The news of Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin spread like wildfire. Rumor had it that among the unearthed artifacts from the Terracotta Army, there was a civil official figurine holding a bronze dagger, glaring furiously. Facing him was a formidable general figurine.
Everyone knew that when Jing Ke attempted to assassinate the King of Qin, he presented himself before Qin Shi Huang as an envoy bearing tribute. This scene, it was said, was what people were describing when they spoke of Jing Ke's assassination attempt.
Neither the museum nor the archaeological team came forward to verify this story, yet the popular tale grew increasingly vivid, with even photographs of Jing Ke's dagger and a general figurine's head circulating.
Consequently, the museum director sought out Grandpa. Grandpa smiled faintly and said, "You can't question the professionalism of our archaeological staff based on popular rumors."
"Then what about these pictures?"
"Where did these photos come from?"
Faced with Grandpa's retort, the director became somewhat displeased. "Old Lin, I'm asking you!"
"The archaeological team's work on the Terracotta Army is not yet complete. However, some of the bronze funerary objects have already entered the national treasury. This bronze dagger appears to have been unearthed from Pit No. 2. The handover process was rather complex, and it's truly difficult to track down who secretly took photos with a camera."
"You can't track it down?"
"Director, we really can't. Even if you called the police, there would be no result. Think about it, this person must have sneaked the camera in and taken the photos when no one was around. If they had stolen a national treasure, we might be able to find clues and catch them, but how can we investigate photos? Perhaps we can ask around, see who owns a camera, knows how to use one, and can develop photos. Not many people fit that description."
The director's face relaxed slightly. "These popular rumors have a very negative impact. We can't silence the public, so we must address the root of the problem and quickly sever the insidious idea of selling national treasures for foreign wealth."
"Alright, Director, I'll get on it immediately and complete the task. By the way, the archaeological team should also be involved in this work. Since we are two different administrative units, I can't manage them. You'll need to coordinate with them."
"Fine, I'll go there."
Zhao Shicheng was also quite busy. He wasn't just investigating his own people; he was also leading them to hang banners on the streets with slogans like: "Protecting National Treasures is Everyone's Responsibility," and "Trading in National Treasures is Unlawful."
Grandpa and Zhao Shicheng were both swamped, but when they met, they no longer had that tense, confrontational demeanor. It seemed as though the disputes between the archaeological team and the museum had vanished, fostering a sense of unity for the nation and its people.
After this wave of activity, they met like old friends at a paomo restaurant for drinks. After a few sips, Zhao Shicheng looked troubled, sighing, "Old Lin, this situation isn't developing as we imagined."
"What's wrong?"
"Those old fellows really have a death wish. Not a single one of them has returned the figurine heads I sent out."
Grandpa knew perfectly well that this news had sent the price of the figurine heads soaring, but it was only the price. With the current tight crackdown, no one was selling. Rumor had it that the price of figurine heads had doubled, and the price of bronze funerary objects had increased by fifty percent.
"If it were me, I wouldn't return them either," Grandpa said with a smile.
Zhao Shicheng looked at Grandpa, puzzled, and asked earnestly, "Old Lin, when did your thinking become tainted by this evil influence? Do you intend to sell the figurine heads for money?"
"Alas, in the face of tens of thousands of yuan, I think I can still withstand the test. But when it comes to millions, my heart trembles." "Millions? What millions?"
"Old Zhao, you don't know yet? There's a recent rumor that a mysterious person 'X' is willing to pay a million yuan to acquire artifacts related to Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin." "A million yuan?"
Zhao Shicheng gasped, staring at Grandpa in disbelief that such words could come from his mouth.
"You know our salaries are considered quite high. I earn six hundred yuan a month, plus bonuses, and my family lives comfortably. But times are different now. Everything costs money. Weddings aren't just about checking the furniture legs anymore; you need gold jewelry and appliances. We won't even mention the gold, but a television is very expensive. Besides a TV, you need a tape recorder at home. The furniture we used for our children's weddings is now just an accompaniment. Six hundred yuan is simply not enough."
Zhao Shicheng listened, his eyes darting around. "Is there really a million yuan?"
"Of course. Otherwise, why would people on the market be paying forty thousand for an ordinary warrior figurine head? They're trying to pass them off as general figurine heads. And those bronze funerary objects, no matter where they're dug up, as long as they're associated with a short dagger, they claim it's the dagger used to assassinate the King of Qin. Think about it, what is all this for?"
"Did the mysterious person buy it?"
"Everyone thought mysterious person 'X' was a foreigner easy to fool, but this mysterious person is an expert. For a million yuan, they would only buy general figurines and that bronze dagger from Qin Shi Huang's seventh year unearthed from the pit."
Zhao Shicheng fell silent. Grandpa secretly chuckled. This was all his son's scheme. There was no mysterious person 'X' in this world; it was just Lin Zhijun spreading rumors anonymously in the antique circle.
Seeing Zhao Shicheng's bewilderment, Grandpa knew Zhao Shicheng was now eyeing that million yuan. However, Grandpa didn't try to tempt Zhao Shicheng further. Instead, he raised his glass and said to him, "Old Zhao, I've led you astray."
"Old Lin, what do you mean?"
"This Jing Ke assassination attempt business is escalating. The higher authorities are preparing to have us inventory the Terracotta Army. If the numbers don't match the previous count, or if there's damage during repairs without a submitted work report, we'll be held responsible. Old Zhao, for the figurine heads you sent out, even if you can't get them back, you must first submit a damage report."
Zhao Shicheng nodded. The atmosphere of their drinking session turned somber.
A few days later, Grandpa accompanied a special investigation team to the archaeological site to inventory the heads of the Terracotta Army figurines. Grandpa found that the numbers matched perfectly, and the repairs for any damage were within reasonable limits. What did this mean? It meant Old Zhao had gotten all the figurine heads he had sent out back.
Upon returning home, Grandpa discussed the matter with his son, Lin Zhijun, who nodded and immediately began making arrangements to buy a house. When Lin Zhijun got married, there weren't so many elaborate rituals, and the family lived in Grandpa's old house. Now that the children were older, they couldn't sleep with their parents indefinitely. Grandpa also hoped to have a study, so there wasn't enough space in the house.
Although the reason for buying a house was logical and reasonable, it was a significant expense. A decent house would cost at least twenty thousand yuan, and for the family to live comfortably, it would require forty thousand yuan.
A few days after Lin Zhijun started looking at houses, Grandpa invited Zhao Shicheng out for dinner. After a couple of drinks, he smoothly brought up the issue of the figurine heads. Grandpa said, "The number of figurine heads seems to match up. Old Zhao, you've done a good job with your accounts." Zhao Shicheng chuckled. "It's not about accounts; it's about genuine national treasures returning. Those leaders have enlightened themselves and returned the figurine heads, just as you, Old Lin, suggested. To avoid trouble, they even gave me gifts."
Grandpa chuckled. "It's good that the national treasures have returned."
"Old Lin, you're not inviting me out for dinner for no reason, are you?"
Grandpa, being a skilled actor, feigned embarrassment. "Old Zhao, I have something I need to ask you."
"Go ahead!"
"My granddaughter is grown, and my son wants to buy a house. We didn't get them anything when they got married, and I can't just ignore it. I was looking at a single-story house outside the city walls, but my son doesn't like it. He's too vain and refuses to live outside the city. He has his eye on a building near the Bell Tower. I inquired, and the price is terrifying. But, as you know, Old Zhao, in my youth, I traveled extensively for this antique business. I only have this one son, and I can't abandon him. Even if it's expensive, I have to buy it, but it's really too expensive. I was hoping to borrow some money from you."
Grandpa's face grew increasingly embarrassed as he spoke. Borrowing money was still a matter of dignity.
However, Zhao Shicheng smiled generously. "Old Lin, we've known each other for several years. You know me. It's fine, I'll lend it to you."
Grandpa nodded and held out a hand. "Can I borrow this much?"
"How much? 5,000?"
"500!"
Zhao Shicheng burst into laughter. "As a high-ranking official like yourself, how can you ask for only 500? Old Lin, I'll lend you 5,000, and I'll get the money for you tomorrow."
Grandpa drank his evening liquor very happily. A few days later, Grandpa invited Zhao Shicheng for another drink. His expression was troubled, but before Grandpa could speak, Zhao Shicheng smiled. "Old Lin, you were right. Your son is indeed overly ambitious, but he has good taste. That building he's looking at is big and beautiful. Since we're old friends, I won't beat around the bush. You want to borrow money again, don't you? Don't worry, I'm prepared today. I'll lend you another ten thousand."
Grandpa was delighted, his acting skills soaring. He stammered, "No, that's not necessary."
"What are you afraid of? I didn't steal this money."
Zhao Shicheng, like a god of wealth, kept lending Grandpa money. He had his own agenda. Grandpa, however, was well aware that lending him money was an opportunity for Zhao Shicheng to try and rope him into committing a crime.
These two men, one willing to be struck, the other willing to strike, were not like Zhou Yu fighting Huang Gai. They were both harboring hidden intentions.