The system only arrives when you're old? Then let's create a super-rich family!

Shangjing.

Qin Zheng had just hung up a phone call.

This call was made to Gao Chuan of the Weiheng Supervision Bureau.

He clearly told the other party that he would finish dealing with all the trivial matters in Beijing soon and return to the provincial capital in Jiangnan with his family, thus completely ending his trip to Beijing.

Upon receiving the news, Gao Chuan immediately reported Qin Zheng's request to several senior officials.

Zeng Yunqi and the others quickly responded:

Qin Zheng was permitted to leave the capital without any obstruction.

Gao Chuan immediately relayed the approval result back to Qin Zheng.

At the same time, Wei Zheng of the Special Branch also received this message.

He looked at the message in his hand, his face full of difficulty and his expression conflicted.

He clearly remembered that the dragon-shaped jade pendant that could prove that the Qin family ancestors were descended from the First Emperor was still in the hands of Yu Cong, a leading figure in the field of literature and history.

Qin Zheng's return journey signifies the conclusion of all matters in the capital, and naturally, the ancestral dragon-shaped jade pendant should be returned.

The problem is, the jade pendant is in Yu Cong's hands, and he can't get it back...

After much hesitation, Wei Zheng had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to Yu Cong to tell him that Qin Zheng was about to leave the capital.

He also briefly explained the current situation to Qin Zheng and said he would bring Yu Cong to visit him.

Half an hour after the phone call ended, Wei Zheng arrived with his men.

Yu Cong was dressed in plain clothes, his beard and hair were gray, but his eyes were still clear and sharp.

"You must be Elder Yu, please have a seat."

Qin Zheng did not get up, but simply raised his hand to indicate that he wanted some tea.

Yu Cong had already smelled the aroma of tea filling the room. After taking his seat, he picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

Having not enjoyed such top-quality tea for a long time, Yu Cong's tense expression relaxed slightly, and most of the rigidity and resentment in his heart dissipated. His tone of voice also became much gentler and more polite.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and the atmosphere was peaceful.

After a moment, Yu Cong put down his teacup, his expression serious, and got to the point, his tone sincere yet carrying an undeniable insistence.

"Mr. Qin, I have come to your door today only to discuss the matter of the dragon-shaped jade pendant."

"That jade pendant is currently the only core cultural relic that can prove the direct lineage of the First Emperor. Its historical, archaeological, and cultural value is immeasurable."

"In my opinion, such national treasures should be put into the national treasury and entrusted to national museums for safekeeping, so that top historians and archaeologists across the country can study and discuss them, reconstruct the historical context of ancient times, and benefit the academic community."

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng raised his eyes slightly, his expression calm, but his attitude was extremely resolute.

"Old Master Yu is mistaken."

"The dragon-shaped jade pendant is an ancestral artifact passed down through generations of my Qin family. It is the only core evidence that can prove my Qin family's lineage as the direct descendant of the First Emperor. It is absolutely impossible for it to be handed over to the national treasury and disposed of by outsiders."

Upon hearing this, Yu Cong frowned instantly, his expression slightly displeased, and he quickly offered an explanation.

"Mr. Qin, I'm not asking you to hand it over!"

"The ownership of the jade pendant remains with the Qin family, and that will not change. It is just that it has been temporarily entrusted to the National Museum for safekeeping, constant temperature preservation, and professional maintenance. This is more secure and safer than private collection, and it can also prevent the cultural relic from being damaged or lost. This is a good solution that achieves the best of both worlds."

Qin Zheng smiled upon hearing this.

"No need, my Qin family can take good care of it ourselves."

The two polite refusals thoroughly enraged Yu Cong.

He immediately snorted coldly, his tone serious and forceful, carrying the imposing aura of an academic giant.

"These top-tier artifacts, concerning the origins of ancient Chinese history, are no longer merely the private property of the Qin family! They are of national importance for historical research and the rectification of historical facts, and should be entrusted to national institutions for unified safekeeping and examination. Why must Mr. Qin insist on his own opinion?"

Qin Zheng chuckled twice. "I've never heard of ancestral heirlooms needing to be handed over."

The words were sharply contrasting, and the atmosphere instantly became tense, filling the study with a palpable sense of hostility.

Wei Zheng, watching from the side, felt anxious and secretly worried.

Yu Cong is nearly a hundred years old, frail from old age, and stubborn by nature. He is most afraid of getting angry and harming his health. If he were to suffer a serious injury during an argument, no one could bear the responsibility.

He quickly stepped forward, leaned close to Qin Zheng's ear, and whispered a rapid reminder.

"Mr. Qin, Mr. Yu is a very high-ranking figure in the antique world. He has many disciples, including academicians. In addition, he has close friendships with many senior officials. His network extends to the top and his influence is enormous. There is no need to completely break off relations."

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng merely took a sip of tea, his expression unchanged, his gaze unwavering, and his tone calm yet exuding absolute confidence.

"So what?"

These four simple words exude an air of dominance, showing no fear of any connections or power.

He had already clashed with several senior officials, but even if he could take them down, it wouldn't be enough for him.

Seeing that Qin Zheng knew his identity and connections but still refused to budge, Yu Cong's anger intensified. However, unwilling to completely break off relations, he could only suppress his anger and choose to compromise.

"Fine! Since you're unwilling to hand it over, there's no reason for me to force you."

"However, this jade pendant needs to be displayed in the museum for three months, allowing the national archaeological and historical communities to hold a large-scale academic exchange conference and serve as a testament to historical research. After three months, it will be returned to its rightful owner. How does that sound?"

Three months.

This is the absolute limit he can concede.

Upon hearing this, a deep meaning flashed in Qin Zheng's eyes, but he spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Three months is too long; I can only lend it out for a week."

"In addition, you also need to agree to one condition."

Yu Cong froze instantly, his face full of astonishment, almost thinking he had misheard.

He didn't insist on handing it over anymore, and only asked to borrow it for three months, but the other party actually cut it down to one week.

A week is simply not enough time to accomplish much for large-scale academic seminars or research on cultural relics!

He immediately protested, his instinctive reaction being: "No! A week is too short; it's not enough to conduct the research! It needs at least half a month!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a smug smile flashed in Qin Zheng's eyes, and he immediately replied:

"Okay, then it'll be half a month, it's a deal."

The Wang family's birthday banquet is in just half a month, and he will be going to the Wang family to ask for the daughter's hand in marriage on behalf of his grandson. The timing is perfect.

what?

Yu Cong froze on the spot, his face turning pale and then red, before belatedly realizing that he had been tricked!

His original bottom line was three months, but he voluntarily conceded to three months. However, the other party pressured him to one week. In desperation, he blurted out that he would raise it to half a month, which directly fell into Qin Zheng's trap and had the time limit locked on the spot!

At that moment, he was both angry and regretful, his cheeks flushed slightly, and he felt extremely annoyed.

If he had known this would happen, he would have just asked for a month or two from the start!

However, once the words were spoken, they were already out, and a gentleman's word is as good as his bond; there was no room for repentance.

half a month.

Yu Cong held his breath, his face extremely ugly. He snorted coldly and suddenly stood up, preparing to leave.

But as soon as he took a step, he stopped abruptly, bent down, and skillfully refilled his cup with the finest Imperial Longjing tea, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Good tea is rare and should not be wasted!

After finishing his tea, he turned and strode away, his face full of resentment, his back view showing a childlike awkwardness and frustration.

This scene amused Qin Zheng; it seemed to be an old man who, like him, loved drinking tea.

Once Yu Cong's figure had completely disappeared, Qin Zheng's smile faded, his expression returning to calm. He turned to Lu Cheng'an beside him and gave a curt instruction:

"Sending him some healthy tea is a way of repaying him for his help."