in2ebook Chapter 567 Guests Gather Under the Warm Autumn Sun
Chapter 567 Guests Gather Under the Warm Autumn Sun
Two days before the Osmanthus Festival, Qinglongpo welcomed its first group of guests from afar.
When Professor Li from the Provincial Institute of Archaeology arrived at the village entrance with two students, Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan were already waiting there, with Aunt Zhang holding a cup of osmanthus tea standing beside them.
As soon as Professor Li got out of the car, he was enveloped by the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms covering the mountains and fields, and his face was full of praise. "How fragrant! The osmanthus in Qinglongpo is indeed well-deserved of its reputation. It is much more fragrant than the ones in the city, carrying the fresh and moist air of the mountains and fields."
"Professor Li, you must be tired from your journey. Please have a cup of osmanthus tea to relieve your fatigue." Aunt Zhang handed over a warm teacup. "This is scented with this year's new osmanthus flowers; it's sweet but not cloying."
Professor Li took the teacup, took a sip, and nodded repeatedly. "Excellent tea! It carries the freshness of osmanthus and has a sweet aftertaste." His gaze then shifted to the archaeological site in the distance.
"I heard that you have sorted out the complete remains of the artisan living area and even replicated the archaeological experience area. Take me there quickly, I want to see how you young people bring archaeology to life."
The group headed straight to the archaeological site. Professor Li squatted down in front of the simulation experience area, picked up a piece of imitation Song Dynasty pottery, and carefully examined it in the morning light, tracing the slanted kiln patterns on it with his fingertips.
"The pattern is very well imitated. It is a typical feature of Qingning kiln in the mid-Song Dynasty. The lines are smooth, the spacing is even, and the details are very well captured."
He looked up at Gu Fanxing, his eyes full of approval.
"The design of the experience area is also very thoughtful. The fine sand is delicate and does not irritate the hands, and the clay ratio is just right. It can allow visitors to experience the fun of archaeology without damaging the real site, which is a win-win situation."
He turned and took the archaeological report compiled by Gu Fanxing from the student's hand, turning to the page on the interpretation of the kiln furniture's functions.
“Your analysis here is very insightful, especially your distinction between the uses of ‘kiln pad’ and ‘support nail’. You combined kiln temperature data and traces of pottery shards, and your logic is very rigorous.”
In this cultural festival's lecture on pottery shard identification, I want to focus on the dating methods for Qingning kiln pottery shards, along with that complete Song Dynasty celadon bowl, to give everyone a more intuitive understanding of the techniques used by Song Dynasty potters.
Gu Fanxing nodded quickly: "That's great! I've already taken that celadon bowl out of the display case, and I've also prepared high-resolution photos and dimensions, so I can show it during your lecture."
In the afternoon, Director Wang of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center arrived with his team.
As soon as they arrived in Qinglongpo, they went straight to the porcelain workshop, just in time to find craftsman Chen and Lin Xiao glazing celadon tableware.
"Master Chen, your skills truly live up to your reputation!"
Director Wang couldn't help but exclaim, "This 'sky blue after rain' glaze is as warm and smooth as jade, almost exactly the same as the celadon of the Qingning Kiln in the Song Dynasty. It's so rare."
Craftsman Chen smiled and put down the glaze brush: "Director Wang, you flatter me. These are all skills passed down from our ancestors. I'm just keeping them."
He picked up a freshly glazed bowl: "These are tableware for the wedding."
Director Wang took the bowl, its texture smooth and delicate to the touch: "It's warm and smooth, with an excellent feel. Which aspects of the skills demonstration at this cultural festival do you plan to showcase?"
Craftsman Chen said, "I want to demonstrate kneading the clay, mixing the glaze, and carving the designs, while Lin Xiao will demonstrate throwing and trimming, so that everyone can see the complete production process of Qingning kiln celadon."
Director Wang nodded, then suddenly became interested. "Could I try carving some designs? I'd like to experience it for myself."
Lin Xiao immediately took out a small clay blank and a simple carving knife.
"Director Wang, try carving the simplest osmanthus pattern. Cut along the curve of the petals and use light pressure."
Director Wang held the carving knife and carefully carved on the clay, his eyes particularly focused: "It is indeed not easy. The seemingly simple patterns actually require precision in the hand. This is the craftsmanship of intangible cultural heritage."
In the evening, Pei Luochuan arrived at Qinglongpo with several history enthusiasts.
As soon as he saw Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan, he held up his backpack and said, "Sister-in-law, brother, I brought my clay blanks and natural pigments. I'll add some color to them to make the gifts more special."
Gu Fanxing smiled and said, "Master Chen and Lin Xiao are in the workshop. I'll take you there and have them teach you how to color the clay blanks so that the color will be more even after firing."
As soon as Pei Luochuan's friends entered the porcelain workshop, they were attracted by the pottery wheel and surrounded Lin Xiao to ask him questions.
Pei Luochuan, under the guidance of craftsman Chen, colored the clay blanks. "I want to paint the words 'Qingning Kiln Heritage' in gold and the kiln pattern in light blue, so that it will be both beautiful and meaningful."
Craftsman Chen offered guidance from the side.
"Apply two thin coats of color, and let the first coat dry before applying the second coat. Otherwise, it will crack when fired and the color will darken."
Pei Luochuan nodded, waiting for the first layer of paint to dry completely, his eyes full of seriousness.
The next day, media reporters also arrived one after another.
Pei Luonan led them on a tour of the archaeological site, the porcelain workshop, and the intangible cultural heritage education base, providing a detailed introduction to the archaeological discoveries and intangible cultural heritage achievements of Qingning Kiln.
"We hope that through this 'archaeology + intangible cultural heritage' festival, more people will learn about the history and craftsmanship of Qingning Kiln and bring traditional crafts into modern life."
Pei Luonan pointed to the archaeological experience area, "This area will be open to tourists tomorrow, where everyone can experience cleaning pottery shards and feel the fun of archaeology."
Reporters took photos and asked questions. "Mr. Pei, how are the sales of Qingning Kiln's cultural and creative products? What are your future plans for cultural and creative product development?"
Pei Luonan replied with a smile, "Currently, cultural and creative products are selling very well, especially the motorcycle celadon ornaments and tea set series, which are very popular among young people. In the future, we will develop more cultural and creative products with archaeological elements, such as bookmarks in the shape of pottery shards and archaeological tool model sets, so that traditional culture can be spread in a more interesting way."
Gu Fanxing was interviewed by another group of reporters, where she shared her story of protecting the Qingning Kiln with Pei Luonan: "When I first discovered the Qingning Kiln site, I was immediately drawn to its rich historical heritage. Together, we cleaned up pottery shards, applied for intangible cultural heritage status, and built an educational base. Although it was hard work, every time I saw the pottery shards being restored and young people falling in love with traditional crafts, I felt it was all worthwhile. Holding our wedding and the cultural festival together was also to tell everyone that inheritance is not a boring thing; it can be beautifully combined with love and life."
In the afternoon, everyone rehearsed the wedding ceremony together in the osmanthus grove.
Gu Fanxing, wearing a light blue cotton and linen dress, stood in the center of the ceremony platform. Pei Luonan, wearing a dark suit, stood beside her. The two smiled at each other, their eyes filled with happiness.
"After the wedding begins, we'll play your short film first, then Luo Nan will give a speech, followed by the exchange of rings, and finally Professor Li will speak as the officiant." The emcee explained carefully, holding the program. "The cultural festival's experience area will open at 9:00 AM tomorrow. Two villagers will be assigned to each of the archaeology and porcelain-making experience areas to guide visitors and ensure their safety and order."
By the time the rehearsal ended, the sun had already set.
The lanterns in the osmanthus grove lit up, casting a soft, romantic glow.
Gu Fanxing leaned on Pei Luonan's shoulder, looking at everything before her, and whispered, "Tomorrow is the Osmanthus Festival, it feels like a dream." Pei Luonan held her hand tightly: "This is not a dream, it's something we've worked hard for together. Tomorrow, with everyone's blessings, we will make a lifelong promise, and let the kiln fire of Qingning Kiln witness our love."
As night deepened, the kiln fires in Qinglongpo remained bright, and the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms grew even stronger.
The guests rested in their guesthouses, while the villagers were busy with final preparations. The entire Qinglongpo area was filled with anticipation and joy. Everyone was looking forward to tomorrow, to the grand event that blended love, archaeology, and intangible cultural heritage, and to the story of Qingning Kiln being forever remembered by more people.