Chapter 6, Breaking the Cocoon

With this youthful face, at most only twelve or thirteen years old, no one would believe that his actual age has long surpassed thirty.

The wheat is not plump; even after being cooked, the bran far exceeds the flour inside. After eating a few bites, Yun Lang's throat became very sore.

However, since we are in the Han Dynasty, there is nothing difficult to understand. Even the elderly women of the Tang Dynasty were using iron pestles to grind needles, and this very sharp awl should be a quite good tool for sewing clothes

Yunlang did not understand why Taizai treated her so well; he absolutely did not believe it was the result of his own character shining through, and there must be a reason behind it

The Grand Minister of the First Emperor was a eunuch, which was inconceivable before his reign. The Grand Minister was a high-ranking official of the royal family, with a rank of 1,500 stones, responsible for the king's outings, clothing, food, sleeping quarters, hunting, and also had the duty to correct any inappropriate words and actions of the king.

Dazai's approach is also quite ordinary; when a eunuch is searching for an heir, if there are no sons or nephews, he will seek out another favored individual to inherit everything he possesses

The Great Seal Script, as observed by Yi Bo, encompasses all things in the world, probing the mysteries of the universe. It draws inspiration from the forms of birds, fish, and insects to create its meanings, embodying an ancient simplicity and elegance, and is most beautiful. However, its complexity makes it inconvenient for engraving on bamboo slips.

As soon as Dazai left, Yunlang led the sika deer out of the stone house

Standing in the sunlight, Chi Tiao Tiao opened his arms wide, as if embracing the entire world, and also as if declaring to this world, I have arrived.

Once again, in a hoarse voice, I asked Dazai: "Who am I?"

This scene is not unfamiliar to Yun Lang, as it was Grandma Yun who first singled him out from a group of orphans.

Dazai took the gray pottery bowl from Yunlang's hands and stuffed a sizzling roasted fatty wild chicken leg into Yunlang's hands

Just as a butterfly breaks free from its cocoon at dawn, it begins to flap its wings for the first time under the beautiful morning sun

Yunlang tirelessly tore at the hard shell on his body all day long, which was his favorite activity

I have a deep-seated aversion to the clerical script, yet you must inevitably learn it. People often tend to shy away from difficulties and gravitate towards ease, and the clerical script is a prime example of this tendency

Ah?

There is no doubt that Taizai has taken a liking to Yunlang

The process of shedding his shell is also a rebirth for Yunlang, with joy gradually revealing itself like light, and dreams taking flight alongside hope, presenting the best version of himself to this new world in the most favorable manner

Yun Lang withdrew his gaze; although this scene had occurred countless times before, he still felt a sense of novelty

Generally, eunuchs seek out other eunuchs. Tai Zai is a eunuch, while Yun Lang is very reluctant to become one.

As Yunlang is now able to speak, the time he spends outside each day has become increasingly shorter, while the time he dedicates to Yunlang has increased. He even created a sand table for Yunlang, teaching him to recognize characters step by step.

Dazai's eloquence, Yunlang has already used a very correct pen-holding posture to write the characters "Yunlang" in the sand table using a branch, in large seal script, small seal script, and clerical script respectively

Yunlang shyly smiled and said, "Only limited to the name"

After searching through the stone house, I finally found a needle. Looking at this iron needle, which is hardly larger than a awl, Yun Lang disdainfully curled his lips. This item is certainly excellent for sewing burlap bags, but for making clothing, it is truly ... ...

After finishing his words, Dazai picked up a branch and wrote the three characters "Shihuangdi" in large seal script, small seal script, and clerical script on the sand table. He taught Yunlang to recite each character one by one until the pronunciation was confirmed to be correct. Only then did he take the tiger and walk out of the stone house to continue inspecting his forbidden territory

For two consecutive days, Yunlang spent his time in severe coughing. After each bout of intense coughing, large clumps of bluish-gray mucus would surge forth from his throat, with the mucus eventually changing from a clear gray to a pale white.

As the water waves gradually calmed, the reflection on the surface became increasingly clear, revealing a handsome young face floating on the water. Even without eyebrows and hair, the strikingly attractive features unmistakably conveyed to Yun Lang that he was now a remarkably good-looking young man.

In the days that followed, Yunlang accepted the meticulous care of Taizai with a sense of peace and justification

After suffering great hardships, one comes to truly appreciate the body and its skin. Yun Lang did not want to let this newly acquired body endure further suffering, so he decided to transform that bear skin into a suitable garment for warmth

Yun Lang was extremely satisfied with his performance. Although the process was somewhat unpleasant and awkward, the outcome was good, which is the best conclusion.

The Book of Insects was widely circulated in the southern states such as Wu, Yue, Chu, Cai, Xu, and Song. After Wang unified the realm, this book gradually declined in prominence, and with the advent of the principle of 'uniform script' spreading across the world, it became increasingly obscure.

Since the conspiracy of Lao Ai and the Queen Dowager of Qin, who had two sons together and plotted a rebellion, was eradicated by the First Emperor, Lao Ai has become an everlasting pain in the heart of the First Emperor

Moreover, Dazai has nothing worthwhile to inherit; when the cost outweighs the gain, even a fool knows how to make a choice

The inscription is a script of ten thousand years, seeking only to convey meaning, not to pursue aesthetics. The characters are formed with iron hooks and silver strokes, representing the style used by artisans on bronze vessels. I only wish for you to understand it, without the need for deliberate study.

Such a question-and-answer exchange is essentially a game for both individuals, and both seem to take a certain pleasure in it.

It was not until this moment that Yunlang understood why Tai Zai had been so kind to him

His hands and feet returned, and his body experienced immense relief. Yun Lang was thus fearless; even in death, he would die only after a thorough resistance.

Dazai looked at Yunlang as if he were gazing at an unparalleled treasure, his eyes reflecting not only joy but also glistening tears.

The inscriptions on the documents are largely similar; one is placed above the entrance of the hall and the other is engraved on the weapons.

As long as one possesses exceptional talent and beauty, they will shine brilliantly wherever they are. Yun Lang has a profound awareness of his own excellence.

Yunlang does not understand how Dazai could see himself as an excellent young man from a pile of charred remains. Every time he asks, Dazai just smiles and remains silent, and Yunlang always feels that he seems to be very pleased with himself

To be able to write one's name is already to be a scholar

When a large bowl of yellow rice appeared before Yunlang, he was convinced that Dazai had truly done his utmost to take care of him

This book greatly diminishes the beauty of seal script, offering no benefits whatsoever beyond mere convenience... Alas, you should also practice it.

Yunlang? Can you read?

The coarse millet is difficult to swallow, and it is hard to find millet and broomcorn at this time. Let us endure for a few more days, and I will go to distant places to seek them out.

This left Dazai with a look of surprise

Dazai smiled and said: "Those who can write their own names are truly rare in this world. You claim that your surname comes from the Jin Yun clan, which is a descendant of the summer officials during the time of the Yellow Emperor, taking the official title as your surname. This is certainly a rank above my own surname, Wu. Observing your skilled grip on the pen, though peculiar, it flows effortlessly; it seems I have stumbled upon a treasure."

If Yunlang were to write in fonts such as clerical script, large seal script, or small seal script, he naturally would not be able to do so. As for his name... he has practiced it before

At this moment, it is inappropriate to ask anything; it is more important to quickly accept Dazai's goodwill than anything else

The Eight Styles of Qin Calligraphy are as follows: 1. Great Seal Script, 2. Small Seal Script, 3. Inscriptional Script, 4. Insect Script, 5. Imprint Script, 6. Signature Script, 7. Spear Script, 8. Clerical Script

Although these gestures of care are quite primitive, sometimes it is a roasted rhizome of the yellow essence, sometimes a bunch of wild grapes that have turned purple, and more often than not, he would magically pull out a golden yellow pear from his pocket

In the first year of my reign, an edict was issued stating that 'vehicles shall run on the same tracks, and writings shall be in the same script.' Chancellor Li Si gathered three hundred talented and extraordinary individuals, and after three years, they produced the small seal script. The quality of the work was outstanding; however, it is regrettable that Li Si was treacherous. The small seal script became widely adopted across the world, benefiting our great Qin. Li Si met his demise without a burial place, which was a consequence of his own actions

Yunyang's servant Cheng Miao, initially serving as a county jailer, was punished by Emperor Qin Shi Huang and spent ten years in the Yunyang prison in deep contemplation. During this time, he refined the techniques of both small and large seal scripts, ultimately mastering three thousand characters in clerical script.

The Qin script consists of eight styles; although it is not necessary for all scholars to master them completely, it is essential for them to be familiar with them

The sun shines brightly outside, and the autumn morning is cool, especially as Yunlang is only wearing a thin garment, which makes him appear even more constrained

This is the question that Tai Zai likes to answer the most, and he immediately says: "You are the fifth generation Tai Zai! I am your grandfather!"

The First Emperor deemed him virtuous, pardoned his crimes, and appointed him as an Imperial Inspector, as he was useful in assisting with the documentation of officials and prisoners; hence he was named 'Li'.

The death of a man in a city could not quell the raging fury in the heart of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. To prevent the emergence of false eunuchs like Lao Ai in the future, he personally ordered Zhao Gao that all male officials entering and exiting the royal palace should be subjected to the punishment of castration

From this point on, the Daizai lineage's aspiration to rely on bloodline for inheritance became a mere illusion. Consequently, each generation of Daizai would seek out an exceptional young man, referring to each other as father and son, ultimately fulfilling the succession.

He needs a fifth-generation Dazai

The most important thing is that he desperately wants a suitable pair of shoes. When Dazai brought the clothes, there were no shoes. It is likely that this was not an oversight on his part, but rather because the person he killed was not wearing any shoes at all.

A smooth egghead appeared in the rippling water of the ceramic basin

Faced with the abominable offspring born to his mother, Emperor Qin became enraged and ordered the execution of every person in Yongcheng, setting ablaze the stronghold that had taken ten years to construct under Lao Ai, reducing it to ashes

After the thick layer of hard shell was removed, his body had shrunk by a whole circle.

As he endured endless pain to remove the hardest shell from his hips, the confinement of his exterior finally shed completely

The days in the mountains are carefree and untroubled. Soon, autumn will fade away. With the arrival of a northern wind, the broadleaf forest halfway up the mountain becomes sparse almost instantly. The sky is nearly obscured by a flurry of yellow leaves, leaving only the dry, bare branches standing there like warriors holding spears

Dazai Jianyunlang was tearing at the chicken leg, a satisfied smile appearing on his face

The divine physician Taizai believed that this was a detoxification process, a positive sign that Yunlang was about to recover