Elder Feng suddenly noticed Zhou Ning’s unusual deanor and quickly put away his smile, thinking for a mont before saying:
"At first, we didn’t understand the chanism, so we broke one, but later we found the chanism and were able to open it normally. There are indeed traces of it being opened. Director Zhou, what are you thinking of?"
Zhou Ning pondered for a mont.
"It’s like this, you know we found other things hidden inside the cave, left over from the ti when the Sapporo People occupied it, as well as items hidden by the Minjin personnel before and after the founding of Hua Country. Since they could find this place to hide, didn’t they ever think about opening these coffins?
And according to our analysis, the four high-footed porcelain bowls placed on the altar inside the Buddha cave must have once held offerings, and certainly would not have been fewer than the items in the coffins. So why only these four bowls are left?"
Elder Feng tidied his ssy hair and sat directly across from Zhou Ning.
"I’ve thought about what you said. When I went back into the Buddha cave later for a close look, the red cloak on the standing Buddha had been there for at least a decade or two, and it was in tatters. As for the cave where the Buddha statue is, there definitely were more precious and rare treasures.
The groups of people you ntioned might have taken parts of them at different tis, but what is this place? Our ancestors in Hua Country had a saying: ’It’s better to believe it exists than not’. Therefore, even those who rob tombs for a living wouldn’t take everything; they would at least leave sothing symbolic behind.
As for the coffins, these coffins are embedded in the walls of the stone caves. It seems like they are supported by wood underneath, but in reality, they are pressed one on top of another, designed very ingeniously. Without taking them down, even if the thod to unlock the coffin lids is deciphered, it’s still impossible to open them."
Zhou Ning breathed a sigh of relief. This series of explanations was ant to question Elder Feng, but in fact, Zhou Ning also hoped to get answers because he really couldn’t figure it out. He took in what Elder Feng had said.
Indeed, even if several groups of people ca in and took away the precious burial goods, opening the coffin was indeed a psychological challenge for non-professionals.
Plainly speaking, those who ca in did not reach the point of desperation, so there was no need for such extre actions.
At this mont, Elder Feng continued:
"By the way, I don’t know if you have taken samples from the coffin surface and the seams of the chanisms?"
Zhou Ning paused for a mont and turned to Mr. Zhao. After thinking, Mr. Zhao said:
"On the surface of the coffins, we collected from the first few, just wiped off the top and side colored paint surfaces. Is there a problem with that?"
"In our line of work, it’s fair to say we have so taboos. This tomb cave is partially well-preserved, and these types of coffins generally have chanisms or things left on them; after all, many people’s lives were cut short because of this.
Before I ca here, I had already asked Mr. Cui to mail so samples. Just now, our lab sent the test report. Director Zhou, would you take a look at this? Do you know what this substance is?"
Zhou Ning glanced at the test report. It contained compositional analysis; besides paint and other substances, there were several amino acids like arginine, aspartic acid, serine, and glutamic acid highlighted in enlarged font, with the words ricin.
Seeing this, Zhou Ning was taken aback.
"Have the workers and all those who touched the coffin been cleaned up in ti? Have they gone for a dical examination?"
Elder Feng smiled and glanced at Mr. Cui, his eyes seemingly affirming his correct guess.
"Rest assured, the workers and all personnel who touched the coffin were just now thoroughly asked to wash their hands and underwent blood sampling and hand swabbing. I asked you as well to make sure that everyone who had contact with the coffin goes for a tily check-up."
Zhou Ning nodded, also relieved.
"We’re fine, whether it was the first accidental entry or the follow-up inspections, we wore gloves and thoroughly disinfected our hands after each entry and exit. It’s professional behavior, but a check-up is indeed necessary."
Mr. Zhao leaned over, looking at the report with a confused expression.
"Ricin? I only know about castor beans. It seems that in the old days, if people couldn’t have children, they would fry chicken eggs with castor beans, and eating them would instantly lead to pregnancy. But it’s well known that these are potent drugs that should not be used lightly—a wrongly used dose can endanger lives. Is this poison powerful?"
"The report doesn’t ntion any impurities, which obviously ans that the ricin is extracted very pure, and this substance has soaked into the paint. Those who don’t know and touch it with bare hands, and then touch food afterwards, could suffer from poisoning and diarrhea if mild, and if severe, poisoning could lead to death."
Subconsciously, Mr. Zhao glanced at Elder Feng, who was then wearing two layers of latex gloves.
"So, the poison inadvertently protected the coffins. Even if soone was undeterred and touched the shrubs, the least they’d suffer was vomiting and diarrhea. In serious cases, they could’ve died directly on the spot," Zhou Ning said.
Elder Feng nodded.
"That’s exactly what I an. Additionally, although the other six coffins have not been opened, I can assert that the general form of tomb burial inside is the sa: after cremation, the ashes are stored in urns placed within the coffins, and the remaining space is filled with burial goods. It probably isn’t much related to what you’re investigating," Elder Feng explained.
Zhou Ning smiled and nodded, understanding Elder Feng’s kindness.
"Investigating a case is really about the process of elimination. Thank you for your help, Elder Feng. At least you’ve ruled out one factor for us. We won’t disturb your research any longer. Just send us the photos of the coffins once they’re opened—we need them for the report," Zhou Ning said.
Elder Feng didn’t stand on ceremony. He knew Zhou Ning had other matters to attend to and asked Mr. Cui to escort the two out. Mr. Zhao started the car and sighed.
"I said this was busy work for nothing. Going through all this trouble, and it turns out everything inside is an antique, which has hardly anything to do with the case we’re investigating. How can this be," Mr. Zhao lanted.
"Stop complaining and let’s head to the lab. Do you know where the local university is?" Zhou Ning asked.
"Relax, we’ll just use the navigation to get there," Mr. Zhao replied.
Zhou Ning paid no mind to Mr. Zhao’s grumbling.
The two followed the navigation and arrived at the local university. As soon as their car stopped at the guardhouse, the security guards ca running out—one saluting, the other opening the gate, with the saluting one smiling as he approached.
"You’re the experts from Qindao, right? Our school leaders have instructed us to direct you straight to the Technology Building on the east side as soon as you arrive. The other experts are all on the second floor of the east side laboratory," the guard said with a smile.
Mr. Zhao courteously passed through the gate, breathing a sigh of relief.
"I’m telling you, this is a high-level treatnt. Even the school leaders and security guards have been so thoroughly briefed. Clearly, they’ve been notified about our vehicle information and everything. Such ticulous work indicates that they’re not lacking in ability, just in opportunities for developnt," Mr. Zhao remarked.
Zhou Ning nodded.
"A skilled cook cannot prepare a al without rice. The sa goes for this school. The area wants to invest, but a lack of funds is a chokepoint. Better-performing students wouldn’t choose to study here, so the student body is mainly from this province.
But there’s a silver lining: the school can adjust its training direction. For local students, they can optimize the ratio of disciplines to those suited to local job applications. For outside students, they should focus on fostering advanced and leading-edge disciplines," Zhou Ning said.
Mr. Zhao appeared contemplative.
"I think I get the leaders’ intentions now. The developnt of the Qin University Technology Center has hit a ceiling. Collaborating with other institutions to build a high-tech industry chain, from the research, design, assembly, automated control of related equipnt, to developing forensic science talent.
If they really move forward with this plan, and they give this place a grand na, then it really becos a leader in integrated industry, education, and research—tying in perfectly with the five-year plan. This idea is brilliant! Oh, right, I rember Qin University was going to work on that robotics project for bomb disposal. Could that also be moved here?" Mr. Zhao inquired.
Before Zhou Ning could reply, a voice rose from behind. Startled and unprepared, the two quickly turned around to see an elderly gentleman with twinkling eyes.
"You’re from Qindao, aren’t you? Your perspective is really quite different. Welco to Hexi College," the old man greeted.
Zhou Ning felt a bit embarrassed, but Mr. Zhao appeared unfazed, hurrying to shake hands with the old man.
"Thank you, sir. We’re looking for the laboratory. Do you know where the experts who arrived before us are?" Mr. Zhao asked.
With a smile, the old man pointed east and quickly added:
"Co on, I’ll take you there. I’m heading there myself to deliver so materials," he said.
The three of them reached the laboratory together, and upon opening the door, Elder Hu and the others inside looked over, seeming surprised to see the old man. Elder Hu hurried over.
"Mr. Wang, how co you’re all here together?" he asked in surprise.
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