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墨書 Inktalez
Sun Jian led his troops to extinguish the remaining flames in the palace, the ashes still radiating the warmth of charred wood. He ordered the soldiers to clear the rubble and bury the tombs that Dong Zhuo had unearthed. Amidst the ruins, his gaze was deep and solemn, his heart weighed down like a heavy stone. He commanded that three halls be hastily constructed on the site of the Grand Ancestral Temple, summoning the feudal lords to gather, arranging the ancestral tablets of past emperors, and slaughtering livestock for sacrifices.
The thick smoke had yet to dissipate as the lords stood solemnly, their figures flickering in the red and blue flames. Sun Jian stood before the hall, raising incense at the altar with both hands, kneeling deeply as he recited a prayer in a low but firm voice: "Ancestors above, today our nation is shattered and our families lost; treacherous ministers cause chaos, and the common people suffer. Though I am but an ordinary man, I wish to offer my strength like a loyal dog or horse to restore our state. May the divine spirits protect us and grant us success in vanquishing these villains!"
After the ritual, the lords left with heavy hearts, each going their separate ways. Sun Jian returned to camp in silence, feeling as if his heart were being cut by knives, unable to find peace for a long time. He set up camp on the foundation of Jianzhang Hall, placing an altar before him as he sat alone with his sword under the night dew, gazing up at the starry sky. The heavens were deep and vast; wisps of white mist floated within the Purple Tenuity Constellation, and the stars shone dimly, as if narrating the misfortunes of mankind.
He murmured softly, his voice hoarse: "The emperor's star dims, the capital lies empty; loyal ministers' bones return not home, and countless people cry out without recourse. In such a world, how can one not feel heartache?" His hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, knuckles turning white as bright tears slid down his neck without being wiped away.
"General—" Huang Gai stepped forward and called softly. Seeing Sun Jian's un-dried tear stains on his face sent a jolt through him, but he said nothing more. He slightly bowed and reported, "Scouts have returned from ahead; Dong Zhuo has reached Chang'an and is hastily fortifying his camp, seemingly intending to defend himself."
Sun Jian's eyes brightened slightly but quickly concealed his emotions as he asked quietly, "Does our army still have strength to pursue?"
Huang Gai shook his head with a grave expression: "After days of marching, our soldiers are exhausted and supplies are running low. If we pursue now, it may lead to heavy losses."
Sun Jian fell silent for a moment, looking up at the sky with a low yet resolute tone: "Even so, we cannot allow this traitor a moment's peace. Send my orders; we will make further plans tomorrow. If necessary, I, Sun Jian, will personally take up my sword and fight to reclaim half of our nation!"
Huang Gai nodded but couldn't help but advise softly: "General, you must not recklessly put yourself in danger; our soldiers cannot do without you." Sun Jian remained silent; he merely drew his long sword lightly from its sheath, reflecting the faint light of the remaining stars as its cold gleam flickered.
The wind swept through the ashes as a lone wild goose cried out in the desolate ruins. Sun Jian's shadow appeared incredibly solitary yet radiated an unyielding steel resolve.
A soldier's startled shout broke the night's silence: "General! A five-colored light is rising from a well to the south of the hall; it is extraordinarily bright!"
Upon hearing this, Sun Jian quickly rose to his feet, his gaze sharp as a blade. He commanded in a deep voice: "Light torches! Immediately descend into the well and investigate this anomaly!"
The soldiers moved swiftly, the flames dispelling the darkness of the night, casting the ruins in a bloody hue. Mist swirled around the well, with light flickering intermittently, adding an air of mystery. A few soldiers secured a rope and descended into the well. Moments later, a heavy splash echoed as they pulled up a cold corpse.
The crowd gathered around, and although the body had been eroded by time, it had not decayed; its features were still faintly discernible. Dressed in palace attire, it was both splendid and dignified. Around her neck hung a jade pouch that swayed gently with the dripping water. Sun Jian spoke in a deep voice, "Open the jade pouch!"
The soldiers carefully unwrapped it to reveal a crimson box, tightly sealed and secured with a golden lock. Sun Jian took it, his expression grave, gripping his sword as he gently pried open the golden lock. At the moment the box opened, a cold gleam flashed, revealing a jade seal before everyone.
The seal was about four inches square, smooth as mutton fat, its surface slightly cool to the touch, with lifelike dragon patterns intertwined on its button. However, one corner of the seal was chipped and clearly repaired with gold. Inscribed on the seal were eight characters: "Mandate of Heaven, Long Life and Prosperity."
Sun Jian's hand paused slightly, waves of emotion surging within him. He stared intently at the jade seal as if he were holding not just a piece of stone but the fate of the entire realm. He whispered, his voice filled with excitement and reverence, "This... this is the Imperial Jade Seal!"
The soldiers gasped in awe and knelt down to pay their respects, exclaiming, "Heaven bless General! Heaven bless our army!"
Holding the jade seal, Sun Jian's gaze was complex and profound, as if he could see through its inscriptions to witness the rise and fall of dynasties throughout history. He turned to Cheng Pu and asked, "What is the origin of this seal that makes it so extraordinary?"
Cheng Pu furrowed his brow slightly, took a deep breath, and slowly replied, "My lord, what you hold is indeed the Imperial Jade Seal. This item was obtained by Bian He from beneath Jing Mountain when he saw a phoenix perched on a stone and believed it to be a heavenly gift. He presented it to King Wen of Chu. The jade is of exceptional quality; later, Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered craftsmen to carve it and Prime Minister Li Si inscribed 'Mandate of Heaven, Long Life and Prosperity' on it. Legend has it that when Emperor Qin was surveying Dongting Lake and encountered storms threatening to capsize his boat, he offered this seal to appease the lake spirits, and the storms ceased. It was later returned to him by a mysterious figure at Hua Yin, who called it 'the return of the ancestral dragon.' However, shortly after that, the Qin dynasty fell swiftly; the jade seal then passed into the hands of Emperor Gaozu of Han Liu Bang and became a symbol of power over all under heaven."
Sun Jian gently touched the gold-repaired corner of the seal and asked softly, "What about this crack? Is there any story behind it?"
Cheng Pu's expression grew more serious as he continued, "During Wang Mang's usurpation of Han, Empress Dowager Xiaoyuan used this seal in anger to strike Wang Xun, causing one corner to break off. It was later repaired with gold; this event can be seen as an omen of dynastic change. Later on, Emperor Guangwu obtained this seal at Yiyang and regained control over the realm; it has since been passed down through successive emperors. Recently, however, ten eunuchs have caused chaos by abducting Emperor Shao Beiman; this seal has gone missing. Now that this item has fallen into your hands, my lord, perhaps it is heaven's will indicating that you are destined for great achievements."
Hearing this, Sun Jian felt a jolt in his heart. His grip tightened involuntarily as he murmured, "This is indeed a divine artifact that concerns the fate of our world. Now that it rests in my hands—whether it brings fortune or calamity—I must tread carefully."
Cheng Pu bowed his head and spoke with steady resolve: "My lord, we cannot linger here. Although Dong Zhuo has been defeated, various warlords are watching closely; anyone could harbor ill intentions. If word gets out that you possess this jade seal, it could invite endless trouble. I urge you to return to Jiangdong swiftly and plan for the long term."
Sun Jian raised his head and gazed into the distance, his eyes shining like torches. He spoke softly, "As you said, Luoyang is currently in ruins and not a place to linger. Relay my orders: the soldiers must not disclose this matter. Tomorrow, I will feign illness as an excuse to return home."
Cheng Pu clasped his fists in acknowledgment and turned to instruct the army on all necessary arrangements. Sun Jian lowered his gaze to the jade seal in his hands, feeling a surge of emotions as if he could sense the ancient and heavy majesty it emanated. He understood that this jade seal brought not only the hope of the world but also the potential for a storm of bloodshed and chaos.
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