Reign of the Phoenix

Qin Shi Huang realized that he had not long to live, that the country that he had risked his life to conquer could not be under his control forever, and that the super weapons and pills he ordered invented in secret would fall into the hands of others after he died. In order to monopolize these technologies, he silenced everyone who were involved in the research by death, and at the same time compiled the production steps as well as their blueprints into a book, naming it “Secrets of Emperor Qin.”

One day, Qin Shi Huang brought his guard-in-waiting to go supervise the completion of his own mausoleum. The newly built underground tomb was majestic, filled with bright-colored terracottas of varied height as well as all sorts of weapons, bronze horses and carriages.

Observing his underground palace from a high ground, Qin Shi Huang told his guard. “I have thought it through and finally understood. True immortality only starts after mortal death. Here in this underground nation, I can still command a magnificent army with all my horses and all my men, continuing my domination in afterlife! Hahahaha… For my thousands of ruling years to come, this ‘Secrets of Emperor Qin’ shall accompany my slumber in this tomb for eternity!”

Qin Shi Huang took out a collection of bamboo slips from his chest. Ordering the guard to dig a hole with his sword, the emperor put the bamboo slips in a brocade bag, put the bag in a sandalwood box, and personally buried the box in the hole.

When Qin Shi Huang exited the mausoleum, he ordered the guard to kill the last batch of craftsmen. He didn’t want anyone alive to know of the tomb’s secret. The guard also understood this very clearly in his heart. Qin Shi Huang feared that people would covet his secret book after he died and wouldn’t let it be buried with him, so he hid it here in advance. And as the only one other than Qin Shi Huang to know this secret, the guard certainly would not be kept alive.

As expected, when Qin Shi Huang died of illness soon after, it revealed the guard had been appointed one of his burial entourage. After the coffin of Qin Shi Huang was set in place, the guard was put into a hollow clay figurine shell, before clay slurry was poured in to make him a living figurine. The figurine was placed standing straight next to Qin Shi Huang’s coffin to be a guard of the mausoleum, and also a permanent guard of that unique book.

When people withdrew from the tomb hall, they sealed it with marble stones and clay. The guard inside the figurine was still on his last breaths as the slurry didn’t fill up completely, leaving him some air. Using every ounce of strength left in his body, the guard swayed left and right. Finally, the terracotta figure lost balance and fell heavily on the ground. The clay shell was smashed to pieces.

The guard spat out the clay slurry in his mouth and leaned against the tomb gasping for breaths. He knew that even though he had picked up his life, it was far from easy to escape this mausoleum.

Resting until his strength was restored, the guard used his sword to dig up the pit where Qin Shi Huang buried the slips. Retrieving this so-called amazing book, he hid it in his clothes.

The guard knew that there were many valuables in the coffin, but it was too heavy for him to open by himself. He only took some jewelry on the altar before the coffin and stowed them in his chest, then lit a torch and started to find an escape route.

All exits had been sealed shut by marble stones. The guard roamed around in the huge underground tomb, trying to find a breakthrough. Fortunately, he discovered an area with newly pasted mud that hadn’t solidified yet. Exerting all of his strength, he pried out several bricks with his sword and successfully climbed out to the outer layer of the mausoleum.

Walking through the rows of terracottas inside this huge, deep and slippery pit, the guard was simply unable to find any place that he could climb up from.

Exhausted and depressed, the guard resentfully smashed a bronze carriage to pieces and fell on the ground in despair. Facing the ceiling, he saw a small opening that had yet to be sealed. Through the opening, he could see vaguely twinkling stars in the night sky.

The guard was jolted awake by a cold breeze, he didn’t want to give up on the tiniest chance to escape. He knew he didn’t have much time, because at sunrise, there would be people coming to pour endless loess though that opening, filling up this terracotta pit; and he would be kept here in this cold and dark tomb forever.

From the terracottas’ hands, the guard pried off all sorts of weapons and inserted them into the pit wall. Then, he stepped on the inserted weapons to insert more weapons up. Stepping on weapon upon weapon, he finally climbed out of the pit.

The higher ground was quite far away from the opening above, but the guard was elated to find a rope used by craftsmen to exit the tomb dangling down from the opening. He grabbed a blade with a long wooden handle and swatted toward it. After unremitting effort, he caught the rope and hooked it down. The rope then hung straight in front of him.

The guard climbed up the rope with difficulty and finally crawled out of the mausoleum. Evading layers of sentries, he slowly merged into the night. He knew his identity must not be discovered, therefore making up his mind to run all the way to Mongolia, where he settled down, incognito.

According to the story, the descendants of that guard came to rely on the Tuoba clan, also changing their surname to Tuoba and thus becoming the current Tuoba clan’s ancestors. As for the “Secrets of Emperor Qin,” this book rightfully landed in the hands of the Beiyan imperial clan, who for some reason left it gathering dust in a corner. After no one knew how many years, the book had been passed through many hands and places before it ultimately fell into the possession of the Murong clan. Yuan Dong speculated that the reason for Beiyan’s destruction was directly connected to the book.

Murong Zhining lowered her head, deep in thoughts. There was no way to verify historical events, but she had her own judgment. “I think the book was likely the direct cause of the war between the two countries just as Uncle said. Just what on earth is recorded inside that makes the world go so crazy for it?”

Yuan Dong sighed, “I also don’t want to see this book coveted by people all the time. If the legends are true, it will bring a calamity upon this world once it falls into the hands of people with ulterior motives. That was why twenty years ago when the clues to the Murongs’ treasure surfaced, I changed my children’s surname back to Tuoba, hoping to lure out the other deeply hidden clues. I also hold one of the three clues myself.”

Chiyun Yuexuan pondered. “Old Mister Yuan, you mean you also want to find this book so you can destroy it and prevent the world from disputes?”

Yuan Dong nodded. “That’s indeed my intention. Of course, I know it’s not easy for you to believe me. If this book is in the hands of a sagacious monarch, I would be at ease. A wise emperor knows better than to promote wars even if he has this book, and instead will even destroy it out of a merciful heart for the people. Your imperial father is such a monarch, so I would like to entrust the clue in my hands to you and have Zhi’er aid you in finding the treasure. This will be an inadequate compensation from the Tuoba clan for the war hundreds of years ago.”

Murong Zhining said with emotion, “Old Mister Yuan is righteous and highly principled. If this is the case, the book best be entrusted in the hands of the Tuoba family.”

Yuan Dong cupped his hands, his face full of sincerity. “That will make me seem like an exploiter for reputation, I can’t accept it. The third clue to the treasure is an old qin of our family, one that a spy of the Tuoba clan had stolen from the Murong clan in the past. I have sent a message to my daughter Tuoba Lan to bring it here. Lan’er is smart to ask General Huyan Qi to escort her. She should arrive in a few days.”

Tuoba Zhi exclaimed softly, “So Phoenix Chant is a clue to the treasure. Fate is truly miraculous.”

Yuan Dong said dubiously, “What Phoenix Chant? That qin never has a name.”

Tuoba Zhi respectfully informed his father, “The qin and Princess are predestined. She has bestowed the name ‘Phoenix Chant’ upon it.”

Yuan Dong nodded. “Wonderful name. It complements the qin very well.”

…

Chiyun Yuexuan and Murong Zhining sat at the table in her room. Chiyun Yuexuan said, “Ning’er you’re too kind and honest. You have no idea how sinister a human’s heart can be. You’re too easy to trust people. Listen to me, don’t get involved in this treasure hunt and leave this place with me.”

After a long consideration, Murong Zhining spoke up, “Aren’t you curious? Don’t you want to know what that book is about? Besides, what is there to be afraid with you here?”

Chiyun Yuexuan was infuriated. “I am exactly one of those folks with ‘ulterior motives’! Aren’t you afraid that it will fall into the hands of a ruthless, cruel man like me?!”

Murong Zhining covered her mouth and chuckled aloud. “Your self-evaluation is actually quite accurate. Chiyun Yuexuan, consider me asking your for a favor, stay here and help me find the treasure. If anything, I’m still a descendant of the Murong clan, how can I let other people take it? Please?”

Chiyun Yuexuan rolled his eyes. “No good! I can’t let you be put at risk!”

Murong Zhining put on a pitiful expression. “You already put this princess at risk when you took me away without permission. I don’t think that there’s anyone more dangerous than you in this world.”

Chiyun Yuexuan sighed. “Fine. Who told me to find such a curious wife, right? By the way, things like giving names to someone’s else qin cannot happen again in the future without my permission, do you hear?”

Murong Zhining didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You’re actually not worried about my safety, but that? General, what’s with you and your endless little ploys?”

Chiyun Yuexuan shot her a glare. “Stop with your speculation. I’m worried about both, alright? The way that Tuoba Zhi looks at you just makes me very jealous!”

…

Huayan’s Imperial Capital.

In Jingci Palace, Yan Han spoke after Ning Zezhi took his seat, “I have something to discuss with you, Prime Minister. But I don’t know how to start this.”

Ning Zezhi slightly cupped his hands. “If anything, I and Your Majesty were once father-in-law and son-in-law. Your Majesty can be straightforward with me.”

Yan Han’s voice was a little choked, “You’re the one I’m most sorry about, and also Yuetong. Have you heard that Yuetong once gave birth to a prince of mine?”

Ning Zezhi looked extremely painful. “That was all Yuetong’s fate, she wasn’t strong enough. I don’t blame you, Your Majesty. Anyhow, even until her death, Yuetong never told me that she had been pregnant, so I never knew if she left behind a child.”

Yan Han tried hard to control his emotions. “If I told you that she indeed gave birth to a prince – a son of first wife, what would you think?”

Ning Zezhi shook his head. “Tong’er surely wouldn’t have kept something like this from me. Oh, no… She was in the Cold Palace then, perhaps she was afraid to make me worry about her. Is it true that something like that had happened? Then, where is my grandson now?”

Yan Han’s face was already filled with tears. “My imperial son, your grandson, was actually sent to Commandery Prince Yan’s estate. He is Chiyun Yuexuan. Back then, Yuetong was disappointed in me, so she had Xuan’er being snuck out of the palace and sent to the Chiyun Estate to be raised by Madam Chiyun.”

Upon this, Ning Zezhi broke into silent tears. “No wonder I could see Yuetong in General Chiyun. I’ve always liked that child and would secretly look at him more every time I get to see him. It’s like seeing Tong’er again.”

As these words fell, Ning Zezhi couldn’t control himself. He covered his face and cried out loud.

After some time, Ning Zezhi wiped his tears. “How do you plan to handle this, Your Majesty?”

Yan Han looked ashamed. “This is why I’ve sought you – to discuss about this, as it has been troubling me deeply. Xuan’er is too headstrong. If he learns his mother died in the Cold Palace, he definitely won’t accept me. What should I do so that he’ll accept his roots and return to my side? Please help me think of a way, Prime Minister.”