I bore Great Ming's two capitals and thirteen provinces on my shoulders! (Please support the first paid chapter)

Pu Mingyuan tried tearing it again in earnest, but no matter how much force he used, the entire fragment remained completely unmarked. It did not even crease under the strain. He could not help shaking it, making the fragment flutter loudly in the air.

"Is this an original? Isn't it a sheet of plastic?" Pu Mingyuan asked instinctively.

His subordinate nodded. "Of course, sir. Our Ming Dynasty antiquities expert has confirmed that this is an original paper document from the Yongle era."

"Then tear it." Pu Mingyuan handed it over.

His subordinate clearly did not want to bear the blame for tearing up the Yongle Encyclopedia. That would invite bloody retaliation from the Ming people, perhaps even the people of the Celestial Empire. But his boss insisted, and he dared not disobey. He could only take it and give it a gentle tug.

"Haven't you eaten?" Pu Mingyuan frowned.

He dared not hesitate any longer. Gripping the fragment, he pulled violently with all his strength.

There was a sharp crack, and a trickle of blood seeped from the torn web between his thumb and forefinger.

Pu Mingyuan's expression changed instantly.

"Give it to me!"

Wincing in pain, his subordinate hurriedly handed the fragment back. Pu Mingyuan laid it on the desk and narrowed his eyes, examining it carefully. Then he held it close to the light and tilted his head back to look. He seemed to make out very faint traces on the ancient fragment, almost like a watermark.

A chill crept up from the soles of his feet. The back of Pu Mingyuan's neck felt cold.

He instinctively tossed the fragment back onto the desk.

"Bring me the shipping label," Pu Mingyuan said suddenly.

The shipping label attached to the kraft-paper envelope was soon in Pu Mingyuan's hands. His