In a hidden region of the Kunlun Mountains where only rocks and snow-capped structures reflect the vast expanse of the sky. A small group of Archaeologists were busily exploring and excavating an underground cave system, with no souls to disturb nature nor them, it was simply too serene and unworldly.
"Dr Bell! We did it! No one believed you but I knew you will find it," exclaimed Arthur Fang with full of happiness and excitement showing all over his weary face.
Finally, his investment paid off. He sold all of his assets and took loan after loan to fund this project. The undertaking of entire expenses while surveying and exploring half of the country, in addition to the cost of vehicles and scientific equipment was the biggest risk that he ever took in his entire life. He was under constant stress for far too long and only when he saw the reflection of many artefacts on the opposite side of an underground river did he find his peace.
"We did it, Arthur!
We did it!
Arthur, do you see?
Arthur, we did it!" Professor Bell cried with tears of joy.
It was a lifelong project of Dr Bell to find the remains of the Qin Emperor. Ever since he learnt about Emperor Qin Shi Feng's obsession with immortality, an idea struck his mind which later became his obsession; he also wanted his name to be written down in history, to be revered and remembered forever like the ancient Kings, or at least a reputation and a humble recognition by the Archaeology Department of Nanjing University.
Since Qin Dynasty experienced the Golden age of ancient Chinese civilisation, he knew that unearthing the remains would shake the entire foundation of Chinese history if the discovery comes out to be a big one.
Unlike the apparent noble character of Professor Bell, Arthur's interest in archaeology was purely based on profits. After finishing his studies Arthur served the military for five years and then joined the coal mining and shipping business with a little sum he inherited from his family. He was severely corrupted and also had multiple ties with drug lords, scammers and gamblers. He became one of the fastest rising billionaires in the country and also the most scandalous one. Thus, he was constantly under the surveillance of both the government agencies and media houses. Constant public protests against him, scandals, corruption charges followed by several legal battles tugged in the Courtrooms tumbled down all his fortunes like the falling of the house of cards. Eventually, he managed to come out clean somehow, through underhand settlements with the concerned parties, bribing government officials and political parties. However, he lost most of his fortunes and debts did pile up each day.
So, when Professor Bell pursued Arthur for funding the Archeological project, he was reluctant to partake in the program at first because he never believed in the investment for a lost cause, any non-profit or little profit-driven business was not his speciality. He knew the risk involved in funding the already discovered area for excavation is high but profits are also very likeable. However, a new venture of this kind would cost him a fortune with the uncertainty of any returns. Nevertheless, he agreed to it because it was his last bet to earn back all his lost money, for all he cared about was not the contribution to University, Public Museums or quest for the knowledge of Ancient History. He was neck-deep in debt and his life was also on the line. He has already been threatened of life several times by the underworld gangsters and had nowhere to turn to. Another attraction to the project was Emperor Shi Feng's seal, it was mostly comprised of Imperial Blue Jade and was broken, but the base was made of pure Gold. He knew that if he land upon Emperor's treasures he could sell those in the black market and say, if he is lucky to find a decent amount of gold then that would solve all his existing problems. But, above all his primary reason to arrive at this decision to undertake this mission was that his life was at stake and he wanted to literary hideaway from all his debtors for some time.
Bang! Bang! Two gunshots interrupted the joyful celebration of the duo, three PhD scholars, five interns and two helpers.
"Drop all the tools on your hand"
"Rais-yo-hand-sup-da-air and move your asses towards that corner," cried the tallest man, pointing his gun to the left corner of the spacious cave. Followed by twenty armed men encircling them swiftly.
"You cannot do this, who are you? This is my life's work," Professor Bell yelled hysterically towards the gunman. He was just about to pounce upon the tall gunman however when Arthur held his arm and instructed him to calm himself first, he quieted down. Two women among the team also started tearing up but Arthur reassured them saying, "Everything will be alright." Then he led every one of them to the corner and instructed them to sit quietly.
After settling everyone he approached the masked gunman and talked with him. He then looked back at the scholars and smiled with a reassuring nod.
Professor Bell looked at Arthur in a different light, he knew that Arthur is negotiating on their behalf. He thought, "This Arthur is not simple, he is only half my age yet he is so calm even at gunpoint, no wonder he has attained a height that most of his age is not able to reach. Perhaps the way Billionaires thinks and looks at life is different from the common man."
Being the only investor in the project Arthur was already the co-leader of the team but he also became the sole moral leader and comforter of the team thereafter.
Subsequently, some more discussion with the gunmen took place then he walked back confidently and explained, "I have negotiated with them and they have agreed to let you guys go unharmed, so I advise you to hurry up and leave this place quickly."
He further announced, "You have to leave all your phones and communication devices behind, carrying only backpacks filled with food, water, clothes and camping equipment."
"If you walk for twelve days straight towards the east you'll find human settlements. Dr Bell, you know the way you lead them out." Arthur instructed.
With a relieved and confused face, Professor Bell asked, "Arthur, aren't you coming with us? What about you?"
"They want hostages until they clear up all the things inside the cavern and I have already negotiated to be held hostage so that you guys can leave this place without harm."
"Oh! And please don't inform the police, relatives, friends or anyone. They'll kill me if you do." Replied Arthur without showing any emotions on his face.
"No, Arthur you cannot do this" protested Professor Bell and one of his students while others showed concern on their faces but were too terrified even to whisper.
"Shush! Dr Bell, don't try their patience. Listen to me, I have already traded hard for your lives. Don't worry, I'll come out alive, I'm Arthur Fang," asserted Arthur with full confidence.
"Now be off!", cried Arthur softly and sternly.
Later, when all the electronic systems, gadgets and devices were confiscated by the gunmen they were ordered to move out of the cave. They thanked Arthur repeatedly and wished for his safe return then they started packing their belongings hurriedly to leave the cave. Looking back at the gunmen and Arthur for the last time they left the cave.
As soon as they left the cave they heard gunshots and the wailing of Arthur. Upon hearing it all of them ran hastily and moved further away from the gunshot area.
When they were very far from the place, Professor Bell sighed and mumbled, "Arthur was an honourable and a brave man."
One of his students added, "Professor, you don't know about Arthur because you are too focused on research but he was too corrupted and the most scandalous person. At first, when I heard that you collaborated with him I didn't like it, regardless now when I think of him, I'm grateful that I met him."
All of them acknowledged, "He gave his life for us."
Dr Bell replied, "I knew about his life, I read on paper. Even after knowing that the man was not credible, I approached him because no one wanted to sponsor my dream project, I'm retiring next year and I wanted to contribute greatly to the Department before my job is over."
"Sir, we discovered it, we did contribute...If not for those animals stealing the treasures our University Museums would be filled with countless Qin Dynasty artefacts. It is such a loss," with full of anger and frustration one lady lashed out.
"Hush, Bing'er...let's be happy that we are alive. Since Arthur is dead let us hurry and report it to the police." Then they went southwest because that was the path where they came from. They didn't heed Arthur's advice on the direction because there was no point in trying to save Arthur anymore. They had to reach settlements soon to make the call. It would take five days to reach if they rush.
Professor Bell then took out the letter which Arthur gave him and read, "Professor, I know I won't be able to make out alive, they'll never leave me, so I want every one of you guys to live. Don't return home from the path we came, I know these gangsters let you leave because one of them owes me a favour and there are high chances that some of their men are stationed in the South. It is an arduous journey but I recommend highly that you go eastwards.
Farewell Professor."
Soon after reading the letter, he showed it to everyone and they soon changed their direction and moved eastward.
When an hour or so passed by, the guard stationed outside the cavern signalled the masked leader reporting that the exploring team have already travelled east and left the vicinity, laughter filled the entire cavernous system.
"I am rich once again. Let me show you who's the boss!"
"Debt-free and richer"
"Arthur Fang! The multibillionaire." Exclaimed Arthur frantically.
He then played with the treasures for some time and cried, "Bamboo Wong! You did great".
"From now on I'll call you 'Rich bamboo Wong', and I'll make every one of you wealthy and powerful people of this country."
"Thank you, boss," cried the gunmen in unison.
"Let's pack up quickly and move out before anyone appears", he ordered and started singing while packing the treasures in crates.
" Riches follows a man of fortune;
He who doesn't see debts,
Never understands the true value of wealth.
A person without wealth is like a mere grass,
To be trampled upon by many.
If you are not filthy rich, you are a pig,
Only pigs don't understand wealth and lives in filth."
"When I am rich, I am happy
When I get richer, I get happier
And when I am the richest, I only want more.
I don't want nine lives,
One life and nine lives worth richness;
This is what I strive the most
The essence of life is Gold and Silver."
It was the ugliest tune ever sung and the worst lyrics that only a degenerate like Arthur could sing. Even the gangsters who were happily packing and transporting the treasures with full of energy and enthusiasm cringed on hearing the song, they were embarrassed and felt insulted because none of them was rich.
Oblivious of the strange stares from the team, Arthur joyfully sang louder and louder becoming crazier while singing and carrying the crates towards the mouth of the cave.
Two days later when everything was hauled near the base camp. Twenty strong horses were loaded with treasures. Seeing this Arthur exclaimed, "Rich Bamboo Wong, there are twenty-one of us why did u bring only twenty horses?"
Instead of answering the question, Bamboo Wong said, "Boss Arthur, You are very clever, firstly, you hoodwink those bunch of highly educated fools to leave this place and also mislead them to move east. If they moved South cops will be everywhere after five days and security checkpoints will be everywhere. If we kill them here it'll be a big issue to handle too."
Arthur felt so good hearing it and sheepishly replied, "True, so true. I don't want to show off but I was too clever for them. Ash! Don't mention it, it was very easy to handle them."
"Hey! What about the horse?"
"Boss Arthur, there is no horse for you. We were ordered to follow you and kill you." Then Bamboo Wong aimed his shotgun at Arthur's chest and fired a bullet. Arthur fell to the ground and groaned. He pressed the bullet wound with his palm to prevent blood loss and shouted, "Why? Tell me why, you pig ass moron, I made you rich?"
"Sorry Boss Arthur, this is not personal we already took the money last month by telling Boss Zhang that we did the job. We were about to kill you last month but we wanted to see if you can find the treasure." And then he fired three more bullets at Arthur continuously.
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