Chapter 432: Stunning the Academic World! The Number One Oracle Bone Script Prodigy! (2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
To clarify matters, even if your hypothesis were accurate…
The validation process from the academic world would still be pending.
It demands universal acknowledgement.
Yet, bear in mind that such a hypothesis was not a factual certainty…
But merely a conjecture.
Consider the initial theories of heliocentrism and geocentrism; they were simply conjectures, not final verdicts.
After all, can you assure me that you wholly grasp the mindset of individuals who lived thousands of years ago?
“We should first procure some bronze rust for age analysis. As for the oracle bone script, there’s a researcher in Taiwan who specializes in it. We could extend an invitation,” suggested an individual. “Are you referring to Chen Gang from Taiwan?”
“Indeed!”
“I doubt he’ll accept the invite.”
In the field of oracle bone script decipherment, if Chen Gang were considered second-best, no one dared to declare themselves as the best.
Single-handedly, within a span of two years, he had deciphered approximately three hundred characters.
His academic presentations were so well-crafted that they left no room for criticism.
Many scholars from the mainland desired to bring him onboard for translations, but his infamous temperament posed a challenge.
Deciphering the oracle bone script was not the hurdle; the complication arose when he demanded the original artifact to be shipped to him.
Given the immense value and significance of original oracle bone scripts, how could they possibly be dispatched?
“Ah, you’re speaking of that fool, Chen Gang?” Master Li started, unable to hide his irritation. “Fine, I will ring him up. This imbecile, presuming the world would cease to rotate without his assistance. I want you to know that over these years, I’ve deciphered more than two hundred characters myself! I’m nipping at his heels!”
With that declaration, Master Li reached for his phone, asking, “What’s his contact again?” “Master Li, I suggest you maintain a more diplomatic tone.”
“I am aware.”
Master Li’s coarse language was confined to his current audience; face-to-face, he would never dare be so bold to such an important contact face-to-face.
Master Li was known for his unpredictability.
His reassuring smile was a balm to the stunned assembly, as he picked up his phone, dialed Chen Gang’s number, and proceeded to utter an astonishing proclamation.
“Is this Chen Gang?”
“Yes, who’s asking?”
“Listen carefully, your services are no longer required here!”
“The oracle bone script has been fully deciphered!” “We have no need for your bargaining anymore!”
With that,
Master Li promptly ended the call.
“Holy crap!”
“Master Li, were you extending an invitation or hurling an insult?”
Master Li retorted, “Did I stutter? If Little Luo hadn’t fully deciphered the script, could he have discovered the Nine Zhou Ding? I believe his interpretation is correct. You demand evidence; what need is there to prove something already ascertained? Isn’t the revelation of the solution far more satisfying?”
Not long after, Master Li’s phone began to ring.
It was Chen Gang returning his call.
But Master Li promptly declined it.
He dialed once more, but Master Li swiftly blocked the incoming call.
Yet, not long after, Long Jianfei’s phone rang.
“Old man Long, what’s this about Old Li ignoring my calls? Is this his idea of professionalism? Dialing me up only to hurl abuse?”
Long Jianfei, taken aback by the barrage of questions, pondered before responding, “Professor Li is currently occupied with the excavation of the Nine Zhou Ding… He simply lacks the time to engage in calls.”
“What? The Nine Zhou Ding? Which Nine Zhou Ding to be exact?” At this revelation, Chen Gang’s ire seemed to cool off immediately.
“We’ve discovered a significant amount of Oracle Bone Scripts here. A young man deciphered its content, leading us to the Nine Zhou Ding!”
Stunned into silence by this information, Chen Gang took a few moments before asking, “Are you serious? A young man deciphered Oracle Bone Script and found the Nine Provinces Tripod? The script had clues about the Tripod?”
The notion was remarkable.
Oracle Bone Script was notoriously challenging to translate.
If such a script were to hold a detailed address, the complexity of translation would be immense.
Usually, translating records of common rituals, homicides, and coronations was easier.
However, a script providing direction and distance would be challenging to decipher, regardless of language.
“Yes, he decoded the Oracle Bone Script and uncovered the clues!” Long Jianfei affirmed.
“Impossible. Oracle Bone Script isn’t so easily translated, and where’s his proof? I’d like to see it.”
“There’s no proof!” declared Long Jianfei.
“He was just guessing, then?”
“It’s not guessing, he translated it correctly!” An exasperated Long Jianfei countered, comparing it to a young man solving a complex mathematical problem without showing the steps.
Such situations naturally raise suspicions of dishonesty.
But who has the answers to the Oracle Bone Script? Nobody does.
How could one cheat in such circumstances?
This made the young man named Luo Feng all the more extraordinary.
“So, he blindly guessed, then? Without proof, how will his work be recognized acadically? By this standard, I could attribute arbitrary interpretations to the Oracle Bone Script I can’t translate!”
“But isn’t his discovery of the Nine Zhou Ding based on his translation the best proof?”
“Is it possible he knew the location of the Nine Zhou Ding already, and the translation is just a smokescreen?
Hearing this, Long Jianfei refrained from further discussion, “It’s better you don’t come here in the future. We won’t require your presence!”
Witn a CllCK, Long Jianrel enaea tne call.
His gruff demeanor was well-known.
His sharp words were similarly infamous.
No wonder Master Li had the impulse to curse at him.
“Do you think telling him to stay away will deter him? The Nine Zhou Dinghas surfaced. Watch, he’ll be here by the day after tomorrow, if not tonight!” Professor Li, having listened to the conversation, erupted in laughter.
As predicted, a helicopter landed at the site the next afternoon.
A short, bearded old man descended from it.
“I am Chen Gang, a specialist in Oracle Bone Script translation! Fetch Professor Li for me!”
In the tent, several people laboring over translations heard the commotion, and Master Li recognized, “It must be Chen Gang.” “Heh, you did show up, then?” chuckled Master Li.
“Certainly. May I come in?”
Despite many finding Chen Gang distasteful, his reputation as a luminary in Oracle Bone Script was undeniable.
Historically, they would send the original scripts to him for translation. but this was a first, him coming here in person.
Everyone found it somewhat gratifying, Their resentment lessened slightly. “Is the Nine Zhou Ding truly buried there?”
Observing the large pit, Chen Gang gasped.
“Indeed, it is. After all, that’s the story your Oracle Bone Script tells, isn’t it?” Professor Li retorted.
“Right, the young man you mentioned earlier, the one who deciphered Oracle Bone Script without proof. Can I meet him?”
Hearing this, Master Li warned, “Let me put this straight. Be mindful of your arrogance. It won’t be tolerated here. Little Luo is a VIP in our institute and in several other places. Watch your words.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Gang chuckled, “Are the young ones these days all so talented?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Long Jianfei interjected, “This young man Luo is indeed extraordinary. The greater the talent, the hotter the temper. People say you’re grumpy, but perhaps this man is grumpier! And when it comes to translating Oracle Bone Script, he surpasses you!”
“Should I meet this Mr. Luo?” Understanding the respect everyone accorded to Luo Feng, Chen Gang realized the gravity of the situation.
“He’s busy excavating at the moment, so we wait. Now that you’re here, you should get to work. Translate the Oracle Bone Scripts for us.” Professor Li stated dismissively, “Based on the usual wages of a research institute, you get 1,500 yuan a day, and a further 3,000 for each validated word. Go on!” Truth be told, this sum was a mere trifle.
His translation services usually fetched upwards of a hundred thousand per word.
But now that he had come all the way here, his options were limited.
Translate or leave!
Those were his only alternatives!
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