"To be honest, we also want to protect those cultural relics, but we simply don't have the wealth or manpower to do so," a museum director from Damascus lamented to Liang En.
"You know, despite our countries' long histories, they're currently in chaos. Under such circumstances, we simply don't have the capability to protect all the sites."
"So, in many cases, once we confirm that there is a likelihood of these sites being looted, we have no choice but to act preemptively. Of course, this causes damage to the relics, but comparatively, it's the best option."
"Of course, I think I can understand the problems you are facing," Liang En said seriously after listening to these scholars' complaints. "In the future, we can engage in some cooperation, such as in relic protection and security work."
Compared to these Middle Eastern countries, the talent reserves in Liang En's museums are significantly better. For most people, working in the United States and Europe is evidently better than working in the chaotic Middle Eastern countries.
Moreover, the armed forces composed of Copts recruited by Liang En on the Sinai Peninsula have extended throughout the Middle East, becoming a new armed security company in the region.
Although their choice of missions takes many issues into account, making them unlikely to take on the same professions as regular soldiers, this very fact makes it easier for them to take on official tasks.
Therefore, tasks like protecting archaeological teams and excavation sites are perfectly suitable for them, and cooperation between both parties is a win-win situation.
During the discussion of cooperation, Liang En was a bit concerned about the other party's financial strain, as unilateral efforts are unsustainable. However, he later found out that his worries were unnecessary.
This is mainly because historians and archaeologists in the Middle East often have good relationships with wealthy Arab patrons, who are naturally willing to donate generously in such situations.
Indeed, after contacting these wealthy patrons, Jordan agreed to pay to help Iraqi archaeologists conduct a comprehensive investigation of Nineveh in northern Iraq.
The reason for this comprehensive investigation is that the area was once the front line in the fight against terrorism, occupied by terrorists for a long period, who carried out large-scale looting.
Therefore, after this area was reclaimed, these historians hoped to conduct a large-scale survey of the cultural relics there.
Hearing this, Liang En also volunteered to provide some assistance, such as using his network to track down relics that had flowed out from the area.
For these scholars from the Middle East, obtaining information about these relics in the West is very difficult, but for Liang En, it is not challenging.
Even if some particularly precious relics were exchanged between acquaintances, making it hard for Liang En to get clues, obtaining information about some of the relics would be very easy.
Liang En's actions evidently earned him more goodwill, so in the subsequent conversation, everyone began to talk about lighter topics, including some cooperation-related matters.
The scope of cooperation was very broad, starting from the basic mutual loan of exhibits to joint archaeological efforts and academic exchanges.
Due to Liang En's previous actions, he received many friendly invitations. Considering that he was exhausted from traveling around, he finally accepted an invitation from a Jordanian scholar.
This Jordanian scholar came from the famous Petra in southern Jordan, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, and invited Liang En to visit this ancient site for inspection and exchange.
Of course, from a certain perspective, this trip could be considered a relaxing vacation, as this ancient site has been discovered for over a century, with most valuable items already unearthed.
Thus, going there to work did not involve many tasks or goals, and even if nothing was found, it wouldn't matter.
After the meeting in Tokyo, Liang En and his team flew with the Jordanian scholar to Amman, the capital of Jordan, a city that has existed since Roman times.
However, for Liang En and his team, this was only a stopover. Their real destination was the ancient abandoned city of Petra, located over 200 kilometers to the south.
Petra is one of the most mysterious ancient cities in the world, globally renowned due to Hollywood movies, with the most famous site being the Treasury, carved directly into the rock.
As the car drove south, the surroundings became increasingly desolate. Although their off-road RV was in excellent condition, the barren desert around them was still discomforting.
Due to a late departure, Liang En and his team arrived just as the sun was setting. Though the sun was no longer scorching, the occasional wind blowing felt as hot as an oven.
At this time, they realized that the site manager's decision to bring an RV was very wise because the nearest town capable of providing services was quite basic. Though there were five-star hotels, there was no need to be fleeced in such a place.
Taking advantage of the setting sun, Liang En and Joan of Arc each quickly rented a horse to take a look around. Normally, the horse handlers wouldn't allow this, but thanks to the manager Ali, they agreed to rent out the horses.
Another reason they agreed was that Liang En and Joan of Arc demonstrated their riding skills and were recognized. According to the horse handlers, Liang En and Joan's riding skills surpassed their best riders.
Following the path, they soon arrived near Petra. However, since they did not follow the tourist trail, they could only vaguely see some rooftops.
"Truly a hidden city," Joan remarked, widening her eyes to try and see the city clearly. "I feel like standing here, I can see the long river of history flowing forward."
"Indeed," Liang En sighed, looking at the yellowish stone walls ahead, trying to imagine how the explorers of the past failed in this labyrinthine mountainous terrain.
It wasn't until 1812, when Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt discovered this lost city in the valley, that Petra emerged from history's shadows.
Liang En, sitting on his horse, listened to the wind in the distant mountains humming in his ears. The air was eerily quiet, so much so that he could hear the sound of sunlight moving across the mountain walls.
Since this was not a tourist path, they could even see children herding goats over the jagged rocks from time to time, until the setting sun cast their shadows on the other side of their bodies.
"A truly beautiful place," Liang En sighed after sitting quietly on his horse for a few minutes. "Sometimes, the fall of a civilization brings a unique sense of beauty."
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