Episode Summary
Mu Jianhui faces a desperate financial situation trying to acquire a valuable alms bowl from the increasingly greedy Liu Shusheng, forcing him into an unfavorable deal. Meanwhile, the discovery of severely damaged rare artifacts stolen from Lv Family Village prompts authorities, including Luo Qing and Zhang Fengchun, to initiate a protective excavation. The police investigation makes significant headway, identifying Liu Shusheng as a key suspect after interrogating individuals connected to the tomb-robbing syndicate. Personal storylines also develop, with Fang Kun joining the Municipal Office and navigating his relationship with Luo Qing, while Guo Shilin faces a frustrating new assignment.
Spoiler Alert
The Lost National Treasure Episode 16 Recap & Spoilers: Desperate Deals, Damaged Relics, and a Closing Net
This episode sees Mu Jianhui navigating treacherous waters in the illicit antiques trade, while the authorities, spurred by newly discovered and damaged treasures, intensify their efforts to protect national heritage and apprehend those responsible for its plunder.
Mu Jianhui's Tight Spot and Unwavering Loyalty
Feeling the noose tighten around the antiquities smuggling business, Mu Jianhui has a candid conversation with his trusted associate, Li Yuanguang. Mu Jianhui expresses profound guilt for not having led his "brothers" to greater fortune. However, Li Yuanguang isn't concerned with profits, instead praising Mu Jianhui's exceptional fairness. He remarks that in his many years as a tomb digger ("Xia Ku"), he's never encountered an organizer ("Zhi Guo") who split proceeds fifty-fifty. When Mu Jianhui advises Li Yuanguang to take his savings and leave the dangerous trade, Li staunchly refuses, declaring his unwavering loyalty and acknowledging that he owes his current standing to Mu Jianhui's past support.
Priceless Artifacts Surface, Sparking Urgent Action
Luo Qing, Zhang Fengchun, and other experts are called in by Qi Dacang to examine a cache of artifacts stolen by Xing Zhaohu from Lv Family Village. The collection comprises exceptionally rare items. Zhang Fengchun is particularly distressed by a "Can Bo Huaxiang" (a fragmented alms bowl with a painted image), which has suffered severe damage due to the tomb raiders' crude and destructive excavation techniques. Recognizing the immense cultural value and the urgent need for intervention, Luo Qing, on behalf of the Provincial Institute ("Sheng Yuan"), relays the critical situation to the Municipal Office ("Shi Suo"). In response, Zhang Fengchun makes the immediate decision to apply for a protective excavation of the site to prevent further loss of these national treasures.
Liu Shusheng's Greed and Mu Jianhui's Desperation
Meanwhile, Liu Shusheng is in a panic, hastily packing his belongings with his wife, Xiao Feng, intending to flee. Their escape plans are abruptly interrupted by a knock at the door: it's Mu Jianhui. Wasting no time, Mu Jianhui offers Liu Shusheng one million RMB for the sought-after alms bowl. However, Liu Shusheng, having been previously outmaneuvered by Mu Jianhui, is deeply suspicious and haughtily demands a non-negotiable four million RMB.
To raise the substantial sum needed to acquire the bowl, Mu Jianhui attempts to sell his personal collection of antiques for three million. The potential buyer, a powerful figure known as "Hua Nan Wang" (King of Southern China), plays hardball. He insists on the previously discussed Sui and Tang dynasty artifacts; otherwise, he will only pay one million. Perceiving Mu Jianhui's desperation and likely intention to abscond, Hua Nan Wang gives him an ultimatum: accept the lower price or fulfill the original terms, offering no leeway. Mu Jianhui is forced to agree to the unfavorable deal, leaving him still significantly short of Liu Shusheng's exorbitant demand.
Romantic Maneuvers and New Career Paths
On a lighter note, Luo Qing receives a WeChat message from "Xiao Bai" (Little Bai) inviting her to enjoy the moonlight. When she steps outside, she's surprised (and secretly pleased) to find Fang Kun waiting alone under the moon. Despite her inner feelings, she feigns annoyance at his seemingly impulsive gesture. Later, Shi Mu (a respected female elder, possibly their mentor's wife) hosts a dinner with the intention of playing matchmaker for Luo Qing and Fang Kun. During the dinner, Shi Mu reveals she has recommended Fang Kun for a position at the Cultural Relics Bureau. However, due to current staffing limitations, the role is, for now, an unofficial, non-contracted position. Fang Kun decides to accept the opportunity and join the Municipal Office ("Shi Suo"). He moves into Guo Shilin's dormitory, where Guo Shilin playfully teases him for his apparent cluelessness regarding Luo Qing's affections, calling him a "Leng Song" (roughly, a "clueless oaf").
Professional Frustrations and Local Resistance
Guo Shilin, who has felt professionally stifled for years, is enthusiastic about the prospect of being involved in the major Lv Family Big Tomb project. To his disappointment, he is instead assigned to lead a survey team in Yin Village ("Yin Cun"). Zhang Fengchun attempts to soothe Guo Shilin's frustration by explaining that his familiarity with the local area is crucial for this assignment and promises to transfer him back to the main project once the Yin Village survey is complete. Guo Shilin reluctantly accepts. The survey team immediately encounters resistance from Qi Youliang, a local farmer concerned that their work will damage his valuable cherry orchard. Fang Kun and Guo Shilin personally visit Qi Youliang to reassure him that his agricultural activities will not be unduly disrupted, which helps to somewhat alleviate his concerns.
Police Investigation Narrows Focus
The police investigation into "Da Tou" (Big Head) makes a significant breakthrough. Investigators conclude that Da Tou is merely a low-level laborer within the tomb-robbing syndicate and would not possess the financial resources to acquire Xing Zhaohu's stolen artifacts independently. It becomes clear he was acting under instructions to collect the goods. Following the trail of a van linked to the case, Qi Dacang and his team track it to a derelict car factory. The factory's ledger confirms the vehicle was stolen. A worker on duty, Wang Qian, attempts to flee upon seeing the police but is quickly apprehended. During questioning, Wang Qian confesses that Liu Shusheng coerced him into driving the van and physically assaulted him. This critical testimony directs the investigation's focus squarely onto Liu Shusheng.
Loyalty Tested, Suspects Pressed, and Hidden Truths Uncovered
Li Yuanguang returns with 600,000 RMB, money he and his "brothers" managed to scrape together, only to find Mu Jianhui gone from their meeting place. Mu Jianhui, for his part, is deeply moved by Li Yuanguang's unwavering loyalty and has sworn to repay him tenfold in the future.
Qi Dacang intensifies his interrogation of Shan Wa, aggressively pressing him for information on Liu Shusheng's whereabouts. Under pressure, Shan Wa breaks down in tears, his distress stemming from profound concern for his son. Acting on this, Qi Dacang and Yang Qingshi visit Shan Wa's home. They discover his young son bearing clear signs of a severe beating, and his wife is too terrified to speak. It becomes evident that Liu Shusheng has threatened the family into silence. Moved by their suffering, Yang Qingshi gives all the money from his wallet to Shan Wa's wife and child. Left without any cash for transportation, he manages to catch a ride with a kind tricycle driver.
Elsewhere, Li Chunlai succumbs to his old gambling habits. He attempts to snatch jewelry from his wife, Qi Xiaoman, to settle his debts, leading to a physical struggle between them. Fortuitously, Fang Kun and his group are arriving to check in (presumably at an inn or guesthouse run by or connected to Qi Xiaoman) and intervene to stop the altercation.
