I'm rereading my collection of Judge Dee books and came across this description of a document that Dee has just received, in the utmost secret, from the Third Princess, the Emperor's favorite daughter. Ir may serve as inspiration (suitably paraphrased) for an Imperial Warrant of the Third Imperium:
Now that's the kind of blank warrant I can believe in. Given to someone trusted and inactive until furnished with a name.
Hans
"At he top of the document appeared the Emperor's personal seal, of vermillion colour and three inches square. Underneath was written in chancery hand that the bearer was temporarily appointed Imperial Inquisitor, vested with full executive powers. The date and Judge Dee's own name were added in the small elegant calligraphy of a lady. Below was the seal of the President of the Grand Council, and in a corner the personal seal of the Third Princess.
He folded the document carefully and put it back in the lining. That the Emperor had entrusted his daughter with an open edict of such tremendous import was eloquent proof of his unlimited trust and affection..."
He folded the document carefully and put it back in the lining. That the Emperor had entrusted his daughter with an open edict of such tremendous import was eloquent proof of his unlimited trust and affection..."
[Necklash and Calabash by Robert van Gulik]
Hans
