The once-quiet valley has become a scene of chaos. A sudden influx of over a hundred villagers turned Taishan jade into a frenzy, leaving scars on the once-natural and peaceful landscape. Day and night, people from all walks of life—men, women, young and old—flooded the area, squatting in the dirt, hauling stones with their bare hands or cars. Their excited and relentless expressions suggest they are not just digging for rocks, but chasing something far more valuable.

Some villagers attempt to explain how to identify real jade, but for most outsiders, the science of jade identification is far from simple. In reality, many of those digging are just pulling up random stones, hoping to strike gold. This mindset is purely that of a gambler: “If I dig up one carload, maybe I’ll find a piece of jade. It’s worth it,” some say. What a straightforward and stubborn logic! It reveals a deep desire for quick wealth, regardless of the consequences.

Truthfully, even the highest-quality jade is only a small part of nature. Yet, human ingenuity has assigned it extraordinary value. These stones, once ordinary, now stir people’s desires and drive them into a wild frenzy. After large-scale discovery of Taishan jade, the Ministry of Land and Resources has implemented protective measures. But no matter how strict the regulations, the greed of the locals seems to outweigh any law. When reporters arrived, instead of hiding, the villagers gave them a detailed lecture on the magical properties and high value of jade. It's clear that for these people, the only goal is turning stones into cash, with little regard for laws or the environment.

It's understandable that few can resist the allure of jade. However, when people satisfy their desires through unethical and destructive methods, these beautiful stones lose their true value. The old saying goes, “Eat the mountain and drink the water.” But whether it's eating the mountain or sipping the water, it should be done wisely, rationally, and sustainably. Unfortunately, the current rush to dig up jade reflects nothing more than blind greed and ignorance among some individuals.

Still, the stone remains the same, but the people have gone mad.