Chapter 2: The One Sung for a Thousand Years
In the last few days before the end of the flood season, the waters of the Nile still spread across the entire land of Egypt.
In the valley regions, small hills surrounded by villages could be seen everywhere, and at the southernmost edge of the Delta, near the north of Memphis, Hapi pushed the floodwaters to the coast for the last time.
Papyrus and lotus flowers grew and flourished, Osiris's power purified the land, drowning pests and leaving behind fertile, soft, moist soil.
As on every morning, Memphis's water measurement specialist descended into the Nilometer to examine the rise and fall of the water level.
This structure resembled a large well, with its inner walls carved with units measuring the water level and its rate of rise.
This expert was considered quite old by the standards of his time.
He cautiously descended the wet steps, leaning against the wall to avoid slipping. Carrying a small wooden board and a fishbone stylus for writing, he began to inspect the markings on the wall as soon as his feet touched the water's surface.
Then he was startled.
The water level, which had been steadily declining since the end of the flood season, had risen again—by sixteen cubits. This was the ideal water level: "the perfect celebration."
He hurried back in a panic and reported the news to the canal supervisor, almost getting whipped for the commotion.
Not long after, the news spread throughout the city and, carried by the water of life, reached all corners of the land.
The great Ramesses—his first year of rule had already seen a miracle!
The water of life, after the flood season, had risen again to sixteen cubits! The reservoirs were full, ensuring irrigation of the fields until the end of the dry season.
Upper and Lower Egypt would enjoy a joyful year under the rule of a merciful Pharaoh. The great Ramesses possessed divine power! He could control the floodwaters and eradicate famine!
The young Pharaoh's prestige began to surpass that of his father.
But this young monarch paid no heed to the outside world's praise.
He led a team out of Memphis, made a brief stop at the holy city of Iunu, where he offered sacrifices to his patron deity, and then swiftly passed through Bubastis.
Following the Nile's tributaries near Pelusium, close to Lake Manzala, he arrived at Avaris.
It was here that Seti I had confirmed Ramesses's authority, and here that Ramesses would build his new capital—a city to be named after himself.
The beauty and prosperity of this place amazed the friends who accompanied him. His clansmen lived here, as did Egyptians.
The Pharaoh's childhood friend was a Hebrew. He had thick hair, a face full of stubble, broad arms, and stood tall like a giant.
His name was Moses.
Moses saw that both Hebrew and Egyptian foremen had joined Ramesses's team.
Ramesses personally led these people, accompanied by his lions and dogs.
As for Sehamana—once a pirate, now the Pharaoh's loyal head of personal guards—he walked ahead of the Pharaoh with a dozen soldiers, eyes vigilant, ensuring there was no threat to the monarch.
"What a remarkable man," Moses thought quietly to himself.
He was speaking of Ramesses.
He still remembered that when Seti I passed into the arms of Osiris and before Ramesses had been crowned king, the old pirate who had once been defeated by Ramesses had loyally protected his master.
Brave and wise, he helped Ramesses through the most dangerous moment of his life.
From that point on, even those who disliked Sehamana could not deny his loyalty to Ramesses.
Not just that old pirate—many other defeated pirates were also accepted by Ramesses as his subordinates.
At the time, nearly everyone found this unbelievable.
But in the end, it was proven that these pirates' loyalty was no less than that of those who had served the royal family for generations.
This showed that Ramesses had both breadth of vision and keen insight—truly outstanding.
"Moses, what are you doing? Hurry and catch up!"
The Pharaoh's hearty laughter rang out from the front.
Moses snapped out of his thoughts and realized he had fallen behind. He quickly caught up with the group.
Avaris lay on the far-left edge of the "Way of Horus," the shortcut through the Sinai Peninsula leading to Asia.
It was developed by the Ramesses family, lined with fortresses all the way to the border strongholds—an important defense project on the northeastern frontier.
Moses caught up to Ramesses. The physically strong young Pharaoh was now twenty-four years old.
His face was somewhat long, with a broad forehead, thick eyebrows, small but sharp eyes, a high nose, rounded ears, full lips, and a firm chin—his appearance already carried great authority.
What this man accomplished in this era would be sung for thousands of years.
Though young, Ramesses had rich experience.
He had served as royal scribe, undergone the mysterious rites at Abydos, and acted as regent. His father, Seti I, had ruled perfectly for fifteen years.
During that time, Seti I used every means to teach him the basic knowledge required to rule Upper and Lower Egypt, as well as how to wield power.
Now, Ramesses had to explore the path on his own—his father had returned to join his fellow gods.
Ramesses pulled out a map and handed it to Moses.
Moses glanced at it and said, "It looks like this is the most important strategic location."
"Now you understand why I chose this place," Ramesses said with a smile. "There are canals extending from here. In emergencies, ships can be used to quickly reach the fortress at Sile and the border strongholds. We'll immediately know about any rebellion in my territory. And the cool climate here means the troops won't suffer from the heat—they can stay ready to deploy at any time."
"Your foresight is impressive," Moses nodded sincerely.
"How are your people reacting?"
"They seem happy to be working under me, especially since you promised to raise their wages."
"Haha, of course I did. I'm going to build an extraordinary city," Ramesses laughed loudly. Then he turned to the foremen behind him and asked, "Where's my old tutor? Aren't you coming out to greet me?"
A burly man stepped out of the group, kneeling before the Pharaoh with a fearful expression. He was the only one in this place who did not want to see the Pharaoh.
"Shari, are you satisfied with your new job?"
"I thank you for entrusting me with such an important task," Shari said, bowing his head.
"If not for the kindness of my mother and sister, you would be hanging from a rope instead of standing here now," Ramesses sneered coldly.
This man had once been his tutor—but had plotted to betray him.
"Do your job well. But I will never forgive you. Your soul is filled with evil. Let's hope Moses bears no grudge against you, or you will never again have the chance to humiliate anyone."
"Yes, great Pharaoh."
Shari's heart was filled with bitterness.
He understood the Pharaoh's meaning—if he dared to put on airs in front of Moses, this former student would not hesitate to strike him down.
How hateful.
He had once had such a bright future, all ruined by his own hand. Now he had to kneel before a Hebrew.
But perhaps that mysterious and terrifying foreigner could help him. This time, he swore he would not make another mistake.
Thinking this, a trace of comfort returned to Shari's heart.
He remained prostrate on the ground, listening to the cheers around him—everyone was bidding the Pharaoh farewell as he continued his journey.