Zhang Xinzhi rushed into the hotel room with the telegram and said with an ugly face: "It didn't work out."
Zhang Daqian had been staying in Guazhou waiting for news. At this time, he quickly grabbed the telegraph newspaper, which contained only eight words: "This is a big matter and it will not be easy to handle."
"What should we do?" Zhang Xinzhi asked.
"Cold!" Zhang Daqian was extremely depressed.
Zhang Yifan said anxiously next to him: "Uncle, you have spent thousands of taels of gold on buying supplies and hiring workers at the Mogao Grottoes. Is it possible that you left in such a dejected manner?"
Zhang Xinzhi came up with an idea and said: "In my opinion, it is better to discuss with Zhou Hexuan and agree that he will only copy the murals of the Song and Ming Dynasties, and we will talk about the murals of the Jin and Tang Dynasties later. It is impossible for him to stay in Dunhuang and guard it.
Once he leaves, will it still be up to us to decide what happens to Mogao Grottoes?"
Zhang Daqian nodded thoughtfully: "This is the only way."
The three of them found Zhou Hexuan in the next room and quickly explained their intention.
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Since Mr. Zhang promised to protect cultural relics, I naturally agree. How about this, let's make a charter first, and then act according to the charter. What do you think?"
"Okay." Zhang Daqian just wanted to fool him quickly.
Zhou Hexuan said: "I don't know much about archaeology. Let's go back to Mogao Grottoes to discuss it with Dr. Xia."
Zhang Daqian is very disgusted with Xia Nai, but now is not the time to get emotional. Everything has to wait until these people are fooled away.
Zhou Hexuan drove back in person and arrived at Mogao Grottoes in the evening. Everyone gathered around the fire to discuss how to excavate the Dunhuang murals.
Xia Nai said: "Mr. Zhang, I must explain one thing first. You may have studied epigraphy, but epigraphy and archeology are different subjects. So, please don't copy the epigraphy stuff to archeology."
.do you understand me?"
Zhang Daqian sneered and said: "Understood. You are saying that epigraphy is outdated. Now it is the world of archeology. We old guys are all old-fashioned and conservative."
"You can understand it this way," Xia Nai said without any hint of weakness, "Archaeology is a very rigorous emerging discipline. It also contains a lot of sociological and anthropological knowledge. It is difficult for an individual to complete the archaeological task. This requires
The collaboration of a professional team. Therefore, Mr. Zhang, you and your students are not qualified or able to conduct archaeological excavations at the Mogao Grottoes. You can only copy and study the murals without damaging the cultural relics. This is a rule that must be followed.
!”
Zhang Daqian originally wanted to be perfunctory, but he still couldn't stand a junior gesticulating in front of him. He asked, "Does China have relevant laws?"
Not to mention China, many European and American countries do not have laws related to archeology at this time, and it all depends on the ethics and consciousness of archaeologists. Many Western archaeologists have another identity, that is, explorers. They are called adventurers, but they are actually cultural relics.
robber.
Have you not seen how badly the Egyptian pyramids were damaged by Western archaeologists?
We can't blame Zhang Daqian for not having basic archaeological concepts, because the Chinese archaeological community itself is a mess. Not only does it have no laws and regulations related to archeology, but even the position of the archaeological community itself is unclear.
When Li Ji, the "Father of Chinese Archeology", just returned from studying abroad, he originally wanted to copy Western archeology to China, but during the actual operation, he found that it was impossible to do it. Li Ji had to combine the actual situation in China,
We have made some localization of archeology, the most important of which are two aspects
First, archeology is classified as a historical research category, so archeology is not a separate subject, but a sub-subject under history, and the highest responsible unit is the Central Ministry of Education.
Second, the promotion and development of Chinese archeology is based on nationalism. The ultimate goal of today’s archaeological community is to excavate and inspect cultural relics to prove the greatness of the Chinese nation and to prove that Chinese civilization is not inferior to the West
civilization.
Especially the second point has almost become the consensus of the people across the country, and it is also the basic impression of Chinese people on archeology at this time. While promoting the development of archeology, it also brings a very serious consequence, that is, only focusing on the results without caring about them.
In the process, most Chinese people, including Zhang Daqian, do not care about destroying cultural relics, but only care about successful research and using this to prove the greatness of Chinese civilization.
When we criticize historical figures, we must not look at issues purely from the perspective of future generations, but must also take into account the historical environment at that time.
Let’s put it this way, if Zhang Daqian’s behavior was disclosed online, most netizens would criticize him. But during the Republic of China, as long as Zhang Daqian published the research results of Dunhuang murals, 99% of the people at that time would applaud and praise him. Only the archaeological community
Only professionals will stand up and accuse.
Zhang Daqian's move was regarded as bringing glory to the country in the 1940s!
Zhou Hexuan asked: "Dr. Xia, what are the principles of the Chinese archaeological community today?"
Xia Nai said: "There is no archaeological principle recognized by the academic community. If we really want to summarize the principle, it is 'authenticity'. Archaeological research cannot be false."
Well, even professional archaeologists don’t have regulations that they must strictly abide by, so don’t blame laymen like Zhang Daqian.
Zhou Hexuan said: "In view of the non-renewable nature of cultural relics, I think our generation must consider future generations. Without perfect science and technology and protection measures, we cannot blindly excavate cultural relics. For example, Dunhuang murals,
If you peel off the outer layer, the inner layer will be exposed, and the inner layer will inevitably oxidize and turn black, and will be basically destroyed after a few decades. Do you think this is the case?"
"Yes." Xia Nai nodded.
Zhou Hexuan added: "There are always accidents, such as a farmer digging out a large ancient tomb with a hoe. Even if we have not perfected the technology, we must excavate it quickly to avoid greater losses."
Xia Nai agreed: "It should be."
Zhou Hexuan said: "So I think archeology should set a basic principle as the main premise, that is: protection first, rescue first."
Xia Nai clapped his hands and praised: "This is a golden statement, and it should be the consensus of the archaeological community!"
Zhang Daqian suddenly said: "The Dunhuang murals are almost destroyed, and I am just trying to save them."
Xia Nai quickly retorted: "Only the outer layer of the Dunhuang murals was destroyed. As long as you don't peel it off, the inner layer will be fine for another hundred years! What we should do now is to protect the existing murals, not the so-called rescue."
."
"Anyway, the mouth is on you, so you have the final say anyway." Zhang Daqian said depressedly.
Zhou Hexuan said: "Then let's set a charter for Mr. Zhang's research in Dunhuang based on the premise of 'protection first, rescue first'. First of all, Mr. Zhang is only eligible for those murals whose inner layers have been damaged or exposed.
Peel off the outer layer. Secondly, when copying and studying murals, you must follow basic archaeological operations. For example, you cannot write inscriptions on the painting wall, for example, you cannot directly press the ladder on the painting wall, and any actions that may damage the murals are prohibited.
have."
"No problem." Zhang Daqian agreed readily. Anyway, as long as Zhou Hexuan was fooled away, he could do whatever he wanted with the rest.
"Well, let's sign a gentleman's agreement," Zhou Hexuan shouted, "Guoda, bring paper, pen and ink pad over here!"
An hour later, Zhou Hexuan drafted two copies of the agreement and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, please sign and seal it."
Zhang Daqian picked up the brush and wrote down his name, stamped his seal, and said angrily: "Mr. Zhou, you won't stop me now, right?"
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said to Xia Nai: "Dr. Xia, please stay in the Mogao Grottoes for a while, check and archive the conditions of all the caves, and take photos as proof. Once Mr. Zhang Daqian violates the agreement, please be sure to send me a text message."
"
"Put it on me." Xia Nai smiled.
Zhou Hexuan then said to the soldier leader responsible for protecting security: "Platoon Commander Ma, after Dr. Xia completes the inspection, he will give you a list. The list indicates which murals cannot be moved. Once Mr. Zhang Daqian commits any act of sabotage, please give him immediate instructions."
I will send a telegram. If it is true that Mr. Zhang Daqian destroyed a wall, then I will reward you with ten gold bars!"
Platoon leader Ma's eyes shone when he heard this, and he said cheerfully: "I will definitely keep a close eye on you, please don't worry, Mr. Zhou."
Zhou Hexuan warned: "Don't go and destroy the murals for gold bars. You must know that there is a difference between the murals you peel off and the murals peeled off by Mr. Zhang. Professionals can see it at a glance. If you dare to destroy it without authorization
Cultural relics, I will make it impossible for you to be your platoon leader!"
"No, no." Platoon Leader Ma assured repeatedly, secretly cursing the scholar for his ill-conceived ideas.
Zhou Hexuan turned back and asked Zhang Daqian: "Mr. Zhang, do you think this arrangement is reasonable?"
Zhang Daqian's face turned dark, and he gritted his teeth and said: "It's reasonable, very reasonable!"
Zhou Hexuan narrowed his eyes and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, don't think about defaulting on your debts in the future. If you violate this agreement, I guarantee that your reputation will be ruined in China. If you don't believe me, just give it a try."
"You are awesome, I know." Zhang Daqian was led into the trap step by step, and now he really lost his temper. If he had known this, he would not have signed that broken agreement. Now it is written in black and white and there is no way to deny it.