"The calligraphy used in the inscriptions on this tombstone is a transitional style from clerical script to regular script, known as the Eastern Jin engraved stone style."

After connecting the call with Chen Yiyang, Xu Xiaosheng first talked about the calligraphy used on the tombstone, "The calligraphy used in the China Merchants Bank logo is also this style, don't you think they look quite similar?"

"Indeed, they do." Chen Yiyang used to think that the letters in the China Merchants Bank logo were written by some child.

"Stone steles with this kind of calligraphy are quite rare; basically, their appearance can cause a sensation in the calligraphy world each time.

However, the most important element on this tombstone is not the calligraphy, but rather its content.

The tombstone states that the owner, Madam Cao, is a woman from the Cao family of Chen County, the granddaughter of the Grand Administrator of Jiude, the eldest daughter of the Lord of Rucheng.

In other words, this Madam Cao comes from the aristocratic family of Runan. The Chen County she belonged to is today known as Hunan Chenzhou, and during the Jin Dynasty, this place was called Guiyang County."

"And then?" Chen Yiyang only thinks that the calligraphy on this tombstone holds great research value so far.

"The crucial point of this text is that her grandfather was the Grand Administrator of Jiude, entitled Marquis of Chen. During the Wei Jin period, Jiude county was in today's northern part of Hejing Province."

"So, the place her grandfather managed is now in another country?"

"Yes, exactly."

Xu Xiaosheng paused for a moment before continuing, "But more importantly, the title Marquis of Chen is a county marquis. In ancient times, this was sufficient for a person to be recorded in history. During the Eastern Jin period, many clan leaders from eminent families, such as Wang Dao and Tao Kan, who governed the state, were also granted the title of county marquis when they were young and were only bestowed the rank of duke in old age.

But before this, we have never found the title Marquis of Chen in historical records. This individual, who should have been recorded in history, is now only known through the inscription on this tombstone."

"Could it be that the title Marquis of Chen never existed and that Madam Cao's family claimed her grandfather was a marquis to inflate their family's prestige?" Chen Yiyang proposed a hypothesis.

"Absolutely not. This tombstone was carved in the fourth year of Yonghe. Did you study the Lanting Preface when you were in school? The Lanting Preface begins with the ninth year of Yonghe, and this stele predates the Lanting Preface by only five years; the Eastern Jin period was still ongoing at that time. Who would dare to impersonate a marquis of the current dynasty?"

"More essential than that," Xu Xiaosheng continued, "there's a significant figure in the academic world whose hometown is Chenzhou.

In their hometown, there is a mountain called Chenhou Mountain. Previously excavated Tang Dynasty documents contain records of this mountain. Furthermore, accounts of this Chenhou Mountain exist in the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties.

Yet, over the years, the county annals only recorded the mountain as Chenhou Mountain, but never documented why it is called Chenhou Mountain.

Later, when Chenzhou was developing tourism, it was speculated that the last King of Chu, Xiong Xin, after his death, was posthumously named Marquis of Chen by the Han Dynasty to commemorate him, hence the mountain was named Chenhou Mountain."

"Got it." Chen Yiyang responded, "So the appearance of this stele proves that the title of Marquis of Chen has nothing to do with the last King of Chu, Xiong Xin, but instead originates from an Eastern Jin period Marquis of Chen named Cao."

"Yes, exactly." Xu Xiaosheng continued, "And there's more. The Cao surname is a major surname in Chenzhou. Previously, a genetic test was conducted on the Cao family from Chenzhou, revealing that the males of the Chenzhou Cao lineage share a common paternal ancestry dating back 1680 years.

Moreover, genetic markers indicate that this family experienced a significant population expansion during the Two Jin dynasties. Today, 4.5% of all males in Chenzhou carry this genetic marker.

This proves that the Cao family in Chenzhou was originally a local family during the Wei Jin period. However, due to inherited genealogies from the family, it has been widely believed in academia that the Cao family in Chenzhou migrated from another place during the Tang Dynasty."

Having heard this extensive explanation from Xu Xiaosheng,

Chen Yiyang also understood why Xu Xiaosheng said this stele solved a mystery in academic history.

The Chenhou Mountain, which has always been recorded in history, actually originates from a Marquis of Chen from the Wei Jin period, for whom no historical records were preserved.

The local Cao family in Chenzhou mostly originates from the family of this Marquis of Chen and has been in Chenzhou since the Wei Jin period.

The contents of this stele might be enough for a history PhD candidate to write several dissertations on.

This also represents the fundamental difference between tomb raiding and archaeology.

Tomb raiders only care about what's valuable.

Archaeologists, on the other hand, seek to uncover the hidden history from cultural relics.

"That group of tomb raiders might still have other related relics; perhaps you should report to the police now to prevent them from escaping with the artifacts." Xu Xiaosheng suggested to Chen Yiyang.

"Don't worry, they probably won't get away." Chen Yiyang assessed that the person who sold the tombstone to him probably lacked expertise and was not a professional tomb raider.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have failed to recognize the calligraphic style on the tombstone.

As for reporting to the police, that's definitely necessary.

However, since he's unfamiliar with this area, it's best not to report it himself.

Chen Yiyang suddenly remembered Table.

Helping the authorities catch tomb raiders could count as positive news.

So Chen Yiyang called Table, asking if he was interested in the news.

After listening to the entire story from Chen Yiyang, Table immediately agreed that they were willing to cover this news.

Of course, the tombstone purchased by Chen Yiyang was still donated to the authorities in his name.

However, this process wouldn't be disclosed publicly; Chen Yiyang would silently enjoy the benefits.

Meanwhile, Table would be the one in the spotlight, drawing away attention while also attracting the indignation of the tomb raiders.

After reaching an agreement, Table's team rushed to Shudu overnight, published an article, and also reported to the police.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiaosheng brought some experts in the academic field to accept the Eastern Jin Madam Cao Stele.

Once everything was taken care of,

Chen Yiyang smoothly obtained from Table a video showing Dong Bai and Wang Dazhi intimately kissing at a hotel some years ago.

Based on the timestamp in the photos, Wang Dazhi had not yet divorced, and nor had Dong Bai.

At that time, Dong Bai had just posted a story criticising Pan Yuming.

On one side, she was criticizing Pan Yuming for being neglectful and gambling recklessly.

While on the other, she was involved with a married man.

This woman certainly knows how to play, and it's vastly different from the image she typically projects in public.

With the photos in hand, Chen Yiyang immediately called in Pan Yuming.

"Take a look at these photos." Chen Yiyang tossed the photos to Pan Yuming.

"I've known about their affair for quite some time." Pan Yuming said, as he looked at the photos with noticeable calmness.

"With these photos, at least you have a chance to clear your name." Chen Yiyang stated, "I'll arrange for Table to release these photos. If you publish them yourself, it might not be well-received."

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