Chapter 439: The Lives of the Emperors of the Xia Dynasty! The Legend of the Sea Stabilizing Divine Needle!
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Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The artifact’s script, upon closer inspection, was undeniably in the style of the Shang Dynasty inscriptions.
Scripts from different periods present significant distinctions.
The Xia Dynasty’s script bore an uncanny resemblance to enigmatic symbols, whereas during the Shang Dynasty, both oracle bone and bronze scripts were utilized.
Bronze script was the medium of choice for formal contexts, whereas oracle bone script was predominantly employed for divinations of significant affairs. Despite the differences in textual structure or the decryption process, bronze script was relatively more interpretable than oracle bone script.
“Let’s continue cleaning the bronze cauldron to reveal more text or potential discoveries!” Luo Feng directed, his focus unwavering as he continued his meticulous cleaning with a brush.
The Nine Zhou Ding was remarkably large.
How much text it contained remained uncertain.
However, irrespective of the quantity, Luo Feng held no disregard for it, understanding these bronze inscriptions to be rare cultural relics from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties.
Witnessing his dedication, Master Li, along with others, questioned, “Little
Luo, what information does the cauldron’s inscriptions contain?”
“The script appears to be bronze inscriptions from the Shang Dynasty. The preliminary interpretation suggests they were left by Emperor Xin. I’m still cleaning, so for now, observe the exterior. Once the interior text cleaning is complete, I’ll photograph it for you,” Luo Feng’s voice echoed from inside the cauldron, producing a captivating hum.
“Shang Dynasty text?”
“Textual inscriptions on bronze cauldrons were quite common then, weren’t they?”
“And left by Emperor Xin?”
Everyone was excited at the moment, despite the uncertainty looming over the exact words Emperor Xin had engraved on the cauldron.
Suppressing their curiosity and excitement, they resumed their tasks, awaiting Luo Feng’s completion of the cauldron’s interior cleaning for more insights.
“This doesn’t appear to be Xia Dynasty inscriptions, does it?” “Doesn’t it resemble Shang Dynasty bronze script?”
“It’s not just a resemblance; it is!”
As Luo Feng shared photos of the cauldron’s inscriptions and patterns with the archaeologists, they fell into contemplation.
“Could it be the text of later generations, post-Xia Dynasty?” For instance, the bronze script on the cauldron’s front.
Some inscriptions seemed to be the work of later generations.
After all, the cauldron eventually landed in the hands of the Shang Dynasty people, who naturally inscribed it. “Could you translate it?”
“I don’t quite understand it.”
“It all hinges on Little Luo. He seems to be the quickest in this area!” “Yes, even without proof, he can discern the final interpretation.”
“It’s truly remarkable. It’s as if he’s an inhabitant of the Xia, Shang, Zhou era. He Imows the meanings of the words, yet lacks the professional foundation to validate it.”
“Haha, you’re overthinking. To me, this exemplifies wisdom.”
“What do you mean by wisdom?”
“Ever heard of the ‘chicken and rabbit in the same cage’ problem? Nowadays, we’d set up an equation to solve it. Yet, the ancients could solve it directly without any equation. You can’t label the ancients’ answers as incorrect, can you?”
“I suppose that’s one perspective. I reckon Little Luo must have applied a different method, but if you ask him to validate it, he won’t be able to jot it down!”
Time elapsed rapidly, and nightfall ensued.
Luo Feng remained occupied.
He had not the time to interpret for them.
Nonetheless, without Luo Feng, they could still interpret some of the text’s meanings.
One-third of the bronze cauldron’s interior had been cleaned. By the following afternoon, they should complete cleaning its entirety.
“Are you done?”
“Yes, nothing more for now.”
Amid his busyness, Luo Feng nearly overlooked the CEO of the Red River Tobacco Group.
As such, it fell on him to approach Luo Feng.
Apologizing, Luo Feng initiated the conversation. “Should we discuss the copyright matter now?”
“Yes, we can. Mr. Zhang, please proceed.”
With a chuckle, Mr. Zhang began, “Here’s the situation, Mr. Luo. I’ve prepared two cooperation methods for you. One entails an annual lease, while the other is a one-time purchase. The annual lease is roughly 80 million per year, whereas the one-time purchase would amount to 600 million!”
The price seemed exceedingly high for the rights to use merely a few photos, to modify these photos, and to use the images of the bronze cauldron on the cigarette packs.
Between the two options, anyone would instinctively choose the former.
The first was akin to a hen that kept laying golden eggs.
But the latter was like selling the hen outright.
Noticing Luo Feng’s indecision, a young man accompanying Mr. Zhang piped up, “Mr. Luo, the conditions are such that the first annual lease method is exclusive!”
“Exclusive?”
“Yes, meaning that aside from us, you can’t grant the rights to anyone else.”
Now it made sense.
With this clarification, Luo Feng’s decision crystallized.
“No industry restrictions?”
“Only restricted to the tobacco industry. We wouldn’t be concerned with other industries!”
“Alright then, let’s proceed with that!”
On hearing this, the young man swiftly forwarded the contract to Luo Feng on behalf of Mr. Zhang.
Luo Feng then affirmed, “Alright, I’ve received the contract, but it needs to be reviewed by my lavvyer first.. I’ll contact you afterward!”
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