Everyone listened for a long while, but could not work out any difference between shouting "Shang" as in Jian Shang's name and "Shang" as in the dynasty.
Meng Tian could not help asking, "Is there any difference?"
Xiao He pondered for a moment before replying, "According to the principles of mutual generation and restraint among the five elements, metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, and earth generates metal. Great Qin belongs to the virtue of water, while the Great Huan Era belongs to the virtue of wood. Since water generates wood, Great Huan ought to replace Great Qin. Moreover, the Huan King's name is Jian Shang. Perhaps there is some omen in this?"
"There's even an interpretation like that? Do you believe in the cycle of the five virtues, sir?"
Jian Shang looked at Xiao He with considerable amusement as he asked. He was more inclined to believe that the Heaven-Piercing Divine Guards' cries of "Shang" expressed their unwillingness to accept Great Shang's demise, and had absolutely nothing to do with him.
Xiao He met Jian Shang's gaze frankly and replied, "It is not a matter of believing or disbelieving. I simply had this sudden intuition. Besides, better to believe it exists than insist it does not. The claim that Heaven has ordained Great Huan to replace Great Qin would aid Great Huan's conquest of the realm and win the hearts of soldiers and commoners alike. Ultimately, it offers benefits without harm, so why not believe it? Furthermore, they say the Huan King's allotted fortune came chiefly from Qin Shi Huang. It would not be wrong to say that Great Huan has carried on Great Qin's fortune!"
"..." Jian Shang fell silent, genuinely unable to refute him for the moment.
Even Meng Tian lapsed