Sword of Goujian, a King of ancient Yue Kingdom

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This bronze sword is a prized relic believed to have belonged to the legendary King Goujian of ancient China's Yue Kingdom during its tumultuous "Spring and Autumn Period". Yue Kingdom's downfall came at the hands of Wu Kingdom, and Goujian was taken captive, forced into servitude as a horseman under Fuchai, the ruthless King of Wu. Three years later, he managed to secure his release back to his homeland. Daily, Goujian would rest on burning firewood and savor the bitterness of a gallbladder suspended from a beam, fueling his unrelenting quest for vengeance. Twenty years of meticulous planning eventually culminated in his triumphant return, as he led his army to devastatingly conquer Wu Kingdom, establishing himself as an unrivaled overlord. Crafted from a single piece of bronze, the sword boasts intricate 8-character inscriptions in Chinese script, beautifully adorned with serpents and birds. When unearthed from a tomb within the Ancient Chu Kingdom's territory during the mid-20th century, the remarkably well-preserved sword defied expectations by showing no signs of rust after over two millennia, its sharpness still intact. The enigmatic inscription remained indecipherable until expert hands deciphered it, revealing a profound testament: "This sword was forged and wielded by Goujian himself, the mighty King of Yue". The question that continues to puzzle historians is why this iconic Yue sword lies buried within Chu Kingdom's ancient territory – a mystery that remains unsolved.