novelraw Chapter 222
Chapter 222
Wangjia Village, Village Committee Office.
Shen Nanchu held the phone.
Director Guo, although the ancient tomb discovered in the back mountain of Wangjia Village is simple, it dates back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The three jars of copper coins unearthed have clear reign titles, which hold certain value for studying the commodity economy of Ning'an Town during that period.
Shen Nanchu paused for a moment.
This is all thanks to comrades Pei Yunzhou and Zheng Tongwei.
Her words seemed like a simple report of good news, but they hid a careful intention. By mentioning them a few more times in front of Director Guo, it would be much more natural for Pei Yunzhou and Zheng Tongwei to strive for honors or opportunities in the future.
Having navigated the professional world for decades, Director Guo could easily hear the underlying message. With a smile in his voice, he said,
Nanchu, I am always at ease when you handle things! However, this cultural relic research requires a combination of quantity and quality. If you can dig up a few more artifacts with historical age, that would be a solid political achievement.
This was exactly what Shen Nanchu wanted to hear. She immediately took the opportunity to air her grievances.
Director Guo, you have spoken right to my heart!
But Wangjia Village only has this one tomb. If we want to find more relics, we have to go further out. The mountain road takes four or five hours round trip, and relying on our legs wastes too much time. If we could get a vehicle, even a tractor, our efficiency would increase by at least three times.
The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. Director Guo asked with a hint of teasing,
Even if I coordinate a vehicle for you, can you drive it? Do not end up flipping it into a ravine, or I will have to send people to fish you out.
Do not worry! Shen Nanchu said with a firm tone. A couple of years ago, when I went to visit the troops, I learned how to drive a tractor from the comrades in the transport company. I can drive steadily on mountain roads even while hauling two tons of fertilizer. Nothing will go wrong.
Director Guo was left speechless and laughed, scolding her playfully,
You girl, you came prepared.
Alright! I will coordinate with the agricultural machinery station. Have Zheng Tongwei go to the village entrance to pick up the vehicle tomorrow morning.
But let me be clear up front. Given the conditions in Ning'an Town, do not expect a Jeep. Having a running tractor is already good enough.
Early the next morning, Zheng Tongwei came to deliver the message.
Sister Nanchu! Someone drove a military green tractor over here!
When Shen Nanchu and Pei Yunzhou arrived at the village entrance, they saw a tractor covered in mud.
The body was covered in rust, a wooden board was missing from the cargo bed, the cracks in the rear tires rubber were wide enough to fit a finger, and the exhaust pipe was emitting intermittent blue smoke. It looked like an old antique clinging to its last breath.
Pei Yunzhou's face instantly fell. This... compared to the cart pulled by the village's old ox, it just has two extra wheels.
Shen Nanchu, however, walked around the tractor twice and knocked on the body.
As long as it runs, it is fine! If the rear wheels are worn flat, we will change them. If parts are broken, we will fix them.
The scrap recycling station in town definitely has usable parts. Let's go see what we can find.
At the recycling station in town, Shen Nanchu rummaged through a pile of scrap metal and actually found an old tractor that had been stripped down to its frame, with two tires still attached to the back.
Perfect.
Shen Nanchu also found some usable screws, washers...
For the next three days, Shen Nanchu spent almost all her time next to the tractor, renovating and modifying it.
Pei Yunzhou and Zheng Tongwei acted as her assistants, handing her tools and steadying the vehicle.
The originally dilapidated tractor slowly transformed: two wheels became four, the leaky gas tank became a dual tank, and a cargo rack was added to the bare bed...
On the afternoon of the fourth day, the modifications were finally complete.
Shen Nanchu sat in the driver's seat, inserted the key, and turned it. The tractor started up with a chug-chug-chug, blowing black smoke from the exhaust pipe as she drove it steadily around the yard.
Pei Yunzhou and Zheng Tongwei excitedly jumped onto the cargo rack, holding tightly to the handrails.
Shen Nanchu hit the gas, and the tractor drove out of the yard, running along the dirt road of the village.
Although it was bumpy enough to rattle their bones, it was more than twice as fast as walking.
We will set out tomorrow!
Shen Nanchu had studied the map and history of Ning'an Town. There were only two places that might have ancient tombs: Niujia Village and Qianjia Village.
Both villages had produced provincial graduates during the Qing Dynasty. According to old customs, the tombs of such scholars would have simple burial objects. Moreover, commune records indicated that someone in Niujia Village had dug up a Qing Dynasty clay pot during the Republic of China era, proving there was definitely something underground.
Early the next morning, the three loaded their tools onto the rack. Shen Nanchu sat in the driver's seat, and the tractor chugged toward Niujia Village.
The mountain road was rugged, and the hoes in the cargo bed clanked together. Pei Yunzhou and Zheng Tongwei held on tightly to the handrails, yet they could not stop grinning. The feeling of not having to walk was just too comfortable.
Upon arriving at the entrance of Niujia Village, Shen Nanchu parked the tractor under an old locust tree.
Niu Fugui, the village head of Niujia Village, had already received the news and came to greet them with two villagers.
Niu Fugui clutched a smoking pipe in his hand, his eyes full of vigilance.
He knew Shen Nanchu was the type of person who would not act without seeing a benefit.
Comrade Shen, what a rare guest! Niu Fugui wore a fake smile on his face. Coming all this way, is there something urgent?
Shen Nanchu got straight to the point. Village Head Niu, I am here to do some surveying in the back mountain of your village, to see if we can find some treasures.
Treasures?
Niu Fugui's eyes instantly lit up, and he even forgot to light his pipe.
Surveying? Sure! I will go with you! The mountain paths are hard to navigate, so I will lead the way for you and call two villagers to help carry the tools!
He was making his own little calculations. If they really found valuable treasures, he might be able to snatch some benefits first.
This was exactly the effect Shen Nanchu wanted. She agreed with a smile, Then thank you so much, Village Head Niu. With your help, we can save a lot of trouble.
The group walked up the mountain. The back mountain of Niujia Village was not high but it was steep, and the path was overgrown with waist-high wild grass.
As they walked, Niu Fugui probed indirectly, Comrade Shen, these treasures you are looking for, are they valuable? If we dig up gold or silver, can our village get a share?
Village Head Niu, you are speaking like a layman now. Shen Nanchu deliberately slowed her pace and pointed at the rocks by the road. I am here looking for gold bars that might have been left behind by spies. They must all be handed over to the state.
A flash of greed crossed Niu Fugui's eyes. He did not ask any more questions, just followed closely behind Shen Nanchu, staring at her footsteps.
Wherever Shen Nanchu lingered for a long time, he made sure to memorize the spot.
After walking for half an hour, Shen Nanchu stopped on a sunny hillside.
It leaned against a mountain ridge with a small stream in front. The soil was fertile, yet it could not grow dense grass. This was exactly the characteristic of the five-color soil commonly found around ancient tombs.
This kind of soil had been manually turned over; it had poor breathability, meaning plant roots could not grow deep, so vegetation naturally grew sparsely.
Shen Nanchu squatted down, grabbed a handful of dirt, and rubbed it in her hands. She then used a branch to scrape away the topsoil, revealing the reddish-brown soil layer underneath. She knew she had found it.
This was the place, but she did not say a word.
She merely squatted there a bit longer, and when Niu Fugui's gaze shifted over, she revealed a satisfied smile.
Shen Nanchu smiled for about thirty seconds. No matter how stupid Niu Fugui was, he surely would have noticed by now.
A minute later,
Shen Nanchu stood up and clapped the dirt off her hands. We will stop looking for today. It is getting late, so let's head back first. We will bring the tools to dig carefully tomorrow.
Pei Yunzhou and Zheng Tongwei were both stunned.
They were going back just after arriving?
But the two knew Shen Nanchu had a plan, so they did not ask any questions.
Niu Fugui, however, grew suspicious. Shen Nanchu must have discovered something, or else she wouldn't have left so quickly.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that there was treasure hidden there. As soon as Shen Nanchu and her group drove off in their tractor, he gathered five of his most trusted villagers. Lowering his voice, he said, Tonight, we are heading up the mountain! That Shen girl is shrewd. She definitely found some treasure. If we dig first, we might just dig up some gold bars!
Hearing there was a profit to be made, the villagers grew excited and hurried home to grab their hoes and flashlights.