mtlumby2d Chapter 575 The Handover Before Departure
Chapter 575 The Handover Before Departure
More than two months after the Qingning Kiln Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum opened to the public, the osmanthus flowers in Qinglongpo ushered in the last bloom of the year.
By this time, the museum was already well-established, attracting a constant stream of visitors every day.
Lin Xiao led a team of villagers to explain the archaeological exhibits to tourists with great skill, looking every bit like a seasoned expert.
Zhou Ming's work on facilitating study tours is progressing smoothly. He designed "intangible cultural heritage check-in tasks" to help children deepen their understanding of traditional culture while playing.
Suya's cultural and creative products continue to sell well.
The cultural and creative workshop established by Kong Haoyu and the villagers can now independently complete processes such as perfume preparation and kiln pattern printing.
Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan gradually moved from the stage to the backstage.
That morning, the two sat in the museum's office, with a thick handover manual spread out on the table. The cover was printed with Qingning Kiln's intertwined floral patterns in celadon glaze, and below it was written "Handover Documents for Qingning Kiln Intangible Cultural Heritage Project".
"Lin Xiao is already able to independently complete identification and explanation. Last month, she also successfully answered a question from an archaeologist."
Gu Fanxing ran her fingertips over the entries in the manual, her voice gentle yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible reluctance.
"The cleaning records for the artisan living area are now available in both electronic and paper versions. I've also included solutions for common problems in the appendix for your convenience."
Pei Luonan nodded and opened the handover documents for the cultural and creative products section.
"Standard operating procedures have been established for the production process of cultural and creative workshops."
He paused, his gaze falling on Suya, who was demonstrating rubbing techniques to tourists outside the window.
"Su Ya said she will stay in Qinglongpo for another year to help cultivate more cultural and creative design talents before returning to school for further studies. I have already coordinated with her, and we will have an online design exchange meeting once a month."
Gu Fanxing smiled with satisfaction: "That's great. Su Ya's design concept fits the characteristics of Qingning Kiln very well. With her leading the way, the cultural and creative industry will definitely develop steadily."
She got up, walked to the bookshelf, and took down a yellowed notebook.
"This is my archaeological diary from Qinglongpo. It records my experiences each time I cleaned pottery shards, as well as my speculations on the porcelain-making techniques of Qingning Kiln and some failed attempts. I'll leave it to Lin Xiao; perhaps it can help her better understand the stories behind these cultural relics."
As they were talking, the office door was pushed open, and Lin Xiao walked in carrying two cups of osmanthus tea, her face showing a hint of shyness.
"Teacher Gu, President Pei, this is osmanthus tea that Aunt Zhang just brewed. Please have a taste."
She put down her teacup, her gaze falling on the handover manual on the table, her eyes filled with both anticipation and trepidation.
"Professor Gu, don't worry, I've memorized every single exhibit in the archaeological exhibition area. Last week, an archaeology professor came to visit, and he praised my professionalism, saying that I resemble you."
Gu Fanxing smiled as she accepted the teacup. Amidst the fragrant tea, she recalled the first time she met Lin Xiao, when she was a little girl who didn't even dare to touch clay, but now she was capable of standing on her own.
"Lin Xiao, you've grown up very quickly."
Gu Fanxing spoke sincerely.
"The archaeological work at Qingning Kiln requires not only professional knowledge, but also patience and reverence. I believe you can uphold this original aspiration."
She took a small archaeological brush out of the drawer.
"This was given to me by my mentor when I first entered the field. Now I'm giving it to you, hoping that you can use it to uncover more traces of history and also preserve this love for archaeology."
Lin Xiao took the brush with both hands, her eyes slightly red.
"Thank you, Teacher Gu. I will cherish it and live up to your trust and the reputation of Qingning Kiln."
In the afternoon, Pei Luonan and Zhou Ming held a handover ceremony at the porcelain workshop.
Craftsman Chen sat on a bamboo chair to the side, watching their busy figures with a look of satisfaction on his face.
"I have already compiled the contact persons, contact information, and precautions for the partner schools of the study tour camp."
Pei Luonan pointed to the table on the computer screen, "The students in each school are of different ages, and the focus of the courses is also different. The focus is on experience for primary school students, while some professional knowledge can be added for middle school students. We can make minor adjustments later according to the actual situation, such as adding a 'kiln worker's diary' writing activity to make the children feel more involved."
Zhou Ming nodded and took careful notes.
"Teacher Pei, don't worry, I've already discussed it with the village chief. We'll organize a training session for assistant teachers every month to ensure the quality of teaching."
In addition, I contacted the archaeology departments of several universities, intending to establish long-term internship bases so that students could come here for practical experience. Three schools have already resumed their programs and expressed their willingness to cooperate.
Craftsman Chen stood up, walked to Pei Luonan's side, and handed him a small celadon jar.
"Luonan, this is the last batch of tea caddies I made with old clay. Take it with you. Even if you leave Qinglongpo, don't forget the kiln fire and craftsmanship here."
He paused, looking at the kiln opening that was glowing red.
“I’m getting old, and I’ve passed on the kiln-firing skills to a few young people in the village. They are quick learners, and after a few more years of practice, they will be able to work on their own.”
Pei Luonan took the tea canister, his fingertips touching the warm glaze, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
"Master Chen, thank you. I will cherish this tea canister forever. With you and the young people in the village, the craftsmanship of Qingning Kiln will definitely be passed down and will only get better and better."
As evening fell, Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan took a walk along the osmanthus path.
“I remember when we first came to Qinglongpo, the osmanthus flowers here were blooming just as beautifully.”
Gu Fanxing said softly, "Back then, Qingning Kiln was just a forgotten kiln site. The roads were muddy, and there wasn't even a decent exhibition hall. None of us expected that we would leave so many memories here and be able to transform it into what it is today."
Pei Luonan held her hand tightly, feeling the familiar warmth at her fingertips.
“I remember when you first cleaned up the Song Dynasty pottery shards, you were as excited as a child, staying up all night to do the identification report, and your eyes were bloodshot; and those nights when we guarded the kiln together, the kiln fire reflecting on your face, you looked so beautiful, and at that time I thought, it’s so good to be able to do what we love with you.”
He turned to look at the dragon kiln, where wisps of smoke rose from the top. "Every piece of pottery, every wisp of kiln fire, and every osmanthus blossom here has witnessed our growth and love."
Gu Fanxing leaned on his shoulder, the sweet fragrance of osmanthus lingering around her nose.
"Although I'm leaving, I'm not worried at all. Lin Xiao and Zhou Ming are very reliable, as are Master Chen and the villagers. They have a deeper affection for Qingning Kiln than we do, and they will definitely protect this place well."
She looked up, her eyes sparkling, "When we have time in the future, we'll come back to visit, see the kiln fire here, taste Aunt Zhang's osmanthus cake, and hear the children's laughter."
The two walked to the fence of the archaeological site and looked at the neatly arranged pottery shards and tools inside.
Gu Fanxing said softly, "The archaeological work here is basically complete. The main focus now is on protection and research, which Lin Xiao and his team can handle. After we leave, we can concentrate on compiling the archaeological report and present the story of Qingning Kiln to the world in a more complete way, so that more people will know that such a precious cultural heritage is hidden in this small mountain village."
Pei Luonan nodded: "Yes, the Provincial Institute of Archaeology has been urging us several times. The archaeological data we have compiled is very valuable for the study of the Southern Celadon Kiln Sites of the Song Dynasty. Once the report is published, more people will learn about Qingning Kiln and pay attention to the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. It may even attract more experts to come here for investigation and research."
As night deepened, the kiln fires at Qinglongpo remained bright, and the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms grew even stronger.
Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan walked back to the guesthouse side by side, the handover manual in their hands heavy, carrying not only the responsibility of their work, but also their attachment to Qinglongpo and their expectations for its inheritance.
They knew that leaving was not the end, but a new beginning. The story of Qingning Kiln would continue to be written in new chapters under the protection of Lin Xiao, Zhou Ming, and the villagers.