Gong Zhiqiao obtained a piece of fine Chinese tung wood and made a qin (stringed musical instrument) out of it. When installed with strings1 and plucked, it gave out a wonderful sound, harmonious2 and pleasing to the ear.
Gong Zhiqiao thought this was the finest instrument in the world, so he presented it to the Tai Chang Si Qing (a high official in charge of rites3 and protocol4 of the ancestral temple) who had it examined by an imperial musician, but the musician disdained5 to have a look at it. He only said "Not ancient!" and returned the instrument.
Gong Zhiqiao had to take it home and asked a lacquerer to paint many crackles on the instrument in imitation of an ancient qin, and asked a sculptor6 to carve on it some inscriptions7 of ancient scholars. Then he put it in a box and buried it underground.
After one year, Gong Zhiqiao took out the instrument from underground, and went
