Chapter 154 The title was inherited for five generations, and all were buried in the cemetery.

"Nonsense!"

The sound wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either; it was resounding.

Lin Sicheng looked in the direction of the voice: a female leader, around forty years old, was sitting to the left of the chairman.

There were only two female leaders on the stage; judging from their nameplates, their surname was Xiao. Looking at the documents on the table, she was the deputy curator of the Duling Museum.

Lin Sicheng was checking numbers with someone, while Director Xiao looked serious and cold: "The Book of Han, Biography of Zhang Tang, Appendix: Because of Anshi's loyalty and diligence in guarding the palace, he was granted a tomb in Duling. The Book of Han, Annals of Emperor Xuan: (Zhang Anshi died) He was posthumously named Marquis Jing and granted a tomb in Duling."

"As well as historical records such as the Geography of the Book of Han, the Records of Prefectures and Kingdoms of the Book of the Later Han, the Commentary on the Waterways Classic of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the Yuanhe County Records of the Tang Dynasty all state that Zhang Anshi's tomb is located in the Duling Mausoleum area, and it is clearly noted that it is in the southeast of Duling... With so much historical evidence, how could Zhang Anshi's tomb be located outside Duling?"

Just as Lin Sicheng was about to speak, a male leader sitting next to him cleared his throat:

"Director Xiao, don't be hasty: Respect doubts and rely on evidence, base your arguments on historical facts. Be realistic and dialectical... When we study history, we should maintain a skeptical attitude towards any historical material and seek confirmation. Therefore, while acknowledging historical achievements, we must also face up to our mistakes..."

"Ha, Director Wen, what kind of tone is that?"

Director Xiao chuckled, about to say something, but then suddenly froze.

Director Wen smiled and said, "Director Xiao, what's wrong with my tone? Is it too strong?"

Director Xiao didn't say anything, but glared at him: I almost got caught up in it.

Because these words were not spoken by Wen Bing, but by Mr. Li Dazhao, the head of the History Department at Peking University: and not a single word was changed from beginning to end.

She snorted: "It's true that we should look at things dialectically. One history book might be wrong, but does that mean all the history books are wrong?"

"Director Xiao, it's just a small suggestion, please don't get excited."

Tian Jie picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip. "You may not have heard clearly. The suggestion said 'suspected,' not 'certain.' So, make bold assumptions, but verify them carefully."

Suddenly, Director Xiao's face turned half red: I only said "nonsense," did I break a taboo?

She can understand being criticized by one person, but being criticized by two people in a row, each one more sarcastic than the last?

She was about to say something when someone beat her to it. A male leader to Director Hu's left tapped the table.

This man, surnamed Sun, is the director of the Yangling Archaeological Research Institute, a national first-class museum research unit.

"Chief Tian, ​​it's true that we need to be careful and verify information, but doesn't that take time? The case happened so suddenly, the deadline set by the higher authorities is so short, and we only have so much equipment available. How should we arrange the personnel and how should we distribute the equipment?"

"If we need to verify this, shouldn't we arrange a special archaeological team to investigate, and take away a considerable amount of equipment? At the same time, shouldn't we also arrange a data group to search archives, and an experimental group to conduct experiments simultaneously and collect data?"

"Even more so, we have to hold meetings to analyze, judge, and discuss... It's like having to loosen a clenched fist? Director Tian, ​​human resources have their limits. We can't try to do everything at once, nor can we do things haphazardly. We must focus closely on the central task..."

Tian Jie put down his teacup and said calmly, "See? Director Xiao got anxious, and Director Sun got anxious too? Dialogue is a good thing, and it's normal to have disputes, but shouldn't we wait for the leaders to finish speaking first?"

“If there are further demands after the proposal, such as requesting the dispatch of personnel or the allocation of equipment, we can certainly question it. But without investigation, we have no right to speak, so we need to first find out whether he made these demands.”

Director Hu took the documents, flipped through them, and then fell silent.

It is clearly stated above: no additional personnel or equipment are required from the investigation team; the proposer is responsible for making the arrangements. If any findings are discovered, necessary technical support will be provided as appropriate.

It's like they just mentioned it casually, didn't ask for anything in return, and helped out for free...

But Northwest University is a teaching institution, so where would it get so many field equipment?

Even if they exist, they're probably ancient relics from several years ago...

Seeing that Hu Zheng remained silent, Director Xiao and Director Sun were a bit dumbfounded, not knowing how to argue further: If you don't request the arrangement of personnel and equipment, why submit meeting documents?

Tian Jie and Wen Bing exchanged a glance and decided to call it quits while they were ahead.

The people below were stunned.

Get this straight, is this a work arrangement meeting?

The entire archaeological survey team consisted of only eight main units, and the entire dais had only eight leaders. On the very first day, half of them started fighting amongst themselves.

Moreover, each one was well-reasoned and supported by evidence, and full of memorable quotes.

Having worked in archaeology for so many years, who has ever seen such a unique scene?

Forty or fifty people blinked, their eyes gleaming. At the same time, some turned around and stared intently at Lin Sicheng.

Including Director Hu.

Logically, such a baseless suggestion should not be recorded in the meeting documents; if it is, then it must be discussed.

It's normal to be questioned and rejected, after all, it's just speculation.

But it's quite strange that the four people in charge could argue about this at the meeting.

Hu Zheng looked thoughtfully at Lin Sicheng and closed the folder.

Everything that needed to be done had been assigned, and the meeting was basically over. Everyone went back to their respective positions.

After the meeting ended, people gradually left, and Wen Bing took the documents and stepped down from the podium.

Before leaving, he smiled and nodded at Lin Sicheng.

Tian Jie walked over carrying a large thermos that had already developed a patina.

"That's Director Wen from the Municipal Archaeological Institute!"

Lin Sicheng suddenly realized: the Municipal Archaeological Institute is under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau, so Director He must have informed them.

"But why does Tadokoro need to go to the meeting?"

"Don't you understand? If we don't go to the meeting, how can we keep a record? If we don't keep a record, what if you actually discover something? You'll be held accountable, and your credit will be diminished..."

Tian Jie explained for a moment, then paused slightly, "But to be honest, your suggestion is really a bit weak, yet it got to the meeting, which is quite strange. It feels like someone had a really bad time because of you, and they're afraid of you, so they have to keep a backup plan?"

Lin Sicheng remained silent.

If it were just a backflow teapot, it would certainly be a coincidence. But if we add the jade lion paperweight from the Public Security Bureau, the imitation Xuande incense burner, and this incident as well, even a staunch materialist would have to be cautious.

That's why Chen Peng said, "What if?" So he sent someone to him without even thinking.

Then, he reminded He Zhigang: Yes, what if?

Seeing that he didn't speak, Tian Jie immediately understood: he was right, this kid really did something big.

He thought for a moment: "Do you have any other conclusions?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "Tian Suo, really, there's nothing there. It's just what Director Hu mentioned, which is at most a guess."

"Alright!" Tian Jie nodded. "Let's start looking first, don't feel guilty!"

"I understand, thank you Tadokoro!"

The two talked as they left the office area.

Then Tian Jie led the team eastward, and Lin Sicheng got into a Cheetah, followed by a pickup truck.

In his office, Hu Zheng made several phone calls.

The meeting was requested by He Zhigang of the Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics, while the equipment and personnel were provided by the Public Security Bureau.

But the police station, the tomb raiding... what kind of nonsensical logic is this?

Another question: The only basis is a few apocryphal texts and feng shui theories, as well as speculations based on a few historical records.

Looking at it this way, Xiao Ying was indeed right: it's like letting a child run wild?

Forget it, let's just do whatever we want. It's just adding one more line to the document, what harm could it do?

Hu Zheng thought for a moment, then called Tian Jie again. He said a lot, but the core message was just three words: Find them as soon as possible!

And this search lasted for half a month.

...

Sunlight slanted across the haystacks, and the frost slowly melted, dripping from the withered yellow reeds.

Lin Sicheng sat cross-legged on the top of Sanyao Slope, the cold wind ruffling his hair, which swayed back and forth in front of his forehead.

In the early Western Han Dynasty, this place was called Honggu Plain, one of the "Nine Plains of Chang'an". In October of the fourth year of the Shenjue reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, eleven phoenixes gathered here, and the place was renamed Fengqi Plain.

Legend has it that this place was formed from a phoenix's beak, hence the name Phoenix Beak Slope.

Looking north, one sees a forest of tall buildings, with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda standing majestically on the shore of Furong Lake. Further north, the Drum Tower and Bell Tower are faintly visible.

Turning south, dust filled the air, and machines, like monsters, charged and crashed about. With a deafening roar, an ancient locust tree, as thick as a man's waist, was uprooted.

The brick wall collapsed with a crash, and the smell of burning, mixed with the acrid fumes of diesel exhaust, filled my throat.

It's definitely in this area, the question is, exactly where?

The area covers more than 20 square kilometers, and demolition is happening everywhere, with machinery everywhere.

Lin Sicheng pinched the bridge of his nose, removed the stone, and gathered the documents beside him. He stood up, and an SUV was parked at the bottom of the slope.

Then, two figures descended. One was tall and the other short, one strong and the other thin.

The burly one is Tian Jie, and the thin one is the captain of his archaeological team, surnamed Gao. They had eaten together before.

Lin Sicheng picked up the documents and went to greet them.

"Tadokoro, Captain Taka, aren't you busy today?"

"After working non-stop for half a month, even a donkey needs a break!" Tian Jie joked, then sighed, "How are you feeling?"

Lin Sicheng didn't speak, he just shook his head.

Tian Jie grimaced as if he had a toothache.

Since it was just a guess, or even a guess without any basis, it was expected that Lin Sicheng would not find anything.

The problem is, he hasn't found anything either?

Two teams from the provincial bureau, three teams from the municipal bureau, plus the Duling and Yangling parks, totaling about a hundred people, spent a full half month revisiting Duling twice.

They did find quite a few tombs, eight, nine, or even ten a day, but they couldn't find a single pit, let alone a tomb, related to Zhang Anshi.

This is strange: if it was buried so deep that the machine couldn't find it, then where did the evidence that Lin Sicheng found come from?

No matter how deep it's buried, there will always be newly dug holes and fresh soil, right? But it's all for naught.

It's possible the survey team overlooked something and didn't find it. But the mausoleum grounds are only about ten square kilometers, and with archaeological teams and patrol teams around, let alone cultural relics, they'd have to check the sex of even a mouse that runs off.

However, over the past two weeks, highly identifiable cultural relics have continued to flow into the black market. Where do they come from?

Gradually, even Tian Jie couldn't help but wonder if, as Lin Sicheng had speculated, Zhang Anshi's tomb was not in Dulingyuan.

Having no clue what to do, Tian Jie gave the team members a day off.

Their minds were in turmoil, and they couldn't calm down, so the two decided to go for a drink. It was only when Tian Jie called Wang Qizhi that he realized: all the team members were on holiday, but they'd forgotten about this extra member?

Tian Jie thought he might as well invite Lin Sicheng along too, and he and Gao Zhendong would drive over to pick him up on the way...

Seeing the stack of papers in his hand, with diagrams and writing on them, Tian Jie pointed and asked, "What's that? A star map?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Just drew it randomly!"

Tian Jie took it and looked at it.

There were about seven or eight maps, including star charts and topographical maps, with text written below them.

It's a bit messy, like a random essay.

Upon seeing a few lines, Tian Jie suddenly stopped:

Historical records state: In remembrance of An Shi's past merits, the emperor decreed that his descendants be buried with him...

The tombs of marquises were four zhang high, while those of marquises below the rank of commoner varied in height… Only Zhang Anshi's family had inherited the title for five generations, and all of them were buried in the imperial garden, receiving a special imperial tomb system…

Based on this, it can be inferred that Zhang Anshi's tomb is a family burial complex, with more than twenty burial mounds, and the area of ​​the mausoleum is estimated to be around one hundred acres...

Tian Jie's eyes widened: No... Lin Sicheng, how big is the entire Duling area?

It's only about twelve or thirteen square kilometers, and even including the nearly two hundred surrounding mausoleums of varying sizes, it's still only about twenty-four or twenty-five square kilometers.

According to Lin Sicheng's speculation, Zhang Anshi's family alone occupied 100 acres, so where would the other 200 houses be buried?

After looking at it several times, Tian Jie frowned: "Where did you find these two historical records?"

"The first one comes from 'Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital,' and the second one comes from 'Comprehensive Treatise on Customs and Traditions' written by Zheng Xuan of the Eastern Han Dynasty!"

Tian Jie paused for a moment: "Miscellaneous history?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Yes, miscellaneous histories!"

No, strictly speaking, it doesn't even qualify as miscellaneous history; rather, it's a fictionalized account with mythological elements.

This quote is rather unreliable...

Tian Jie was naturally skeptical. He glanced at it twice and handed it back.

Then he smiled again: "I've been busy for more than ten days without any progress, so I decided to give the team a day off. But my mind was too cluttered, and I forgot to tell you. I only remembered when I called your teacher..."

"I had plans with your teacher, but he said you don't drink, so let's have a meal together instead. You've worked so hard, take a day off..."

Lin Sicheng nodded.

The hardship is secondary; the main problem is that I have no clue what to do, which makes me quite anxious.

The three of them walked downstairs, and Lin Sicheng's car was right next to them. There were originally two cars, but now there was only one left; there were originally four police officers, but now there were only two.

It wasn't the Public Security Bureau that took them away; rather, since they no longer required much equipment, Lin Sicheng had Guan Xingmin transfer two back.

Just as they were about to get off the slope and get into the car, Tian Jie's phone rang. He guessed it was one of his superiors and went to answer it.

Lin Sicheng didn't pay any attention, opened the car door and got in.

But just as I settled in, the phone buzzed.

He took it out and glanced at it. The number was unfamiliar, but there was a note: Director Chen.

He answered the call casually, and Chen Peng's slightly impatient voice came through:

"Lin Sicheng, come to the station immediately: This morning, the Inner Mongolia border patrol found a stone tablet disguised as the floor of a coal truck in a group of coal trucks preparing to cross the border. After identification, it was determined to be the epitaph of Zhang Lin, Marquis of Fuping in the Western Han Dynasty..."

"Then, during an emergency interrogation and simultaneous search, a gold seal was found in the fuel tank of another coal truck: Seal of the Marquis of Fuping!"

Lin Sicheng was suddenly stunned: Zhang Lin—Zhang Bo—Zhang Yanshou—Zhang Anshi. This is Zhang Anshi's fourth-generation descendant…

Most importantly, besides the epitaph, there is also a gold seal of a marquis... There is no posthumous title, only a noble title; this is Zhang Anshi's first marquis gold seal...

Lin Sicheng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pulled out the paper from before.

The line above, with its dozen or so characters, pierced my eyes like needles: "Only Zhang Anshi's family, whose five generations inherited the title, were all buried in the imperial garden, and were specially granted the privilege of a mausoleum..."

Outside the car window, Tian Jie was holding his phone, his eyes wide open like light bulbs.

What did I just say? Lin Sicheng, you believe in unofficial history?

What about now?

The first marquis's gold seal and the epitaph of the fourth-generation descendant—what does it mean that these two items can be put together?

The title was inherited for five generations, and all were buried in the cemetery...