Chapter 167 Something Has to Be Done
Flames licked the yellow mud, and pear wood charcoal crackled and popped, scattering tiny sparks.
Gradually, the wet mud hardened and dried, cracking open to reveal the silvery-white tin foil.
The stand was removed, the foil was unwrapped, and the lamb was revealed to be a golden-brown, succulent. Drips of fat fell into the charcoal fire, sparking a few blue flames. The aroma of the meat, mingled with the tender fragrance of shallots and chive blossoms, filled the hall.
Dingbian's famous dish: Salt Lake Roasted Lamb.
"Authentic Inner Mongolia ETKQ (bordering Ningxia Yanchi and Dingbian Salt Lake) salt lake sheep, including sand onions and chive blossoms, are freshly picked from the grasslands... fresh and tender!"
Xu Nianqin spun the wheel, pointing the sheep's head at Lin Sicheng: "Boss, have a taste!"
"good!"
Lin Sicheng picked up a knife, made a cut on the sheep's head, cut a line on the sheep's tail, and then cut the sheep's back.
The woman stared at the silver knife in his hand: This sequence seems so familiar.
"Has the boss been to Inner Mongolia?"
"In this line of work, you have to travel all over the country, from north to south, from all corners of the world!"
Lin Sicheng smiled, skillfully sliced a few strips, and arranged them on plates. "I'm offering this as a gift, everyone, please have a taste!"
The woman paused for a moment, and Fatty Liu also paused for a moment.
His first sentence was in Shaanbei dialect (Yulin, Ting'an), clearly mixed with ancient Mongolian language, while the second sentence was in Shaanbei dialect (Hanzhong area) with Shu characteristics.
Coincidentally, Fatty Liu is from Yulin, and Xu Nianqin is from Hanzhong.
The key point is that you can't hear any accent from other places at all.
The woman narrowed her eyes: "Isn't the boss from Zhejiang?"
"All good people under heaven are one family!" Lin Sicheng picked up a piece of lamb back, dipped it in the chive blossom bowl, and said, "As long as you know how to do business, why bother asking where I'm from?"
Lin Sicheng put the food in his mouth and chewed slowly. "Just like last time, when Manager Xu asked me my surname, I said it was Zhe. Did Manager Xu believe me?"
The woman's eyelids twitched: the first sentence was in Taiyuan dialect, the middle sentence became Cantonese, and the last sentence became Changsha dialect.
The problem is, she's traveled all over the country with Yu Dahai, visiting these places more than once, and interacting with locals even more. Yet, she couldn't discern any difference between what Lin Sicheng was saying and what the locals were saying.
While he was still stunned, Lin Sicheng chuckled again: "After setting up a pit, you move to a new place (hiding place), after finishing a business deal, you change your phone number, after shipping the goods, you change your identity... Isn't this standard practice? Manager Xu, there's no need to be surprised!"
Yes, it needs to be changed. But you can't just change your accent every time you finish a job, can you?
The tomb raiders were even stranger...
"Everyone, come on..." Lin Sicheng picked up his wine bowl again, "I can't hold my liquor, so Zhao, the head of the team, can drink more!"
"Alright!" Zhao Xiuneng quickly raised his wine bowl, held it with both hands, and clinked it against Lin Sicheng's.
He bent his waist slightly, and the bowl automatically lowered as well, his expression respectful, his eyes downcast.
It felt like the person holding the wine bowl opposite him wasn't the young man, but the old lady from the Zhao family.
Ask again, if Yu Dahai and Gao Zhengang were sitting opposite each other, would Zhao Xiuneng have adopted the same posture?
Unbeknownst to them, their mindset had changed again, and the three of them hurriedly picked up their wine bowls.
Zhang Feng made an excuse to drive, Xu Gaolan made an excuse to take care of her boss, and even the criminal police captain disguised as a bodyguard didn't drink; they just ate silently.
The atmosphere at the table was quite lively... well, basically Lin Sicheng was the one talking, and everyone else was learning from him. This included Zhao Xiuneng, who was known as the "Tiger of Guanzhong."
Lin Sicheng talked about Yang Bin from Shaanxi, Hou Jinfeng from Shanxi (who dominated Shanxi for nearly 30 years), the Song brothers from Henan (who dominated Henan for 30 years), Lin Xisheng and Liu Shengli from Hunan (who were overthrown in 2009, with four sentenced to death, twenty-three to suspended death sentences, and countless others to life imprisonment), as well as Chen Wei and Li Jinqian from Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
He basically listed all the famous pot-setters and appraisers in the country. The three tomb raiders listened with trepidation, while the three policemen listened with their eyes shining.
It's no exaggeration to say that Yu Dahai and Gao Zhengang were several buildings shorter than these people. Just to give you an example: what Lin Sicheng described, in its later stages, involved semi-public grave robbing, with explosives being used to blow up graves in broad daylight, yet these graves still managed to stand for eighty, ninety, or even ten years.
Despite their caution and prudence, Yu Dahai and Gao Zhengang ended up fleeing overseas.
"Actually, it's still not managed well; the umbrellas aren't big enough..."
Lin Sicheng bluntly stated, "Look at Hou Zhiguo from Shanxi, who specializes in Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasty plates. He's been doing this for almost twenty years, and he's dug countless holes in the market... And everyone in Yuncheng knows he's in this line of work, yet he's still doing just fine."
"Actually, there are only two things: First, you have to find the right temple... Second, you have to be willing to spend money..."
Lin Sicheng tapped the table: "I originally came here hoping to work together with Chief Zhao to make a fortune for a few years. But the old lady made it clear: the Zhao family doesn't take advantage of those who are already dead. This time, she's helping me out because of my elders, but afterwards, I'll have to find someone else..."
"So, could you please pass on a message to Manager Xu: 'I have connections, and I have even more money... Climbing palaces and towers, searching for pits and boxes (tombs) is as commonplace as eating a meal for me... But there's only one thing: I lack the skills to perform the ritual of 'initiating enlightenment' and 'climbing poles with hooked feet' (experts in digging holes and going down into pits)..."
"If you trust the boss, then hire a money counter (join the team). If you don't trust him, then hire a temporary pig (temporary hire). He can name a price for how the profits will be divided afterward, or how he hired the pig beforehand!"
After a slight pause, Lin Sicheng smiled again, "There are so many magnificent palaces in Guanzhong. If he doesn't climb them and I don't climb them either, surely someone else will. Wouldn't that be a pity?"
The woman's heart was pounding.
She had personally witnessed just how skilled this man was: a dragon pattern that would take Gao Zhangyan (Gao Zhengang) at least half a day to work on would only take him ten minutes.
The well (the tomb) was filled so flat that the grass grew at a uniform height and density. He led Zhao Polan around for about an hour and finally found the Golden Well.
Therefore, his description of climbing palaces and towers to search for pits and boxes is not an exaggeration at all.
The exact amount is unclear at the moment, but whether it's for purchasing goods or acquiring images, the price is whatever you ask for. It's a deal worth millions, and they won't even haggle over the price.
How strong the relationship is, those in the legitimate world don't know, but let's just talk about colleagues: Xu Nianqin is also a seasoned veteran. Can't she tell whether Zhao Xiu's respect for him is genuine or just an act?
That's why Xu Nianqin was worried: although Yu Zhiguo and Gao Zhangyan were not there, business had not stopped.
But once this person came to Guanzhong, where would their source of income be?
Suddenly, a surge of resentment welled up in Xu Nianqin's heart: she wished Lin Sicheng would go down into the pit tonight and let Song Laosan blow him up in the tomb...
Why isn't Manager Xu saying anything?
Lin Sicheng glanced at her indifferently: "Is the business still going? Yu Zhiguo is out there (overseas) directing operations, while the brothers are inside (domestic) drilling wells?"
Her expression was calm, and she even had a smile on her face, but in an instant, Xu Jinqin felt those two gazes pierce her like knives.
She quickly lowered her head, composed herself, and picked up the wine pot to refill Lin Sicheng's cup: "Boss is joking. If business were still running, why would we be selling treasury pots?"
yes.
If his men are still digging, it means there's something wrong with the pit they sold to Lin Sicheng...
Lin Sicheng picked up the wine bowl and took a sip, unhurriedly:
"Of course, there are many ways to partner up; it doesn't necessarily have to be a high-end establishment. Yu Zhiguo has been running a foreign-style business (exporting cultural relics abroad) for so many years, and he's also been working abroad for several years. He must have a very wide network of connections and strong relationships... which is exactly what I need..."
He then beckoned, and the captain of the criminal investigation team, disguised as a bodyguard, picked up a briefcase and placed it on the table.
"In the past two years, we were lucky enough to open a few fire holes (large, well-preserved, and dry tombs), unearthed a few pieces of porcelain, and removed a few jade artifacts from the base of the mountain..."
But we can't handle the demand in our own territory, so I've been looking for opportunities elsewhere, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a way. So I'd like to ask Manager Xu to pass on a message: could you perhaps ask Manager Yu to help us out? The commission is negotiable…”
As he spoke, Lin Sicheng opened the box.
Xu Nianqin, Liu Tuizi, and a temporary appraiser all gathered around.
Four porcelain jars and a rhinoceros horn cup?
The three men looked at each other, secretly suspicious: Lin Sicheng called to ask Xu Nianqin to check the codes (for shipment), so they prepared a banquet and specially invited an expert.
But now that I look at it: the product is actually quite ordinary.
Black and white porcelain from Cizhou ware, dyed rhinoceros horn from the Ming and Qing dynasties?
It's not exactly ubiquitous, but it's not exactly good either...
Knowing what they were thinking, Lin Sicheng picked up the teapot and poured a cup into each of the four porcelain bowls.
At first, no one paid attention, but as the tea steam rose, a few people sniffed and their expressions changed slightly.
Lin Sicheng didn't say anything, he poured it all into the trash can, and then poured it out again.
After the medicinal aroma dissipated, Lin Sicheng poured more and brewed it again.
The cup was washed three times, but the aroma of medicine still wafted up.
The four people looked at each other in bewilderment: They had washed it several times, so how could the smell of medicine that was wafting out have been sprinkled in at the last minute?
Lin Sicheng picked up the rhinoceros horn cup again, rinsed it three times with hot tea, and then poured in warmed yellow wine.
Subconsciously, the group moved forward a little: This cup seems to be changing color?
Originally dark red, the color gradually lightened until it turned bright red.
That's so weird.
They had seen antiques that change color when exposed to high temperatures before, but they all turned darker; this one, however, turned lighter.
After waiting for a while, until the rhinoceros horn cup no longer changed color, Lin Sicheng took the three wine bowls and divided the warm wine in the cups into four portions: "Please!"
The three didn't move, and he smiled again: "Don't worry, it's not poisonous!"
Of course it's not poisonous. Even if it were, it had been scalded with hot tea several times...
Xu Nianqin paused for a moment, picked up the wine bowl, tasted it, and exclaimed "Eh!"
It smells like nothing, but it has a medicinal aroma when you drink it?
Following suit, the other two also tried it.
The three exchanged another glance: both items were quite strange. They must have been medical instruments used by ancient doctors…
Just as she was pondering this, Xu Nianqin suddenly froze, her eyes bulging.
In an instant, it felt as if a fire had ignited in my lower abdomen, and in the blink of an eye, it flowed through my blood vessels and spread throughout my body.
A sudden warmth spread through my body, and fine beads of sweat appeared on my forehead. At the same time, a strange sense of exhilaration welled up inside me, and I felt more energetic than ever before, as if I had inexhaustible energy.
The key thing is, why does this feel a little familiar?
Then, two more men, besides feeling feverish and invigorated, seemed to sober up considerably in that instant…
The three people stared at the six eyes, both surprised and amazed.
It was washed three times, so the medicinal effect must have seeped out of the cup. The problem is, it gives the feeling of being on drugs…
Lin Sicheng first pointed to the porcelain jars: "These four have a special name: Apricot Grove Glaze... I retrieved them from the Yongchong Mausoleum of Emperor Guangzong of the Southern Song Dynasty... Afterwards, I took them to the capital and had experts from the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine examine them. They said they were jars specifically used for treating the Southern Song emperors with heatstroke..."
"This one is called the Crimson Cloud Cup. One was unearthed from the Dingling Mausoleum in the 1970s... It is said that nowadays in the palace, only three cups are brewed a day, and those few people share them... Of course, this is just hearsay, it's definitely a rumor..."
After a slight pause, Lin Sicheng smiled again, "This thing has never been seen or reported, but you should have heard of Angong Niuhuang Wan from Hong Kong..."
At first, Xu Nianqin was still suspicious, but when she heard "Angong Niuhuang Wan", she was stunned and her eyes lit up.
Why does this wine taste so familiar?
She had been to Hong Kong, bought Angong Niuhuang Wan (a traditional Chinese medicine), and even tried it. At the time, she only felt a slight warmth in her lower abdomen, and her spirits improved a little.
Even so, she was stunned, thinking to herself that it was indeed a miraculous medicine that could prolong life.
In comparison, the feeling of that pill is like a gentle stream. But this small sip of wine is like a mighty river, flowing endlessly.
Like fireflies and the bright moon, worlds apart...
Feeling the changes within her body and the unprecedented exhilaration, Xu Nianqin licked her chapped lips.
What are rare treasures and exotic items?
Rare in the world, mysterious as the divine...
By now, she was at least certain that this person had indeed searched for the Dragon Tower (dragon vein) and ascended the Treasure Palace (imperial mausoleum).
Otherwise, where did this cup come from?
This one alone is worth more than my brother-in-law's entire fortune, earned through more than ten years of hard work and risking his life: even if it were sold for one or two billion, it would probably be in high demand.
In an instant, my heart started pounding again: Get it back, we must get it back... no matter if it's a scam or robbery!
With this cup, why bother robbing tombs or digging up burial mounds? Just soak it in alcohol every day and sell it; you could become a billionaire...
Xu Nianqin swallowed hard and moved her lips.
But she found that no matter what she said, she couldn't suppress the impulse in her heart...
"Boss, please have a seat..." Xu Nianqin stood up, holding her phone. "Let me ask the big boss first!"
"good!"
Xu Nianqin turned and left, while Lin Sicheng drained the wine and slowly wiped himself clean.
Zhao Xiuneng stared at the cup, his eyes shining, his thoughts racing: This thing had long since transcended the category of cultural relics and antiques; it was a rare treasure.
Will Yu Dahai be able to resist the temptation?
He's a load of rubbish. He thinks he can hold out? I'll call him daddy...
After filling the cup and handing it to the criminal police captain, Lin Sicheng waited quietly.
Almost half an hour later, Xu Nianqin returned.
He was still excited, but the greed in his eyes had subsided, and his expression revealed a hint of certainty.
After sitting down, she smiled and said, "Boss, my brother-in-law asked me to give you his regards..."
Before he could finish speaking, his phone vibrated. Lin Sicheng glanced at it and smiled knowingly.
It was a text message with just five words: "Boss Zhejiang, I've heard so much about you."
But the number is extremely long...
In an instant, the hearts of the three policemen pounded uncontrollably: how long had the provincial and municipal bureaus investigated, how much effort had they put in, how many methods had they devised, and how much manpower and resources had they expended...
The leader in charge lost clumps of hair, but after years of open and covert efforts, not only was there no trace of him, but they couldn't even touch a single hair of Yu Dahai's shadow.
But Lin Sicheng easily found out where he was staying, and Yu Dahai even sent him his contact information.
He's definitely abroad, so it's hard to catch him right now. But it shows that Lin Sicheng has successfully hooked Yu Dahai. As long as he doesn't get his hands on this cup, Yu Dahai will eventually give in and be lured back to China by Lin Sicheng.
The saying goes, "Man dies for wealth, birds die for food." If one can endure the urge to rob a tomb, then one will not stoop to tomb raiding...
Just as he was getting excited, Lin Sicheng stood up, holding his wine bowl: "Since Chef Yu has honored me with his presence, then I'll take my leave first. I'll contact Chef Yu again when I get back and ask him for directions... Thank you for your hospitality, Manager Xu, and thank you all for your kind hospitality..."
Everyone stood up at the same time.
Lin Sicheng finished his drink and clasped his hands in a fist salute. Zhao Xiuneng and three policemen followed behind, while Xu Nianqin and two of her men respectfully saw him off.
As dusk fell and the sun set behind the western mountains, the three SUVs gradually drove away into the distance.
The skinny, monkey-like Song Laosan appeared like a ghost, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his eyes flashing with an eerie light.
"Boss, what did the boss say?"
Xu Nianqin exhaled a breath reeking of alcohol: "The boss said to let Yu Kejie check it out first?"
Explore?
They probably wanted to try and steal it, right?
But what if you manage to snag one on your first try?
Old Song's face darkened: "Why won't the boss let us make a move?"
Xu Nianqin gave him a strange look: "Those guys he (Lin Sicheng) brought, they all showed their guns today. Who do you think they were showing them to? Or are you saying you can handle them?"
Song Laosan gritted his teeth.
When it comes to sniping, bombing the enemy's grave, and reporting them to the police, Song Laosan was indeed a master.
But when it comes to a real, head-to-head confrontation, he's really lacking...
Old Song didn't say a word, but cursed under his breath...
Just as she was gritting her teeth, Xu Nianqin's phone rang. She glanced at it and her expression changed drastically.
It's my brother-in-law's phone number abroad...
But this is the first time in all these years that my brother-in-law has called a number other than the designated number.
Something must have happened...
Xu Nianqin quickly answered the call and hurried into the house, but she suddenly stopped halfway there.
Yu Dahai said three sentences:
"Xiao Liu (Yu Kejie) has fallen!"
"The whistleblower (the informant) has been blocked!"
"The old tree (protective umbrella) has gone silent... Run!"
He only said three sentences, a total of thirteen words, and then the phone hung up with a "beep".
She turned around abruptly, about to say something, when a beam of light suddenly shone through the mountain pass.
One, two, three... In the twilight, the police lights on the roofs of the vehicles pierced the eyes like needles.
Then, on the left...
Then, on the right...
Countless police officers jumped out of the vehicle and set up riot shields.
On the roof of the vehicle, three snipers set up their guns...
Instantly, the four people's faces turned as white as paper.
While he was still in a daze, Song Laosan gritted his teeth and ducked behind the pickup truck.
There were guns inside, and even more explosives...
But as soon as the car door was opened, a large hole suddenly appeared in the door with a "bang".
It ran through both car doors, and through Song Laosan...
With a thud, Xu Nianqin knelt on the ground: "I surrender... I surrender..."
...
As darkness fell, three SUVs drove steadily along the county road.
"The bait has been laid (the rhinoceros horn cup), the pie has been drawn up (the business relationship has been established), the dates have been given (cooperative tomb raiding), the stick has been set up for him (to find someone else to cooperate with, cutting off Yu Dahai's source of income), and even his claws have been chopped off... If Yu Dahai doesn't take the bait, Old Zhao will kowtow to him..."
Zhao Xiuneng spoke and gestured, becoming more and more excited as he spoke.
Lin Sicheng remained noncommittal: "People die for wealth, birds die for food. If Yu Dahai could resist the temptation, he wouldn't have engaged in tomb raiding."
Without a doubt, Yu Dahai has already contacted the group that went down into the pit, preparing to rob them outright. He probably already knows that something happened there.
At this moment, Yu Zhiguo's brain must be about to explode.
He mobilized almost all the skilled diggers and pit diggers for Zhang Anshi's tomb, but in the end, he wiped them all out.
So, what kind of initiation or pole-climbing skills did he have under his command?
While he was pondering this, the criminal police captain in the middle turned around and looked at Zhao Xiuneng with a smile: "Mr. Zhao, the leader asked me to ask you if you would be interested in contributing your remaining energy as a consultant in the bureau?"
Zhao Xiuneng paused for a moment, then pursed his lips: I expected that.
It should be said that Zhao Xiuneng anticipated this scene the moment he received Lin Sicheng's call in Beijing.
To be honest, he felt some resistance. The key was that he had been hit so many times. It was one thing to wear leather uniforms (ordinary police officers), but when he saw officers with stars (police inspectors, division chiefs or deputy division chiefs), even Zhao Xiuneng himself didn't believe he wasn't afraid.
But my mother said: Whether the Zhao family can get out of this mess, whether they can reform themselves, whether their two grandsons and even their descendants can live upright and honest lives, all depends on this.
He even said that since Heaven had opened its eyes and a golden thigh (referring to Lin Sicheng) had fallen into their laps, they might as well cling to him tightly. He further declared that one day they would surely be able to gild their ancestors' reputations (by having their descendants hold official positions and enter politics)...
Therefore, Zhao Xiuneng rushed from the capital to Xijing overnight. Upon arrival, he didn't even have time to catch his breath before helping Lin Sicheng down into the pit.
Besides, just because he's seen that rhinoceros horn cup, if he dares to say "no" now, he'll have to find another place to stay tonight.
So many rotten things didn't come to light before, not because the police couldn't find them, but because they didn't investigate properly...
After a moment's thought, Zhao Xiuneng nodded: "Okay, do we need to sign a document (confidentiality agreement)?"
Wow, you seem to know the process quite well?
The captain smiled and said, "I'll be waiting for you, Mr. Zhao, at the Legal Affairs Brigade at nine o'clock tomorrow."
Zhao Xiuneng curled his lip: "A brigade... is that only at the branch bureau level?"
Look at Lin Sicheng, he started as a first-level police superintendent (Chen Peng).
It's already pretty good, though. I do want that kind of treatment, but unfortunately I don't have Lin Sicheng's ability...
Just then, Lin Sicheng's phone rang, and he answered it without thinking.
Chen Peng's voice came from inside: "Xiao Lin, the moment you left, they caught that gang up on the mountain, not a single one escaped... Fan Qiang has also been released (the guy who handles the leftovers)..."
Lin Sicheng nodded.
It's like leaving a loophole: just look at Zhang Anshi's jade Wenming and Qingbai mirror to know that Yu Dahai left behind quite a few leftovers.
But Yu Kejie's arrest effectively severed the newly established chain of stolen goods and transportation network. Those leftovers couldn't just sit in the cellar rusting away, could they?
This gives Yu Dahai yet another reason to contact himself...
While he was pondering, Chen Peng's voice came again: "Oh right... Director He led his men down into the pits himself. Guess how many were stolen by Yu Kejie?"
"No need to guess!" Lin Sicheng said with absolute certainty. "At most two or three, and they'll all be on the fringes!"
Chen Peng was startled: "How did you know?"
Because of Zhang He's "Chief Secretary of the General of the Guards" seal!
Historical records state that the Zhang family inherited the title for five generations, with descendants succeeding to the rank of marquis (family burial site). Zhang He was Zhang Anshi's fourth-generation descendant, so where was his tomb if not in the corner?
And the previous stele: the stele would only be erected in the ancestral hall, which is also outside the core cemetery area, and can also be considered a corner.
Both sides indicate that Yu Kejie's tunnel was just completed, and he hadn't even had time to start transporting goods on a large scale.
As for the previous jade warming mirror, the clear mirror, the register, the gold seal, etc., they were all transported out little by little by Yu Dahai through a small hole he made a few years ago.
This means that most of the tombs in the core cemetery area have not yet been destroyed.
That's enough...
Chen Peng chuckled again: "My master asked me to ask you if you want to hold an awards ceremony? Of course, it has to be held in the open sea, and it can only be a small-scale event!"
Lin Sicheng shook his head without hesitation: "Director Chen, let's forget about it!"
The so-called "entering the village quietly, without firing a shot" approach. Every detail will be recorded in the files, and all the favors owed will be acknowledged by those in the know.
Giving out an award certificate and shaking hands with the leader... there's really no need for that.
Chen Peng sighed: "I'm sorry to have troubled you!"
Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "It's enough that you remember!"
Chen Peng nodded vigorously: "It's not just that I remember?"
Don't remember too many people...
After exchanging a few jokes, Chen Peng hung up the phone, and Lin Sicheng slowly exhaled: Having lived two lives, I have to do something.
Just like in the previous life, in just one year, more than 30 tombs of Zhang Anshi's family were destroyed by the pirates, leaving not a single intact one.
But right now, I've protected at least 90% of myself...
Just like this, it's perfect...
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