Compared to the undercurrents here by the rivers and seas,
The stir in the Yan Jing history circle at this moment was much more obvious and intense.
In a conference room, almost all the history professors you could name were gathered.
They sat on their chairs with serious expressions, some flipping through the materials in their hands, while others, with a hint of disdain in their eyes, tossed the materials aside.
Even two highly respected old professors, disregarding the conference room's no-smoking rule, lit up and puffed away on their chairs.
"Lao Li's report... it's a bit too imaginative!"
"What imaginative? It's simply wishful thinking! Lao Li has been down-to-earth and conventional all these years. How did he suddenly change, and start going down a rebellious path?"
"Heh, regardless of the truthfulness of Lao Li's report. Just in terms of character, Lao Li is not good enough! Lao Li completely failed to consider that the discoverer of Bai Qi's tomb back then was our circle's most senior, Old Dong! How dare he publicly overturn Old Dong's excavation results, saying that Old Dong excavated a fake tomb. Isn't this slapping Old Dong in the face?"
"Should we remind Lao Li? Lest he makes one wrong step and falls into an irreversible pitfall!"
"Misfortune comes to no door, it is invited by oneself. Why remind him? Don't forget, you and Lao Li are currently competing for the same project funding. If Lao Li falls, wouldn't you lose a competitor?"
In the conference room, historians representing different stances and schools of thought were discussing amongst themselves.
And the focus of their discussion was none other than Professor Li!
After Professor Li obtained the true burial site of Lord Wu An, Bai Qi, from Ying Chen, he did not rush to excavate.
Instead, he first prepared a feasibility report and submitted it to the Archaeological Association for approval.
After all, the excavation of Bai Qi's tomb was a major project that required not only funding but also policy support.
With the Archaeological Association's involvement, both funding and policy would be in place immediately.
However, Professor Li overlooked one thing: the current chairman of the Archaeological Association, Old Dong, was the excavator of that fake Bai Qi tomb!
The excavation of that fake tomb at the time had made Old Dong famous, even getting him interviewed by China's highest-level newspaper, making him a household name.
Even current history textbooks contained detailed descriptions of Old Dong's entire process of excavating Bai Qi's tomb.
And now, Professor Li publicly overturning this achievement of Old Dong was no different than tearing off the golden armor that had adorned Old Dong for so many years, without reservation?
As the Buddha relies on its golden adornment, without that layer of golden adornment, is the Buddha still the Buddha? Would he still be admired and respected by so many people?
Thump, thump...
Footsteps could be heard from outside the conference room.
Upon hearing these footsteps, everyone in the conference room immediately stopped their discussions, all becoming like clay statues, their expressions indifferent and silent.
Only the two highly respected seniors continued to puff away on their cigarettes.
And this, in itself, represented their attitude.
"I'm sorry, there was a bit of traffic, I'm late."
After the person entered the conference room, they first bowed slightly and then said.
This person was none other than Professor Li!
Facing Professor Li's apology, the entire conference room remained in dead silence, no one spoke.
Professor Li had no choice but to brace himself and walk to the podium, opening the prepared manuscript: "Esteemed colleagues and seniors, I believe you have all reviewed my report. Based on the various clues and information I have gathered, the true tomb of Bai Qi should be located elsewhere. Therefore, I suggest..."
Before Professor Li could finish speaking, a sarcastic voice from below the stage rang out: "You suggest? Who do you think you are to suggest? I think you are just seeking attention! The tomb of Bai Qi is in Xianjiao, this is beyond doubt!"
It was a student of Old Dong.
Since Old Dong was inconvenient to speak, his student naturally took the lead.
Professor Li looked at the student: "Archaeology is not about qualifications or seniority, but about facts and truth. When the old Bai Qi tomb was excavated, very few artifacts were unearthed, which was completely inconsistent with the tomb regulations of a general of Bai Qi's rank.
"Moreover, the scale of the entire tomb was too small, clearly inconsistent with the luxurious burial style of the Qin Dynasty.
"Most importantly, three bronze swords were unearthed at the time, and the experts present did not conduct any verification before concluding that these were Bai Qi's ceremonial swords, the You Xi treasure swords. This is simply outrageous! Even now, no one has re-tested the three bronze swords, yet they are brazenly declared as You Xi treasure swords and written into textbooks. I believe this is extremely irresponsible behavior!"
Whoosh!
Upon hearing Professor Li's words, the entire room erupted in an uproar.
Everyone looked at Professor Li with shocked and schadenfreude expressions.
If Professor Li's submitted report was equivalent to slapping Old Dong in the face, then Professor Li was now tearing off Old Dong's skin and stomping on it!
Old Dong, who had remained silent throughout, his face instantly turned extremely grim.
His body trembled slightly, as if he was trying his best to suppress his anger!
"Outrageous," "irresponsible," the words echoed in his mind.
Slowly eroding his remaining sanity.
Bang!
He slammed the table and stood up, sternly rebuking: "Nonsense!"
"The achievements of our Chinese archaeology circle today are the result of generations of archaeologists working diligently, step by step! Not by opportunism, seeking attention, distorting facts, and creating hype!"
"Now that the country is vigorously rectifying the chaotic phenomenon of hype in the entertainment industry, listing those artists as morally corrupt. I think our archaeology circle should also emulate this and rectify the chaos in our own field! Those who are unwilling to do solid academic work, who only want to rise by taking advantage of opportunities and pulling others down, should be nailed to the pillar of shame! Listed as morally corrupt scholars!"
Faced with Old Dong's impassioned speech, the conference room was silent for a moment, then erupted into warm applause.
"Good! Well said, Old Dong!"
"Old Dong is wise! This should have been done long ago!"
"The entertainment industry needs clarity, and our archaeology circle needs clarity even more! Support Old Dong!"
"I suggest that Professor Li be the first to be listed as a morally corrupt scholar! To serve as a warning!"
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
In the blink of an eye, almost everyone raised their hands in agreement, agreeing to list Professor Li as the first morally corrupt scholar!
Professor Li stood on the podium, stunned, his face filled with disbelief.
He didn't understand how things had developed to this point.
He just wanted to restore the truth of history, he just wanted to restore the truth to the public!
Thud!
Professor Li felt the world spin and his vision darkened, and he collapsed on the podium.
The people below the stage showed no reaction, all watching coldly.
Instead, a cleaner passing by the conference room rushed to the podium, picked up Professor Li, and took him to the hospital.