As soon as he said this, Director Wang suddenly thought of something and slapped his forehead, "No! You're too late. Before the press conference this morning, a telegram was sent from the northwest, saying that the cows have been put on top in Dunhuang!"
"Zuo Zongtang is going to take action on these books!"
When Xiao Letian heard this, he became furious, "What? Zuo Jigao is so brave, dares to steal food from my mouth? Why didn't you tell me about such an important thing earlier?"
Wang Huaiyuan's face turned dark, "This is my fault... Zuo Jigao doesn't seem to want much. He said he was asked to choose a thousand books first, and he would ignore the rest..."
"I thought that there were more than one hundred thousand ancient books in the gold cave, so why not give him one thousand...so...so I didn't take it seriously. I classified this telegram as a general emergency..."
Xiao Letian slapped his thigh anxiously, "Hurry up and send the report to Zuo Zongtang in my name. I can give him rubbings, but I can't give him even one original copy!"
"Send a report to King Shangtai at the same time. Even if he loses his life, he cannot lose a piece of Dunhuang documents!"
Xiao Hexin was shocked, "The head of state... The Western Region Strategy needs Zuo Zongtang's strength. Isn't it bad to have a falling out after just a few books? He also has a literati mentality and wants to collect some of them without losing them overseas..."
"No, absolutely not. You run your errands first, and I will explain it to you later!"
The whole thing is actually related to Xiao Letian's continuous reports. Zuo Zongtang didn't know what the scripture cave was about at first, so he didn't pay attention to it.
He thought that the scripture cave contained ancient Buddhist scriptures. Although they were very good, they were not worth his greed!
But then the information came one by one, and he realized that this was not just Buddhist scriptures, but also the historical development of the entire Western Region!
Ancient calligraphy and paintings are treasures spanning the Jin Dynasty, Sui and Tang Dynasties, Song Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty. Just studying the development history of calligraphy and painting is a great wealth!
Which ancient Chinese literati didn't like to play with epigraphic calligraphy? Zuo Zongtang is no exception. As for any big official family, no one has his or her own library and a few treasures are protected as if they are darlings.
It was after reading the news reports sent from the rear that Zuo Zongtang realized that the Buddhist scriptures in the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang around him were priceless treasures in the eyes of literati. Everyone would drool over Tang Monk's meat!
Without saying a word, Zuo Zongtang sent his confidant Liu Jintang to go to Dunhuang in person to ask for it from King Shangtai. I'm not greedy, can I just give you a thousand pieces?
King Shangtai immediately grimaced when he saw Liu Jintang coming. He really didn't want to give it, but after all, this was the territory controlled by Zuo Zongtang's army. Can he really not listen to them?
King Shang Tai made a fool of himself with Liu Jintang. He stabilized him first and then started a secret meeting with Zuo Zuo. When Zuo Zuo heard this, he immediately voted against it!
"No, absolutely not! We killed a British devil for these treasures, we can't give them to outsiders in vain!"
"But after all, we are still on Zuo Zongtang's one-third-acre land. Don't we share it at all? What I mean is to bargain with him. I think it is okay to give him four or five hundred copies..."
"No! Absolutely not..." The person on the left ignored the identity of the king and refused to agree. "I won't agree even if I die in the Buddhist Scripture Cave!"
What a daring ghost. On the left, this guy actually carried two barrels of kerosene and lived directly in the gold-hiding cave.
The Buddhist scripture cave was very small, and there were ancient books everywhere. After entering on the left side, I couldn't lie down, so I had to sit cross-legged. This guy poured kerosene on himself and brought four or five lighters.
"Whoever dares to snatch it, I will die with these ancient books!"
Now the camp was in chaos. Liu Jintang came with a thousand cavalry. When they saw that this madman was about to commit suicide, they all surrounded him.
Liu Jintang quickly waved his hand, "What are you doing? Why do you want to commit suicide? We have something to discuss..."
King Shang Tai also ran over, "Mr. Zuo... come out first, please come out, okay... let's discuss it later..."
Liu Jintang was also so anxious that his forehead was covered with sweat. "Yes, we are discussing how to reduce the number of handsome men... and the share I want will also be reduced..."
What? You, Liu Jintang, also want to reach out? Zuo Zuo was so angry that he almost exploded the Tianling Gai. "No! No one will give it to you! I put my words here. If you want these Dunhuang documents, then step on my corpse and get in!"
"King Shangtai, please forgive me for being rude! Today's matter must be decided by the head of state. Only when the head of state says to give it can we give it. If the head of state doesn't agree, you won't be able to take away even one copy!"
"My King! Your Majesty! Think about it carefully, why does the Head of State care so much about this place? This is a secret that has been sealed for more than a thousand years. How come the Head of State knows it so clearly?"
"When things go wrong, there must be a monster! I don't dare to bet, and I can't bet... I know that the head of state will not harm these babies, and I don't believe anyone else!"
Liu Jintang angrily whipped the sandy ground with his horsewhip, "You...you, you, you..." He said in his heart that I, the dignified admiral general, have lost all the dignity of asking for a few books?
"Okay, okay... then send a telegram to the head of state. I don't believe that the head of state won't give the commander this face! Huh... watch this place carefully, give him food and drink so he doesn't starve to death!"
"Wait for the Führer to slap you in the face!"
The Mogao Grottoes immediately froze. Chinese soldiers gathered around the Sutra Cave, taking turns to protect the Dunhuang documents day and night. Outside these soldiers were guarded by more than a thousand Liu Jintang's troops.
As for the more than a thousand civilians on the periphery who were watching the chaos in front of them stupidly, the Dunhuang County Magistrate was so frightened that he did not dare to say a word. This was just a fight between gods, so the kid should not get involved.
After hearing the news, Zuo Zongtang smiled lightly: "Then send the report to Xiao Letian. My face is not important, the important thing is that he has to give other people's face..."
"Haha... He Xiao Letian will not understand. If the officials in the world are greedy, he cannot stop them!"
That's right, it was precisely because newspapers spread the news quickly that at least literati in the prosperous areas of the Qing Dynasty already knew about this treasure.
Chinese literati may be a little more open-minded about money, but when they encounter these things, no one can help but reach out!
Governors from various places who had a relationship with Zuo Zongtang began to send reports and letters asking for one or two volumes. Those who could not ask for Zuo Zongtang turned to Liu Jintang, Xu Zhanbiao and others for help!
Not only the governors of various places, but also the princes and ministers in the capital have also written to Zuo Zongtang. Regardless of whether he is uneducated or unskilled, who doesn't need to read thousands of years of ancient books to show off!
Prince Qing, Prince Chun, Prince Guo, Duoluobele... all the famous princes spoke up. Even the Japanese prince Liu Yimin and Prince Chun Yixuan sent telegrams asking for these treasures.
Zuo Zongtang was confused, but when he saw Zuo Zongtang actually jumped out to object, he burst into laughter!
"Haha, I was worried that I couldn't find a fool to protect me from the thunder, but in the end, I died... Tell Liu Jintang that good food and drink support that fool and boldness!"
"Then don't we have an excuse?"
