Chapter 164 National Treasures

After listening to Tu Xingsun's introduction, we learned that the scale of this ancient Shu underground tomb was far larger than we had imagined. Starting from the tomb chamber where Tu Xingsun was imprisoned, we walked along the dark tunnel, turning here and there for more than ten minutes, and still had not reached the main tomb chamber he described.

Bored along the way, Xiao Liang and I chatted about Gao Shiye. In the conversation, Xiao Liang couldn't help but reveal some admiration for Gao Shiye.

"Where do you think Gao Shiye learned the skill of dragon seeking and acupoint location? He can locate them so accurately. This is an ancient Shu tomb from more than 4,000 years ago, and it's still sealed under water. He actually found it right away. Isn't that amazing?"

I couldn't help but sigh, "That's why his consultation fee is worth six million. I don't think I'll ever earn six million in my life."

After listening to our conversation, Jiang Yongguang sneered:

"What? From what you two are saying, it sounds like you admire this Gao Shiye quite a bit?"

Xiao Liang told the truth, "Although he's a tomb robber, his skills are indeed admirable."

Jiang Yongguang smiled contemptuously and said, "It's better to have virtue without ability than ability without virtue! People like Gao Shiye are simply the scum of society!"

Xiao Liang was startled by Jiang Yongguang's tone and couldn't help but ask, "Officer Jiang, why do you hate Gao Shiye so much? Is it because his men killed many of your brothers?"

"Not just because of that."

Jiang Yongguang said in a deep voice,

"Xiao Liang, let me ask you, do you know why our archaeologists are so disgusted with tomb robbers?"

Xiao Liang tilted her head and thought for a while, then replied, "Because they rob tombs, causing many cultural relics to be damaged and destroyed. Moreover, tomb robbers often trade with foreign countries, causing the outflow of our country's cultural relics..."

Jiang Yongguang nodded and said, "You're right. The most important thing is the second point. Most of the treasures dug out by the rats cannot be circulated domestically, so they can only be transferred overseas, which causes the outflow of national treasures. Gao Shiye specializes in this kind of activity, and several important national treasures have flowed overseas from his hands!"

Hearing this, Xiao Liang and I didn't really realize the seriousness of the outflow of national treasures.

Xiao Liang said naively, "I hope these national treasures will fall into the hands of collectors who know how to cherish and love them. That would be the silver lining."

Jiang Yongguang couldn't help but laugh and said, "Silly girl, you don't think that those who acquire important national treasures overseas are just ordinary antique enthusiasts and collectors, do you?"

Xiao Liang was stunned and quickly asked, "What? Isn't that the case?"

Jiang Yongguang said in a deep voice, "Of course not. Do you know why Gao Shiye is only interested in ancient tombs? Do you know why Gao Shiye only wants that jade slip in this ancient Shu tomb?"

Of course, Xiao Liang didn't know, and she shook her head blankly.

Jiang Yongguang said, "The transactions between Gao Shiye and foreign countries have long surpassed the level of ordinary antique collection and have risen to a higher level, which is why he can get sky-high rewards from it!"

Xiao Liang and I were completely intrigued by Jiang Yongguang's words and quickly looked at him attentively.

He didn't beat around the bush and explained in detail:

"Do you know why the four ancient civilizations can become the four ancient civilizations? It's because there are unearthed cultural relics as evidence. The reason why our country is recognized by the world as an ancient civilization with a history of more than 5,000 years is because we have discovered many ancient civilization sites...

Some other countries in the world also want to establish the image of their country having a long history and a long-standing culture, but they can't do it. Why? Because there isn't even a decent site within their borders!

Without sites, there are no unearthed cultural relics. Without unearthed cultural relics, there is no evidence to support it. These countries can only look at our country's brilliant civilization with envy!

But in recent years, with the improvement of science and technology, some countries are really jealous of our culture and have begun to come up with crooked ideas. They don't have sites and cultural relics in their own territory, but they want to create the image of their country having a long history. What should they do? It's very simple, steal from our country!"

Hearing this, I immediately guessed which country it was.

The stealing country, stealing country, lives up to its name!

Jiang Yongguang said with gritted teeth:

"They stole our bronzes, processed them slightly, and disguised them as if they were unearthed from their own country, claiming that their country mastered bronze smelting technology earlier than us.

They stole samples from our country's rice paddy sites. When we announced that agricultural activities existed as early as 6,300 years ago in the Neolithic Age, they stood up and said that they had already started farming 15,000 years ago...

They steal everything, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation! And the one who colludes with them from within is this damned Gao Shiye!"

After being told by Jiang Yongguang, I finally understood why he hated Gao Shiye so much.

What's the difference between this guy's actions and those of a traitor?

It's really hateful!

Xiao Liang was also so angry that her pretty face turned pale, and she bit her jade teeth and said, "This Gao Shiye is too hateful. He has forgotten his roots for the sake of money! If he dies one day, what face will he have to meet his ancestors under the Nine Springs?"

Jiang Yongguang said in a deep voice, "Hmph! That's why I said that Gao Shiye has ability without virtue! This kind of person is the worst!"

I quickly asked, "Then why does Gao Shiye have to get the jade slip from this ancient Shu tomb?"

Jiang Yongguang replied, "The ancient Shu civilization has not been completely revealed to the world, and there are still a lot of mysteries in it, especially the writing used by this civilization, which is even more confusing. So far, archaeologists have only discovered seven ancient Shu characters similar to hieroglyphs..."

I immediately speculated, "Could it be that this ancient Shu jade slip records the characters of the ancient Shu civilization?"

Jiang Yongguang nodded and said, "That's what I'm guessing too. This jade slip must record a large number of ancient Shu characters, and even this jade slip is a complete record of the history of the ancient Shu civilization! If this jade slip is obtained by Gao Shiye and then sold to the stealing country, then the stealing country will decipher the characters of the ancient Shu Kingdom before us, and even replicate the civilization of the ancient Shu Kingdom within their borders..."

Hearing this, Xiao Liang and I were both sweating!

"Then at that time, that group of shameless thieves will claim that they are the origin of the ancient Shu civilization!" I said in a deep voice.

"That's not okay! We must find this jade slip! We can't let the national treasure be snatched away by Gao Shiye's people!" Xiao Liang also said, clenching her pink fists.

Seeing that the two of us were both people who understood righteousness, Jiang Yongguang showed a gratified smile.

He assured us:

"Don't worry, with us, the Xiaoling Guard, we will never let the national treasure flow out."

Before he could finish speaking, a Xiaoling Guard walking at the front of the team suddenly said in an excited tone, "Damn it! We're finally here! The main tomb chamber is here! I see the entrance!"