Chapter 643: Chapter 611 Departure_1
October 12th
Early in the morning, everyone gathered at the Ganzhou City Criminal Police Brigade.
Fang Dongsheng did not show up; following Liu Yufei, Mr. Qu, and Xia Momo, they had already set off in plain clothes with Mr. Liang of the cafeteria. The two groups, playing different occupations, naturally entered the area at different times.
Only then did Zhou Ning clarify that the officer with the surname Guan was named Guan Jian, who was the deputy captain of the Criminal Police Brigade. He was adamant about Zhou Ning not calling him "Captain Guan," becoming irritated whenever he did.
In general, a criminal police team in a prefecture-level city has around forty members, divided into four or five squads. However, they had only twenty-two people, overseeing a large area, which was really not sufficient for much.
Guan Jian was somewhat nervous, looking at Mr. Huang Yubin, the Director of the Ganzhou City Public Security Bureau, who stood to the side as meek as a quail.
"I don’t want to say anything superfluous. They say it’s valuable to know oneself. If we aren’t capable and someone comes to help us, then we should heed commands and follow orders. Don’t think that just because I’m not from the Ganzhou City Public Security Bureau, and you are not my direct superior, that I won’t act. Anyone who thinks this way, please leave; I don’t need you.
To emphasize one last time, this second investigative operation is focused on looking for clues and traces for the criminal investigation, not an archaeological activity. The museum staff, engineering department workers, and people called in from various units, we appreciate your cooperation.
But just as I said before, please follow the arrangements, obey the commands of Director Zhou and Guan Jian. I have nothing to hide. If the cooperation this time doesn’t go well, affecting Qindao’s support for Ganzhou, and ruins the livelihoods of a million people in Ganzhou,
I’m sorry, I’ll also ruin your livelihoods, and I mean what I say! If anyone has objections, please step out now and leave. I’ll pretend I haven’t seen anything. If there are no objections, I thank you all for your cooperation, and let’s get moving quickly!"
Guan Jian trotted onto the stage with a list in hand, beginning to assign everyone how they should take the vehicles and split into groups, considering the transportation of coffins was still underway at the cave.
The Director spoke very bluntly and without mincing words—crude language but sound logic—an absolute man of the Northwest. He walked over to Zhou Ning, shook his hand, and then directly handed him a satellite phone.
"This isn’t Qindao, and communication is really inconvenient here. Take this with you; it has my number stored. If there’s any emergency that Guan Jian cannot handle, or if they aren’t cooperating, contact me immediately.
I have to head to the airport this morning to meet an important expert, otherwise, I would personally join you. I’ve already arranged for personnel to deliver the provisions, like lunch and water. Is there anything else you need?"
Zhou Ning hurriedly waved his hand, feeling very pressured by these instructions.
"Director Huang, please don’t say that. I’m just a forensic doctor doing my job. If you need me to lead, I’ll go and do my best. There’s no need to send someone specially for meals; we’ve prepared everything, like bread and drinking water. If there’s any new discovery, we’ll report it immediately."
Director Huang laughed and patted Zhou Ning’s shoulder with a not-so-light hand.
"Good, I won’t beat around the bush with you then. Head out, and if you need personnel, give me a call. I’ll request additional staff from the provincial department."
Everyone boarded the vehicles, and Zhou Ning’s group got into an off-road car. Zhou Ning rubbed his shoulder while Mr. Zhao grinned with a wince.
"Northwesterners have a strong grip, huh? Director Xu isn’t here either. If he were, he wouldn’t even need to pat your shoulder."
Zhou Ning laughed.
"Local people really are too enthusiastic, but I can understand why. Struggling with the economy, education, technology, and municipal services, it’s a blessing to have someone willing to invest and even bring technology to help reduce decades of struggle. Whoever it is would be pleased. Okay, rest a bit; we probably need two hours."
Mr. Zhao humphed twice and did not speak any further.
After more than an hour, they arrived at the foot of the mountain, where a row of coffins was placed, carefully wrapped in tarpaulin. Indeed, this action was really quick.
Mr. Cui, the museum director, hopped out of the car and trotted over to Zhou Ning.
"Director Zhou, the transport of the coffins is nearing completion. On the way up the mountain, we’ve also installed temporary wooden ladders. This time, we’ve invited an expert from the provincial archaeological team for assistance. Do you have any arrangements that need to be made?"
Zhou Ning shook his head.
"Not for now. Mr. Cui, please have your experts intersperse among our teams. Our main goal this time is to explore a smaller cave on the south side of the cave where the coffins are stored. The people previously sent here haven’t been inside, have they?"
"The workers carried candles and walked a bit inside. They reported that it got more humid the further they went, and they could hear the sound of water and felt a strong draft, so they didn’t dare to go any deeper. I don’t think it necessarily indicates anything, perhaps it’s just a fissure in the mountainside.
After all, there are many springs in the Qilian Mountains, both from the melting snow on the mountaintops and from these kinds of underground rivers within the mountain. However, this area is at a high altitude with low temperatures, and it has not been systematically explored.
Moreover, since the 1990s, with the closure of the mountain to grazing, few people have come up the slopes to graze. Of course, there are those who sneak up, pretending not to understand Mandarin, so this grazing ban mainly prohibits proximity to the main vein of the mountain."
Zhou Ning nodded.
"Got it. The ban is to prevent fires and to allow the forest ecology to recover, but the Qilian Mountains are too extensive to enforce strict closure and grazing bans. Still, people graze around the southern foothills of the mountain, but no one ventures to the main vein. Our cave is just near the main vein, is that right?"
Mr. Cui sighed deeply.
"Exactly. I’ll walk in front with you all later. If we find an underground river, I’ve brought the necessary equipment. It’s just that I’m unsure whether this cave has a southern exit. Even though there’s airflow, it doesn’t mean it’s a through-mountain cave. There could be cracks above the snow line, and if that’s the case, we’ll need to evacuate promptly."
"Okay, we’ll follow your lead."
"Don’t worry, the expert from the provincial archaeological team that I’ve brought comes with professional equipment. If needed, we can use the laser radar scanner to investigate. This tool can provide details about the cave’s direction and form, as well as analyze any potential mineral deposits inside."
Zhou Ning smiled, rarely encountering such matters, and this case seemed to be an adventure, an experience Zhou Ning lacked. With cooperation and such advanced technical equipment at their disposal, he certainly would not refuse.
"Alright, let’s head up then. Once we get there, we’ll split into groups and start moving. Also, regarding the Buddha statue cave on the east side, have you inspected it? Those Buddha statues and murals, have you made any assessments regarding their historical period?"
Mr. Cui let out a sigh, looking worried, which puzzled Zhou Ning. Mr. Cui reached out and grabbed a passing elderly man.
"Don’t go, Elder Feng. Director Zhou just asked about the dating of the Buddha statues in the east side cave within the cave. What are your thoughts on this?"
