Chapter 432: Getting Something Practical

The sky was not very clear, covered by a thin layer of clouds. The hazy sunlight shone on my face, but I could not feel a shred of warmth.

The wind rushed toward me, carrying a few traces of the dry cold unique to the Guanzhong Plain in early winter.

Lin Sicheng and Zhao Xiuneng walked side by side, with Zhao Da and Zhao Er following closely behind, each pulling a suitcase.

"Finally back!" Zhao Xiuneng exhaled a puff of mist and took a deep breath, "Xijing is still the best!"

Lin Sicheng did not speak, but he nodded.

In just two short months, seeing the familiar mountains and the long river again, he felt as if a lifetime had passed.

Of course, that was if he hadn't taken those few stabs in Beijing.

In a flash, the group exited the terminal, and right on cue, a business van drove over and stopped in front of them.

Lin Sicheng narrowed his eyes: he didn't recognize the car, nor did he recognize the driver.

But the Pasat behind the business van looked very familiar: if he remembered correctly, this should be the car of Dean Deng from the school.

With a "swish," the windows of both cars rolled down simultaneously.

Inside the business van, Shang Yan smiled at them. In the car behind, Dean Su waved at them: "Little Lin, General Manager Zhao, you two sit in my car!" Since parking was not allowed in front of the terminal, and several traffic police were standing nearby, the two did not get out. Lin Sicheng and Zhao Xiuneng didn't dawdle either; they let Zhao Da and Zhao Er take the business van, and they got into the Pasat.

The car started, and Lin Sicheng fastened his seatbelt: "Dean Su, why did you come?"

"If I didn't come, Dean Deng would have to!" Dean Su joked, "What, do you think my rank isn't high enough?"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: "Dean Su, that's not what I meant!"

"I know," Dean Su said with a smile, "Giving the school such a good reputation this time, it wouldn't be out of line for Dean Deng to come pick you up!" Lin Sicheng didn't speak: in the college, Dean Deng was indeed the Dean, but in the school, Dean Deng was a Deputy Principal.

And in essence, he was still a student.

It wasn't that he was flattered, but rather that a tall tree catches the wind. Otherwise, for an academic forum hosted by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, there would have been no need for a teacher to go on his behalf; he could have gone himself.

Wouldn't that have been even more impressive?

The school knew this truth, and they knew even better that one shouldn't flaunt wealth, and good things should be kept under wraps. Otherwise, at the BTA project academic report meeting held at the National Cultural Heritage Administration last time, Dean Deng would have absolutely bragged about it: a twenty-two-year-old graduate student independently completing a major National Level project—how much of a boost would that be for the school? Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Dean Su, is the school doing alright?"

"It's alright!"

Lin Sicheng was half-doubting: "Really alright?"

Dean Su sighed: he knew he couldn't hide it from him.

"The Center is certainly alright, it's just that the district leaders and the leaders from the Cultural Bureau have been coming a bit too frequently."

Lin Sicheng pondered for a moment and guessed most of it: after the BTA Slow-Release Technology and the joint archaeological research project on Hejin Porcelain and Hozhou Porcelain were announced, these two units couldn't sit still.

The former was Cultural Relics protection technology, which belonged to academic research; in terms of classification, it basically had nothing to do with the Cultural Bureau.

Although the main research unit was still the Xida Cultural Relics Protection and Restoration Center, the partner unit was the Cultural Heritage Research Institute of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, which also had nothing to do with the district government.

As for the Hejin Porcelain and Hozhou Porcelain, this belonged to pure archaeological research, which had extremely strong regional and professional attributes, and neither of these two parties had any connection to it at all. The problem was that Lin Sicheng's center was a non-material cultural heritage research institution jointly guided by the district government, the cultural department, and the school, integrating government, academia, and research.

So, they couldn't help but be anxious: Lin Sicheng had gone off to do scientific research and archaeology, so what would happen to this center, and what would happen to the intangible cultural heritage projects? "So, the principal and the dean entrusted me to come and touch base with you: it probably won't be easy to brush them off this time, so you have to bring out something: to put it bluntly, you have to provide something practical to put their minds at ease."

Lin Sicheng couldn't help but laugh: he hadn't thought about brushing them off at all.

He definitely had real things, and quite a lot of them.

"Dean Su, did you make a special trip just for this?"

"Who said that? This matter was just by the way; the main thing was to pick you up..." Dean Su said dismissively, "It's a good thing I didn't hold up a banner outside the airport!"

Lin Sicheng wanted to say something but stopped.

BTA Slow-Release Technology, these few short words, looked inconspicuous, but it was a key special project of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan National Science and Technology Support Program (second level) and a National Key Social Science Fund project.

At an ordinary school, let alone a banner, it wouldn't be strange to hire a band.

"Of course, there's no rush for now!" Dean Su said unhurriedly, "Wait until the project passes the overall acceptance, then we'll celebrate properly!"

Lin Sicheng was noncommittal.

By that time, who knew where he would be?

Dean Su was very talkative and did not neglect Zhao Xiuneng; the three of them chatted happily, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the school.

Just as they arrived at the entrance of the Center, Lin Sicheng saw two familiar figures.

One was Deputy Section Chief Han from the District Cultural Bureau, who was stationed at the Cultural Relics Protection Center. The other was Deputy Bureau Chief Bao from the District Cultural Bureau, who had personally cut the ribbon on the day the Center was unveiled.

The two were standing at the entrance of the Center, as if chatting. Seeing the two cars stop, they subconsciously took a look.

When they saw Dean Su and Lin Sicheng getting out of the car, the two were stunned for a moment, and then wore expressions of curiosity.

Dean Su gave a look, gesturing toward the Santana nearby, meaning: the curiosity of these two was definitely faked. Because when he left, neither of them had come; they must have timed it perfectly.

But Lin Sicheng was not surprised: his return to Xijing was no secret; the school knew, and the people at the Center knew even better.

With these thoughts, Lin Sicheng went up to greet them: "Bureau Chief Bao, Section Chief Han!"

"Oh, Teacher Lin is back?"

"Just got off the plane!" Lin Sicheng smiled: "Why are you standing outside?"

"Just passing by, came over to chat with Little Han for a bit..." Bao Yuanshen looked surprised, "I was just talking about you with Little Han, wondering when you would be back, and speak of the devil..."

Don't tell me, they acted it out perfectly.

Dean Su provided a ladder at the right time: "Bureau Chief Bao, it's windy outside, let's go in and chat!"

"Alright!"

Bao Yuanshen nodded, and the group entered the Center.

Just as they sat down and Li Zhen had finished brewing tea, Lin Sicheng's phone rang again.

He glanced at it and quickly answered: "Dean Jing!"

"Little Lin is back?"

"Yes, Dean!"

"Perfect, Director Liu from the district is here to learn about the work of the Center!"

The Director Liu that Dean Jing mentioned was the Deputy Director of the District Government Office, specifically responsible for the liaison work between the school and the district. He came quite frequently, and usually, Dean Jing and Wang Qi Zhi received him.

Lin Sicheng recognized them too, and was not a stranger to them.

"Ah?"

Upon hearing "let's learn about the Center's work," Lin Sicheng feigned surprise at the right moment, "Dean, then I'll head over!"

"No need, we'll come over: I was just telling Director Liu that we should go to the Center for a look."

"Alright, Dean Jing!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Sicheng exchanged a glance with Dean Su.

At first glance, one could tell these two were very anxious. Lin Sicheng had just returned, and they were hot on his heels.

But upon closer reflection, it felt only natural: to the Center, they were the supervisory unit, and these two were the direct leaders specifically responsible for coordination and liaison.

If the Center had always kept a low profile, then of course there would be no need for such importance, but the problem was: Lin Sicheng had done so well in the early stages, and the stir created this time was so massive?

Because of the BTA Slow-Release Technology and the North Song Dynasty Yingqing Porcelain, from August until now, the units coming to the school to visit had been non-stop. First was the National Academy of Cultural Heritage, which sent an entire delegation of over twenty people. Almost half of the experts and scholars who held any weight in the domestic archaeology and Cultural Relics Protection fields had come. Moreover, their seniority and status were incredibly high: it is no exaggeration to say that from Dean Deng downwards, everyone accompanied them with smiles throughout, their facial muscles almost cramping. There was also Wang Qi Zhi; usually such an arrogant person, for those few days, he hid in the back and played dead.

After the Cultural Relics Research Institute left, the second wave to arrive were the experts and leaders from the National Cultural Relics Bureau. Although there were not as many people, the rank was top-tier: the Department Head of the Department of Science and Education led the team personally, accompanied by seven or eight leaders at the deputy bureau level.

For this reason, in addition to the leaders of the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, both the district committee and the district government mobilized in full force to welcome them.

The third wave was the Palace Museum Porcelain Research Institute and the Institute of Painting, Calligraphy and Ancient Books; those who know, know how authoritative these are. Although the rank of the visiting delegation was not high, several provincial leaders came. It could be said that they gave the district and the school plenty of face.

Not long after the visiting delegation left, news came from Beijing again: Dean Deng, representing the school and the Xida Cultural Relics Protection and Restoration Center, had signed multiple research projects with these national-level research units.

It was only then that many people realized what these visiting delegations were here for: nominal inspections and study, but in reality, it was auditing, checking, and even evaluation. Only if they were satisfied here could the green light be given over there.

Fortunately, there were no surprises or dangers, and everything went smoothly.

And then, the phones of the district government, the school, and even the city and provincial leaders exploded.

The reason was none other than: the BTA project jointly researched by the Cultural Relics Protection Center and the Cultural Relics Research Institute made many people unable to eat or sleep. But because Wang Qi Zhi had such a massive background and was too difficult to provoke, Dean Deng was impervious to reason, and Lin Sicheng, the initiator, wouldn't even show his face—he couldn't even be found. Many units and institutions had no choice but to take a roundabout way, seeking salvation through indirect means.

The request was not high: they didn't ask to eat meat with them, only to have a sip of the soup.

But the leaders were no pushovers; after a careful inquiry, they gasped in shock on the spot: this BTA was actually a key project of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan National Science and Technology Support Program and a National Key Social Science Fund project?

Two years ago, the Xijing High-Tech Zone was designated by the National Ministry of Science and Technology as a world-class Technology Park. Two years later, how many projects of the same level had been applied for? It was equivalent to a piece of fat meat falling from the sky; I don't even have enough for myself, so what kind of beautiful dream are you having to ask me to share some with you?

Immediately, the city leaders held a meeting: whoever dared to loosen the reins on this matter should pack their bags and get out early.

The spirit of the meeting was certainly conveyed, but after the district and the Cultural Bureau were happy for only two days, they realized something: since the level of this project was so high, how important must Lin Sicheng be, who played at least a ninety percent role in it?

Thinking from another perspective: since he held a national-level research project in his hands, who would still be willing to stay in a broken, small district-level place?

If Lin Sicheng left, wouldn't this Center be finished?

The previous Yaozhou Porcelain, and the subsequent Hejin Porcelain and Hozhou Porcelain, were like three great claps of thunder. But in the end, not a single drop of Rain fell? And it wasn't just them who were worried; the school was worried too. The key was that too many people were harboring ulterior motives: first the Cultural Relics Research Institute, then the Palace Museum, and even two inexplicable song and dance troupes and police squads popped up... it felt like everyone, relevant or not, was eyeing Lin Sicheng? It is estimated that the school must have nudged the district government, or even intentionally exaggerated the facts.

Even for political considerations, the district and the Cultural Bureau had to come and probe the situation: would Lin Sicheng leave, when would he leave, and what would happen to this Center if he left.

Therefore, it wasn't that these two came at a good time today, but that they had been waiting for Lin Sicheng to return all along.

While pondering, footsteps sounded outside, and a group of people went out to greet them.

The office was large enough, but it looked a bit messy, so Lin Sicheng took them directly to the Reception Room.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Sicheng got straight to the point.

He didn't say he had been injured, nor did he say why he hadn't returned for two months, or what things he had handled in the meantime... and so on, he didn't say a word about any of it, but instead took out a project proposal directly.

Everyone had a copy in their hands, and the leaders flipped them open.

After a rough glance, everyone was stunned.

First was the title: Research on the Restoration of Ming Dynasty Imperial Porcelain Craftsmanship.

Then the specific categories: Yongle Sweet White Glaze, Hongzhi Blue and White Underglaze Red, Chenghua Doucai...

Then, the cooperating units, but the strange thing was: the first line representing Party A was actually left blank.

After that came "Palace Museum Ancient Ceramics Research Institute."

They read it again and flipped further, including time, steps, weighting, division of labor, and even the funding ratio and personnel allocation, all listed clearly, but without exception, everything involving Party A was left blank. Everything involving Party B was "Palace Museum Ancient Ceramics Research Institute."

Director Liu and Bureau Chief Bao exchanged a glance, not knowing whether to be happy or shocked.

The happy part was: this was "restoration of lost ancient craftsmanship," a legitimate intangible cultural heritage research project, and in the category of ancient ceramics. This meant Lin Sicheng's subsequent research focus had returned to the originally set track.

The point also lay in this Party B: Palace Museum Ancient Ceramics Research Institute?

If one were to rank similar research institutions nationwide: the Palace Museum was either first or second. If it were Ming and Qing Imperial Porcelain, it was the undisputed number one. The key was: the terms were so complete and the content of the plan so detailed that they must have already reached an agreement with the Palace Museum Ceramics Institute, and perhaps even reported it upwards and received the approval of the competent authority.

This meant that this project proposal could become a project Contract at any time, and could be signed at any time.

What shocked them was: why was the line for Party A blank?

If it were to be filled in, what would it be filled with: would it be filled directly with "Lin Sicheng," or would it be replaced by some other unit?

For example, "Beijing So-and-So Research Center," or even, "Lin Sicheng So-and-So Cultural Relics Protection and Restoration Center."

Thinking about it this way, the bit of joy from just a moment ago grew wings and flew away completely...