The gentle rocking of the boat helped me to sleep better than I have in years. Not knowing what to expect, I did learn that I enjoy travel by boat much more than I had anticipated. Perhaps I shall have to do it more in the future.
When I glanced out the cabin window, I could see we were moving again, no city in sight. I was hoping to be able to go ashore and experience life in Wuhan. I am anticipating there will be more opportunities to taste a big city before this voyage has ended.
As I opened the door and stepped onto the deck, I realized the air smelled vaguely of salt. When I saw the crew, I stopped thinking about salt, or anything else. They all moved strangely, holding their arms straight out, making fists and hopping about on one bent leg. Had they turned into Jiangshi overnight? The fright in my face must have been obvious because Lao Peng You put a hand on my shoulder.
“They are performing Taijiquan, their morning ritual.”
“Are they possessed?”
He laughed quietly, “No, huoban, they are exercising. It is a series of coordinated movements designed to maintain and improve mind and body.”
Xin Yue and her crew gyrated and punched the air in synchronized rhythm. As before, I could not take my eyes from her. At times, I could see that she noticed me looking at her, and I had to turn my eyes away for the sake of propriety and modesty.
“Why did we leave Wuhan so early?” I asked.
Lao Peng You removed his hand from my shoulder. “We want to get to Shanghai before nightfall. It is the last city before we go into the open sea. Perhaps you and I shall be able to go ashore for some Mahjong while the crew replenishes the supplies.” He smiled maliciously. I deduced we will have to earn more coins to help pay for this delightful charter. “Are you hungry?”
I was not sure what he was asking exactly. He could have been referring to breakfast or he could have meant the seed of men.
“We saved some fish and rice for you just in case.” He pointed to a small pot near the rail.
Fish and rice, fish and rice. I sincerely wanted to go into this Shanghai if only to get some food that was not fish and rice.
⊚
I spent most of the remainder of the day resting in the cabin. If I stayed out on deck too long, my gaze gravitated toward Xin Yue, and that would have been most frustrating for both of us. Along both sides of the river I saw farms with both animals and crops.
The Yangtze continued to widen, and eventually we arrived at the largest population center I have ever seen. Both banks contained rows and rows of houses, buildings, temples, warehouses and shrines. Behind us, the sun began to touch the hills, and the crew started preparing for docking.
Lao Peng You had snuck up behind me. “Ready for an evening in Shanghai, my boy?”
I did not care what we did, I just wanted to experience life in a big city. The air smelled salty and invigorating. The boat bumped the pier gently as we approached.
“Wait!” shouted our captain, “Before you leave, remember to be back by dawn. We set sail shortly thereafter.”
“Dawn?” I questioned.
“Captain,” my huoban responded, “if we do not return by dawn, presume us dead and revert to your riparian life.” He started to move over to the dock.
“Wait!” shouted the captain again, “If you are planning to be dead, then you must pay up now for the voyage so far. Four gold, and while we are talking about money, please add some coins to help pay for additional supplies. The two of you eat more than we had planned for.”
I looked sidelong at Lao Peng You, knowing where most of the food had gone.
“Here is four gold from me, my lady,” he said as he put the coins reluctantly into her exquisite hand.
I fumbled in my coin purse and found the same. “And four from me as well.” As I placed the gold in her hand, our skin met for the first time. I had hoped it would unleash the fireworks I felt when I brushed up against men when the hunger struck. Alas, her most flawless flesh only felt cold and ashy to me. She appeared to have no reaction either. Ah me…
⊚
The Marquis led me through the web of streets, turning down narrow alleys and up grand boulevards. Eventually we stopped in front of a squat green building labeled ‘Shanghai Mahjong Club.’ He knocked on the large bamboo door and a small spyhole opened. All I could see through the opening was an eye.
“Marquis Pichan and guest,” he announced.
I heard the latch click and the great portal opened to admit us.
“Five gold each,” said a voice perfunctorily. We both took five coins from our purses. The host led us to a smoke-filled room full of tables with men sitting around them. It was difficult to breathe, given the fresh river air we have had the pleasure of inhaling the last two days. I tried not to cough too much. Even if I did cough, the sound would have been inaudible under the loud clacking of tiles.
Our guide sat us at a table with two other gentlemen. One lanky and grey, the other young and corpulent.
“Marquis Pichan,” my huoban bowed, “and Baron Dongting,” he indicated me, and I bowed as well.
The older gentleman introduced himself as Lord Nanhai, the other one called himself General Sima. It appeared we were in the company of noble gentlemen. Lord Nanhai started the dice roll and we all took our places.
Over the next few hours we played admirably, each accumulating enough gold coins to cover the rest of the journey. Servers visited the table and provided us with dried fruit, crunchy baked goods, and glasses of wine between hands.
As midnight approached, the host announced, “Last hand.” Most of my tiles were from the Bamboo suit. I also had a set of Green Dragons. Finally General Sima discarded the Eight Bamboo tile I needed. I claimed it for Mahjong, and the other players groaned simultaneously. Then, when I put the hand up, they all stared at it with full-moon eyes for some reason I could not grasp.
Without realizing it, I had accumulated a winning hand consisting solely of green tiles: the dragons, Pungs of Bamboos and a pair of Two Bamboo. It looked ordinary enough to me.
“Imperial Jade,” sighed Lord Nanhai. “I have not seen that hand in many, many years.”
I just happened to be sitting East, and they all had to pay me double. By the time the coins were settled, I could barely lift the bag off the table.
Lao Peng You touched my arm, “Let us go quickly, huoban. Sloth will prove costly.”
We moved to the door as quickly as the crowd would permit. Many others attempted to leave at the same time and it took us a few minutes to make our egress.
Once outside, the Marquis strode quickly back the way we came. When we got to the first alleyway, a gang of four large and brightly-clad youths stood in our way.
“Where are you going, gentlemen, at this time of night?” His head towered over us, a very tall fellow. “In a hurry now?” In his right hand he held two sticks connected by a chain. He twirled one of the sticks around while holding the other tightly.
“Impressive,” Lao Peng You remarked, “now let us pass before your mother’s little bird leaves the nest.” He attempted to walk around them, but they let out a collective gasp and huddled closer to prevent our passage.
“How dare you! You do not know my mother,” the tall one cried.
“Do you?” the Marquis quipped in response.
Incensed at the insults, the boys began circling around, sneering at us and grunting.
“Your purse seems very heavy, big brother,” the offended fellow taunted me. “Let us lighten your burden for you.”
He reached out for my winnings, but before his hand got within an arm’s length of it, Lao Peng You’s leg flew up to it speedily, and I heard a distinctive crack.
“Owwwww!”
“Who is next?” my huoban invited.
One of the other boys, this one about our height but particularly muscular, closed in on us. The Marquis let him get to just about the same proximity before he levitated on one foot, twisted full-circle around in the air, kicking the aggressor in the face, again with a distinctive crack.
As he landed, he grabbed my hand tightly, “Let us go!”
While we ran back to the boat, and after I had caught some of my breath, I asked, “How did you learn to do that?”
He looked back and said casually, “I shall teach you when we have some free time, but for now, please run faster.”
The bag of coins felt like an anchor, slowing my pace. As we reached the boat, Xin Yue stood on deck snuffing the lanterns. “I didn’t think I’d see you boys until morning. Did you have a good evening?”
I could not speak because I was huffing quite loudly.
“It was adequate,” Lao Peng You responded nonchalantly as we entered into the cabin. “Goodnight, huoban. I am quite tired. Sleep well.”
I lowered my purse to the floor, still breathing heavily. The bed, while small, induced quick slumber.
“Sir, if you please!” An older gentleman sits, legs folded beneath him, in front of me. He holds a beggar’s bowl, full of coins, which he is raising and lowering in anticipation.
My back is to the wall again, but I look behind me to see that it is still there.
“Without charity, I am nothing,” bleats the ruby. “Sour.”
“True charity occurs only when there are no notions of giving, giver or gift,” the emerald counsels. “Bitter.”
“Because of frugality, one is generous,” informs the opal. “Sweet! Sweet! Sweet!”
I turn back to the old man. This seems very familiar. The Blue Dragon told me that lessons would be repeated until I acted correctly. The last time I was about to take the old man’s money in order to help him with his wife. The gems all accused me of being greedy, and utter destruction ensued. This time I shall act differently.
“Sir,” I begin, “I shall not take your coins.”
The man stiffens unexpectedly. “Why would you take my coins? I am but a modest beggar.”
Apparently this situation is different from the last. “Do you not need someone to empty your bowl so that your wife will let you –“
“My poor wife died years ago! Why are you trying to offend me so?” He starts to weep softly.
This time the man is not trying to give up his wealth. I search in my pockets, but have no coins once again. Not knowing how to proceed, I turn about and walk back to the wall.
“If you please, I need your guidance,” I say to the stones.
“He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions,” the Red One says.
“To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue,” the Green One contributes.
“As you discover yourself,” the White One concludes, “you shall find inner guidance.”
And I am no better off for asking them.
Shen Lung told me that I need to please myself before pleasing others. In this situation, the beggar would be pleased with a donation. I would be pleased to give him some money but have none. Again, a conundrum with no obvious solution.
I return to the old man, “Sir, I wish to make a donation, but have no coins. How can I help you?”
He smiles across his whole face, “You just did.”
In a puff of smoke, the beggar becomes the Blue Dragon. “Very good, Hao Lan. One step forward.” He leaps up into the sky, “Keep up the good work!”
The next few days blurred together. Once we hit the open ocean, my stomach churned about as much as the turbulent sea upon which we sailed. I spent most of the time in the little cabin casting up my guts or, if I was very, very lucky, sleeping. I can’t say I remember much about that part of the voyage.
One morning we pulled into a calm, fragrant harbor. The water smelled a bit sweet, perhaps due to the profusion of lotus blossoms floating around us. A wide bay encircled the boat, and I could see jade green hills once more. I went out onto the deck.
“Well, look who has joined the living!” quipped Xin Yue. “I was worried for you, xiansheng. Feeling better today?”
I had difficulty determining if she merely enjoyed poking fun at me or if she honestly cared. Because I wanted it to be the latter, I proceeded as if that is how she meant it.
“Yes, thank you. Where are we?”
She spread her arms out to indicate, “This is the mouth of the Pearl River. From here we head inland to Guizhou so you can find your precious Jiaogulan leaves.”
I turned to Lao Peng You, “You told her the purpose of our voyage?”
He shrugged. “No harm. Besides, I have found that if you tell the rickshaw driver where you wish to go, you usually get there faster than if you do not.”
The crew must have finished its morning exercise routine because they all sat at the table eating fish and rice. For the first time in a few days, rice actually sounded good.
⊚
Because we did not have the flow of water behind us, the crew had to paddle against the current.
I asked Lao Peng You, “Should we not assist them?”
He told me, “Stop thinking like a peasant; this is what we are paying them for.”
I guess is he right, but I was just trying to save some money by speeding up the pace of the boat. When the tide came in behind us, we made better time.
On both sides of the river I saw tropical plants, like I imagined a jungle would look. Thick vines wrapped around slender trunks of plant stalks. Huge, green leaves blocked the sunlight from passing, filtering the rays with their giant hands.
That evening I began to feel weak. I spoke to Lao Peng You once we were alone in the cabin. “Huoban, I do not feel well. My head is light and I can barely hold my eyes open.”
He smiled, “It is the hunger, Hao Lan. You need to take the seed of man.”
So this is what it feels like. Yes, I had better enlist the aid of one of the sailors. “Who is amenable to us here?”
He looked around shiftily before responding, “The first mate belongs to Xin Yue, as one would expect. The tall sailor is mine. You shall approach the shorter one. If you need to use the cabin for privacy, I shall sit outside on the deck for a while.”
“Is the short one out there?”
Lao Peng You looked through the door, “Yes, he is. Shall I ask him to see you?”
I began to get anxious, “Does he know the purpose of the requested visit?”
“You worry too much, Hao Lan. Of course he knows. He has been patiently waiting for you to feel better. Instead of wasting your efforts on the captain, perhaps you should turn your eye to the crew instead.” He exited onto the deck.
A few moments later, the sailor entered and closed the door behind him. He smiled nervously and glanced down at the floor. I motioned him to me. From the bulge in his pants I could tell he was ready for our endeavor without question.
His hand went to the back of my neck, and as soon as our flesh connected, the uncontrollable urges ignited within me. I yanked the bright red sash, pulled the trousers open and swallowed his little brother hungrily. Like a suckling babe, I lapped and slurped. The young man grunted and breathed heavily. It had probably been some time for him because about a minute later, my mouth was full of something that tasted like river water. I felt better immediately, and, apparently, so did he.
With a smile, he did up his pants, picked up and retied the sash, bowed politely and went back on deck. The Marquis walked in straightaway.
“That did not take very long, my friend,” he grinned.
“The boy had urgent needs as well, it would seem.”
“Sometimes it is good that those with similar needs can find each other.” He looked at me as if I were his lover, which I most certainly was not.
“I am feeling tired. Perhaps I should get some sleep,” I said before lying down and closing my eyes.
“Feeling better now?” the voice of Shen Lung appears.
I cannot see him at first, then I look down. “Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!” I scream in fright because I am hundreds of chi up in the air all of a sudden.
“Be still, little one. I have you.”
Between my legs I can feel the warmth of an unfamiliar body. “Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!” I scream because I have never been up in the air, especially on a dragon.
“Hao Lan, either you stop screaming or I shall let you drop. Then you shall most certainly have something to scream about.”
I try to gain control. Short, quick breaths. Close my eyes.
“And you were doing so well…” he mutters.
“I am better now, thank you, my Lord. I apologize for the noise. You startled me.”
“It appears that ocean sailing does not agree with you either.”
I put one hand on my aching abdomen, “No, it does not.”
“Your boat voyage is almost at its end. You shall soon find what you seek, plus a surprise I have hidden for you.”
“A surprise? A good surprise?”
He chuckles, which makes his body shake uncomfortably. “A surprise is neither good nor bad. It is what you make of it.”
Again he reminds me of the opal. “Yes, my Lord. I shall keep that in mind.”
“Hao Lan, I have a very special assignment for you. Something that only you can do. Do you believe you are ready and capable?”
“I serve you, Shen Lung, who have saved me from my old life and given me Immortality.” I bow my neck in reverence.
He grunts with effort and we climb slightly in elevation, making me even more nervous.
“The Emperor needs to hear a message, but he will not suffer it from me.”
“And you think he will receive it from me? You are great and I am small.”
“The greatness of the Emperor is exceeded only by his self-value. Our illustrious Emperor fears death and is absorbed with the desire to live forever. He believes there is an elixir of immortality on Zhifu Island guarded by Kun, the giant sea monster.”
“Kun really exists? I thought he was just a myth, O Blue Dragon.”
“True, little one. That is the difficulty. His advisors have presented false counsel to get him away from the palace so that they may murder him.”
Blinded by his own ambition. I wonder what the three gems would have to say about that.
“Before he departs on a phony dinosaur hunt, he needs to know about this plan.”
“And how may I assist you, Shen Lung?”
“This is the message I wish you to give him: Zhao Gao calls a deer a horse.”
“Zhao Gao calls a deer a horse?” I repeat.
“Yes. Zhao Gao calls a deer a horse. Have you got that?”
“I think so. Zhao Gao calls a deer a horse.” This is getting confusing, but it is not my task to understand, just to perform. “But how will I get near enough to the Emperor to deliver the message? No one can get close to him. I have heard he is very well guarded.”
The dragon nods. “You have heard correctly, Hao Lan, but I shall provide you with a way to meet him so that you can give him the message.”
“How will you do that, my Lord?”
He laughs quietly, “That, my friend, is the surprise. Be patient. All shall be revealed.”
“But what if he does not believe me? He will surely go to his doom.”
“He shall not believe you. And he will most assuredly go to his doom. That is certain.”
“Then why would I attempt to enlighten him with this message if it is not going to do him any good?”
Shen Lung stops flapping his wings and begins to lose elevation. About a hundred chi above the ground, he flexes his back and I pop off.
Before I could start screaming again, he spoke, “You have much to learn, little one. Try not to complain so much.”
Now I was falling down to the green ground below, screaming with all my might.
Thump!
I woke with a start. Still in the bed of the cabin on the small boat.
“Did you have some bad dreams?” Lao Peng You asked.
“Hmm? What?” I was trying to wake up and make some sense of the situation.
“You were screaming and muttering something about a horse.”
Zhao Gao calls a deer a horse, I recalled.
“Yes, just a bad dream. Where are we?”
He pointed out the window, “We just docked in Guizhou. Collect your things. We are going leaf gathering.” Grabbing his bag, he stepped out onto the deck.
I put my clothes in my own bag and followed him. The boat sat tethered to a small wooden pier that had not been tended to in years and appeared a bit rickety. No buildings adorned the shore as in other places, just tropical greenery. I hope there is a city nearby.
“Just a moment,” the lovely sea captain speaks. “Will you perform the honor of paying me for this portion of your journey?” Her outstretched palm spoke to our purses.
Lao Peng You blinked slowly. “We shall settle with you when we return later,” and he began to step up.
Xin Yue positioned herself between us and the pier. “It is possible you may not return as expected. It is a dangerous place you seek.” Once again her palm appeared.
“And how much does the woman sailor want from us?” my huoban asked.
Even the furrowed brow on her ivory forehead does not diminish the beauty. “Five gold–each.”
I slipped my fingers into my purse and brought out the coins. Lao Peng You snatched them from my hand, added them to his and dropped them one-by-one onto the expectant palm of the sea seductress. She smiled in satisfaction and then moved aside.
“Marquis, when shall we expect your return?” Xin Yue inquired as we stepped onto the wobbly dock.
“The Baron and I plan to be gone most of the day. I should imagine we shall return shortly before the sun is set.”
The lady captain smiled at me in a way I have not yet experienced. “A Baron, you say. Why did I not know this before?” She may have actually winked at me.
“Yes, well,” I muddled. “It’s not a big thing…”
“Of course it is,” she cooed. All of a sudden this woman is taking an interest in me. Why did I not mention the title previously?
My huoban formally introduced us, “I am Marquis Pichan, and this is Baron Dongting.” We each bowed slightly for effect.
“Dongting?!” she shouted. “Dongting?!” she repeated. “My uncle, Wang Yue, was supposed to be the Baron of Dongting.” She glared at me now. Any trace of romantic interest gone.
“But, but, but, but…” was all I could get to come out of my forlorn mouth.
“You are the stupid egg who snatched his rightful title away from him!”
“But, but, but, but…” continued the sad barrage.
Her finger pointed into the jungle behind us. “Get off my boat! Get off my boat! Go away! Go far, far away! Never want to see you again!” She turned back to the crew, “Cast off! Cast off!”
As the junk pulled out, I could see the shorter sailor looking in my direction and shedding a slight tear.
⊚
The Marquis and I stood on the shore of a remote river, many li from any civilization with little hope of ever returning.
I attempted to stare a hole through his head. “Did you not know who she was? Did you not know how she might react? Did you not know this would happen?”
He shrugged, “Pihua happens,” and hiked off into the jungle.
Not wanting to be left behind, I run to catch up with him. “Where are we going now?”
“To find your precious tea leaves, huoban.”
“What does it look like? How will I know when we find it?”
“It is a twisting vine with five jagged leaves on a stalk. The female plants have black berries. We want the male plants.”
Lao Peng You led us steadily through the overgrown vegetation as if he had been through here before. After about a li or so we came to a clearing with a small bog in the middle. Around the perimeter were climbing vines with five-leaved stalks.
“Is this it, huoban?”
He examined the plants carefully, “Yes, I believe this is it. Good job. Leave the female plants.”
We worked for a few hours, plucking leaves. My fingers started getting numb.
“Marquis, how are we getting back to civilization?”
“Baron, you worry too much. Something will turn up. If not, we can always walk.”
“Walk? That would take years, and we don’t know where we are going.”
“And years we have, my friend.”
I looked around suspiciously. “What kind of wild animals live in this jungle?”
“Nothing more dangerous than you and me,” he smiled. It was little comfort.
With our leaf-stuffed bags, we began walking back toward the little dock. When I accidentally put my right foot into the marshy bog, I sank down to my knee. Lao Peng You, who started off before me, kept walking, taking no notice of my predicament. Fortunately, my left foot still rested on solid ground. I pushed down on my left leg as hard as I could, but the sludge held my other foot firmly, seemingly sucking it down even farther with each attempt. When I wiggled and wriggled my ankle, the muck separated, allowing me to bring the wayward foot back to the surface, but very slowly.
When I could see my right knee again, the foot struck something solid from below. Trapped. I shall perish in this remote jungle. At least it is more beautiful than the cinnabar mines of Dong Ping.
“Hao Lan!” I could hear my huoban calling out for me. He finally realized my absence.
With one last struggle, I popped my foot out of the mire, bringing the solid object with me. It rested on top of the bog just beyond my arm’s reach. As the mud flowed off of it, the sun’s rays illuminated the stone within, a piece of jade about the size of my two fists together. The light flashed green and I could see it had intricate carvings.
I looked around for something to help me retrieve it. A nearby tree branch had fallen, and I picked up the dried wood, about twice as long as my arm. Steadying myself on the solid ground nearest to the object, I reached out with the branch and slowly scooted the jade across the surface to the spot where I had been standing when my foot sunk in. Once it was close enough to the firm soil, I dropped the piece of wood and walked over to the shiny stone, careful not to repeat my silly mistake.
Leaves rustled nearby, and I guessed that Lao Peng You had traced the route back to me. Before he could get to the clearing, I reached out and rescued the little jade, quickly stowing it in my bag just before he appeared from behind a bush.
“Huoban, what happened to you?” his concern sounded somewhat sincere.
I pointed down to the soiled right leg. “My foot got stuck in the mud. It has taken me a while to extricate the errant limb.” I smiled.
He squinted at me, “Please be more careful about where you place your legs from now on.”
“Yes, huoban.”
We started walking on the path back to the dock again. The sun appeared to be getting close to the Western horizon and it would be dark in a few hours. I really do not want to sleep out here with all the wild animals. Even if I am an Immortal, there might be pain involved, and I have had more than my lifetime’s share of pain.
Suddenly a squawking racket split my ears.