Group Dynamics (Part 2)

"Man Ge, is it really as exaggerated as you say? A whole organization?" 

Upon hearing Man Jun's description of those tomb raiding groups, Fang Yi found it hard to believe. Aside from the historical establishment of the "Mojin Xiaowei" by Cao Cao to fund military campaigns, tomb raiders from other dynasties had been treated like pariahs, mercilessly hunted down if caught.

Due to disputes over loot distribution, tomb raiding gangs often fell into infighting, resulting in violent clashes. Typically, these groups consisted of only three to five members, all of whom had to be closely related. Where, then, was the massive organization that Man Jun spoke of?

"Fang Yi, times have changed; tomb raiding organizations have evolved..." 

Man Jun glanced at his watch and continued, "Ten years ago, a formidable figure emerged from the Northern faction, claiming to be a direct descendant of the Mojin Xiaowei, known by the nickname 'Eighth Master.' This ruthless individual consolidated over a dozen tomb raiding organizations in Henan, spending a decade developing it into a syndicate specializing in tomb raiding and artifact trading..."

In fact, just a few years prior, acquiring unearthed artifacts had not been so challenging. Tomb raiders roamed freely across provinces, allowing for easy procurement of valuable items, and Man Jun had a reliable supply channel at that time.

However, five years ago, this self-proclaimed Eighth Master implemented a quasi-entry system in Henan, permitting tomb raiders from across the nation to enter but mandating their allegiance to his organization. All stolen artifacts had to be surrendered to him for sale.

Typically, there are three types of individuals who dare to engage in tomb raiding: the first being those who have inherited the craft through generations, the second being the lazy and impoverished who resort to risky ventures for quick money.

The third type consists of those who, envious of others' wealth, succumb to temptation. In the 1990s, a notorious tomb raiding village emerged in the Mangshan area of Henan. Initially, only one family profited from the tombs on Mangshan, but as their fortunes grew, the entire village mobilized, with the elderly keeping watch, men excavating tombs for burial goods, and women and children cleaning the items at home, all under the leadership of the village chief who spearheaded the sales.

As the saying goes, "Fame brings trouble." Once the tomb raiding village gained notoriety, even individuals like Man Jun became aware of it, signaling their impending downfall. Ultimately, the local government cracked down on the village, resulting in the imprisonment of nearly all adult males for several years.

Regardless of the reasons for entering the tomb raiding trade, all who dare to engage share a common trait: they are all audacious individuals.

Given that Henan is the province with the highest concentration of ancient royal tombs, it is a veritable paradise for tomb raiders. The local powers could not deter them with mere words; some small groups of three to five still infiltrated Henan to pursue their illicit activities.

However, what no one anticipated was that the influx of tomb raiders from both northern and southern factions would all meet their demise in Henan. Among them were two individuals hailing from illustrious tomb raiding families, leading to a climate of fear throughout the province, where no one dared to venture forth.

For a considerable period, a peculiar phenomenon emerged in Henan: tomb raiders feared not the police but rather the man known as Eighth Master. According to rumors, falling into his clutches was akin to a fate worse than death.

After a decade in the trade, Eighth Master spent five years consolidating his territory and then, within a year, established an underground empire in Henan, nearly monopolizing the northern tomb raiding market, becoming an unstoppable force.

"Man Ge, isn't this akin to shooting the bird that sticks its head out? Doesn't the government intervene?" 

Seated on the luxurious sofa of the five-star hotel, Fang Yi listened in astonishment. He was accustomed to hearing news broadcasts that painted a picture of peace and prosperity, leading him to believe that the underworld his master once spoke of had long since vanished.

"Of course they intervene; who says they don't?" 

Man Jun lit a cigarette, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby before continuing, "Three years ago, Henan conducted a severe crackdown. I've heard that a significant number of armed police were dispatched from neighboring provinces, specifically targeting Eighth Master's gang. However, they were unable to apprehend him at that time..."

According to Man Jun, although that crackdown severely wounded Eighth Master's group, it did not dismantle their foundation. After that event, Eighth Master and his core members vanished without a trace.

Yet, one year after Eighth Master's gang was dismantled, an artisanal trading company appeared in Henan. They engaged in the import and export of crafts, partaking in the illicit trade of artifacts abroad. Moreover, they recruited distributors domestically, funneling numerous unearthed artifacts out of the country.

This company operated with remarkable discretion and skill; they only engaged in transactions with trusted clients, leaving no trace of wrongdoing. Even if the police discovered that certain collectors possessed artifacts sold by them, they had no concrete evidence.

Once, a businessman purchased an unearthed bronze ding from them, which caught the attention of the police. Based on the businessman's testimony, the company's general manager was arrested. However, the manager denied any wrongdoing and, being a returnee with a spotless record, the police had no choice but to release him due to lack of evidence.

Yet, just two months after this incident, the businessman who had assisted the police found himself in a tragic car accident while on a family outing, with his vehicle's brakes failing on the highway, resulting in the loss of all four family members.

Although the police later attributed the accident to brake failure, labeling it an unfortunate incident, few in the industry believed it. They were inclined to think it was Eighth Master's retribution, as the circumstances mirrored his notorious methods.

Following this event, the police found no viable leads among buyers, as both buyers and sellers became exceedingly wary. Only within small circles of industry insiders did whispers circulate about their dealings.

"Man Ge, if what you say is true, then our trip here is in vain?" 

After hearing Man Jun's account, Fang Yi displayed a puzzled expression. Given the operations of that foreign trade company, they would certainly not showcase unearthed artifacts in this so-called underground auction, as that would invite police scrutiny.

"Not in vain; we must be here today..." 

Man Jun shook his head, asserting, "This company wields significant influence abroad. They have acquired numerous lost artifacts through various channels, all legally imported into the country, making them available for trade. What we aim to purchase today are precisely such items..."

Lost artifacts, by nature, are items with a well-documented provenance, commanding market prices far exceeding those of unearthed artifacts, and they pose no risk of police repercussions. Consequently, they are highly sought after by antique dealers, making such auctions immensely popular.

"Man Ge, if that's the case, they are entirely legitimate. This hardly qualifies as an underground auction, does it?" 

Fang Yi grew increasingly confused. If this company solely engaged in the trade of returning artifacts, it would be a boon for the nation. At the very least, items that had been plundered over the past century could find their way back home, benefiting the country and its people.

"Such auctions are legal; however, they still covertly sell unearthed artifacts..." 

Man Jun scoffed at Fang Yi's words. The reason this company held such auctions was merely to provide cover for their illicit transactions. Each time, they would select a few individuals from the auction to discreetly communicate and facilitate the sale of their unsavory items.

Man Jun had a longtime friend in Beijing who engaged in the antique business. During a casual tea chat, this friend had once told him that he had purchased a well-preserved scroll of the "Analects" from the Western Han dynasty for 1.2 million yuan from that company, a rarity in the country.

Although Man Jun's friend could not produce any evidence to prove that the company had sold him the scroll, it was an open secret within the circle. Man Jun's invitation to the auction was also facilitated by that friend, who vouched for him and served as his introducer.