On July 9, Hu Kaiquan, a member of the Chinese Society of Ming Dynasty History, arrived at the excavation and archaeological station of Jiangkou Sinking Silver Site, Pengshan, Sichuan, to exchange the latest research on the historical artefacts from the 13 generations of Shu kings of Ming Dynasty with the team engaged in the archaeological excavation here. Hu Kaiquan believes that the complete signet of Shu Shizi Bao should be close to 19.84 pound. It is very likely that it was given by Zhu Yunwen, one of the emperor of Jianwen of Ming Dynasty, to the prince of Shu.

"Signet of Shu Shizi Bao" is the first discovery of Shizi treasure in China. (West China City daily)

From January to April 2020, the third phase of archaeological excavation was carried out at the Jiangkou Sinking Silver Site, Pengshan. More than 10,000 cultural relics and 2,000 important cultural relics were excavated. One of the most important is the discovery of a gold signet, square printing pad, tortoise shaped button, printed on the surface of "Shu Shizi Bao" (meaning the legitimate son of the king of Shu in Ming Dynasty) in four characters. The pad is 10 cm in length, 3 cm thick, weighs 17.64 pound and is made up of 95% gold. The signet of Shu Shizi Bao is the first discovery of Shizi treasure in China and it is also the only one at present. Before the gold signet came out of the water, it had been cut into four pieces. Although all four pieces of gold were found, it is a pity that the turtle shaped head on the seal has not been found yet.

Shu Shizibao was cut into four pieces by Zhang Xianzhong. (West China City daily)

It weighs 17.64 pound and contains as much as 95% gold. Yang Jun, an associate researcher at the China Numismatic Museum and an expert in cultural relics appraisal of Zhang Xianzhong's case of silver sinking and excavation, was very surprised. "Both the weight and the gold content are very rare in history."

Jiangkou Sinking Silver Site, Pengshan, Sichuan (Weimeishan)

Hu Kaiquan said that in the Ming Dynasty, one Jin (1.1pound) was equivalent to 596.82 grams, and the original weight of Shu Shizi treasure should be more than 18.74 pound, close to 19.84 pound. At present, the treasure of Shu Shizi is about 17.64 pound. The lower weight may be due to the fact that part of the fragment was lost when it was cut into four pieces by Zhang Xianzhong's troops. And the first master of the signet should be Zhu Yueyi, the first son of the royal family of Shu of Ming Dynasty. It is very likely that Zhu Yunwen, the legendary emperor of Jianwen, was given the signet.

Gold ornaments unearthed from the Jiangkou Sinking Silver Site, Pengshan, Sichuan Province. (Cover News)

According to historical records, in 1646, Zhang Xianzhong, the leader of the peasant uprising at the end of the Ming Dynasty, started from Chengdu and moved down the south of the Min River. Zhang Xianzhong's troops carried a large amount of gold and silver. When the ship reached the Pengshan River Estuary, it was attacked by opponents, and the ship was burned and a large amount of property was sunk at the bottom of the river.（By Edina Liang）