Professor Chen

The day after Hu Bayi and the other two left the Capital, inside Big Gold Tooth's shop...

Big Gold Tooth looked at the man and woman sitting before him. He looked at the man, Professor Chen, feeling somewhat at a loss. He wondered what the professor was here for. Could he be inspecting the shop? He knew that an archaeology big shot like Professor Chen could tell real antiquities from fakes at a glance.

If his shop had any antiquities, Professor Chen would likely report it.

Therefore, he absolutely did not want Professor Chen to visit his shop, but he had to maintain appearances. He kept a smiling face, seemingly very welcoming of Professor Chen's arrival.

"Little Jin, it's been a few years, but I often think of you."

Professor Chen started by playing the relationship card, then casually introduced Shirley Yang's identity, before getting straight to the point.

"Comrade Little Jin, I won't beat around the bush. I'll be direct. I'm bothering you today because I need your help." Professor Chen's words were very polite; it was clear he was lowering his stance.

To find the submerged ancient tomb, to find Jingjue Ancient City, he was humbly asking Big Gold Tooth for a favor.

Big Gold Tooth thought, This is serious. What could make a highly educated person like Professor Chen ask me for such a favor? Is their archaeology budget insufficient? Do they want to borrow some money?

The thought of lending money to these archaeology experts made Big Gold Tooth extremely unwilling. If you guys excavate all the ancient tombs, where will I get goods to sell? With this thought, he said tactfully, "Professor Chen, the antique business is tough these days. I haven't had a single sale in years. This order you see today is my first in years. We're barely making ends meet at home, I..."

His meaning was clear: he couldn't help.

Shirley Yang could see that the man with a large gold tooth embedded in his mouth was a sly old fox, afraid of people asking him for money. But money?

Shirley Yang let out a few cold laughs inwardly, but her tone was approachable. "Mr. Jin, Professor Chen is preparing to enter the Western Regions to search for Jingjue Ancient City and conduct archaeology there. I am the funder for this expedition."

When Professor Chen introduced Shirley Yang to Big Gold Tooth, he only said she was American Chinese and the daughter of a friend. He didn't say anything else.

Shirley Yang continued, "We've come here hoping you can recommend some talented individuals knowledgeable in feng shui. Mr. Jin, please rest assured, if the talents you recommend meet our requirements, I will give them ten thousand US dollars as a reward. Finding Jingjue Ancient City will earn an additional ten thousand. Furthermore, I will also give you, Mr. Jin, ten thousand US dollars as a token of my gratitude."

Big Gold Tooth's eyes narrowed upon hearing this. He was clearly stunned by this American girl. He had never met someone so generous. Back in the 1980s, ten thousand yuan was considered a "Ten Thousand Yuan Household," a wealthy family.

In the 1980s, ten thousand US dollars could be exchanged for about sixty-three thousand yuan. Money was very valuable then. In rural areas of impoverished provinces, seven or eight thousand yuan could build a two-story house.

For Big Gold Tooth, anyone who wouldn't take a profitable business was a fool. Seeing the benefits, he immediately thought of Hu Bayi and the other two. He knew some of their skills and was sure they could handle it.

But he didn't know if they would be willing.

Big Gold Tooth smiled and asked, "Miss Yang, are you sure about giving so much?"

"Shirley is the daughter of a Wall Street magnate and has inherited all of his assets."

Professor Chen decided to lay all his cards on the table, revealing Shirley Yang's identity to avoid Big Gold Tooth's fear of them borrowing money.

Big Gold Tooth's heart trembled. No wonder her offer was so extraordinary.

Then he smiled again and said, "What a coincidence. In my antique business, I may not have much else, but I have many brothers and friends. And quite a few of them are very capable. Coincidentally, I have two brothers who are exceptionally skilled. One is Hu Bayi, Master Hu. He's a genuinely upright and well-reared individual. His father was a veteran who fought from the north during the Anti-Japanese War. After the victory, he fought in the civil war, leading his troops south. After settling down and starting a family, his son grew up, went to the countryside as a sent-down youth, then joined the army. He's been to the depths of the desert, to the Kunlun Mountains, and during the self-defense war, he led his troops to defeat the enemy."

As Big Gold Tooth spoke, he repeatedly gave a thumbs-up in praise.

After getting acquainted with Hu Bayi and the others, they would often brag about their fathers' and their own impressive deeds during their conversations. So, it was normal for them to know some things about each other.

Moreover, Big Gold Tooth emphasized the words "upright and well-reared" to make it clear to Professor Chen, a scholar, that his brother Hu Bayi was the son of a cadre, not some tomb-robbing scoundrel.

Big Gold Tooth's intentions were profound, and it was all for that ten thousand US dollars!

"Master Hu had a ten-year military career and was already a company commander. But during that counterattack, after the enemy surrendered, they suddenly launched a sneak attack, killing his soldiers. With red eyes, he grabbed a machine gun and shot the prisoners. He was dismissed from the army, but they arranged a job for him. He refused and started a business selling tapes. He's gone to get stock now and probably won't be back for a few days."

"Hu Bayi?" Professor Chen and Shirley Yang exchanged glances. This person's experience was indeed rich. He had been a company commander, gone to the depths of the desert and the Kunlun Mountains, and participated in wars. He would be suitable as a team leader.

But this wasn't what they were looking for. They looked at Big Gold Tooth with questioning eyes. Seeing their expressions, Big Gold Tooth chuckled, "Master Hu's ancestors were no simple folk. His grandfather's master was a Taoist priest. This priest taught him the skill of Dragon Seeking Finger Pointing. He was renowned for his feng shui. His book was titled: Sixteen Character Yin Yang Feng Shui Secret Art. It's a book on feng shui. Master Hu received the true teachings from his grandfather and learned the excellent skill of Dragon Seeking Finger Pointing."

Dragon Seeking Finger Pointing? Professor Chen's face trembled with excitement. This was the talent they needed for their archaeology team.

He looked at Shirley Yang with excitement. Seeing Shirley Yang nod slightly and smile, she seemed satisfied with Hu Bayi's skills, but she wouldn't just take Big Gold Tooth's word for it; she needed to test him herself.

Shirley Yang eagerly asked, "What about the other person?"

Big Gold Tooth glanced at Professor Chen and said, "That person, Professor Chen, you know him too."

Professor Chen asked doubtfully, "I know him?"

Big Gold Tooth nodded. "He's Hu Bayi's cousin, Hu Ming. The Hu Ming who studied archaeology at Capital University five years ago."

Professor Chen exclaimed, "It's him!!"

Shirley Yang glanced at the surprised Professor Chen and couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Chen, what's wrong?"

Seeing Shirley Yang's confused expression, Professor Chen explained with a wry smile, "This student Hu Ming was a renowned prodigy back then. His parents are also famous economists. I just didn't expect him to be Hu Bayi's cousin."

Big Gold Tooth nodded. "Yes, Master Ming is indeed very capable. Master Ming also knows Hu Bayi's Sixteen Character Yin Yang Feng Shui Secret Art. Furthermore, he has a deep understanding of the history of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. He even had the honor of publishing some articles back then. Professor Chen, you also invited him to join your team, didn't you?"

Professor Chen looked a bit embarrassed. "Yes, I asked Aiguo to invite him to his school, but student Hu Ming didn't agree."

Big Gold Tooth glanced at Professor Chen. He knew about his student, Professor Hao, so he didn't say anything.

Professor Chen changed the subject. "Didn't he enlist in the army back then? Is he back now?"

Big Gold Tooth nodded. "He's back. He made the same mistake as Master Hu, so he came back with Master Hu. Before returning, he was already a deputy company commander. Master Ming is also very skilled; he can take on a dozen people in just a few minutes."

Professor Chen nodded. "Indeed, Comrade Hu Ming is excellent in everything he does. I just don't know if he's willing to join us."

Big Gold Tooth glanced at him. "I don't know about that. I think it shouldn't be a problem, as Master Ming is quite open-minded. However, he doesn't like people who think they're superior to others."

After speaking, Big Gold Tooth glanced at Shirley Yang. He knew that Hu Ming responded to kindness, not arrogance.

Professor Hao had gone to his school and ordered him to join their team. Hao Aiguo wasn't a professor at Hu Ming's school, so Hu Ming gave him no pleasantries and had someone throw Hao Aiguo out.

Because of this, Hao Aiguo had gone to Hu Ming's school teachers to cause trouble for Hu Ming. Unfortunately, after the school teachers understood the situation from Hu Ming, they simply told Hu Ming to be mindful of the school's image in the future.

But this feud had begun.

Professor Chen nodded upon hearing this and said, "Don't worry, Little Jin, I won't let Aiguo cause trouble anymore."

Big Gold Tooth said, "Okay, when Master Ming and the others return, I'll talk to them about it."

Professor Chen obediently nodded, then stood up and said, "In that case, I'll leave it to you. Shirley and I will head back now."

Big Gold Tooth also stood up upon hearing this and saw them off.