Chapter 2373 - 2276: Resting Against the Mountain, Climbing by the River
Chapter 2373: Chapter 2276: Resting Against the Mountain, Climbing by the River
But if this Huo girl assists, perhaps these dangers aren’t really a big deal for the national archaeological team?
The Oil Rat truly wants to see what earth-shattering scenes will unfold once those ancient tombs are excavated.
He’s eagerly looking forward to that day.
After completing the map, Huo Sining explained it thoroughly and meticulously to Zhou Shitao and Shi Qingyun, highlighting the challenging areas.
"The mountain terrain here doesn’t appear notable, but it’s actually a feng shui treasure."
"Because the hills in front shield this peak, although it’s referred to as a mountain peak, no wind reaches here. So it can gather life energy. Paired with its distant view of the Luo River, it’s an ideal burial spot, backed by mountains and facing water, hiding wind and gathering energy."
Huo Sining’s words stunned Zhou Shitao and the others. Several senior professors took the promotional booklet of the Luofu Mountain Scenic Area from Huo Sining’s hands and examined it carefully, confirming the unusual aspects she mentioned.
The professors lifted their heads to look at the mountain peak, glancing at the surrounding terrain. Within minutes, their faces were filled with astonishment.
In tomb feng shui, it is crucial to be nestled against mountains and tread on rivers. Tombs are usually constructed at high altitudes, preventing water from burying ancient tombs.
Previously, as they traveled here, they hadn’t perceived the purpose of choosing this inconspicuous mountain peak for the tomb, thinking only that Ge Hong might have deliberately done so to mislead outsiders. It turns out they overlooked many details.
As Huo Sining stated, this spot is backed by the Luofu Mountain’s main peak and faces the Luo River in Huicheng. It’s a feng shui treasure of mountain and river juxtaposition. Had this excellent location appeared elsewhere, like in Northern Shaanxi Tiandu, it would surely be the burial place of a significant emperor, not left for an alchemist like Ge Hong.
It’s worth noting that ancient emperors valued dragon veins, with countless alchemists seeking potential dragon sites from birth. If anyone discovered such a hidden place, they would certainly contribute it without delay, leaving no chance for Ge Hong.
"Though it’s a feng shui treasure, it doesn’t bode well for us."
"I’ve examined it. The tunnel dug by the Oil Rat is the easiest entry point in this entire tomb, and that’s because only that spot has a pure concrete layer, allowing easy access."
"But extending inward for over a hundred meters, digging through it isn’t a small project."
"Other places, including where Professor Xie just investigated, have a layer of rock approximately ten meters thick underneath, making excavation challenging."
Zhou Shitao’s expression grew solemn upon hearing Huo Sining’s words.
The other professors also paused in their activities.
Huo Sining’s statement wasn’t baseless. Early tombs were often brick and cliff tombs, especially princely nobles’ tombs from the Han Dynasty to the Eastern Jin Dynasty, which opted for stony chambers, burrowing deep into mountains. Generally, tomb chambers would penetrate deeply into the mountain belly, presenting significant challenges to archaeologists.
And the current tomb is a typical cliff tomb, hollowing out the entire mountain belly. From Huo Sining’s drawn ancient tomb map, it’s evident that this tomb covers over 500 square meters, almost hollowing out the mountain’s midsection entirely.
Thus, a large part around the tomb is protected by rock layers, not simply finding the passage and digging the shortest path.
With such a tomb, an excavator digging down would likely hit rock walls, cause mountain damage, and potentially lead to equipment failures.
Despite the efficiency of modern excavators, they can’t directly dig through mountain rock layers, posing a significant challenge for excavating this deeply embedded ancient tomb.
Zhou Shitao and Huang Zhenlong huddled together for a discussion. Feeling weary from the drawing efforts, Huo Sining decided to find a clean patch of ground, made a simple tent, and lay down with Su Qingqing.
It’s already past three in the morning, but Zhou Shitao and Shi Qingyun, showing no sign of drowsiness, continued discussing the subsequent work arrangements.
Huo Sining dozed off for a couple of hours before being awakened by noisy sounds. Then, outside, Ding Liang’s voice called:
"Are you two awake?"
Huo Sining mumbled a response, instinctively asking as she rose: "Senior Brother Ding, what’s happening outside?"
Ding Liang replied: "A team of armed police has arrived, busily setting up, sealing the area. Archaeologists sent by the Cultural Relics Bureau are on their way, and it seems they’ve arranged several excavation equipment, should be arriving soon."
Upon hearing this, Huo Sining hurriedly nudged the sleeping Su Qingqing: "Hey, got it! Let’s get up."
Leaving the tent, Huo Sining noticed Zhou Shitao and the professors still standing around, having apparently stayed up all night.
By this time, daylight is breaking. Despite Guang Province’s mild climate, it is winter after all, hence chilly in the mountains.
The professors were wearing thick military coats, yet their lips were still blue and purple from the cold.
Seeing this, Huo Sining frowned slightly, inwardly lamenting the hardships of archaeological work. She pretended to search in her travel bag, soon pulling out an aluminum water flask.
Su Qingqing, curious, asked: "Ningning, what are you doing?"
Without replying, Huo Sining instructed Su Qingqing, who appeared idle: "Go find some dry firewood."
"Oh." Su Qingqing, not probing further, turned away.
Though materials were scarce on the mountain, firewood was plentiful. After wandering nearby, Su Qingqing returned carrying a sizable pile of dry wood.
By then, Huo Sining had already erected a small stove on a clearing using nearby stones. She poured mineral water into the flask and began boiling.
As the water in the flask was yet to boil, Huo Sining returned to the tent, retrieving some instant noodles and vacuum-sealed vegetable packs from her backpack.
Seeing Huo Sining pull out packets one after another, Su Qingqing’s eyes widened with disbelief: "Ningning, are you Doraemon? How come you have everything? You even brought these?"
Huo Sining chuckled, shaking her head: "It’s experience from last time in Yunling, with nothing available in the mountains, only dry buns and millet porridge daily—I was going mad. So this time, anticipating such a situation, Auntie Li prepared these overnight for me."