The live broadcast of the main burial chamber excavation officially began.
TV stations gathered on Qingluan Mountain, conducting a series of special reports and simultaneously broadcasting the excavation and investigation of the main tomb chamber.
During this time, Jiaolin County was in a frenzy from top to bottom, especially Party Secretary Dong Xuebing, who barely had a moment to rest from morning till night. He was as busy as a servant. Coordinating with journalists, supporting the live broadcast, receiving waves of inspecting officials, addressing issues, and filling gaps—all while overseeing the excavation progress and reporting to higher-ups. While this may sound manageable, this wasn’t Dong Xuebing’s only responsibility. This was just the additional workload. The county’s regular duties and basic governance still had to be maintained. A new healthcare reform document had been released this year, which he had to implement, and there were upcoming adjustments in the education sector involving teachers’ salaries—none of which had been finalized. An endless list of tasks awaited. When it came to major county-level decisions that involved debate or had an impact, nothing could move forward without Dong Xuebing’s approval. He was like the family patriarch—everything depended on him.
Thankfully, this hectic period didn’t last too long.
Three days later, the identity of the main tomb was confirmed.
It was verified to be an imperial tomb from the Han Dynasty, as confirmed by historical records and multiple sources of evidence.
The public enthusiastically received this discovery, though for many, it was just a spectacle. But for the archaeological community, it was thrilling and monumental. Even in recent years, this tomb was considered a landmark discovery.
The live broadcast ended and was replaced by recorded coverage.
The old county party compound.
Just a few days ago, the renovation of the old compound had been completed. Although it still appeared a bit aged on the outside, several office buildings had been refurbished inside. Leaks and other structural issues were addressed, and a new cafeteria was built. The air conditioners and computers in all offices were replaced. It had a fresh, new feel overall.
Party Secretary’s Office.
Dong Xuebing had just arrived and was eating breakfast in his office. It was rare for him to have time for breakfast indoors. In the past few days, he either didn’t have time to eat or had to eat in the car or on the mountain. It had been too chaotic. Now that the live broadcast was over, he could finally catch his breath and relax a bit after being on edge for days.
“Come in,” Dong Xuebing said while eating.
In came Zhang Dongfang. “Oh, you’re eating?”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “Haven’t eaten yet. Old Zhang, come join me.”
“Sure, don’t mind if I do.” Zhang Dongfang’s large body plopped down in front of Dong Xuebing’s desk, making the chair creak. “The application for county-level city status has already been submitted. I’m thinking, should we go to the capital to do a bit of groundwork?”
The application was submitted on the same day the tomb’s identity was confirmed. Jiaolin County had wasted no time—they had been holding back, waiting for this moment.
Dong Xuebing thought for a moment. “Go to the capital?”
Zhang Dongfang nodded. “I’m just not entirely confident.”
“I think it should go through. I don’t see any issues,” said Dong Xuebing.
Zhang replied, “I think so too, but you never know. In the 1990s, the government halted county-to-city upgrades for an extended period. Only in recent years have they resumed. The central government is cautious—it’s not like cities can be approved without limit. There are costs from a national planning perspective, so the review is now much stricter. I worry it’ll be like last time—rejected because I didn’t meet some condition. Then all our effort would’ve been for nothing.”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “True. Better to be cautious.”
Although it was Dong Xuebing who first proposed the city status, Zhang Dongfang now seemed even more invested, which made Dong Xuebing find it a bit amusing. Still, what Zhang said made sense. This had to be foolproof. Too many times in the past, Dong Xuebing had been sure something would succeed, only for it to fall apart at the last minute. Nothing is guaranteed. Caution never hurts.
Zhang Dongfang said, “If you agree, then let’s set it.”
“Okay.” Dong Xuebing asked, “But who will go? Final approval comes from the State Council, right? The department under the General Office?”
Zhang looked at him and smiled. “If you could go, that would be best. You’re a local of the capital, you’ve worked there a long time—people know your face. It would go smoother.”
“I…” Dong Xuebing laughed. “I really can’t leave. Here, look at this stack of documents.” He pointed at a thick pile on his desk. “Teacher salaries, healthcare reforms—they all need to be handled these days. Plus, the tomb excavation still needs oversight. How can I leave?”
Zhang Dongfang seemed to have expected that. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Then I’ll go.”
Dong Xuebing replied, “You’ve got your hands full too. The matter of how much we raise teacher pay hasn’t even been finalized. We’re discussing that tomorrow. Hmm, if you’re worried, maybe let County Executive Xu go. He’s the executive Deputy county head—should be fine to make the initial visit.”
Zhang Dongfang said, “Old Xu should go, but he won’t be enough alone.” In Zhang’s view, nothing was more important than getting county-level city status right now.
Dong Xuebing had no choice. After talking a bit more and seeing Zhang’s mind was made up, he said, “Alright then.” He didn’t think Zhang had to go himself, but Zhang insisted so that Dong Xuebing couldn’t argue. “If anything comes up, call me.”
Zhang Dongfang agreed, “I’ll pack up and leave today.”
Before noon, Zhang Dongfang rushed off to the capital. Accompanying him were Executive Deputy County Head Xu Zhuang and a clerk from the county government office. Zhang didn’t tell his subordinates exactly what he was going for, and Dong Xuebing didn’t mention it either—just said he was going to the capital on business and would be back in a few days. But no one was fooled. Everyone knew County Head Zhang had gone to lobby in Beijing.
Once Zhang left, Dong Xuebing was even busier. Many matters required his direct decisions, so he focused on handling the workload at hand.
In the capital, that afternoon.
The sun was high and scorching.
At the Baohong City Liaison Office in the suburbs.
At the front was a two-story building serving as the office. Behind it was a courtyard with another two-story building, which served as a guesthouse and dormitory for staff. Currently, inside the dormitory, Zhang Dongfang, Xu Zhuang, and the county clerk were seated—no air conditioning—just a creaky electric fan offering barely any relief. Baohong City wasn’t wealthy. The liaison office was just a formality, so conditions were poor.
Zhang Dongfang, a heavy man, was sweating profusely in the heat. Combined with his sour mood, his expression was even worse.
“County Head Zhang,” said the fourth person in the room, a woman around forty named Sun Lihan. She was the director of the Baohong City Liaison Office in Beijing and had once worked in Jiaolin County. Later, she moved to the city and was transferred here. She and Zhang Dongfang were old acquaintances. “In my experience, you won’t get to meet Director Li from the General Office. If he’s postponed twice, that says it all. They’re swamped in the State Council. Honestly, I think you should go back.”
Xu Zhuang said, “But the matter is still…”
Sun Lihan sighed, “That’s just how things are here. Last time, Yanbei County sent people to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but they didn’t even get past the gate. They ended up going home.” After working in Beijing for many years, Sun Lihan had become used to it and had a clearer view of how things worked. Forget handling business—even securing a meeting with the right official was nearly impossible.
Xu Zhuang said with a sigh, “Director Sun, can you help contact someone?”
Sun Lihan was sympathetic. “I’ve tried, but we don’t have any connections there. The provincial liaison office might, but I’m not close with them either—I can’t speak on your behalf.”
The trio arrived in Beijing full of confidence. They’d managed to get the phone number of the official in charge of evaluating their application and hoped to meet for a meal and a chat. While they reached him by phone, the official declined twice, citing a lack of time. Now Zhang Dongfang was anxious, unsure if the man was truly busy or simply not planning to approve their application. After two days in the capital with nothing accomplished, Zhang felt frustrated and stuck in limbo.
Xu Zhuang felt the same. This was his first time handling matters in Beijing. He had thought it would be straightforward, only to find out how wrong he was. Back in the county, they wielded power, but here in the capital, they couldn’t move an inch. Everything was complicated.
The city was full of officials.
Everywhere, government offices.
But none of them took Zhang and his team seriously.