Chapter 502: Why Didn't I Think of That?

Xiao Heng didn't even know, so how could Wu Hui possibly know?

They all saw that Director Lu was glancing backward from time to time, but directly opposite him sat Deputy Director Ma.

Everyone assumed that Director Lu was overly shocked and incredulous, and was even questioning Ma Qinglin: Old Ma, did you get this test right? It was also the fault of Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi for being too far away, huddled in a corner, and standing behind a machine, with only their heads visible. The further forward people were, the less they noticed them. Those who could spot them were basically staff members standing in the outermost circle who didn't know who they were. Therefore, apart from Director Lu and the few from Customs, no one knew that Wang Qi Zhi and Lin Sicheng were also here.

Fearing a mistake, Song Jingqiu suggested to Chen Feng that they perform another test on the porcelain.

This time it didn't need to be so meticulous, nor did it require so many people; Ma Qinglin split half the staff to test the endangered items and other Cultural Relics. They were all small pieces with little controversy, so the speed was very fast.

By the time all the tests were finished, it was just approaching six o'clock.

All the reports were laid out, and compared to the first ones, there was no difference in the conclusions.

Chen Feng checked his watch: "Everyone has worked hard. I've arranged a working meal nearby. Let's eat first, and then we'll have to trouble everyone a bit more after the meal."

This was to strike while the iron was hot and conduct the cross-examination overnight.

It was also possible that he was afraid that a long night would bring many dreams.

The Expert group had come from thousands of miles away specifically to do this, so working a little overtime was beyond reproach.

What's more, a bunch of Department Heads hadn't complained about the hard work, so who would dare to?

The group of people chimed in one after another.

The hotel had been booked long ago, and the dishes had been ordered in advance. As soon as they set off, the kitchen started cooking.

It was right across from the Provincial Museum, a five-minute walk away.

As soon as they arrived, the dishes began to be served; it was very sumptuous, featuring both specialty seafood and grand northern-style dishes.

But no alcohol was served.

Director Lu was also there; it was absolutely rare for the appellant and the review unit to eat together.

He originally didn't want to go, but Song Jingqiu wouldn't allow it: Old Lu, once we leave the laboratory, you and I are friends. After we finish eating and enter the conference room, we can go back to being strictly professional.

Director Lu had no choice but to follow.

He had assumed that Wang Qi Zhi and Lin Sicheng would also go. Halfway through the meal, he specifically looked around for them.

It wasn't that he was worried about the upcoming cross-examination: Lin Sicheng said these items had flaws, so they absolutely had flaws.

He just couldn't figure it out: having only stood in the Customs storage room for about ten minutes, how did Lin Sicheng manage to make his analytical conclusions identical to the machine test results?

And, even more than what the machine test revealed?

But unfortunately, Wang Qi Zhi and Lin Sicheng hadn't come at all.

Song Jingqiu also knew Wang Qi Zhi hadn't come, so he wasn't worried.

He was just curious: during the upcoming cross-examination, how would Director Lu argue his case? Would Wang Qi Zhi play any tricks?

Or even worse, would it be like what Wei Ziyu said: would the Experts point at a deer and call it a horse, telling lies with their eyes wide open?

But Song Jingqiu had a gut feeling that was impossible.

With three Ministries and four Department Heads sitting in judgment, who would dare to turn black into white?

He also didn't believe that Wang Qi Zhi had such great power or such great audacity.

After eating for about an hour, the group returned to the Provincial Museum.

The Provincial Museum had arranged the largest conference room, which was more than enough to seat a hundred people.

All the Cultural Relics had been moved over and placed in the middle. On both sides were "mouth"-shaped conference tables, and the relevant personnel took their seats one after another.

But halfway through seating, they realized that Director Lu was actually missing.

Feeling that something wasn't right, Song Jingqiu stepped out of the conference room and peered into the hallway.

There were only staff members, and Director Lu was nowhere to be seen.

Wei Ziyu looked suspicious: "He didn't run away, did he?"

Even as composed as Song Jingqiu was, he still couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Old Wei, what kind of joke are you making?"

Director Lu might admit defeat, but he would absolutely not run away.

Ten to one, he had gone to find Wang Qi Zhi to ask for advice.

"Old Wei, keep an eye out; if that Professor Wang comes later, let him in too!"

Wei Ziyu nodded: "Understood!"

Strictly speaking, Wang Qi Zhi had nothing to do with this matter and definitely shouldn't be allowed in.

But if the protagonist doesn't appear, how can this play continue?

Therefore, he had specifically arranged for someone earlier to bring Wang Qi Zhi in.

The second half that was about to follow was the main event, so naturally, this Professor Wang couldn't be missing.

"Is it possible he won't come?"

Song Jingqiu shook his head: "I don't think so."

He had never dealt with Wang Qi Zhi and didn't even know him. But he understood the character of these Second Generation and Third Generation descendants well: I can lose, but I must never let my face hit the ground.

Just as they were talking, a few people entered from the elevator entrance.

Song Jingqiu thought it was Director Lu and Wang Qi Zhi, but when he looked closely, apart from Department Head Chen's secretary, Liu Zhenyi, he didn't recognize the others. Subconsciously, Song Jingqiu remembered that in the morning, Department Head Chen had asked him to arrange a separate car, which he had handed over to Liu Zhenyi.

It stood to reason that this was who he had picked up.

Looking closer, although Liu Zhenyi was leading the way, his attitude was very respectful.

And it was clear they were heading this way.

Wei Ziyu took a look: "What are they here for?"

"Don't know!"

After replying, a signature smile appeared on Song Jingqiu's face.

He really didn't know who these people were, but he knew that these few must have been invited by Department Head Chen.

At this hour, in this place, he couldn't think of a second reason other than the upcoming cross-examination meeting.

In an instant, a light flashed through Song Jingqiu's mind: Experts, professors?

No wonder, earlier when Old Wei asked if the Cultural Relics Bureau experts would talk nonsense, the Department Head wasn't worried at all?

So, it had been arranged long ago?

In a flash of thought, the people arrived close by. Song Jingqiu took a step forward, just about to shake hands, when Department Head Chen's voice came from behind:

"Professor Yu, Professor Liu, Director Chen, Dean Ding, thank you for your hard work!"

Following the voice, Chen Feng hurriedly went up to greet them, with Li Shichen close behind.

"Department Head Chen, you are too kind."

"Come, please, this way!"

After a few pleasantries, Chen Feng took over as the guide, and Li Shichen guarded the side.

Just before entering the door, he even gave Song Jingqiu and Wei Ziyu a wink.

Song Jingqiu understood in a second and entered the conference room a step ahead.

He was just about to arrange the seating when he discovered that four seats near the chair were empty.

No need to guess, it must have been arranged by the Department Head personally while he and Wei Ziyu were out looking for Director Lu.

There were staff members nearby, some taking bags, some hanging up coats.

No matter how slow Wei Ziyu was, he understood now: these few people must be the backup plan arranged by Department Head Chen.

He felt settled in his heart and blinked: Section Chief Song, it should be stable now!

Song Jingqiu nodded: To make Department Head Chen and Bureau Chief Li act like this, one can imagine the background of these people.

Looking at the venue again, the others were better; their expressions were normal, just a bit curious.

Of course, it was also possible they didn't recognize them.

But only Ma Qinglin was extremely surprised, with an expression as if he had seen a ghost.

The more surprised he was, the more it showed that these people's backgrounds were not ordinary.

Thinking secretly, Song Jingqiu checked his watch: Ten minutes left!

But what about Director Lu?

The sky was gradually darkening, and neon lights flickered with seven-colored light, reflecting on Director Lu's face through the glass of the revolving door.

Lin Sicheng's tone was very relaxed, but every word he said was like a heavy hammer, booming in Director Lu's heart.

"When you went up, a few more people arrived. It was a coincidence; I have studied the theses of these professors, so I have some impression..." "If I remember correctly, one is the Deputy Director of the JX Provincial Archaeological Research Institute, specializing in porcelain, with a research direction in Jingdezhen Yuan, Ming, and Qing Official Kilns..."

"Another one is the person in charge of the Fudan University and Shanghai Museum joint laboratory, the Fudan Ancient Ceramic Composition Analysis Laboratory. Not long ago, they achieved a technical breakthrough: Proton-Induced X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer..."

"The third one is the project leader of the University of Science and Technology of China's Laboratory for Archaeology and Cultural Relics, with a research direction in Tongbu Fushe X Shexian Yanshe..."

"The fourth one is the Deputy Group Leader of the Ancient Ceramic Group at the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research direction is LA-ICP-MS trace element sourcing..." "Director Lu should have heard of these people, maybe even know them..."

More than just heard of them?

It was like thunder to the ears.

If it came to research on Yuan, Ming, and Qing Official Kiln porcelain, Director Lu considered himself second to none. Even against the JX Provincial Archaeological Research Institute or the Jingdezhen Ceramics Research Institute, he dared to arm-wrestle.

But if it were about ancient ceramic composition, trace elements, or trace element sourcing, he really wouldn't dare say he was stronger than the University of Science and Technology of China or the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Anyone pulled out from there was an associate academician; what was he?

Of course, associate academicians wouldn't come here. But even if professors or researchers came, they were researchers who acted as assistants to associate academicians. So, he was especially puzzled: it was just a re-appraisal of detained Cultural Relics, why did Customs invite such figures to the scene? In a flash of thought, he subconsciously turned his head and stared at Wang Qi Zhi: "Did you do something?"

Wang Qi Zhi's heart jumped.

The matter of him giving advice to Ye Anqi was only known to Lin Sicheng; Director Lu definitely didn't know.

Then why did he think it was him who caused trouble at the first moment?

"Old Lu, don't wrong a good person!"

After crying out in grievance and rolling his eyes twice, Wang Qi Zhi hurriedly changed the subject: "Lin Sicheng, even I don't know these people, where did you know them from?" He was indeed curious: Lin Sicheng studied a wide range of things and loved to learn a little bit of everything; he knew that.

To say that one could remember what people looked like just by reading a few theses, he didn't quite believe it.

Just imagine, who flips through journals and cares about what the person who published the journal looks like?

But Lin Sicheng was prepared: "Hosted by the Shanghai Museum, the National Level World Heritage Application project being prepared: Ancient Ceramic Restoration Technology, the technical support behind it is provided by the Fudan Ancient Ceramic Composition Analysis Joint Laboratory and the Ancient Ceramic Group of the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences..."

Wang Qi Zhi was shocked: What the hell, World Heritage Application?

And it was applying for "Ancient Ceramic Restoration Technology"?

Then what had he and Lin Sicheng been doing for the past year?

What was the point of this "Intangible Cultural Heritage Center" and "Research Center" he had exhausted his heart and means to help Lin Sicheng create? After all this, were they actually opponents?

Wang Qi Zhi was a bit panicked: "How far have they gotten?"

"The specifics aren't very clear, but it should be a bit later than us. The point is: they can't find a suitable dynamic inheritance lineage..." What is a dynamic inheritance lineage?

Zhao Xiuneng, plus Zhao Laotai...

"That's good... that's good..."

Wang Qi Zhi let out a breath, but halfway through, he stopped again: Wang Qi Zhi, why are you relaxing?

That is the Chinese Academy of Sciences...

Seeing what Wang Qi Zhi was worried about, Lin Sicheng smiled: "Teacher, don't worry, research and technology are two different things!" Wang Qi Zhi bared his teeth: "Even if they are two different things, that's still the Chinese Academy of Sciences?"

Director Lu shook his head: "Lin Sicheng, don't talk to him, he doesn't understand!"

Wang Qi Zhi certainly understood; he was just biased and scared by the three words "Chinese Academy of Sciences."

Just say one thing: research relies on science and technology, while restoration relies on craftsmanship.

As the saying goes, different trades are like different mountains; if it were a competition of porcelain restoration, Lin Sicheng could be a teacher to the professors at the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics.

This is like asking a scientist to compete with a farmer in farming.

Lin Sicheng's so-called technical support should refer to the ancient ceramic composition Database of the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

This is indeed incomparable; just the body and glaze data alone has more than eighty thousand sets (types), which is not only the most in the world but also the most complete in the world. Count it up, from the Stone Age to modern times, are there more than eighty thousand types of ceramics in Chinese history?

But to be honest, these data points are at most just for reference. As for how much they help with Artifact Restoration techniques, it's just so-so.

What Director Lu is worried about is not this, but today's evidentiary hearing.

The Customs invited so many big shots in the industry for one purpose: to let technology do the talking, rather than eyesight or experience.

Therefore, there is a high probability that the plan he and Lin Sicheng researched before might not be usable.

It is indeed not usable; otherwise, Lin Sicheng would not have taken the opportunity after the meal to stop Director Lu.

He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket: "Director Lu, since we are talking about technology, let's use technology."

"On this are the research data from the University of Tokyo regarding the Saga-ken Arita Izumiyama Toseki and Amakusa Pottery Stone."

"Besides that, there is also the composition data for the Jeollanam-do Ceramic Clay Mine in Joseon, and the composition data for the cobalt ore from Jinhua and Shaoxing in Zhejiang during the late Ming Dynasty..." Director Lu frowned, his face full of confusion: "Lin Sicheng, we analyzed this before; although these porcelains are Japanese Imitation Ru Ware, they must have used Jingdezhen ceramic clay, Jingdezhen Glaze Fruit, and the relatively cheaper Zhejiang blue cobalt used in the late Ming period..."

"Then where did this Arita pottery stone, Amakusa pottery stone, and Joseon ceramic clay come from, and what is the use of them?"

"Director Lu, our analysis is definitely correct: these porcelains must have used Jingdezhen clay and Jingdezhen glaze. But there is one point..." Lin Sicheng paused slightly, "Could it be that the saggars used to hold the porcelain, the Support Cake for the base, and the sand under the support pins also used imported materials?"

Director Lu seemed stunned, staring blankly at Lin Sicheng.

Suddenly, with a "slap," he fiercely slapped his forehead: "How did I not think of that?"

Why didn't Japan use local ceramic clay to fire porcelain, but instead insisted on importing it from China?

Because Japan only has pottery stone for firing pottery and does not produce ceramic clay for firing porcelain, so they had to import it.

Having traveled thousands of miles and spent countless manpower, material resources, and financial resources to import ceramic clay from China, how could it possibly be used to pad the base of the vessel?

Was there too much money to burn?