Sage: Green Eyes of the Mountains of Martial Propriety

For the mystic in all of us.

Table of Contents: (Please note that all chapters are bookmarked.)

Chapter 1:  5

Chapter 2:  63

Chapter 3:  124

Chapter 4:  177

Chapter 5:  228

Chapter 6:  290

Chapter 7:  354

Chapter 8:  404

Chapter 9:  460

Grateful thanks to Lao Tzu for the transmission,

and to Chen Tuan for codifying the nine realms

of the cosmos. Most especially to Sage; who saved

my very soul from the darkness.

Chapter 1

I like sitting by the large pond in the central courtyards of my Grandfather’s estate, especially on a warm sunny day like today. The ducks and swan are all very happily swimming in the crystal clear water. It makes me giggle when one of them dives to catch something to eat. I wonder if they ever eat the baby Koi fish in the pond, maybe, but there are still a lot of the very colorful fish, and small ones too. My favorite are the several bright yellow ones that seem to be royalty to me, as they wear the Emperor’s color. It makes me think that maybe one of them is actually the Yellow Emperor reincarnated. Of course that would have to be the biggest one of the bunch. I will have to ask about this, either of my tutor, or my Grandfather as they are the smartest and wisest of all who live here.

The breeze blows the wispy willow leaves that hang in such beauty all through the small grove of these trees on the western side of the pond. Their dancing shadows playing across the grass I am sitting on, almost seem to tickle me, physically, so I laugh at their enticement. Then I hear some noises from the servant’s building along the west wall of the compound. Oh, it is just the scullery maids pouring out the steaming hot dish water from their cleanup of the lunch dishes. I always pay attention to any noise, or movement around me, as my father has taught me. Not to do so is to invite danger close to me he says, and I don’t want that.

I would like to feed the ducks and swan, but it is Grandfather Five Family’s rule that they are not to be fed, or they will expect such all the time, and become a nuisance. So we all let them feed themselves, and they sure don’t seem to have a problem doing that. Now I hear footsteps coming... light ones, in a familiar pattern. Without even looking I know it is my best friend Lilly. She just finished with her duty of helping the scullery maids, and they let her go to come play with me, the same as every day.

Green Eyes! She calls from the edge of the copse of willows.

I shout back, I’m here by the pond.

She comes running.

Did you eat well Green Eyes?

Oh yes. Today I had dragon eye soup, with jujube seed, arbor-vitae seed, and sage root. What did you eat Lilly?

The same as you today. She grins.

Good. My mother says that is exactly what will make us healthy and vibrant for the summer.

My mother told me that it harmonizes the heart and kidney meridians. Lilly attempts to educate me.

I giggle and nod. It was good wasn’t it?

Everything that chef master cooks is good. She chides.

I nod, smiling big. What do you want to do until I have my afternoon lesson?

It is not breezy enough to fly our kites, so how about we play hide, and seek?

Sure!

Okay, you hide first then Green Eyes, and I will find you.

No you won’t Lilly. I will hide too well for that to happen. I laugh.

I am closing my eyes, and counting now.

As she counts I try to be quiet as I run off, so she won’t hear which way I go. Not that it matters, as I quickly change direction when out of ear shot, and head towards the southern part of the compound near the quarters for the concubines. There I change direction again, heading into the grove of plum trees near the south-eastern family quarters; the close family of our Master. Here the brook that flows through the compound drains from the pond, and exits the fortress under the family quarters. Of the three bridges on the property; the bridge here, named Heaven Bridge, is only for family to use. Neither the servants, guards, concubines, nor their families may cross it. They must use one of the other two bridges, meaning Lilly cannot follow me directly as she is the daughter of our Master’s favorite concubine. She will have to go around, way around...ha!

The thicket of plums continues on the north side of the bridge and I sneak through them between the first tier family quarters and our Master’s own abode, which is a pentagon shape in design; mimicking the whole fortress’ shape, just one tenth the size. I hide myself in the peach trees on the north east side of our Master’s home, between it and the second tier family quarters. It is one of my favorite places to hide, as I can slip from tree to tree, hopefully unseen if she searches the grove; as she always does.

While I am sneaking quietly through the thicket, I hear our Master’s voice, my Grandfather, from the lavish patio on the rear of his home.

Your mother is coming down to visit for Green Eye’s birthday.

Then I hear my mother’s voice, Oh, what does she want then?

Grandfather chuckles, She says it is just to see her granddaughter on her sixth birthday.

It is more than that father, she never comes down from her high and mighty loft unless she requires something.

Of course. I suspect it has to do with her wish to initiate Green Eye’s training.

We already have decided to start her the day after her birthday, what could mother have to say about this?

Probably just to make sure that we have the proper curriculum in mind. You know how she is about martial propriety.

I don’t see why she is even allowed any say in this. She is the one who chose to abandon her family to go live as a recluse. Mother sounds upset.

Oh? Would you challenge her authority then?

No... though I wish I could.

She would slay us both my dear, you know how powerful she is.

It isn’t fair, father!

Life is certainly not fair my child. Now I suggest that we just allow her the pleasure of annoying us, and do as she recommends. Her expertise is unparalleled after all.

Yes father.

Just then from behind me I hear Lilly, I see you Green Eyes! Got you.

I quickly turn to hush her, but it is too late.

Green Eyes, Lilly! Both of you come here instantly! Our Master’s voice booms.

Yes Grandfather. I hang my head.

Lilly gets wide eyes, and then she also hangs her head low. Yes Father.

We both go and prostrate ourselves before him on the elaborately decorated patio, where he and my mother sit.

You have been spying on your own family? This will not do. He shakes his head.

I didn’t intend to spy Master. We were playing hide and seek, and I just over heard... that’s all. Lilly didn’t know anything about it... I promise.

Very well Lilly, you may be excused. Run along to your mother now. He bids her leave.

Lilly bows deeply three times, and she stands backing away, to then turn and run home.

As for you little one, what all did you hear then?

Just that Grandmother is coming down from the mountain to see me for my birthday, and something about training me in martial arts. Is it true Grandfather? Am I going to learn to fight?

Of course you are! Nearly every one of my family, and household learns to fight. It is quite necessary in the world we live in.

I can’t wait Grandfather. I want to learn the martial arts.

I am glad this excites you Green Eyes, but be forewarned that it will not be easy, nor pleasant. You will shed many tears in the process... but you will also learn the single most important lesson for survival.

What is that Master? I use the formal.

To persevere my child, to persevere.

My afternoon lesson begins with my tutor, the Scholar named Reaching Mind. He makes me think that he looks like a weasel with his narrow, stern face, and thin weak body. I always try to pay careful attention to what he teaches me though, just as he demands, lest I get whacked by his wand. Not only that, but it is also uncommon for girls to be freely educated as I am. He constantly reminds me of this also, and I know he doesn’t care for teaching me so much. Girls are not considered important in our society, as that is a man’s place. Still Grandfather insists on my education, as it is our family’s position to uphold a much higher standard.

My morning lessons are always reading and writing exercises, and in the afternoon we cover a wide variety of topics. Today he is teaching me of the social order of the kingdom.

This is the fourth year of the reign of our benevolent Emperor Zhengde. You were born during the sixteenth year of the previous majestic sovereign Hong Zhi, Green Eyes. You must remember this, as it denotes the year of your birth. You must also commit to memory that you were born in the village of Tienmen, Junxian prefecture, in Hubei province. When you are required to identify yourself by imperial, or provincial authority, these facts along with your family name of The Five Family Clan, and our Master’s name are mandatory information. As well as your position in the family.

What is my position teacher?

You are the daughter of Night Hawk of The Five Family Clan, third cousin once removed of our Master, Mountain Lion, of The Five Family Clan. Also you are our Master’s maternal granddaughter.

That is how I tell people who I am?

Yes, and where you hail from.

Is my family important in the kingdom teacher?

Yes. The Five Family Clan is of a very high stature in our society.

It is good that my family is important, isn’t it teacher?

Yes, your family’s societal position is of import, but not nearly as much as for you personally Green Eyes. To you, your Family is all that matters young one. It is everything! There is nothing without them. You must always obey your Father and Mother, and even just as much obey our Master. This is called filial obligation, and you are bound to this with your very life. Is this understood?

I must even obey them when I am grown up?

Yes, until such time as you are married, and then your first obligation will be to your husband, and his family, as you will then be a part of their household, yet you will still be obligated after them to your birth family.

Why is this teacher?

The great sage Confucius had ordained the proper methods in which a civilized society will function, and his teachings are time tested and honored.

How did he know this?

He had limitless wisdom silly girl.

Like Lao Tzu then?

No, Lao Tzu was a hermit who renounced the world. It held nothing of interest for him, and so there is nothing of interest, or use in his ranting’s for our civilized society.

But Grandfather says that he was a very wise man.

Yes, yes... I know our Master considers him so, and he is correct. I am merely grumbling my own humble opinion child, you may disregard my disdain for his teachings.

But I don’t understand teacher. You are very wise, and so is our Master, so why then would you each have different views? Isn’t all wisdom the same?

Not necessarily.

So wisdom and truth are two different things then?

Sometimes, yes. However, most of the time they are the very same thing.

This is confusing teacher.

Yes it is, and by understanding that... you have just shown me your first bit of wisdom.

I sure don’t feel wise.

It takes time Green Eyes. Wisdom is hard won by experience, and contemplation. Now let us continue with the lesson; I wish to teach you some recent history. The Emperor preceding the magnificent Ch’eng Hua went by two names during a split reign. The first name he used was Cheng T’ung. He was the grandson of the powerful Emperor Yung Lo, who had moved the capital north to Beijing to consolidate a northern base from which to drive the last of the Mongols out of China. Yung Lo also built the imperial palace; the Forbidden City in Beijing. Cheng T’ung became the new Emperor at the young age of eight, and his mother ruled as regent until he came of age. Under her leadership the Eunuchs once again gained power in the imperial palace. When her son came of age and ascended to the throne, he was completely under the influence of the Eunuchs that he and his mother trusted so much. You see, the boy had never stepped foot outside of the Forbidden City in his whole life up to that point, so the Eunuchs were really all he knew. One particular Eunuch, named Wang Chen, convinced the young Emperor when he had only been on the throne for seven years, to leave the safety of the palace, and the Capital, to wage a punishment campaign against a rebel Mongol Chieftain who was raiding the frontier. In reality Wang Chen’s true purpose for this campaign was to get the Emperor to visit Wang’s home district of Huai Lai, just outside of the Great Wall. This would assure his family’s prestige and influence in the district. Now the campaign was not a serious matter, and Cheng T’ung’s generals could have easily dealt with the rebels, but instead the young Emperor made Wang Chen the commander in chief of the army that marched north. Wang Chen had absolutely no military experience what so ever, and the seasoned veteran generals were deeply insulted, so they gave no help to the Eunuch. Of course Wang Chen made many fatal errors, and soon the army was forced to retreat. However the Eunuch desperately needed the Emperor to visit his home district, and so delayed the retreat to pay a visit there. Unfortunately the army was easily surrounded, and cut off from food and water. The Mongol warlord slaughtered the army, and many of the best military minds in China. He also slaughtered Wang Chen, and captured the Emperor. Now back in Beijing the government installed Cheng T’ung’s brother on the throne immediately, and heavily reinforced the Capital, so the great victory the Mongol Chieftain of the Khan clan found, was very short lived. His prisoner was an embarrassment, and a useless hostage politically. He would have killed him, but Cheng T’ung was very likeable and engaging, earning friends amongst his enemies easily. The brother of the former emperor took the name Ching Tai, and ruled for eight years, until he became deathly ill. Before Ching Tai had even died, the court ministers obtained Cheng T’ung’s release through bribery, and installed him on the throne again. This time he took the name, T’ien Shun, reflecting that his new rule was the will of Heaven. Okay, that is enough lessons for the day Green Eyes, you are dismissed. Reaching Mind waves me off with a slight brush of his hand.

The sky is orange in the west as I leave the study hall in our family residence, and make my way to the pond again, hoping to find Lilly around, but only my aunt Plum Blossom is there in the pagoda bordering the pond in the willow copse. She is playing the lute with a soft gentle melody that I am particularly fond of, so I sit and listen to her expert music and voice singing until it is dinner time. Then I go join my mother and father for the evening meal in our personal gathering room, there in the residence for close family. Tonight we are served Porgy fish head, and man root soup. It is good, but also very warming to my body. Mother insists that I rest for an hour after dinner, as she and father discuss the next day’s tasks. We are forbidden to drink tea or eat turnips for three days after we consume the expensive man root. It is only given to us as a meal once in a while, and with the restrictions imposed; I am glad it is not often, as I love drinking tea. Especially the monkey picked tea from the steep mountains down south.

After mother and father are through with their planning for tomorrow, they include me in the conversation.

So, your birthday is next week Green Eyes, any special requests? Father beams me a broad smile.

I have to think about it for some moments before I answer, Maybe a supper of Pot Stickers filled with the spicy hot Szechuan pork?

I should have guessed Lu’ Yan, my bold daughter. Mother chuckles. That is what you wanted last year for your birthday dinner also.

She does have the tastes of a heroic warrior. Father grins at me.

Do you really think that I have the spirit of a warrior, Father?

Oh yes, there is nothing timid about you little Green Eyes.

Good, I will do heroic things then. You will both see, and be so proud of me. I giggle.

We are already so very proud of you. Mother assures.

Father nods in agreement.

After a nice warm cleaning with the wet washing cloth by Mother, Father puts me into my bed, and reads me a new story that I have not heard before. I will fully bathe in the morning, as always, but the nightly cleaning of my body feels so good to then get into the fresh linens for sleep.

This is a novel that was written not too long ago by a pair of now famous scholars named, Shi Nai’an and Luo Guanzhong. The title of their novel which is based upon factual events, though perhaps embellished a bit, is; The Water Margin. I think this story will inspire the warrior spirit in you my little girl.

I like it already Father! I am beyond excited.

I haven’t even started reading it yet silly. He chides me. "Part one, Zhang the divine teacher prays to dispel a plague; and Marshall Hong releases demons from mistake.

After five dynasties, turmoil and strife,

the clouds dispersed revealing the sky,

refreshing rain brings old trees to life,

culture and learning once again are high.

Ordinary folk in the lanes wear silk,

music drifts from mansions and towers,

under the heavens all is serene,

men doze off at noon amidst gay birds and flowers.

This eight lined poem was written during the reign of Emperor Shen Zong of the Song Dynasty, by the scholar named Shao Yaofu, also known as Master Kang Jie. From the end of the Tang, and through the Five Dynasties, times had been troubled. One short-lived dynasty had ruled after another. How true was the verse: Zhu, Li, Shi, Liu, Guo founded Liang, Tang, Jin, Han and Zhou. Fifteen emperors fifty years in a row, they brought hardship, tumult and woe."

Father takes a sip of water and reads on. "In time the way of Heaven took a new turn. At Jiamaying, Tai Zu, the Emperor of Military Virtue was born. A red glow filled the sky when this sage came into the world, and fragrance still filled the air the morning following his birth. He was in fact the God of Thunder descended to Earth. Brave and magnanimous, he was superior to any emperor who had ever lived.

With a staff as tall as himself he smote so hard that four hundred prefectures and districts acknowledged his sovereignty. He swept the land clean pacifying the Central Plains. Naming his empire the Great Song, he established his court at Bianliang. Tai Zu was the first of eighteen Song emperors and founder of a dynasty that lasted four hundred years.

That is why Master Shao Yaofu said in his praise: The clouds dispersed revealing the sky. For the people it was indeed like seeing the sun again.

At that time on Hua Shan, the Western Sacred Mountain, lived a Taoist hermit named Chen Tuan. A virtuous man; he could tell the future by the weather alone. One day as he was riding his donkey down the mountain towards the county town of Huayin when he heard a traveler on the path say: ‘Emperor Chai Shi Zhong has surrendered his throne to Marshall Zhao in the Eastern Capital. Father clears his throat and explains, Marshall Zhao Kuangyin was another name for the Emperor Tai Zu." He looks at me to make sure I am following him, and I nod.

Father smiles and continues, Chen Tuan clapped his hands to his brow and laughed so delightedly that he fell right off his donkey. When he was asked the reason for his joy, he said: ‘The empire will be firmly settled from now on. For this is in accord with the will of Heaven above, the laws of Earth below, and the hearts of men in between.

I don’t remember drifting off to sleep, but next thing I know I am waking up in the morning. Right after my bath, we eat breakfast as usual, and today we have rice porridge with dried wolfberries mixed in with it. I prefer the fresh berries, but the small fruits are only now even showing on the vines; which surround the large gardens that supply most of our fresh produce. Towards mid-summer they will be ripe, and then I will delight in the fresh tartness of them all over again.

Father, I liked the story you read to me last night. Will you finish the story for me tonight?

Father chuckles. Oh no Green Eyes. It will take many nights to finish that grand tale. The Water Margin is not a short story, but a magnificent epic novel. There are one hundred scrolls comprising the work, and I did not even hardly begin the first before you were fast asleep.

Goodness! That is a long story. My eyes are wide.

Yes indeed. First we will learn of the times, and of the characters in the play, before we will see the heroes gather in the marsh to hold off against the villains.

I am looking forward to bedtime now Father!

Good, as it should be my darling.

My morning lesson in reading, and calligraphy practice is shortly after breakfast, and it lasts until just before lunch time. Shenchu Yi, Reaching Mind, is very demanding of my focus on making the proper brush stroke, not just physically, but with absolute breath control, as well as proper thoughts as I do. My wrist is kept supple, yet without flexing it, using my whole arm, and even body to guide the brush. Of course my mind and spirit must be calm and focused to allow this quite natural expression to transmit through me onto the rice paper. I am glad that my teacher, Shenchu Yi, is patient to a degree with me, as the art is very difficult to grasp.

The ability to be able to read and write is what will raise me above the mundane, and differentiate me from the common folk, as most of them do not possess these skills. At least that is what my teacher, my parents, and my Master all tell me; so I listen, and learn. I know I am special, I feel it with every fiber of my being. Maybe everyone else feels that way as well, but I am going to prove it!

Reaching Mind dismisses me from morning lesson just before it is lunch time. I go to eat with my extended family in the large common patio area outside the family lodgings, since it is a nice warm day. Our meal is a simple pearl barley, Reishi mushroom, and chicken soup. It is delicious with the spring onions, ginger, and Mandarin Orange juice cooked in it. Mother tells me that this mushroom will ward off any of the evil winds that accompany spring time. I just know that it makes me feel strong, and vital, but then I usually feel that way. To keep an eye on all of our health; once a month Doctor Wang pays the family compound a visit. Master always pays him well for this, as Father says, and he keeps paying him for each patient he regulates the health of, unless that person has become ill. Then the Doctor is not paid for that person until they are healthy again. This makes sense to me, as he shouldn’t be paid if he hasn’t kept a person in salubrious shape. He always asks me if my dung floats in water or not, and it makes me embarrassed to answer him, but I do, and my poop always floats.

After the meal I go to the pond, and wait for Lilly to get done with her assisting of the scullery maids, so we can play for a while. As I am waiting impatiently, I see one of my Master’s concubines come scurrying by headed towards Grandfather’s residence. It makes me laugh inwardly whenever I see Mistress Deer Eyes, whose name sounds very similar to my own, walk, or especially try to hurry along. Her gait is very short and unsteady seeming, as if she is walking on sharp thorns.

Lilly joins me as I watch Miss Deer Eyes cross the middle bridge, the Man Bridge.

She is so funny when she walks or tries to run. Don’t you think Lilly?

Oh Green Eyes! Don’t you know? She has bound feet.

Miss Deer Eyes? But why? None of Master’s other concubines are like that.

Master took her in regardless of what was previously done to her. My Mother told me that her previous Master had insisted on such, and then when he fell on hard financial times, he simply dismissed her. Master, out of the kindness in his heart, took pity on the poor thing, and welcomed her into his house, along with her child.

That does sound just like Grandfather, his heart is full of mercy, and kindness.

Yes, he is very caring for us all.

I just wish he would allow you to be educated as I am. I fret.

So do I, but it is not my position. I will be a servant to him and his house gladly though, all the days of my life.

I could teach you what has been taught to me Lilly. I offer.

What, and skip our play time? Please no.

Yeah, never mind. Let’s play!

My afternoon lesson is again concerning recent history, and I pay close attention as always.

Today I will tell you of the peasant who became the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty child. Reaching Mind begins. His posthumous dynastic title is Hung Wu, but his given name was Chu Yuan-chang. He was born to poor peasants, and then sold to Buddhist monks when his parents had to flee from the rampant famine sweeping the country side in those days of chaos. The reclusive and impoverished life style of the monks was not to his liking though, so when he was old enough to strike out on his own; he ran away from the monastery.

Were these the Shao-lin monks, teacher?

No, these were not the famous fighting monks, though the monks did teach the young lad how to defend himself. Chu Yuan-chang joined up with a group of outlaw bandits in the lower Yang Tze river region. This richest area of China was a hold out of the old Song Dynasty, and was not subject to the much of the devastations of the Mongols, as were most other provinces. It is also the most populous region in the empire, and there was opportunity there for an intrepid fighter like Chu. Revolts were constantly breaking out in these southern regions, and it was an inevitable step that the band of outlaws he was with, to join such a rebellion. Ironically the fledgling army fought against rival rebel groups even more so than against the Mongol government. It was during this time that he rose to the top ranks of the rebel army, and then to its’ leadership as commander in chief. A mere twelve years before the final defeat of the Mongol empire in China, Chu Yuan-chang captured Nanjing, and installed himself as the new Emperor, naming his new dynasty as ‘Brilliant’; thus the Ming Dynasty was born. This was the very first time a Dynasty was not named after the family, province, or prefecture that the founding ruler hailed from, as Chu had no family prestige. He was as dauntless a strategic thinker as he was a fighter, and he knew how to harness great men to himself. One such general of his was named Hsu Ta, and he had helped the new kingdom defeat all their Chinese rivals in the south within ten years, absorbing their armies into his own. By then Chu had several sons; the second son was very militaristic, and served with General Hsu in his campaigns. This son’s name was Yung Lo, and he would become the Emperor of China. It would only take two more years to defeat the Mongols in the north, and all of China was unified once more. The final push to drive the Mongols from Beijing, saw General Hsu, with Yung Lo; leading an army of two hundred and fifty thousand men. After the Northern Capital was easily retaken with little resistance, they marched on the last strong hold of the Mongols in Yunnan. Upon the Kahn’s defeat, Emperor Chu disbanded his huge army there, having the men settle in the province to exert a distinctly Chinese presence there.

Teacher, why did he disband his army?

"Armies are enormously expensive to maintain, and thus they are usually only raised in such vast numbers for war; then when the war is won, the army is no longer needed. Now Chu Yuan-chang wished to reinstitute the magnificent old ways of the T’ang and Song Dynasties, so he began the civil service bureaucracy again. This is despite the fact that Chu was nearly illiterate himself.  He