As I traveled over Qin Mountain one morning,

I met two fairies, of brightness and beauty,

Riding on a white deer.

I realized they were immortals,

And kneeled and begged for the Dao.

‘Go west and climb the Jade Terrace,

There are gold pavilions and corridors.’

They gave me an immortal elixir.

‘Your longevity will match that of gold and jade,

And you will never reach senility.’”

—Cao Zhi, Han Dynasty poet,

as quoted in Empires Ascedent: Time Frame 400 B. C.–A. D. 200

“Your longevity will match that of gold and jade” means

a.

the poet will turn to stone.

c.

the poet will never die.

b.

the poet will turn to metal.

d.

the poet will be wealthy.

help pl!