Chapter 261: Mutual Tolerance, Mutual Understanding

The LED screen at the municipal hotel flashed red text: Congratulations on the successful conclusion of the Northwest University Cultural Relics Restoration Center inspection.

The second-floor conference room was packed, and the host spoke with great emotion and fervor.

After the opening remarks, several leaders spoke, fully affirming the achievements of the inspection team's trip, as well as the assistance from provincial and municipal archaeological and cultural heritage departments; words of gratitude flowed out as if they were free.

Then it was Wang Qi Zhi's turn to speak; he only gave a formulaic two-sentence address, not even taking two minutes.

It was just like reciting from a book, devoid of any emotion, without a hint of a smile; even a fool could see his perfunctory, passive-resistant attitude.

Looking at those behind him, whether it was Huang Zhifeng, Tian Jie, Gao Zhangyi, or the archaeology team members and laboratory technicians, everyone from top to bottom had a dark face, as if someone owed them millions.

Sun Jiamu found it quite interesting.

Looking at it this way, Lin Sicheng went to find experimental samples, but presumably didn't find any?

Thinking this over secretly, after the meeting ended, Deputy Bureau Chief Zheng and Deputy Mayor Jiang grabbed Wang Qi Zhi's hand and spoke at length.

It was nothing more than talk about how there were reasons for what happened, to be understanding, that it was a collective decision, and that they had no choice.

Sun Jiamu watched from the sidelines with a cold eye: would someone uninformed think these two felt guilty and uneasy in their hearts?

Nonsense; it was nothing more than being wary of Wang Qi Zhi's status.

Wang Qi Zhi remained perfunctory, but even so, the three of them chatted for over twenty minutes.

Having finally finished chatting, Wang Qi Zhi rubbed his cheeks, which were tired from the fake smile, and walked over.

Sun Jiamu joked, "Professor Wang, your patience is growing, isn't it?"

Wang Qi Zhi just smiled.

To borrow a phrase from Lin Sicheng: do not move unless necessary; when you do, move with the force of a thunderbolt.

Seeking momentary satisfaction only makes the opponent infinitely more vigilant.

He changed the subject: "I heard today is a cold buffet, quite trendy; let's go over and have a taste!"

Sun Jiamu nodded inwardly: Not bad, he really has become much more composed than before.

The two walked downstairs side by side, and Sun Jiamu said, seemingly casually, "It's been almost a week, and Lin Sicheng hasn't returned; he didn't fail to find the samples, did he?"

"Doesn't that just happen to suit your wishes?"

Wang Qi Zhi was unconcerned, "Tell me first, if he ends up under you, what position will you arrange for him?"

"At the very least, a Group Leader! I'll discuss it further once Director Wu arrives to see which group he should specifically be responsible for..."

Halfway through, Sun Jiamu stopped abruptly: "Wait... did Lin Sicheng really not find the samples?"

Wang Qi Zhi answered with a question: "Division Chief Sun, no need to be so surprised. Logically speaking, it would be normal if he couldn't find them."

Reasonably speaking, that is indeed the case: they aren't Chinese cabbage; if you want some, you can just find any vegetable patch and dig up two sacks?

This is an ancient porcelain kiln site, and one that has been lost for a thousand years, with no ruins discovered to date, and palace Tribute Porcelain remains counted in single digits.

That Lin Sicheng could find five kiln sites in Hejin in less than half a year and excavate hundreds of Luanbai Jade artifacts and fragments had already left Sun Jiamu, Wu Hui, and the experts from the National Cultural Heritage Administration awestruck.

It is impossible that after being out for a mere week, he suddenly brought back hundreds of kilograms, or even a ton, of experimental samples?

This is not a human; this is a god.

But Sun Jiamu always felt something wasn't right: this kid Lin Sicheng is too monstrous; sometimes he cannot be measured by common sense.

Pondering this secretly, he subconsciously raised his head: "In that case, wouldn't Lin Sicheng have lost?"

Wang Qi Zhi was ambiguous: "You wouldn't be happy if he lost!"

Nonsense.

As long as he could get Lin Sicheng over, even if it were only for a few months, he could completely act as an absentee Manager and wouldn't even have to go to the construction site.

Sipping good tea every day, drinking a little wine, blowing the air conditioning—that life couldn't be better...

Sun Jiamu tried hard to keep a straight face: "Lin Sicheng wouldn't be deliberately hiding from me, afraid to come back, would he?"

"A word spoken is a nail driven into a wall." Wang Qi Zhi said half-jokingly, "Besides, you are a Division Chief from a Ministry, after all; unless he stops working in this line of business, even just to curry favor with you, he has to come back and give you an account!"

Curry favor is not the word, nor is it necessary, because Wang Qi Zhi's wife's surname is Shan.

But there will certainly be many, many areas for cooperation in the future.

Sun Jiamu pointed a finger at him, meaning for Wang Qi Zhi to speak properly.

"When is he coming back?"

"Today, it should be soon!" Wang Qi Zhi checked his watch, "He called before the meeting; he had already reached Heyang (a county under the jurisdiction of Weinan)."

"Heyang, he returned to Xijing? Huh, that's not right... just for this, to make such a long trip, and specifically choosing today?"

Sun Jiamu looked suspicious, glanced left and right, and lowered his voice, "He isn't coming to flip the table, is he?"

Heh... flip the table?

If he really wanted to flip it, I, his teacher, would have flipped it long ago; how would it ever be Lin Sicheng's turn?

"Rest assured, he's just coming to pick people up: the people were all brought by him; shouldn't he take them back when it's over?"

Wang Qi Zhi was calm, "Secondly, to talk to you face-to-face! Division Chief Sun, you are a Ministry cadre, after all; if he doesn't talk to you face-to-face, is he supposed to talk to you over the phone?"

Talk about what, joining the group?

It is indeed a bit disrespectful, but Sun Jiamu always felt something was not quite right.

Pondering secretly, the two entered the banquet hall.

It was called a cold buffet, but it was actually just a self-service meal, relatively simple and casual.

As soon as the two entered the door, Ren Xinbo and Wang Xiaoyi came up to greet them.

Ren Xinbo is a Division Chief at the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau and also a student of Shui Jisheng; they meet every few days. Wang Xiaoyi is no stranger either, the Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Institute of Archaeology. He was previously responsible for excavating the Old Kiln Head Ruins and would call Wang Qi Zhi and Lin Sicheng at the drop of a hat.

It seemed to be a one-on-one reception; the two had come specifically to accompany them, their attitudes respectful and their language polite.

Whether it was out of caution for Wang Qi Zhi's status or because they didn't want to make things too awkward, it was ultimately under the leaders' arrangements.

Wang Qi Zhi didn't want to make things difficult for them, so the smile on his face became more frequent and more sincere.

The group chatted and laughed as they got their food and found seats; just as they sat down, Wang Xiaoyi opposite them said, "Huh? Teacher Lin?"

Wang Qi Zhi subconsciously turned his head, a trace of a smile appearing on his face: Lin Sicheng had entered the restaurant, followed by Zhao Xiuneng.

The two walked with ease and natural expressions, but for some reason, the atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly changed: just a blink ago it was noisy and boisterous, but in an instant, the mood quieted down by several degrees.

Tian Jie, Gao Zhangyi, Huang Zhifeng, the Archaeology Team members, Data Clerk, Archivist, Laboratory Technician... all fifty or so people stood up.

It was as if they had suddenly found their backbone; their dejected faces brightened, and a glimmer of hope flickered in their pupils.

The rest of the people looked stunned; those who were laughing stopped their smiles, and those who were talking ceased their chatter: This atmosphere, isn't it a bit off?

Everyone present knew very well how this farewell party came to be today: strike while the iron is hot, mix the mud while the water is there, and finish off the loose ends as quickly as possible before Xijing and Xida could come to their senses.

Therefore, the day after the Guzhen Site was discovered, work was stopped. Two days in between were spent in meetings to discuss it, and after another two days, the farewell party was held.

As long as the inspection team was sent away, and as long as there was no scene made on the spot, everything that followed would be easy to handle; it would be nothing more than bickering and arguing.

In the end, Lin Sicheng, who had disappeared for nearly a week, suddenly popped up; he couldn't possibly have come specifically to eat this parting meal, could he?

Looking at the group under him, they clearly had the look of "if Lin Sicheng dares to give the word, they dare to flip the table."

But the application had already been submitted, the leadership had approved it, and an agreement had even been signed: from now on, they would have nothing to do with each other, and each would do their own Artifact Research.

What would be the point of coming to make a scene again?

While pondering this, Ren Xinbo instinctively stood up. But Tan Wu was faster than him, meeting them in two or three strides.

While still quite a distance away, he reached out his hand, his face full of apology: "Teacher Lin..."

Lin Sicheng shook it and smiled again: "Secretary-General Tan, no need to worry, I am not here to cause trouble!"

In an instant, the smile froze on Dan Wu's face; he even felt a bit unsure of how to respond.

"Teacher Lin is joking!" Tan Wu tried hard to squeeze out a smile, "Division Chief Sun and Professor Wang are over here, I will take you over!"

"No rush, I'll say a few words over here first!"

Over a hundred pairs of eyes converged like a spotlight, watching him walk toward Tian Jie's side.

He didn't greet them, just looked at them one by one, whether it was Tian Jie, Gao Zhangyi, Huang Zhifeng, or the team members and group members.

More than fifty people stood straight in the restaurant, no one speaking, the atmosphere indescribably eerie.

Ren Xinbo and Tan Wu exchanged a glance, and both simultaneously took out their phones, ready to report to the leadership at any time.

It was no wonder they were nervous: before, even if these people had complaints, at most their expressions would just be unpleasant.

But once Lin Sicheng arrived, they suddenly seemed like firecrackers stuffed with gunpowder, each one looking like they would explode at the slightest touch.

They had already acted dishonorably, and if these dozens of people were to make a huge scene today, would you believe it could turn into a National Level joke?

While the two were in shock and doubt, Lin Sicheng smiled: "Four months, over a hundred days and nights, you teachers have worked hard!"

The group remained silent.

Was it hard?

It certainly was a bit.

Lin Sicheng not only managed them strictly but also led by example: eating together, living together, arriving at work earlier than them, and leaving later than them; the team members felt embarrassed even if they wanted to slack off.

But the income was high: wages, bonuses, and subsidies combined, four months were worth more than the previous year.

They knew even better: this wasn't because the local area was being kind, but because Lin Sicheng had earned it for them with his real skills.

Not to mention anything else, if it were left to the locals, they would have to pay dozens or even hundreds of times the cost. And don't talk about four months; if given four years, could they even find these five sites?

Let alone the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, neither Department Head Wu nor Division Chief Sun would dare to guarantee that.

And don't talk about five sites; in the ten years prior, had they found even one?

It was equivalent to a group of people following Lin Sicheng to painstakingly plant trees and raise them to maturity. Just as the fruit was finally about to ripen, they were kicked away?

The previously agreed-upon phased bonuses and policy support were all being reneged on; wasn't this clearly bullying honest people?

The more they thought about it, the angrier they became, and the group steeled themselves: as long as Lin Sicheng dared to give the word, they dared to make a scene.

Just as they were secretly gritting their teeth, Lin Sicheng waved his hand again: "Relax, you can drink, whoever wants to drink can have a little, it doesn't matter if you get drunk. Otherwise, when we go back tomorrow, we have to start work the day after, and the next time we rest, it will be at least several months later..."

Someone sighed subconsciously: we are being kicked home tomorrow, what work is there to start?

Huh... that's not right?

Lin Sicheng said: go back tomorrow, start work the day after... that means work will only start after returning to Xijing?

Could it be that there is a new project?

But that's impossible: the Luanbai Jade hasn't even been figured out yet; even if there were a new project, it would have nothing to do with Lin Sicheng.

The group guessed wildly, and Gao Zhangyi truly couldn't hold back: "What project?"

"Of course it's the Luanbai Jade!" Lin Sicheng smiled: "What else could it be?"

Suddenly, everyone looked as if they had been stunned.

In the few days after Lin Sicheng left, they really didn't know where he had gone, so they could only guess. Plus, they were angry and had nothing to do, so the group became angrier the more they thought about it.

Seeing that the mood of the people below was becoming increasingly wrong, they figured they would really cause trouble if they didn't appease them. Several team leaders discussed it before revealing a little to them: Lin Sicheng had gone to find experimental samples.

But no one took it seriously.

The reason was simple: a monster like Lin Sicheng seemed to have opened his third eye, or even better, could divine the future, yet it still took him four months to find the Guzhen Site.

In just a few short days, where could he go to find enough experimental samples? Could he just conjure them out of thin air?

But suspicion is one thing, and Lin Sicheng saying it himself is another: having worked with him for so long, they knew exactly what kind of personality Lin Sicheng had.

Even if he had ten-tenths certainty, he would at most tell you: I only have seven-tenths.

Therefore, he must have found the samples...

Huang Zhifeng's eyes lit up: "How many are there?"

Lin Sicheng's tone was flat: "Enough to use, anyway!"

With a jolt, everyone felt as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

Having spent so long together, they firmly believed in one principle: no matter how impossible, no matter how difficult, as long as Lin Sicheng said he could do it, he would definitely be able to do it.

It's tiresome to say too much, but count them on your fingers: of these five sites in Hejin, which one wasn't difficult, and which one didn't seem like a miracle?

Therefore, as long as Lin Sicheng said it was enough, it was absolutely enough.

In an instant, Huang Zhifeng's eyes turned red, and the laboratory technicians and mechanics below were trembling with excitement, wishing they could let out a roar.

It wasn't that they lacked restraint; it was truly that they had been holding back this breath too stiflingly.

Tian Jie and Gao Zhangyi exchanged a glance: to say they weren't envious would be a lie.

But their divisions of labor were different, each having their own strengths, so they could only be envious. They couldn't exactly have a group of people doing exploration snatch projects from those doing experiments, could they?

Even if it were handed to them, they would just be staring blankly...

Just as they were sighing inwardly, Lin Sicheng smiled again: "Director Tian, Team Leader Gao, don't rush to report yet, and don't rush to dismiss everyone. Wait for me to discuss it with my teacher, and I'll find you something to do..."

Do what, be porters in the laboratory?

Just as he was mocking himself, Tian Jie was suddenly stunned: Wait... something didn't seem right?

If Lin Sicheng had really found enough experimental samples, then where did he find them?

It couldn't be something ready-made; otherwise, there should have been reports long ago.

Counting it over and over, there seemed to be only one possibility: Lin Sicheng had discovered a new site?

Uncontrollably, Tian Jie and Gao Zhangyi exchanged another glance, then turned their heads in unison to stare at Lin Sicheng.

Lin Sicheng nodded lightly: "The kind that can make it into top-tier journals!"

These few short words were like seven or eight hammers crashing down, leaving the two of them completely dazed: after discovering the Guzhen Site, even Lin Sicheng hadn't dared to say it would definitely make it into top-tier journals.

Unless all five sites were added together...

Looking at the two pairs of eyes that were about to pop out, Lin Sicheng pressed his hand down: "Eat first!"

Gao Zhangyi felt his face go numb, and his brain was ringing with "boom": "Okay... eat... eat..."

Tian Jie was slightly better; suppressing his palpitating heart, he nodded vigorously.

Lin Sicheng smiled again: "Everyone sit!"

He only said two words, but with a "rumble," the fifty or so people all sat back down in unison.

The onlookers were wide-eyed: orders followed like a flowing stream, words followed by immediate action—was this being run like an army?

Just how high was Lin Sicheng's prestige, and how strong was his management ability?

The key was the contrast between before and after: before Lin Sicheng arrived, everyone had gloomy faces, with dissatisfaction and anger written on their foreheads.

But once Lin Sicheng arrived, having said only three or five sentences, everyone was like they had picked up gold: high-spirited and beaming with joy.

So, what did Lin Sicheng say?

Sun Jiamu was also thinking about this question.

But laymen watch the excitement, while experts watch the technique; compared to that, what shocked him even more was the emotion brewing in their eyes: they would go through fire and water without hesitation!

Just because Lin Sicheng said a few words of comfort?

Bullshit!

Just as he was secretly guessing, several figures appeared at the restaurant entrance: Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying, with their secretaries following behind, supporting Shui Jisheng.

The necessary meetings had been held, the farewells had been made, and the necessary comforting had been done. The reception work had been nothing if not meticulous: almost one-on-one accompaniment. Thinking that the dust had settled, the two had stolen some time to relax and hadn't attended the banquet.

But just after returning to the office, before their seats were even warm, both received a phone call: Lin Sicheng had returned.

Upon seeing him, that bunch below was like they had eaten gunpowder, on the verge of a fight, ready to explode at the slightest touch...

At that time, the two of them had massive headaches, and after talking to each other, they had no choice but to have their secretaries invite General Engineer Shui.

Regardless of anything else, Lin Sicheng was still very respectful toward this old man.

But looking at it now: where was it as exaggerated as the subordinates had reported?

Their moods all seemed quite good, even better than a few days ago, chatting and laughing.

It didn't seem quite right, but regardless, as long as no trouble was caused, it was fine...

Feeling a secret sense of relief, the few of them entered the restaurant.

Lin Sicheng was just about to go to Wang Qi Zhi's table, but halfway there, he turned back.

"Teacher Shui, Director Zheng, Mayor Jiang..."

Shui Jisheng was stunned for a moment, staring at Lin Sicheng.

His face was smiling, his tone was gentle, and his eyes were bright and clear.

Having lived over eighty years, from the Beiyang era to the Republic of China, then to the founding of the nation, and the decades of turbulent winds and clouds that followed, what scenes had General Engineer Shui not experienced, and what kind of people had he not seen?

No matter how deep a person's hidden motives were or how high their self-restraint, they could control their expressions, their tone, and even their emotions, but they had no way to control their eyes.

A person who held anger or resentment in their heart could not have such clean eyes...

After looking for a long time, Shui Jisheng sighed: "Little Lin, you've been wronged!"

"Teacher Shui, you speak too seriously; it is all for the sake of work!"

Lin Sicheng replied, then smiled at Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying, "Two leaders, it is possible that we will be working together again before long; let us be mutually tolerant and mutually understanding!"

The two felt a stir in their hearts and exchanged a glance.

If they were to speak their true thoughts: they hoped that they would never have any dealings with Lin Sicheng again.

One could figure it out with their toes: how could a capable person be a soft persimmon?

Putting themselves in his shoes, if it were them, it would be impossible to just let it go like this. This had nothing to do with one's character, but rather the philosophy and principles of how to conduct oneself.

But the problem was, the Technology Authorization Agreement between the two sides had already been terminated; what else could they cooperate on?

(End of chapter)