Chapter 212

"Right, four inches. Where are the four inches? Four inches should be at least 20 centimeters or so. This isn't even as big as a matchbox, let alone four inches; it's not even one inch. I really want to know why!"

"The sizes of different dynasties are different. Do you think the size written in *Records of the Three Kingdoms* is the modern size? You have to know that *Records of the Three Kingdoms* was written in the Western Jin Dynasty, around 280-290 AD. The size at that time was still based on the Han Dynasty size. You should think about how many centimeters one inch in the Han Dynasty equals! Then think about what 'four inches square' actually means!"

120. The Real Imperial Jade Seal, the News Has Spread! (Please subscribe)

Chen Feng was stunned, but the problem was that it wasn't convenient to go online now, otherwise he really wanted to check what it meant.

But right now, he just wanted to know why: "I really admire you. This is the Imperial Jade Seal, and you can still be so calm. I feel like my heart is about to explode!"

"No way!" Fang Yang was a bit speechless at his anxious look.

"The size of every dynasty is different. For example, one inch in our modern times is equivalent to 3.3 centimeters. In the Han Dynasty, one inch was 2.7-2.8 centimeters. For example, the Empress's Seal we dug up earlier should be exactly 1 inch!"

"So what exactly does 'four inches square' mean? If one side is four inches, the historical record should be 'four inches per side', not 'four inches square'."

"What exactly does 'square' refer to? Diameter? Radius? Side length? Circumference?"

"You can flip through the dictionary to know its meaning. *Xinhua Dictionary*: 【Square/Circumference】 Around: This city is ~ forty or fifty *li* around."

"*Modern Chinese Dictionary*: 【Square/Circumference】 Refers to the length around: You can't see a single person for ~ dozens of *li* around."

"*Ciyuan*: Square/Circumference: Around, range."

"So 'square' can probably be understood as its circumference being four inches. If it were four inches per side, it should be described as 'square inches'."

"Then a square jade seal has exactly four sides, one inch per side—isn't that about 2.8 centimeters? Look again and see if this one is about the same size!"

"And most importantly, the seals of the Qin and Han dynasties were all this big, which is reasonable relative to the environment at the time!"

Chen Feng was stunned!

He had been thinking that 'four inches square' meant four inches total, and he thought one side was four inches.

But in fact, he forgot that if one side were really four inches, how big would that be? Even bigger than the ones on TV.

Director Chen also nodded: "According to historical records, the Imperial Jade Seal might just be this big!"

Now everyone was dumbfounded!

Whether it was Fang Yang or the authoritative experts, they all said it was only this big. Even if they were unwilling, they could only accept it.

The size of the jade seal had long been deeply rooted, and this sudden change made them feel a great gap in their hearts.

Especially when they saw its color.

Someone immediately raised a doubt: "Isn't the Imperial Jade Seal made of the Heshi Bi? Why is it dark green? The Heshi Bi should be white!"

Once this was said, many people nodded in agreement.

"Oh right, I just remembered, this color is wrong!"

"I still find it hard to believe that it is the Imperial Jade Seal!"

"It's called China's number one national treasure, and it turns out to be like this. So disappointed!"

Fang Yang looked at them sighing and felt helpless; the facts were just like this.

"The Imperial Jade Seal was not made of the Heshi Bi at all; that's all a legend! Logically speaking, this doesn't even count as cultural history knowledge; this should be a common sense question!"

"First, think about a question: the thickness of a jade disc in the Warring States period was generally about one centimeter, similar to a round sesame seed cake today!"

"How can you carve this? Such a flat thing, how can it be carved into this jade seal? You can't just smash it and melt it together!"

"I don't know if you've watched *The Legend of Mi Yue*. At that time, the crew probably realized that the Heshi Bi couldn't be made into a jade seal, so they made a Heshi Bi as thick as a cake! It made me cringe so hard!"

【Popularity】 +1+1+1+1....

—【Haha, I remember now. I was wondering at the time, this is also the Heshi Bi! It turns out it was because of this reason. I only blame myself for not paying attention at the time. Now that I hear Fang Yang say this, I suddenly want to laugh. I'll watch it again later, not for anything else, just to see the cake Heshi Bi.】

—【Today has truly overturned my impression of the Imperial Jade Seal. Fang Yang's words are well-founded, and I have no way to refute them. I can only say that the gap between the jade seal and what I imagined is too big. I used to think that if the Imperial Jade Seal could be found, it would definitely be the number one national treasure in the National Museum. Now it feels a bit...】

—【I just went to check the shape of the Heshi Bi. No matter how you look at it, you can't carve a jade seal out of it. How did such a bizarre legend spread to the present? I actually thought it was carved from the Heshi Bi. These people who record history are not rigorous at all.】

—【Haha, this is really a common sense question. The point is that there are still many people who believe this question. I have told others before that the Imperial Jade Seal was not made of the Heshi Bi, but they didn't believe it and insisted on arguing with me. Today, someone finally came out to refute the rumors!】

Many people have heard of the Imperial Jade Seal, but not many have really learned about it.

Most of them are hearsay, and gradually a statement spread.

The Imperial Jade Seal was made of the Heshi Bi, and it was very big.

In fact, Fang Yang also thought so before.

But he believed in the system.

He glanced at everyone and found that their expectations had turned into disappointment.

Fang Yang shook his head and continued:

"As for what the Imperial Jade Seal was made of, it's actually not that mysterious."

"In serious historical books, it is clearly stated that the Imperial Jade Seal was made of Lantian jade from Shaanxi!"

"The *Book of Song* in the Northern and Southern Dynasties recorded it—this 'Song' is not the Song Dynasty, but the Song of the Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen. The *Book of Song* said: 'Gaozu entered the pass and obtained the Qin Shi Huang Lantian jade seal.'"

"In addition, the *Book of Jin* also recorded: 'There is also the Qin Shi Huang Lantian jade seal, which Han Gaozu wore, and later generations called it the Imperial Jade Seal.'"

"There is also the *Book of Later Han, Guangwu Annals*, citing the *Jade Seal Genealogy*: 'The Imperial Jade Seal was carved when Qin Shi Huang first unified the world. Its jade came from Lantian Mountain, written by Prime Minister Li Si, and its text says so-and-so. Gaozu arrived at Baling, and the Qin Prince Ziying presented it!'"

"These are all official historical records. Not only that, many others have recorded it. I won't go into detail one by one. It can be determined that the Imperial Jade Seal was made of Lantian jade!"

At this moment, the scene was deathly silent.

Because Fang Yang could be said to have explained it very clearly, even moving out official history, clearly indicating that the Imperial Jade Seal was made of Lantian jade.

Now they could only completely accept reality.

Director Chen next to him looked at Fang Yang with some surprise. Although he also knew the relevant historical information, he didn't think he could express it as clearly as Fang Yang.

At least he would definitely have to search for information to confirm it before he could say it.

You have to know that unlike Dean He, he was specialized in research.

In other words, in terms of cultural relic knowledge, no one in the country dared to say they were more professional than him.

It was precisely because of this that he felt Fang Yang was even more extraordinary.

Chen Feng sighed: "The Empress's Seal before was already small enough to surprise me, but I didn't expect the one used by the Emperor to be so small too!"

Fang Yang smiled awkwardly: "This is not what the Emperor used!"

"Ah? What do you mean!"

Chen Feng was confused again, and not just him, the surrounding audience was also confused.

Fang Yang thought for a moment and replied: "The Imperial Jade Seal is only symbolic. It was carved after Qin Shi Huang unified the world. So what did he use before that? Have you thought about it!"

"This... I really haven't thought about it!"

"Have you heard of the Six Seals? The emperors of the Qin and Han dynasties had six other seals besides the Imperial Jade Seal!"

Once this was said, there was an uproar all around.

How would they know that?

They always thought the emperor just used one seal to stamp things.

It turned out there were six.

Let alone them, even Chen Feng heard it for the first time.

It could only be said that his research on history was relatively small.

Fang Yang smiled: "The emperors of the Qin and Han dynasties wore six seals, all made of white jade, and all were carved with *chihu*. I told you the specific function before; it was for stamping on the sealing clay."

"The Six Seals are: first, the Emperor's Travel Seal, used for enfeoffing states; second, the Emperor's Seal, used for bestowing upon princes and marquises; third, the Emperor's Trust Seal, used for dispatching troops; fourth, the Son of Heaven's Travel Seal, used for summoning ministers; fifth, the Son of Heaven's Seal, used for enfeoffing foreign monarchs; sixth, the Son of Heaven's Trust Seal, used for sacrificing to heaven, earth, and ghosts and gods."

"Later, this system was maintained until the Jin and Sui dynasties, and until the Tang Dynasty, when the God Seal and the Mandate Seal were added, becoming the Eight Seals!"

"So I said, the Imperial Jade Seal is just independently separated and has symbolic significance!"

【Popularity】 +1+1+1+1....

—【Damn, I actually listened to a history class so seriously. If my teacher back then had been Fang Yang, I would definitely have been able to get into college. This is the first time I've listened to someone talk about history so seriously. It's too wonderful; it's all knowledge I didn't know before.】

—【Awesome, I must watch this explanation video by Teacher Fang several times today and take it to pick up girls; it will definitely be useful. I don't believe anyone wouldn't be interested in this. Most importantly, they definitely don't know that the Imperial Jade Seal is so small and not made of the Heshi Bi. Just this Six Seals thing feels like it's enough for me to brag about for a year!】

—【We Chinese people only know about the Imperial Jade Seal; who has heard of other jade seals? The emperors of the past probably had to tighten their belts when they went out, otherwise, a big bunch of grapes hanging on their waists would make their pants fall down easily. If they were all replaced with large jade seals, the visual effect would be quite strong.】

—【Qin Shi Huang carved the Imperial Jade Seal thinking it could be passed down, but it ended in the second generation. If you ask me, it's because the jade seal was too small. If he had carved it as big as a human head, maybe it could have been passed down for a few more generations.】

After listening to Fang Yang's answer, everyone couldn't help but exclaim.

This trip today was truly not in vain. Not only did they see the appearance of the Imperial Jade Seal, but they also learned a lot of knowledge that overturned their cognition.

They couldn't come into contact with these things normally.

Just because they liked watching Fang Yang's live stream, their cognition and knowledge capacity became richer. ===== CHAPTER 213 =====