Chapter One
In my youth and the first days of King Helu's reign, near the banks of the Waicheng River. Inside the walls of my family home, next to the gardens, we practiced our fighting techniques.
Master Shan had been instructing Yuxuan and me in all things under heaven and Earth. He had taught us military strategies devised by his friend, General Sun Tzu, as well as self-defense techniques (jueli) handed down to him from his father. He taught us the six arts; rites, music, archery, chariotry, calligraphy, and mathematics. Master Shan was influenced by the writings of Confucius, which means we had to be as well. The fact that Confucius was from the rival territory of Lu, made my Master's teachings on the dangerous side.
Yuxuan was my neighbor and closest friend. We could be found terrorizing everything in our path when set free of our instruction, for we dare not get out of line around him. He's libel to paint your backside red with his hand. We're not supposed to venture outside the walls of family homes without supervision, but we do it anyways. What else could be expected? Yuxuan's father was often gone on a military campaign and My father was always gone selling goods across the kingdoms. So Yuxuan was like a brother to me, for we were always together. People say we were like twins for we were equals in everything we did. Athletics, studies, crossing swords, it didn't matter, we never got the better of each other.
The other thing we had in common was our crush on our other neighbor, Li Jie. We would get on my rooftop so we could see if she was practicing her flute in her family garden hoping to catch a glimpse. Her father was an advisor to the King, so unfortunately it meant he never left the city. Back then she could send both of us soaring with just a look our way, and we'd have to duck down real quick knowing we were caught. It was a simpler world for all of us.
"You may begin." Our Master quietly gestures. I adjust my stance seeing if I can get a reaction. There is none. I look into his eyes to see if they give away his intentions this morning, but nothing yet. We both grab each other's wrists and arms, as our bare chests left nothing to get leverage. This was just the opening, as we are trying not to leave an opening to be thrown. After shifting our feet, and making adjustments to our handholds, we try to get the other positioned just right. With every move we make, the other quickly counters to keep it a stalemate. I manage to turn his body so I can step with my right foot behind his, as I go for a throw, but he manages to keep his balance and readjusts. The longer it goes on fatigue of the body but mostly the mind starts to set in. We start to make mistakes and we threw each other several times but we both quickly escape. Constantly the match goes back to a stalemate until our Master has had enough. "Every day I keep hoping that one of you truly defeats the other, if only just for my amusement." Master Shan joked.
"Master, perhaps you could introduce different opponents, then you'd see us attain victory every time." I sneak my joke in.
"They wouldn't stand a chance because of your teachings, Master." Yuxuan joins in.
"Oh, you both wish to test yourselves, is that it?" He folds his hands together behind his back and puts his "Master" face on.
"Yes, Master, but also just to break up the repetition. Why must we do the same routines all the time?" I said, not meaning for it to be a critique.
"You dislike my methods, do you? Perhaps you wish to teach me the lesson today?" He said a little guarded.
"No master, my apologies Master. I only meant that you've taught us so much about how rigid thinking made us like stagnant ponds. That we should be flowing like a river. If we fight in routines, won't are fighting become stagnate?" I hoped I recovered myself.
"Yes, what you have said is true, but multiple things can be true at the same time. Why do you think we use repetition so much in all of your instructions?" My Master seizes the moment, but he is asking Yuxuan.
"So it gets into our thick skulls, Master." He uses a joke probably scared to say the wrong answer.
"That too, but it is to build a foundation. Some things we are born with instincts, such as you don't have to think about breathing. When you were born you didn't walk, but now it is effortless. That is why we do routines young Kai because slowly these routines will be an instinct for you. Then you both will be unrivaled."
Yuxuan and I looked at each other with delusions of grandeur filling our minds. We bowed to our master in respect. "One more question master." I said, surprising myself, but now that I have his attention again, "Isn't the best sword the one that is never drawn? Is that not what you've taught us, to be peacemakers?" "Peacemakers first, but a sharp axe is still a sharp axe. If it is ever needed it will be there waiting. People who know you have an axe are less likely to cut down your trees. What do you say Yuxuan, are you a peacemaker? My Master swiveled his head to look at him.
"My father says that we are surrounded by Kings who are always looking to extend their borders. That we should beat them to it, and by attacking them we might be able to avoid more bloodshed down the road. Sometimes peace requires a show of strength like you said about the axe."
Master Shan turned away and looked at the wind blowing through the shrubbery in the yard. "Yuxuan, you see the axe as a means of strength to keep order. Do you agree Kai?"
I had to search long for my answer. "I see the axes in your story not as an object to be picked up to use it, but to be picked up and shown that we can put it back down."
Yuxuan had to chirp in, "Which of us is right Master?"
"Right? There is no such thing as right, there is only point of view. Now the two of you should wash, and work on your Calligraphy for today." As always we did what we were told.
Something is calming and soothing about simple work. You become so singularly involved that you tune out the noise in your mind. Calligraphy can be like that, it is a simple notion but complex in reality. Our Master joins us in keeping up the practice, so our quiet actions are surrounded by the chirps of birds, rustle of wind, and slow rush of water. So when my father returned home from his latest journey selling goods, the house erupts with noise and commotion. Yuxuan and I knew better than to join in and raise the ire of our teacher. We'd wait until my father came to us.
"Master Shan, please excuse my interruption." My father bowed as he made his way out into the gardens. Master Shan bowed in return, "So honored to welcome you home my Lord. They were just finishing their calligraphy lessons for the day, I was going to dismiss them."
"No, need to do so on my account. I've been so lucky to have you as their instructor, you bring great honor to my house. Such an accomplished teacher as you should be tutoring royalty, I am very fortunate." My father dressed in fine robes as always.
"Royal houses have found a bitter taste to my teachings, I have found fertile enough ground within your house. Your son is quite inquisitive, as is General Guo's heir. They are equal in every way. The time is not long before they will no longer need an old fool like me." Master Shan lamented.
"Master Shan we are planning a feast for this evening to celebrate our family reunion. I'd be honored if you'd stay as my guest." My father begged.
"Such an offer is beyond refusal." They bowed to each other once more.
My father now turned his attention to Yuxuan, "surely you and my son have been up to your usual mischief in my absence. It is good to see you nonetheless. Of course, I've already spoken to your mother as your family is invited as well. Have you any news from the General?"
"Thank you Mister Fu for allowing me to train in your house. I am pleased to see your return. The last news of my father was that he was still somewhere near the border of the kingdom of Chu." Yuxuan bowed. "May I be excused, master?" Bowing to Yuxuan and my father, Master Shan bowed in return. My father tapped him on the head as he walked by.
"Kai, my son. I've brought you some gifts from exotic lands, but also I've been dying to tell you stories of some strange creatures that we encountered. So many wonderful things I wish to tell you, but first." He opened his arms and I leaped into his arms for a hug. I needed that then and if I could go back to that moment I wouldn't have ever let him go.
When my father was around we ate well, as a wealthy family that is not unusual but my father liked to share his wealth with all. He was very generous to everyone he ever came in contact with, he never treated people of any social standing with less than respect. The people who worked around the house were treated like family and my father had chosen them because they came from desperate situations. He overpaid them and required far less of them. Generosity makes you many friends and admirers, but it strangely also makes you enemies. "Dr. Kang, you've traveled around from kingdom to kingdom like me, Have you felt safe? Do you think the constant battles for expansion, and annexing of territory will ever be settled?" My father, at the head of the table, switched the conversation of the feast to include the quiet doctor. "As long as men have ambition in their hearts, these wars will never stop. Perhaps a unified nation could bring peace, but then all the power would go to one person and that can be more dangerous. Having many leaders keeping each other in line can help balance the lands. Now that I think about it, perhaps it is what is the lesser evil." The good doctor thoughtfully joined. "Master Shan surely is the one to ask such questions, my friend."
"Oh, are you the one to ask Master Shan?" My father semi-joked.
"In regards to war, and leadership, If I consulted Confucious, He would have diplomacy prevail and a formalized central Government based on principles take place. If I were to consult Lao Tzu, He would have the leaders create harmony between themselves and the people. That if they were in balance with the Tao, then all things in the kingdoms would flow in harmony. So war is a dagger to harmony, but doesn't mean to centralize. Others may call for consequentialism and all parties involved pay for their war crimes before harmony can be resolved. Universal love and forgiveness seem something for monks and philosophers than something that Kings will be persuaded toward. So my answer is, I do not know." Master Shan said humbly.
My father joined, "If you don't know Master Shan then I fear who could. I am just a merchant trying to sell goods. I hope to stay as neutral as I can in all things. My loyalties of course must remain with my King, King Helu, but I've only ever seen people as people. To remain ignorant of their politics, religion, and whatever else divides us. So I want the wars to end but it is beyond my mind to advise anyone on such things." The conversation moved to lighter things, and it was getting long into the night. The feast was winding down as guests were all leaving, and I could finally get some alone time with my father.
"Tomorrow Kai you should come to the market with me, I wish to show you how to deal with these vipers of my trade. Treat people with respect and they'll usually return it. Now your mother should be returning tomorrow from her sister's. I hope I can surprise her. Now give me one last hug before I head off to bed." It would be the last time I did.
The next morning I awoke to loud banging at our front gate. I had thrown on some clothes and came out to see what was the commotion. My father walked passed me and gave me a shrug of his shoulders and signaled for the gate doors to be opened. Armed soldiers came in with menacing looks.
"Are you Lord Fu?" A soldier barked.
"Yes, what is this about?" Said, my confused father.
"You are to come with us, the King wishes to see you immediately." A bunch of soldiers surrounded him and my father looked back at me and gave me a comforting smile and they left.
I was forced to wait around, pacing back and forth stewing on what had just happened. Surely my father was needed to help with some urgent problem. I hoped that didn't mean he was going to be sent away when he just came back. My mother came into the house and she was taking off her hat. I ran into her arms at my joy to see her. She seemed overwhelmed by my greeting.
"I'm glad to see you too." She smiled. "What? What is the matter?"
"Soldiers came today, the King called for him," I informed.
"Your father's already back! Did they say why the King needed him? What's going on?" She seemed worried now.
"I don't know. They didn't say anything, they just left. That's all I've heard." I paused. "Master Shan, nor Yuxuan have come over this morning for lessons."
"What, that's unusual. I'll ask Yuxuan's mother if she knows anything, just wait here." She left. I only had to wait for a few minutes before she came back. "Nobody answered." She was disappointed.
Things were getting too strange for either of our likings but there was little in the way we could do about it. She considered going to the market to see if any town gossip might clarify what was happening but thought better of it. Another knock on the door snapped us both back into focus. When the doors opened, it was Dr. Kang who came through.
"Dr. Kang, what….." My mother was cut off.
"My Lady you must come with me at once. I don't have time to explain but you and your son are to gather what you can quickly, and we need to leave the city immediately. I have secured a ship on the Yangtze. Grab your things, let's go." He demanded.
My mother thought better of asking more questions and we panicked packed a few things and Dr. Kang instructed us to hide under some medical supplies. Now my mother began to understand and composed herself. We did as he asked, and from then on we obeyed every command without hesitation.
We were in the good doctor's supply wagon attached to his carriage with his wife and kids. We were at the Eastern Bridge over the Waicheng in no time, when we were stopped by soldiers. Dr. Kang informed them that he just had medical supplies. Mother and I could hear the conversations underneath the canopy we throw over us. Dr. Kang is well-known and respected, so we were fortunate they let us through quickly.
So many rivers and bridges to pass through as we made our way between Yangcheng and Kuncheng lakes. It seemed that we were safe to come out of our hiding when we slowed down and we could hear other horses.
"Where are you heading?' We heard a new voice bark.
"I have medical supplies I'm bringing to be shipped down to the Chu border for soldiers." Dr. Kang said calmly.
"Sorry sir, we were ordered not to allow anyone to pass today. You'll have to turn back." The soldier informed.
"Well if that is what we have to do, then we will obey. Sorry, my dear will have to spend another night at my mother's." Dr. Kang pretended. "Say is it OK if I turn this rig around just ahead by that creek, my horses just need a quick refresher?"
"Just don't take too long and that will be just fine. If it was up to us we'd let you go bring those soldiers medicine but unfortunately for all we can't." The soldier replied.
"I understand, thank you kindly. We'll only be a moment." We heard Dr. Kang get down from the carriage and we could hear the water. He lowered his voice, "I've got some things that can cause fire, I'm going to set the grasses by the bridge on fire in hopes the soldiers can't get over the river. Everyone needs to brace themselves as we are going to have to make haste to the Yangtze. This is your warning to prepare." He maneuvered the horses back to the road by the bridge where he grabbed some things from next to us. I assume the soldiers were only half watching him. I heard the crackling noise and the smell of smoke. Dr. Kang must have jumped up to the carriage as he began to yell at the horses.
My mother and I were getting tossed in every direction as the Doctor did not lie about making haste. At first, we heard shouting by the soldiers but luckily it faded quickly. We listened in fear for other horses behind us but they never came. We had enough of a headstart or the fire was too big, whatever the reason we made it to the river. Aboard the ship that was docked, there was Master Shan. We had to wait until the ship had made some distance before we could find out all the answers we'd been waiting for.
