"City Full of Golden Armor - (Golden Version)"

Author: Zhang Chang, Zhang Kuang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: This is a story of bloodshed in battle; it is also a tale of historical power struggles; it is also a poignant love story. The late Tang Dynasty faced great disasters, with people suffering and local warlords seizing power, while bandits roamed freely. A legend of a "golden armor that grants the world to the one who finds it" stirred everyone's pursuit of power. Whether it was circumstances creating heroes or heroes shaping circumstances, both heroes and non-heroes pinned all their hopes and desires on the legendary golden armor. "He who finds it gains the world," and the world meant everything. Who could refuse all this? Thus, various factions launched a massive search for the golden armor, though none knew what it truly was. To find it might depend on fate. Don't think only heroes emerge in chaos; it is precisely because of chaos that the love forged in such times becomes invaluable. Wang Xianzhi, Zi Fu, and Zhu Wen grew up together in childhood. Wang Xianzhi once stumbled upon a golden chrysanthemum, which was neither gold nor bronze, resembling crystal, and exquisitely beautiful. He gave it to Zi Fu as a token of their love. Zhu Wen also admired Zi Fu but, hindered by his friendship with Wang Xianzhi and Zi Fu's true love for Wang Xianzhi, kept his feelings hidden deep within. Wang Xianzhi, a man of integrity, rose up as a salt trader to improve Zi Fu's life. However, in the pursuit of power, he gradually lost himself and began to neglect Zi Fu. His ally Huang Chao, clad in what was widely believed to be golden armor (though it was actually bronze), became the target of all. Under the allure of the golden armor, emotions and desires intertwined in complex ways: the weak emperor, the powerful minister, and the rising bandits, all faced the prospect of sovereignty and glory, making love, family, and friendship—such precious things in the world—seem fragile, easily shattered. The faces revealed by desire became as varied and terrifying as Peking opera masks. Originally, they were faces of pure white, but once adorned with masks, they performed with such realism, so true. Tragedy then unfolded. The desire-blinded Wang Xianzhi died in battle. At his tomb, Zi Fu took out the golden chrysanthemum they had once exchanged, intending to commit suicide, but unknowingly discovered the secret of the golden armor. It turned out that the golden armor that commanded the world was, in fact, a golden chrysanthemum. Thus, Zhu Wen, who accompanied her, gained the true golden armor—a twist of fate. Raised by a scholar, Zhu Wen had no ambition for the world, yet the world included everything, including the woman he deeply loved, Zi Fu. But in the end, Zhu Wen became emperor, overthrowing the Tang Dynasty and, as the legend foretold, gaining the world. Yet Zi Fu, not only remained unattuned to him but also left him behind. Melancholy and sorrowful, who was the real tragedy? Whose tragedy was it? The only one who survived became a hero. He had no desire for the throne but ended up ruling it; the woman he admired, he never truly possessed, not even for a day. He could only find solace in the golden chrysanthemum, ordering his soldiers to wear bronze armor adorned with chrysanthemums. Huang Chao, another tragic figure, had foreseen the outcome but not the process. Thus, "When autumn comes in September, my flowers bloom after all others fade. A fragrant storm fills Chang'an, the city adorned with golden armor."
In Chang'an City, the palace. On a grand golden throne, adorned with dragon scales that shimmered, Li Xuan sat, dozing. Tian Lingzi and a few eunuchs attended nearby. Suddenly, an official reported: "A soft golden light has risen from Henan, shooting straight into the sky. Everyone says it's the legendary golden armor taking its true form." Li Xuan smiled, "I never believed in such a golden armor. That golden light piercing the sky is likely just a fire somewhere, the flames reaching high, causing you gossips to panic." With a sigh, he added, "You are pillars of the state. How can you be as ignorant as the common folk, blindly believing such street rumors? Focus on governance; that is the proper way." Tian Lingzi, seeing Li Xuan dismiss the matter, chimed in, "Your Majesty is wise. Those commoners are foolish, spreading rumors they heard from nowhere, exaggerating them until they cause panic." But inwardly, he thought, "I've heard that whoever finds the golden armor gains the world. This rumor is too widespread to ignore. If such a thing exists, I must seize it."
Human greed knows no bounds. Tian Lingzi, though a eunuch, now ranked above all but the emperor, still dreamt of sitting on the throne. At that moment, Li Xuan said he was tired and would rest in the rear palace. After serving Li Xuan, Tian Lingzi returned to the Zixian Pavilion.
In Zixian Pavilion, Tian Lingzi closed the doors and windows, then clapped his hands three times. With a creak, a door appeared on the wall hanging a painting of pine and crane. Two young men in black emerged, their faces pale but eyes sharp. They bowed to Tian Lingzi and said in unison, "We do not know what orders our master has for us this time?" Tian Lingzi smiled, "After raising you brothers for so long, today is the day I need you to do something for me." The two black-clad men nodded slightly and bowed, "Please, master, command us. We are willing to cross swords and fire, die a thousand deaths for you." Their words were identical, precise, as if they were in perfect harmony. Closer inspection revealed that these two thin young men were identical twins.
Tian Lingzi looked at the brothers, pleased with his years of cultivation, finally seeing their worth. He said to them, "While I am near the emperor, I heard that a golden light has appeared in Henan, piercing the heavens. I suspect it's the golden armor. I order you to set out tonight and investigate this in Henan. If you find the golden armor, return at once." The brothers exchanged glances, then nodded and asked in unison, "What exactly does the golden armor look like, master? Do you have a picture for reference?" Tian Lingzi replied with a wry smile, "Honestly, I don't know what the golden armor truly is. I only know it's a miraculous object, with something strange about it. Once you leave the palace, be careful, investigate discreetly, and do not act rashly, lest you alert the enemy." The brothers nodded again in unison.