Chapter 238: Welcome, Engineer Lin

A silver spoon stirred gently, bubbles popped one by one, and the fragrance of coffee permeated the air.

Fruit was set on the table, and seven or eight old smokers were puffing away.

Director Liu Xin of the Cultural Relics Bureau stubbed out his cigarette and read the document in his hand once more. As he read, his hand rose subconsciously to stroke his forehead, which had few hairs left.

After finishing a rough read, a wry smile appeared on Liu Xin's face: "This kid is really... you two, what do you say to this?"

The two directors beside him shifted their gazes but did not speak: Director Liu, our counterparts from Shanxi are sitting right across from us; how do you expect us to answer?

If standing from a personal standpoint, it was quite baffling: Lin Sicheng, what are you thinking? With so many benefits on the table, why insist on doing this?

Not to mention anything else, that Bowl alone must be worth at least several million, right?

Lin Sicheng, on the other hand, had just begun to negotiate when a report was faxed over: In view of facilitating management and coordinated execution, it is recommended to retain the original personnel structure of the Exploration Team and the Laboratory...

No... our counterparts from Shanxi have already come to our door; how can we retain them?

We can't very well let the Field Research Institute, the Archaeology Team, and the Provincial Museum Laboratory open a Sub-center in Shanxi, can we?

But if one changed perspective and stood from a fair standpoint, the three directors felt quite gratified:

He Zhigang hadn't gone to all that trouble for nothing, and Tian Jie, Gao Zhangyi, Huang Zhifeng, and the team under them hadn't worked so hard following Lin Sicheng for so long in vain.

To put it bluntly: when the time comes for the exploration reports, excavation reports, and even journals, Thesis, and Academic Report, Lin Sicheng isn't prepared to let go of a single one.

It doesn't matter which institution's name is signed—Shaanxi is fine, Shanxi is also fine—but the people under him must all have their names on paper.

Sighing inwardly, Liu Xin looked across the table: "Leaders, what do you think?"

No one spoke; they either sighed or wore bitter expressions.

Teacher Shui said this kid was quite difficult to deal with; is he really that difficult?

I don't want the Bowl, I don't need to give away the technology, and things like "inter-provincial departmental collaborative research" or "jointly applying for National Level project topics" aren't urgent to discuss either.

Including honors, bonuses, and gifts—none of that is needed; just arrange my people for me first, and then we can talk.

If it were someone else, they would have flipped the table long ago: Who do you think you are, setting conditions for us?

But remembering the few words General Engineer Shui said before they came, the few men lost their spirit:

Don't look at him as just a green kid; I'm telling you, without this green kid, you really won't be able to pull this off.

You've all seen their periodic experimental reports from Yuncheng, right? Have they already started refining the Fetal Clay and blending the Glaze Material?

What does this mean? It means he has already started trial research on component ratios. To put it bluntly, he already has a full restoration plan in his head and has already begun to put it into practice.

It doesn't need to be much; give you three years, can you catch up? But by that time, he will have already applied for patents, and maybe even built the factory; what use would it be even if you did catch up?

It's not that I, an old man, am looking down on you, but I estimate that just finding the kiln site would take you over a year...

As the saying goes: you can still eat a pig with hair on it even without the butcher. But this time, it seems that really won't work?

The problem is, if things go this way, will the archaeological units in Shanxi just be hanging their names there?

The few exchanged glances, and the leader of the Archaeological Institute smiled: "Principal Geng (Dean of the Cultural Relics and Museology College), Director Liu, how about this: can we communicate with Teacher Lin again?"

Just as Liu Xin was about to say something, Dean Geng was stunned for a moment: "We," which side is that?

Xida, or the Xijing City Cultural Relics Bureau?

The problem is, how to communicate?

Are we supposed to tell Lin Sicheng: Look, Little Lin, they are offering you so many personal benefits—millions in antiques, honorary Consultant titles from provincial cultural and industrial departments, free access to lost restoration technology that can help you with your World Heritage Application, and even substantial bonuses.

With so many benefits, if the people below are a little aggrieved, so be it; let's just do it quietly.

But if he really said that to Lin Sicheng, what the hell kind of Dean would Geng Yanmin be?

Subconsciously, his brow furrowed, and Dean Geng looked across the table: "Dean He, don't take offense at what I'm about to say: after all, the school is a place for teaching and educating people, don't you agree?"

Dean He froze, his face turning red bit by bit.

They say you shouldn't hit a person in the face or curse their mother, but this sentence was harder to hear than a curse.

You are a teacher, you are noble, and I am just a piece of trash, right?

Why is it like falling into a latrine? Their mouths are all foul, and their personalities are all stubborn.

Seeing that things were about to reach a stalemate, the leader of the delegation hurriedly tried to smooth things over: "Teacher Lin's considerations are not without reason: after all, having used the same hands, it's convenient for communication and easy to coordinate.

So I think keeping the original team is not a big problem; it's nothing more than hiring a few more honorary Consultant titles, and we will certainly ensure the logistics are well-handled on our end. At the same time, we will definitely strengthen assistance in weak areas and provide synchronized technical support..."

Dean He was about to say something, but upon hearing the final "technical support," the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.

That's right?

Lin Sicheng only said to retain the personnel structure of the Exploration Team and the Laboratory; he didn't say he wouldn't add more people?

Not to mention field exploration, where they are indeed a bit inferior to his team. Just that move of the kid sticking an Exploration Probe into the Wood Ash Pool is enough for them to study for a long time.

But when it comes to chemical analysis and ratio adjustment, how could a single test group be enough?

When the time comes, there will inevitably be assistance from local units; it's just a matter of seeing whose research speed is faster and whose academic results come out earlier and in greater quantity.

To put it another way: whose Thesis gets published earlier and more often is not yet certain.

Thinking this over, Dean He nodded: "I have no objections!"

Haha, no objections?

Dean Geng and Liu Xin exchanged a look, a few glints of oddity flashing in their eyes.

Do you think that because Lin Sicheng only brought Huang Zhifeng's group, he definitely couldn't research very quickly?

That's because you don't know how he usually conducts research:

Take that laboratory of Wang Qi Zhi; it's said to be under Wang Qi Zhi's charge, but he is effectively a transparent figure.

Even Lin Sicheng, the actual Person in Charge, only goes once every ten days or half a month. But a single visit, with a little guidance, can equal three to five months of efficiency.

One has always heard of people in charge complaining about slow experimental progress and low efficiency. But has anyone ever heard of someone deliberately suppressing progress because they think the people below are researching too fast?

In a flash, Dean Geng nodded: "I have no objections either!"

Eh?

Just a moment ago they were so tough, and in the blink of an eye, they agreed so quickly?

It felt a bit off, but the few people opposite did not think too much about it: as the saying goes, a long night brings many dreams, so strike while the iron is hot; regardless of why he agreed, as long as he agreed, that was enough.

The most difficult problem was solved, and the rest was easy to discuss. It was nothing more than win-win cooperation and an exchange of interests.

Naturally, there was no need to talk about that bowl, and the Pingding Sandware and Black and White Carved Flower Craft were never mentioned again.

Lin Sicheng was given a whole pile of titles, however:

Honorary Consultant of the Shanxi Cultural Relics Bureau, Special Invited Expert of the Provincial Culture Department and the Archaeological Institute, and Special Appointed Engineer of the Provincial Industrial Bureau.

The compensation was not low; he could collect several salaries, plus periodic bonuses.

Originally, there were also appropriations for the Sub-center's renovation and the purchase of equipment, but Lin Sicheng said it was unnecessary.

The laboratory would continue to borrow the one from the YC City Municipal Museum; the Sub-center just needed an office and a sign hung up.

In roughly two days, things were basically settled, and the Xida Lin Sicheng Cultural Relics Protection and Artifact Restoration Research Center Yuncheng Sub-center was officially established.

It was very low-key, with no ceremony, no leaders invited to cut the ribbon, and not even a single string of Firecrackers set off.

Anyone who understood Lin Sicheng was a bit suspicious: this kid, is he perhaps preparing to run away at any moment?

Running away was absolutely out of the question; Lin Sicheng just felt that for a mere Luanbai Jade, there was no need to make such a fuss.

……

The Sub-center was right next to the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau, taking up an entire floor.

It was originally the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau Cultural Relics Heritage Protection Center, which had just finished renovations and was preparing to move, so they incidentally approved a floor for Lin Sicheng.

Brand-new facilities and equipment—conference rooms, offices, display rooms, training rooms, and dormitories—had all been planned out.

They had even reserved half a floor for a laboratory; if Lin Sicheng just nodded, all the equipment could be in place in three days at most.

Tian Jie rubbed his chin: "Director He, why do I feel like the local side wants Lin Sicheng to put down roots here?"

He Zhigang nodded: You can completely remove the "feel like."

According to the local government's initial vision, the Sub-center should ideally have been opened in Taiyuan, and ideally modeled after the scale of the Xida main Center, a one-to-one replication.

This included facilities and equipment, departmental structure, personnel staffing, and even research projects.

The leadership even specifically told Lin Sicheng not to be afraid of spending money, as there were research appropriations and, even more so, policy support.

This included research funds; if a National Level support project could not be applied for, then they would apply for a Provincial Level one—it was going to be approved for someone anyway.

If the Luanbai Jade craft could be successfully restored, a World Heritage Application would certainly be inevitable. By then, even if the protection unit did not reach the Provincial Level, it would at least be at the TY City level.

But because Lin Sicheng insisted on retaining the original personnel structure of the survey team and the laboratory team, naturally, this matter could no longer be discussed further.

Lin Sicheng was open and honest, even blunt: we can conduct research together; Yuncheng is fine, Taiyuan is fine, and provincial departments are even more fine. But no matter which department it is, everyone must do the work themselves.

If you are asking me to share technology and share research results with you... then I am sorry, I have such a large group of people under me that I cannot even divide it up among them.

In this way, the impact on individual professional title assessment and promotion was secondary; the key lay in the aftermath: the Luanbai Jade restoration technology would definitely have to remain local, this was beyond doubt.

But the subsequent and affiliated scientific research results, academic honor improvements, and influence would only benefit Lin Sicheng's team, and would basically have nothing to do with the local departments.

Spending money and effort to make wedding clothes for others—the local side was certainly unwilling.

Of course, Lin Sicheng's words were also very direct: this is for the best; rather than bickering in the end, it is better to lay the cards on the table early, which can also mean owing fewer favors...

Whenever he thought of the scene at that time, Zhao Xiuneng would grind his teeth, his face showing a painful expression.

The more Tian Jie looked, the more uncomfortable he felt: "General Manager Zhao, what do you want to say?"

After a slight pause, Zhao Xiuneng gritted his teeth: "I just feel like it's a bit of a loss!"

He Zhigang, Tian Jie, and Gao Zhangyi did not speak.

Who lost out?

Of course, it was Lin Sicheng who lost out.

Not to mention anything else, just look at these two centers: the Xida center was built from nothing; how much energy did Lin Sicheng spend?

The school and the district provided support, but at most one-fourth or one-fifth, and General Manager Zhao supported another one-fourth. It was equivalent to spending ten million, and more than half of it was earned by Lin Sicheng through picking up scraps.

Here, Lin Sicheng did not have to spend a single cent.

Furthermore, the level: the one at the school was only District Level, while here, it was Provincial Level from the start; I ask you, is this level of support significant or not?

But just so that He Zhigang, who had initially proposed this plan, would not have gone to all that trouble for nothing, and so that the dozens of people who followed him here would not have worked for nothing for over two months, Lin Sicheng did not agree.

He didn't agree?

Lin Sicheng, do you understand the concept of "full support from Provincial Level departments" and "authoritative results that can influence policy leaning"?

Lin Sicheng certainly understood.

He Zhigang sighed: "I asked him if it was worth it, and he said: some things cannot be measured by whether they are worth it or not!"

Zhao Xiuneng was stunned for a moment, and a strange emotion arose in his heart.

He asked himself: who does not hope that their leaders, colleagues, friends, students, and even partners are loyal and consistent?

Regardless of whose position one stood in, whether it was Zhao Xiuneng, He Zhigang, Tian Jie, Gao Zhangyi, or Wang Qi Zhi, Shang Yan, Huang Zhifeng, as well as the center's staff, Researchers, and members of the Archaeology Team.

The few remained silent.

Putting themselves in his shoes, they all felt that Lin Sicheng had lost out significantly.

For their sake, was it worth it?

But Lin Sicheng did not think so.

He leaned back in his chair, unhurried: "To be honest, the support here is indeed very strong, and the conditions are undeniably tempting. But looking at the essence through the phenomena, it is nothing more than two words: choice.

Either choose one, or choose two. It is impossible to have the option of 'wanting both.' Therefore, since I do not want to choose, no matter how much is given, it is still like duckweed without roots.

There is a saying: a woman does not marry two husbands, a subject does not serve two masters... Teacher, if it were you, would you agree?"

Wang Qi Zhi remained silent.

If it were him: whether to agree is one thing, and whether to refuse is another.

At first glance, it sounds contradictory, but in fact, it is not at all.

The thing called tacit understanding can only be felt, not explained. As long as one has the ability, never mind one boat, what would be the harm in stepping on three or four?

Porcelain Restoration to Shaanxi, Luanbai Jade to Shanxi; look, isn't that conflict-free?

So, when you get to the root of it, Lin Sicheng refused without even thinking because of the people around him.

Because no matter where the research is conducted, the Person in Charge must be him; whether it's a Thesis, a journal, an Academic Report, research results, and so on, the column for the Person in Charge and the first author must be his signature.

As for the rest, if a Shaanxi person signs it, they sign it; if a Shanxi person signs it, they sign it—what difference does it make?

The answer is: there is one. Shaanxi people couldn't possibly gift Lin Sicheng an antique Bowl worth millions, nor could they periodically set such high bonuses for him. It's even less likely they would build him a Research Center worth millions without him having to pay a single cent.

Subconsciously, Wang Qi Zhi recalled the question he often asked Lin Sicheng: Is it worth it?

Lin Sicheng always said: Some things, someone has to do them...

Once Wang Qi Zhi brought it up, Lin Sicheng laughed: "Wasn't that just to leave a better impression on you? Teacher, if you asked me that now, I definitely wouldn't say it like that. Because it's too fake, too high-minded..."

Wang Qi Zhi stared with wide eyes: "Isn't it high-minded?"

Lin Sicheng laughed again: "Teacher, I'm really not that great. Let me just say one thing: once the Center is built, who do the results belong to? If I want to do something that affects local interests, will unpleasant things happen?

For example, if I want to license the Luanbai Jade patent to Xijing, will the local authorities interfere? If I insist on giving it away, what will happen?"

Wang Qi Zhi opened his mouth, but the words reached the tip of his tongue and he didn't know how to spit them out.

Who can say for sure what will happen in the future?

But then again, if it were in Shaanxi, that certainly wouldn't happen.

The reason is complicated; first, let's say that the Xida Center was built from nothing, and it was basically all Lin Sicheng's own effort. In essence, this is a private company with a scientific research nature, and what Lin Sicheng says goes.

The key also lies in the fact that Lin Sicheng has already proven his ability, professionalism, and even his character, morality, and integrity through action after action.

Counting on his fingers: Inverted Pot, Zhang Anshi Tomb, Yaozhou Porcelain... he couldn't count on both hands the number of units where Lin Sicheng's name is hung in the archives.

As well as He Zhigang, Chen Peng, Li Chunnan, Guan Xingmin, Hao Jun, and even the Dean of the college, the President, and himself, this teacher, and so on—all these people who have profound influence in various industries.

And every time, it's just like this time.

He used to hear people say that suffering a loss is a blessing, and Wang Qi Zhi always scoffed at it. But ever since he met Lin Sicheng, he felt that Lin Sicheng embodied this saying to the fullest.

After thinking for a long time, Wang Qi Zhi sighed: "That Bowl given by old Mr. Shui, it surely isn't fake, right?"

"It's real!" Lin Sicheng nodded, "But one shouldn't accept a reward without merit; favors are easy to owe but hard to repay. What if I can't pay it back?"

Wang Qi Zhi didn't speak.

If it were him: If I can't pay it back, then I can't pay it back, so what?

Of course, he was only thinking that in his heart; after all, Lin Sicheng calls him Teacher, and he, surnamed Wang, also needs to save face, right?

With these thoughts, the car entered the urban area of TY, made two more turns, and drove to the downstairs of the Cultural Relics Bureau.

As soon as the car stopped, two men came down the steps to greet them.

One was in his forties, leading by a step, and one was in his early thirties, lagging slightly behind.

Just as they reached the car, the older one extended his hand: "Professor Wang, Teacher Lin, thank you for your hard work. My surname is Ren, I work in the Technology Division of the Cultural Relics Bureau, Mr. Shui is my teacher..."

"Hello, Division Chief Ren!"

The two shook hands one by one and followed them into the building.

They talked as they walked, all very polite, but Lin Sicheng always felt that this person must have seen him before.

And the look in his eyes was very strange.

Let it be strange then.

In the eyes of the locals, the things he did were indeed quite baffling.

With these thoughts, several people went up to the conference room on the fourth floor; as soon as he entered the door, Lin Sicheng paused for a moment.

So many leaders—Cultural Relics Bureau, Cultural Bureau, Industrial Bureau.

He was seeing these people for the first time, but during this idle week or so, he had run to these bureaus many times to look up information. He passed through the lobby every day, and even though he only took a glance each time, he remembered them.

What was strange was that Shui Jisheng was also there, sitting in the front seat on the right.

What was even stranger was the look in these people's eyes the first time they saw him.

What was the difference from when he met Division Chief Ren downstairs?

With these thoughts, he smiled and greeted them: "Hello, Mr. Shui, hello, leaders!"

Everyone stood up, and the leader at the head of the table applauded: "Welcome, Engineer Lin!"

Following that, the applause was like thunder!

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned for a moment, and a tingling sensation surged to his forehead.

As an opponent, Lin Sicheng is very difficult to deal with, but asking himself, who doesn't hope to have such a colleague, subordinate, or friend?

Who could say they aren't impressed?