Chapter 290: Teacher Lin, how could you do this?

The conference room was large, and the screen on the podium displayed a line of red text: Welcome Department Head Wu and the delegation from the National Cultural Heritage Administration to our city for guidance.

Jiang Chengying entered the conference room, and the Deputy Secretary-General of the City Government hurried to greet him.

"Mayor!"

Jiang Chengying nodded and sat down at the podium. Just after taking his seat, he felt something was off and scanned left and right.

He had a feeling, something was missing?

He remembered...

Jiang Chengying pointed at the table: "Where are the nameplates?"

"Mayor, I communicated twice yesterday. Department Head Wu's secretary said that the department leaders and experts attending the meeting today were not yet confirmed and never provided a list. I asked again this morning, and they still said it was uncertain, so we didn't set them out..."

Jiang Chengying pondered for a moment and said nothing more.

If the higher-level leaders didn't have nameplates, it wouldn't be appropriate for the host unit to set them out separately, so they simply didn't set any out at all.

He just found it strange: today was a coordination meeting, and the main leaders and heads of each group were definitely going to be there; it was basically impossible for there to be uncertainty about who could or could not come.

While he was thinking, there was a commotion at the door, and Zheng Ming entered with his secretary.

Jiang Chengying interrupted his thoughts and went to greet him: "Director Zheng..."

After exchanging greetings, the two chatted for a while, and the secretary whispered a reminder: "Director, in fifteen minutes, Department Head Wu and the experts should be leaving the hotel."

Zheng Ming checked his watch: "They should be here soon. Old Jiang, let's go down and pick them up!"

There were two Audis and one Coaster, but no one sat in the sedans; everyone got on the minibus.

The driver closed the door, and the group looked out: at the hotel entrance, Wang Qi Zhi was waving his hand incessantly.

Wu Hui and Lv Chenglong looked suspicious: "Little Lin, what's going on with your teacher?"

They had only parted ways in Xijing yesterday morning, but before the sun had even set, he had chased them all the way to Yuncheng. He claimed he had nothing to do and just wanted to see what treasures Lin Sicheng had picked up.

It was just two musical scores once collected by the Japanese Imperial Family; in terms of value, they were about the same as the two paintings Lin Sicheng had picked up at the auction, so there was no need for Wang Qi Zhi to make the trip himself.

Both of them suspected that Wang Qi Zhi was afraid they wouldn't protect Lin Sicheng well and had come to support his student.

But when asked to join the group, he wouldn't; when asked to attend the meeting, Wang Qi Zhi wouldn't go either?

Lin Sicheng told the truth: "I was afraid the items wouldn't be safe at the hotel and would be hard to look after, so I called to arrange for someone to drive over and pick them up. But my teacher was worried, so he came himself..."

"Your teacher is truly idle!" Wu Hui teased, "I thought he was going to attend the meeting, which caused the government office to not even have time to print the nameplates."

"Not knowing is also fine!" Lv Chenglong laughed along, "Saves the discomfort!"

Sun Jiamu glanced at Lin Sicheng and sighed inwardly: Discomfort? That's an understatement.

Among these people, he was the one who understood the situation most clearly, so he understood very well: once they met Lin Sicheng later, how bewildered the local leaders would be.

According to the original plan, Lin Sicheng was at least to be the Deputy Director General of this archaeological headquarters, either assisting Sun Jiamu in excavating the site, assisting Lv Chenglong in researching the Cultural Relics, or assisting both.

In fact, regardless of the title, he was the person in charge on-site for the project team; Sun Jiamu and Lv Chenglong were merely there in name to provide oversight.

However, the Cultural Relics Research Institute's ironware project was due for review at the end of the year, and they had to release a periodic results report by the eleventh at the latest. Deputy Director Ma was afraid of accidents, so after the two sides communicated, Lin Sicheng promised that as long as the Cultural Relics Research Institute had a need, he could go to Beijing at any time.

Consequently, he couldn't take this position as Deputy Director General, and like the other experts, he only held the title of technical advisor. Naturally, his name would not appear in the column for persons in charge or main experts.

Yet, the actual person in charge was still him: because whether it was excavation or research, they were still using the original team: Huang Zhifeng, Qin Tao (Researcher at the Restoration Center), Tian Jie, and Gao Zhangyi.

Even so, it shouldn't have left the local leaders in the dark, but as luck would have it, Wang Qi Zhi caused a bit of trouble. Lin Sicheng, who was supposed to attend the welcome banquet last night, didn't even show his face. This led to today's meeting, where no one's nameplates were printed.

Therefore, the local side still didn't know that Lin Sicheng was in the expert group. One can imagine the scene that would unfold later.

As these thoughts turned, the motorcade entered the government compound.

Lin Sicheng wanted to follow at the very back, but Wu Hui grabbed his arm, half-jokingly: "Killing someone is just a matter of a head-drop; it's a blade sooner or later, so better to face it early!"

Lin Sicheng was helpless and followed behind the two.

Seeing Wu Hui and Sun Jiamu, Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying's faces were filled with smiles. Seeing Lv Chenglong, their smiles grew even wider.

To be able to alarm experts from the Forbidden City, one could see the importance the National Cultural Heritage Administration placed on the Hejin Kiln?

From this, one could know the value of the Hejin Kiln Site?

But immediately, the two were stunned: Who is this, Lin Sicheng?

Why is he in the car... oh no, why is he here to attend the meeting?

It was no wonder the two were surprised: because from any angle, it was impossible for Lin Sicheng to appear in the National Cultural Heritage Administration's expert group.

In their astonishment, the experts got off the bus one after another, and the two hurried to greet them.

They had eaten together last night and were no strangers, so they just exchanged simple pleasantries.

Wu Hui introduced Lin Sicheng again: "Mayor Jiang, Director Zheng, this is Little Lin, now the technical advisor for the group; you know him too!"

More than just know him?

Without Lin Sicheng, the Cultural Relics Bureau's guidance group wouldn't have been able to get here.

Having been through much, the two had no lack of composure. Although they were shocked beyond belief and didn't know how Lin Sicheng had joined the group or what this advisor was advising, they still smiled and extended their hands.

"Teacher Lin, we meet again!"

"Greetings, leaders!" Lin Sicheng smiled very warmly, his attitude very humble, and he extended both hands, "Please continue to provide your guidance in the future."

Seeing this scene, Sun Jiamu suddenly remembered a conversation after Wang Qi Zhi got drunk while drinking together: Division Chief Sun, this student of mine is better than me; he can handle things and keep his cool.

Unlike me, rash and explosive, with everything showing on my face.

Looking closely again, one really couldn't see any unnaturalness on Lin Sicheng's face. It was as if these two people in front of him had never discarded him like a worn-out tool, and Lin Sicheng seemed to have forgotten all the unpleasantness.

Thinking back on what Lin Sicheng had done over the past two months, Sun Jiamu's eyelids couldn't stop twitching: Two leaders, I wonder if you will still be able to smile after you find out what happened at the meeting later?

Speculating inwardly, the group entered the conference room.

The main conference table was half-full, all of them heads of various departments from the city and county governments and the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau.

There was Division Chief Ren Xinbo from the Science and Technology Division of the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Director Yao Jianxin from the Ceramics Institute of the Provincial Cultural Relics Research Center, and even the leaders of Hejin City, along with Secretary-General Tan of the City (County) Government.

There were even more people below, with many cadres from the city and county-level culture and cultural relics departments having arrived.

Seeing the leaders enter the door, everyone stood up, and immediately, enthusiastic applause erupted in the meeting hall.

But as he clapped, Ren Xinbo was suddenly stunned: Who is this, Lin Sicheng?

He thought he hadn't put on his glasses and might have blurred vision, so he subconsciously turned his head.

Tan Wu was sitting next to him, even more bewildered than him: his two hands were suspended in mid-air, his face full of confusion.

Looking at Yao Jianxin on the other side, he looked like he had seen a ghost; his eyeballs were bulging, and his eyes were staring blankly.

That's right, it was Lin Sicheng.

But why was he in the expert group, and why was his position so far forward?

Counting again: first was Department Head Wu, second was Director Lu, third was Division Chief Sun, and he was ranked fourth. Even when they took their seats, they were arranged in this order. Behind Lin Sicheng followed a whole crowd of Deputy Division Chiefs, Directors, and well-known experts.

Does this mean he is also one of the persons in charge of the project team?

But as a Shaanxi native whose organizational affiliation is at Northwest University, he has nothing to do with the National Cultural Heritage Administration; how did he manage to sneak into the expert guidance group?

Furthermore, why didn't he appear at the welcome banquet last night?

Questions followed one after another, and for anyone who knew Lin Sicheng, their brains felt like they had been stirred into paste.

Subsequently, the meeting began.

Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying gave routine speeches and introduced the leaders of the guidance group.

Everything went smoothly at first, but when it was Lin Sicheng's turn, Zheng Ming suddenly didn't know how to introduce him.

Fortunately, after only a slight stumble, Zheng Ming remembered Lin Sicheng's position: "Northwest University Research Center, Consultant Lin Sicheng..."

Those who knew who Lin Sicheng was had expressions that were both surprised and strange. Those who didn't know him were all completely confused.

Those in front were either Department Heads or Division Chiefs, or Directors, or curators, or Researchers. They were either from the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Forbidden City, or the China Cultural Relics Research Institute.

But when it came to this one, he was suddenly from Northwest University, his position was Consultant, and the key was that he was also incredibly young.

Looking at the seating arrangement again, he was sitting next to Division Chief Sun, ranked higher than the Deputy Division Chief of the Archaeological Management Division of the National Cultural Heritage Administration?

Subsequently, Department Head Wu spoke. It was very brief; he was humble as usual and expressed a few words of thanks. Finally, he was direct: "Next, I invite Consultant Lin Sicheng, Special Consultant to the National Cultural Heritage Administration and Special Invited Expert of the China Cultural Relics Research Institute, to speak..."

After speaking, Wu Hui applauded as usual, followed by Lv Chenglong, Sun Jiamu, and the experts of the guidance group.

It is no exaggeration to say that the moment Wu Hui finished the introduction, the entire row on the left side of the main table was stunned, including Zheng Ming, who was sitting at the very front next to Department Head Wu.

Consultant, Special Consultant? Expert, Special Invited?

The key was that he was scheduled to speak immediately after Department Head Wu, skipping over Director Lu from the Forbidden City and Division Chief Sun from the Archaeological Management Division entirely.

Just as they were shocked beyond belief, Lin Sicheng adjusted the microphone: "Leaders, teachers, next I will introduce to everyone the excavation and research plan for the Song and Jin Dynasty porcelain kiln sites in Shanxi, hosted by the National Cultural Heritage Administration..."

No pleasantries, no rambling, straight to the point.

But the hearts of Zheng Ming and Jiang Chengying sank: If he is announcing the excavation plan, then which part is Lin Sicheng responsible for in the guidance group?

And how important must the work he is responsible for be, and how high must its weight be, to surpass Division Chief Sun and Director Lu?

The two were so busy being surprised that they didn't pay close attention: Lin Sicheng didn't say Yuncheng, and he didn't say Hejin, but "Shanxi."

The beginning was fine, as Lin Sicheng briefly talked about the process of discovering the Hejin Kiln. But suddenly, he started talking about the Huo Prefecture Kiln?

Actually, it wasn't sudden; Lin Sicheng was just following the timeline: Lao Yaotou, Beiwuqin, Guduo, Guzhen, and then Huo Prefecture.

But a crowd of locals felt as if a thunderclap had gone off on flat ground.

Wasn't this excavation supposed to be for the Hejin Kiln in YC City? How did a Huo Prefecture Kiln in LF City suddenly pop up?

Zheng Ming was stunned for a moment and interrupted directly: "Sorry, Teacher Lin, I didn't hear clearly just now: which kiln did you just say?"

Lin Sicheng paused: "LF City, Huo Prefecture Kiln in Huo Prefecture City!"

Jiang Chengying instinctively felt something was wrong, and his eyelid twitched: "Teacher Lin, when was this kiln discovered?"

"This discovery was relatively early. In 1950, the ancient ceramics expert Chen Wanli recorded during his inspection of Shanxi: Huo Prefecture white porcelain looks like Ding Kiln... Because conditions were limited at the time, no further investigation was conducted..."

"In 1977, the ancient ceramics expert Feng Xianming led a team to survey the Huo Prefecture kiln site, unearthing a 'sagger' from the 29th year of Zhiyuan and Yuan Dynasty fine white porcelain shards, confirming the location of the 'Peng Kiln' of the Jin and Yuan periods, which is today's Chen Village Kiln in Huo Prefecture City..."

"In early July, we re-examined it and simultaneously collected cultural relic samples. After research, we determined that the Chen Village Kiln fine white porcelain has a succession relationship with the Hutian Kiln Yingqing porcelain of the Northern Song Dynasty in Jingdezhen, and the fine white porcelain of the Hejin Kiln from the late Yuan and early Jin periods..."

Huh, that's not right, is it?

The farewell banquet for Lin Sicheng seemed to be on the 17th or 18th of July, yet he was re-examining the Huo Prefecture Kiln in early July; the timing doesn't match.

Hiss, no... before the welcome banquet, Lin Sicheng seemed to have disappeared for a week?

It was precisely during those days when Lin Sicheng was away that he and Jiang Chengying held an emergency meeting and set the tone...

In an instant, Zheng Ming felt his throat go dry.

"Teacher Lin, how large is the area of the Huo Prefecture Kiln?"

"After preliminary investigation, seventeen kiln furnaces and workshops were discovered, with an area of about 0.5 square kilometers. The raw material processing area, namely the washing pools and sedimentation pools, has twelve of each, with an area of about 0.2 square kilometers. And there are over fifty waste slag accumulation areas and ash pits, with an area of about 0.4 square kilometers..."

"Through drilling, the thickest layer of waste slag accumulation is 8.2 meters, and the shallowest is 1.6 meters, with the number of residual artifacts being 500,000 pieces or more."

"All fine white porcelain?"

"Of course not. The bulk is still coarse white porcelain for civilian use, but among them, there are three fine white porcelain kilns belonging to the Jin and Yuan periods, with a total area of nearly 0.1 square kilometers. And these three belong to the imperial tribute kiln system of the Jin and Yuan dynasties."

"Secondly, two Ming Dynasty fine white glazed carved flower colored porcelain kilns were discovered, with an area of about 0.05 square kilometers. These two were specifically fired for the Prince's Mansion in the north to use as mansion porcelain..."

There was a "buzz" in his mind, as if all his hair had stood on end; Jiang Chengying only felt his scalp go numb.

How much is 0.5 square kilometers? A full 500,000 square meters, totaling 750 mu. The six sites in Hejin, when added together, didn't even amount to 20% of this.

What is the concept of over fifty waste slag accumulation sites and about 500,000 white porcelain residual artifact samples?

Setting all of that aside, just speaking of three imperial kilns and two Prince's Mansion tribute kilns.

To this day, whether the Beijian Relic Site in Guzhen belongs to the Song Dynasty tribute kiln system is still open to question, yet Huo Prefecture has already discovered five?

Even though Jiang Chengying was steady enough, deep enough, and had a good enough mentality, the flesh on his face seemed to be out of control, twitching and twitching.

Teacher Lin, how could you do this?

(End of chapter)