Wu Xiaohong

Biodata

Background / History

Recruiting Yan Xiao

Wu repeatedly tries to persuade Yan Xiao to join the Archaeology Department, eventually suggesting archaeology as a second degree. He bases his confidence partly on Cao Ruiying’s judgment, comparing her interest in Yan to her earlier discovery and mentorship of Lin Wushu. Over dinner, he promotes the field through excavation anecdotes, recent discoveries, and stories about finding valuable antiques 32.

When Yan claims he can decipher an entire newly unearthed turtle-shell inscription, Wu initially doubts him. He recognizes the shell as an artifact recently discovered by his own students and asks Yan to demonstrate his reading 32.

Oracle-Bone Translation

Yan completes the translation in under five minutes. Wu takes it to his old friend Shang Hong’an, dean of the School of Humanities, whose independent examination supports several readings, including references to thunder, maidens, and a child. Shang cautions that the remaining content still requires verification 33.

Wu initially withholds the translator’s identity because he fears losing Yan to another department. He eventually reveals that Yan is a high-school student preparing for that year’s entrance examination and agrees to arrange a meeting 33.

Interview and University Admission

Wu and Shang are waiting at Yan’s school when Yan flees from two strangers at the gate. After Yan describes them as reporters, Wu accepts their claimed affiliation with Education Reference and approves an interview on his behalf. The visitors are actually Jinghua University admissions staff concealing their recruitment plans 34.

Recognizing the risk of competing universities recruiting Yan, Wu proposes Yuanpei College instead of a fixed archaeology or classical-literature major. Its freedom to choose courses and instructors for the first two years wins Yan’s agreement 35.

Continued Support

After Yan receives his oracle-bone research prize money, Wu renews his archaeology pitch, emphasizing research rewards and opportunities to find treasures at Panjiayuan antique market. Yan nevertheless remains committed to Yuanpei 49.

Wu also promises to arrange an electronics laboratory and someone with practical technical skills to help Yan build experimental equipment. When Yan later visits him before completing his university transfer paperwork, Wu is especially pleased that Yan treats him as someone close 49 50.

Personality

Wu is persistent and competitive about recruiting talented students. He tries direct invitations, a sympathetic appeal, entertaining stories, and financial incentives. His reluctance to mention Gao Yuanning or reveal Yan’s identity to Shang reflects his concern that another academic might recruit Yan first 32 33 49.

He is also humorous and approachable. He teases Yan and Lin Fangxin about their closeness, jokes that Yan might become Cao Ruiying’s future grandson-in-law, and asks Yan to buy him a good meal once the translation bonus arrives 32 33.

His enthusiasm can lead him to overinterpret Yan’s behavior: he mistakes Yan’s unfamiliarity with a magazine for composure before a famous media outlet. However, he understands Yan’s preferences well enough to offer the flexible study arrangement that secures his agreement to attend Jida 34 35.

Abilities & Skills

Archaeological Knowledge

• Discusses excavation discoveries, antique-market finds, and oracle-bone research with Yan 32.
• Gives the recorded totals of 4,726 discovered oracle-bone characters and 2,103 identified characters 32.
• Explains that an archaeologically “lifelike” corpse may merely retain vaguely discernible facial features, rather than resemble a freshly preserved body 33.
• Refers Yan’s extraordinary translation to Shang for specialist examination instead of treating it as established fact 33.

Academic Recruitment and Networking

• Adapts his recruitment offer to Yan’s interests, proposing Yuanpei’s flexible curriculum when a fixed major fails to appeal 35.
• Connects Yan’s translation with a scholar able to assess it and help arrange recognition 33 34.
• Offers to ask Gao Yuanning about a suitable ultraviolet lamp and later promises laboratory access and technical assistance 32 49.

Relationships

• Yan Xiao — Recruitment target and academic protégé. Wu calls him his “prized disciple,” helps bring his translation to scholarly attention, and continues supporting him despite his choice of Yuanpei 33 34 49.
• Shang Hong’an — Old friend and rival recruiter. They compete over Yan’s academic direction but cooperate to secure him for Jida 33 35.
• Cao Ruiying — Wu trusts her ability to recognize exceptional talent and cites her support of Yan as a reason for pursuing him 32.
• Lin Fangxin — Familiar enough with Wu to protest his teasing; he jokes about her rapport with Yan and a possible future family connection 32.
• Gao Yuanning — Fellow dean whom Wu calls “Old Gao.” Wu offers to consult him about laboratory equipment while discouraging Yan from contacting him directly 32.

Notable Quotes

“Don't thank me, it's because your own strength reached that level.” 49

“Say what you want to say, you don't need to beat around the bush with me.” 49