Gong Zhiqiao obtained a piece of fine Chinese tung wood and crafted a qin, a traditional stringed instrument. When strung and played, it produced a wonderful sound, harmonious and pleasing to the ear.
Believing it to be the finest instrument in the world, he 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 Zhiqiao took the qin home. He engaged a lacquerer to paint crackles on it to imitate an antique and a sculptor to carve inscriptions of ancient scholars. He then placed it in a box and buried it underground.
After a year, he unearthed the qin and took it to the market to sell. An influential personage happened by, purchased it for one hundred pieces of gold, and presented it to the imperial court. The court musicians vied to examine it and praised in unison:
"Ah! It is indeed a rare treasure among stringed instruments!"