Chapter 30 Chapter Thirty

However, after Zhang Xianfan took the order, he found a suitable date for groundbreaking at He Banxian's place, and it was set at the hour of Hai on the sixth day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar.Then Zhang Xianfan went to the police station to find Shu Zhenqian, saying that rabies was prevalent recently, some people died violently in the four townships, and the people changed their colors when talking about dogs.In the end, Zhang Xianfan was afraid that Shu Zhenqian would not understand, so he said: "Mr. Jiang Xinghe, as the most famous philanthropist in Duliang, is very concerned about the lives of the people, and he wants me to convey his meaning to Director Shu. Take it seriously, take the safety of the people of Duliang as your own responsibility, and carry out the dog eradication campaign quickly and strictly."

Shu Zhenqian did not dare to be negligent, and immediately issued a proclamation, requiring all households to kill the big and small dogs in the house within three days. If they did not follow the rules, they would be jailed for three months if they were found out. After the report was issued, Zhang Xianfan personally led a team of police officers to station in Tanjia Village, focusing on killing dogs in this village.In less than a day, the dogs in Tanjia Village were all dead.But there are still some people who are reluctant to kill their family dogs and hide them in the cellar with luck.In this regard, Zhang Xianfan had already prepared to lead people to dig three feet from house to house to search for the dog. Once found, not only the dog was beaten to death, but the owner of the dog was also fined.This trick was so effective that those who were not found had to kill their pet dogs reluctantly.

Time passed day by day, and on the fifth day of June, seeing that the day to get the treasure was imminent, Zhang Xianfan led a few loyal long-term laborers of the Jiang family to Tanjia Village at night, making various noises intentionally.At this moment, an old dog barking came from the yard.Following the barking, Zhang Xianfan found the owner of the dog, Tan Yanliang, the patriarch of Tanjia Village. When Tan Yanliang saw his pet dog was found, he cried and pleaded with Zhang Xianfan, saying that he had raised this dog for 20 years. I exchange my old life for my dog's life... Unmoved, Zhang Xianfan ruthlessly beat the old dog to death, tied Tan Yanliang with a rope and sent him to a prison.So far, Tanjiacun has truly achieved "no dog barking".

Around the time of the sixth day of June, Tan Xiaoku, Li Shiyan and more than a dozen loyal long-term workers of the Jiang family came to Tanjia Village under the leadership of Zhang Xianfan.Although there were still people in Tanjia Village who hadn't fallen asleep at this time, because there was no dog barking, they didn't know that a group of people had come to the village.This is all due to Zhang Xianfan, which gave him a sense of accomplishment. As Haishi approached, Tan Xiaoku took everyone to the entrance of Zhu Qifeng's tomb. When the time came, he shoveled off the first piece of soil.Afterwards, the long-term workers began to work... This layer of sealing soil was urgently piled up by Tan Xiaoku and Zhu Zixiang in less than half an hour before they left. It took less than ten loads of soil and was cleaned up in a short time. After it was cleaned, a big hole made of dark blue bricks appeared in everyone's eyes... Zhang Xianfan came to the hole, holding a huge lit candle in his hand, and asked, "How deep is this hole?"

Tan Xiaoku said: "This road is about 30 zhang deep, it is a safe passage, and only one mechanism has been set up." Zhang Xianfan said: "One institution is scary enough, your master is dead, how can we get in?" Tan Xiaoku said: "One mechanism of this Dao has been activated—it is the 'collapsed mechanism' that killed Xiao Ziyu and the others last year—that is to say, this Dao no longer has a mechanism." Zhang Xianfan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The designer of the mausoleum really killed people—you said this is a safe passage, so there is a death passage?"

Tan Xiaoku nodded: "Exactly. This death tunnel is specially designed for tomb-builders and coffin-bearers. Reason not enabled." Zhang Xianfan said: "The special reason is that Zhu Qifeng's 48 suspected coffins need 48 headless corpses?" "Exactly. It seems that you are a caring person." Zhang Xianfan asked again: "One thing I still don't understand. Last year, your master and apprentice should have entered the tomb at the same time as the Xiao family. Why did you alone come out unscathed?" Tan Xiaoku said: "As long as you tell it, it's actually very simple. The mystery lies in the organ in the safe corridor. According to my master, this organ is called 'Kongming Gate'. The top of the three-foot-deep arch is made of hundreds of huge stones of the same size. If one of the arches is loose, hundreds of huge stones will collapse in an instant..."

"I understand. Zhu Zixiang must have moved this movable rock to lock Xiao Ziyu and the others in the tomb—but, if your master moved this rock, he must have died, too?" Facing Zhang Xianfan's question, Tan Xiaoku patiently explained: "I said it is so ingenious and it is precisely because of this, that this vital movable stone is controlled by a copper rod that is tens of feet long. One end is firmly connected to the mechanism stone, and the other end is connected to a movable stone not far from the tomb—that is, as long as this movable boulder is pried open, the more than one hundred boulders in the distance will immediately fall down. In addition, there is a stone gate not far from the tomb, if the stone gate is closed, Xiao Ziyu and the others will only have a dead end."

Zhang Xianfan said: "They have a dead end, and you can only wait to die in the tomb—it's strange that you two came out alive." Tan Xiaoku said: "I said there is another 'Death Passage'. However, for those who know the inside story, this 'Death Passage' is also a safe passage. Master walks in front, and I follow step by step..." Zhang Xianfan and the others finally understood everything, held a candle and went into the cave. After walking more than three feet, they were blocked by a pile of boulders.Each of these huge stones weighs about 300 jin, is square, and is quite exquisite in workmanship, and is engraved with the words "Tombstone of King Min".

Next, the long-term workers began to clean up the collapsed boulders. Such a heavy object was difficult to carry. Fortunately, Tan Xiaoku was prepared and brought wooden planks and long ropes.Tie a long rope to the boulder, then pave it with wooden boards, and then pull the rope to easily transport the stone out of the tomb.As the boulders were cleared out, there was a stench slowly, so Tan Xiaoku ordered a large amount of lime to be thrown... When the last boulder was cleared out, under the candlelight, the scene inside stunned everyone—— More than a dozen corpses looked different and terrified—the clothes were still intact, but the flesh had rotted... Although the workers were mentally prepared, they were still too frightened to move forward.

Tan Xiaoku encouraged everyone, and took the lead in putting the corpses into the sacks prepared in advance, and then handed them over to the workers behind to move them away. After clearing the corpses, the last stone gate appeared after more than 20 zhang. Zhang Xianfan saw Tan Xiaoku standing still in front of the gate, so he also went closer to check and found a stone key inserted in the gate hole, so he went to the gate. Open it, but after opening it for a long time, I still can't figure it out: "Xiaoku, how do you open this lock, come and try." Tan Xiaoku said: "It's useless for anyone to try. If they could open it, Xiao Ziyu and the others would have opened it long ago."

Zhang Xianfan was puzzled: "Why?" Tan Xiaoku said: "Last year, after my master activated the collapse mechanism, he closed the gate and inserted it backwards from the tomb—this key was inserted into the keyhole by Xiao Ziyu and the others before they died. .” "According to what you say, aren't we going to be shut out by this stone gate?" "No, there is still a hard way. Tonight I brought a sledgehammer, and I will send someone to fetch it outside the cave." After a while, a sledgehammer weighing thirty-five catties was brought in. Tan Xiaoku hammered it dozens of times in his hand, and the stone gate was broken... Entering the spacious tomb, the people who saw the tomb for the first time were stunned. They held candles, touched here and looked there, and they didn't remember their mission until Zhang Xianfan reminded them to move the bulky antiques in the tomb. Most of the antiques in the tomb are bronzes and porcelains, which come from royal tombs and are naturally of high value.Li Shiyan and Luo Guo'ai are experienced experts who are responsible for the protection of these cultural relics so as not to be damaged or broken during the transportation process.When all the items in the tomb were carried away, only Zhu Qifeng's coffin was left—this was also the most exciting moment. When Zhang Xianfan approached with candlelight to look after him, he unconsciously screamed: "No, the coffin has been opened, and someone has already rushed ahead of us!" When everyone was astonished, Tan Xiaoku approached to check and said: "It's okay, Xiao Ziyu opened it last year, because there was a gas-emission mechanism in the coffin, so he didn't continue to open it." After finishing speaking, he pushed the coffin lid hard. Hey, under the eyes of everyone, Zhu Qifeng has turned into a skeleton. Fortunately, except for the rotten silk, most of the things in the coffin are still well preserved... There were too many people and too crowded. In order to maintain order, Zhang Xianfan ordered the long-term workers to stand away from the coffin. Only Tan Xiaoku, Li Shiyan, Luo Guo'ai and him were in front of the coffin.Tan Xiaoku and Luo Guo'ao are "professionals", and they will clean up the items in the coffin. They first throw the bones outside, and then remove the gold head, jade seal, gold medal, jade belt, gold walking stick... one by one. out.What Zhang Xianfan is most concerned about is the group of Tang Yin's "Pictures of Fun in Four Seasons". He didn't dare to vent his anger, and stared at the coffin without blinking... In the end, Tan Xiaoku pulled out a roll of mounted things from the bottom of the coffin , Zhang Xianfan snatched it away, and instantly a camphor smell came to his nostrils. He couldn't wait to open the scroll—it really was Tang Yin's spring painting! The men and women in the painting are all naked and having fun with their lower bodies, each of them has a lifelike expression, the painting is delicate, and even the hairs are painted so that they can be counted... Zhang Xianfan couldn't put it down while holding it in his hand, and then he withdrew and walked out.Li Shiyan shouted: "Hey, what do you want to do?" Zhang Xianfan said: "After cleaning everything, what are you still doing here? Could it be that you want to become Xiao Ziyu's second?" Only then did everyone remember that it was time to leave the tomb. After leaving the tomb, the Big Dipper was already hanging in the eastern sky. It was the time when Yin and Mao alternated, and it was not far from dawn.Tan Xiaoku and Li Shiyan counted the cultural relics and prepared to leave, but saw that Zhang Xianfan was getting on his bay red horse and was about to leave first. Tan Xiaoku reminded: "Boss Jiang said, everyone should go back together." Zhang Xianfan said: "I'll take a step first, I want to announce the good news to Boss Jiang!" Zhang Xianfan rode his horse and left first, Tan Xiaoku, Li Shiyan and others rushed to clean up the scene and restore the mound to its original state, and then returned together.Arriving at the Jiang family compound, just as it was dawn in the east, Jiang Xinghe and his family waited in the main hall for a long time.The long-term workers displayed the antiques they had obtained in the hall, but there were too many to count.Jiang Xinghe was full of joy, and asked about the location of Tang Bohu's ancient painting, Tan Xiaoku said in surprise: "Zhang Xianfan has already brought it back, and said he wanted to make you happy first." Jiang Xinghe said: "I have been waiting here since you left, but I haven't seen Zhang Xianfan come back." Everyone immediately realized that Zhang Xianfan had absconded with the ancient painting.Jiang Xinghe asked about his whereabouts, but no one knew about it. Later, Luo Guoxiao remembered something and said: "Recently he had a heated fight with a foreigner named Bill. It is said that Bill is very interested in ancient paintings. Could it be that they had colluded beforehand?" Tan Xiaoku asked, "Where does this Bill live?" Luo Guo'ao said: "He lives on the second floor of the Yudai Bridge Inn, adjacent to Zhang Xianfan's private room." Li Shiyan said: "I'll go there right away, maybe there's still time to make amends!" Li Shiyan led a group of people away. Half an hour later, he returned to the Jiang family compound and reported to Jiang Xinghe in frustration: "Zhang Xianfan is not at the Yudai Bridge Inn. I heard from the shopkeeper that the foreigner named Bill had been there for a long time. He went back to Baoqing a few days ago, it seems that he and Zhang Xianfan have colluded long ago." Luo Guo'ao sighed: "It's true that you know people and faces but don't know your heart!" Li Shiyan asked: "Boss, what should we do about this matter?" Jiang Xinghe said: "Life and death are up to fate, wealth and honor are in the sky, let him go!"