Chapter 2363 - 2266: Official Redemption
Chapter 2363: Chapter 2266: Official Redemption
Why do you say that?
Over the years, although Hua Country has unearthed some city and architectural ruins, almost no evidence of the Xia Imperial Mausoleum has been found.
The key to proving the real existence of the Xia Dynasty, apart from written records, is to find the tomb of this dynasty.
In fact, before the Yin and Shang Dynasties, there were other civilizations. The Erlitou culture, Yangshao culture, and Longshan culture discovered by archaeologists are undoubtedly the true sources of Hua Country’s civilization.
But why can these civilizations only be called cultures instead of being recorded in historical dynasties? The key reasons are the complete writing systems and royal power systems.
Therefore, the archaeological community has identified these civilizations as Central Plain rite music civilizations with "ancestor worship as the core, emphasizing royal power and placing religion in a proper position."
However, after thousands of years of changes, finding written evidence of a dynasty’s existence is easier said than done. This is why the project has been at a standstill.
In recent years, experts like Zhou Shitao and Shi Qingyun have struggled over this puzzle but have found no solution.
Yet today, the unexpected surprise provided by the Oil Rat was like a revelation to the group of professors present, giving them a new solution.
Just as ancient Egypt has pyramids as irrefutable evidence, finding the Xia Dynasty’s mausoleum could overturn all previous speculations and confirm the Xia Dynasty’s existence.
After all, each dynasty’s royal mausoleum serves as solid proof of its existence. Just as the Yin Ruins are the standard for the "Shang Dynasty," finding the Xia Imperial Mausoleum would make the Xia Dynasty’s emblem indisputable.
Moreover, it is almost certain that the mausoleum contained many burial items with special markings from the current era, which would serve as strong evidence of the Xia Dynasty’s existence. Perhaps a large number of Xia characters could be discovered in the mausoleum!
Without document research, finding a 5,000-year-old ancient mausoleum site in the vast expanse of Hua Country would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, without even knowing which direction to take.
But now, with the Oil Rat claiming to have a Feng Shui Map of the Xia Imperial Mausoleum, it’s like a sage pointing the way, providing them with a major research direction. No longer would they wander aimlessly, accomplishing nothing.
Zhou Shitao and Shi Qingyun couldn’t hide their excitement, standing up almost instinctively, their hands trembling uncontrollably. They both took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress their uncontrollable emotions, but found it futile.
Fortunately, though older, none of these professors had heart disease, only Zhou Shitao had slightly high blood pressure.
Huo Sining looked on nervously, worried that the old gentleman might become too agitated and suffer a sudden illness, ready to deploy spiritual energy at any moment.
Zhou Shitao, having experienced many ups and downs, was used to various situations. Although excited, he soon composed himself.
The redness on his face gradually faded, and his astonished expression slowly calmed down. After a few clear coughs, he managed to appear calm and unruffled, looking directly at the Oil Rat and continuing to ask:
"Oil Rat, you should know what you’ve done, as well as who we are. Regarding the Feng Shui Secret Manual you mentioned, if you dare to deceive us, you know what the consequences will be!"
The Oil Rat nodded rapidly, adding in a self-deprecating jest: "Though I’m just a crude man skilled only in digging tombs without much class, I do understand the gravity of certain tombs. That’s why I haven’t touched the manual since it came into my possession."
"In fact, ever since the manual was handed down from my grandmaster, there’s been a rule that only one ancient artifact can be taken from a tomb."
"Furthermore, whoever takes the manual into a tomb and takes something out must leave a personal seal on it."
"The manual has reached me as the 127th generation, and I can responsibly say that no one from the Ji Family has visited those three tombs."
"Of course, we tomb robbers work for profit, and untapped tombs are bound to be large with many treasures. But why hasn’t anyone gone inside?"
"It’s not a matter of desire but of fear. No one dares enter recklessly, which indicates the danger of these tombs."
"I will hand over the manual to you. You can verify its authenticity, but bear in mind my words and weigh them carefully."
"I, the Oil Rat, know when to adapt. While today’s situation has factors of the larger environment, it also stems from my own faults. So, Mr. Zhou, rest assured, a dying man’s words are kind; I’m not about to deceive you at this stage."
Zhou Shitao stared at the Oil Rat intently, seeing his earnest expression, seemingly not lying. He nodded and, after a brief silence, solemnly assured the Oil Rat:
"I see you’re not a fool. If you can hand over this manual, it would be of great significance to the entire archaeological community. As long as one of the Feng Shui maps inside can verify a tomb’s authenticity, you’ve made a great contribution. I can promise you here, with all these witnesses, that you’ll resolve this case smoothly. If you’re agreeable, you could even join my archaeological studio as an assistant. What do you think?"
Hearing this, the Oil Rat was stunned, lifting his head in disbelief at Zhou Shitao.
If Zhou Shitao’s offer to help him settle his case was merely a response to a prior condition, the proposal of working as an assistant in his studio was an unexpected gesture of goodwill.
It’s important to know that he, a tomb robber, probably has countless criminal records and is a wanted man online, completely monitored by the authorities.
But if Zhou Shitao could step forward and extend an olive branch, it would essentially validate his identity, ensuring no further trouble from anyone overlooking the situation.
This would essentially wash his record clean, providing him a legitimate status and freeing him from a life of hiding and instability!