Chapter 262: Which Crazy Grand-Aunt Told You the Cultures Overlap?
Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Which Crazy Grand-Aunt Told You the Cultures Overlap?
The director from the National Security Bureau spoke gravely, "Shengsheng, all eyes are on this matter."
"You must—you absolutely must—deliver the best possible outcome."
"Feeling the pressure?"
Gu Shengsheng nodded. "There’s definitely pressure. But I believe every person from Huaxia would consider this their bounden duty."
As she finished speaking, the Ruishi Cultural Relics Administration Bureau officially announced the time for the live stream, posting it simultaneously with Gu Shengsheng.
Netizens were in an uproar.
Previously, everyone had assumed that a young woman like Gu Shengsheng had acted on her own and caused this serious incident.
"You can’t be serious. The authorities are backing Gu Shengsheng? They’re even doing a joint live stream with her. Is this Gu Shengsheng just an industry plant with powerful backers?"
"Handling such an important matter at her age? I find it hard to believe. Shouldn’t this be handled by a diplomat at the very least?"
"Never mind anything else, she’s just a minor online streamer who’s never shown any real ability. How can she suddenly be the one to solve such a massive problem? There’s no way something isn’t going on behind the scenes."
"I don’t know who’s crazier, them or me. A young woman is going to prove our culture’s history? Unbelievable."
"To the commenter above, Gu Shengsheng is more than qualified, okay? She has spoken at many international press conferences and has made significant contributions in both archaeology and cultural artifacts."
"You were all cheering about how amazing Gu Shengsheng was before, and now you’re getting triggered? Seriously, can you little men stop being so pathetic? Society was matriarchal in the beginning, you know."
"..."
The internet erupted in fierce debate, and the public criticism aimed at Gu Shengsheng grew increasingly harsh.
Neither she nor the authorities responded.
The plan for now was to continue digging. They had to at least excavate everything left in Rui City related to Sanxingdui.
During the live stream, the finds could serve as a prime case study, to be discussed alongside the Sanxingdui Culture from Chuan City.
The Ruishi Cultural Relics Administration Bureau had sent reinforcements, thinking Gu Shengsheng could then focus on preparing for the live stream in peace.
But who would have known that Gu Shengsheng would grab a hoe and start digging more enthusiastically than anyone?
Zhang Zhengyi: "..."
"Wait, for a live stream this huge, don’t you need to prepare? Before, being fierce and cussing people out had its own charm. But this business of proving our culture’s history... I don’t think that’s your forte."
"It’s not that simple. ’Five thousand years’ is not an easy topic to defend. There will be plenty of people trying to give you a hard time. After all, with a five-thousand-year history, don’t you think other countries would love to claim it for themselves?"
"Do you understand what I’m saying?"
Although Zhang Zhengyi wasn’t skilled in social maneuvering, he was old enough to understand the situation. Seeing Gu Shengsheng, he felt a mix of relief and anxiety.
He was terrified that if Gu Shengsheng messed this up, her entire future would be ruined.
If this wasn’t handled well, there would be problems on all fronts.
"Shengsheng, this could go either way. You need to be prepared for anything."
"I know. That’s why I’m digging. The more we find, the more evidence I’ll have, and the easier it will be to win."
Hearing that, Zhang Zhengyi was suddenly filled with vigor.
He started working with the energy he’d had twenty years ago, completely ignoring the pain in his old back.
He even stomped forcefully on a nearby cockroach, filled with a bull-like strength, as if his energy was endless.
Two hours later, the equipment was set up, and the temporary live stream began.
A live stream of this magnitude couldn’t possibly be left to Gu Shengsheng alone, so the event was hosted by someone from the Federation Federation.
Besides Gu Shengsheng, there were representatives from Tianlan Country, Misi Country, and the ever-meddlesome Sam Country.
With Gu Shengsheng representing Huaxia, that made exactly four parties in total.
The netizens discussing it the most were from Japan. Of course, this time, the number of viewers from Huaxia swelled as well; anyone who watched live streams felt compelled to show up and support Gu Shengsheng.
Squabbling amongst themselves was a domestic affair, but when facing the outside world, they had a tacit understanding to always present a united front.
That was just how they were.
When Gu Shengsheng first appeared in the live stream, all anyone could see were two eyes moving in the dark.
Because she was in a cellar with no light, the representative from Sam Country laughed. "Miss Gu from Huaxia is quite the comedian. I heard all Huaxia people were of the yellow race. How is it you have one who’s so black?"
"Don’t tell me, Miss Gu, that you can’t even afford light bulbs over there?" He feigned surprise.
After all, this was the first time Sam Country and Huaxia had connected on a joint broadcast.
He knew they weren’t familiar with each other, but he hadn’t expected something this blatant. The question was clearly a deliberate provocation.
Then, Gu Shengsheng switched on the small flashlight she carried for night work, instantly illuminating the entire cellar.
The surroundings were so bright they practically glowed!
Behind Gu Shengsheng, the entire area was filled with excavators. They worked with immense care, still clearing away dirt, occasionally pulling out artifacts from the Sanxingdui Civilization.
Every one of them wore a hard hat, and while they might not be nation-toppling beauties, they all had pleasant and proper features.
Gu Shengsheng, in particular, was a striking sight. Seated there in her hard hat, hair tied back meticulously, she left the audience speechless.
She was genuinely beautiful, with delicate, refined features. Even sitting there with her head down, looking for a tool, she exuded a casual, natural air.
The people who had just been commenting on appearances fell silent. They didn’t dare say another word.
Indeed, attacking her on that point was truly baffling.
Just then, the representative from Tianlan Country became agitated.
"Are those all items you’ve just excavated?" he asked.
The representative from Misi Country was even more stirred up, staring at Gu Shengsheng with a stern expression. "I know your culture is unique. We in Misi Country have never been your adversaries. In fact, we respect each other, and we admire your culture."
"However, Ancient Egyptian culture was passed down from our ancestors. In this peaceful world, we shouldn’t have to argue, but seeing this, I simply cannot hold my tongue."
"Looking at your bronze figures... I believe those are from our Ancient Egypt, are they not? Do you think you can just claim all of this for yourselves?"
Gu Shengsheng smiled. "Please calm down, sir. You are here representing Misi Country. We also respect the civilization of Ancient Egypt. After all, we have never said anything to the contrary."
"We respect all cultures and are peace-loving. But you are the ones who have come to us time and time again. We are simply here to respond."
At this, the representative from Tianlan Country chimed in, "Miss Gu, we have long been skeptical of this ’five-thousand-year civilization’ of yours. In fact, we’ve never believed it. You’ve never offered an explanation. Don’t you think you should clarify the situation?"
"In any case, the Federation has organized this meeting. Let’s all take a look together and have a discussion. The people of every nation are watching, so let’s not have anyone playing clever tricks."
"It is undeniable that within the Sanxingdui Culture, there are a great number of overlaps with the culture of Ancient Egypt—"
Before he could finish, Gu Shengsheng frowned. "Your very first sentence is wrong. What do you mean, ’it is undeniable’?"