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墨書 Inktalez
In a small town in the Northeast during the 1980s, news traveled slowly, but it couldn't escape the ears of those who were truly interested.
Professor Li, working at the archaeological research institute in the provincial capital, had heard rumors about the discovery of an ancient tomb in Daxing'anling. At that time, while research on ancient civilizations in the Northeast was progressing, significant discoveries were still few and far between.
Professor Li had devoted most of his life to this field, determined to uncover more of history's mysteries before his time was up.
The institute where he worked was piled high with materials, yet records about certain mysterious historical periods in this land remained incomplete, like a jigsaw puzzle missing too many crucial pieces.
Wearing thick black-framed glasses that magnified his eyes, which always sparkled with a thirst for knowledge, he donned a slightly faded Zhongshan suit. Despite its wear, he carried himself with vigor.
He hurriedly made his way to the town where Zhang Qi lived, asking everyone he encountered about Zhang Qi's whereabouts.
On the somewhat muddy streets of the town, he stopped a passing man and asked, "Excuse me, do you know where Zhang Qi lives? The young man connected to the ancient tomb."
The man scratched his head and pointed in a general direction.
Following the directions, Professor Li finally found himself at the entrance of a dilapidated courtyard where Zhang Qi resided.
With a broad smile on his face, he approached and politely said, "You must be Zhang Qi. Young man, I am Professor Li, specializing in archaeological research."
Zhang Qi regarded him with some suspicion, wondering what this old man wanted from him.
Sensing Zhang Qi's unease, Professor Li continued, "I heard that you visited the ancient tomb in Daxing'anling. I mean no harm. You see, the artifacts found in that tomb are treasures left by our ancestors. They hold immense value for our country's and our nation's understanding of history and culture. The government is placing greater emphasis on cultural relics protection and archaeological excavation; we cannot allow these precious historical legacies to be destroyed or buried."
Zhang Qi furrowed his brow and said, "Professor, it's easy for you to say. We're just trying to make a living by taking a chance in that ancient tomb. We don't think too much about it. Life is tough; sometimes we can't even afford a hot meal. We're just hoping to find something valuable inside to exchange for some money."
Professor Li sighed and patted Zhang Qi's shoulder, saying, "I understand, young man. Life is hard for everyone these days. But we can't just think about ourselves. If that ancient tomb gets damaged, the loss would be tremendous. I want to explore it with you using scientific methods, protect the artifacts inside, and unravel those historical mysteries. I have a lot of knowledge and experience in archaeology; I can definitely help."
Zhang Qi felt a bit uneasy. He glanced at Professor Li's frail figure and skeptically said, "Professor, you look too delicate to withstand the hardships of an ancient tomb. That place isn't for just anyone—it's dark, cold, and filled with countless dangers. The last time I went in with Monkey, we almost didn't make it out. The eerie atmosphere still haunts me."
Upon hearing this, Professor Li straightened his back and replied defiantly, "Young man, don't underestimate me. While I may not be as agile as you are, the knowledge I've accumulated can be invaluable in critical moments. After years of studying archaeology, I have researched ancient traps and cultural customs; I might even spot dangers ahead of time and help everyone avoid them. When I was younger, I also spent nights in the wild with archaeological teams; I haven't just been sitting in an office."
Zhang Qi remained hesitant. He turned and went into the house to discuss with Lao Hu inside. Lao Hu took a puff from his pipe and pondered before saying, "Brother, the professor has a point. We were just blindly wandering around in the tomb before; having someone knowledgeable might reduce the risks. Plus, if we can contribute to protecting cultural relics for our country, maybe our future will be a bit brighter."
After hearing Lao Hu's words, Zhang Qi stepped back outside and looked at Professor Li, saying, "Professor, you can join us, but you have to follow my lead since I've been there once with Monkey and have some experience."
Professor Li nodded eagerly and replied, "Sure, young man! As long as I can participate in this archaeological exploration, I'm on board."
Just then, a young man came running over breathlessly—it was Professor Li's assistant, Xiao Wang.
Xiao Wang adjusted his glasses and said to Professor Li, "Professor! I've found you! I've brought some archaeological tools and materials you requested."
As he spoke, he set down several bags filled with professional excavation tools like trowels and brushes, measuring instruments, along with several thick books on archaeology.
Professor Li crouched down to examine the tools and materials before turning to Zhang Qi and saying, "These are essential aids for exploring the ancient tomb. With these, we can better understand its structure and history."
Zhang Qi looked at these intriguing items with quiet admiration.
Lao Hu also came over, picking up an archaeological trowel with curiosity. "Professor, this trowel is different from the ones we usually use. How do you dig with it?"
Professor Li smiled and explained, "This archaeological trowel is specially designed for carefully clearing artifacts and soil. It's not as rough as your regular trowels, which can easily damage the artifacts."
Xiao Wang chimed in from the side, "The professor has made a lot of preparations to join your expedition smoothly. He has gone through all the materials at the research institute and consulted experts about the possible era and background of this ancient tomb, hoping to make significant discoveries during this excavation."
Professor Li stood up, his gaze resolute. "This trip to the Daxing'anling Ancient Tomb might fill a significant gap in our understanding of ancient civilizations in the Northeast region. We must be cautious and protect every artifact to unravel the mysteries of history."
Zhang Qi observed the seriousness of Professor Li and his assistant, feeling a bit of his worries ease.
He knew that this tomb exploration would become more complex with Professor Li's involvement, but it could also be safer and more meaningful. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Alright, Professor, let's set off together. I hope everything goes smoothly this time."
And so, Professor Li successfully joined the team.
He rubbed his hands together in excitement, as if he could already see the precious artifacts and historical mysteries waiting to be uncovered inside the tomb.
As for Zhang Qi and the others, watching Professor Li's enthusiasm made them uncertain whether to feel relieved to have an extra helper or worried that the professor might slow them down in the tomb; they could only take it one step at a time.
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