Chapter 4

At that moment, a thought flashed through Mu Linfeng's mind: the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" was very likely in the hands of his grandfather or father. This was because his great-grandfather, upon learning that the Japanese invaders were searching for him, had sent his grandfather away. It was quite possible that his great-grandfather would have instructed his grandfather to take the most important items with him, and furthermore, his grandfather might have passed the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map" on to his father.

In addition to the three peaks of the rockery, there are also four ancient and peculiar stones within the Ouyuan Garden. These four ancient stones, known as Zhi, Chou, Lou, and Tou, are all present. They are graceful and elegant, standing tall and beautiful, embodying the essence of calligraphy and seal carving. When viewed from different angles, they correspond with the traditional characters for "Fu" (福), "Shou" (寿), "Kang" (康), and "Ning" (宁), resembling and echoing each other, captivating the observer endlessly. There is a saying that "a little stone is worth a little silver," making them truly priceless treasures. When viewed from different angles, they correspond with the traditional characters for "Fu" (福), "Shou" (寿), "Kang" (康), and "Ning" (宁), resembling and echoing each other, captivating the observer endlessly. There is a saying that "a little stone is worth a little silver," making them truly priceless treasures.

Oh! Is this true? Pu Jianyi immediately widened his eyes, as if his eyeballs were about to pop out.

Zhu Guangwen stood at attention and responded with a sound, then turned and walked to the door, putting on his shiny black riding boots before leaving the courtyard.

It is known that there is a mountain called Sanyang Mountain at the foot of Wangfen, and many local residents are aware of it. By bringing engineers there, the tomb can be blown open.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Guangwen quickly asked: "Should we bring more personnel? There are indeed local guerrilla activities in the mountains of that area"

Hmm," Mu Linfeng replied.

Pu Jianliang lifted the teapot, pouring tea into the cup while saying: "Your Chinese tea culture is no longer thriving; our Japanese tea ceremony is the most authentic..."

After approximately 180 years, Feng Pu, the Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall and the Prince's Tutor during the Qing Dynasty, presented his Wanliutang in Beijing to the Emperor before retiring to his hometown. Emperor Kangxi then granted him the eastern garden of the original Hengwang Mansion. Feng Pu undertook renovations and modifications to the eastern garden, naming it "Ouyuan," which means "by chance" or "coincidentally".

Mu Linfeng immediately smiled and said, "Look, Brother Huang is greeting you, isn't he?"

Alright, I will prepare it right away

Mu Linfeng knew that he would likely have to travel extensively in the future. Although he had not yet found the painting "The Imperial Tombs of the Mountains," it was easy to imagine that most of those hidden imperial tombs were located in remote and perilous areas. To reach these places, it was essential to have an excellent off-road vehicle.

Zhu Guangwen leaned forward, a mysterious expression on his face as he whispered, "Your Excellency, the Colonel, has a profound understanding of ancient music. I wonder if you have heard of the Four Wang Qins from the Ming Dynasty in China"

Mu Linfeng smiled without speaking, his eyes fixed on the eerie old locust tree forest. He could sense that this little creature was inside. This little sprite seemed to know that Mu Linfeng would come back to find it, and after a short while, it darted out from the locust tree forest.

Zhu Guangwen was taken aback, thinking to himself that this Pu Jianyi was truly an insatiable wolf, turning against people without recognition. He quickly put on a smiling face and said: "I only recently remembered this. You have always asked us to collect antiques, but the items found by the brothers below are all worthless junk. A couple of days ago, it suddenly occurred to me that if we could excavate the tomb of King Heng and bring out the items inside for Your Excellency, it would save the brothers from difficulty."

I want to follow Master..." Xiao San said tentatively

The little sprite appeared exceptionally excited upon seeing Mu Linfeng, running around him in several circles with joy. Then, it leaped onto the nearby artificial hill, chirping incessantly, as if it were recounting the feelings of separation over the past two days to Mu Linfeng

The Four Kings Guqin of the Ming Dynasty are the Guqin of King Heng, King Ning, King Yi, and King Lu. Among these, the Guqin of King Heng is particularly precious, as it was handcrafted by King Heng Zhu Youji. To be frank, the value of the Guqin of King Heng is incalculable

Mu Linfeng pondered for a moment, realizing that he would need an assistant in the future. Xiaosan happened to be a very good candidate, so he said to Xiaosan: "Xiaosan, think this over carefully; make sure you won't regret it. As the saying goes, a chef won't starve even in a three-year drought; being a chef guarantees that there will always be food to eat. What will happen in the future if you follow me is still uncertain..."

What should I wait for?

Zhu Guangwen gently waved his hand and said: "No, not within the city of Qingzhou, but not far from it. Have you heard of Wangfen, located fifty kilometers southwest of the city?"

Of course it is true, the common people in Qingzhou City all know that the Wang family mansion was built in imitation of the Beijing Imperial Palace. Do you think the tomb of the Wang family could be inferior to that of the emperor? You know that the Chinese place great importance on lavish burials. It is said that the Wang family tomb began construction at the same time as the Wang family mansion, taking more than ten years in total. Surely, the valuable items inside cannot be few

"Oh! Please, Mr. Zhu, quickly tell me about Wang Qin from the Ming Dynasty," said Pu Jianyi with great interest.

No, having more people would actually make it easier to be exposed. If the local militia finds out our intentions, it would be problematic. We should just take two people disguised as merchants into the mountains

"What do you mean?" asked Pu Jianyi with confusion

Mu Linfeng concealed the fact that the unique skills of the Xiangmu were discovered from his great-grandfather's grave, and he did not mention the large amounts of gold and silver found, as he felt this was a family matter that did not need to be disclosed to outsiders. Another important reason for Mu Linfeng's actions was that he had already sworn to be a "guardian of the spirit"

Without further ado, let us proceed to the main topic, as the content of these stories is closely related to the events that Mu Linfeng would later encounter

Due to the inability to find valuable cultural relics, Pu Jianliang began to resort to unscrupulous means. He even ordered the merchant associations within Qingzhou City to collect cultural relics for him, mandating that each merchant must submit three to five items, or else they would be dealt with under the charge of "colluding with the enemy".

After some traitors learned of Pu Jianyi's hobby, they catered to his preferences and helped him scour and plunder cultural relics locally. This caused wealthy merchants and intellectuals in the ancient city to secretly hide their antiques, either burying them underground or sending them to relatives in the countryside. Some even chose to smash their collections of jars and bottles, preferring to destroy them rather than give them to the Japanese. As a result, after Pu Jianyi had been in the ancient city for six months, it became increasingly difficult to find any valuable cultural relics.

Thinking of buying a car, Mu Linfeng suddenly understood why there were so many fine horses in his family in the past. In the old residence, there was a long row of stables. Although the house had collapsed, the horse troughs carved from bluestone still remained. There were seven or eight horse troughs, each two meters long, which gives one an idea of the scale of the stables at that time. The ancestors must have raised so many fine horses for the long journeys to guard those hidden imperial tombs.

The weasel seemed to understand our words, and this perceptive little creature immediately jumped down from the artificial hill, standing in front of the little cripple and chirping twice.

The little cripple following behind curiously looked at Mu Linfeng and asked in confusion, "Master, who are you calling out to in the woods?"

Emerging from the staff passage behind the hotel, Mu Linfeng suddenly saw the little cripple standing outside the door. Upon noticing him, the little cripple immediately tiptoed over. Mu Linfeng, puzzled, asked: "Why are you here instead of going to work?"

When Zhu Guangwen arrived at the Occasional Garden, Pu Jianlang was enjoying tea in the Songfeng Pavilion among the three pavilions of the garden. Dressed in a kimono and wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, Pu Jianlang resembled a scholar, making it difficult for one to associate him with a murderous demon

The hotel owner personally intervened to persuade Mu Linfeng to stay, but upon seeing his firm decision to leave, he no longer insisted. In fact, chefs like Mu Linfeng are not difficult to find; while they cannot be said to be everywhere, they are certainly not considered rare talents.

Mu Linfeng quickly put the matter of joining the research group out of his mind. Ever since he learned about the responsibilities of a vigil keeper and vowed to become one, he has felt a deep-seated aversion to this matter, even contemplating the possibility of withdrawing from the research group.

Zhu Guangwen responded with a sound, took off his large riding boots, and then walked to the side of the tea table, sitting cross-legged opposite Pu Jianlang

Pu Jianliang immediately straightened his body, and a greedy look emerged behind the lenses. Before Zhu Guangwen could finish speaking, he interrupted him: "Zhu Sang, quickly tell me where the Hengwang Qin is located"

"... is ... ... is ... ... Colonel said it well ..." Zhu Guangwen nodded and bowed in agreement, while gently holding the tea bowl with both hands, he took a small sip, and before he could taste anything, he exclaimed repeatedly: "Good tea, truly good tea"

Mu Linfeng knew that they were definitely talking about the Zhu Fugui family, and such matters are easily embellished and spread by others

Pu Jianliang is aware that Qingzhou is a cultural ancient city, rich in numerous precious cultural relics. Therefore, in his spare time, Pu Jianliang employs various means to collect these relics

Mu Linfeng believes that as a descendant of the Mu family, he must adhere to the ancestral teachings and strictly fulfill the duties of a guardian of the tomb. If he were to excavate the ancient tomb depicted in the "Map of Imperial Burials" with others, it would not only violate the legacy of his ancestors but also breach his own solemn oath. Therefore, it is best for him to withdraw from Professor Dongfang's research group as soon as possible

Pu Jianyi waved his hand without explanation: "Tomorrow, let's secretly go to Wangfen Town and conduct an on-site investigation of the situation there before making any further decisions"

When Mu Linfeng's great-grandfather went missing, his grandfather was not yet fifteen years old and was still away from home. Some stories about what happened were told to his grandfather by the villagers after he returned, and there may be discrepancies with the facts. By the time these stories reached Mu Linfeng, they had already been transformed into legendary tales

One day, in order to gain the favor of Pu Jianliang, Zhu Guangwen arrived at Pu Jianliang's residence, prepared to inform him about the situation of the Hengwangling.

"Alright, from now on, you can assist me," Mu Linfeng readily agreed, "You must have heard that my ancestors were in the business of making 'dumplings'; I intend to revive the family trade."

Mu Linfeng simply organized his belongings, which consisted of a few work uniforms and some recipes, packed them into his backpack, and left the hotel

Because his father suddenly disappeared when Mu Linfeng was very young, it is highly likely that he did not have the chance to pass on... Moreover, the sudden disappearance of both his grandfather and father is likely related to the identity of the guardian spirit...

The little cripple squatted down in surprise: "I didn't expect it to be so cute, and it can actually understand what we are saying."

Pu Jianliang immediately understood Zhu Guangwen's meaning and asked with a smile: "Are you saying that the King Heng's qin is in the King Heng's tomb?"

Before Mu Linfeng could finish speaking, the third party interrupted, saying: "Master, please rest assured, in the future, no matter what happens, I guarantee I will not say a word of complaint."

Xiao San's father passed away in a car accident when he was in elementary school. His mother remarried, taking along an older sister, while he was left with his grandfather. The upheaval in his family significantly altered Xiao San's personality; after entering middle school, he frequently skipped classes and even learned to steal

Haha ... ... very good, Mr. Zhu is very good, my dear friend. If this matter is accomplished, I will reward you handsomely ... ... '' At this point, Pu Jianyi paused for a moment, `` Furthermore ... ... regarding the Heng Wang Tomb ... ... does Mr. Zhu know its exact location? ''

Mulin Feng's great-grandfather was named Mu Dingwu, a name that is said to carry significant meaning. Mu Dingwu himself belongs to the Wood element in the Five Elements theory, specifically classified as "Great Forest Wood," which is a vigorous form of Wood. Furthermore, the surname "Mu" itself contains three dots of water. In the Five Elements, Wood is nourished by Water, which enhances the strength of Wood, thus necessitating restraint. Therefore, the characters "Ding" and "Wu" were added to his name; "Ding" belongs to the Fire element, which is generated by Wood, thereby weakening the dominance of Wood. The character "Wu" belongs to the Metal element, which restrains Wood, thus bringing balance to the vigorous Wood energy of his great-grandfather.

Returning to the county town, Mu Linfeng had a phone conversation with Wang Zhao, during which he briefed him on the situation regarding his return to Mujiaying. He informed Wang Zhao that he had found the ancestral burial techniques in the old residence, but had not discovered any trace of the "Imperial Burial Mountain Map".

Hehe... alright, I will call you two big brothers from now on... although it feels a bit awkward..." said the little limping boy with a playful smile

Unexpectedly, the mistress shook her head nonchalantly and said: "I have been very bold since I was young, daring to go alone to the graveyard at night, no matter what my master does, I will follow him closely."

Once, a child was caught stealing in a supermarket and was severely beaten by the security guard. By chance, Mu Linfeng encountered this situation and, seeing the child in a pitiable state, paid for the stolen goods, which amounted to less than 200 yuan. Perhaps moved by Mu Linfeng's act of kindness, the child vowed to turn over a new leaf. Consequently, Mu Linfeng reported to the manager and took the child under his wing to learn cooking.

After Mu Linfeng finished reading the notes left by his great-grandfather, he combined them with the stories he had heard before, and finally unraveled a relatively clear thread of the entire event's cause and effect

Zhu Guangwen smiled and said mysteriously, "Distant in the sky, yet close at hand."

In order to avoid raising suspicion in the little cripple, Mu Linfeng lied to him, saying: "I have known this yellow weasel since I lived here as a child; we have always been good friends. It is older than I am, so I call it Brother Huang. From now on, the three of us will live here together, and you should also call it Brother Huang."

Upon seeing Zhu Guangwen enter, Pu Jianliang, who was kneeling on the tatami, immediately waved to him and smiled as he said in fluent Chinese: "Zhu Sang, come, I just brewed a pot of good tea, let's taste it together..." He was accustomed to addressing Zhu Guangwen as "Zhu Sang".

Pu Jianliang shook his head and said: "I have heard of the four great ancient zithers of China, namely the Zhong, the Rao Liang, the Lu Qi, and the Jiao Wei, but this is the first time I have heard of the Four Wang Zithers from the Ming Dynasty"

Haha... The place where Your Excellency the Colonel is currently residing is the former East Garden of the Heng Wang Mansion, so it is naturally not too far from the Heng Wang Qin.

To his astonishment, what came running over was actually a weasel. The little cripple was taken aback and asked in shock: "Master, you... you were just calling it?"

The commander of the Japanese army is a Colonel named Junichiro Pu, who was a university history teacher before the war, with extensive research on Chinese history, and has a penchant for collecting antiques

Pu Jianliang asked in surprise, "So the Hengwang Qin is hidden within Qingzhou City?"

Mu Linfeng is temporarily residing in an old house belonging to a cousin not far from the ancestral home. His entire family has moved to a new house by the road at the foot of the mountain, leaving the entire small courtyard empty and very quiet, which is just suitable for studying. The peaceful and comfortable environment allows Mu Linfeng to temporarily forget his worries and devote himself wholeheartedly to the study of burial techniques.

Living in the mountains is much more comfortable than in the city, not only because the air is good, but also because it is quiet. The transportation is very developed now, making it convenient to come and go. Mu Linfeng plans to buy an off-road vehicle first; he really likes the Mitsubishi Pajero. Money is no longer an issue; using the money he has found to buy a car does not violate his great-grandfather's teachings.

When Mu Linfeng vowed to inherit the ancestral skill of tomb divination, he felt that he was tightly connected to everything about his family. He even somewhat regretted agreeing to join Professor Dongfang's research group.

The little cripple eagerly took the backpack from Mu Linfeng's hands and said with a smile, "I will tell my master after we get home"

The first thing Mu Linfeng did upon returning to the old residence was to search for the weasel that had led him to his great-grandfather's grave. Standing at the base of the wall in the backyard of the old house, Mu Linfeng shouted twice towards the old locust tree forest, "Brother Huang"

Where did you come up with this nonsense, from now on we are brothers, you can call me big brother, even calling me master makes me feel like an old man

At this point, Pu Jianliang suddenly stared at Zhu Guangwen and asked, "Zhu Sang, why didn't you tell me such important news earlier?"

Pu Jianliang nodded and thoughtfully said: "Indeed, Qingzhou Prefecture governs seven states and thirty-eight counties, its economic strength is comparable to that of a small country, and the burial goods of King Heng must be very abundant..."

Hello, understood

Pu Jianliang felt that things would not be as simple as Zhu Guangwen had said. If that were the case, the tomb would surely have been visited by grave robbers. He shook his head and said: "Based on my research on Chinese people, the tomb you mentioned is most likely not the real Heng Wangling."

As he spoke, he extended his hand and gently stroked the little head of the weasel. Zhang Xiaosan quickly became good friends with this weasel; the interaction between humans and animals can sometimes be simpler and easier than that between humans. From today onward, Mu Linfeng, Zhang Xiaosan, and this adorable little spirit can be considered to have settled in Mujiaying.

Mu Linfeng frightened him by saying: "The work I will be doing in the future involves dealing with the dead, are you afraid?"

Mu Linfeng entrusted the matter of organizing the house construction to the little lame man, while he himself settled down to diligently study the "Tomb Inspection Manuscript" written by his ancestors. Mu Linfeng believed that as long as he mastered the experiences of his forebears, he would naturally comprehend the exquisite skills of tomb inspection.

Zhu Guangwen nodded repeatedly: "Indeed, it is said that not only is there the priceless Hengwang Qin within the Hengwang Tomb, but there are also many other treasures inside. One could say it is not at all inferior to the tomb of the emperor, with various treasures amounting to several horse-drawn carts..."

The little cripple shook his head and said: "I call you master, and we both call it elder brother, isn't that confusing the hierarchy? It is not permissible..."

On the way back, Mu Linfeng could see his thoughts, but he did not point it out. In fact, Mu Linfeng was no longer at the hotel. It is truly difficult for a mistress to manage alone in the kitchen. The culinary industry nowadays is mostly about forming cliques, and it is quite challenging for an individual to break through alone

Such a exquisite garden, how could Junichiro Pu, who has a profound understanding of Chinese culture, not like it? He wishes he could move the entire garden to Japan and claim it as his own

Considering this, Mu Linfeng realized that he might find clues in the journal left by his great-grandfather. Therefore, he retrieved the journal written by his great-grandfather and began to examine it carefully

The most renowned features of the garden are the Three Peaks Rockery and the Four Great Odd Stones. The Three Peaks Rockery was designed and supervised by the famous stone-layer Zhang Nanyuan during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It is the only well-preserved artificial rockery in China that embodies the Kangxi style, encapsulating the beautiful mountains and rivers of the nine provinces. With its uneven stone peaks, scattered pavilions, winding streams, high waterfalls, and deep pools, it possesses extremely high artistic and historical value, earning it the title of national treasure

After the Japanese army occupied Qingzhou, Pu Jianliang visited Ouyuan and immediately took a liking to the place. He then seized Ouyuan and made it his residence.

The "Tomb Inspection Notes" left by the ancestors of the Mu family consist of as many as eighteen volumes, with each ancestor from the first generation to his great-grandfather having left behind one volume. However, Mu Linfeng discovered that there were no notes from his grandfather and father. Mu Linfeng realized that perhaps his grandfather and father had not discovered these notes left by their ancestors

The garrisoned puppet army's security battalion in Qingzhou City is led by a commander named Zhu Guangwen. This individual hails from Linzi, and his hometown is located at the border between Qingzhou and Linzi, very close to Miaozitown, which is situated at the westernmost part of Qingzhou. Furthermore, Miaozitown is near Wangfen Town, where the tomb of King Heng is located. As a result, Zhu Guangwen is quite familiar with the legends surrounding the tomb of King Heng.

Zhu Guangwen stood up while speaking, preparing to leave

The real name of the little cripple is Zhang Xiaosan. He has just turned eighteen this year and is a child of misfortune. At the age of two, he contracted polio. The treatment was relatively timely, but it left some aftereffects. When he walks, his right foot always has to be swung a bit, and with each step, his body tends to lean to the right. Fortunately, it does not pose a significant hindrance and does not affect his ability to walk.

Mu Linfeng has already considered the things he will do next. He has written a resignation letter and submitted it to the manager in charge. In the resignation letter, Mu Linfeng did not specify the reason for his resignation. If his friends were to know that he resigned to pursue "Geda," they would surely think he has lost his mind

I am waiting for the master to come out the little cripple replied with a smile

Zhu Guangwen gave a thumbs up to Pu Jianliang while praising him profusely, saying: "Your Excellency the Colonel is truly knowledgeable; in fact, many Chinese people are unaware of these Four Great Guqins... In reality, these Four Great Guqins are merely more famous, but in terms of sound quality, they are far inferior to the Four Wang Qins of the Ming Dynasty..."

Hello, thank you, Colonel.

Pu Jianyi also picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, then leisurely asked: "What brings Zhu Sang here today?"

"Oh? How does Your Excellency the Colonel know that this is not the true tomb of King Heng?" Zhu Guangwen asked in surprise

Zhu Sang, the fewer people who know about this matter, the better. Do you understand?" Pu Jianyi Lang reiterated once more

The Chinese place great importance on peace, which signifies balance and harmony. This concept of peace permeates all aspects of our lives, as can be derived from the "I Ching". The balance of the five elements represents the highest realm we strive to achieve

The next day, Mu Linfeng returned to Mujiaying with the little cripple. Mu Linfeng planned to first build a few rooms in the front yard of the old residence to live in, and then gradually renovate the entire old house. Mu Linfeng knew that his participation in the research group would not be a long-term affair, and he would have to live here in the future

After the Japanese army occupied Qingzhou in 1938, they stationed a large number of troops in the city. Due to Qingzhou's location at a vital transportation hub, it has historically been a contested area for military forces. Therefore, a standard Japanese battalion, consisting of 1,100 personnel, was stationed within the ancient city, in addition to over 1,000 puppet troops present in the city.

Xiao San did not disappoint Mu Linfeng; he cherishes this opportunity greatly. He is very hardworking, often following Mu Linfeng around, and this child is quite intelligent, learning things quickly. As a result, everyone likes him. Due to a slight limp in his leg, the chef enjoys jokingly calling him "Little Lame." Xiao San does not mind being called "Little Lame"; after getting used to it, no one even calls him by his name anymore. Xiao San has been at the hotel for nearly six months, and the hotel is considering hiring him as a contract worker. Xiao San does not mind being called "Little Lame"; after getting used to it, no one even calls him by his name anymore. Xiao San has been at the hotel for nearly six months, and the hotel is considering hiring him as a contract worker

Hehe... Everyone has been discussing the master's matters these past few days, saying that you are quite remarkable...

The residence of Pu Jianliang is the renowned Ou Garden located within Qingzhou City. This garden was the private retreat of Feng Pu, a Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. Within Ou Garden, there are small bridges and flowing water, lush flowers and trees, pavilions and towers, all displaying a variety of colors, with various buildings that are both ancient and elegant

In that very moment, Mu Linfeng felt as if he could communicate with the weasel on a spiritual level, and he could sense the joy of this little spirit upon seeing him

The Prince of Heng established six generations and seven noble lords in Qingzhou. The Prince of Heng's residence was abolished in the second year of Shunzhi, and the entire royal residence no longer exists. Currently, only two stone archways remain in the street garden located on the west side of Linglong Mountain South Road. The stone archways face south and are structured as four pillars and three gates. Each stone archway is over 11 meters wide from east to west and more than 7 meters high. The two archways are 43 meters apart, sharing the same architectural style and dimensions, each composed of 28 large stones. Over the years, the stones have turned an ancient gray, filled with the vicissitudes of time, clearly indicating their historical significance. The large archway in front of the main gate of the Prince of Heng's residence was formerly known as "Wuzhao Gate," serving as the central axis of the residence, symmetrical on both sides, and the grandeur of the royal residence can be discerned from the archway.

The Ou Garden was transformed from the Eastern Garden of the Heng Wang Mansion during the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Emperor Zhu Jianshen granted the title of Heng Wang to his seventh son Zhu Youji, who was enfeoffed in Qingzhou in the twelfth year of the Hongzhi reign of Emperor Xiaozong. Following the design of the Forbidden City in the capital, the Heng Wang built a magnificent mansion in Qingzhou, and simultaneously constructed a garden outside the Eastern Huamen, named the Eastern Garden. The layout and scale of the entire Eastern Garden are similar to those of the Imperial Garden within the palace; all the facilities present in the Imperial Garden can also be found here, albeit on a slightly smaller scale.

After returning home, the mistress first brewed a pot of tea for Mu Linfeng, and then, with a cheerful smile, asked: "Master, I heard that you have resigned and are no longer working?"