On Grain in Ear in the Jia Chen year, Emperor Song He of Great Li, a man in his prime, sat on the Dragon Throne beneath an exquisitely wrought coiling-dragon Ceiling Well. Civil and military officials stood throughout the hall, their rank badges marking their stations. The new National Teacher stood almost exactly where Cui Chan had stood years ago, facing Great Li's most powerful men alongside the emperor.
Chen Ping'an stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, a seal resting in his palm. Its sides bore the true forms of the Five Mountains, along with Qi Du, the rivers, and lakes such as Book Scroll Lake. The mountains and waters of an entire nation were engraved upon its "walls."
The inscription on its base read, "Seal of Chen Ping'an, National Teacher of Great Li."
The emperor personally presented him with this newly made National Teacher's seal, bringing the ceremony to a close.
It meant that the lifeblood of the Great Li Dynasty now lay in his hands.
The old seal had not yet been struck from the records, but the new one had already been bestowed.
Chen Ping'an said nothing and took no part in discussing any item on the agenda.
Song He could see clearly, however, that the civil and military officials gathered today—men who could rightly be called pillars of the nation—were all nervous. Those who spoke often deliberately raised their voices; those who remained silent in the ranks held their breath and concentrated. Many others pretended to be at ease while stealing quick glances at the new National Teacher in court robes, hoping to find more secrets in the faintest change of his expression.
Chen Ping'an silently felt that profound sensation, as though inspiration had reached the divine. As he himself had described it, the