Chapter 262: Calculated Strategy

Just as they had treated Wang Qi Zhi before, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying pulled Lin Sicheng aside to offer a good round of appeasement.

But for some reason, the more the two spoke, the more uncomfortable they felt.

No matter what the two said, Lin Sicheng remained polite, gentle, and humble, responding with flawless composure.

It was like throwing a punch with all one's might, only to have it land entirely on cotton.

Shui Jisheng watched coldly from the sidelines, unable to stop sighing: It wasn't that Lin Sicheng wasn't annoyed or angry, but that he knew he could pay it back immediately, so he was exceptionally patient.

Otherwise, why would he be guarding against you two as if you were thieves?

From beginning to end, his words carried only one meaning: understanding, tolerance, and support.

To translate: If you can do this, then I can do it too; it's just a matter of time.

Both were shrewd men; halfway through, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying caught the drift. But what they couldn't figure out was: how would Lin Sicheng pay it back?

However, one thing was certain: even if he did, it would be later; at the very least, there would be no more scene-making today.

In a flash, the two exchanged a glance, and General Engineer Shui thought for a moment: "Little Lin, what do you mean by cooperation?"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Naturally, the Luanbai Jade!"

The two were stunned in unison: What the hell is that?

They had asked Division Chief Sun, asked General Engineer Shui, and even consulted the most authoritative Artifact Research institutions in the country, and not just one.

For something already sentenced to death, what value was there in cooperation?

Thinking about it this way, did it feel like Lin Sicheng was just blowing hot air?

Just as they were secretly pondering, Lin Sicheng pointed to the dining table: "Teacher Shui, two leaders, shall we eat something together?"

Fearing further trouble, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying felt it would be better if they didn't stay here.

The two smiled: "Please go ahead, Teacher Lin!"

After shaking hands again, Lin Sicheng turned and walked toward the dining table, while Zheng Ming smiled at Shui Jisheng: "Teacher Shui, I'll have to trouble you!"

Shui Jisheng sighed: At the very end, he still had to clean up this mess himself?

If he had known, he should have played deaf and dumb from the start.

He nodded and walked into the dining room, leaning on his cane.

He didn't take any food, just had his Assistant pour him a glass of water.

Lin Sicheng glanced over: So they were using the old man as a stabilizing force?

Let them be; he had never intended to cause a scene anyway, if he wanted to, he would have done it long ago...

Ren Xinbo and Wang Xiaoyi had left the dining room, presumably called away to be questioned about the specifics, while Sun Jiamu and Wang Qi Zhi chatted while they ate.

"Lin Sicheng is capable; his temperament is steady enough!"

"It's just too steady!" Wang Qi Zhi sighed, "He doesn't look like a young man in his early twenties at all!"

"Do you want him to be more lively, as flighty as you?"

Halfway through, a hint of suspicion flashed in Sun Jiamu's eyes, "Speaking of which, how did you suddenly change your nature? Don't tell me you learned it from your student?"

Wang Qi Zhi glared: "I am his teacher!"

"Heh, so what if you're his teacher? There are plenty of teachers who aren't as good as their students..."

After that retort, Sun Jiamu lowered his voice, "Tell me, does Lin Sicheng have some kind of backup plan?"

Wang Qi Zhi didn't make a sound.

In fact, anyone with a bit of sense could see: if he were truly the type of person whose character was as soft as mud, someone who could be molded by others, how could Lin Sicheng have kept dozens of people so obediently in line?

Let alone Huang Zhifeng, Tian Jie, and Gao Zhangyi, he wouldn't even be able to control those thirty members of the Archaeology Team.

Since he wasn't a soft persimmon to be squeezed by others, it was impossible for him to let this matter go as if it never happened.

Just look at one point: would he continue to lead the team in the future, and would he still cooperate with people like Huang Zhifeng and Tian Jie?

Look at those people again: a blink ago they were filled with righteous indignation, dying to start a brawl. But after a little appeasement from Lin Sicheng, they were all beaming with joy, their eyes shining?

Seeing Wang Qi Zhi not speaking, Sun Jiamu poked him with his chopsticks.

"He only said he wanted to talk to you face-to-face; as for what exactly he's talking about, I really don't know..."

Halfway through, Wang Qi Zhi tilted his chin: "He's here!"

As the words fell, Lin Sicheng walked over. He was carrying a tray, piled as high as a mountain, swaying, all meat.

Sitting down at the lower seat, he smiled first: "Division Chief Sun, Teacher!"

Sun Jiamu was stunned for a moment: Is he really that shy?

Just from that smile, those who didn't know him would think: this kid is not only introverted but also timid.

But could an introverted person manage dozens of rowdy men like an army?

He sighed: "Lin Sicheng, what are you planning to talk to me about?"

Seeing Lin Sicheng straighten his back, Sun Jiamu waved his hand: "Don't be a stranger, eat your food, talk while you eat!"

Indeed, there was no need to be a stranger; after all, they had been eating from the same pot for nearly two months.

Lin Sicheng followed suit and picked up his chopsticks: "Department Head Wu's flight is the day after tomorrow, right? Division Chief Sun, don't look at me, Teacher told me."

"I would like to invite you and Department Head Wu to visit the Center first, just to see the Luanbai Jade... um, we found some more samples this time, about a ton!"

Sun Jiamu had just picked up his water glass; his hand couldn't help but shake, and his eyes widened like light bulbs.

Lin Sicheng knew Department Head Wu was coming the day after tomorrow; he wasn't surprised, because he was the one who told Wang Qi Zhi.

What surprised Sun Jiamu was the Luanbai Jade.

If it were anyone else, he would have sneered: This isn't Chinese cabbage; this is ancient Tribute Porcelain that has been lost for a thousand years, and there aren't even a few pieces in the Museum.

And you, you find a ton of it... isn't that just talking nonsense?

But when he thought of the process by which Lin Sicheng found Guduo and the Guzhen Site, the words on the tip of his tongue were forcibly swallowed back by Sun Jiamu.

Shanxi had no famous kilns, let alone famous porcelain... this had been the consensus from the Qing Dynasty to the present, for nearly four hundred years.

But it was stubbornly broken by Lin Sicheng: not only were there famous porcelains, they were Tribute Porcelain, and more than one type: Poetry Porcelain Pillow, Three-color Glazed Pottery Pillow, and Luan Bai Yu Ci.

Especially these five kiln sites; there are no markers on the surface, it's just like looking for a Needle in a haystack. Could Lin Sicheng have found them by luck?

Sun Jiamu let out a sharp breath: "Lin Sicheng, one ton?"

"Yes, maybe even a little more!"

That would be over a ton, or perhaps even two tons?

Intuition said it was unlikely; Sun Jiamu really wanted to ask where they were found.

But after thinking about it, he didn't ask.

This had nothing to do with trust, but rather that the place was inappropriate.

He thought for a moment: "After seeing the samples, what do you want me and Department Head Wu to do?"

"Mainly to ask Division Chief Sun and Department Head Wu to provide some guidance!" Lin Sicheng grinned: "Secondly, didn't Division Chief Sun promise to help us recommend journals and help us with our World Heritage Application? Shouldn't you go and understand the situation in advance?"

Sun Jiamu was stunned for a moment before he remembered the bet he had made with Lin Sicheng: if Lin Sicheng lost, he would work as a long-term laborer for him. If he lost, he would help Lin Sicheng pull strings.

But was it too early to talk about winning or losing at this point?

Firstly, the tons of samples Lin Sicheng mentioned were still in doubt: in just one week, where did he find them?

Secondly, just because there are samples doesn't mean one can definitely restore lost craftsmanship. Even if it could be restored, the research time would have to be counted in "years."

For example, the Five Great Kilns, for example, Longquan Kiln, Dehua Kiln, and Jian Kiln; the sites are complete enough, and the samples are numerous enough, right?

Every one of them was led by national-level institutions with multi-institutional collaborative research, and the shortest one, the Jian tea bowl, took two years.

And how long has Lin Sicheng been researching?

Counting from the day he first arrived in Shanxi, it has only been four months...

"I know, that's why I'm inviting Division Chief Sun and Department Head Wu to come and take a look. Firstly, to ask the two leaders for guidance, and secondly, to see for yourselves how likely we are to restore the craftsmanship!"

"Division Chief Sun, don't worry, it won't delay you for many days, at most two or three. By then, I'll have my teacher treat you and Department Head Wu to some old Moutai, at least ten years old..."

Lin Sicheng gestured, his tone relaxed, "And it definitely won't be a wasted trip: after the visit, Division Chief Sun, I'll do whatever you tell me to do. You tell me how long to work for free, and I'll work for that long; I'll do anything."

Huh, doesn't this mean Lin Sicheng is admitting defeat in advance?

Sun Jiamu was half-doubting: "That good?"

"Of course!" Lin Sicheng said decisively, "My teacher will testify!"

Sun Jiamu pondered for a moment: it wasn't time for guidance yet, and he estimated that Lin Sicheng didn't need their guidance anyway; furthermore, he and the Department Head didn't have the time.

He guessed this kid wanted to show off his strength: after all, the Cultural Relics Bureau is a national bureau and is managed by the Ministry of Culture. When it comes to World Heritage Application, especially applying for cultural relic craftsmanship projects, the Cultural Relics Bureau has a lot of say.

Conversely, Xijing is only about two hundred kilometers away from here, not very far; letting the Department Head take a slight detour wouldn't delay them for many days.

If he could pick up a capable assistant who was easy to use just by taking a detour on the way, why not?

Of course, it wasn't without doubts: he felt Lin Sicheng was making promises too easily.

Before, when he and the Department Head just mentioned it, this kid flatly refused. This time, not only did he offer it up himself, but he also said "use me as long as you want, use me however you want"?

What, is he not going to manage that Center of his anymore?

But then again: being able to use him for free for a day is a day gained...

After a moment's thought, Sun Jiamu nodded: "I'll go with you tomorrow, I need to ask the Department Head for instructions on this side!"

"Thank you, Division Chief Sun!"

"No need to thank me!" Sun Jiamu said solemnly, "Remember what you said!"

Lin Sicheng patted his chest: "Division Chief Sun, don't worry, I will definitely work hard then, and I will never slack off!"

There was no need to worry about that point.

Having observed him for two months, if Sun Jiamu had to tell the truth: even a donkey on a production team couldn't work as hard as Lin Sicheng.

What he was worried about was this kid playing tricks.

Of course, he was definitely going to go; even if Lin Sicheng hadn't mentioned those conditions later, even in a private capacity, Sun Jiamu would have made the trip.

At the very least, he had to go and see if it was as Lin Sicheng said, that he had found tons of Luan Bai Yu Ci.

If so, then he must figure out where he found them...

In the blink of an eye, Ren Xinbo and Wang Xiaoyi returned to the restaurant, and the group changed the subject.

After the banquet ended, Sun Jiamu reported to Wu Hui, and as expected, Department Head Wu agreed immediately.

Out of respect, he also informed Ren Xinbo. He didn't mention anything else, only saying one thing: go to Xijing to see how Lin Sicheng is restoring Luanbai Jade.

Ren Xinbo was confused, and after reporting to the leaders, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying were even more baffled.

Relying only on those few Cultural Relics collected in the early stages, how could Lin Sicheng restore them?

The two leaders also had nothing better to do: there was simply no need to see it.

Only the General Engineer felt as if a loose thread had appeared in his mind, flickering in and out, but he couldn't grasp it no matter what.

He even had a bad premonition: it seemed like something bad was going to happen...

PS: Gentlemen, I humbly ask for a monthly ticket.

Thank you!

(End of this chapter)