In the afternoon, after 2:00.
The Standing Committee meeting adjourned. Everyone left the temporary meeting room, filled with confusion. Though they didn’t understand, they knew they had to follow Director Dong’s orders, so they began arranging the list for the cultural relic protection team. A series of equipment and procedures also had to be prepared, with the busiest being at the Cultural Hall. Although Director Dong had emphasized the importance of the matter during the meeting, he still wasn’t entirely reassured. He couldn’t wait any longer. The issue involved the promotion of Jiaolin County and his level adjustment, which meant the faster the decision was made, the better for him. Dong knew they couldn’t solely rely on the Cultural Hall. If they procrastinated a bit longer, they would also have to consult with municipal and provincial cultural relic departments. Even if they eventually confirmed that there was a Han Dynasty tomb on Qingluan Mountain, it would take several months. The delay could lead to complications, especially with the government sending professional archaeological teams down in the future. Dong Xuebing didn’t want to waste any more time on this. While his estimation of the bureaucratic efficiency was perhaps exaggerated, the efficiency of domestic governmental agencies and institutions had always been a common complaint. Dong didn’t want to leave room for such complications. Therefore, he needed to speed things up by finding a way to fast-track the process of confirming the tomb excavation.
How to speed up the process?
Naturally, by seeking the help of authoritative figures.
If a reputable industry expert could confirm the historical value and possible significance of the tomb on Qingluan Mountain, it would likely draw the attention of an archaeological team faster. This way, Dong Xuebing and Jiaolin County would save time and wouldn’t have to report and be reviewed step by step.
Who could he turn to?
Dong Xuebing happened to know one such expert.
He had crossed paths many times with Mu Zhengzhong. From arranging for the theft of national treasures and sending them to Mu’s collection to receiving Mu’s help securing an investment project in Yantai County, which significantly boosted Dong’s political achievements. Despite the age difference, they shared a kind of friendship. If he needed an authoritative figure, Mu Zhengzhong was the best choice. Mu was a respected authority in the field, extensively researching cultural relics. He used to be a researcher at the Palace Museum in Beijing and now owns a private museum in the city. He had also been invited to participate in several large-scale archaeological projects. No one in the circle doubted his expertise. If Mu Zhengzhong could confirm the tomb on Qingluan Mountain and then assist in contacting the national archaeological team, the process would be much smoother.
He flipped open his phone.
Beep, beep, beep... It quickly connected on the other end. “Hey, Xuebing, it’s me,” came the voice.
Dong Xuebing laughed, “Teacher Mu, it’s me. Are you busy over there?”
“Not too bad, just came out of an exhibition. What’s up, looking for me for something?” Mu Zhengzhong chuckled. “Don’t come asking me for investment again, alright? I’m poor now, just letting you know.”
Dong Xuebin knew that Mu Zhengzhong had lost quite a bit due to the earthquake in Fenzhou a while back, which had affected investment projects in Yantai County. Dong Xuebing had always felt a bit guilty about it. Thankfully, Mu Zhengzhong hadn’t held it against him. Though their age difference was significant, their friendship felt like that of old pals. Dong replied with a laugh, “You’re being too cautious. It’s not about investing.”
Mu Zhengzhong said, “I saw the news last time. You became the county party secretary and held an investment culture festival. I didn’t think you were calling me to ask for investment!”
Dong Xuebin chuckled, “Oh, you’ve got slow news. That’s all old news from over a month ago. I’m calling you today to ask you to look at something. Just relax; I won’t make you spend a single penny on this. The earthquake was an unforeseen event, and I didn’t plan for it either.”
“What’s this thing you want me to look at?” Mu Zhengzhong asked.
“It’s just an antique. I wanted you to glance at it.” Dong Xuebin said.
Mu Zhengzhong laughed, “Come on, you’re flattering me. Your eye for antiques isn’t that far behind mine, can’t you tell the real from the fake?”
Dong Xuebing said, “You’re just being modest. I know the authenticity; it’s real, but I can’t tell the age or the historical significance. I need your professional expertise for that.” He paused before continuing, “To tell you the truth, we have a place called Qingluan Mountain in our county. Yesterday, a villager dug up an ancient copper mirror from there. I had a look, it’s an old piece. Our county cultural hall people think it might be from the Han Dynasty, but they can’t be sure. So, I thought of you—your experience and knowledge would help.”
“Haha, don’t play me,” Mu Zhengzhong said. “Alright then, do you have a photo?”
Dong Xuebing immediately replied, “Yes, I just took some. How can I send them to you?”
Mu Zhengzhong thought momentarily, “I will give you an email address, and just send them over.”
Dong Xuebing nodded, “Okay, thanks a lot. This thing is a bit urgent because it involves cultural relic protection and potential tomb excavation, so…”
“Alright, send it over, and I’ll take a look. I’ll try to give you a result within an hour,” Mu Zhengzhong chuckled. “But you’re thinking too much about ancient tombs. Digging up an antique from a mountain is pretty common. Every day, there are finds like that; they usually don’t have anything to do with tombs, unless you hit the jackpot. Only then might there be an ancient tomb below that wouldn’t have been looted. And a third stroke of luck would be that the tomb might have some value and hasn’t been plundered. What are the odds?”
As a government official, Dong Xuebing naturally understood Mu’s point. If a county could find even a decent ancient tomb, it would be a boon for the area.
Dong Xuebing said, “It’s alright. Whether there’s a tomb or not doesn’t matter; look at it for me.”
“Alright, leave it to me.” After giving Dong Xuebing his email address, Mu Zhengzhong hung up the phone.
Dong Xuebing opened his computer, connected it to his phone, and immediately sent Mu Zhengzhong all the detailed pictures of the copper mirror he had just taken.
Dong Xuebing snapped his fingers twice.
Not long after, Su Yan knocked on the door and came in, handing Dong Xuebing a list. “Secretary, the cultural relics protection group members are all listed here. Please take a look.”
“Already this fast?” Dong Xuebing nodded in satisfaction, but when he saw the list, his brows furrowed again and he slapped the list down on the table. “Just these few people?”
Su Yan hesitated, “These are the ones that came from below.”
Dong Xuebing said, “Four from the cultural bureau, three from the cultural hall, and only one police officer from the public security bureau. How can such a small group provide protection?” He had repeatedly repeated this importance, yet this was the list they came up with. Dong Xuebing wasn’t happy. “Is Old Chang at the compound?”
“Old Chang is around; I saw him just now,” Su Yan said.
Dong Xuebin pointed, “Go call Old Chang here, what’s going on?”
Su Yan quickly went out to find him. It wasn’t long before he found the head of the public security bureau, Chang Lin. Since they were all part of Dong Xuebing’s faction, Su Yan quietly said to Chang Lin, “Director Chang, Secretary Dong is looking for you. He seems a bit upset about the personnel list for the protection group.”
Chang Lin blinked nervously and followed Su Yan to the county party secretary’s office.
Dong Xuebing had a good private relationship with Chang Lin; they had spent time together over meals and chats. However, personal relationships were one thing, and work was another—Dong Xuebing kept them separate. When Chang Lin entered the room, Dong Xuebing pushed the list towards him. “Old Chang, are you all taking a collective holiday in the public security department? All so busy? I emphasized this at the meeting for so long, and you just sent one police officer into the cultural relics protection group? What am I supposed to do if we encounter tomb robbers? Can one officer manage the situation? Handle things? Do I need to let the cultural department’s old staff members get into a fight with criminals?”
Chang Lin started to sweat, “That’s not what I meant, Secretary Dong. I initially thought just having one officer would be enough for deterrence. But now I realize I didn’t consider it well enough. I’ll call immediately to arrange for more people, and add three police officers. How’s that?”
Dong Xuebing still wasn’t satisfied, “At least five.”
“That’s quite a lot.”
Chang Lin sighed, their police force wasn’t exactly abundant, and nothing had been confirmed about Qingluan Mountain yet. Why should they mobilize so much manpower for protection?
“Alright, I’ll arrange it.” Chang Lin chuckled bitterly, only able to agree.
Dong Xuebing turned to Su Yan beside him, “You notify the cultural bureau, too. Their few people aren’t enough. Get everyone they can spare and rotate them. Set up tents on Qingluan Mountain and establish a temporary command center there. Use this as the hub to carry out protection efforts and see what other antiques we can find.”