Thirteen experts were trapped, their lives hanging in the balance.
Though it was said that all lives were equal, the thirteen experts currently confined within the imperial mausoleum were each a pillar of the nation. Their easy demise within its confines would be a great loss to the country, and indeed, to all of humanity.
Even Li Chongxi was overwhelmed, his anxiety palpable.
"Senior Li, please forgive my presumption," Yan Shouyi posed his question, "Your skills are not inferior to mine, and you are a tomb keeper. Why don't you go down and rescue them yourself?"
Li Chongxi sighed, "To be frank, although I am the tomb keeper, I have never entered the imperial mausoleum. But more importantly, the mausoleum requires my constant vigilance. If I were to go down, who knows what out of line things this group of bookworms on the surface might do! Besides, I also worry about those with ulterior motives entering the mausoleum."
This explanation was clear and reasonable, leaving Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong with no room for doubt.
Li Chongxi led the two of them to the breach in the imperial mausoleum, caused by the previous night's earthquake.
The security at the breach was far stricter than outside. A large canopy had even been erected overnight above the gap, and even in broad daylight, countless searchlights illuminated every corner, leaving no blind spot.
Outside the breach, people came and went, with possibly two to three hundred staff members alone.
There were archaeologists with cameras, photographing and documenting the breach; engineers discussing how to reinforce the gap to prevent secondary collapses; and relevant leaders making incessant phone calls, wiping sweat from their brows.
At the small breach, a multitude of scenes unfolded, but it was understandable. The excavation of Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum was undoubtedly the most attention-grabbing event of the moment.
Although Yan Shouyi had no time to watch the news, he was certain that since last night, the city of Chang'an had been reported on countless times.
It could be said that the commencement of the Qin Shi Huang mausoleum excavation was a matter of national concern. Any mishap would likely lead to many people being held accountable and removed from their positions.
The two followed Li Chongxi to a group of leaders.
One of the leaders, seeing Li Chongxi, ended his call and walked over, wiping sweat from his brow as he said,
"Old Li, at a time like this, you still have the leisure to wander around here?"
Li Chongxi introduced Yan Shouyi and the others, "This is my immediate superior. You can call him Old Han!"
Although Li Chongxi was the tomb keeper, being within the system meant adhering to its rules.
Yan Shouyi did not inquire much about Old Han's official position, only knowing that Old Han was in charge of all matters at the excavation site.
"Old Han," Li Chongxi continued, "These two are the experts I mentioned earlier. If those bookworms this morning had been willing to wait and let them go in together, we wouldn't have this mess on our hands."
Old Han was also frustrated. Before the breach in the mausoleum appeared, he was in charge of the entire site. Now that the breach had occurred, a large number of people had been parachuted in above him, all disregarding his suggestions.
It was one thing that Old Han couldn't control those above him, but he also couldn't stop the expert team. He could only watch helplessly with Li Chongxi as the experts entered the imperial mausoleum, only to be dragged out shortly after.
Even more infuriatingly, if there was an accident during this excavation, Old Han would be the first to suffer, while others would simply pack up and leave.
And now, the accident had already happened.
Old Han took out a cigarette, intending to light it, but remembered the special circumstances.
He then crushed the cigarette and chewed on it fiercely.
"Old Li, aren't the experts you recommended a bit too young?" Old Han asked.
Li Chongxi patted his chest and guaranteed, "Don't judge their qualifications by their age. If you don't trust them, can't you trust my judgment, Old Li?"
"Damn it!" Old Han suddenly cursed, "That's right. I'd rather trust you than those damned dogs again."
It seemed Old Han had suffered a lot of grievances this morning and was full of anger.
He continued to complain, "Look at this scene. Everyone is busy and seems to be working harmoniously, but in reality, everyone has been arguing all morning. Some say we should quickly enter the mausoleum to rescue artifacts, others insist on reinforcing the breach before allowing passage, and some directly oppose the current excavation, saying our technology is immature and suggesting we fill the breach and wait for some years before disturbing the soil!"
"Do you know what I can't stand the most? Some bastard even wanted to invite foreigners to take full charge of the excavation! Screw that! What era is this? Are we going to let foreigners dig up our ancestors' graves?"
Unexpectedly, despite his formal demeanor, Old Han spoke quite colloquially, and his attitude towards the situation made Yan Shouyi involuntarily feel a sense of respect.
Li Chongxi, growing impatient, interrupted, "Then did you agree to let the foreigners in?"
"Ag... agreed..." Old Han said, lowering his head.
Yan Shouyi, Lin Zitong: "..."
Old Han, blushing, explained, "The person who spoke is someone I cannot afford to offend."
Old Han was caught in the storm, forced to sway.
However, Yan Shouyi and the others did not look down on Old Han because of this. One's contribution should match their capacity, and things beyond their ability should not be imposed upon them.
From Old Han's complaint, Yan Shouyi could sense that the situation was quite chaotic.
Currently, people from all walks of life were not convincing each other, arguing fiercely at the scene. This did not contribute at all to the excavation and protection of Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum.
At this moment, Old Han added, "Old Li, it's best if the people you brought are useful. After all, this imperial mausoleum belongs to the Chinese people. No matter what, we cannot let the foreigners get involved. And there are thirteen experts trapped inside, so I suggest you quickly organize yourselves and go down to take a look!"
Li Chongxi nodded, "I think the same as you."
Old Han placed considerable trust in Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong, though this trust stemmed entirely from Li Chongxi. Otherwise, a normal person seeing Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong would only shake their heads and chase them away.
This also illustrated Li Chongxi's standing with the management of the imperial mausoleum.
The two followed Old Han and Li Chongxi to the primary site of the breach.
Being at the primary site, the sense of chaos was far beyond what they felt standing outside.
Especially in one tent, several doctors and nurses were moving in and out, having collided with other staff members several times. However, both parties merely exchanged glances before returning to their respective tasks, having no time to argue.
Presumably, the three experts who were rescued but had gone mad were lying in that tent.
Yan Shouyi then turned his gaze back towards the interior of the breach. Illuminated by searchlights, it appeared to be a small sacrificial pit for livestock.