In the year 175 A.D. when China was still united as one and under the influence of the Han, the south eastern region remained like most other regions at that time, which was all in all quiet and peaceful. Nobles and such which were the upper class citizens of China seemed to respect each other and never seemed to hesitate in helping his fellow man out, yet under this kind and noble exterior lay a poisonous and deadly truth. There was a strong undercurrent of competition and threat that was never spoken of, but was on every one of any importance's mind. Power, money, and greed got supposed allies to turn on one another. The Chinese were quite hostile, but their fear of the Han kept them silentâat least for now.
Over the course of 9 years things changed rapidly, rebellious acts took place, many noblemen were found murdered for unexplained reasons, and of course their were many complaints about how the Han governed the country. 184 A.D. was the putrid year in which forth power poisoned the minds of way too many, the year that sent China straight to the molten rock boundaries of hell. For years to come the only color was blood red, the only sound was that of dying men, and the only emotion was hatred.
Yet we shall not stray from where are story begins, we are focusing (as I mentioned earlier) on the year 175 A.D. and our location is somewhere in the Southeastern region. In the Jiang Dong territory, a prominent little area that was quickly modernizing almost as amazingly as the capitol itself their lived a very influential family that was adorned with respect and appreciation from the common civilians. The family owned a large estate thanks to Zhou Mao, the head of the household and the most influential of all the people in the Zhou family. His kindness to the people of the area, and his keen business skills are what got his family where they were influentially and financially. Zhou Mao was not only famed for being a good mannered businessman, but also for being very handsome in his own right. He had at least 27 concubines, all of which greatly enjoyed his company and of course his appealing looks. They also appreciated that he was a kind lord (Especially after having many relatives and friends having a far worse fate.)
For sexual pleasures Zhou Mao did visit his courtesans quite often, but yet he loved no one like his beautiful young wife Mei Ling Ping. He treasured her beyond all others and he thought she felt the same love for him that he felt for herâbut he had been careless. Years earlier when he had first taken Mei Ling as his bride she was truly and deeply in love with him. He had done anything in his power to make her happy, and she remembered how kind and shy he was in her presence with great remorse and nostalgia. All she had wanted from him was his sweet love for her, she felt as though she thrived on it like she thrived on water or oxygen. At first that's what he gave and she was happy, but over time it seemed as if his love for her was replaced by materialism. After some time she hardly ever touched him, or laughed with him, or even saw him for that matter because as his influence grew throughout the land, his departures grew too. They were longer and further away and poor Mei Ling grew sadder and lonelier. Mei Ling's close friends and her ladies in waiting noticed her growing colder and less lively than she once was, especially considering the fact that she had secretly taken a lover to forget about her husband and her problems for a while. She felt alone and ignoredâand in truth she was. Her kind ladies in waiting, grand estate, and even her secret lovers weren't enough to satiate her loneliness when Zhou Mao was away, she just loved him too much.
After a few years she began to grow immune to the pain of heart ache and when he left she wasn't as sad as she was angry. Zhou Mao's departures began to grow even more frequent, sometimes he was gone for 3 or 4 months at a time. Naturally Mei Ling's secret lovers came more and more often and she began to just feel the pleasure and not the guilt. Her love for her husband transformed into an extreme hatred. It was a hatred built from her love, yet her husband did not seem to realize her hostility towards him. After another year or so Mei Ling was too tired to hate anyone or anything anymore. She just wanted to be happy, so her hatred evolved into indifference towards her husband. She began to not care about Zhou Mao anymore. He was never around so what difference did it make? When he walked into a room she didn't even notice his presence.
Although Mei Ling hardly even recognized her husband anymore she could still thank him for one thing, and that was her beautiful children whom she loved with all her heart. She had 4 gorgeous daughters, and 2 ravishing young sons. Her favorite child was the youngest boy who was 6 years old. He was dubbed Yu at birth, making his full name Zhou Yu. His name was chosen carefully by the best witch doctor in the area because the moment his mother saw his sweet little face she knew he was special and he had to have a good name. The witch doctor chose Yu because it meant Honor or Jade. The doctor thought this name would be a good luck charm that would lead him down the road to honor and glory, and be quite handsome as well. At 6 years old, so far his name had been quite the good luck charm in terms of looks. Most people that saw the child were quite certain he was the most beautiful creature on earth, everyone that laid eyes on him would gape at his delicate face, especially his mysterious brown eyes which frightened yet intrigued. This swelled great pride in his mother's heart.
Not only was he handsome beyond all compare, but he was also brilliantly clever in almost everything he did. He was quick on his feet, a wonderful dancer and musician, and he enjoyed to read and write. He was also extremely clever. His father was also very proud of him as well, and he taught his son classic Chinese and Japanese literature as well as mathematics, history, and various sciences all of which Zhou Yu excelled at profoundly.
Despite all of Zhou Yu's talents and beauty he had one flaw. He was almost painfully shy and whenever anyone tried to speak with him he would point his lovely face so low towards the ground that people would literally be looking at his scalp. Then he would give a quick and almost inaudible reply and hurry on his way, or if it was a more formal occasion he would stand in place, still hanging his head towards the ground practically wheezing in his insecurity. Many told his mother he was still quite young, and it was normal for boys that age to be so shy, but Mei Ling was worried. It certainly did help that most people felt an eerie aura about the boy that they couldn't quite describe. Maybe it was in his eyes, maybe it was his mysterious personality that seemed icy and almost impossible to crack. Whatever it was, people seemed lured yet scared of him. No one seemed to be able to understand Zhou Yu's strange and quiet attitudes. It just seemed so strange that some one so perfect in every way would keep so much to him self. He mother was afraid that his detachment and beauty would cause people to believe that he was conceited later on in his life, but she had no idea what to do.
When problems with her favorite arose she turned her attention towards her other three children who were not as beautiful or talented as their brother, but they still had things going for them. The elder brother was Zhou Jin. He was 14 years of age and his face and body were beginning to grow quite appealing in a very masculine way. He resembled his father who took great self-importance in this. Still, Zhou Jin turned green with Jealousy when his 6 year old brother walked into a room. It baffled Zhou Jin how 30 year old women seemed enamored with his brother and not him. Zhou Yu was so much more feminine in looks, and he was so incredibly timid. What did women see in that? Did they just think Zhou Yu was cute? It didn't really matter to Zhou Jin what the women's motives were, he was just upset when all the female attention was taken away from him, and it always was when his brother was present. Zhou Yu was a threat.
The oldest child in the whole Zhou family was 16 years old. Her name was Zhou An. She had a perfectly formed body and had secretly pledged to herself never to marry until she was at least 30. She wanted to spend her youth with as many different men as possible, and she already had had a fair amount. Yet thiswas information she knew her parents could never find out about unless she wanted to pay some ultimate consequences. Like Zhou Jin, she had her own problems with Zhou Yu as well. One evening when she was 15 and Zhou Yu was 5 he accidentally walked in on her when she was being intimate with a male maidservant that usually attended on their mother. Zhou An still remembered with disgust the shocked look on her young brother's face. The words still haunted her mind. "Sister, what are you doing liketh" The way her brother accentuated the word that made her feel dirty. She had told him to never tell mother or father about that situation for as long as he lived. So far, he hadn't. He wasn't even aware of what they had been doing. Yet Zhou An could never not be suspicious when around him.
The second oldest daughter was Zhou Tai. She was 13. She wasn't beautiful like her older sister, but she was pretty in her own way childish way. She was the only one out of all her siblings that actually liked Zhou Yu. Actually, like isn't strong enough a word. She loved her brother more than anything in the world and some said her love led to obsession in later years. Zhou Yu always had a warm smile or a kind word or two for her, people just judged him because they didn't understand him. She appreciated how mature he was for his age, and his beauty some what baffled her.
The youngest of the children were Zhou Mee and Zhou Hua. They were 4 years old and were very pretty little girls. They were also very annoying. Zhou Gin and Zhou Yu hardly ever saw them because they were usually in the women's quarters being taught the lady like things Zhou Tai already learned (and was still learning.)
At this time in that small southern province a strange thing occurred that would later change the lives of thousands. The whole village was awaiting the arrival of the glorious Sun family! They were very wealthy, even wealthier than the Zhou family. Sun Jian, who was the head of the Sun household thought the industrial lifestyle of the northern provinces wasn't good for his family, and for this reason decided to move to the southern district, in the same village the Zhou's lived in. Sun Jian and Zhou Mao had been distant friends for some time, and Zhou Mao knew in order to make Sun Jian a close friend and ally he had to have the Sun family arrive to something very special.
It was early spring and the cherry blossoms resurrected once again for another short life. The Zhou family estate certainly was a beautiful sight. It was full of color, light, and of course many fair maidens (all property of Zhou Mao) and their ladies in waiting. They all bustled about chattering and laughing. The courtyard was chalk full of gleaming white teeth and beautiful robes of pinks and yellows and greens dancing in the wind, mingling with their shimmering hair. Viewing all of this sat Zhou Gin. He was admiring the fair spectacle in great observation. He had already developed a keen interest in women.
"Oh how beautiful women are!" Gin said to Zhou Tai who sat with him under the large blossom tree. She had wandered outside after him earlier minutes earlier because boredom had swept over her and she knew she had nothing better to do than listen to her shallow brother fawn over their father's whores.
"Daddy will be pleased to know his eldest son will follow in his footsteps and become a great womanizer!" Zhou Tai said sarcastically. Zhou Gin's eyes did not stray from the women in the courtyard below.
"Yes, I'm sure father will be very pleased." He commented totally unaware of Zhou Tai's sarcasm. She rolled her eyes back in disgust. Suddenly she knew what to say.
"Zhou Yu won't end up like you, he's someone I can respect and he's just a child. You should be ashamed!" Suddenly Zhou Gin's face grew red hot. He swirled around, his long and tangled hair whipping her face.
"Never mention him!" He blurted out at her, pointing a long index finger in her face. Tai did not fear him and she slapped his hand away.
"I can't believe you! You're jealous of a mere child! You're pathetic. All you can think about is women!"
Gin lashed out at her. "If you were a man you would think of women too!" At this Tai laughed out loud.
"You are just a child and no man!" Gin was glowing red, half with embarrassment and half with anger.
"Justâjust forget it! I hate you!" Gin called to her as he stomped off away from her. He had lost another fight. Their fights never lasted long because of Tai's sharp and witty tongue. As she indulged in her victory for a few moments she heard her mother's voice inquire her out from inside the mansion. Quickly Tai scrambled into the parlor where she saw seated her beautiful mother in even more ornate robes than usual. At her side sat the restless twins Mee and Hua who were trying to break away from their mother's firm grip. Her mother's rouged lips suddenly turned upward in a smile.
"Tai my sweet, sit down." Tai was confused by her mother's strangely optimistic attitude, but she knew questioning her would result in punishment. Quickly she sat herself down across from her mother wondering what would happen next.
Mei Ling began to speak.
"Daughter, as you already know the Sun family will be arriving tonight." Tai nodded her head.
"Now, you know every one in the whole estate has been working harder than any peasant for weeks now in preparation for their arrival. God knows your father has been." Tai was perplexed.
"Mother, what is it that you want?" Mei Ling's lips curled.
"Darling, this is serious. You see, I think since more and more influential people are coming to our area you should try to be, wellâwell moreâlady like! Yes, lady like!" Tai clicked her teeth. It was true she enjoyed things like swimming in ponds and wrestling and other things that girls were not known to do, but she didn't see anything wrong with it.
Tai was angry. "So?"
Her mother inhaled deeply. "So that means from now on no more playing silly games with the other boys, including your brothers!"
Tai couldn't believe what she was hearing. No more Zhou Yu? "But mother," Tai's voice cracked in desperation. "why can't I spend my time with Zhou Yu. He's a good influence. He-"
Tai's voice was suddenly cut of by her mother.
"Tai! Please! He is a boy, a 6 year old boy. Do you know how strange it looks when a beautiful young woman like yourself is spending her time with a child of the male sex! It's embarrassing! We can't let a powerful family like the Sun's see such a shameful sight! Besides, you should be spending your time learning to dance and play an instrument. No more out doors for you. From this day forth you will devote your time to useful thingsâlike attracting an honorable and rich man." Tears began to blur Tai's vision.
"But Mama!" Mei Ling raised a well manicured hand in Tai's small face.
"But nothing, Zhou Tai! This is final! You're father agrees with this arrangement as well. You are not allowed anywhere except within the walls of the women's quarter from now on. You're an attractive girl, you'll be safer here." With that Mei Ling hugged Mee and Hua close to her breast. Tai's lip trembled violently. She was so livid that she envisioned a razor at her mother's neck. Of course she could live without the sports and the outdoors. Of course she could devote all of her time to learning the arts. Butâhow could she live without seeing her little brother? He was her best friend.
Mei Ling's features were as unmoving as a stone's. "Your maid servants will be with you in a short time to prepare you for tonight's banquet." Mei Ling lifted herself up and moved to the door, long silk robes trailing behind her. Both of her hands were full with Tai's little sisters. "Oh yes, one more things. Please don't embarrass me." With that the door slammed and Mei Ling was gone, like a devil from hell. Tai's teeth clenched and her vision began to grow scarlet red. I hate her. She thought. I hate her, I hate her, I hate her. Suddenly, Tai fell to the floor in agony, tears poured from her eyes and onto the floor. What good does my hate do? Will it free me from this prison cell? Will it prevent me from attending those horrible dance and singing lessons" Tai's heart shuddered in her chest and she began to scream. There were only two words trailing through the depths of her troubled mind. Zhou Yu