At dawn, the sky revealed the first pale light of morning.
The city gates swung open. Caravans laden with goods slowly entered the magnificent Imperial Capital. Among them were many vegetable farmers carrying the freshest fruits and vegetables, replenishing the Empire with a ceaseless vitality.
The extravagant feasts of the Noble Families, the ambitious passions of the scholar-gentry, the gold and silver treasures of the Royal Family.
Every grain of rice eaten, every drop of wine drunk, every sheet of Xuan paper used, every gram of gold, iron, and silver ore refined—all of it came from the common people at the very bottom.
To them, the rise and fall of the Dynasty was not truly that important.
No matter how the eras changed, they remained the true foundation.
