Chapter 391: Even More Impossible

As if unable to believe it, Yan Zhidong started looking from the beginning again: original score, dance figure illustration, cultural relic photograph, literature research—and finally, the finalized dance posture diagram.

Setting aside whether this could shock historians and artists in the future, Yan Zhidong felt his own jaw was about to drop. Because the more professional one is, the more clearly one understands how difficult this is.

Take these three Talismans for example: the dot, the vertical stroke, and the command.

Deciphering these three Talismans is not difficult; anyone who understands ancient music and dance knows these three Talismans represent "dun" (pause), "cuo" (rub), and "yao" (shake). But translating the symbols is useless; you must continue to analyze what kind of posture this "dun" is: is it a single-dun (one foot) or a double-dun (both feet), a duan-dun (vertical) or a jiao-dun (interlocking formation), a xu-dun (toe) or a shi-dun (sole)?

Beyond these, there are the dance postures that other parts of the body must coordinate with: is it mai (advancing) or zhuai (retreating), is it ding (whole body upright) or qu (bent), is it tilted upward or inclined?

One must even analyze the beat and determine the duration. It can be said that for just one "dot," there are at least a hundred types of dance postures under that entry. The same goes for "heart" and "I," and there are even more than for the "dot."

Then, the problem arises: the combination of these three Talismans is not "1+1+1", but three chosen from three hundred.

What is the probability? One in four million four hundred and fifty thousand.

If you want to verify it through literature and historical materials, don't even calculate too much; if one option involves one hundred historical records, what is four million four hundred and fifty thousand times one hundred? All the materials would be more than enough to fill a medium-sized library. Come on, is one year enough for you?

Therefore, ninety-nine percent of dance score translations, or rather, restorations of ancient music and dance, are speculative restorations.

Because there are too many possibilities, it is impossible to verify them one by one.

So, the dance posture diagram before his eyes is not at all what Li Jingting thought—that Lin Sicheng inferred it through cultural relic photographs and literature and finally translated it. Rather, he first chose the correct answer from four million four hundred and fifty thousand options, and only then began to compile the supporting materials.

Looking again at that dance posture diagram, as well as those cultural relic photographs and index materials, Yan Zhidong felt a sense of déjà vu, as if watching someone spend two yuan to win five million, and then start making up reasons for why they were certain that this specific set of numbers would come up today.

The key is that there is not just one here, but twenty-four in total.

It is equivalent to someone spending forty-eight yuan, winning the first prize of the welfare lottery twenty-four times in a row, and then inventing twenty-four theories for winning.

Does this count as a miracle?

What is even more amazing, and what makes people unable to wrap their heads around it, is that the reasons he made up are also fucking impeccable?

Seeing him motionless, as if stunned, Li Jingting was both surprised and amazed: "Director, is it hard to believe?"

Yan Zhidong subconsciously shook his head: This is not a question of whether one dares to believe it, but that it is fundamentally impossible.

The problem is, the thing is sitting right in front of his eyes?

He pondered for a long time: "This score, someone must have helped him translate it!"

Li Jingting was taken aback for a moment, then sighed: "At first, I thought the same thing, until he translated to the third one..."

As he spoke, he flipped backward, turning seven or eight pages in a row.

When his hand stopped, Yan Zhidong's eyes narrowed again.

It was still a photocopy of the ancient score, though it was much clearer, without smudges, and there were many more characters.

But except for "shoe", it was all "shoe".

Looking at the score again, it was actually a pure Talisman score, without a single Chinese character annotation?

How can this be translated?

Flipping further back, it was still cultural relic photographs, research literature, and finished dance posture diagrams?

No, there was an extra one: Talisman-to-Chinese character comparison.

Yan Zhidong opened his eyes wide: This was the first time he knew that Talismans he had only seen in ancient books before, but whose meanings he had absolutely no idea about, actually represented body parts, directions, and angles?

Even one-third of them, he had never even seen before?

And Lin Sicheng translated every single one of them without missing any, and even provided supporting materials?

Come, let me ask again: who helped him translate this score?

It is not that Yan Zhidong is boasting, but in the field of classical dance, he can fully be called an authoritative scholar. Let alone so many appearing at once, even if only one previously undeciphered Talisman were suddenly translated by someone, he would be the first to receive the news.

Since even he has never heard of it, then it does not exist.

Then what is this comparison table in front of him, did Lin Sicheng just make it up?

Impossible.

It is not that Yan Zhidong does not recognize all the Talismans; he only does not recognize some of them.

What's more, there are also dance posture and footwork diagrams; combining them and inferring from top to bottom, the dance posture diagram Lin Sicheng finally finalized is infinitely close to the correct answer.

For a moment, Yan Zhidong did not know what to say.

Just the fact that "the 'Six Yao' score, which was lost after the Tang Dynasty, actually still has dance postures preserved in the Ming and Qing Dynasties" is enough to cause a sensation in the industry. If you add "lost Talismans have all been deciphered" and "Tang Dynasty 'Six Yao' is about to reappear in the world," how much of a sensation would that cause? While thinking, Yan Zhidong suddenly laughed.

Li Jingting looked at him, confused.

"Old Li, do you remember his teacher saying: besides 'Six Yao', this kid has other ancient scores?"

Li Jingting recalled: That Professor Wang did indeed say that, and it seemed like quite a few?

There was Tang Dynasty Yan Music, there were Yuan Dynasty Palace Dance Dramas, and even more Ming Dynasty Folk Dance (Ming Dynasty Palace Elegant Music), and it seemed many were lost versions. At the time, he felt that Professor Wang did not seem very reliable, so he took it as bragging.

But thinking about it now, could Lin Sicheng's ability to be this professional be innate?

Looking at him frowning, Yan Zhidong smiled again: "Old Li, are you thinking that this kid doesn't need your guidance at all, and that him guiding you in return would probably be enough? Why go to all the trouble, spending favors and money, to invite you to the song and dance troupe to provide guidance?"

Having known each other for many years, Li Jingting did not deny it and nodded.

Not to mention anything else, just the fact that Lin Sicheng could translate so many Talismans he had never even seen, Li Jingting had to offer his praise.

Yan Zhidong sighed: "This kid wants to plant a flag!"

Plant a flag, plant what flag?

Huh, no...

Li Jingting's eyes widened bit by bit: Establish a sect?

No... how old is he?

Yan Zhidong shook his head: "Establishing a sect is not quite it, otherwise he would have just done it: with this Talisman table, publishing a few theses, and making a few headlines, there would be plenty of journals and newspapers fighting for it. He wants to open his own shop..."

Li Jingting stared: Isn't that the same thing?

If he dares to open a shop, he will eventually dare to establish a sect.

It might not even take a few years.

A twenty-something-year-old art history scholar, an expert in the history of ancient music and dance—just thinking about it feels thrilling.

However, how could it be that easy?

Although this track is niche, it is not obscure, and the state invests massive amounts of capital into it every year.

But those who can research and produce results each year can be counted on one hand. The reason is one word: difficult...

While secretly pondering, Li Jingting sighed: "Then, Director, are we still going tomorrow or not?"

"Go, why wouldn't we go? But there is no reason to let people order us around for nothing, is there?"

Yan Zhidong nodded, "After you go tomorrow, talk to him: if he wants you to help him stand on stage, that's fine, but at least a Taoli Copper Cup (National Dance Colleges Joint Competition)... If you can get a Wenhua Cup (Ministry of Culture), a Lotus Award (National Dance Association), or the CCTV Television Dance Competition, I will help him stand on stage, even for a bronze one will do..."

Li Jingting froze, his face looking strange: are National Level awards that easy to get?

Even if it is just a bronze award.

Unless the entire Six Yao Score is completely restored.

But if it is given to Beijing Dance Academy, what will the Song and Dance Troupe do?

"Director, won't Lan Laotaitai take a knife and kill someone?"

"Rest assured, that kid has a way. Otherwise, could he have just casually let you take out a draft that hasn't even been finalized yet?" Yan Zhidong laughed, "This is called Jiang Taigong fishing, the willing take the bait..."

Li Jingting was half-doubting: is it true or false?

After interacting for a day, he didn't feel that Lin Sicheng had such deep schemes?

Yan Zhidong just smiled: this has nothing to do with schemes, but rather ambition.

Or to put it another way: ambition...

The clock pointed to eight o'clock, and the Dongfang Building was brightly lit.

Outside the Editor-in-Chief's office, it was full of people, whether they were choreographers, team leaders, or even Group Leaders and Troupe Leaders. Without exception, they all held thick Folders in their hands. No need to guess, it was either a choreography plan or a project proposal.

After waiting for a while longer, the door was pushed open, and the Troupe Leader of the Second Troupe and the Editor-in-Chief walked out, both of them looking sheepish with flushed faces.

No need to think, the work had been rejected, and they had been lectured.

Too busy to exchange greetings, just nodding, Liu Hao and Cheng Nianjia entered the office.

Lan Ling and Xiao Yinan were facing each other, seemingly discussing something; seeing the two who entered, they were clearly stunned for a moment.

That's not right, weren't these two supposed to go help Jing Zeyang with choreography? They couldn't have finished it in one day, could they?

Even if Li Jingting is professional, it is impossible to be this fast. Not to mention, they still have to translate the score first; let alone choreographing, even if they didn't translate much, it would be good if they could finish the preparatory work within a week.

The two straightened their backs, and Editor-in-Chief Lan pinched the bridge of her nose: "Did something go wrong?"

Something did indeed go wrong, but the two didn't know how to say it: mainly because they were afraid that if they said it, the Editor-in-Chief and the Vice Editor-in-Chief wouldn't believe them.

The two looked at each other, and Liu Hao placed the Folder on the table.

"Editor-in-Chief, President Xiao, you two take a look at this first!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yinan took a glance first: quite thick, about fifty or sixty pages, and one could smell a faint scent of ink; it was clear it had just been printed. Opening it to look, a line of text caught her eyes: Six Yao Score restoration, first section, Ru Po.

Instinctively, Xiao Yinan's eyelids twitched: was it really translated?

Lan Ling was also stunned: just looking at the thickness, it was clear this was more than just one or two sets of dance postures.

But it was impossible.

Let alone Li Jingting, even if Yan Zhidong came, it would be impossible...

While secretly pondering, Lan Ling flipped further, opening the cover, and a picture of a dance posture caught her eyes.

Huh, isn't this Yu Jingsi from the Third Troupe?

The three troupes of ancient music and dance each have three teams, adding up to only nine teams. Each team has an A and B lead, which is only eighteen leads in total. They wouldn't not recognize the pillars of their own troupe.

But the point is not this, but this dance posture: the name is "Bending Waist Contemplation," but it occupies at most one-third of the contemplation style.

One dare not say how rare it is: human limbs are just like that, there are only so many combinations of dance postures for each part, and the angles that can be reached are only so large; perhaps this movement has existed in some unknown work.

What they found strange was the sense of contrast presented by this set of dance postures.

Sexy yet not lacking in dignity, charming yet not lacking in classical elegance.

Hmm, it just felt quite novel.

But it definitely wasn't translated; ancient scores are not that easy to translate, let alone the Six Yao, which has been lost for nearly a thousand years.

The two editors-in-chief were suspicious: this should be shooting the arrow first and then drawing the target. To put it nicely: assume first, then verify.

For example: according to the characteristics of the Tang Dynasty Soft Waist Dance, design the dance postures in advance, and then try to fit them in one by one. Select a few sets with higher possibilities, and then find ways to provide evidence.

Whether translating ancient scores or restoring them, over ninety percent of units do it this way, so it is called "speculative restoration." Of course, as for how high the accuracy is, that certainly doesn't need to be considered.

Not to mention, besides the contrast and novelty, the stage effect of this set of dance postures was also quite good.

Li Jingting lives up to his reputation.

Secretly praising, Lan Ling continued to flip down, looking at the photos of the Cultural Relics, and then looking at the literature research.

At first, neither of them paid attention, only thinking it was information Li Jingting had added temporarily. Whether it was correct or not, they didn't know, but it certainly looked the part. But when they flipped to the sixth page and saw the blurry score diagrams and the three Talismans, Lan Ling and Xiao Yinan were both stunned.

Subconsciously, the two looked at each other, their eyes revealing a few traces of surprise.

What they were surprised by was not the original image, and certainly not the score Talismans; they had seen these before and had some impression of them.

What they were surprised by were the three lines of notes below the three score Talismans:

【Symbol】, 11—Dunhuang Murals—Ming; Zhu Zaiqing's Lingxing Small Dance Score, Toad Gaze: imitating a toad crouching by the water's edge, looking at its reflection, stepping and treading.

【Symbol】, é—Beishan Stone Carving Dancer Statue—Song's De Shou Gong Dance Score; Drunken Makeup Record, Red Leaf Drum: like a wind-blown lotus leaning against Water Cloud... hanging hands beckoning.

【Symbol】, |—Cizhou Kiln Dancer Porcelain Pillow—Qing's Nishang Sequel Score: Sick Xishi... rubbing hands leading.

It was indeed assuming first, then arguing. But the problem is: looking at these three lines of notes, it feels like it has been rounded off?

The two were stunned for a long while, then flipped back and forth, looking at the Cultural Relics photos on the second page and the literature research on the third page.

The longer they looked, the more they felt: these three score Talismans represent these three sets of decomposed movements.

But this is secondary; the key lies in the final "Famen Temple Underground Palace Dancer Pottery Figurine": if you decompose the movement, doesn't it just happen to be stepping and treading + hanging hands beckoning + rubbing hands leading?

If you beautify it again: it is exactly the first hand-drawn picture that has already been finalized.

For example: there was clearly no target paper, and the gun was fired at thin air, but eerily, all three shots hit the original bullseye, even leaving only a single hole. Xiao Yinan looked strange: "Was this really translated?"

Liu Hao and Cheng Nianjia nodded in unison.

Xiao Yinan shook her head decisively: Impossible.

Not to mention Li Jingting, even if Yan Zhidong came, it would still be impossible.

It was not just her; Lan Ling thought the same.

While she was suspicious, Liu Hao said solemnly: "General Manager Xiao, really, we watched with our own eyes as Xiao Lin translated it..."

"Eh, wait..." Xiao Yinan was startled, "Xiao Liu, who did you say translated it?"

"Xiao Lin, Lin Sicheng, the friend of Jing Zeyang..."

The two editors-in-chief were stunned in unison: Even more impossible...