Everyone discussed for a while.
Dong Xuebing looked towards Zhang Dongfang, “Mayor Dongfang, what do you think?”
Zhang Dongfang pondered, “We should still determine the age first, follow the procedure. If our county’s equipment can’t be decided, we should send it to the city’s cultural bureau. If the artifact is from the Han Dynasty, we can then conduct some excavation work in Qingluan Mountain to see if there are any other artifacts.” This is indeed following the usual process calmly, but if it’s going through one department after another, we would have to wait until who-knows-when. If any unexpected situation arises, Dong Xuebing will not approve it by that time.
Dong Xuebing shook his head slightly.
Meng Hanmei looked at him, “Secretary, do you mean...”
Dong Xuebing said, “I suggest establishing a cultural relic protection group, immediately sealing off the relevant area of Qingluan Mountain, prohibiting non-related persons from entering, and marking it with a warning line, implementing all necessary protective measures. As for the group leader, I will personally take charge.”
Ah, you’ll personally take charge?
And establish a cultural relic protection group?
Zhang Dongfang was stunned, “Secretary Xuebing, there’s no need for this, is there?”
“There is a need,” Dong Xuebing said, “And it is very necessary. If there is a Han Dynasty tomb in Qingluan Mountain, these early protective measures would protect the tomb and cultural heritage. This matter has been reported in the news, so it can’t be kept secret. If some tomb robbers got wind of it and set their sights on Qingluan Mountain, not taking protective measures would just let them succeed. What would we do if villagers learn that the artifact is valuable and then start mass ascending the mountain to dig and plunder? Wouldn’t it be necessary to prepare relevant measures in advance?”
Everyone felt that Dong Xuebing was jumping to conclusions too quickly.
They had just found an artifact of uncertain authenticity and age. How did it suddenly become related to a tomb? And even if there were a tomb underneath, it wouldn’t warrant such heavy emphasis. There are countless ancient tombs from ancient times. Every family of slightly better status had a tomb with some burial items. What kind of big tomb could a small place have?
“Uh, Secretary Dong,” said Director Liu.
Dong Xuebing looked at him, “Go ahead.”
Director Liu explained, “Finding artifacts in the mountains or soil is not uncommon. There are mainly three possibilities: First, the area might have been a place of worship at the time, and due to a collapse, these artifacts were buried underground; or during a war, these items were buried underground in haste. Second, it’s also possible that these were hoards. Ancient people had a penchant for collecting treasures and might have buried these items underground as treasures until today; the third, which is least likely, is that the area might have a tomb or burial pit.”
Dong Xuebing interrupted, “I don’t need theories about what it should look like or what it might be like. If there’s a possibility, it should be protected. This is a sign of respect for historical culture.”
Director Liu hesitated, “That’s true, you’re right.”
Dong Xuebing looked towards Zhang Dongfang, “Mayor Zhang.”
“I have no objections,” Zhang Dongfang said nonchalantly.
Dong Xuebing nodded and said, “Alright, it’s settled then. We’ll immediately establish a cultural relic protection group to lock down and protect the target area of Qingluan Mountain.” The proposal passed; it wasn’t even a proposal anymore. In Jiaolin County, it’s almost Dong Xuebing’s unilateral decision—whatever he says goes. However, seeing that everyone still didn’t seem to appreciate the seriousness of the matter, Dong Xuebing couldn’t help but remind them, “I also want to say something. I hope this matter raises everyone’s awareness. You should know the importance of cultural relic protection. If any issues arise in protecting cultural relics in the future, I’ll hold that person accountable.”
Everyone’s faces turned serious.
Dong Xuebing was serious now.
But why? It’s just a single artifact they found, isn’t it necessary to go this far?
The next moment, Dong Xuebing said, “Director Liu, did you bring it?”
“Yes, I did.” Director Liu stood up, turned around cautiously, and picked up a wooden box from the corner. He gently opened it and revealed the cultural artifact inside.
Dong Xuebing nodded, walked up, and carefully put on a pair of gloves from the box. He then gently picked up the copper mirror unearthed yesterday, turned it over, and looked at both sides with a very serious expression. Zhang Dongfang and others thought Dong Xuebing was putting on a show, but they didn’t realize that Dong Xuebing knew much more about antiques and artifacts than they imagined. A few years ago, Dong Xuebing started his career in the antique business, making a lot of money. He worked in the antique business for a long time in college to support his family. Though he had since focused on political development and hadn’t engaged with the antique business recently, Dong Xuebing retained his expertise in this field.
Just looking at it, Dong Xuebing was sure that the copper mirror was indeed genuine and extremely old, with natural rust and corrosion that didn’t look fabricated. At least, with the current level of technology, it couldn’t produce such rust patterns.
Seeing it with his own eyes, Dong Xuebing’s concerns were finally laid to rest. This was undoubtedly the Han Dynasty tomb that was reported in future newspapers.
Dong Xuebing was so focused on this matter that he forgot others were present. He took out his phone and snapped pictures of the copper mirror from all directions and angles, finally pinching a bit of rust, feeling and smelling it, and nodding slightly. He then carefully placed the copper mirror back in the box and slowly removed his gloves, his mood extremely relaxed, and he smiled.
“Meeting adjourned. The protection group needs to go down to Qingluan Mountain today. Everyone, hurry up and arrange personnel. The cultural bureau, the cultural museum, and the public security bureau all need to send people. The sooner, the better,” Dong Xuebing emphasized once again.
Director Wu hurriedly responded.
Director Liu also didn’t say anything else.
But everyone looked at Dong Xuebing’s smile with a sense of confusion. They exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what Dong Xuebing was on about today. He seemed to think of something new and act on it every moment.
Upon seeing the copper mirror, they first thought that the county cultural museum might acquire a few more artifacts.
But Dong Xuebing was different. Upon seeing the copper mirror, his first thought was that his deputy bureau department-level position was already secured.