Chapter 253: Another Exploration Probe Poked

Why is it so difficult to find the kiln site of Luanbai Jade?

Because the era is too distant, surface markers—such as kiln furnaces, embryo yards, and clay-refining pools—have long since vanished, leaving absolutely no traces to follow.

If one must find it, there are only two ways: First, cast a wide net and fish blindly. Conduct a full-range trial survey within a limited area. To put it bluntly, it means searching inch by inch; it might take one or two years, or perhaps three, five, or eight, but eventually, it can be found.

The second method is to follow the map to find the horse, or follow the vine to find the melon: whenever firing porcelain, one needs clay first, and water second. First, find the nearby ceramic clay mine belt, then look for the nearby ancient riverbed. Combining the two allows one to pinpoint the approximate location of the ancient porcelain kiln.

This method is certainly much faster, but the difficulty is much, much, much higher than the former. Just consider one point: due to various reasons, rivers change their courses from time to time, and because of land reclamation, levee construction, and damming, the remaining traces are equally scarce.

To find an ancient riverbed requires an extremely powerful knowledge base, extremely rich survey and archaeological experience, and even more so, extremely good luck.

Lin Sicheng feels that he cannot be considered the best, but he possesses a bit of everything, and furthermore, he does not have the time and energy to waste for two or three years, so he chooses the second method.

Whether the effect is good or not, one will know after trying.

The first time, based on the flow of Zhemayu and the place name Lao Yaotou, Lin Sicheng found the largest and most complete porcelain-firing site discovered to date for Yuncheng, and even for Shanxi.

The second time, based on that bowl from General Engineer Shui and the flow of Guayu, he found the earliest porcelain-firing site discovered to date for Yuncheng: the Beiwuqin Tang Kiln, and incidentally found a Jiao Tan Site.

The third time was the Guduo South Terrace; based on the Jianhe downstream of Zhemayu, Lin Sicheng found the earliest Neolithic cultural site discovered to date for Yuncheng.

All three times, he found the riverbed before the kiln; Wang Qi Zhi and Sun Jiamu did not doubt at all whether Lin Sicheng could find the ancient kiln after finding the ancient riverbed.

Both are experts in archaeology and understand the wonder of why such ancient tombs would be under a riverbed: because at the time of burial, the ancient tomb was built below the surface. After years of alluvial accumulation, the silt grew thicker, and the tomb was buried deeper. It is even more likely that for a period, the area above the tomb was washed into a flood gully by flash floods.

After many more years, due to soil erosion and silt deposition causing the original riverbed to rise, the river changed its course and eventually merged with the flood gully, naturally making the area above the tomb an ancient riverbed.

No matter how sturdily the tomb was built, water would certainly seep down. It does not need much; just continuous soaking for decades or a century is enough for the alkaline substances in the water to cause a fundamental change in the internal structure of the bricks.

If soaked a bit longer, one wouldn't even need to poke it with an Exploration Probe; one could scrape it off by hand.

However, the question arises again: since it has been soaked by water, why is the tomb chamber so clean?

The reason is simple: because the water is filtered through the surrounding Sanhe Soil and tomb walls, silt and impurities cannot enter, making the water quality relatively pure. At the same time, this provides extremely favorable conditions for bacterial reproduction, causing organic matter like corpses and coffins to decompose extremely quickly.

Also, because of the lack of oxygen and light, it is unfavorable for plant growth, which is why the tomb chamber is empty. Let alone insects, snakes, rats, or ants, one cannot even see a blade of grass.

Thinking secretly, Wang Qi Zhi and Sun Jiamu exchanged a glance: then what does this count as?

Mountains multiply, streams double, and I fear there is no road; past the dark willows and bright flowers, another village appears?

One wears out iron shoes in a fruitless search, only to find it without any effort at all?

The key is, this is not the first time:

For example, at Lao Yaotou, they searched for half a month and didn't find a single hair, and in the end, Lin Sicheng poked it with an Exploration Probe.

Or for example, in Guduo Village, they searched for another half a month, and when they were at their wits' end, Lin Sicheng poked it with an Exploration Probe on the South Terrace again?

This time he didn't poke with an Exploration Probe, but he took advantage of the heavy rain and flooding to go up the mountain and observe the flow of the flood gullies everywhere. He didn't find the ancient riverbed, but he found an ancient tomb.

He thought he was going in the wrong direction and talking nonsense, but unexpectedly, after going around in a big circle, he found the riverbed by relying on the ancient tomb again?

It happened once, and it happens every time? Should one say Lin Sicheng has strong abilities and rich experience, or should one say his luck is off the charts?

After sighing for a long time, Wang Qi Zhi picked up a bit of brick debris: "Can you infer the approximate era?"

"Yes!" Lin Sicheng nodded, "The duration of water immersion should be about eighty to one hundred years: if it were longer, the tomb chamber and tomb passage would have collapsed long ago; it's impossible for it to be preserved this well. If the time were shorter, the blue bricks couldn't have become powdery to this extent; at the very least, the patterns and inscriptions on the bricks would be much clearer than they are now...

I speculate that the existence of the ancient riverbed above the tomb should date back about seven hundred to eight hundred years, at the earliest no earlier than the Jin Dynasty, and at the latest no later than the Yuan Dynasty..."

Sun Jiamu pondered for a moment: "In that case, even if you find a kiln site nearby, it would only be a Jin kiln or a Yuan kiln?"

"That is indeed the case... but there is one point: a riverbed cannot change just because one says so, and a kiln site cannot move just because one says so. Just like Lao Yaotou, just like Beiwuqin, every major migration takes at least fifty years.

The most critical thing is that the Northern Song Dynasty lasted only one hundred and sixty-seven years, the Jin Dynasty only one hundred and nineteen years, and the Yuan Dynasty was even shorter, only ninety-seven years. Even if one only finds a site from the end of the Yuan Dynasty, according to the rule that the riverbed changes significantly every fifty years and the kiln site moves significantly, moving to the end of the Jin and beginning of the Yuan would only be twice. There are only so many mines with ceramic clay; how far could it move?"

Sun Jiamu understood: according to Lin Sicheng's theory, if he can find one from the Yuan Dynasty, he can find one from the Jin Dynasty, and then find one from the Song Dynasty. It's like picking up a gourd and pulling the vine; one after another, none of them can escape.

At first glance, it sounds so easy, but anyone who believes it is a fool.

If it were really that easy, Yuncheng would have been found eight years ago, and it wouldn't be Lin Sicheng's turn to find it.

If it were really that relaxed, the locals couldn't possibly treat Lin Sicheng like a god, granting every request.

Therefore, in the final analysis, it still depends on who is doing the searching.

Lin Sicheng arranged for the laboratory technician to take samples and send them to the Archaeological Cabin at Guduo South Terrace for emergency testing. Then he notified Tan Wu to let the county Cultural Relics Bureau take over the ancient tomb.

It was just an empty tomb; there was no need for Tian Jie and Gao Zhangyi to waste time here.

After making arrangements, Lin Sicheng took Tian Jie and Gao Zhangyi up Longmen Mountain again.

Watching him take three steps at a time, moving as fast as flying, Sun Jiamu sighed secretly.

Young, studious, capable, experienced, and even more courageous.

Especially his professional competence and knowledge base, which even exceed those of many experts at the Cultural Relics Bureau.

The most critical thing is that he is only twenty-one... to put it without exaggeration: how many years does it take to encounter such a talent?

He looked at Wang Qi Zhi again; his eyes were strange, and his expression was even stranger.

Wang Qi Zhi said with a "Ha": "Division Chief Sun, are you thinking about what kind of dog-shit luck I had to encounter such a student?"

Sun Jiamu didn't speak: it wasn't that harsh, but that was basically the meaning.

The academic world has always valued the master-disciple relationship, especially in relatively traditional fields like archaeology and cultural relics. Taking on a good disciple is equivalent to making a name for oneself and revitalizing the family reputation.

It's not like the two hadn't worked together before; Sun Jiamu knew Wang Qi Zhi's background clearly. It can be said: having Lin Sicheng as a student can at least save Wang Qi Zhi thirty years of detours.

Calculating it this way, if this isn't good luck, what is?

Wang Qi Zhi didn't care at all: "Division Chief Sun, let me ask you: does luck count as strength?"

Sun Jiamu was speechless: of course it counts, why wouldn't it?

But if it comes to comparing this, who can compare to Wang Qi Zhi?

Amidst his reflections, he pointed up the mountain: "Our old arms and legs, let's not go up, shall we?"

"Not going, going would just be adding to the chaos, might as well save some energy!" Wang Qi Zhi said bluntly, and then put his arm around Sun Jiamu's shoulder, "Back to the Village Committee, let the cook stir-fry two dishes, and we'll have a couple of drinks!"

Sun Jiamu paused: "Just the two of us?"

"Otherwise? Lin Sicheng doesn't drink, and he has a rule: during all field trips, all team members are not allowed to drink or play cards. So even if you called Tian Jie and Gao Zhangyi, they wouldn't come, so isn't it just the two of us left?"

Sun Jiamu looked curious.

To be honest, rules are rules, but human nature is human nature. Out in the wilderness, a group of restless men have no way to relax; if you don't let them drink or play cards, what do you expect them to do?

Could it be that you want them to fight?

Even when national teams go out, the team leaders generally turn a blind eye. Sometimes, to relieve tension, they even join in the fun and mingle with the team members.

"Lin Sicheng is so strict, does no one protest?"

Wang Qi Zhi didn't care: "Double the salary, double the subsidies, plus extra bonuses. Following Lin Sicheng for three months is worth a year's salary at one's original unit. Who would protest?"

Sun Jiamu suddenly realized.

With real money on the table, everyone is fighting to get in on it; who would dare to protest?

As for Tian Jie and Gao Zhangyi, those two obey Lin Sicheng's every command; they might as well treat Lin Sicheng's words as an Imperial Edict.

"Fine, just the two of us then!"

After replying, the two walked down the slope, told Zhao Da to wait for Lin Sicheng in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and took the Cultural Relics Bureau's shuttle vehicle back to the Village Committee.

Before this, the two were at most mere acquaintances, but this turn of events made them realize they were quite compatible. Three cups of wine later, the more they talked, the more they hit it off, and before they knew it, it was twelve o'clock.

Upon asking, Lin Sicheng had also just returned.

Estimating he was exhausted, Sun Jiamu didn't call for him again; he and Wang Qi Zhi returned to their respective rooms and slept until dawn.

It was a coincidence that as soon as they got up in the morning, they ran into each other again.

Looking at the dim morning sky, then at the pickup truck just turning out of the Village Committee, Sun Jiamu pointed: "That's Lin Sicheng in the car, right? Where is he going?"

Wang Qi Zhi shook his head: "Didn't get a chance to ask, probably went to Longmen Mountain again!"

Sun Jiamu was stunned for a moment, then checked his watch: it was barely six o'clock?

He only got back at twelve last night and went out again at six this morning; how many hours of rest did he get in between?

The point isn't that it happened for one day, but that it happened seven or eight days out of ten.

As for leading by example, with Lin Sicheng's attitude toward work and his level of dedication, who among those below him wouldn't be convinced?

With these thoughts, Sun Jiamu turned his head and muttered to himself that it was just as expected.

Gao Zhangyi had already taken the team members onto the minibus, but the driver looked disheveled, as if he had just woken up and hadn't even had time to wash his face.

Tan Wu lectured him a few times, sent the driver back, and replaced him with the driver who drove the small car.

Watching the minibus turn away, Sun Jiamu sighed: "The double salary paid locally is well worth it!"

Wang Qi Zhi nodded: Of course it's worth it.

One could even say it's worth every penny.

Not to mention anything else, just the three kilns Lin Sicheng found within four months—if it were left to the locals, it would probably take several years...

The two chatted as they entered the restaurant. After breakfast, they parted ways at the entrance. Sun Jiamu went to the south Taidi, and Wang Qi Zhi went to the southeast foot of the mountain.

He called Zhao Da and was just about to get in the car when Wang Qi Zhi's phone rang.

Seeing it was Lin Sicheng, he answered it, but after saying only one sentence, he froze: "Lin Sicheng, what kind of kiln did you say?"

"Where did you find it? Ah... not far from that tomb, about six or seven hundred meters?"

"Alright, alright, alright, I'm coming over right now..."

Sun Jiamu hadn't walked far; hearing Wang Qi Zhi exclaim "what kind of kiln," he strode over in a few steps. The sound from the phone was loud, and he heard it clearly.

This morning... oh no, just a moment ago, Lin Sicheng took Tian Jie and circled the empty tomb a few times. When he reached the southeast corner of Guduo Village, he casually drove a Probe Rod into the ground and ended up pulling out half a tube of coal cinder.

He immediately called for an Excavator to clear the layer, then had Gao Zhangyi lead people to scrape the surface. Within an hour, they had unearthed a Cave-pit Kiln.

It wasn't buried underground, nor was it built inside the mountain, but was nestled right against the terraced fields on the hillside: the entire kiln was wrapped inside the terraces, wrapped tight...

Wang Qi Zhi and Sun Jiamu looked at each other: the ancient tomb was only found yesterday afternoon, right?

Only one night has passed since then.

The key is, it was Lin Sicheng again, just casually poking it out with a Probe Rod?

It feels like his Exploration Probe is like a treasure-seeking Needle; wherever he pokes is where it is, and he never even needs a second poke?

After being stunned for a long while, Wang Qi Zhi gave a start and turned to get into the car.

Once they were both inside, he remembered and hurriedly smiled at Sun Jiamu: "Division Chief Sun, are you coming?"

Obviously.

Before, he had only heard rumors, only heard local peers bragging about how amazing Lin Sicheng was, how sharp his eyes were, and that he only needed one poke to find a kiln. Sun Jiamu, including the Experts from Beijing, had always been skeptical, thinking it was hearsay and overly exaggerated.

But this time he saw it with his own eyes, so he had to broaden his horizons no matter what.

With these thoughts, Sun Jiamu jumped into the car in a few steps: "Did Lin Sicheng say what kind of kiln it is?"

Wang Qi Zhi shook his head: "Still exploring, not very sure, but Lin Sicheng estimates it's at least from the Yuan Dynasty."

"How big is it?"

"Not small, the central kiln chamber is at least ten meters long, and it's very likely a Double Fire Chamber..."

A ten-meter kiln chamber with a Double Fire Chamber means that with the flue, kiln head, and kiln tail added, the length is at least thirty meters. Even among sloped Dragon Kilns, this belongs to the medium-to-large category, and the area for supporting facilities cannot be less than two thousand square meters.

Just as he was secretly guessing, Wang Qi Zhi's phone rang again. This time it was Tian Jie calling. After he answered, his voice was very low, as if he were deliberately suppressing it:

"Professor Wang, Teacher Lin poked into a Waste Porcelain Pit with one rod. Old Gao and I did an emergency survey; the depth is at least seven meters, the width is five to eight meters, and it's shaped like a funnel with a narrow bottom... The key is, there is White Porcelain..."

Wang Qi Zhi's eyes lit up instantly: a seven-meter-deep, eight-meter-wide Waste Porcelain Pit—how many experimental samples could be dug out of that?

No wonder Tian Jie was acting all sneaky, like a thief?

He took a deep breath: "I'll be there immediately!"

(End of chapter)