I hadn't noticed it before, but after listening to Secretary Xiao's words and taking a closer look, I realized that the old man was covered in mud and his clothes were a bit disheveled.
Clearly, she really did throw a tantrum on the ground just now.
Feng Ye was speechless. This old man was really willing to go all out, even disregarding his own reputation.
Faced with such a rogue, he was at a loss and could only turn his hopes for persuasion to Elder Yuan.
"Has Mr. Yuan tried to persuade him?"
"I've tried to persuade him, but he's just as stubborn."
"I'll give it a try."
Feng Ye stepped forward and tugged at Yuan Lao's clothes: "Yuan Lao, calm down. You're so old, it's not worth getting angry with him."
When Yuan saw that it was Feng Ye, his expression softened. He took a deep breath and said, "I know it's not worth it, but seeing him like this, I couldn't help myself."
“I have a general understanding of what happened. You just want to take these cultural relics back, but to be honest, you’ve come to the wrong person. It won’t solve anything with him, and no one else will agree to it.”
Feng Ye said sincerely, "We need to change our thinking and find a different way to solve this problem."
"What method?" Yuan asked Feng Ye with a puzzled look.
"For example, the cultural relics bureau could donate a sum of money to the Mazu Temple as a commendation and reward for recovering these cultural relics."
According to the original plan, this was supposed to be said by someone from the council.
But at this moment, he could only disrupt the plan and overstep his bounds.
However, as soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes lit up and they fell silent.
This suggestion was somewhat unexpected by Mr. Yuan, but upon closer examination, it seemed quite feasible.
Feng Ye continued, "The Mazu Temple is currently planning an expansion, and this money will come in very handy. For everyone, these cultural relics are certainly not as important as expanding the Mazu Temple."
"Of course, I'm just making a suggestion. You'll have to discuss the specifics with the council members."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Secretary Xiao chimed in, "Ah Ye's idea is excellent. This way, you achieve your goal, and everyone can accept it. Isn't that a win-win situation?"
As he spoke, he turned to the door and asked, "What do you all think of A-Ye's suggestion?"
“If that’s the case, I think we can let them take these things.”
I agree.
"That's possible, but how much can they donate? It can't be too little."
"..."
Everyone was saying their own thing, and there was no unified opinion, but they all meant roughly the same thing and agreed with Feng Ye's suggestion.
Even the old man stopped insisting.
"Everyone, don't rush. We haven't discussed the specifics yet, have we? We have to take it slow, right?"
Seeing the positive response from everyone to the proposal, Secretary Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hmm, this suggestion is worth considering."
After a moment of contemplation, Yuan Lao nodded slightly.
Secretary Xiao pressed his advantage, saying, "Since everyone from the council is here, why don't we discuss this matter together in the side hall next door? What do you think, Elder Yuan?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Yuan glanced at Feng Ye and Secretary Xiao, who had just been exchanging pleasantries, with a half-smile.
He's not stupid; of course he understood that this was premeditated.
However, after glancing at the crowd at the door who showed no sign of leaving, he nodded and said, "Okay."
After seeing the look in Yuan Lao's eyes, Feng Ye knew that he had been exposed.
Let it be exposed.
At least Yuan Lao agreed, and he breathed a sigh of relief; the first step had been successful.
He glared fiercely at Secretary Xiao.
Secretary Xiao ignored him and bent down to make a "please" gesture: "Old Yuan, this way please."
"You guys are something else..."
Yuan Lao smiled and shook his head, then stepped into the side hall.
The other seven council members followed them inside.
Party Secretary Xiao looked at Feng Ye and said, "Ah Ye..."
Knowing what he was going to say, Feng Ye quickly interrupted, "I have something to do, I'll go back first."
Secretary Xiao was slightly taken aback, but quickly realized what he meant: "Alright then."
Feng Ye glanced at the salvaged artifacts displayed in the main hall, and was shocked when he saw the bronze artifacts placed in front of the Mazu statue he had brought back.
This is a bronze artifact similar to the Four-Sheep Square Zun, but it is not as large as the Four-Sheep Square Zun, and the differences are also significant.
This bronze vessel has a round mouth and a square body. At the four corners of the shoulder are four bull heads, with the bull heads and necks extending out of the vessel. The bull bodies and legs are attached to the belly and foot of the vessel. The decorations in other places are mainly animal face patterns.
The animal mask pattern is somewhat blurred, but one can still feel its historical weight and cultural heritage.
Although it cannot be compared with the Four-Sheep Bronze Zun, it can still be considered a national treasure.
Originally a vessel for holding wine, the zun later evolved into a ritual vessel and sacrificial item.
I wonder which guy fished it out of some nook and cranny.
Now, it is placed in front of the Goddess Mazu, filled with sand and with three incense sticks inserted, and is used as an incense burner.
He was now more at ease, and it was up to the council to discuss the matter.
As long as no unreasonable demands are made, Mr. Yuan would probably agree to it and report it to the authorities for the sake of this round-mouthed square zun.
...
Feng Ye thought that there was nothing more for him to do. He had come up with the idea and cooperated. Starting tomorrow, he and A-Can would have to work hard to find a new fishing area.
But as planned, things changed faster than expected.
Only two hours after he returned home, Secretary Xiao came knocking on his door.
"Secretary Xiao, what brings you here? Have you reached a decision?"
Feng Ye got up, brewed a pot of tea, poured a cup, and handed it to him.
“We presented your idea verbatim, and Mr. Yuan said that he agreed in principle, but he did not have the authority to make a decision and it needed to be reported to higher authorities for a decision.”
"Oh, then it's pretty much a done deal, it's a sure thing."
Feng Ye smiled easily; he knew that the matter was settled, almost a certainty.
"I think so too, but I don't know when they will make a decision."
"No rush, the items are still at the Mazu Temple, aren't they? Besides, the underwater items haven't all been salvaged yet, so it shouldn't be later than the end of the salvage operation, right? If they still haven't made a decision by then, we can just stop them from taking the items away."
“That makes sense,” Secretary Xiao nodded. “However, Elder Yuan also made a condition.”
What are the conditions?
"Old Yuan's condition is that you take those three policemen out to sea and guard that area, so that no one else can go down to salvage those cultural relics."
Feng Ye was taken aback, then gave a wry smile.
Trouble is brewing!
He understood that this was Yuan Lao's revenge.
He immediately complained, "Secretary Xiao, you know this boat doesn't belong to me alone; my brother and A-Can both have a share. We've already wasted two days and lost a lot of money. If this continues, I won't be able to explain it to anyone."
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