
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.
Known only by the name Xuan Wu and identified as active in the 18th century, this Chinese author is associated with a lively historical novel about the rise of Zhao Kuangyin, the future founding emperor of the Song dynasty. The surviving record is sparse, but the work itself suggests a taste for sweeping action, prophecy, and political drama.
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