The museum is a chronicle of human civilization, recording the glories and shames of our ancestors. A national museum is a testament to a country’s history, with collections that exhibit the nation’s pride and shame. However, some museums are more like treasure troves, showcasing exotic artifacts from around the world, with no deeper significance other than to flaunt their owners’ wealth and power.
The Xiangnan Museum in Hua Xia may not be as famous as other museums, but it houses a vast collection of national treasures, second only to the National Museum and the Palace Museum (including the Taipei branch). Among the most notable exhibits is the relics related to Xin Zhui, the wife of Liu Chang’an.
The Xiangnan Museum is currently under renovation, a fact that Liu Chang’an was aware of, but he didn’t expect it to take until November 2017 to reopen. Feeling disappointed, he decided to buy some vegetables instead.
As he walked away, a middle-aged man with a military green beret called out to him. “Hey, little brother!” The man had some silver hair on his temples, wore casual clothes and sports shoes, and carried a crocodile skin bag. He introduced himself as Zhang Xingliang, the editor of Xiangnan Museum Magazine.
Liu Chang’an briefly chatted with Zhang, who offered to take him to the museum’s warehouse to see the artifacts. Zhang claimed that the museum would not reopen until next year, and Liu Chang’an could get a sneak peek at the authentic artifacts.
Liu Chang’an agreed, and Zhang led him to a warehouse filled with various artifacts. Amidst the shelves, Liu Chang’an spotted a bronze drum with an inscription “Qing Dynasty officials’ exclusive use, Chu King’s son, Xunyu drum.” The drum was not as exquisite as the one in the Xiangnan Museum, but Liu Chang’an was more interested in a tiger token with intricate gold engravings. Although the token had a defect, Zhang wanted 100 yuan for it. Liu Chang’an bargained and got it for 20.
As Liu Chang’an browsed the warehouse, he noticed a bronze vessel with a phoenix pattern, which reminded him of the movie “The Orphan of Zhao.” The vessel’s owner, Zhao Jianzi, was the grandson of Zhao Wu, the protagonist of the movie.
Liu Chang’an thought about Zhao Jianzi’s stories, from his early days as a rebel to his later years as a statesman. He remembered how Zhao Jianzi had created the first law code in Jin history, challenging the privilege of the aristocracy and facing opposition from Confucian scholars.
Throughout Chinese history, aside from a few exceptions, most rulers were from the aristocracy, and those who challenged this class were often vilified and their stories distorted. Liu Chang’an smiled to himself, thinking about Zhao Jianzi’s achievements.
The historical records only mentioned a brief conversation between Zhao Jianzi and his son, Zhao Wu. “Sir, give me another hundred years, and I will…” Zhao Jianzi’s words were left unfinished, but Liu Chang’an knew that he was determined to bring peace to the Jin kingdom.
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