The continent was divided into rival states. Shang, Chu, Shu, Wen, and Bei ruled as five kingdoms, with Shang the strongest. In those days, strange celestial events occurred, and the stars in the northwest shone brilliantly. A scholar who studied ancient prophecies spoke in the words of the ancients: "The Heavenly Mandate sent down the Dark Bird, and Shang was born." Interpreted, it meant that the king of Shang in the northwest would rule over all the land. In another ten years, the age of strife would come to an end.
On the northeastern coast, a strange light appeared, facing the stars in the northwest across the land. The prophecy went: "In the northeastern kingdom of Wen, there is one gifted in statecraft. If she assists Shang, the chaos of this age can be brought to an end." The scholar therefore went to Wen in search of her. The little princess of Wen was unmatched in wisdom and could assist in the great endeavor. Thus, at the age of fifteen, the little princess entered the kingdom of Shang.
From then on, the little princess's joys and sorrows, honors and blessings were all bound to this kingdom and its king. It began in childhood and would end in old age.
"We promised to stay together, to see this world become one family and this fleeting age find peace."
I've wanted to write a story for a long time, but I kept fretting over my pen name and never got started. This summer, while browsing through the Book of Songs at home, I happened to turn to "Na" and "Dark Bird" in the "Hymns of Shang." "Diligent and respectful, morning and night, faithfully carrying out one's duties." "The Heavenly Mandate sent down the Dark Bird, and Shang was born." And so my pen name and the rough outline of this story came to me. Now, at last, I've begun writing. If you've happened upon this page, come take a look at the world I've created. It may not be beautiful, but it comes from the heart.
