General of the Heavens

Chapter 71 Archaeological Research [Recommendations Requested]

"Secretary Ning, I've taken care of everything you asked for. Now, shouldn't our matter be settled? We need to give the businesses an explanation."

Xu Yicheng asked tentatively.

Ning Chen nodded and said, "Don't worry, I already have a plan for these small matters. We'll auction off these treasures later, and donating half of the proceeds to orphanages and charitable organizations is always a good thing, isn't it?"

Xu Yicheng exclaimed in surprise, "Director Wu's decisiveness is truly unheard of. Secretary Ning, are you afraid you've gotten yourself into big trouble?"

In reality, Xu Yicheng was afraid that Ning Chen would go too far and provoke Wu Yanwang to take action personally, which would be disastrous for the Five Families.

Ning Chen scoffed, "What do you know? As long as the money is in place, the section chief doesn't care how it was obtained."

"But the money raised from the auction won't be much, and I'm afraid it won't meet Director Wu's requirements." Xu Yicheng was still somewhat worried.

Ning Chen laughed and said, "You don't need to worry about it. Do you think I would fight an unprepared battle? You'll learn from this in a bit."

Xu Yicheng was curious, and what happened next left him dumbfounded.

For example, his set of gentleman's chess pieces could only be sold for a maximum of three gold bars, but it was auctioned off for the price of thirteen.

The key point is that the Five Families have clearly informed everyone of the reference price for the Gentleman's Chess, yet some people are still fighting tooth and nail for it.

"Secretary Ning, how did you do that?"

Xu Yicheng finally put aside his airs and humbly asked for advice. Ning Chen didn't hold back either. He pointed to the person who was bidding the most enthusiastically and said, "Look at that Boss Li. He's a shill I hired to drive up the price."

And those small business owners who kept chatting—they were also arranged by me. They were responsible for telling each of them that Director Wu had a list, and that whoever donated the least amount tonight would be the one to be punished!

Xu Yicheng: "..."

"Besides, I've already held an auction, which is giving them a chance. If these people keep pushing their luck and refusing to give a penny, what will become of them?"

Ning Chen said lightly, and Xu Yicheng remained silent. At this moment, in his heart, Ning Chen was even more terrifying than Wu Yuwen, the King of Hell.

Huang Kewu muttered under his breath, "What a swindler..."

Ning Chen glanced at Huang Kewu and then said, "These merchants always try to inflate prices when there's a war. Isn't it chivalrous to bleed them dry today?"

Xu Yicheng thought to himself, "What a load of rubbish about chivalry! Half of the donations only go to orphanages and charity centers, and it's a miracle that Wu Yuwen can actually give half of it. Who knows how much he's skimming off the top?"

Liu Yiming has already sent Ning Chen's Yao Bian Tianmu tea bowl to Yao Shenxing to have the plating removed, and the money he swindled from Wu Yuwen is almost enough.

Ning Chen then said to Xu Yicheng, "Mr. Xu, since you've taken charge of the Five Families Sect, they must dislike you, right?"

Xu Yicheng remained silent, which Ning Chen took as tacit agreement. "In that case, why don't you join Director Wu's team? You can handle all the antique-related business in the future."

Xu Yicheng: "..."

"Thank you for your kindness, Secretary Ning, but I dare not accept it." Xu Yicheng hurriedly refused. He was joking; if he really joined Wu Yuwen's side, he, Xu Yicheng, would lose face for the Five Families and for himself.

"Oh, then never mind."

Ning Chen also knew that Xu Yicheng would never agree.

With only a few minor matters remaining to be dealt with, Xu Yicheng prepared to take his leave. Ning Chen asked curiously, "Where is Mr. Xu going? Are all the people from the Five Families here?"

"I teach at Tsinghua University and am currently busy studying archaeology with Professor Li Ji. Also, there are quite a few things going on at the university."

"Archaeology?" Ning Chen's eyes lit up.

"The science introduced by foreigners is somewhat similar to the art of appraising antiques. Both are forms of antiquity research. However, the art of appraising antiques is ultimately a business. It is about how much money is being appraised, and the goal is to make a profit."

Archaeology is not driven by profit; it's about preserving culture, purely out of a public-spirited nature... Sigh, let me think how to explain this. Perhaps it's about authenticating national history and safeguarding the nation's heritage?

Ning Chen thought for a moment and then said.

However, these words astonished Xu Yicheng. Wasn't this exactly what he had been pursuing all his life? It's rare to find a true friend in life. Had he finally found one today?

"Mr. Ning, do you also love archaeology? Every word you say is true. If everyone thought like you, archaeology would surely flourish."

Ning Chen smirked, thinking to himself, "I don't love archaeology, I love tomb raiding. Young man, you're still too young. The one in front of you is the Tomb Raider General."

However, on the surface, Ning Chen still greeted them politely, saying, "Not at all, not at all. If there's a chance, we can do archaeological research together. You don't know, I love archaeology the most."

"Brother Ning is indeed extraordinary. In today's China, the archaeological field is in a gloomy state, and all countries have long coveted the treasures left by our ancestors."

How many people from Britain, the United States, Japan, and other countries have come to our country to rob tombs under the guise of archaeological research? It's a national tragedy!

Xu Yicheng seemed to have touched a sore spot, his words filled with grief and indignation. Ning Chen's expression was equally unfriendly: "These bastards need to be taught a lesson. Just wait, maybe someone will go there for 'archaeological research' someday!"

Xu Yicheng admired Ning Chen even more: "Well said, I just don't know if I'll ever have the chance to see that day."

Xu Yicheng was initially annoyed that the Five Families had dragged him into taking the blame and making him the leader, but now his worries have vanished and he feels great.

"Brother Ning, I live in Tsinghua University. You can come to me anytime you want. I will be waiting for your esteemed presence."

Ning Chen clasped his hands in a fist and said, "You're too kind."

Huang Kewu was stunned. No wonder the Five Families didn't like Xu Yicheng. They all said he was an eccentric. Today, I've met him and the reputation is well-deserved.

After Xu Yicheng left, the smile on Ning Chen's face also disappeared. Xu Yicheng was a true archaeologist, but he was different.

But in a sense, if Ning Chen went abroad to rob tombs, he might even be regarded as a national hero by the Chinese people.

Xu Yicheng is worthy of respect, but Ning Chen will not change anything because of this. As the saying goes, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together, and each should follow their own will.

However, despite saying that, Ning Chen killed every foreigner who used the guise of archaeological exploration to actually raid tombs.

So, just because their ancestors died out and left no good legacy, they have a reason to come to China and plunder? That's like a toad trying to eat swan meat—dream on!

Ning Chen thought it over and over. He realized that he wasn't the only one who coveted the Eastern Tombs. A Japanese cultural survey team had already conducted extensive research on the Eastern Tombs and even investigated the burial objects inside.

It must be admitted that Japan's intelligence gathering capabilities were indeed ahead of their time, but unfortunately Ning Chen has arrived now.

Even a dragon that has crossed the river has to shrink back when it encounters a local snake.

Ning Chen will show them what tomb raiding is, what real tomb raiding is, and what the hell real tomb raiding is!

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(End of this chapter)