Chapter 26: Only You Can't Imagine It, But I Can Unearth It!
In addition, Hu Zhengchu quietly announced his decision to join Shanhe University, leading to a surge in applications to the Department of Archaeology at Shanhe University.
In Jincheng, a certain district:
"Dad, I've already made up my mind. My first choice is to enroll in the archaeology major at Shanhe University," Tang Ming confidently expressed his decision to his father.
Tang Ming was a recent high school graduate preparing for the college entrance exams. He had achieved a score of 612 on his exams, but he faced a dilemma that many students grappled with—choosing a university and selecting a major.
"Shanhe University? What kind of institution is that? Weren't you planning to apply to Nanyang University?" His father questioned with a furrowed brow as he picked up his phone to search for information about Shanhe University on the internet.
He quickly located the official website of the university and skimmed through a brief introduction. It described Shanhe University as a newly established institution with a short history, and the current campus was still under construction.
"Nonsense!" His father immediately retorted, his expression stern. "What kind of future can a university have if it doesn't even have a campus?"
"You've always been interested in topics related to tomb raiders and archaeological excavations. If you choose archaeology as your major, I'll support you," Tang Ming argued in defense of his choice. "The archaeology program at Nanjing University ranks among the top five in the country. Isn't that much better than this new university?"
His father continued to scowl, firm in his belief that his son should not apply to such a chaotic and unestablished institution. In his view, choosing a reputable university was of utmost importance, as selecting the wrong one could have serious consequences.
"Dad!" Tang Ming persisted, eager to convince his father. "Haven't you read the latest news? Even though Shanhe University doesn't have a campus yet, its archaeology major is incredibly dedicated and hardcore!"
As he spoke, Tang Ming quickly found news articles detailing Shanhe University's successful excavation of a tomb with a group of construction workers. He handed his phone to his father to watch the video.
"Do you think I'm joking? Did they really uncover such a significant tomb using construction workers?" Tang's father initially scoffed, thinking his son was playing a prank.
However, after watching the video and witnessing the thousands of cultural relics on display, surrounded by hundreds of workers, and hearing Hu Zhengchu's admission of being inferior, his expression changed. "Elder Hu admitting that it's not as good as..." He muttered to himself, his eyes flickering with a hint of intrigue.
His son's decision to pursue archaeology prompted him to research the field thoroughly. Consequently, he was familiar with Hu Zhengchu, often considered a leading figure in the archaeological world. It was known that top-tier universities, including Nankai University and Nanjing University, had unsuccessfully sought to appoint him as their dean. Yet here he was, acknowledging Shanhe University's superiority.
"That's not all," Tang Ming continued eagerly. "Mr. Hu has also agreed to join Shanhe University as a teacher."
As Tang Ming witnessed his father's increasing interest, he seized the opportunity to press further. His father lowered his head in deep contemplation.
In Jiangcheng, a remote small county:
"Son, let's apply to Shanhe University," the middle-aged man suggested as he extinguished his half-smoked cigarette and looked at his son Zhou Tao, who held a Luoyang shovel behind him.
"Shanhe University?" Zhou Tao blinked, appearing unfamiliar with the institution.
"Yes, Shanhe University, specifically for archaeology," the middle-aged man confirmed, gazing at the sky with his hands clasped behind his back. He reflected, "For generations, the Zhou family has passed down the art of tomb raiding. However, ever since your grandfather retired, I've abandoned this line of work. Nevertheless, our ancestral skills must not be lost."
"You've mastered all my teachings and have become proficient in the twenty-seven secret tomb-robbing techniques. It's time to venture out and establish yourself," the middle-aged man explained.
Zhou Tao lowered the Luoyang shovel he had been holding, still puzzled. "Is there a need to attend Shanhe University for this? By the way, what's the university's ranking? Is it part of the 211 or 985 project?"
Zhou Tao was a high school student who had scored 672 on his recent exams. He was eligible to apply to 80% of the universities in China. However, he had never heard of Shanhe University before.
"Shanhe University is a newly established institution," the middle-aged man replied. "But I suspect that it houses the long-lost technique of finding dragons and treasure, a technique known only in the world of tomb raiding."
In recent times, Shanhe University has gained significant attention, particularly in the field of archaeology. Even Hu Zhengchu had chosen to join the university to uncover its alleged "untold secret."
At the same time, across the four provinces:
As college application deadlines approached, many students were grappling with the difficult decision of choosing their preferred universities and majors. The surge in interest in Shanhe University's archaeology major has led more students to consider applying to the program.
Slogans and posts encouraging students to pursue archaeology at Shanhe University flooded social media platforms. The idea of exploring ancient tombs and uncovering hidden secrets captivated the imaginations of aspiring archaeologists and adventurers alike. The program had become a topic of great intrigue and excitement.