3. One Character3. One Character
“If you choose to do what you love,” the ruby recites, “you shall never have to work a day in your life.”
“Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back,” the emerald states, “then choose the path that leads to wisdom.”
“There are two alternatives,” the opal shares, “be clever and deceive others, or avoid cleverness and be virtuous.”
And here I am again, in the presence of the three gems of wisdom. As always, their statements are contradictory and confusing to me. Shen Lung instructed me to heed their teachings, carefully weighing each statement for its own truth. I hope that someday they will begin to make more sense to me.
Behind me I could hear faint footsteps. I turn around and behold an aged, slightly stooped gentleman with a short, grey beard. He appears wizened and sage, wearing the distinctive square, black hat of a great scholar. In his arms are a collection of bamboo slats with writing.
“You see before you an old man, a teacher, some people would say,” he tells me. “Some identify me as master,” he blinks and looks behind me at the wall with the three gems, “and some call me an old fool.”
He then stares directly at me as if I am supposed to do something or say something.
“You need not do or say anything at all.” Apparently he is a bit of a mind-reader as well. I begin to wonder if he is Shen Lung in disguise once again, testing me. “You are quite young for an Immortal, Hao Lan,” and he knows my name, “but you have great potential.”
He extends his arms with the bundle of bamboo pages, urging me to take them. “Here is all the wisdom you shall ever require. Read these and know the keys to all the great mysteries.”
As I collect the slats I ask, “What is this?”
He smiles, “This is the ‘Classic of The Way.’ I have spent most of my life collecting and sifting through the moments of pain, sorrow, happiness, humility, forgiveness and acceptance. This is the result of my analyses and knowledge, the summation of my teachings.” He winks at me. “And it is a sweet gift for you, my sweet child.”
I look down at the pile of pages. The amount of writing is staggering and overwhelming. It might take me years to get through it all. Fortunately, I have many, many years ahead of me.
“When you are thoroughly familiar with the contents and concepts therein, you may wish to attempt to share these ideas with the rest of the civilized world. Some may listen, but most shall not. A few will rise in anger at what you have to say, others might accept these words as irrefutable truths.”
This appears to be quite a daunting task for just one person.
A curious question occurs to me. “Did you try to instruct others?”
He smiles a wry, wise and amused little grin, “How do you think I got the name of Old Teacher or Master?”
“Yes, of course.” How silly of me. “May I know your proper name so that I may give you tribute and thank you personally, Master?”
Again he smiles, “I have a name, or rather, I had a name.” He looks up to the heavens as if it were written in the clouds. “Long forgotten, hardly ever used.” His gaze returns to me. “Names are unimportant. Ideas are everything.”
I feel like he has given me the very keys to the Universe. His knowledge, his wisdom, his truths.
“The Universe, yes. It was once mine.” The fellow steps forward, pats me on the shoulder as he passes, “It is now yours. Use it very, very mindfully. Farewell.”
With those words he walks effortlessly through the wall of solid gold and silver with the three large gems, as if it were a gentle waterfall.
“Well, what do you think of that?” I ask the stones.
“Follow the rules,” the red jewel states, “even though they can be sour.”
“Follow your path,” the green gem advises, “even though it may be bitter.”
“Follow that man,” the white stone instructs, “for he is most certainly sweet.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “A wise old man hands me a pile of bamboo pages to study, disappears through your wall, and that is all you can say? You are supposed to be my guides, my mentors, my advisors. I perceive no insight here. Where is your wisdom?” I glare at them questioningly.
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the sourest.”
“If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue shall naturally come to him, even if it is bitter.”
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. It is sweet.”
“All this discussion of wisdom.” I ask them, “What has it gotten the three of you? As long as I have known you, all I receive is words, words, and more words.”
No response.
“What is wrong? Where are you words now?” I stare at each of the gems in turn. “Normally you have a comment for everything.” Their lights diminish to darkness. The wall melts before my eyes, disappearing totally, the vapor vanishing instantly. Behind it lies a beautiful landscape: a lake with birds, a grassy meadow, tall, narrow, snow-capped peaks in the distance, clouds perched on the mountain tops.
I step over the line where the wall once stood.
Knocking at my door woke me.
“Baron! Baron! I cannot find Tian Mei anywhere!”
He did not know that Tian Mei no longer existed and could no longer be found anywhere. However, I did not want my new partner, who was still in the bed next to me, to get into any trouble with my old partner.
“Huoban, please calm down. Your servant is here with me.”
Yes, in fact, the young man had spent the entire night. I pointed to the ‘Classic of Changes’ on the table. He donned his robe and went to it.
I got into my tunic and opened the door.
Lao Peng You cautiously peered into my suite, squinting around, searching for the wayward servant.
“Tian Mei! You have duties to perform! Return to my suite immediately and prepare my clothes for the day.” He pointed in the general direction of his rooms.
“Marquis,” I said in my calmest voice possible, “I could not sleep past dawn this morning. Upon rising, I saw your servant in the garden again. I asked for assistance with deciphering the Yi Jing. It is most confusing, and the girl seems to have a working knowledge of this particularly complicated system.”
Lao Peng You gazed at Zhong Shi with an arched eyebrow. “Indeed. How… convenient.” He then turned his disbelieving look at me. “I told you this is piffle,” he pointed at the book.
“I find it rather fascinating, huoban,” and I smiled politely. “I intend to study it in the hopes of it giving me some perspective on our existence and, perhaps, some guidance along the way.”
“Yes, well, some guidance and perspective can be helpful from time to time, when one requires such nonsense. However, it is now time to prepare for the day.” He turned to the servant, “Back to my suite with you,” and then to me, “You I shall see at the tables later.” Without another word, they left my rooms. My eyes followed Zhong Shi.
After they left, I contemplated the scene we had just played. Once again I had prevaricated to hide my true actions and feelings. Words regarding love and deception stung in my head.
⊚
After my own breakfast, I joined Lao Peng You at the Mahjong table. His servant stood in the corner, as usual, waiting for the master to bellow orders.
An hour later I grew tired and began to rise.
“Sit, my friend,” the Marquis requested. “One more hand.”
The ‘one more hand’ turned out to be a disaster for him and the other two players. I was East, and when I declared Mahjong, I had put together a hand of all One tiles (Characters, Dots and Bamboo), a Pung of East and a pair of White Dragons. When I stood, I had acquired all the wealth of the other players.
“Marquis,” I addressed him, “Thank for you suggesting another game. It has proven most profitable.” When I smiled, he frowned sourly.
I stood and returned to my suite. Zhong Shi followed my movements as best as possible with the watchful gaze of Lao Peng You observing everything within his sight.
That afternoon I strolled through the garden to the bench under the old gingko. For some reason I did not understand at the time, I sat and relaxed, even though I was not tired. Within a few minutes, I had fallen asleep again.
“Hao Lan,” the voice of Shen Lung calls.
“I am here, Master.” It is dark when I open my eyes.
“Please keep your eyes closed, Little One. The darkness will blind you.”
Always one to follow the rules when dragons are involved, I keep my eyes closed.
“Once again you have completed the task I have set before you.”
“You are my Lord, O Great One.”
“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.” I am grateful that I can still amuse him. “Yes. And you have completed my command well within the time allotted.”
It would appear that another task is about to follow.
“I have a request for you.”
A request? Usually he has commands or assignments. What could he possibly want to ask me to do that did not involve a direct order?
“Yes, it is a request, not a command or assignment. In your last dream you received ‘The Classic of The Way.’”
“Yes, my Lord. The old man handed me the bundle of bamboo.”
“’The old man,’” he repeats, mocking my use of the phrase. “That ‘old man,’ as you put it, is the most sage scholar in all of our country’s history. Never again will someone with his intellect walk our soil and engage our people.”
“He seemed quite learned,” I try to say something agreeable before he gets too worked up.
“Indeed. He was quite learned. A good student.”
“Your student?” I sound incredulous. “Was he also an Immortal?”
“Oh, no,” he blinked. “That one was too wise for immortality. One lifetime was all he required.”
‘Too wise for immortality’? What does that make me?
“Can you comprehend the writing, Hao Lan?”
“Yes, my Lord. It is standard Seal Script. My teacher made sure I could understand it.”
“Good. I would like you to read the book and remember its teachings.”
“Shen Lung, I do not have the book. It is only in my dreams.”
“Yes, I am well aware of that, my servant. Each day you shall return to this spot and learn while dreaming. Is that clear?”
“Yes. That is your request. I shall read and learn from the book.”
“Very good. Open your eyes and begin.”
I slowly separate my eyelids. I can see sheets of golden brown silk hanging from bamboo frames about an arm’s-length taller than a man. The fabric undulates freely, even though there is no breeze. There are dozens of banners with writing all about me in a broad, flat meadow with a river running nearby. The first page begins ‘The Way that can be discoursed is not the eternal Way.’
For the next few weeks I spent my time divided between the Mahjong table, the bench under the gingko and Zhong Shi. Occasionally, he and I would engage Daniao after the Marquis fell asleep for the night. As time went on, the three of us developed a supportive friendship, each receiving what he needed from the others.
My earnings from Mahjong increased and my knowledge of ‘The Way’ blossomed as well. The teachings of the Old Master applied to the game of tiles likewise.
At one point I asked Zhong Shi if he was receiving nighttime visits from Shen Lung. He nodded. I guess it is all part of being an Immortal. We all have our individual relationship with the Blue Dragon and we all have our separate assignments. I can only hope that the young fellow was able to satisfy our Lord’s demands satisfactorily.
⊚
On the Fifteenth day of the Eighth Month, we observed the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at Changshou Shan. The origins of the celebration are clouded from antiquity, but it has something to do with the beloved wife of a great hero named Yi. While her husband was away, she swallowed an elixir of immortality to keep it away from an evil man, and in the process she became a celestial being, the Moon. Well, that is how some of our pointless traditional festivals are inaugurated, and we just keep perpetuating the old myths. At least it is a festival with good food.
One of the traditional treats is the Moon Cake, a flaky, round, palm-sized pie filled with savory meat. Lao Peng You had Zhong Shi work with Daniao in the kitchen to help prepare the special meal. The two of them walked around with trays full of these delicious-looking pastries. When Zhong Shi stopped near me to serve another guest, I attempted to reach for one of the cakes. When he saw what I was doing, he quickly moved the tray out of my grasp and shook his head slightly. I guess he does not want me to partake of them for some reason.
Across the way I could see my huoban stuffing his face with cake after cake. I still cannot understand how he can eat so much yet remain the same size. Perhaps this is one of the many benefits of being an Immortal.
Zhong Shi pointed to a bowl of pumpkin and taro. I scooped some of the mixture into another small bowl and tasted it. The pale, clay-like color of the fruit mix was somewhat off-putting, but the taste more than made up for it. Blended into the mélange were sweet spices and a hint of osmanthus blossom.
Following the meal came the music and dancing. While I am not much of an athlete, I merely enjoyed the others who moved to the beat and displayed their acrobatic abilities. From time to time I looked for Zhong Shi. He could not get far from Lao Peng You, who kept ordering him to retrieve bowl after bowl of food.
⊚
The following day, Lao Peng You appeared at my suite looking peaked, pale, parched and a bit paunchy.
“Come in, huoban, come in. You appear unwell.”
He entered slowly, not with his usual burst of energy.
“Baron, I fear something is not right with me.” He sat uncomfortably and with obvious pain, as a man with advanced years might.
“What can it be?”
He shook his head slowly. “I am quite uncertain, but I do believe it is best that I journey to Chongqing to pay a visit to my personal physician and soothsayer.”
“Yes, that seems appropriate. When will you be leaving?”
His listless eyes turned to me. “That is why I am here. I wish you to accompany me. Traveling by myself would be unwise.”
“But you have your servant to keep you company.” I would miss Zhong Shi. The young man had sown a blossom in my heart, more so than I could have ever intended. We treated each other with kindness and respect, more than either of us received from Lao Peng You.
The Marquis waved his hand dismissively with what energy he had left. “That useless wangba does nothing for me. I need you, huoban. Please.” His reddened eyes moistened with tears of discomfort. “Please.”
It was painful for me to hear him speak that way of his servant. I have never been able to understand his disdain for the boy. Perhaps it has something to do with his desire for revenge upon Wang Yue, Zhong Shi’s former master. Until I can devise a way to get the servant away from him, I must respect my huoban’s behavior, whether I condone it or not. Also, if I accompany him to Chongqing, I will not be separated from the beloved Zhong Shi.
However, Shen Lung requested I spend some time each day reading from ‘The Classic of The Way,’ and there is so much more for me to learn. Nevertheless, it would have been uncharitable for me to refuse a request from the one who saved me from my own early death.
“Of course, huoban. I can be ready tomorrow morning.”
“Good,” he rose slowly, “I shall see you at dawn.”
⊚
The next morning, the three of us set out for Chongqing, Lao Peng You, Zhong Shi and me. Without dragons or boats, it was to be a two-day journey by oxcart. Our provisions included food and drink for a week, and a Mahjong set.
At this time of the year, some of the leaves had begun to lose their green color, turning to a golden red. The air smelled slightly of honey, and the birds kept us company along our way.
The first night we stopped by a stream and slept under the burnished sky. At one point I looked at Zhong Shi then heavenward just in time to witness a trail of fire across the field of stars. An omen, of course, but who was to say whether it was good or bad. We smiled at each other.
Lao Peng You’s condition seemed to worsen the next day. He seemed older, paler, fatter. There finally came a time when he could no longer steer the wagon. Fortunately, I had observed sufficiently and was able to take over the reins. Zhong Shi sat next to me while my huoban rested in the back of the cart.
By nightfall we had reached the tenuous Wushan Bridge across the Yangtze, a spidery ribbon high above the churning waters below. I suggested we camp behind a nearby hill and make the river crossing at first light. The slender thread terrified me and I wanted to put off the inevitable as long as possible.
After a meager dinner of provisions we had brought with us from Changshou Shan, we talked for a while, discussing our previous journeys, adventures at the Mahjong table, and Lao Peng You’s favorite food delicacies. Near midnight we all fell asleep in the cart.
I am standing halfway up the side of a snow-capped peak. The stone beneath my feet is black like onyx. Only a few brave little pine trees have dared to sprout from the nearly vertical wall. A slight wind blows the clouds around gently. Perhaps I am ascending up into Heaven itself.
“Do not be silly, Little One,” the voice of Shen Lung rings out, “you are not going to Heaven. At least not today.”
That is a bit of a relief. One can never be sure with the Blue Dragon.
“Shen Lung,” I call, “I have concern for Lao Peng You. He does not appear well.”
“Yes, I know.” He flies into my view and hovers near the mountain.
“What is wrong with him?”
The dragon’s eyes whirl as he considers his response. “He has displeased us and shall receive appropriate punishment.”
‘Appropriate punishment’ does not sound like a leisurely boat trip down the Yangtze River. I glance at Shen Lung. “Was I the cause of his disobedience, O Great One?”
“Ha, ha, ha! You continue to amuse me, my servant,” the blue beast smiled. “Your behavior is not in question at the moment. However, I shall advise you to refrain from uttering untruths. It is not becoming for someone of your station.”
Untruths? What had I said? Oh yes. I have told a few small lies regarding the conduct of Tian Mei, now Zhong Shi.
“Once you begin with falsehoods, it might be difficult to return to the path of correctness. But because you are not using these untruths to better yourself or damage others, it is of little consequence for the moment.”
That is very reassuring. It does help me to realize my affection for the boy has altered my usual obedient behavior.
“How are your studies with ‘The Classic of The Way’ going?”
I understand that by accompanying my huoban I am not complying with Shen Lung’s request to read from it every day. “The book is thoughtful and immense. I am not even halfway through it yet.”
“And still you are taking time off to accompany your associate on a journey.”
“Yes, my Lord. Lao Peng You requested that I travel with him. He has given me my new life and I did not want to disappoint him. I hope this does not displease you.”
He smiles. “A few days in the life of an Immortal are of little importance compared to the dedication of your friendship. Of course, it also keeps you with your precious Zhong Shi, does it not?”
I decided to avoid answering the insinuating question. “Can you tell me what shall happen to Lao Peng You?”
The Blue Dragon glowered at me. “It is not your concern, my little servant.”
“But he is my friend, my Lord. Without him I would be nothing. I would be a sickly miner in Hunan or, more likely, dead.” I bow in obeisance, nearly falling off the side of the mountain.
“While it is true that he did bring you into the circle of Immortals, since that time he has not obeyed subsequent commands and orders from his overlords. He has been disobedient in ways that concern us greatly.”
“Of course, my Lord.” I bow again, but not as deeply. “You are the Master. I shall obey in all things.”
“That is good to hear.”
“O Great One. It is you who hold my life in your… well, you who hold my life. My obedience to you is paramount.”
“Indeed. For example, if I tell you to leap off the side of a mountain, you shall leap.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Go ahead, then. Leap.”
“What?” He wants me to jump from the side of this cliff? It must be at least a li to the bottom from here.
“Yes. Leap. Demonstrate your obedience to me now. Follow my command. Leap!”
“Have I offended you in some way that you are unhappy with me, O Great One?” I bow daintily a few more times, just to make sure. “I shall make every endeavor to return to your good graces, if only you would allow me the opportunity, my Lord.”
“Not at all, Hao Lan. You have never been out of my ‘good graces,’ as you call it. However, your scrupling is becoming rather annoying. Either jump now or I shall push you off.”
Before I could take another breath, I leapt obediently into the air, not knowing where I might land.