possesses a complete porcelain production chain and unearthed relics.

Therefore, it is not only the first in Yuncheng, but it is also very likely the first in the province.

For a moment, the group of leaders felt both moved and ashamed.

Moved by the other party's persistence, effort, and perseverance.

And even more ashamed of the other party's professionalism: you searched for decades and didn't find it, right? Come, let me try...

After a little thought, the leaders discussed it briefly and immediately decided: what must be done must be done, even if it offends people.

Subsequently, the leaders announced: hosted by the YC City Government, with the assistance of the Hejin Municipal Government, personnel would be drawn from various departments at the city and county levels to conduct a comprehensive, meticulous, and systematic exploration and excavation of the Old Kiln Head Ruins.

Simultaneously, they would report to provincial-level departments and seek technical support.

After finishing, the group of leaders shook hands with Lin Sicheng one by one, and words of gratitude poured out as if they cost nothing.

But apart from gratitude, they mentioned nothing else. They didn't mention whether they needed Lin Sicheng and his team to participate in the subsequent survey and excavation, and even less did they mention whether they needed technical guidance.

Lin Sicheng wore a smile, calm and unruffled.

Wang Qi Zhi stood to the side, as if stunned: he had thought that the local speed would be very fast. He had also thought that they would definitely distance themselves as soon as possible.

But he just didn't expect that while they distanced themselves quite cleanly and said plenty of words of gratitude, it was all just lip service with nothing substantive at all?

He Zhigang watched coldly from the sidelines, sighing secretly.

It wasn't until the very end when they mentioned technical cooperation for the Chengni Inkstone that the two felt a little relieved: fortunately, they weren't ingrates.

After the meeting ended, it was said that a thank-you banquet had been arranged at the city hotel, so Lin Sicheng made a phone call to have the archaeology team withdraw. He only left Gao Zhangyi to hand over with the local archaeological department.

Taking advantage of the time Lin Sicheng was changing clothes, He Zhigang called everyone one by one and gathered them all in the suite arranged for him by the Municipal Committee.

Smoke swirled, and the fragrance of tea overflowed.

With no outsiders present, there were no inhibitions in their speech. Zhao Xiuneng was quite indignant: "Are we just going to be driven out like this? They didn't say anything about the subsequent excavation, or letting us lead it?"

Wang Qi Zhi let out a "ha": "General Manager Zhao, get this straight, this is Shanxi, not Shaanxi. If they let us lead the excavation, would the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, the Archaeological Institute, and the Cultural Relics Protection Institute still have any face left?"

"The ruins were still discovered by us, right?"

"Yes, that's right!" Wang Qi Zhi spread his hands, "Come, here you go, if you have the ability, take it away!"

Zhao Xiuneng was stumped by the question: this is a ruin, not some object, how the hell am I supposed to take it?

"No... they just said a few thank-yous, and then that was it?"

"It's not bad that they could even say thank you!" Wang Qi Zhi let out a "ha", "Did you expect them to kneel down?"

Everyone knew he was being sarcastic, and it was undeniably ridiculous, but no one could laugh.

Not to mention anything else, Lin Sicheng ran around for more than a month; he should at least have some historical documents and survey data in his hands, right?

As a result, they didn't even dare to mention it, as if they were afraid that if they used Lin Sicheng's things, they wouldn't be able to shake him off?

"Actually, they are still afraid of losing face!" Lin Sicheng leaned back on the sofa, unhurriedly, "A regional-level, or even the province's only complete site, and it turns out it was found by a bunch of people from another province?"

"The key point is: we reminded them repeatedly, but it failed to attract the attention of the relevant local departments, yet in the end, we found it anyway?"

If they report it like this, what will the higher-level departments and leaders think when they see the report? Forced by necessity, they can only downplay it as much as possible..."

Lin Sicheng saw it clearly after all.

He Zhigang nodded approvingly: "There will definitely be affirmation, it's just a matter of how much: all expenses that should be settled will be settled, all subsidies that should be provided will be in place, and even the subsequent expenditure plans will be included in the budget..."

After a slight pause, he looked at Lin Sicheng again, "After coming down, the city leaders specifically mentioned that the World Heritage Application working group will send technical personnel tomorrow to coordinate with you. When the time comes, make a list of what data and information you need..."

Several people looked at each other: what data, the Chengni Inkstone?

But, just this?

If the local side had put these things out before the site was found—reimbursing everything spent, including all subsequent planned expenditures in the budget, and readily bringing out the Chengni Inkstone technology—absolutely no one would have said anything.

But how did they act before?

Although it didn't reach the level of playing deaf and dumb or ignoring it completely, they basically didn't pay much attention, and one could even say they were somewhat perfunctory.

The two they appointed, Museum Curator Liu and Bureau Chief Xu—let alone whether they were professional or how much they understood—basically had a "just going through the motions" mindset the whole time.

Now it's fine; after working hard for more than a month, finally having a discovery and results, they want to take everything?

It wasn't just Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng who thought this; it included Tian Jie, Shang Yan, and Dean Su who came with He Zhigang.

Seeing the expressions on their faces, He Zhigang was caught between laughter and tears: "Everyone, this is on someone else's turf. No matter how big the ruins are, can we move them away?"

"Besides, our goal is the Jin-Song kiln site, the Song Dynasty Fine White Porcelain, and the restoration of the Luanbai Jade craft. Why are you fussing over this?"

The words were correct, but it still felt uncomfortable in their hearts.

The reason: no one expected the scale of the ruins to be so large, the relic points to be so concentrated, and the craft chain to be so sound?

Even if it were just a Qing Dynasty kiln site, it would be enough to fill a gap in the province. Whether from an academic perspective or a cultural perspective, the significance to Shanxi is not ordinary.

To tell the truth, if it weren't for Lin Sicheng, it's estimated that even in another ten years, the locals wouldn't have discovered it. This merit is big enough, right?

In the end, the locals washed their hands of it as quickly as they could, didn't they?

Lin Sicheng smiled: "It's not exactly washing their hands of it. Didn't we bring it up at the meeting today? The subsequent survey routes, scope, and destinations are all to be decided by us. The funding is absolutely guaranteed, the local townships will definitely coordinate, and we should just bring up any requirements we have..."

Zhao Xiuneng sneered: "Junior Brother Lin, isn't this just them realizing you're too useful and wanting to use you as free labor?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Even if that's the case, Senior Brother, you can look at it from another perspective: it's precisely because we are useful that many conditions can be negotiated. For example, can we have He Zhuguan assist us so that our teacher can talk to the locals in the name of the Restoration Center: if any more ruins are discovered next time, can we get more experimental samples? Even if we have to pay for them..."

He Zhigang nodded and smiled approvingly.

He had clearly seen it now; among the dozen or so people in the room, despite Lin Sicheng being the youngest, if one were to ask who had the steadiest mindset and considered things the most comprehensively and long-term, it was definitely Lin Sicheng.

And don't look at the fact that Zhao Xiuneng is older or that Wang Qi Zhi has a more extraordinary background; if you make a comparison, they fall short by quite a bit.

To put it bluntly: no matter how much you calculate, what you actually get into your hands is the most practical.

Since the ultimate goal is the egg-white porcelain, then bite down on the target and don't let go; put all your effort into this one direction. There is no need to get hung up on some empty, flashy things.

Conversely, let the locals provide something practical—what counts as practical?

Letting Lin Sicheng lead the excavation?

Get this straight, this is Shanxi; aren't the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology and the Cultural Relics Protection Institute just sitting around doing nothing?

At most, they might let Lin Sicheng sign his name in the "discoverer" column.

Rather than fighting over these useless things, it's better to make a fortune in silence and focus on finding the fine white porcelain ruins.

By the time the locals realize what's happening, Lin Sicheng might have already restored the craft, or even worse for them, he might have already applied for a patent.

When that time comes, we'll see who is laughing and who is crying...

Thinking to himself, He Zhigang gave some further instructions: "I estimate the locals will send someone to contact you. It's tiring for you to deal with them, so just let your teacher, General Manager Zhao, and Professor Shang handle it for you. You take the opportunity to rest for two days."

Lin Sicheng nodded.

They will definitely make contact, for various purposes, but let's just say one thing: there are plenty of archaeological institutes and teams in this province, so of course there's no need for help from other provinces, but no one said you can't hire a technical advisor from another province.

Could we even turn him into one of our own in this province?

After discussing the follow-up survey plan and how to talk to the locals and get more samples, they had basically finished chatting when the Secretary-General of the Hejin Municipal Government came specifically to invite He Zhigang.

The group walked out the door and found the City Government secretary standing at Lin Sicheng's door, knocking.

He Zhigang greeted him naturally, and the group headed toward the restaurant.

The Municipal Government Secretary-General was very enthusiastic, chatting and laughing with Lin Sicheng, and within a few sentences, the two had exchanged mobile numbers.

Wang Qi Zhi and Shang Yan exchanged a look: what did He Zhuguan just say?

It had only been half an hour since he finished speaking.

The two followed quietly behind and sat at a table with Lin Sicheng. Unsurprisingly, the Secretary-General also sat at their table.

Halfway through the meal, no matter how Wang Qi Zhi looked at it, he felt that this Secretary-General was trying to poach talent.

But to be honest, Lin Sicheng had been low-key enough since arriving in Shanxi. How did this idea even pop into the locals' heads?

Lin Sicheng estimated it probably still had to do with this kiln site.

It was already late April; the mountain forest was wrapped in damp morning mist, and moss grew on the rough bluestone.

A wild flower caught his eye, and the mountain wind lifted, causing purple petals to fall onto his shoulder.

The newly rolled dirt road was packed with cars, over a dozen of them, big and small. The names of the units were printed on the car doors, a motley collection:

Shanxi Archaeological Research Institute, Shanxi Cultural Relics Protection Institute, Shanxi Field Archaeology Research Institute, YC Municipal Government, Municipal Archaeological Institute, Municipal Cultural Bureau, YC Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau, Yuncheng Museum, Industrial Bureau, Hejin Municipal Government...

The bank of the ancient riverbed was crowded with people, dozens of men, women, old and young.

Not far away, Gao Zhangyi took a look and called Tian Jie: "They've all come, it seems they came directly from the provincial level. Forget Hejin, they didn't even go to Yuncheng, they came straight here!"

"That's normal! It's the only ancient kiln site in the province with a full craft chain; it wouldn't be excessive even if a provincial leader came."

Tian Jie wasn't surprised at all. "Haven't started digging yet?"

Gao Zhangyi looked left and right: "No, I don't see any engineering vehicles, and I don't see any migrant workers. They're still holding an on-site meeting!"

"Hand it over as soon as possible, and come back when you're done!"

"Director Tian, should we continue the survey?"

"Lin Sicheng said to rest for two days first, until he figures out the craft of the Chengni Inkstone!"

"Okay, I understand!"

After hanging up the phone and waiting for a long while, those people still hadn't moved.

Gao Zhangyi was bored to death.

On the other side, the persons in charge of the Municipal (Yuncheng) Cultural Bureau and the Industrial Bureau were reporting carefully:

"Around late January, near the Spring Festival, Xida contacted our bureau by phone to inquire about study visits. A week later, two people came: one was Deputy Director Su from the Cultural Relics and Museology College, and the other was the Youth League Secretary, that Professor Wang..."

"We made it very clear at the time: the Chengni Inkstone is at a critical stage of its World Heritage Application, and technical data cannot be leaked. But those two said at the time: the early stage is just for observation, and we can study it after the public announcement ends... We reported it to the city, and the city said it was fine, and to have them send a letter..."

"After the Spring Festival, the letter was sent, and the tentative date was March. Then on March 7th, this group arrived in the city. The docking went normally that day, but on the 10th, that Professor Wang suddenly came to the bureau, saying he had found a few porcelain shards at the Guandu Temple, preliminarily inferring they were produced at the Puzhou Ancient Kiln.

At the time, he asked us: if the kiln site was found, could it be used to trade for the Chengni Inkstone technology? The bureau even held a formal discussion, and everyone felt the possibility was slim. Later, we asked the city for instructions, and the city also felt the possibility was slim, so they agreed..."

The group was silent.

Never mind the Municipal Cultural Bureau and Industrial Bureau at the time feeling the possibility was slim. Even now, even the experts and persons in charge from the Provincial Archaeology Research Institute and the Cultural Relics Protection Institute present felt the possibility was slim.

Because in order to restore the Fahua Ware technique, Yongji (a county under Yuncheng's jurisdiction) had been searching for the Puzhou Ancient Kiln since around 2000, for seven or eight years, and had turned over every possible place in the city. Forget the kiln site; they hadn't even found a single clue.

But what was the result?

Looking at the relic site on the riverbank, which was covered in triangular marker flags, Wang Xiaoyi, the deputy director of the Provincial Archaeological Institute, sighed: "And then!"

"Then, they visited several counties and cities, collecting cultural relics simultaneously. They also rented a laboratory at the Municipal Museum to conduct chemical analysis simultaneously... They came to Hejin first, then went to Xiangning, then went to Yongji, and after that, they came back to Hejin..."

"After about half a month, that Professor Wang contacted us again, claiming that the preliminary inference was that the ancient kiln site should be within Hejin. Afterwards, the Xijing City Cultural Relics Bureau sent a letter directly to come for a study visit. That was when the city realized they were going to Hejin for a trial survey..."

An expert from the Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Institute raised a hand: "How did they infer it?"

"They collected many porcelain shards in the ancient city of Yongji, and also collected some broken artifacts and cultural relics in Yongji City. There were many varieties: White Ground Carved Flower Porcelain, White Porcelain, and Earthenware Porcelain Pillows..."

"After testing, they said the porcelain body composition was consistent with the Guzhen Porcelain Clay Mine in Hejin City, so they inferred the kiln site was in Hejin... After that, that Teacher Lin led a team to Lao Yaotou... And then, they surveyed the ruins!"

At first listen, it seemed fine. But everyone heard that something was wrong.

There was no need for testing; just looking at the exposed porcelain clay belt on the hillside, one could tell that although the two places were not far apart, the porcelain clay composition had fundamental differences: the Guzhen Porcelain Clay was high in aluminum and rich in calcium, with a whitish body, most suitable for firing White Porcelain. Because there were iron mines and Coal Mines here, the porcelain clay was high in silica and rich in iron, and could only fire dark-colored porcelain.

The White Porcelain and Carved Flower Porcelain they collected in Yongji also led them to conclude that the porcelain clay origin was in Guzhen. So why didn't they go to Guzhen, but instead came to Lao Yaotou?

Wang Qi Zhi was in charge of external liaison and did communicate often, but he hadn't communicated to such a detailed level, and the leaders of the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau didn't know either.

Liu Ming and Xu Chengyan had been following along the whole time, but they hadn't paid any attention at all, or even cared, so they knew even less.

In fact, they had even suggested: look west first, toward the banks of the Yellow River. But Lin Sicheng didn't adopt the suggestion, and with one finger, he pointed right here.

The two were hesitant and stammering, but fortunately, they could explain it roughly: that Teacher Lin who led the team said it was because the place name Lao Yaotou contained the character "kiln."

Someone almost laughed out loud: Is this "kiln" the "kiln" for "porcelain kiln"? This is a kiln for pottery jars.

Moreover, there were so many villages in Hejin City with the character "kiln" in their names: Dong Yaotou, Xi Yaotou, Caojia Yao, Renjia Yao, Shijia Yao, Xi Yaogou... and so on. No matter which one it was, it was more suitable for firing porcelain than Lao Yaotou: at least the transportation was convenient, and the Coal Mines and iron mines weren't so concentrated.

Everyone present was an expert, or even a specialist; no matter who it was, it was impossible for them to come here to look for a porcelain kiln just because of this "kiln" character.

But as it happened, not only did he really find it, but it was so large? It felt as if that Lin Sicheng had grown X-ray eyes?

The strangest thing was: they had White Porcelain samples, yet what they found was a Black Porcelain kiln?

Director Wang sighed again: What was strange was more than just this point?

Just by coincidentally bumping into a few porcelain shards, he dared to conclude that Yuncheng had an ancient kiln, and dared to negotiate terms with the city? Then he spared no cost to survey, and spared no expense to collect related Cultural Relics?

They only collected a very small portion and basically did no preliminary investigation. Yet he dared to conclude the kiln site was in Hejin? Then, he directly transferred the Field Research Institute and the Archaeology Team, and what's more, the most professional provincial institute and provincial team came?

There were no historical records, no relevant literature, and no matching ruins on the ground. Yet he ran to Lao Yaotou. And then, he stubbornly spent half a month surveying around two pottery jar kilns that had no reference value?

As a result, unsurprisingly, nothing was found.

Asking himself, one couldn't blame the locals for not taking it seriously: from the beginning to this step, all the actions of these people were baffling, and even a bit ridiculous.

But no one expected that a miracle would occur:

On the last day, that Teacher Lin circled the river channel and the bank terrace a few times and discovered these pits. Then, with one poke of the Exploration Probe, he found the Wood Ash Pool.

What kind of concept was this, and what kind of probability was this? By all logic, this was something that was absolutely impossible to happen.

Asking himself, if it were him, he definitely wouldn't have found it.

Synthesizing these suspicious points, Director Wang felt: It seemed like that Lin Sicheng knew in advance that there was a kiln site here?

He looked around again: "Director Liu, did you ask at the time what basis that Teacher Lin used to find the wood ash pit?"

"We asked!" Liu Ming raised a hand and pointed, "He said the other pits were bare, with not even a few withered blades of grass. But the reeds here were like a wheat field: not only dense, but also tall and strong..."

Subconsciously, everyone looked up, appearing to be in deep thought.

Indeed, in the pits marked "Wood Ash Pool," the wild grass was dense and tall. But the other pits were like they had been shoveled, sparse and scattered.

But what did this have to do with wild grass?

The others were still pondering, but Director Wang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

Why didn't grass grow much in the other pits? Because those pits were either Mud Washing Pools, Grinding Pools, or pulp washing pools or Lime Pools.

Either the bottom of the pool was porcelain clay, as hard as a stone slab, so even if grass seeds sprouted, they couldn't take root in the soil, or the bottom of the pool had residual lime, and as soon as the sprouts emerged, they were burned to death by the lime.

And there were no nutrients needed by any plants, so how could you expect grass to grow?

But in this pit, it was wood ash, which could increase soil porosity, improve air permeability and water retention, and even provide nutrients for wild grass.

And there was the most critical point: reeds like alkaline soil. How high must the alkalinity of the soil be for the reeds to grow this tall and this strong?

To be honest, Director Wang felt so impressed: this was pure botanical knowledge; he was from a professional Plant Archaeology background, yet he hadn't even thought of this point.

Just how learned must this Teacher Lin be, and how rich must his archaeological experience be?

"Impressive, no wonder he could command provincial-level institutions?" Director Wang let out a breath, "Surname Lin, Teacher Lin, and not a professor yet? Then he must be very young..."

More than just young?

Liu Ming opened his mouth, and it was a long time before he said: "Only twenty-one!"

Director Wang was stunned for a moment: "How old?"

Liu Ming sighed: "Twenty-one, he is a student in the Cultural Heritage Conservation Department at Xida, a senior this year, and only graduates in June."

Everyone looked as if they were frozen.

Director Wang slowly turned his head and looked at Gao Zhangyi not far away.

Twenty-one?

It wasn't as if they hadn't collaborated before; Gao Zhangyi was one thing, but he had had enough of how arrogant Tian Jie was and how twisted his personality was.

How could he be so obedient to a young man who was only in his early twenties, and do whatever Tian Jie said he should do?

It must have been that he saw him, as Gao Zhangyi even waved his hand.

Director Wang woke up as if from a dream: "Have you looked into him?"

Liu Ming nodded: Of course he had looked into him, but it was only from the day before yesterday to yesterday that he had found out.

He recounted it in detail, and everyone present, whether they were experts from the province, leaders of city agencies, or auxiliary staff, all widened their eyes.

Appraisal Expert, Artifact Restoration Expert, Applied Research Expert?

Person in Charge of a university key laboratory, Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor of a provincial-level support project, Person in Charge of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center...

Just ask everyone present, including Director Wang, do they have so many titles?

And regardless of any one of these, if it could even touch the age of "twenty-one," it would be enough to make people marvel, let alone all of them?

Director Wang was stunned for a long time: "You hadn't looked into him before?"

Liu Ming was silent, lowering his head without speaking.

If they had looked into him, the moment Lin Sicheng first encountered the porcelain shards and said that an ancient kiln site might exist in Yuncheng, the city would have started to take it seriously.

The reason was simple: he didn't know how strong Lin Sicheng's archaeological ability was, but his appraisal ability was recognized by Xida. If he said those porcelain shards were from the Puzhou Ancient Kiln, even if the locals didn't believe it, they would at least be suspicious.

Then again, who has nothing better to do than investigate others?

But fortunately: it is not too late to mend the fold after the sheep has been lost.

Director Wang wanted to say something, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back.

If the local departments hadn't taken it seriously before, now that such a massive ruin was laid out before them, who would dare to be careless, and who would dare not to attach importance to it?

If he said there was a White Porcelain kiln, then nine times out of ten, there really was one. Never mind the White Porcelain kiln; if Lin Sicheng said there was a Tribute Kiln in Yuncheng, the city would have to find a way to verify it.

But there was no need for him to remind them; the local departments should know how to handle it.

He secretly changed his train of thought and gave a few more instructions, ensuring the two sides would hand over their duties normally.

Director Wang walked to the car, shook hands with Gao Zhangyi, and lit a cigarette.

The two were old acquaintances; they had met back in 1995 when the National Cultural Heritage Administration presided over the expansion of the Jin-Sui Border Region Revolutionary Memorial Hall (in Lüliang).

They had collaborated countless times since then; with over ten years of friendship, they were as familiar as could be.

Director Wang spoke bluntly: "That kid surnamed Lin of yours is impressive, a real talent!"

Gao Zhangyi emphasized: "A genius!"

Right, a genius.

When he was twenty-one, he was still rote-memorizing Marxism-Leninism...

He sighed inwardly and added half-jokingly: "I see you and old Tian are both quite submissive, aren't you?"

Isn't that obvious?

Gao Zhangyi glanced at him: "The Prince of Qin of the Ming Dynasty, you know him?"

Director Wang nodded: "Of course I do!"

The first Prince of Qin was Zhu Shuang, the second legitimate son of Zhu Yuanzhang, enfeoffed in Chang'an. It was passed down for twenty-one generations over a total of two hundred and eighty years, making it the princely lineage of the Ming Dynasty with the longest duration and the most generations.

"But what does that have to do with that kid?"

"He led us to find the tombs, three of them!" Gao Zhangyi gestured, "At the time, he let me and old Tian put our names on them..."

Director Wang was completely stunned: What?

Three Junwang Tombs from the Ming Dynasty, and he let others take the credit?

"Why?"

Gao Zhangyi thought for a moment and gave a perfunctory reply: "He has no use for it!"

Director Wang realized belatedly: That's right, he had forgotten that he was still a university student?

He hadn't even graduated from university yet; where would he use such a great merit?

But if it were given to Tian Jie and Gao Zhangyi, it would be enough to raise their professional titles by at least half a grade...

As he secretly turned this over in his mind, he suddenly paused and stared straight at Gao Zhangyi.

Knowing what he wanted to ask, Gao Zhangyi smiled: "I was promoted by half a grade, and I'm now at the same level as you. Old Tian hasn't been promoted yet, but it won't be long..."

Director Wang was just about to say something when he suddenly snapped back to reality: The tombs were found by Lin Sicheng, leading Tian Jie and Gao Zhangyi?

The key lay in this "leading..."

In other words, in terms of archaeology, this kid was also very professional. Perhaps even stronger than Gao Zhangyi and Tian Jie?

He instinctively turned his head to look at the porcelain kiln ruins covered in marker flags. His eyes narrowed, his lips twitched, but he could not speak.

Stronger than Tian Jie...

And what about compared to himself?

(End of chapter)