
In a time when dynasties rise and fall like the turning of a chessboard, the realm is exhausted by endless wars and shifting loyalties. Amid this turbulence, a young, charismatic officer named Zhao Kuangyin walks the streets of Bianliang, already noted for his striking looks, martial skill, and a restless sense of justice. Though still far from any throne, his presence hints at a destiny that could reshape the empire.
When the wandering fortuneteller Miao Guangyi opens his modest divination shop, he encounters the confident Zhao and, after a terse exchange, declares the young man’s future as a ruler destined to restore order. Their brief clash draws the attention of Zhao’s close companions, who tease and debate the prophecy while a mischievous mud‑horse becomes the unlikely stage for a test of fate. The scene captures a vivid mix of humor, superstition, and the simmering ambition that will drive the story forward.
Language
zh
Duration
~5 hours (344K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-04-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Best known for revising and expanding the historical novel Fei long quan zhuan, this Qing-era writer helped shape a lively popular tale of Zhao Kuangyin’s rise to founding the Song dynasty.
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