Chapter 287: Two Pieces of Freshly Excavated Goods

"We do not have Sweet White Glaze, and we certainly do not have Eggshell Cups!"

"But we do have sample specimens of Song Dynasty Shadow Blue Porcelain, Jin Dynasty Hejin Porcelain, Hozhou Porcelain, Yuan Dynasty Egg White Glaze, and Qing Dynasty Dehua White, and there are enough of them."

"The craftsmanship and techniques of these types of porcelain are of the same lineage as Sweet White Glaze and Eggshell Cups; the differences lie only in the glaze color, body thickness, and light transmittance. As long as these four types of porcelain are thoroughly researched, one can follow the clues to find the source."

"In particular, the Yuan Dynasty Egg White Glaze and the Yongle Sweet White Glaze have a direct hereditary relationship, and their technical parameters are basically identical. It is just that the former is white, thick, and opaque. The latter is slightly greenish, thin, and semi-translucent. Using Egg White Glaze as a starting point for research, proving the craftsmanship of Sweet White Glaze is not difficult."

"Then there is Dehua White. Because of the 'Official Kiln Supporting Folk Firing' in the Ming Dynasty, the Dehua Kiln learned the craftsmanship of the Official Kiln's thin-body porcelain, which led to the Qing Dynasty Dehua Thin-Body Porcelain that is thin to the extreme and translucent to the extreme. That is also how we have the Dehua craft porcelain today that is thinner than paper and more translucent than gauze..."

"Using this as a starting point to trace back, one can research the craftsmanship of Eggshell Porcelain. Compared to Eggshell Porcelain, the only difference in Sweet White Glaze is that it is slightly thicker, which makes it even easier to trace..."

Lin Sicheng was calm and composed, speaking eloquently, while the group of experts remained silent.

At first listen, it did not sound very difficult, and theoretically, it was indeed feasible.

But the premise is that you must first argue and verify that the six types of porcelain—Hejin Porcelain, Hozhou Porcelain, Egg White Glaze, Sweet White Glaze, Eggshell Porcelain, and Dehua White—all have their craftsmanship and artistic origins in the Song Dynasty Jingdezhen Hutian Kiln Shadow Blue Porcelain.

And the most critical part of this is the discovery of the Hejin Kiln and Hozhou Kiln, and proving their hereditary relationship with the Hutian Kiln and Egg White Glaze.

This is what is meant by connecting the past to the future; without these two kilns and without sufficient samples, no matter how high the institutional level, how strong the research capability, or how many top experts there are, they could break their heads and still not be able to link Shadow Blue Porcelain with Sweet White Glaze.

That is the first point. The second is time and probability.

Starting from scratch and researching the hereditary relationship and technical characteristics of seven types of porcelain in less than half a year, and restoring the complete technical chain—the number of trial-and-error experiments is no longer in the thousands or tens of thousands, but thousands times thousands times thousands.

It is like a math problem with a one-in-a-million accuracy rate, yet Lin Sicheng answered with the only correct solution in a single second.

It is precisely because they are all insiders, and precisely because the experts know so much, that they are shocked.

But the items are placed right before their eyes; could they have been fabricated out of thin air?

Suddenly, the experts' enthusiasm and initiative dropped to the bottom: the craftsmanship had already been researched by Lin Sicheng to this extent; what else could they possibly research if they went to Hejin and Huo Prefecture?

The layout of the kiln factory, the structure of the furnace?

It was as if the meat had been eaten clean by Lin Sicheng, not even leaving a few mouthfuls of soup, just some dry bones.

But the higher-level units had arranged the work, so they had to go, even if it was just for a look around.

Lv Chenglong sighed: "Little Lin, after you finish, could you send us a copy of the technical data? We would like to study it as well."

"Of course!" Lin Sicheng nodded, "No need to wait until after; you can copy it today!"

Lv Chenglong was stunned for a moment: "Good!"

They were, after all, from the Forbidden City, and were long-established seniors; they would not stoop so low as to steal the research results of a junior like Lin Sicheng.

But Lin Sicheng did not hesitate at all, not even stuttering, which moved the experts.

It was not just trust; it was confidence and strength.

In a moment, the group went up to the third floor.

The third floor was the training room, and at Lv Chenglong's request, the tables were covered with the Center's internal Porcelain Restoration materials.

According to the plan, this was the second key item for the visiting group to see at Xida, besides the Shadow Blue Porcelain.

Because they were all very curious: Lin Sicheng did not even know which way the gate of the Forbidden City opened, and no one had ever taught him; how did he learn the Blue and White Porcelain Restoration technology that only the Forbidden City possessed?

As for what Wang Qi Zhi said—that Lin Sicheng relied on materials he requested from the Forbidden City and self-studied after getting some pointers from Zhao Laotai—no one believed it at all.

Lv Chenglong did not believe it, the experts did not believe it, and even the last remaining masters like Mr. Geng Baochang and Ms. Wang Liying did not believe it either.

If Blue and White Porcelain Restoration were that easy to learn, the streets would be full of ancient ceramic restoration experts.

But after visiting the second floor, the experts suddenly felt it was dull and uninteresting.

Not to mention the other five types, just take Sweet White Glaze and Eggshell Porcelain; no one had ever thought of researching their firing techniques. It was equivalent to having nowhere to learn and no materials to borrow, yet didn't Lin Sicheng restore them anyway?

At least there were materials and data for Blue and White Porcelain, and there was guidance from someone like Zhao Laotai, a descendant of top craftsmen from the Qing Dynasty Imperial Household Department. Compared to that, the difficulty had plummeted; it didn't seem strange that Lin Sicheng could learn it.

After thinking for a moment, Lv Chenglong waved his hand: "No need to look!"

The experts nodded in unison.

Wang Qi Zhi invited them again, saying they could visit his laboratory and provide some guidance on the Iron Artifact Anti-Rust Project, but the experts had little interest.

In that regard, Department Head Wu and Deputy Director Ma were the true experts. Even they were full of praise and convinced; what could a group of people who studied porcelain and Calligraphy and Painting possibly guide?

Lv Chenglong called Lin Sicheng to his side again: "The coordination that needed to be done has already been handled by Department Head Lv. As long as you and we arrive in Shanxi, the excavation project can start. Which day are you planning to leave?"

"It might take about a week!" Lin Sicheng calculated, "There is a large personnel transfer this time, and we will be gone for longer, so I must apply for coordination with the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, the Cultural Heritage Research Institute, and the Provincial Museum."

"Fine, a week it is!" Lv Chenglong nodded, then looked at Dan Guoqiang, "Director Dan, when will you talk?"

Dan Guoqiang smiled: "I'm not in a hurry!"

Talk about what?

Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi were confused, and the school leaders were even more baffled.

The group went downstairs; it was still early, just ten o'clock, so the experts returned to the hotel to rest.

Just after seeing them off at the school gate, the phones of Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi rang simultaneously: Dan Guoqiang and Lv Chenglong wanted to invite them both to dinner.

After speaking for a few moments and hanging up, the teacher and student suddenly realized:

No wonder Director Dan was responsible for the exhibition work at the Forbidden City, and his research direction was mainly Calligraphy and Painting and metal and stone inscriptions, having little to do with ceramics; why would he accompany Director Lv to visit Xida?

It turned out to be for the Xu Weili Documents?

Director Dan was preparing to discuss with Lin Sicheng about borrowing them for an exhibition at the Forbidden City through a rental arrangement. If Lin Sicheng had subsequent research plans and could cooperate with the Forbidden City on research, that would be even better.

If it were someone else or another institution, Lin Sicheng would not have hesitated in the slightest and would have refused on the spot.

But out of his understanding of the Forbidden City and his trust in Director Dan, he agreed.

Wang Qi Zhi couldn't be bothered to give an opinion: with him as a teacher, no one could swindle Lin Sicheng's items.

The sun rose as usual; it was another bright, sunny day.

Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi lifted the plaque and hung it up.

The other two were not changed; the first one was replaced. The brand-new long plaque still gave off the smell of paint: Xijing City Cultural Heritage Protection Center.

Compared to the previous one, three characters were missing: Beilin District.

This meant that the ceramic restoration project at the Northwest University Cultural Relic Restoration Center was officially included in the Xijing City Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Compared to the day of the unveiling, the commotion was so small it could be ignored: no celebration, no guests coming to offer congratulations, and there wasn't even a ribbon on the plaque.

Just a Deputy Bureau Chief from the Municipal Cultural Bureau and Deputy Bureau Chief He from the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau came to provide some guidance.

Silent and still, without a ripple.

And before anyone noticed, a photo had been added to the staff list of the Cultural Relics and Museology College Youth League Committee: Lin Sicheng, Director of the Cultural Relics and Museology College Innovation and Entrepreneurship Department.

In parentheses, staff member.

In his previous life, Lin Sicheng had been an Expert, worked as a Consultant, and even served as an Engineer. But he had truly never worked a job within the system.

He pondered for a moment: "Teacher, later on, if I stay in Beijing for a long time and don't return to the school for a year or a year and a half, will I be fired?"

"Fired?" Wang Qi Zhi let out a "hiss," "Lin Sicheng, what kind of good thing are you dreaming of?"

Unless you break the law or commit a principled political error, that day will never come.

"No matter where you are, you are still doing research, right? And every time you publish a thesis or produce a research result, the school's reputation and influence will grow a bit more; how could we possibly fire you?"

"Never mind a year or a year and a half, even if you don't show your face for ten or eight years, it wouldn't be a problem. Furthermore, your salary will be paid as usual, bonuses will be given, and the corresponding support and guarantees will not be lacking."

That was true.

It was what they called complementing each other and mutually benefiting.

He nodded: "I'm setting off for Shanxi the day after tomorrow; I'll have to trouble you with the Center, Teacher!"

Wang Qi Zhi didn't care at all: "Rest assured! For the first half of the year, you and General Manager Zhao were away, and Shang Yan and I were away too, didn't it run perfectly fine?"

With Lin Zhangqing there and the school keeping an eye on things, and with the new people from the Municipal Cultural Bureau and Cultural Relics Bureau sitting in to coordinate, there was absolutely no need to worry.

"According to your estimate, how long will this trip to Shanxi take?"

"With six ruins of various sizes, the excavation cycle will certainly be very long, at least a year, or maybe two or three! But I am only a Technical Consultant, just there to offer advice; I won't stay long, and I don't need to be stationed there."

He was indeed just a Technical Consultant, but it was by no means as Lin Sicheng said—that he was just going to offer a bit of advice.

To put it bluntly, the technical projects related to these two ruins had already been developed by Lin Sicheng to over eighty percent. The only things left were the kiln furnace structure and the influence and role of local culture in the spread and evolution of the craft.

Projects like this, which had little technical content and negligible influence, would be beneath the notice of the Forbidden City and the Cultural Relics Research Institute even if they looked with their eyes closed.

Even if he went, it would just be to make an appearance and show the importance the higher-level units placed on this project; the research aspect would still be handled by Lin Sicheng and the original team.

But what could be researched had basically been studied thoroughly by Lin Sicheng, and even the craft had been completely restored by him. What remained was merely verifying things as the ruins were excavated: verifying the craft origins of Hejin Porcelain and Hozhou Porcelain, the spread of technology, and the craft connections with Song Dynasty Shadow Blue Porcelain and Yuan Dynasty Egg White Glaze.

This bit of work didn't need Lin Sicheng at all; the Center's core Researcher Qin Tao could do it, not to mention the original research team led by Professor Huang Zhifeng.

Since the focus wasn't there, there was no need to occupy the latrine without doing the business.

Moreover, time didn't allow it: at the latest by the National Day holiday, the Cultural Relics Research Institute had to release the research report on BTA Recompounding Technology. Before then, Deputy Dean Ma could invite him to Beijing at any time to provide guidance on the institute's verification experiments.

Therefore, Lin Sicheng rejected Department Head Wu's proposal and did not serve as Deputy Director General of the project headquarters, only symbolically serving as a Technical Consultant.

"Alright, go early and come back early!"

Wang Qi Zhi was a bit worried and gave a piece of advice, "Don't be too shy."

Lin Sicheng was stunned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: Is this what you call shy?

He even suspected that when he got to Shanxi, he might get bagged and beaten.

"I'm not talking about the locals, I'm talking about those experts!"

Wang Qi Zhi guided him patiently, "People like Deputy Director-General Lv, Deputy Dean Ma, and Director Lv are not only leaders but also authoritative scholars in the field of archaeology and cultural relics. If nothing goes wrong, this is the path you will walk in the future, so don't be bashful; ask when you should ask, and learn when you should learn!"

Lin Sicheng realized: "Teacher, I understand!"

As soon as he finished speaking, with a "buzz," Lin Sicheng took out his phone, and the screen displayed a message from Lv Chenglong: Little Lin, we are planning to leave a day early to stroll around Xiezhou Guandi Temple; would you like to come along?

His teacher had just finished giving him an educational lecture; could he still say he wasn't going?

Lin Sicheng replied with one word: Go!

The sky wasn't very clear; it was bleak, dismal, and misty.

It wasn't a holiday or a festival, nor was it a temple fair, so there weren't many tourists in the Guandu Temple. After eating lunch, the fat boss covered himself with a blanket and dozed off on a recliner.

In his half-asleep state, a somewhat familiar voice reached his ears:

"Director Lv, back then, it was right here that I discovered the fine white porcelain shards."

"And there was Tianqi Blue and White Porcelain?"

"Yes!"

At the mention of Tianqi Blue and White Porcelain, a young face appeared in his mind, and the fat boss instinctively opened his eyes.

One old and one young, the old one about fifty, the young one in his early twenties, were standing in front of the stall.

With just one look, the fat boss recognized him: "Eh, Boss Lin?"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Boss, you still recognize me?"

"Recognize you, how could I not?"

A few broken porcelain shards sold for three thousand yuan; his impression of Lin Sicheng couldn't be deeper.

"I haven't seen you for a long time; I thought you had gone out of town?" The fat boss hurriedly stood up, his face full of smiles, "I contacted Boss Zhao twice, and he always said you were busy."

It wasn't that he had gone out of town, but that he was an outsider to begin with.

However, Lin Sicheng could speak Taiyuan dialect and also the Jinnan accent, so the fat boss couldn't tell.

The fat boss had indeed contacted Zhao Xiuneng, saying he had found two good items, but they had been in Beijing during that time.

This time, when they arrived in Yuncheng, Lv Chenglong said he wanted to stroll around Xiezhou Guandi Temple, and Lin Sicheng remembered.

"I have indeed been a bit busy!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "So as soon as I got back, I came to see you!"

"It's a good thing Boss Lin came in time; if you had been two days later, I would have sold the items!"

The fat boss looked left and right, "You two sit down first, I'll be right back!"

As he spoke, he pulled out two small stools and gave a sneaky wink.

Lin Sicheng nodded, indicating he understood.

Watching the fat boss's sneaky back as he looked over his shoulder every few steps, Lv Chenglong looked suspicious: "Just how much did you let the boss take advantage of you for him to set you up like this?"

"Actually, it wasn't much. The first time I spent three thousand to buy over ten pieces of porcelain, and the second time I spent one thousand five hundred to buy five large baskets of locally produced blue and white porcelain from the Republic of China!"

"All porcelain shards?"

"All porcelain shards!"

Lv Chenglong couldn't help but laugh: "You paid that much?"

Not to mention here, even in Panjiayuan or Liulichang, how many stall owners know that blue and white porcelain was actually fired during the Tianqi reign?

Let alone recognizing any Jinhe Fine White Porcelain.

A customer who spends thousands to buy a few rotten porcelain shards is something you don't encounter once in ten years; the boss just treats Lin Sicheng as a sucker. As long as he encounters any item that looks halfway decent, he thinks of him immediately.

After a few jokes, the fat boss returned, now wearing a Wind trench coat. Both hands were shoved into the coat pockets, and his chest was bulging.

He was still acting sneaky, looking over his shoulder every step he took.

Neither of them paid any mind, assuming the fat boss was still playing his games.

Arriving at the stall, the fat boss looked around left and right again, and only after confirming no one was passing by for the moment did he unbutton his trench coat.

It was a box, not large, wrapped in cloth on the outside. But the fat boss didn't take it out directly; instead, he covered it with the corner of his coat.

Opening the lid and then lifting the top layer of sponge, Lin Sicheng and Lv Chenglong were both stunned.

Two pieces of Raw Pit Goods!

(End of chapter)