Story Setup for Old Things, Homeward Bound
Core Themes
Following the protagonist’s life over half a century, the story weaves together the ties between individual destiny and the passing down of cultural relics, exploring the relationship between “one’s roots” and “a life adrift.” Starting from the homeland of Ru ware in Ruzhou, Henan, he feels the warmth of cultural relics amid the bustling street life of Guilin and sharpens his eye in Beijing’s antiques world. At last, he returns to the Ru kiln ruins, completing his transformation from “making a living” to “safeguarding the cultural legacy” and conveying the deeper meaning that “artifacts carry history, while people carry memories.”
Historical Background
- Starting point (1987): In the early days of reform and opening up, private enterprise is just taking root. The antiques market is still unregulated, and most private collectors search for items by going from street to street. The historical value behind cultural relics is often overlooked, as they circulate mainly as “a means of making a living.”
- Development period (1990s–2010s): Antiques markets such as Panjiayuan emerge, and interest in collecting cultural relics begins to grow. Academic research and the private market start to clash; reproductions and forgeries run rampant, making “telling the genuine from the fake” an essential skill for those in the trade. Meanwhile, archaeology becomes increasingly standardized, and excavations at kiln sites such as Ru ware kilns enter a critical period.
- Return period (2020s): Awareness of cultural heritage preservation awakens. Archaeology outreach, relic restoration, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage become major public concerns. A museum is built at the Ru kiln ruins, and cultural relics move from “niche collecting” to “sharing with the public.” The protagonist’s personal journey becomes a microcosm of the changing times.
Protagonist Profile
- Name: Zheng Shouye (nickname: “Little Zheng”; called “Old Zheng” in his later years)
- Background: He grew up in the countryside of Ruzhou, Henan, and left to make his way in the world
