Chapter 157 Arriving at Chang'an

Wei Yuan contacted Dong Yuefeng by phone after arriving in Chang'an.

He waited for a while in the paomo (a type of soup with bread) restaurant next door. The old professor rushed over in a hurry. His neatly arranged white hair was a little messy, his eyes were bloodshot, and the bags under his eyes had become heavier, but his spirits were still high.

After that incident last night, he rushed to the imperial mausoleum and stayed there until now, almost without sleep. When he was young, the researchers of his generation could devote themselves wholeheartedly to research, and this kind of thing was commonplace.

But now he was old and looked quite tired. After Dong Yuefeng came in, Wei Yuan helped him order a bowl of paomo. The old man broke the bread with slightly trembling hands and said,

"Curator Wei, you've come."

"Alas... I was thinking about going to study it in half a month, but who would have thought that things would turn out like this? No one can predict how things will change."

Dong Yuefeng sighed twice.

Wei Yuan nodded and asked the old man about the current situation.

Dong Yuefeng lowered his voice and explained a few words.

Combined with the information Wei Yuan knew, he had a rough idea of what was going on. After the tomb robbers entered the imperial mausoleum last night, they somehow opened the mechanism of the imperial mausoleum. One of the Twelve Golden Men drew its sword, and with just one strike, it cut out a huge sword mark of unknown length.

Now everyone was blocked outside the entrance.

A group of researchers were frantically searching for information, hoping to find more records about the Twelve Golden Men, but all their efforts were in vain for a while. Those cultivators had tried to get close, wanting to break through by force, but the Twelve Golden Men were, after all, sharp weapons forged by gathering the weapons of the world.

Their cultivation was unable to cause any damage to the Twelve Golden Men.

If the Golden Men were not guarding the entrance to the imperial mausoleum, this attempt would probably have killed many people.

But even now, there was still no progress, but instead, a lot of damage had been caused.

"Although I also saw the Buddhist and Taoist debate, I'm still a little dazed."

Dong Yuefeng sighed, "There really is cultivation in this world."

Wei Yuan understood the complexity in Dong Yuefeng's heart.

The debate between Taoism and Buddhism was of great significance, but after all, it was separated by a layer and had little to do with him, giving him a feeling of unreality. On the other hand, archaeology and history were Dong Yuefeng's specialties. He had spent his whole life on these things, so he felt it even more deeply.

A steaming bowl of mutton paomo was poured with two large spoonfuls of hot chili oil.

During the meal, Wei Yuan learned about the current situation at Mount Li.

Then, in Dong Yuefeng's car, he rushed from Chang'an to Mount Li.

The original scenic spot had now been sealed off by the Special Operations Team, and ordinary people were not allowed to approach. After Wei Yuan entered, he saw that the area one hundred steps away from the imperial mausoleum of Mount Li had become a temporary camp, crowded with researchers and cultivators.

Everyone was in a hurry, throwing themselves into their tasks, their faces tired, but their eyes were bright. Even from the most secular and insignificant perspective, participating in such a huge event would be of great help to their future careers.

And more people actually had higher pursuits in their hearts.

Several people greeted Dong Yuefeng. They glanced at Wei Yuan, a stranger, and then stopped paying attention. A middle-aged man tiredly put down the collection of materials in his hand, saw Dong Yuefeng and Wei Yuan behind him, frowned, and said, "Professor Dong, there are enough people here."

He said in a very impolite tone:

"Who is this again? I don't remember there being such a person studying Qin Dynasty history."

"The more people there are, the more troublesome things will be."

He assumed that Wei Yuan was a well-connected person who had been brought in.

Dong Yuefeng said, "This is Curator Wei, whom I told you about before. He is very knowledgeable about historical artifacts."

"...A museum curator?"

The middle-aged man frowned and said, "I admit that this museum curator may have a lot of general knowledge of history, but what we need now are professionals. There are already too many people here, and more will cause trouble."

Dong Yuefeng frowned and said, "I didn't bring any students this time."

"I can vouch for Curator Wei's knowledge. Just treat him as my assistant."

"I'd rather you bring your students."

The middle-aged man still argued with Dong Yuefeng somewhat unpleasantly. The surrounding researchers were used to it and bypassed the two of them, focusing on their own business and not daring to interfere in the problem between the two big shots.

Wei Yuan was about to speak when

a young researcher said, "Professor Liu, I think this museum curator should have real skills." Everyone looked over in surprise, not expecting someone to dare interrupt Professor Liu. It was a man of about twenty-six or seven years old, dressed in simple and plain clothes, with peaceful eyes and a straight back.

A sense of condensed, sword-like competence was very conspicuous among the somewhat tired crowd.

Professor Liu said, "...Do you know him?"

The young man said, "I believe Professor Dong wouldn't misjudge."

"Moreover, Professor Dong should value such a big matter as much as you do, Professor Liu."

The middle-aged man pondered for a while and was persuaded by the last sentence. He just wanted to push away those who planned to come and gain experience. He had been annoyed too much before, and he had neglected Dong Yuefeng's own emphasis on antiques because he was too tired. He nodded and sighed, "...That's right."

"Then Professor Dong, this Curator Wei, please study with you."

In the field of history, the middle-aged man, known for his rigor, took a step back. Dong Yuefeng was not interested in fighting with him. After saying a few words to Wei Yuan, he hurriedly went about his own business. The temporary camp regained its busy and orderly state. Wei Yuan turned his head to look at the researcher who had spoken for him and thanked him.

The young researcher smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's nothing. Professor Liu was too annoyed by those people and regarded you as someone who came in through the back door. But I believe in Professor Dong's vision. Besides, I can tell from your appearance that you should be an expert. Ordinary people would definitely be scared by this."

"Even the other researchers aren't as calm as you."

Wei Yuan looked at the researcher and said, "You are..."

The young man looked at Wei Yuan and said:

"My surname is Zhang, Zhang as in bow and long, and my name is Zhang Shaorong."

Wei Yuan said, "My name is Wei Yuan."

..................

The entrance to the imperial mausoleum was guarded by that Great Qin Golden Man.

No one dared to approach within a hundred steps.

Because Zhang Ruosu also knew that there must be a force secretly watching the First Emperor's Mausoleum, so he attached great importance to the nearby guards, especially within a hundred steps of the imperial mausoleum. Basically, no one was allowed to approach. Wei Yuan had secretly gone there once and even found a true cultivator of the Taoist sect who had been granted the Five Thunder Talisman.

During this period of time, he read through various ancient books and fragments整理compiled by the researchers.

At the same time, he was secretly looking for who was the most likely person to guide the Mojin Xiaowei (a type of tomb raider).

These days, he had little contact with most of the researchers. Apart from Dong Yuefeng, he was quite congenial with Zhang Shaorong. This researcher with a peaceful temperament had a very in-depth understanding of Qin Dynasty antiques and classics. Some things, even he, who had lived in that era, didn't know very well.

After all, strictly speaking, the Black Ice Terrace (a Qin Dynasty intelligence agency) he belonged to was only responsible for fighting.

At most, it added protection and exploration, and the era of Great Qin was certainly not just these.

And Zhang Shaorong had his own considerations for Qin Dynasty laws and crafts.

And Wei Yuan's thinking was similar to Zhang Shaorong's in many things. On the third day, the two of them integrated the classics and literature and crossed out a previous speculation about the Twelve Golden Men. The stage they were in now belonged to a period of continuous trial and error.

Of course, for Wei Yuan, he was confident that he could directly enter.

But it was meaningless.

He planned to stay here for the time being, doing a "waiting for the rabbit" business. Anyway, Gonggong had just fallen asleep, and he wasn't in a hurry for that Mo family sword. Since the person in the dark deliberately exposed this information, obviously wanting to muddy the waters to make it easier to do things, then they would definitely come here.

When the time comes...

Zhang Shaorong put away the classics and said:

"Curator Wei, it's rare that things have temporarily settled down. Why don't we take a walk around here?"

Wei Yuan came back to his senses from his contemplation and nodded.

The two mentioned it to Dong Yuefeng and then walked out. The imperial mausoleum was located on Mount Li. Looking down from a high place, the entire Mount Li looked like a black steed. The two admired it for a while and then found a noodle restaurant outside.

Zhang Shaorong held up two fingers: "Two bowls of mutton soup."

"Two roujiamo (meat sandwiches), a bowl of cucumber salad, and two bottles of wine."

The owner knew that these people were researchers and said with a smile, "Roujiamo is fine?"

"Do you want two bowls of biangbiang noodles? You can eat roujiamo outside, but these noodles are different. You can only eat authentic ones in Shaanxi. Moreover, this biang character has a story. Legend has it that it was named by the First Emperor."

"It is said that the First Emperor was used to eating delicacies from mountains and seas, and then he lost his appetite. One day, a minister served biangbiang noodles, and his appetite was greatly increased. He ate several bowls in one go, and he felt that since the noodles had been eaten by the emperor, they could not be eaten by ordinary people, so he deliberately wrote a difficult-to-make character, so that ordinary people would not be able to write it."

Zhang Shaorong said, "How is that possible... He is not that kind of person."

"With a magnanimous demeanor, how could he condescend to argue with the people?"

He smiled and said, "Besides, in that era, how many people could write? It's enough to be able to speak. The superiors say what the superiors say, and the people eat what the people eat."

The owner scratched his head and said:

"There are other versions. A poor scholar used the character to exchange for a meal when he went to the capital to take the exam and came up with this name."

Wei Yuan was silent for a while and said:

"There was no going to the capital to take the exam in the Qin Dynasty. In other eras, going to the capital to take the exam would not go to Xianyang City."

"In another rumor, that scholar was Li Si."

Zhang Shaorong said, "That's why I don't want to eat it."

"Just mutton is fine. Add more cilantro and two heads of garlic."

The owner agreed readily, without any embarrassment or other emotions.

Soon, two large bowls of mutton soup with extra meat were served. Large pieces of mutton, vermicelli, clear soup, sprinkled with cilantro and chopped green onions, poured with a large spoonful of red chili oil, stirred, and the aroma immediately came out. The owner also served two naan breads.

They could be broken into small pieces and thrown in to soak, or they could be eaten directly with the mutton soup.

He also brought two bottles of local Shaanxi Bingfeng (orange soda).

The two ate and talked about this matter. Wei Yuan saw that Zhang Shaorong was obviously not used to it, but he still ate garlic in large bites, choking so badly that tears almost came out of his eyes, and his eyes were red. Wei Yuan said, "You're not used to eating garlic?"

Zhang Shaorong said, "We... don't eat this there."

Wei Yuan smiled and said, "It's rare to have a place that doesn't eat garlic."

"Let me tell you, you have to use it to suppress the spicy taste. You can add butter and thyme together to enhance the aroma, and it tastes good when grilled. But I'm still used to eating it raw. Of course, garlic vermicelli scallops aren't included, that taste is still very good. I'll take you to eat it when I have the chance."

While eating, Zhang Shaorong nodded and smiled, "I don't know how long this will take."

"We have to work together."

"Wei Yuan, just call me Shaorong."

He paused and smiled, "Also, the title of Curator Wei is too formal."

"Wei Yuan, Wei Yuan... Can I call you A Yuan?"

Wei Yuan nodded and said, "Of course, no problem."

"But you still shouldn't eat garlic."

Wei Yuan's mouth twitched, and he pushed the paper towel over and said, "The garlic here is strong. You're a grown man, and you're crying from the spiciness. Your eyes are red. If you're not used to it, don't force yourself. Others will think I did something to you."

"It's okay, A Yuan. I think it's quite fragrant."

Zhang Shaorong grinned and forced a sentence.

He raised his head and guzzled a bottle of iced Bingfeng to suppress the deadly spiciness.

The breath he exhaled was spicy. He was about to open his mouth when

he and Wei Yuan both received a call.

It was from Dong Yuefeng.

They had found a way to enter the imperial mausoleum!

………………

On Mount Longhu, Zhang Ruosu pondered the aftermath of the emergence of the imperial mausoleum.

More importantly, he pondered the actions that practitioners from other countries might take nearby.

Qin, the late Qin Dynasty, this era was not so simple.

Shenzhou was in chaos.

At this time, the old Taoist flipped through the information in his hand, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he subconsciously clenched the few lines of words in his palm.

"The tomb of Marquis Wuyang of the Han Dynasty has been stolen."

"Weapons missing."

Marquis Wuyang...

A name instantly appeared in Zhang Ruosu's mind.

Wuyang Dao welcomes, Yan Di secluded bush. Propaganda of power to the royal family, not only its martial arts.

Summing up at Hongmen, opening the door to the imperial house. Raising his face to mock Xiang, wiping his tears to understand the lord.

Marquis Wuyang of the Han Dynasty, one of the generals who destroyed Qin, a meritorious official of Hongmen, and a founding general—

Fan Kuai.

ps: Today's first update... four thousand words.

Difficult to write, my head hurts.