Chapter 259: Even Experts Can Be Wrong

At noon, two cars were driving steadily along the national highway.

Lin Sicheng leaned back in the rear seat, his phone tucked between his neck and shoulder:

"Teacher, it's fine. If we've broken ties, then we've broken ties; it doesn't matter if we had an argument!"

"Understood. Then you all withdraw first, and at the same time, report to He Supervisor (He Zhigang): we will conduct the subsequent research at the school..."

"Yes, we've reached Jinzhong, we've already passed Lingshi County... we'll be back in a day or two at most!"

"Mm, alright, goodbye Teacher!"

Hanging up the phone, Shang Yan in the front seat turned her head back, and Zhao Xiuneng beside her also twisted his neck around.

"You had a falling out?"

"Yes, you could say we completely tore off the mask!"

Lin Sicheng smiled, "During the meeting, Director Yao of the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Pottery Research asked us to make the research data public, and Teacher refused!"

Upon hearing "make data public," Zhao Xiuneng's eyes bulged, and anger rushed to his head.

Shang Yan opened her eyes wide, her face full of disbelief: Is this something a person could actually do?

And it was during a meeting, in front of everyone's eyes?

Not to mention anything else, if it weren't for Lin Sicheng, the local research institutions wouldn't even know where the entrance to the site was, let alone conduct any archaeological research.

And yet, they turn their backs the moment they finish using us?

It's too bullying...

Shang Yan gritted her teeth: "Lin Sicheng, how can you still smile?"

Lin Sicheng smiled again: Having experienced it so many times, it's not surprising anymore.

When they finished surveying Beijian Geda and discovered the site area was just over a thousand square meters, with estimated fine white porcelain samples of no more than a few hundred kilograms, he had already anticipated that the time to part ways had come.

The reason was simple: from the local perspective, there were too few research samples, and the possibility of restoring the Egg-white Jade Craft was infinitely close to zero.

Since success was impossible, why waste manpower, material resources, and even financial resources in vain?

Consequently, the provincial and municipal authorities would certainly shift the focus of their plan: from restoring the Egg-white Jade Craft to a "systematic and complete" excavation of the five sites.

Anyone could do this work; it was merely a matter of speed, not to mention there was guidance from the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

Thus, the role of both Lin Sicheng and the Xida Restoration Center was infinitely diminished. Consequently, there was naturally no need for the cooperation with the Xida Restoration Center to continue.

With different positions, the starting point for viewing problems is naturally different. Standing from the perspective of Yuncheng and the Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau: the millstone had reached the point where it had to be removed, and this donkey had reached the point where it had to be slaughtered.

The reason is four words: cost reduction and efficiency enhancement.

Lin Sicheng and his team of dozens of people had fixed monthly expenditures of over two hundred thousand, plus the material consumption of Huang Zhifeng's laboratory, totaling nearly four hundred thousand.

If the cooperation were terminated, wouldn't they save four hundred thousand in costs in a single month?

Secondly, just by virtue of the fact that all five kiln sites were surveyed by Lin Sicheng, his prestige and influence were unparalleled at the time. If he continued to participate in the subsequent excavation and research, what position would you arrange for him?

General Engineer or General Commander? These two would certainly be held concurrently by leaders from the Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau or the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology.

Deputy Chief Engineer, the actual Person in Charge?

That would certainly be more than enough, but then the problem arises: for the eleven large and small units, would the specific division of research fields and the formulation of project plans all have to be decided by him?

Just look at one point: to date, isn't the Yuncheng Branch Center the one with the strongest research capabilities and the fastest research progress?

Strength represents everything. Thus, among the five large and small sites, Lin Sicheng could assign the most influential and representative Guzhen Site to the Sub-center, and no one could say a word against it.

Even more, is just this one site enough?

In terms of research speed, it is estimated that by the time Lin Sicheng and Huang Zhifeng finished researching the Guzhen Site, the other ten units would at most be halfway through.

The so-called "the capable do more work"—if Lin Sicheng were to pick from the unfinished projects of the other ten, and specifically pick the most difficult and influential topics to transfer to the Sub-center for research, no one would be able to say a word against that either.

In the end, the Xida Sub-center would have to take at least one-third of the projects, and all of them would be key topics.

If they were "one of our own," that would be one thing, but the key is that this Sub-center carries the prefix of an out-of-province institution?

Therefore, the leaders had to consider: if they terminated the cooperation now and distributed these key projects to the ten units within the province, could they publish many more high-quality theses and increase their influence significantly?

Perhaps they could even win a few major awards. In this way, wouldn't that count as efficiency enhancement?

Of two evils, choose the lesser. Since there are so many benefits, and the only downside is being scolded for being ungrateful and "killing the donkey after the millstone is removed," why shouldn't they do it?

As for whether they would invite Lin Sicheng or ask Xida for help again in the future, there was no need to consider it at all: they aren't the only ones who know how to survey and conduct archaeology, are they?

That is why there was this meeting this morning, and why, right at the beginning, Director Zheng specifically emphasized the theme of the meeting: strengthen collaboration, conduct joint research.

To translate: if the Xida Sub-center insists on staying, then regardless of the leadership of subsequent research or the allocation of projects, Lin Sicheng can no longer be in charge.

Thinking deeper: Yao Jianxin was certainly not instructed by Director Zheng and Mayor Jiang; having reached that position, they wouldn't do things so crudely.

But at the time, those two were definitely playing dumb while knowing the truth. The goal was nothing more than to provoke Professor Wang, preferably to have a falling out right then and there.

The only thing they didn't expect was that Yao Jianxin could be so thick-skinned, and even less did they expect Wang Qizhi to be so unyielding?

But it wasn't a big problem: although the process was a bit convoluted and the scene was a bit ugly, the final goal was achieved.

It was nothing more than letting Sun Jiamu watch a joke, which was slightly embarrassing.

But standing from Lin Sicheng's perspective: isn't this just saying all the nice things when you are useful, and doing the most ruthless things when you are not?

The damage is not great, but the insult is extremely strong. If he just played deaf and dumb and let it go, how could he lead his team in the future?

Would he be cheated like this every time he went to a new place?

It's just a case of "you do the first, I'll do the fifteenth"...

In a flash of thought, Lin Sicheng leaned back: "Heaven wants to rain, a mother wants to remarry—the work that needs to be done must still be done!"

Of course it must be done, otherwise this frustration could drive a person mad. Shang Yan had already started to fantasize: when the day comes that Lin Sicheng restores the Egg-white Jade Craft, how much will these people regret it?

But the question is, how much certainty is there?

Having studied porcelain for half her life and knowing historical documents by heart, Shang Yan couldn't remember a single source that contained records of "Shanxi firing Egg-white Jade Porcelain."

"Indeed there are none, but there were also no records of the Hejin Kiln in historical materials, and didn't we find it anyway?"

Lin Sicheng smiled, "Professor Shang, we must first have confidence ourselves!"

Shang Yan opened her mouth, just about to say something, but swallowed the words back: so many times, when was there ever a time when everyone thought it was impossible, yet Lin Sicheng ultimately created a miracle?

She nodded, then sighed: "But I still feel so angry... General Manager Zhao, are you angry?"

Zhao Xiuneng nodded vigorously: angry was an understatement.

If it were him, he would have flipped the table, damn it. So it was quite strange: with Professor Wang's temperament, how did he endure it?

Was he influenced by Lin Sicheng, like one who stays near vermilion gets stained red?

Just as he was suspicious, Lin Sicheng smiled again: "Don't be angry, we will take our revenge immediately!"

The two looked at each other: even if they found enough samples, it would probably take several months of Artifact Research.

So revenge should be possible, but "immediately" was out of the question...

After about half an hour, the cars drove into the urban area of Jiexiu City and stopped at the entrance of the Cultural Bureau.

Shang Yan got out of the car and made a phone call; a girl of twenty-six or twenty-seven came out of the lobby.

When the two met, they hugged first.

"Oh, Teacher? You said you were coming to Jiexiu, I thought you were lying to me?"

"I am your teacher, would I lie to you?"

The girl stuck out her tongue and peeked into the car: "Where is Li Zhen, why didn't she come with you?"

"She has to work!"

"Oh, at the new Restoration Center at the school, right?" The girl looked excited, "Teacher, is the boss of the center her partner?"

Shang Yan was stunned by the question: "Li Zhen said so herself?"

"Li Zhen's mouth is the hardest part of her entire body; would she tell me voluntarily? But after so many years, don't I know her personality?"

The girl was smug: "We chatted two or three times, and whenever I asked how her new boss treated her, she would change the subject; I felt it right then. Then I asked if she had a partner, she said no, and when I offered to introduce someone, she refused—isn't this just 'there is no silver three hundred taels here'?"

Shang Yan opened her mouth, not knowing how to explain.

Forget it, let it be.

She turned around again and introduced Zhao Xiuneng and Lin Sicheng: "This is General Manager Zhao, a Partner of the center, and this is Lin Sicheng, your Junior Brother. General Manager Zhao, Lin Sicheng, this is my student Wang Yurong, who was in the same grade, same class, and same dormitory as Li Zhen in college..."

"Hello General Manager Zhao, hello Junior Brother Lin!"

After greeting them with a smile, Wang Yurong began to size them up:

The center the teacher mentioned should be the one where Li Zhen works. I heard the benefits are extremely good; compared to when she was a teaching assistant for Professor Shang, Li Zhen's income has doubled.

Just looking at this General Manager Zhao, one could tell: he was stylish, and he even drove a Mercedes-Benz.

Thinking secretly, Wang Yurong paused for a moment: wait... surnamed Lin, Lin Sicheng?

"Whoosh," Wang Yurong's eyes lit up: isn't this the little boss who makes Li Zhen go silent when asked, and gets annoyed when asked again?

Tsk, although he's a bit dark, he's really good-looking.

He's young, and he's incredibly capable... no wonder he could make Li Zhen, this thousand-year-old iron tree, fall in love?

Seeing her eyes rolling around, Lin Sicheng smiled: "Hello Senior Sister Wang!"

Wang Yurong hurriedly argued: "Oh, Junior Brother, don't overthink it, I was just joking with the teacher earlier..."

Once words are spoken, can you take them back?

Shang Yan sighed: "Let's go, let's get down to business first!"

Wang Yurong nodded hurriedly: "Oh, oh..."

"I'll ride in this one with you!" Shang Yan pointed to the Jeep Grand Cherokee in front, "Have you contacted the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau?"

"Teacher, after you called the day before yesterday, I contacted them: the site is basically in a state of abandonment, so it can be visited at any time. The Museum has also been arranged; as long as it's during working hours, we can go anytime!"

"Are there many porcelains?"

"Yes, I went to see it myself, a whole warehouse full!"

"That's good!"

The teacher and student talked as they sat into the Jeep Grand Cherokee in front.

The two cars drove one after the other, heading straight east for about ten kilometers, and stopped in front of a Stele.

It was not tall, about two meters including the base, with a few lines of text carved on it:

Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level: Hongshan Kiln Site

Announced by the State Council on May 25, 2006

Erected by the Shanxi People's Government

After getting out of the car, Wang Yurong led the way, and the group looked around as they walked.

The site was extremely large, estimated to be forty or fifty mu, with piles of porcelain shards and Sagger Body visible everywhere.

On the top of the slope stood broken Pottery Vats, and even the kiln walls were built with defective products that had been fired.

After bypassing the kiln wall and reaching the top of the slope, Wang Yurong pointed forward: "Teacher, these are the only remaining Kiln Furnace of the porcelain kiln site!"

The group looked closely: in the field, a few bun-shaped porcelain kilns were scattered sparsely.

Not far away stood a kiln cave, with a half-excavated Porcelain Clay Pile next to it.

Lin Sicheng scanned the area: "This is a site from the Ming and Qing dynasties; although they fired porcelain, it was Black Porcelain!"

Wang Yurong blinked her eyes, as if asking: how do you know?

Shang Yan glared at her, wanting to scold her: Wang Yurong, how long has it been since you graduated, have you forgotten everything you learned?

The kiln door is so high, the flue is so short, and the chimney is so close to the Kiln Furnace; this is clearly a low-temperature kiln.

If it's not firing Black Porcelain, could it be firing Pottery Vat?

Lin Sicheng looked around again: "Senior Sister Wang, besides these, are there any other porcelain kiln sites in Hongshan?"

"No, the rest are only vat kilns and tile kilns!"

"That's troublesome!" Lin Sicheng nodded, "Then let's go to the Museum!"

"Huh?" Wang Yurong was stunned for a moment, "You're not going to take a closer look?"

"Not going!"

The purpose of coming to Jiexiu this time was to find white porcelain; even if they were to look, they would only look at the white porcelain kilns, as the black porcelain kilns had no research value.

The group got into the car and arrived at the county seat.

Wang Yurong had made arrangements in advance, and the cadre from the Cultural Relics Protection Section led them directly to the treasury.

As soon as they entered the door, the brows of several people furrowed.

The classification was clear enough: Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing; white, black, soy-brown, green; as well as porcelain, pottery, and glazed ware.

Broken vessels were packed directly into boxes, and even the intact ones were just casually placed on shelves. There was no protective storage or covering, and the Cultural Relics were covered in dust.

After looking around, Lin Sicheng walked to a shelf labeled "Song Dynasty" and picked up a porcelain altar.

Brushing off the dust, a pale white glaze caught his eye; the vessel was large, just like an ancient standard water jar.

The body was coarse and thick, appearing gray within the white; one look at the base revealed that the clay had been washed coarsely, and the body was loose. The glazing was not very good either; it was not very bright and had a yellowish tint.

Looking at the two pots next to it, the quality was much the same: coarse body, dull glaze, and the glaze did not reach the base.

Even among the coarse white porcelain of the Northern Song Dynasty, it could only be considered average.

Putting down the porcelain pot, he saw two porcelain plates on the lower shelf and took them down.

Also white porcelain, but compared to the water jar and porcelain pots, the body was relatively firmer and more delicate. The body color was light brown, but it was whiter than the previous three pieces.

The glaze color was also much whiter and finer; on the bottom of the bowl, two characters were carved using the technique of carving out flowers and filling with color: one was "Zhang," the other "Jin," which should be the surnames of the porcelain kiln owners.

Of course, this was only relative to the coarse white porcelain on the shelves. If compared to the Hejin Kiln, let alone the Song Dynasty, it was far inferior even to the Jin-Yuan white porcelain from Guduo Town.

After looking for a few moments, Lin Sicheng put them back.

Continuing forward, there were two upright shelves with about twenty pieces of white porcelain and nearly a hundred porcelain shards, all of which were only of average quality.

Looking back and forth, the two porcelain plates from just now had the highest level of craftsmanship.

On the contrary, the black-glazed ware was better than the white porcelain, especially one of the black-glazed altars, which could be called a boutique porcelain even if placed in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Lin Sicheng was like a tourist looking at flowers while riding a horse, and Zhao Xiuneng and Shang Yan also kept looking.

The two did not dare to call themselves Experts, but they were insiders after all; just by looking at the quality, they knew: let alone compared to the Hejin Kiln Luanbai Jade porcelain bowl that Lin Sicheng had acquired for eight hundred thousand, even compared to the porcelain shards picked up from the ancient city of Yongji, the white porcelain here was a huge step down.

To put it bluntly, the craftsmanship here did not have much to do with the Hejin Kiln.

But the two did not say a word, quietly following behind Lin Sicheng.

After about an hour, the group left the treasury, thanked the Section Chief, and took Wang Yurong back to her workplace.

Just before getting out of the car, Lin Sicheng opened his bag and took out an envelope: "Sorry for the trouble today, Senior Sister."

Wang Yurong was stunned for a moment: What does this mean?

She looked at Shang Yan and, as if possessed, said: "Junior Brother, Li Zhen and I are good sisters!"

Shang Yan wished she could cover her face: So you were distracted the whole way, just thinking about this?

You spoke without thinking; you could have at least said: I'm helping the teacher, how could I take your Red Envelope?

"It is precisely because Senior Sister has a good relationship with Senior Sister Li that I dared to ask for your help!"

Lin Sicheng smiled, "Like that Section Chief just now, don't you have to treat them to a meal? Without the leader's approval, it would have been impossible for him to open the treasury for us directly, so you must have sought out the leader, and after that, don't you have to express your gratitude?"

Shang Yan nodded: "Take it!"

Seeing her not move, Lin Sicheng handed it to Shang Yan, and Shang Yan patted it into Wang Yurong's hand.

"We haven't seen each other for so long, we were originally going to sit down for a while, but we have to go out of town this afternoon, so just consider this Lin Sicheng treating you to a meal!"

"Ah... is time that tight?"

What else?

One is that it needs to be fast, and the other is that it needs to be kept confidential, otherwise she wouldn't have asked students for help.

Shang Yan patted her hand: "Alright, go get busy, come to Xijing when you have time, the teacher will treat you to something good!"

Wang Yurong nodded and watched them get into the car.

The car drove past the red light and turned a corner, until the taillights could no longer be seen.

Wang Yurong turned and walked toward her unit, preparing to put the envelope into her bag. But as soon as she pulled the zipper, she was stunned again: Why is it so thick?

Subconsciously pausing, she opened the seal: a stack of red bills came into view.

Is this five thousand, or six thousand?

It was half a year's salary for her.

Stunned for a long time, Wang Yurong took out her phone and dialed Li Zhen...

The two cars got back on the national highway, still with Lin Sicheng, Shang Yan, and Zhao Xiuneng in one car, and Fang Jin and the Data Clerk in the car behind.

As soon as Lin Sicheng got in the car, he made a phone call, talking for half an hour.

Through the content of the conversation, Shang Yan and Zhao Xiuneng could roughly guess: Lin Sicheng was likely asking Hao Jun to help contact someone, and then contact Huo Prefecture, saying he wanted to investigate the Chen Village Kiln.

It would be best to collect some porcelain shards, especially white porcelain, the more the better.

But the Huo Prefecture Chen Village Kiln had never been excavated at all. It was only known that there were porcelain kilns in the area, but to this day, no core facilities had been discovered, including workshops for making embryos, Kiln Furnaces, etc. Even if they went, how would they investigate?

There was one more point: when the Jiexiu Kiln was excavated, the National Cultural Heritage Administration had a clear conclusion: the craftsmanship of the Huo Prefecture Chen Village Kiln was of the same lineage as the Jiexiu Hongshan Kiln.

The Hongshan Kiln was founded in the early Song Dynasty and declined in the late Jin Dynasty; the Huo Prefecture Kiln was founded in the early Yuan Dynasty and declined in the Qing Dynasty.

There was even a saying: during the late Jin Dynasty, because of the war, that group of craftsmen from the Hongshan Kiln fled to Huo Prefecture. When the fighting stopped, they opened the kilns again.

Thinking back to the white porcelain they had just seen, the hearts of Shang Yan and Zhao Xiuneng went cold.

Although they were not as professional as Lin Sicheng, they could at least conclude: the Jiexiu Kiln white porcelain and the Guzhen Kiln white porcelain had absolutely nothing to do with each other...

Hanging up the phone, seeing the two silent and looking hesitant, Lin Sicheng guessed seven or eight out of ten.

He was just about to explain, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back.

If he were to speak his true thoughts: sometimes, the words of an Expert are not necessarily entirely correct, even if they are an Expert from a Ministry.

It was not that he was arrogant or boundless in his conceit, nor that the Experts of the National Cultural Heritage Administration were unprofessional, but rather that the excavation took place so long ago, when conditions were limited.

In the eighties and nineties, how many scientific methods and instruments could actually be applied to archaeology?

Lacking technical support and scientific evidence for verification, it is not at all strange for conclusions to deviate, or even be completely opposite.