I had previously encountered stone coffins and outer coffins in the former ancient Shu tombs. Occasionally, I saw ancient Shu kings burying their remains directly in tree trunks. However, this was the first time I had ever seen a boat coffin burial like the one before me.

These boat coffins were constructed in the shape of canoes, with the deceased's remains lying flat in the hull. It must be said, this design was quite unique and made a very shocking impression at first glance.

Xiao Liang seemed to know something about this type of burial. Tilting his head, he asked Lao Wei, "From what I understand, boat coffin burials should be a custom of some coastal countries, shouldn't they? I remember reading in a book that after the leaders of some Southeast Asian coastal countries died, they often used these boat coffins to take the remains out to sea for burial. I didn't expect that ancient China would also have the same burial format."

Lao Wei smiled and said, "It is very possible that the boat coffin burials of these Southeast Asian countries were influenced by ancient China. There is a cultural concept in ancient China called Guimen Pass (Ghost Gate Pass). The prototype of this Guimen Pass is actually Tianmen Pass (Heaven's Gate Pass). The Tianmen Pass is located between mountains on both sides of a large river winding through the middle. From this, the ancients had the association that if you want to pass through the Guimen Pass, you must take a boat. Therefore, the ancestors of the Chu kingdom built the coffins in the shape of canoes, wanting to help the deceased pass through the Guimen Pass."

Xiao Liang nodded after hearing this.

Lao Wei's knowledge reserves didn't stop there. He continued, "By the way, do you know how the boat coffin burial, which originated in the Chu region, influenced the Shu region?"

This stumped the bright student Xiao Liang, who shook his head and said, "I don't know."

Lao Wei smiled and began to explain, "This has to start with a famous historical figure. This historical figure is relatively niche, so you may not know him. His name is Bieling."

Xiao Liang was indeed not very familiar with this "Bieling."

But coincidentally, I had heard of him!

Just recently, when Xiao Liang and I went to the library to look up information, I read a large number of unofficial histories and myths and legends.

Among them, I happened to see the story between Wangdi Duyu and Bieling. At the time, I even complained that the story was too melodramatic!

When Lao Wei and Xiao Liang were discussing just now, I was like an illiterate standing on the side, unable to interject a single word. Now that I had finally encountered someone I had heard of, I quickly jumped in and said:

"I know Bieling! He was originally Duyu's subordinate. Because he was exceptionally good at swimming, Duyu promoted him to be the minister in charge of water management. As a result, while Bieling was out managing the water, Duyu hooked up with Bieling's wife and cuckolded him. Later, Bieling was successful in managing the water, and Duyu was ashamed of himself, so he abdicated and gave the position of Shu king to Bieling."

Hearing these words, Lao Wei and Xiao Liang both looked at me with admiration.

Lao Wei was even more impressed with me, saying, "Xiao Chen, I didn't expect you to have such extensive historical knowledge! You've even heard of such an obscure story about Bieling and Duyu!"

Xiao Liang also said in surprise, "Yeah, where did you hear this story?"

I smiled and said, "I saw it last time when I was looking up information in the library. Because the story was so melodramatic, I remembered it."

Xiao Liang said with satisfaction, "It seems that your trip to the library wasn't wasted. We should take you with us next time."

When I heard about the library, what came to my mind wasn't reading, but those young couples who were being intimate behind the bookshelves.

I have to say, it would be quite exciting to pick a day specifically to watch those young couples live.

It's just a pity that in recent years, everyone has gradually gotten used to reading books online, and not many people go to the library anymore. The young couples who used to be behind the bookshelves are gradually disappearing, which is really disappointing.

Speaking of which, why did Lao Wei ask us if we knew about Bieling?

Because this Bieling has an important relationship with boat coffin burials.

Lao Wei continued to tell us another story about Bieling.

Lao Wei said, "Bieling was actually not a Shu person. He was born in the Chu region, and he was famous in the Chu kingdom for his exceptional swimming skills. Later, Bieling died, and his body was placed in this kind of boat coffin and thrown into the Yangtze River. The locals originally wanted him to flow downstream into the sea, but unexpectedly, after Bieling's boat coffin entered the water, it actually went upstream all the way, coming from the downstream Chu kingdom to the upstream Shu kingdom. After reaching the Shu kingdom, Bieling in the coffin came back to life!"

This story was too fantastical. I couldn't believe it for a long time after hearing it.

Because there were too many things in this story that violated science.

How could a coffin go against the current?

How could a person come back to life after death?

After listening, I shook my head, thinking that this story was probably just nonsense from unofficial history.

Xiao Liang also frowned and said, "Lao Wei, this is not just a story, it's already a myth."

Lao Wei said seriously, "This is not a myth. It is recorded in the historical book *Chronicles of the Kings of Shu*. In addition to *Chronicles of the Kings of Shu*, *Qinjing* and *Taiping Guangji* also recorded the same story. Although I also think that there are too many doubts in this story, it's better to believe it than not!"

Xiao Liang and I looked at each other, still a little bit unable to believe it.

Lao Wei didn't force it, smiling and saying, "In short, regardless of whether the details in the story are true or false, what is certain is that through the matter of Bieling's resurrection, the local people of the Shu kingdom very likely accepted this new burial format of boat coffins. Before Bieling, I can't say whether there were boat coffin burials in the Shu kingdom, but after the Bieling period, this burial format definitely gradually became popular in the Shu kingdom."

Xiao Liang and I agreed with Lao Wei's point of view very much and nodded in agreement.

However, at this moment, Hu Wazi suddenly shouted, "Stop chattering about those useless things. Where's the old man? Where did the old man go?"

Hearing his shout, I suddenly realized that the old gentleman who had been leading the way was gone. This tomb chamber was a suite with an outer and inner room. The old gentleman had been walking in front, but when we reached the end, we found that the inner tomb chamber was a dead end. There was no road ahead.

The old gentleman had obviously led us to a dead end.

But where did he go now?

"Old gentleman?! Old gentleman?" Lao Wei shouted quickly.

Hu Wazi stamped his foot and cursed, "Damn it, is this old thing playing us?"

Xiao Liang quickly took the flashlight to look around, shouting, "Everyone, quickly look for him!"

Xiao Lingwei, Er Jun, Yun Jie, and the others immediately scattered to look for him, but there was no trace of the old man in the entire room. I subconsciously ran to the outer suite, fearing that there might be some mechanisms outside, but even if I reacted quickly, I was still one step too late!

We had fallen for it!