Free Web NovelChapter 649: Chapter 617 Destruction of the City Plan_1
"Inside, there were at least dozens of boxes of ammunition, all kinds of stuff, we checked a row of them, and many at the back were locked. Although the locks were rusty, they bore foreign inscriptions, ’Sapporo-made’ locks. Within one of the boxes, I found some documents."
"The documents were a bit numerous, some in Sapporo script, and what I could understand included serial numbers, routes, maps, and also some stamped documents, with words I could understand like ’military secrets,’ ’defense forces documents,’ ’telegrams,’ ’chief of staff wire,’ followed by all kinds of dates and times."
"Seeing this, I didn’t dare to flip through them more. I estimate that due to the passage of time and the humid conditions, all the documents inside the bag have stuck together. I think these need to be handled by professionals. On the remaining document bags, the surfaces were labeled with things like defense plans and the like."
"There was another, an empty bag, and the first document inside was named ’The Eleventh Pacification District’s City Destruction Plan Archives.’ I remember that before 1949, Qindao City was designated as the Eleventh Pacification District. Seeing this here, I feel it needs to be reported immediately."
"Because the materials inside are complex, related to Sapporo’s war materials and these city destruction plans, it can be said to span several decades, plus those ammunitions, I think this is not just a plan, perhaps it is a record of some actions being implemented."
"If I were to just report it to Mr. Huang of the local bureau, I would still feel nervous, after all, this involves Qindao because this ’Eleventh Pacification District City Destruction Plan’ seems too recent."
Xu Dayuan fell silent for a moment.
"Are these the only documents you found there?"
"I don’t know."
"You don’t know?"
"That place isn’t very large, we only cleared the first row of boxes. The first row, this box had documents, the rest were all ammunition. As for the boxes behind them, as I said, they were locked. But those locks weren’t the kind of padlocks we use nowadays. Thus, I’ll have Mr. Zhao send you some pictures."
Mr. Zhao had already sent a few pictures, but the rest were still loading, indicating that although it was possible to make phone calls, the signal here wasn’t strong enough to send photos. freēwēbnovel.com
"The signal isn’t good enough, seems like we need to wait until we’re back in town to send the rest. Leader, what do we do now? Report to Mr. Huang? Or should you talk to Mr. Huang?"
"Zhou Xiaozhou, don’t rush. Let’s sort this out first. That cave you found, it counts as a historical site, right, a worship site of a small tribe, which probably disappeared centuries ago due to local tribal conflicts."
"However, that cave you found was used by someone about twenty years ago, in the manner of local tribes, for rituals, in which at least eight children were killed. As for what’s inside the coffins, we don’t know yet."
"Why these people did such a thing, their purpose, no one knows. While exploring the depths of this cave, you stumbled upon hidden ammunition and significant documents related to Sapporo and the period before and after the founding of the nation." freeweɓnøvel.com
"Putting this together, at least four groups of people have conducted activities in this cave at different times. Let’s backtrack a bit, based on your judgement, this cave was a place where this tribe buried their ancestors, sought blessings, and practiced their faith. Is it possible that there are some burial goods missing here?"
Zhou Ning was startled.
Xu Dayuan was hitting the nail on the head. If this was a sacred site from centuries ago or a place to venerate ancestors, why were there no burial goods?
The altar had four high-footed porcelain bowls, which didn’t look like modern items at all but typical handmade artifacts, adorned with designs that, upon closer inspection, were likely to be fish, birds, dogs and deer.
At this point, Xu Dayuan continued:
"The photos you sent me earlier, I had people look into them. They thoroughly researched the high-footed porcelain bowls you mentioned, and these should be known as ’Yongle High-Footed Bowls,’ white with blue patterns, different on the inside and outside. Such objects should be the real burial goods."
"Placed in front of the Buddha statue they worship. If the bowls were empty, it’s highly unlikely, so four distinct groups have appeared here, and the burial goods or the items stored during different periods have been tampered with by later visitors."
Mr. Zhao’s eyes widened as he leaned in toward Zhou Ning.
"I’m saying, boss, you’ve talked a lot, obviously, you’ve inquired a lot about our investigation. Now, what should we do? Should we report to Mr. Huang of the local bureau in Ganzhou City? But these documents also need to be cleaned by professionals, or they might all get torn. Can’t you come and save us?"
"You impertinent kid, getting anxious with me? Alright, no need to call Mr. Huang, he’s sitting right in front of me. And as for the experts, I’ve brought quite a few. Take the archival materials you’ve found and bring them back. As for the scene, have Guan Jian send people to take turns keeping watch. Everything else we’ll discuss when you get back."
Zhou Ning’s face lit up with surprise, but he was inwardly delighted.
"Director Xu, you’ve come to Ganzhou City! That’s great, with you here I’ve got a solid backing!"
"Cut the chatter, move out quickly, and once you’re back, we’ll have a look and let the experts handle the restoration, to determine what’s inside. Then we’ll decide which department to hand these items over to. If you hand them over directly, like you feared, I’m concerned there are indeed connections to Qindao."
With that, Xu Dayuan paused for a moment, then called out to someone beside him.
"Mr. Huang, say a quick word to Zhou Xiaozhou, so he doesn’t think you’re not here with me."
"Hahaha, Director Zhou, don’t worry. I just went to pick up Director Xu from the airport. You guys hurry and evacuate, Guan Jian and his team will secure the scene. I’m about to contact the armed police, who will be in position before dark. We’ll evaluate the situation first before deciding how to report it."
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Ning breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his back soaked with sweat from the draft.
Since arriving in Ganzhou, events unfolded one after the other like nested dolls, each more unexpected than the last.
From their trek up the mountain, it seemed like one accident led to another, either by some fateful arrangement or perhaps due to the collaboration between Qindao and Ganzhou. In any case, it was indeed quite astonishing.
"Zhou Xiaozhou, the report’s done, and the leader’s given directions. What are you spacing out for? Check the time, we need to make arrangements quickly. Hurry and organize the evacuation, and those who stay behind can rest easy until the armed police arrive."
As he finished speaking, Zhou Ning heard Mr. Zhao’s stomach growl twice. Clearly Mr. Zhao was hungry, having been busy since they left in the morning without a rest. The exertion had been substantial.
Glancing at the time, it was already 2:40 in the afternoon; indeed, they had been too busy even for lunch.
"Alright, let’s head in."
They quickly climbed back into the cave, where Guan Jian and others were waiting. They quickly gathered the items and went to Guan Jian’s post, recounting the phone call that had just taken place, not bothering to exclude anyone from hearing it.
Knowing that both directors were taking the matter very seriously, Guan Jian let out a sigh of relief and began to smile.
