Chapter 314 The Excavation of the Western Qing Tombs
Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
On the operating table, sterile instruments were neatly arranged, and two nurses slowly removed the gauze.
The wound was fresh and pink, with scabs forming at the stitches. The dense stitches snaked upwards, like several menacing centipedes crawling around.
The nurse dipped her finger in iodine and gently wiped the wound, the liquid seeping into the flesh through the sutures. Then, the doctor used scissors and tweezers to pull the sutures out.
With a "snap" and a "whoosh," a thread was pulled out. With another "snap" and a "whoosh," another thread was pulled out.
With each cigarette he smoked, a vein throbbed on Lin Sicheng's forehead.
Separated by a pane of glass, Jing Zeyang felt the same way, grimacing and breaking out in goosebumps.
He subconsciously imagined: what would it be like if he were tormented like that?
Even if it wasn't painful, he would definitely cry out, but Lin Sicheng didn't utter a sound.
Dude, are your bones made of iron?
Tang Nanyan stood to the side, her eyes darting around, her fists clenched tightly.
After about twenty minutes, all the stitches were removed. The doctor carefully instructed, "The recovery is going well. Don't get it wet when you get home, and don't do any strenuous exercise!"
Lin Sicheng agreed, and Ye Anning helped him to his feet.
Tang Nanyan suddenly realized what was going on and secretly pursed her lips: From childhood to adulthood, Ye Anning has always been the best at putting on an act!
Lin Sicheng injured his shoulder and arm, and it's been eight days already, why would he need your help?
After a moment's thought, the two left the dressing room, where several people came to greet them.
Jing Zeyang, Tang Nanyan, Xu Qin, and a branch captain from the brigade.
Jing Zeyang was summoned by Lin Sicheng, Tang Nanyan arrived uninvited, and Xu Qin was brought over by the brigade leader to smooth things over simply because she was familiar with Lin Sicheng.
After introducing themselves, they learned that he was in charge of cultural relic investigations at the Municipal Bureau. Lin Sicheng then realized that this was Yan Wenjing's superior.
They were very polite, even a little embarrassed.
Put yourself in their shoes: Given the situation on the first day, there were not only leaders from the ministry but also leaders from directly affiliated agencies. Yan Wenjing's responsibilities were crystal clear, and as his immediate superior, the pressure he faced was unimaginable.
A week later, the case was still dragging on, which would make anyone uneasy.
But Lin Sicheng expressed his understanding: police officers are also human, not superheroes. If this group were so easy to investigate and arrest, they wouldn't have been able to act so arrogantly and freely for so many years.
The squad leader kept thanking him; he really hadn't expected Lin Sicheng to be so understanding.
After exchanging a few polite words, Zhao Xiuneng helped Lin Sicheng see off the branch captain.
Xu Qin didn't move, looking at Tang Nanyan, as if to say, "Aren't you leaving yet?"
Tang Nanyan pretended not to see anything and stared at Lin Sicheng. Ye Anning remained expressionless and stared at Tang Nanyan.
And so, no one spoke, and Jing Zeyang felt itchy all over.
Lin Sicheng broke the silence: "It's Monday today, Officer Tang is at work, right? You can just have Brother Jing bring him over, there's no need for him to make a special trip!"
Tang Nanyan was straightforward and not embarrassed at all: "I just wanted to come see you, but my mom wouldn't let me! Knowing that I was coming to bring you something, she even specially asked Sister Xu to come with me!"
Is it really direct enough?
Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "Auntie was just worried you'd be embarrassed!"
What's so awkward about it? Because of Ye Anning?
It's not like we just met...
Tang Nanyan shook her head: "I can't!"
As she spoke, she took out the box: "Where will you stay after you are discharged from the hospital?"
Lin Sicheng accepted it: "I'll stay at the teacher's house!"
"Oh, Uncle Wang's house... I'll come visit you this weekend!"
She's straightforward and direct; most people really can't handle that.
But Lin Sicheng said something even more direct: "I'm almost fully recovered. I might have to go out of town in a couple of days!"
Tang Nanyan grasped the key point: it was going to another place, not returning to Xijing.
"Don't be afraid!" she said, looking at Ye Anning. "Don't worry, I won't bully her!"
Ye Anning was stunned for a moment, then let out a "heh".
Jing Zeyang felt a chill run down his spine: Was this something he should be listening to?
There wasn't a crack in the ground, otherwise he would definitely have crawled into it.
Tang Nanyan is really good at bragging: With your IQ, you should be grateful if Ye Anning doesn't beat you to a pulp. And you still dare to bully her?
Lin Sicheng was both amused and exasperated: "It's really happening in another city!"
"Okay!" Tang Nanyan nodded. "Then I'll come to Xijing to see you during the holidays!"
As she spoke, she waved her hand again: "Then I'm leaving. If I don't leave, Ye Anning will be able to gouge several holes in me with her eyes. And Sister Xu, her heart is probably about to jump out of her chest!"
Xu Qin smiled awkwardly and glared at Tang Nanyan.
Lin Sicheng nodded: "Okay!"
Jing Zeyang volunteered: "I'll go see Section Chief Xu off..."
Before he could finish speaking, he had just lifted his foot when he met Ye Anning's gaze and pulled it back.
Zhao Xiu is here, and so are Zhao Da and Zhao Er. Why would he need to send someone away?
Jing Zeyang breathed a sigh of relief after watching the group enter the elevator, hearing the elevator doors close, and seeing President Zhao return.
Damn it, just looking at it made his heart tremble. How could Lin Sicheng be so calm?
Then, he shrank back and raised three fingers: "Sister Anning, I swear, she wanted to come on her own, I really didn't bring her."
Ye Anning narrowed her eyes: "Jing Zeyang, you did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Only Lin Sicheng understands me well enough, otherwise, looking at Jing Zeyang's appearance, it makes me feel like I used to be a shrew.
This isn't Tang Nanyan's first time here, is it?
She said her mother wouldn't let her come, but since the day she got her stitches, she's made at least three trips a day.
No one knows who gave her the advice, but she only said that Lin Sicheng saved her, without mentioning anything else.
But Ye Anning didn't take it seriously at all: to be honest, she wasn't as threatening as Li Zhen!
Jing Zeyang reluctantly lowered his hand: Now you know how to act like a lady?
Angering Tang Nanyan might only result in a beating, which would be over soon. But angering Ye Anning would give you nightmares every night.
Because you never know when she'll get back at you, or how she'll do it...
After a moment's thought, Lin Sicheng pointed to the elevator: "Let's go!"
Zhao Da took two quick steps and pressed the elevator button. Zhao Er gently supported his arm, very carefully.
Zhao Xiuneng opened the box and looked at the copper coins inside: "Is this the bait that woman set out that day? Junior brother, what do you need this for?"
Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "I'll think about it!"
What's so interesting about a copper coin?
It seems the police couldn't find out anything about the woman, so Lin Sicheng wanted to investigate himself.
After a moment's thought, they went downstairs together. When they arrived at the parking lot, Lin Sicheng didn't rush to get in the car. Instead, he called Jing Zeyang aside.
"Before coming here, I went to see Brother Yan, hoping to come with him. But he said he couldn't face you if he couldn't find out who was behind him!"
"Not at all!" Lin Sicheng smiled. "How's the investigation going?"
"We arrested most of them that night, and by the third day, we had brought back almost everyone we could... including those thugs who escaped that day, Ma Gan who ordered the thugs to kidnap you, Ma Shan and his men who led the group to ambush us that day, and the mole..."
He had already discussed all of this in his writings. The day after he caught the man, he made a special trip to the hospital, and Lin Sicheng knew all of this.
Lin Sicheng found it strange that if the case was going smoothly, the branch leaders wouldn't need to bring Section Chief Xu on a special trip to explain.
"Is it difficult to get a trial?"
“It’s not that it’s hard to interrogate, it’s extremely difficult!” Jing Zeyang sighed. “The others are alright, such as those thugs and drunkards. The thug leader, the detective, and Ma Shan’s men all gave relatively clear answers.”
"But that mole and Ma Shan are as sharp-tongued as iron tongues! Especially Ma Shan, he didn't utter a single word after he went in. Brother Yan talked to him for three days, and he did vomit in the end, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he just made up random things and didn't say a single truth!"
Lin Sicheng sighed: How could it be so easy to explain?
Someone like Ma Shan has definitely committed murder, and not just one, which is a capital offense and could even bring harm to his family.
If you can hold on for the first ten years, and if things go well, you can probably get out in six or seven years. And you'll definitely be well-fed and clothed inside, and you can be the king of the hill.
As for the others, based on what has been verified so far, they'll be in prison for at most three to five years.
But if he doesn't hold on, by the time he comes out, his beard will probably be all white.
Seeing that Lin Sicheng remained silent, Jing Zeyang explained, "Brother Yan told you not to worry, even if they don't confess, we can still find out!"
Lin Sicheng nodded: Of course.
To be so arrogant in the capital, such arrogance and audacity cannot be acquired overnight; one must have committed numerous crimes.
As the saying goes, "the wind leaves its sound, and the wild geese leave their traces." If you investigate diligently, you will eventually uncover clues.
But it's estimated that this only applies to those who went in. By the time they figure things out and find the clues behind it, the boss from Mashan will have long since disappeared.
He's willing to kill someone just for snatching a small deal. With such a huge business deal ruined, can he really just let bygones be bygones?
Strike first, or suffer the consequences...
"Brother Jing, where is Mashan Pass?"
"It's right at the headquarters!"
"The case is in Captain Yan's hands, right?"
"Yes, the leader told him to redeem himself by making amends!"
Lin Sicheng thought for a moment, took out his phone, and it was answered in just one click.
He cut to the chase: "Captain Yan, could I meet with Ma Shan?"
Yan Wenjing agreed without hesitation for even half a second.
Jing Zeyang was startled: No... Cousin Lin, what are you trying to do?
Ye Anning was not far away, staring intently at him. It was as if she were saying: "You just agreed that day, was that the last time?"
Lin Sicheng could tell what she was thinking at a glance. He smiled and said, "Just asking a few questions!"
The person was locked up inside, and they were taken to the police station, so there was no danger. But Lin Sicheng was unusually bold. What if he found out something? Would he do what happened in Xi'an last time: disguise himself as an antique dealer and contact this group of people?
No need to guess, it's 100% certain!
She pursed her lips: "Why don't you ask your uncle first?"
Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: "Cousin Ye, you are so filial."
Ye Anning snorted: See? I knew it.
Knowing his uncle's personality, he would absolutely follow Lin Sicheng wherever he went. Lin Sicheng, you may not be afraid of death, but what about your teacher's life?
She took out her phone and handed it to her: "Here you go!"
Lin Sicheng sighed and took it.
Upon hearing that Lin Sicheng was going to the police station, Wang Qizhi was on his way, arriving at the hospital entrance in less than half an hour.
Besides him, there was also Shan Wangshu, who said he was there to pick up Ye Anning.
But just before getting into the car, she glanced at Wang Qizhi, then looked at Lin Sicheng: "Lin Sicheng, this is your teacher, you decide what to do..."
Lin Sicheng quickly smiled and said, "Don't worry, Madam!"
The two got into the car, and as they watched the taillights disappear into the distance, Wang Qizhi patted Lin Sicheng on the shoulder: "I'm entrusting my life to you!"
Lin Sicheng was both amused and exasperated: "Teacher, I just went to the police station to ask a couple of questions!"
Wang Qizhi squinted, "Just this once, today. We're not going anywhere except the police station?"
Lin Sicheng remained silent: It's not that easy.
Wang Qizhi scoffed, "Lin Sicheng, your teacher's wife and Ye Anning both know you better than you do yourself..."
Lin Sicheng was speechless...
...
The table was large and heavy, with a rough, pitted stainless steel surface covered in fine lines.
The interrogation room was spacious and bright, with cameras covering the corners of the walls.
Ma Shan peered through the fence, his eyes filled with wariness.
Are there two fewer people today than yesterday?
There were no presiding judge or deputy judge, only Yan Wenjing and the court clerk.
"Captain Yan, don't waste your energy. I've told you everything I need to. No matter how high-ranking the leader or how brilliant the expert you are, that's all I know..."
Ma Shan leaned forward, his wrist snapping against the table handcuffs with a crisp sound. "If you still don't believe me, then I'll just have to make it up!"
Having spent decades in the underworld, he's committed crimes, been to the police station, sat on the tiger bench, and been subjected to electric shocks.
After a week of investigation, Ma Shan was absolutely certain that the reason the police acted so quickly and decisively was not because anyone had died.
So what's there to be afraid of?
"It's alright, Ma Shan, go ahead and make things up!" Yan Wenjing looked at him coldly. "If I can't deal with you, I'll just have to go with you. Wherever you go, I'll go. We'll take it slow later!"
Ma Shan paused for a moment, then let out a soft "Heh".
How is that possible?
A deputy branch captain in his early thirties isn't just about ability. Without connections and background, he wouldn't get his turn even after ten more years.
Such a person wouldn't be stripped of their rank and reduced to working as a prison guard just because they failed to handle a case well.
Besides, even if it were true, so what? Back then, when I was fighting for a spot, someone slowly stabbed me in the stomach with a probe, tearing my intestines open, and I didn't utter a sound.
The police's methods are child's play. With this worthless life of mine, I'll do whatever I want with it.
Anyway, I've had my fill of enjoyment long ago. As long as I'm alive, those bastards outside will have to treat my wife and children like grandparents...
Ma Shan leaned back lazily, looking like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water.
Yan Wenjing didn't have time to argue with him; he kept thinking to himself: Why did Lin Sicheng want to see Ma Shan?
Will he seek revenge and torment Ma Shan, or will he swagger around and make fun of a drowning dog?
It doesn't seem like it: Lin Sicheng doesn't have that kind of personality, much less that kind of style.
But it's been more than three hours since I made the call, why hasn't it arrived yet?
Just as I was wondering what was going on, there were two knocks on the door from the outside.
Yan Wenjing got up and walked out.
There were several people at the entrance: Lin Sicheng, Wang Qizhi, the detachment leader, and the director of the personnel department of the brigade.
Yan Wenjing greeted everyone one by one, which startled Lin Sicheng.
His eyes were sunken, his hair was dry and brittle, his chin was covered in stubble, and his eyes were bloodshot.
Have you not slept for days?
"Professor Lin, Professor Wang!" Yan Wenjing gave a wry smile. "My abilities are limited; I'm sorry you had to see this!"
Wang Qizhi wasn't laughing at Yan Wenjing, but he did have a lot of opinions about her: if she had paid any more attention, Lin Sicheng wouldn't have had to suffer those stabs.
Lin Sicheng was fine; he remained the same as before: "Captain Yan, you're exaggerating!"
Not to mention Yan Wenjing, even Wang Qizhi couldn't tell whether he blamed Yan Wenjing or harbored resentment.
Afterwards, the branch captain explained the situation, and the head of the personnel department handed over another document.
Subconsciously flipping through the pages, Yan Wenjing suddenly realized: No wonder it took so long, it turns out they went to complete the formalities?
Advisor to the General Team, Specially Appointed Expert.
Suspects aren't so easy to catch. Things are becoming increasingly standardized, and oversight regulations are becoming more comprehensive. Making an exception requires going through multiple steps. And if anything goes wrong, it affects many people.
Therefore, it is best to have a valid identity and proper procedures.
Now it's just right: Lin Sicheng is a highly skilled professional, an advisor to the Xijing Municipal Bureau, and even the cases he participated in have been included in the department's training materials.
It is only natural and reasonable for the brigade to consult with the relevant authorities again.
After a quick thought, Yan Wenjing signed his name.
Wang Qizhi was also an advisor, but only incidentally. He had no interest in outsmarting criminals, but he quite enjoyed watching Lin Sicheng outmaneuver criminals. So he didn't go inside, but went to the next room instead.
Yan Wenjing pressed the electric switch, and with a creak, the heavy iron door slowly slid open.
Ma Shan rallied his spirits and carefully examined the area.
At the same time, he was thinking to himself: "I guess this is another bunch of lousy interrogation experts or psychologists who came today?"
Hello experts, all you do is spout nonsense and talk rubbish. Just enjoy yourselves for as long as you can…
Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly paused in surprise: Why is there a child here this time?
No, this is the kid who got stabbed...
But this is the police station, the serious crime interrogation room. Why was he allowed in?
Ma Shan was stunned, countless thoughts flooding his mind.
He had always thought that the police were taking it so seriously because of the drunkard's fake gun.
It's possible that those thugs acted impulsively and injured the young policewoman. More likely, they injured the young man who claimed his father worked at the Energy Bureau and his uncle at the Ministry of Culture.
So these days, he's been wondering how the police will deal with him and how many years he could get for these crimes.
But when he saw Lin Sicheng, he realized that he had guessed wrong all along: he had failed to recognize a great man and had kicked a hornet's nest.
And it's not just ordinary thick...
Ma Shan's heart tightened, and he clenched his fists together: But you're a second-generation rich kid, what are you doing wandering around that crappy Panjiayuan?
The key question is, what is this kid here for?
Torture yourself?
But according to the security footage, it doesn't seem to be turned off?
Surprised and puzzled, Lin Sicheng sat down, with Yan Wenjing in the middle and the clerk on the other side.
He raised his head, smiled, then clasped his hands in a fist and bowed forward: "Brokerage Ma, let me reintroduce myself, my surname is Lin!"
Watching Lin Sicheng's fingers move with dazzling skill and perfect technique, Ma Shan's pupils suddenly contracted:
Screw the second generation. Which second generation knows how to use the Yuanliang Seal, and how can they do it so skillfully?
This guy is a master appraiser, and not just any master appraiser: anyone who can make this mark is a powerful bandit leader who commands a group of thieves.
But that's not right. Which thief leader would dare to openly enter the police station, let alone swagger into the interrogation room?
It's not impossible for it to be a fake. But the thing is, judging by the rust on this kid's hands, he's definitely an expert...
Ma Shan was stunned for a long time: "Your eyes are not bright, your mind is confused, you don't know that Yuanliang is the leader, may I ask where the mountain armor is?"
"I dare not accept such praise. I carry firewood up the mountain and start a fire down below (a skill passed down from my ancestors). Cai Zi is a bit further away (a highly skilled craftsman), doing needlework."
Yan Wenjing was stunned: How could Lin Sicheng know these things?
He had worked as a cultural relics investigator for nearly ten years, dealing with these people every day, but he hadn't even understood half of what he had just heard...
Ma Shan was even more stunned, his eyes suddenly narrowed: How old are you, doing needlework?
What is needle tip work?
Take tomb raiding as an example: the lowest level involves hard labor, digging holes and carrying soil. The slightly better level involves hooking your feet, climbing poles, and going down into the pit to retrieve the loot.
A slightly better position is that of a night watchman (keeping watch) or a courier (shipping goods). Above that are the minor leaders in charge of organization and transportation. And above that are the watchmen and those in charge of setting up the operations.
To put it bluntly: they're all scoundrels who risk their lives for money.
If you do well enough, you can move beyond tomb raiding and start looking at feng shui, choosing burial sites, and inspecting houses.
So-called Yin-Yang masters and Feng Shui masters all belong to this category, but to be honest, they are still not respectable.
And what do the top performers do?
Observe the stars, survey the mountains, survey the waterways, build the city walls, and establish the mausoleum.
The next best was the Imperial Observatory, the next best was the Grand Astrologer, and the best of all was the Imperial Preceptor.
But that was in ancient times...
Ma Shan glared at him, gritting his teeth: "Don't you even look at yourself? How many hairs do you have on your lip?"
"I don't believe it!"
Lin Sicheng wasn't going to believe him. He took out the copper coin and said, "Brokerage Ma, let's chat for a bit!"
Qianlong Tongbao coins, XJ red coins, the batch that Wang Yaozi intercepted?
He remembered now; it was the one the policewoman found in the corridor. Ma Shan only realized it was a trap set by Wang Yaozi after repeatedly reviewing the events after he came in.
Killing two birds with one stone, like a cicada shedding its shell...
Ma Shan's expression shifted between light and dark: "What do you want to talk about?"
Lin Sicheng went straight to the point: "Let's talk about this copper coin: the copper color is date red, the slanted stroke of the character '干' is like a knife, the '阝' radical of the character '隆' is curved like a bow, and the three strokes of the '攵' radical are of varying lengths..."
"Few pinholes, uniform thickness, XJ red copper accounts for 95%, lead and arsenic account for less than half. But this is a technical issue; if possible, Zhao Hui would love to cast it as pure copper..."
Therefore, this is not an ordinary XJ red coin, but a Yarkand tribute coin cast after Zhao Hui conquered Ili and pacified the Dzungars, and melted down the Dzungar bronze cannons. It was then sent to the palace along with the battle reports…”
"It hasn't been circulated, hasn't been given as a reward, and has never left the palace. The key point is, it's so new?"
Lin Sicheng flicked it, and with a "clang," the copper coin spun around on the table.
"Was it just dug out from the Western Qing Tombs?"
With a "buzz," it felt like Ma Shan's mind had exploded...
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