397: Discuss strategies

Zhang Jun paused for a moment and then continued:

"What we need to do now is figure out how to maximize the benefits! After all, this is something you and your wife worked tirelessly to salvage."

Yang Qi nodded and said with a bit of lingering fear:

"Brother Jun, you're right. By the time Little Snow reached the end, she was completely exhausted and barely conscious. It was just too difficult!"

Zhang Jun nodded:

"I can imagine how hard it was. That's why I mean we can't let all that effort go to waste, right?"

"Since you've already decided to hand over that thing and those twenty-odd crates of treasure, I won't say much more about that."

"I also know you must have kept some for yourselves. The relevant government departments will surely be able to guess that as well."

Just then, Bai Xue walked over and called the two of them to breakfast.

"Let's go, Brother Jun. We can talk while we eat!"

"Alright, I happen to be hungry."

The three of them sat down in the dining room and began eating the seafood porridge Bai Xue had served.

Zhang Jun continued:

"My point is that we must at least protect the items you've kept for yourselves. Then, we can seek certain benefits from the portion of the treasure being handed over to the state."

"Normally, for something like this, you'd only need to report it to the local public security department and the local Maritime Safety Administration."

"But this matter is too big. Setting aside the vast amount of treasure, the mere existence of that thing means it must be reported to the central authorities. Only the highest departments can handle it."

"Plus, the coordinates of that shipwreck are in a rather unique location. It's not in our own territorial waters, nor is it on the high seas."

"It's near another country's exclusive economic zone, which might involve foreign affairs."

"So this can't be done with a lot of fanfare. If you let the local departments report it up through the ranks, it's not impossible that some official along the way might force you to hand over the rest of the treasure for the sake of taking credit!"

Zhang Jun paused for a while, took another sip of porridge, and continued:

"Strictly speaking, your actions aren't exactly legal! If you did it quietly without leaving any evidence, that would be one thing. The problem is that now you have no choice but to report it."

Yang Qi and Bai Xue were dumbfounded by Zhang Jun's analysis. For a moment, they didn't know what to do.

Were they supposed to bet that every official at every level was completely selfless? Or that they all loved the people like their own children?

That was a complete joke!

"So my suggestion is to bypass the local departments and report directly to the relevant central government departments if possible."

After saying this, Zhang Jun went to scoop another bowl of seafood porridge.

"Brother Jun, don't joke around. The central government departments? I don't even know which way their doors open! How could I report to them directly?"

Yang Qi said with a bitter and helpless expression.

"Do I really have to hand over all the treasure just to get a commemorative banner? That's just too damn frustrating!"

At that moment, the image of Bai Xue completely drained and collapsed from exhaustion flashed through Yang Qi's mind.

Actually, this sort of thing has happened before. Our country's Cultural Relics Protection Law clearly states: all lost cultural relics found underground, in internal waters, or within territorial seas of our country belong to the state.

Any individual or collective that discovers and obtains treasures must hand them over to the state according to regulations.

Of course, the state won't take your things for nothing. The local Cultural Relics Bureau will provide spiritual and material rewards:

A commemorative banner plus a 500-yuan bonus.

Zhang Jun finished his last sip of porridge and said in a composed manner:

"You're wrong. You do have a way to contact the top levels."

Yang Qi was stunned:

"Brother Jun, stop messing with me. How could I have that kind of ability? Why don't I know about it? Is it because you have connections?"

Zhang Jun was amused:

"Hahaha, don't sell yourself short. If I say you have it, you have it."

"Am I that impressive now?"

Yang Qi still couldn't figure it out.

Zhang Jun didn't tease him further and said:

"Tang Long's biological second uncle is the third-in-command at the Ministry of Agriculture, and he happens to be in charge of the Fisheries Bureau."

Hearing this, Yang Qi suddenly realized that he had such an impressive friend.

"Holy crap, Brother Tang has such strong backing? But can his second uncle handle this?"

"He definitely does! His second uncle can 100% take this on, and he can handle it. This is Highly Enriched Uranium-235 left behind by the japanese! How could he not take it?"

"After all, for him, this is also a major achievement."

Zhang Jun said confidently. After seeing Yang Qi and Bai Xue's expressions finally relax, he added:

"While it's not impossible to report directly to the 'Heavenly Court,' we still have to live here and can't escape the jurisdiction of local government departments, especially you."

"You need to go out to sea to fish, so you'll definitely deal with the local Maritime Safety Administration and the Coast Guard. If you don't inform them at all, it would be like slapping them in the face."

"Brother Jun, you mean..."

Yang Qi seemed to understand a bit.

"Call my big brother over, and we'll discuss it. That can count as reporting to the local Maritime Safety Administration."

"If there's credit to be given, it's better to give it to our own people. At least he won't try to trip you up. Isn't that right?"

Zhang Jun's analysis was very logical, and Yang Qi repeatedly voiced his approval:

"Right, right, right. We'll do exactly as you say. As expected, Brother Jun is experienced and shrewd! Hahaha!"

Bai Xue chuckled, covering her mouth, while Zhang Jun rolled his eyes repeatedly.

"Then should I call Brother Long myself?"

Yang Qi asked again.

"Isn't that obvious? You calling him counts as evidence of reporting. Just tell him something's up and ask him to come over. We'll talk about the details when he arrives."

Yang Qi, thoroughly convinced by Zhang Jun, took out his phone and called Director Zhang Long, asking him to come over because of an urgent matter.

Director Zhang Long checked the time; it was only six o'clock. He wanted to sleep a bit longer, but hearing Yang Qi say it was urgent and couldn't be discussed over the phone...

...he still got out of bed and hurried to Yang Qi's house without even eating breakfast.

Upon entering Yang Qi's house, he found Zhang Jun there as well. Though a bit curious, he didn't ask much.

"Thanks, Little Snow. I really haven't had breakfast yet. So, tell me, why did you call me so early? What's the urgent matter?"

Director Zhang Long took the seafood porridge Bai Xue handed him and asked, looking at Yang Qi and Zhang Jun.

"Brother Long, eat first. I'll explain slowly."

Yang Qi gestured toward the porridge and then began to explain the situation concisely.

"What? Highly Enriched Uranium-235 left behind by the japanese during WWII? It's like seeing a ghost in broad daylight. Is this for real?"

Director Zhang Long stood up in shock,

"Is it really in that sea area? Did you leave coordinates?"