The Nation's Consciousness and Its Emperors

[I am always born amid the adoration of thousands, then vanish amid the scorn of thousands.]

1.

I was born on an auspicious day. I saw the Son of Heaven ascend a high platform, turn with a sweep of his sleeve, and stand in a magnificent golden hall to announce my name to the crowd.

"Jing."

The emperor's voice resounded throughout the court. Amid everyone's cheers, I officially received a body.

Standing behind the emperor, I saw the people I was meant to protect.

2.

I accompanied many emperors as they grew up, then personally saw them off to their tombs.

I often heard those children ask me, "Imperial Preceptor, why do you never age?"

"Why won't you teach me how to live forever, or be buried with me?"

Most of these emperors, once they had ruled, would eventually forget the promises they made to me as time passed and their power grew.

So I could only watch one ruler leave without a flicker of emotion, then turn to welcome the next.

But no matter how hard I tried, I would still die amid the scorn of thousands.

That was the law governing the rise and fall of dynasties, so all my efforts seemed laughably futile.

3.

Another dynasty reached the end of its road, and my life force rapidly faded.

"Imperial Preceptor, why can't you stay with me to the end, the way you did with my ancestors?"

"Are you going to join those rebels?!"

"Waaah!"

"...Imperial Preceptor, please don't leave me, all right? Even if you only stay to watch me die..."

The newly enthroned emperor was still a young child. He could not bear to be without me.

But all I could do was wipe away his tears and offer a promise as gently as I could:

"You won't die."

I saw him off myself. Then, before he could turn around and look back, I became windblown sand, rain and dew, flecks of light... and vanished completely.

Once more, I died without hope.

Afterward, every trace of my existence as a human would disappear.

4.

I thought I would awaken somewhere unfamiliar.

But the scenery was familiar.

A grown emperor parted the beaded curtain, knelt beside my bed, and leaned over to say,

"Imperial Preceptor, you must watch me die, just as you watched over my ancestors."

"Imperial Preceptor, you must..."

"Live on for a long, long time."

[The people of this country stood up for their god, who had descended among them.]

1. The main text is written in third person.

2. This is a collection of stories featuring multiple emperors, both men and women, good and bad.

3. Happy ending.

4. To be added.

Moral: Life is as radiant as a song.