That is, from the moment when emperors and generals advocated reburial, a new profession came into being: grave robbery. Grave robbers often dare to covet priceless funerary objects in the mausoleum. They are all "digging around", whether it is an emperor or a prince or a rich man. This has caused the tombs of emperors and generals in past dynasties to be "visited" by grave robbers almost without exception and suffered serious damage.
Grave robbers always choose the most valuable and portable funerary objects after digging the mausoleum. However, there is a kind of funerary object that is not only of high value, but also easy to carry, but grave robbers never take it away.
We know that jade is a precious gem, far more than gold, and its weight is relatively light, so it should be the first choice for grave robbers. Why don't grave robbers steal jade?
This has to start with the ancient hierarchy. In ancient times, from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, jade was not an ordinary thing, but a status symbol, conveying information such as the rank of the monarch and the minister, the level of respect and status. Doesn't mean you can wear it at will if you have money, power and leisure.
Take the Zhou Dynasty as an example. Only the emperors of the Zhou Dynasty can use real jade, but it is impossible for all aristocratic groups below the emperor to use real jade. Take the Tang Dynasty as an example. Only officials with three or more qualities have the right to wear jade belts? .
If a grave robber steals jade, he will face two major problems: one is that he can't sell it, and the other is that it is inconvenient to use it himself, but it is easy to be killed. Based on this, grave robbers would rather take away gold with a lower value than jade.