The Fallen Star Scholar

The Sheng era came to an end, and the realm split into seven states: Zhao was powerful but tyrannical; Sheng protected the weak and upheld justice; Min was rich but timid; Xi was fierce and domineering; Yuan was cunning and narrow-minded; Jiao was remote and far away; and the Wuli rode south with bows drawn. Their wars dragged on without end, and the people entrusted their lives to the wilderness. In the wilds of Cangling, a shepherd boy found a broken sword beneath an old rampart. Inscribed along its spine were the words, “Made by imperial decree under the Kaiyao era.” That evening, a comet appeared in the Southern Dipper, its light stretching across the sky. An astrologer declared, “It heralds both war and the rise of a true man.” The seven states were locked in a fierce struggle at Canglan, and none paid it heed. At that time, a scholar rose from the common folk. He owned not a foot of land, nor commanded a single company of soldiers. His three-inch tongue was his spear and sword, and his clear mind his strategy. He traveled from court to court across the seven states, persuading rulers, breaking alliances, resolving crises, and securing victories. The fate of the realm hung on his words. The shepherd boy could not read, but his strength was unmatched. He kept his promises and was always the first to fight. He met the scholar in a time of hardship, and the two took to each other at once. The scholar said, “Travel with me, and the realm will be ours to settle.” The boy rested a hand on his sword and laughed. “You stay behind the curtain. I'll face the arrows and stones.” At first, the realm looked on them both with suspicion. But when the upheaval of the age reached its peak and the people found someone to follow, the world finally looked up and sighed in admiration. The falling star had not come to bring ruin from heaven. It had heralded the birth of this scholar and this boy, who would save the people from the raging flood.