Gong Zhiqiao obtained a piece of fine Chinese tung wood and crafted a qin (a stringed musical instrument). When strung and plucked, it produced a wonderful sound, harmonious and pleasing to the ear.
Believing it to be the finest instrument in the world, Gong presented it to the Tai Chang Si Qing, a high official in charge of rites and protocol. The official had it examined by an imperial musician, who disdained to look at it, saying only, "Not ancient!" and returned it.
Gong took the instrument home. He engaged a lacquerer to paint crackles on it to imitate an ancient qin and a sculptor to carve inscriptions of ancient scholars upon it. He then placed it in a box and buried it underground.
After a year, Gong unearthed the qin and took it to the market to sell. An influential personage happened to pass by, bought it for one hundred pieces of gold, and presented it to the imperial court. The imperial musicians vied with each other to examine it and praised in unison: "Ah! It is indeed a rare stringed instrument in the world!"