Solving Middle Age Crisis by Intelligence System-Chapter 457 - 283: Tong Yangming’s Interrogation

Airport, special passage exit.

The first to appear was an elder wearing a Zhongshan suit, his gray hair meticulously combed, carrying a slightly worn leather briefcase. His pace was slow but carried an invisible aura.

The elder was Tong Yangming, the deputy director of the National Museum, and also a domestic cultural artifacts expert and a lifelong researcher at the National Museum.

Three young individuals followed him, two men and one woman, all dressed in white short-sleeved shirts.

"Director Tong, thank you for your efforts!" The director of Jiang Province Museum approached warmly, extending his hand in greeting.

Tong Yangming extended his hand for a brief shake, "Director Wang, you are too kind, it wasn’t much effort. The flight was delayed, sorry to keep you waiting."

After the polite exchange, his gaze swept over Yu Qixuan behind Director Wang, a smile appearing on his face, "Old Yu, you look quite well."

From Tong Yangming’s demeanor, it was evident he was old acquaintances with Yu Qixuan.

Yu Qixuan stepped closer, casually replying, "You’re not looking too bad yourself."

Both laughed heartily, and Tong Yangming patted Yu Qixuan’s arm, "Alright, let’s go."

Director Wang raised his hand, following behind towards the Coaster not far away, "Director Tong, lunch has been arranged, everyone’s had a long journey, we can rest after eating."

Tong Yangming waved his hand, "No need for lunch arrangements, we ate on the plane, just take us directly to see the artifacts."

Director Wang heard this, a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face, but he quickly hid it, "Okay, okay, let’s go directly then."

"Old Yu, get in touch with that young man and have him prepare things."

Yu Qixuan froze slightly, he had been calling Qi Yun since ten in the morning but couldn’t reach him, thinking the guy was asleep, planning to call later, but still couldn’t get through by noon.

Helplessly, he personally went to Shi Feng’s antique shop to inquire, only to find that Shi Feng also couldn’t reach Qi Yun.

Later, he was called over by Director Wang over an hour early to wait, having to ask Shi Feng to help find Qi Yun at home.

Tong Yangming noticed Yu Qixuan’s strange behavior and asked, "What’s wrong?"

Yu Qixuan could only truthfully reply, "That kid probably has something urgent, I can’t reach him."

Tong Yangming hadn’t spoken yet when Director Wang became anxious, reprimanding dissatisfiedly, "What’s with him, such an important..."

"Alright, maybe something urgent delayed him." Tong Yangming raised his hand to interrupt the other’s complaint, "We can go after reaching him, it’s the same."

Director Wang didn’t dare to say more, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, yes, old Yu, hurry and ask again."

Yu Qixuan took out his phone, just about to call Shi Feng, when the latter called first; Yu Qixuan glanced at it and immediately answered.

"Hello, have you found him?"

"Something’s happened! Qi Yun has been arrested!" Shi Feng responded anxiously.

"What!? Arrested?" Yu Qixuan was stunned, unable to react for a moment.

Tong Yangming and the others nearby turned to look at him upon hearing this.

"Yes, I went to Qi Yun’s home but didn’t find him, later heard from his friend at the police station that he was arrested by the anti-smuggling bureau last night!"

"His friend at the police station also said that if people from Beijing are here, you can contact him, he’ll tell you the specifics; I’ll now send you his phone number."

After hanging up, Yu Qixuan looked at Tong Yangming, opening his mouth, "Qi Yun has been arrested by the anti-smuggling bureau..."

Tong Yangming frowned, "Why was he arrested?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Yu Qixuan shook his head, looking at the phone number sent by Shi Feng, "The details need to be asked from this person."

...

Over an hour later, in the reception room at the New District Branch.

Zhang Dayong, Yu Qixuan, and Tong Yangming and his three associates were seated.

"What exactly happened?" As soon as he sat down, Yu Qixuan eagerly asked.

Zhang Dayong didn’t indulge in unnecessary pleasantries and began narrating the incident’s course, "Last night..."

"So, you’ve already shown the National Cultural Heritage Administration’s document to the anti-smuggling bureau and they still won’t release Qi Yun?" Yu Qixuan’s face turned extremely grim upon hearing.

He had personally assured Qi Yun that there was nothing to worry about regarding the artifacts’ paperwork, yet now they had been arrested for smuggling.

This wasn’t just a slap to him but also to the National Museum and Cultural Heritage Administration.

Zhang Dayong nodded, "Yes."

Yu Qixuan fell silent, turning with anger-filled eyes to Tong Yangming.

The latter, unlike Yu Qixuan’s agitation, pondered for a moment before speaking, "Director Zhang, are those artifacts still in the warehouse?"

Zhang Dayong placed his hands on his knees, responding politely, "Leader, you can just call me Xiao Zhang, those artifacts are still there and I’ve assigned officers for twenty-four-hour protection."

His address of "leader" was accurate; in terms of rank, Tong Yangming was indeed his superior, even higher than the one behind him.

Tong Yangming nodded, continuing, "Alright, Xiao Zhang, please help me contact the anti-smuggling bureau’s director, I’d like to speak with him."

"Yes." Zhang Dayong complied, immediately taking out his phone to search for the number.

Once the call connected, he spoke in a very firm tone, "Director Fang, hello, this is Zhang Dayong from the New District Branch."

"Oh, Director Zhang, hello, is there something you need?"

"It’s like this..." After explaining, Zhang Dayong stood up and handed the phone to Tong Yangming.

The latter took the phone, speaking calmly, "Director Fang, hello, I am Tong Yangming from the National Museum!"

"Hello, Director Tong!"

"I’m contacting you to inquire about what reason you’re using to detain Qi Yun?"

"Director Tong, it’s like this, Qi Yun is currently suspected of a smuggling case and we’re investigating him." Director Fang responded politely over the phone.

"Is there conclusive evidence?" Tong Yangming asked again.

"Well... we have surveillance..."

Director Fang hesitated, wanting to explain, but Tong Yangming didn’t want to hear such ambiguous words, sternly asked, "Director Fang! I’m now representing the National Museum to inquire with you!"

"Mr. Qi Yun intends to donate a batch of national treasures to the country, this matter is highly prioritized at the top, and they specifically sent me to handle it, so please give me a clear answer!"

Anti-smuggling bureau, director’s office.

Director Fang held the phone in one hand, using the other to wipe sweat continuously; after Director Han reported to him earlier, he realized trouble was brewing.

With the National Cultural Heritage Administration’s personal endorsement, regardless of what’s in that warehouse, it has nothing to do with illegal smuggling items.

The current situation is that they want to prosecute Qi Yun but have no conclusive evidence; releasing him requires the top’s order, which he can’t do without, hence he feels stuck on a grill.

After half a minute’s deliberation, Director Fang sighed and replied, "Sorry, Director Tong, I’m just following the orders from above, so I can’t answer your question. Please communicate with the superior authority."

"As soon as they say release him, I’ll do it immediately!"