Peach Blossom Girl Magic Duel - Chapter 2

Copyright © 2010 - Jeff Loh. All rights reserved

Nary A Flaw In His Miraculous Predictions,

In Reckoning Heaven’s Schedule of Life and Death

After pronouncing his verdict, Lord Chou handed over a piece of paper to the landlord. On it was written,

Against conscience, you forcibly wrestle a youthful kiss,
Know not your scheme had been exposed from the start?
On the third watch, night of tomorrow a tryst has been made.

Two corpses flung far and wide to all directions!

Lord Chou said,

“The husband of this lady stole some of your money and had bribed a killer. Tomorrow night when you rendezvous with her, you will be caught red handed and be killed. Now that you have pleaded me to save you, my advice is that you must sever all carnal desires for her and cultivate good thoughts from now on. Heaven will protect you and turn this calamity into bliss. Here’s my pronouncement: Leave your home tonight on the third hour of the watch and head east for thirty miles. On seeing a lantern hanging on a door, knock and be let in. Meet the person there face-to-face and invite him to your home for a drink. Someone will come along to straighten out everything. Calamity will dissipate after the next morning.”

Upon the advice, the landlord kowtowed, thanked Lord Chou and left hurriedly through the main door. The crowd was excited and blocked the landlord asking noisily,

How are his predictions?”

The landlord pushed through the crowd crying out loudly,

“Indeed everything is true, incredibly accurate!”

With that he disappeared like a gust of wind. The soldier approached the divination table and likewise made a silent prayer at the side. Lord Chou wrote his prediction on a piece of paper and handed it to the soldier.

On it was written:

Someone’s ten strings of cash you did get,
Illicit lovers you wouldst catch.
Such immoral wealth you snatch,
Lover’s web you be latched.

Lord Chou spoke,

“Soldier, did someone not give you some ten strings of cash yesterday? That tomorrow night, on the third watch, to catch some illicit lovers? When the deed is completed, another reward of ten strings of copper cash will follow. Isn’t this true?”

Flabbergasted, the soldier could only nod his head and answered,

“My Lord, you are a living God! 'Tis the reason this Nobody came to seek your advice.”

Lord Chou smilingly said,

“Don’t think of accepting this kind of wealth. Help catch illicit lovers in the act? When the adulterer is caught, hate will dissipate, whence money would come to thank your efforts. In not catching him, why should you be paid? I’m pointing a road for you to walk: Just go and meet the man as planned. After that, give this written divination to him. Someone would then present you ten strings of copper. Stop all wishful thinking from now on lest you encounter more disasters.”

The soldier kowtowed quickly and said,

“With your Lordship’s advice, no more delusion for this nobody!”

As he left, he did not talk to anyone about his situation but muttered out aloud,

“Such accuracy, a real living God indeed! If you people don’t believe me, just go and test him out.”

With those words, he quickly left the place and disappeared. Who would have thought that upon listening to Lord Chou’s words, the landlord and soldier would later meet. Two different people walking on the same road: The soldier’s hirer is none other than a servant of the landlord. At tonight’s meeting, all present will be surprised and shocked yet thoroughly awed by Lord Chou’s divinations. The landlord invited the two men back to his home for a drink and the soldier became a peacemaker between them. After the written predictions were brought out for all to see that any ill feeling was cast away and yes, the landlord did give the soldier ten strings of copper.

Soon the events were known and the entire city of Morning Song was abuzz with gossip. From then onwards, that street was jammed packed with inquirers wanting to know what their fortunes may be. One question, one prediction true. Four questions asked, two pairs of answers became true. Each day after ten inquiries asked, the doors were closed; caring not if more people were still waiting outside. Peng Jian was overjoyed, each day thirty easy pennies were made come rain or shine. Every morning after the divination sessions had ended, signs were taken down and since he had no children, he walked to the street market wine store for a cup or two. He would then return home after all the money had been spent. If there was any left, he gave them to the poor and needy. Days came and months passed. Soon more than half a year had gone by. Who knew that in midst of complete happiness there would be trouble popping out in front of his eyes. Readers, let me explain.

In this city of Morning Song, there lived a widow named Mrs. Shi whose husband had died early on in their marriage. They had a son named Tsung Fu. Being poor, they managed to scrape by a few pieces of silver. She bade her son go to the city of Meng Jin to do some buying and selling. Before he left, they decided that business should conclude within three months. Six months had now elapsed and there was no news of him. Each day old lady Shi thought of her son deeply; standing by the door waiting eagerly for his return. As each day passed, there was no sign of him. Finally she decided to seek divine intervention. In the end, nothing was efficacious and she was deeply depressed. One day while standing in her doorway, she overheard a passerby commenting,

"Lord Chou is selling his divination services on the Cloud Dwelling Street. Very accurate are his skills but too pricey. He charges one tael of silver and three pennies!”

On hearing, she thought to herself,

“Why don’t I go and seek help from him?”

She borrowed the necessary money from neighbours and rose before dawn. She washed and combed her hair, had a little bite to eat1 and tied her hair with a black damask silk ribbon. After locking up her home she headed towards Lord Chou’s place. Dawn broke just as she reached the city. Coincidentally, Peng Jian had opened the door, put up the signs and was sweeping when old Mrs. Shi came and recognized Pang Jian. Crying out aloud,

“Master Peng, can you come out please?”

On hearing someone calling his name, Peng Jian looked up and recognized old Mrs. Shi as they were once upon a time neighbors from the same village,

“Old Mrs. Shi, such an early hour you come. Must be something very important. Is it not? Do you wish for a consultation?”

Old Mrs. Shi burst into tears when she heard the words,

"Rightly so. All because of this old widow’s son, Tsung Fu. He has been gone for some commerce and said he would return within three months. Half a year passed and no news at all. This old lady is too worried. No choice but to borrow that tael of silver and three pennies to plead for Lord Chou’s advice. Whether my son is happy or sad, alive or dead, I need to know and not have my intestines all wrenched up.”

As she spoke, money was pressed into Peng Jian’s hands. After the money was accepted, he counseled,

“Old sister, the lucky will have the protection of heaven. I’m sure your son is safe. Whether he is delayed or not, we do not know. As a mother, your worries are natural. Please come in.”

With these words, she was led into the inner hall. Old Mrs. Shi raised her head and saw a table on which were the Four Treasures of the Study2, a divination cylinder, an incense burner and such. In the middle sat a noble-looking person. Just look at his countenance, so different from others, so dignified and impressive. One can see,

A three tiered hat3 on his head,
An Eight Treasure4 design emblazoning,
Black gauze robes adorning,
Sewn with serpent dragons5.
A face so black and shiny like a pot’s bottom,
But eyes aglitter like stars.
Sitting upright, divining the Eight Trigrams,
Looking more like a god than an immortal.

The moment Mrs. Shi saw Lord Chou’s countenance, she quickly knelt before him. Lord Chou was not thrilled to see a worried old woman hobbling right into the middle of his hall and kneel before him. Why was he not pleased to see her? This is because earlier on, he made a divination and found that there was an overpowering sense of Yin. He was just about to order Peng Jian to not accept any female inquirer for the day when she appeared before him. Lord Chou was annoyed and said,

“Please rise.”

And to Peng Jian he asked,

“Why did you not report to me first before bringing her?”

Peng Jian replied,

“This is lady Chia from the Shi family. Her dead husband was an acquaintance of mine. Today she came to inquire about her son. This is why I did not report to you first.”

When old lady Shi heard the words, she began to sob,

“This old lady came because her son Shi Tsung Fu was away on business, half a year later and he hasn’t returned. This old body has only this son. In not knowing if he is dead or alive, it’s vexing me to no end. I am in error by not following the norm, I beg for my Lord’s boundless mercy.”

Lord Chou nodded his head and said,

“So be it. Information about the traveler? Let me divine and see what happens.”

With that, he picked up the divination cylinder and shook it a few times and made some detailed calculations6 and after a while he looked at her and sighed,

“If I don’t speak to you frankly, won’t you be waiting on false hope? Your son will die tonight at the third watch of the hour!”

Old lady Shi gasped when she heard the words,

“My Lord, I merely asked when my son is coming back, why did you say he’s going to die?”

Lord Chou replied,

“This predication was conceived by using Ying and Yang principles that came before heaven was created and the rules of Eight Trigrams that came after heaven was formed. All that there is to know about your son are shown here, so why not those of his death as well? You son had already started his journey home. Mother and son reunion… that I’m afraid will not be possible!”

Mrs. Shi wept uncontrollably,

“My son will die tonight, where will that be? Did he die from an illness?”

“I had divined that tonight on the third watch of the hour, your son will be crushed to death inside a broken cave dwelling7.”

On seeing the severity of the words, her sorrow doubles and she kept on knocking her forehead on the ground, begging Lord Chou to save her son.

Lord Chou had no choice but to answer,

“Let me have your son’s Hour of Eight Characters8, his age and let me see how his horoscope for the year will be.”

Old lady Shi quickly gave the information – the son was born on the twelfth month, on the eighteenth day at the hour of the Ox (1am – 3am) and fourteen years of age this year. Lord Chou took away the divination box and studied the given information and exclaimed,

“What a pity! Evil spirits overhead with the White Tiger9 watching life. Even if he’s an immortal, it is not possible to pass this door! Not even a life saviour in sight. What can I do? Old lady Shi, you better lay your heart to rest and forget about your son.”

This is: “If Yama10 wants you to die at the third hour, who will dare retain his life till the fifth watch!”

Immediately upon hearing Lord Chou’s words, old lady Shi wept tearfully and left for home in a pitiful state.

To know if her son was going to live or die, please see the next chapter.

NOTES:

1. The original text was食過點心. I don’t think they had dim sum the way we have today!

2. Four essential things a scholar needs for writing, the brush, ink, ink slab and paper. 
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Treasures_of_the_Study

3. 粱冠 - Tiered or beamed hats originate from the Han Dynasty as part for official court dress. It is also 
                 known as 進賢冠. In Chin Dynasty there are known as 緇布冠. There are different kinds to
                 indicate different ranks with the smallest number for the lowest rank. One tiered is for scholars or
                 small ranking officials. Two tiered are for middle rank officials and three are for the high officials.
                 During the Ming Dynasty, all civil and military officials are required to wear these hats during
                 important ceremonies like sacrificial rituals together with red silk robes and other accompanying
                 accoutrements. Finally the number of tiers was increased to seven.

4. 八寶 also known as the 8 Auspicious Things (八吉祥). They are

    a,   Right-coiling White Conch (右旋螺) symbolizing the deep, far-reaching and melodious sound of the
          Dharma teachings, which being appropriate to different natures, predispositions and aspirations of
          disciples, awakens them from the deep slumber of ignorance and urges them to accomplish their own
          and others' welfare.

    b.   Precious Umbrella (寶傘) symbolizing the wholesome activity of preserving beings from illness,
          harmful forces, obstacles and so forth in this life and all kinds of temporary and enduring sufferings of
          the three lower realms, and the realms of men and gods in future lives. It also represents the enjoyment
          of a feast of benefit under its cool shade.

    c.   Victory Banner (勝幢) symbolizing the victory of the activities of one's own and others body, speech
          and mind over obstacles and negativitities. It also stands for the complete victory of the Buddhist
          Doctrine over all harmful and pernicious forces.

    d.   Twin Fish (雙魚) symbolizing the auspiciousness of all living beings in a state of fearlessness, without
          danger of drowning in the ocean of sufferings, and migrating from place to place freely and
          spontaneously, just as fish swim freely without fear through water.

     e.   Dharma Wheel (法輪) The golden wheel symbolises the auspiciousness of the turning of the precious
           wheel of Buddha's doctrine, both in its teachings and realizations, in all realms and at all times,
           enabling beings to experience the joy of wholesome deeds and liberation.

     f.   The Auspicious Knot(吉祥結) or the Unending Knot(無盡結) symbolizing the mutual dependence of
           religious doctrine and secular affairs. Similarly, it represents the union of wisdom and method, the
           inseparability of emptiness and dependent arising at the time of path, and finally, at the time of
           enlightenment, the complete union of wisdom and great compassion. It is a stylized intertwining of the
           ”卍”character.

     g.   Lotus Flower (蓮花) symbolizing the complete purification of the defilements of the body, speech and
           mind, and the full blossoming of wholesome deeds in blissful liberation.

     h.   Vase of Treasure (寶瓶) symbolzing an endless rain of long life, wealth and prosperity and all the
            benefits of this world and liberation.

     http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b8symbol.htm


5. 蟒龍 – symbols of nobility.

6. The original text is 把子午卯酉推算 which I translated as “detailed calculation” so as not to obfuscate
     the reader with the background meanings of the phrase. These are the 12 earth stems which ancient
     Chinese used as a system to name for hours, years etc. In this case they represent the cardinal directions,
     the associated element and year.

     子 – north, water, rat, 23:00 – 1:00
     午 – south, fire, horse, 11:00 – 13:00
     卯 – east, wood, rabbit, 5:00 – 7:00
     酉 – west, metal, rooster. 17:00 – 19:00

     子clashes with 午and so are 卯and 酉.

     Other meanings of 子午卯酉 include, “the reason or because” (as is 就不告訴你怎麽個"子午卯酉),
     the entire day (吭嚇了半天，也没有說出個子午卯酉), from beginning to the end, from start to finish,
     get to the bottom of things (問個子午卯酉), all directions and result or achievement (没混出個子午卯
     酉)

7. 窰: A manmade hollowed out opening on the slope of a hill to be used as dwelling place.

8. 時晨八字: The 8 birth characters in determining one’s fortunes in life etc.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pillars_of_Destiny
    http://www.absolutelyfengshui.com/astrology/four-pillars-of-destiny.php

9. The white tiger is usually depicted as a very ominous sign and denoting west.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pillars_of_Destiny
    http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/ssu-ling.shtml
    http://www.mysteriouschina.com/4-supernatural-beasts-in-ancient-china/

10. One of the kings or judges of Hades.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama

Original Text

桃花女陰陽鬪傳/第二回　

通神卜判断無差　
驗先天死生有數


再說周公判罼，將紙遞與土豪一看，上寫着：

欺心想奪青春口，
怎知早已機関露？
明日三更歡會時，
两個尸骸分四處。


周公道："此女之夫已經盗你的財帛，買通了人。明日他的妻子與你相會之時，必然拿住，雙雙殺死。你今求孤救你，你必須要對那婦人絕滅了色心，改為善念，上天自然佑你，逢凶化吉。孤今給你個應驗：你到今晚三更時候出門，東走三十里，見有一盏灯挂在門前，你叫門進去，必然對頭見面。你可請他到家飲酒，有人開解，自然明朝無事了。”土豪聞言，忙叩頭拜謝，出了大門，往外飛跑。眾人見他满頭臉是汗，跑將起來，一眾連忙哄拥上前，攔住問道：“占的靈也不靈？”這土豪不及回言，推開了眾人，大言道：“果真是，果真靈得很也！”言間，一陣烟跑了。


這軍漢又已至桌案邊，也依命暗暗祝告一番。周公也判了幾句言語，遞與那軍漢。只見上寫着：


得人十吊錢，
妄想去捉奸。
無義財休取，
恐怕惹情牽。


當下周公随叫道："軍士，你可是昨日有人助你幾十吊，明日叫你三更去與他捉奸，捉奸之後也謝你銅錢十吊。可是問這件事麽？”那軍漢一聞此言，唬得只是叩頭，道：“公爺真是個刊活神仙也！小人實是為此事而來。”周公笑道：“你休取這宗財帛，你若帮那人捉奸，捉住了奸夫，其恨已消了，那肯將錢來謝你？倘捉不着奸夫，他又豈肯白送錢財與你用？孤今指条路給你走：你只管去與那人相會，相會過之人，你將我這卦兒拿出來與他们看，自然有人送你的青錢十吊。從此後休生妄想，方免遭厲害也。”軍士聽了，忙叩頭道：“但得公爺這等指明吩咐，小人從此断不敢枉想了！”當時叩别出來，也不肯對人說知其事，只言道幾句：“真靈，真神仙也！你列位有不信的，只管去試試。”忙忙離了卜市，飛跑的去了。


誰知土豪與軍士皆道周公之言真靈，及至會面，两人走的是一路：叫軍士捉奸的，就是土豪的家人。今夜會面，俱覺大驚大喜，深信周公断卦如神。土豪把眾人邀回家中，軍士相帮替他二人開解，又拿出周公的判帖來與眾人看，方才把這冤結解開了。土豪又送軍士青錢十吊。


只應這两件事傳了出來，把個朝歌城講到了，有疑難的事都來求判，把一個卜市擠的不可開交。真是判一個准一個，判四個准两雙。日日算完了十卦，竟把門関了，也不管外頭还有人算不算。把個彭剪喜得個不亦樂乎——一日三錢銀子，風雨不阻。他又無兒無女，只是只身。每日一早，就卜完了十卦。他把招牌收下，放好了，即往街坊上酒店吃酒，必要將三錢銀子用完，方才回府中，若吃不完訖，他就將餘銀給與那些來往貧人。日來月往，半年有餘。怎知美中不足，眼前就要弄出一段事來。列公，聽我细講。


這朝歌城里有一個石寡婦，丈夫早年死了，止有一子，名映石宗輔。因家道貧寒，積下了幾两銀子，叫兒子到孟津去做些買賣。随行之時，母子们約定，三個月之内回來。誰知一去半年，并無音信。石婆子每日思兒想子，終日倚門盼望，日復一日，并無些影兒，便去求神問卜，終是虚文，心中煩悶不過。那日在家門首上立着，聽得過往人說：“周公在棲雲里賣卜，靈應非凡。只是卦資過高，要白銀一两三分！”就打動了他的心事，想：“我何不去問問看？”随向鄰舍借貸得一两三分銀子，起一個黑早，梳洗了，食過點心，用烏綾兒扎了頭，倒扣了門，便往周公卜市而來。


一到卜市，恰正天亮。凑巧彭剪方開門出來，挂吊招牌打掃。石婆子認得彭剪，便叫聲：“彭老爺，公爺可出來否？”彭剪聞言，抬頭一看，認得石婆子是昔同里鄰居之人，便叫道：“老嫂，你黑早到來，必定有事。要卜卦麽？”石婆子聞言，垂淚道：“正是。只因老寡婦之子石宗輔出外經商，在家時原說約定三個月内就回來的。至今半年了，并無音信回，老身放心不下，無奈借貸了一两零三分白銀，求公爺卜一卦看，看他在外安樂否，或生或死，老身也免常時牽肠挂肚。”一面說，一面把銀子遞與彭剪。那彭剪接了，道：“老嫂放心！吉人天相，令郎在外無事，或者因身耽擱了，亦未可知。你為老母，既是放心不下，要卜一卦，我就帶你進去罷。”言罼，便與婆子一同進去内堂上。　　石婆子抬頭一看，只見當中擺開一張桌子，上放着文房四寶，卦筒、香案等類，中間坐着一位公爺，只見他生得類象與人迥異。好威儀！但見：


頭扎三粱冠，八寶攢身；穿着皂羅袍，上绣蟒龍。面如鍋底黑又亮，目如星星起毫光。端坐上面排八卦，賽過靈仙一位神。


當下石婆子看見周公的儀表，不由不得就跪將下去。周公在坐上見外面進了—個老婦人，面帶懮容，忙忙的進來，一至當中，跪下地中央，他就有些不悦。這是為何？只因正早起登坐時，卜了一卦，見陰煞過旺，正欲叫彭剪來吩咐：今日不許接婦人的卦資。不期頭一個就是帶進一個婦人來，不免面上有不悦之容，即道：“你且起來。”随又問彭剪：“你今日為何不先禀明，就帶人進來卜卦？”彭剪道：這是石杜之妻賈氏。其丈夫在日，與彭剪有一面之交。今日他來問他的兒子歸期，故此未曾先禀。”石婆子聞言，帶淚說道：“老婦人只因兒子石宗輔在外經商，半年不回，老身只有此子，如今在外不知生死，心頭發忿，不遵往例，自知有錯，只求公爺海宥憐恤！”周公聞言點頭道：“也罷。你是問行人的麽？待孤與你卜一卦看看。”随取卦筒晃了两晃，起成一卦，把子午卯酉推算了一回，望着石婆子嘆類道：“孤若此不明言，豈不叫你白白盼望？你兒子今夜三更，就要命盡無常了！”


石婆子聞言，唬了一驚，即道：“公爺！我問你幾時動身歸來，如何說他即死？”周公道：“孤這卦接着先天的陰陽，後天的八卦，分厘毫末事俱在上面，何况関係你兒子的性命？你兒子起身是起身了，你母子要見面，只怕一萬不能！”石婆子便大哭道：“我兒今夜即死了，却死在何方？是得何病而死？”周公道：“孤算你兒子今夜三更壓死在破窰之内。”石婆子見周公說的話如見一般，心中倍加凄惨起來，不住的叩頭，只求公爺救救他的兒子。周公無奈道：“你且把兒子的八字、生辰报來，待孤與他看看流年如何？”石婆子忙把兒子的八字說上來——是十二月十八丑時生的，今年已是十四歲。周公聽了，把卦盒收了，再把石宗輔的八字排開一看，只叫一聲：“苦呀！凶神當頭，白虎守命，就是神仙也難過此門！命内一點救星也没有。奈何？石婆子，你今收拾此心，不要想念他。”正是：閻王注定三更死，誰敢留人到五更！


當下石婆子見周公說出不能救他的兒子，無奈放聲大哭，切切凄惨出了卜市門，往自己家中而去。


不知他的兒子生死如何，且看下回分解.

Peach Blossom Girl Magic Duel - Chapter 1

Copyright © 2010 - Jeff Loh. All rights reserved

On Mount Wandering Demons, the Buddhist Monk Blade transforms.
A Virtuous Gentleman Hides in Morning Song1 to become a fortune teller.

It was said that during the time of the Three Sovereigns2, there was a kingdom north of Luzhou, called Complete Bliss. The king had a virtuous wife who was pregnant for fourteen months. Finally she gave birth to a prince who was the incarnation of the deity in charge of spring, the Azure Emperor. After he had grown up, he abandoned his kingdom and sought cultivation in Taoism before attaining immortality. In the Upper Region3 he is known as the Holy-In-Charge of the Arctic Jade Hub. In the Middle Region he is the Most Holy of Mount Wandering Demons and in the Lower region, he is the Lord of the Dark Heavens.

Once, while practising immortality on a snow capped mountain, he gutted himself with a Buddhist Monk blade to cleanse his intestines. As he became unconscious, the knife fell away. After reviving, he forgot to retrieve it. It was not until when he was back in the Cave of Primordial Darkness that during his training that he realized the loss and kept the scabbard as the Cave Defending Treasure. The blade and scabbard are true treasures and after a hundred years or so they were transformed into spirits after receiving vitalities from the sun and moon. The blade took the form of a male and the scabbard a female.

The Blade continued its unorthodox transformation in Mount Wandering Demons while the scabbard continued her training in the Cave of Primordial Darkness. Yet another few centuries had passed before the Scabbard was summoned by the Queen Mother of Western Paradise to take charge of her peach garden. She was given the name, “Peach Blossom Fairy”. However the Blade did not attain enlightenment from the orthodox path and was furious. With other demons on the mountain, he caused troubles like belching out fire to rival the light of the sun and moon. At other times, he would summon clouds to make rain4, thus angering heaven. Soon divine soldiers were dispatched. The Blade was captured and bound at the Demon Execution Terrace. Luckily for him, Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism took pity on his thousand year hardship in attaining spirituality and pleaded for his case. He took the Blade back to his Tushita5 Palace and appointed it as the Keeper of the Divination Box. One day the Blade peeped into the Secret Formulae of the North Star and descended to earth secretly.

The true spirit of the Blade did not diminish and headed straight towards a noble family. This happened during the time of the Shang Dynasty. Chou Heng was a minister to the Court and had a wife named Feng. Heng became a father when he was over the age of fifty. The wife dreamt that the room was filled with blinding brilliance and when she woke up, a son was born unto her. He was given the name of Kan whose face was black as the bottom of a pot and had brows shaped like a pair of swords. Even as a child, there was a divine aura around him. At the age of seven, while playing in the backyard a heavenly mystic descended and gave him a celestial book. Because of his background, he was able to understand the contents at a glance; thus enabling him to discern events of the past and future, to call upon the gods and immortals alike; and to be able to soar and ride the clouds. When he reached the age of thirty, his parents died and he inherited his father’s position in the Court. From then, he was known as Lord Chou; an upright and well respected person in the Court. However the Shang ruler was not virtuous. Each time he remonstrated to his Lord, his advice went unheeded and he finally became disheartened.

One day after the Court audience had ended, he thought to himself,

“I could neither make my liege see the light of his errors nor am I able to sacrifice my life for the sake of the country. I am no different from the vulgar masses. Why don’t I just leave my post, find a quiet place somewhere in Morning Song and live in seclusion? I can become a diviner to help people, to become a master in the field of divination and dissecting the mystery of the Eight Trigrams. Although I am unable to help my country and its populace, at least this way, I would be able to leave my footprint through the millennia. Isn’t this a wonderful idea?”

With that thought in mind, he quickly wrote his letter of resignation in the night and presented his intent to the king at dawn. Due to his frequent remonstrations, the Shang ruler was not fond of him but was immensely elated upon hearing the news of his retirement. The petition was granted immediately. After his Court audience Chou Kan quickly went home, gathered a few items of clothing, locked up the mansion and led his retainers to a secluded place in Morning Song. He felt at ease with his newly found leisure life of no restrictions. The poem stated:

In becoming officials it is natural to make this world a better place,
But in hermitage, I know the secrets of heaven.
Clouds accompanying the mountains where there’s no danger,
Unlike before, worries I had to endure day and night6.

After ten days of leisure and carefree living, he called upon his old steward named Chien Peng Jian, an old family retainer who came to live in seclusion with his master. He was an honest person who never took advantage of anyone. Whether in asking him to draw water from the well or to plant vegetables, he is never unwilling. On hearing his master’s beckoning, he hurried into the main hall and asked,

“Milord, what need do you have of old Peng Jiang?”

“I am not capable in serving the country and its people well. Therefore I left my post to live in seclusion. I have decided in seeking another venue in life to fulfill the teachings of my ancestors and be someone of renowned ability. I shall establish my business here and you can help by opening another door on the left side of the main entrance to the house. Take three bars from the side room and erect it outside, clean the place and place a seat there. Do this immediately.”

Peng Jiang laughed out loud when he heard the words,

“Milord, I Peng Jiang, never in my life have I seen nobility set up shop to do any buying and selling.”

“I’m not doing any commerce at all!” smiled Chou.

“I am going into divination and fortunetelling to enlighten the befuddled so that they won’t commit crimes. At the same time, I dislike having too many people disturb my peace. I have a way – to charge a tael of silver for each session. After the charges have been paid you shall lead the inquirer to me and I shall begin my divination. However, only ten people a day I shall see and three pennies you may take as gratuity for leading them to me. What say you?”

Peng Jian was silent when he heard the words but kept smiling with a lowered head.

“Why do you not utter a single word?”

Peng Jiang laughed out loud,

“It is not Peng Jiang who is not answering you milord. You are just under one person but above thousands of others, why are you demeaning yourself in this way? For one, it is beneath your station to do so, secondly, I’m afraid you may be accused of bewitching the masses and thirdly people may not want to come to have their fortunes told as your charges are too high. Why all this fuss?”

“You know not my true intent. How would my dignity suffer by divulging the secrets of heaven? How enlightening and persuading the befuddled be construed as bewitching the masses? Worry not my divination capability. I tell you people will come knocking down the door to see me. Go quickly and do as you are told.”

Pang Jiang had no choice but to hire some carpenters. After a few days, when everything was done he reported to Lord Chou,

“The divining enterprise is completed”.

Then Pang Jiang smiled and continued,

“Milord, since you insisted upon one tael of silver as fee, everything would be fine if your predictions come true but what happens if they do not? Won’t you become the laughing stock? People will bad mouth you for using divination as a ruse to cheat people out of their money.”

Lord Chou laughed out loud and said,

“I am a reasonable person. If my predictions are not accurate, then ten times the amount paid will be refunded!”

“This is impermissible! If milord refunds the amount ten fold, then my gratuity of three pennies will be also ten fold. I cannot afford it. Surely you jest.”

Laughing out loud again, Lord Chou said,

“You have no idea know how good my predictions are. If a refund is to be made, I shall pay for you as well. Now what do you think about that!”

Pang Jiang was delighted on hearing those words and kowtowed before his lord. A large bamboo slip was ordered to be brought before him and Lord Chou wrote the following four words,

“Amazing Eight Trigram Divination”7

And on the left side, a column of smaller words,

“All predictions for death and fortunes both good and bad”.

And on the right was written, “One tael of silver for divination, three pennies gratuity to my servant as go between.”

Then on another large bamboo slip,

“Divination will be limited to ten each morning. Absolutely no inquirer after midday. If predictions proved inaccurate, a refund of ten taels of silver and thirty pennies!

After writing, he commanded Peng Jiang to sit at the cross-section of the main road to wait for customers. With such a move, the entire city of Morning Song was rocked with gossip; spreading like wild fires as one person informed ten and from ten into a hundred. Everyone on the street was saying,

“Strange, this is really strange. Never before had a nobleman parted their grand career for such measly divination business. Regardless if his predictions are accurate or not, it’s too much to shell out that one tael of silver!”

As no one would part their one tael of silver, none knew if any prediction is accurate. All day long Lord Chou sat serenely and smartly dressed in his cap and gown. No servant was in attendance except for a stick of burning incense. Three days gone by and nary a soul had come to have his fortunes told. Yet always a crowd of onlookers gossiping nearby. Then one local gentry landlord remarked,

“This Lord really knows how to jest; I’ll show him that I too can jest! I shall shed my one tael of silver and three pennies and see how good he is.”

Yet another, a soldier thought to himself,

“Yesterday, I came across some money and I haven’t decided what to do with it. I shall have my fortune told instead!”

So they entered the premise. As Lord Chou is from the nobility, they dared not make him wait by having small talk with Peng Jiang but handed the money quickly over to him who was smiling gleefully,

“How interesting… Today’s the propitious start of business!”

And with that, he laid the taels of silver in front of Lord Chou and explained the situation to him. Lord Chou then bade him to let one of inquirers enter. On seeing the landlord, Lord Chou said,

“Need not stand on ceremony nor explain anything to me. Just a silent prayer on the side will do.”

With those words, the landlord stood aside and prayed silently. Looking at the man, Lord Chou said,

“I understand your problem fully. Just because your servant has a beautiful wife, you wanted to break up their marriage and bade him marry another. The husband is unwilling and so now you wanted to harm him. Am I not correct? I’m afraid that you would not succeed but you get yourself killed first!”

This landlord was dumbfounded when his inner thoughts were exposed. His face was ashen into the color of mud. Immediately he knelt down on both his knees and pleaded,

“My Lord, this nobody did indeed harbor such intentions. I beg your Lordship point a way out for me to escape this calamity!”

Lord Chou nodded his head and said,

“Since you repented, there is a way out. Had you not seen me today, you will be dead tomorrow!”

Lord Chou then wrote a few lines of words on a piece of paper, handed it over to the landlord and spoke,

“This is your problem…”

The landlord took the paper and looked at the words…

What did Lord Chou write? How he is going to save the landlord? Please read the next chapter.

NOTES:

1. Chaoge (朝歌) Capital of the Shang Dynasty. It may also means “facing the song” i.e. embracing a song.

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sovereigns_and_Five_Emperors

3. In Taoism, the Three Regions (三界) are

    The Limitless Region (無極 region of no senses, upper)
    The Ultimate Region (太極region of senses, middle)
    The Present Region (現世region of needs, lower)

     In Taoist philosophy these regions are located in the human body. If one can refine (smelt)
     away essence away (煉精), one can leave the region of needs; refining away Prana (煉) one can
     escape away from the region of senses and refining away the spirit, one will leave the region of no
     sense. In popular stories, they are actual regions.

4. Ancient China is an agricultural society and therefore rains are of utmost concern. Therefore they
    are regulated by edicts from the Jade Emperor. Any unauthorized scheduling is considered as a
    crime against heaven.

5. 兜率 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tushita

6. 人道為官舉世奇，
    我知隱性有天機。
    雲山相伴無驚恐，
    不似勞心日夜時。

    The poem compares his present and former life. Even though he is a minister of the court and can
     make the world a better place but it is all but an illusion. Day and night he has the burden of the
     court affairs and the weight of the world bearing down on him. These are the least of his worries
     for one loses his life easily under an unjust ruler. Carefree and living in harmony with nature is the
     secret to a better life.

7. The four characters are卦理通神. Of course translating these four characters will not result in 4
     English words. The phrase literally means “Eight Trigrams divination principles connected to gods”.

Original text

桃花女陰陽鬪傳/第一回　

蕩魔山戒刀成形　
隐朝歌賢士賣卜

話說三皇之世，北俱蘆洲有個净樂國王，娶妻善勝夫人，懷胎一十四月，生下一位世子，乃是蒼帝化身。後來長大成人，棄國修道，成了正果——在上天為玉樞掌教北極天尊；在中為蕩魔無上上聖；在下為真武玄天上帝。曾在雪山修道，用戒刀剖腹洗腸，昏迷過去，把戒刀棄了。及至仙人度活時，忘收回戒刀。後至元玄洞修真，見戒刀已失，便將刀鞘留在元玄洞内，為鎮國之寶。這戒刀與刀鞘俱是蒼帝賜與大帝的，乃如意真寶，整整受了百年的日精月華，方才變化成形。戒刀修成了一個陽体，刀鞘修成了一個陰体。那戒刀潛詔蕩魔山中修真，刀鞘就在元玄洞内養性。又至數百余年，西池王母便刀鞘上天，管理桃園，賜名桃花仙子。那戒刀未成正果，心懷不憤，随在蕩魔山興妖作怪。有時吐焰與日月争光，有時無故興雲作雨，致于天怒，便差天兵天將下凡，把戒刀擒上金闕，在斬妖台上處斬。多虧得道教的鼻祖太上老君，見他苦修了几千年，便在金闕討情，帶了他到兜率宫中，做了一個看卦盒的童子。他便偷看了《天罡正訣》，私自下凡。

真靈不昧，一直竟投往商朝一家諸侯，姓周名卿，官拜上大夫之職，娶妻風氏。于五十岁上始生一子。未生之时，夫人夢見火光满室，耀人眼目，醒來時，就生了一位世子，起了名，唤叫周乾。只生得臉如鍋底，两道劍眉，自幼便有神光。及至七歲時，在花園内玩耍，從天降下一個異人，賜他一部天書。因他素有夙根，一目了然，便能知过去未來、請神召仙、駕雾騰雲之事。到了三十歲之上，周大夫夫妻亡故，周乾袭了父職，天下人都叫他做周公，在朝耿耿，百僚無不敬服。因見商王無道，屢屢上諫表，無奈商王不纳，致使心中悶悶不樂。這日朝罷無事，獨坐府中，心中暗想道：“我既不能匡君于正，又不能舍身为國，豈可同俗人一輩？我何不趁此告职，隐居在这朝歌，尋一個僻静之處。開一卜市引導世人？作一個講先天的班頭，剖八卦之领袖，雖不能為國為民，亦可流名萬載，豈不是好？”主意已定，是晚灯下修好了告退的本章。五更上朝，随出班面奏，把本章皇上。商王正厭他直諫，今見他告職去任，满心歡喜，就准了他的本章。　　周乾忙辭駕回府，收拾細軟之物，把府門鎖了，帶了家眷，往朝歌一個僻静清雅的屋住下，到覺得遣遥自在，無拘無束。有詩為證，詩曰：

人道為官舉世奇，
 我知隱性有天機。
雲山相伴無驚恐，
不似勞心日夜時。　　

那周公清閑了十來日，便叫過了一個老宰臣來吩咐。這老宰臣姓籛名彭剪，曾作過老大夫的家臣，為人誠實無欺，及跟周公來任上隱居，就叫他去汲水種蔬，他也情願。聞得周公叫他，便忙上前到大廳聲諾，道：“公爺，叫彭剪何事使唤？”周公道：“孤自棄職隱居于此，原是不能為國為民，以承祖宗之遺訓，意欲另開生面，作個立異的奇人。如今欲在此處作一事業，汝可與孤在前門左側另开一門，將偏房間三攔断在外，打掃潔静，陳設一張座頭。速速辦好方妙！”彭剪聞言笑道：“公爺，我彭剪從未曾見過公卿大夫作起肄业業買賣來。”周公也笑道：“孤不是作買賣肄業，今欲開一卜市，指點愚人，使彼等不敢為匪作歹的意思。但又只怕人多攪擾，想起一個法兒來了——如今每卦要卦資銀一两，先要銀子交與你，然後帶進來見孤，方才起課。一日止多十課，多則不占。若有人來時，先要給你銀三分，以為傳递酬酢之资。你道如何？”彭剪聞言，在旁并不答言，只管低頭見笑。周公道：“你因何不答一言？”彭剪笑道：“非是彭剪不答，只因國公乃是一個一人之下，万人之上的人，何苦作起这下流事來？一來有失貴体，二來恐生惑眾之心，三來占卦之人不敢上門。况且卦資太重，何必虛設此一番舉動？”周公道：“你不知孤意。詳演先天，何為失体？勸解愚人，何為惑眾？只怕卦儿不靈，若果是應，只怕踏破門呢。你不必管孤，快去行事！”

彭剪無奈，只得去叫匠人來動工修整。那消幾日，早已色色完備，便來回覆周公道：“卜市修好了。”随笑道：“公爺卦资虽要白銀—两，如靈呢，自然是要的，如不靈呢，豈不被人笑話？說公爺不好，对百姓要銀子，說個法兒來哄騙他們。”周公笑道：“孤自有道理——如不靈時，孤願賠回十倍！”彭剪聞言連道：“使不得！公爺賠得起十倍，彭剪得的三分，就難賠十倍。公爺休要捉弄我罷！”周公笑道：“你也不知孤的八卦能通神明。断無絲毫判情。如今你的也是孤賠，還如何？”彭剪聞言大喜，忙叩了一個頭，站將起來。周公就叫取了一片大竹板來，亲提笔在手，寫了“卦理通神”四個字，左邊寫行小字道：“预定生死吉凶”，右邊寫行小字道：“卦資銀一两，傳命代步銀三分”。又取一块大竹板寫道：“若有問卜者，清晨到此，指点吉凶。每日限占十卦，過午不占。如不靈應，受罸銀十两三錢！” 寫完，命彭剪一人在十字口大街上坐着，好等卜卦的人來。
這一舉一動就轟動了眾朝歌百姓，你言我語，一個傳十，十個傳百，满街满巷俱說：“奇事，從未見過作公爺的人把偌大的前程棄了，來作占卦的營生。俱不知靈不靈，竟要一两銀子多！”有想來試試，只因卦資過高，不免俱各袖手。
那周公終日俱在，穿得衣冠齐整的，在卜市中間座位上坐着，一個從者俱不用，止焚一爐好香，净净的清坐。彭剪自然是一個人坐在大門内。一連坐了两三日，并無一個人來占卦，止圍着無數的閑人，在那里乱講。内有一個土豪道：“這一位公爺也會玩耍，我小可却也会取笑。我舍着一两三分銀子，與他試試罷了。”又有一個軍漢道：“我昨日有一股財帛，却忘了一件事情，難以决断。我也去算一算！” 這二人就是先後進去了。只因國公是個有爵位的人，誰敢與他對坐閑談？故此不待人說，就將一两三分銀子交與彭剪。彭剪接了銀子，心中暗笑道：“有趣，今日發利市了！”随將一两銀子放在周公面前座位上。禀明了周公。周公便叫他先領了一個進來。那土豪先就跟了進來。周公道：“你不须行礼，也不用禀明何事，只在旁暗暗祷告便了。”土豪聞言，就立旁邊暗祝了一遍。周公看了一回，道：“你的心事，孤已明白了。只因你家下人的妻子貌美，你要拆散他夫妻，叫他丈夫另娶，他丈夫不從，你今想将他丈夫害死，是也不是？孤只怕你害人不死，先害死自己！”土豪聽周公道出他的私心，直唬得目定口呆，面如土色，忙双膝跪下，道：“公爺！小人果有此事。求公爺指明条路，小人好去趋吉避凶！”周公聞言点頭道：你既有悔心，自有生路。若不遇孤，你明日决死无生了！” 說罷，取了一張紙來，寫上幾行，递过與土豪，道：“這是你的心事——。”土豪接來一看，未知周公寫的什么，怎生指点，救得土豪如何，

且看下回分解。

On Translating Peach Blossom Girl Magic Duel

Sometime ago, after reading the superb scholarly translation of "The Journey To The West", aka "The Monkey King" by Anthony C. Yu, I was inspired to translate short articles and stories from newspaper articles and other sources. I think it was time for me to try my hand in translating some obscure Chinese books about popular folklore and myths. "Peach Blossom Girl's Magic Duel" is such a book. Its story is quite popular in Southern China in the form of operas. There is even an old Cantonese opera movie starring Tang Bik Wan. I chose this as my first book primarily because of its small number of chapters - 16 compared to the 100 or so in a typical book of this genre.


There will be mistakes made! Therefore I included the original text in Chinese so that other translators can point out my errors.

It would not be possible for me to embark on this sort of project without the existence of the Internet; especially when this genre contains many very obscure and difficult terms. For example, twenty five years ago, just for the fun of it, I tried translating, "The Tale of Investiture of Gods". My effort was thwarted by a four character phrase in a poem on the first page! Not until now with the ease of research on the internet was I able to decode its meaning. Still, it is extremely time consuming to research antiquated Chinese terms especially those that deal with alchemy and historical allusions. So please bear with me in my slowness to get the chapters posted.

Once again thanks to the enormous effort of Anthony C. Yu's translation of the Monkey King, that I learnt more of my own culture by reading the English translation than by original Chinese version.

24 November 2012

Facts of Life

秋風不比春意和 Autumn breeze never warmer than thoughts of spring.

菊香難勝牡丹紅 Fragrant chrysanthemums could hardly edge out the red red peonies.

蜉蝣夏日一嘆去Too soon a summer’s day end, mayflies gone like a sigh.

濃冬大雪賞寒梅 In the harshest winter, lusting after plum blossoms cold.

In the autumnal stage of one’s life, nothing beats the warmth of youth.  All achievements one had achieved are paled in comparison to the vigor of youth.  Time flies too fast when having summer's fun.  And as old age sets in, still yearning for the beauties - cold and ruthless they are; their only interest are your cold hard cash. They bloom best in the coldest conditions.

The four season flowers - peony, lotus, chrysanthemums, plum blossoms for spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Beauty From The North

Here’s a superb animation with the poem set to music. Of course the original music is lost.


http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/T6vzqbuL4gs/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBHZAuhRhPE


北方有佳人,             From the north came a ravishing maiden,
絕世而獨立.             Whose beauty stood alone.
一顧傾人城,             At a glance, cities fall,
再顧傾人国.             Once more, empires collapse.
寧不知倾城與倾国, Care not whether cities fall or empires collapse,
佳人難再得.             Such beauty never comes around twice.

This is the story of Emperor Han Wu Ti and Madam Li (漢武帝李夫人). The Emperor had 3 passions - power, women and music. Court Composer, Li Yannian (李延年) wanted to gain imperial favours and so he composed the above lyrics. On hearing the words, the startled emperor inquired if there is indeed such a beauty. The already bribed older sister of the Emperor, Princess Ping Yang (平陽公主) then casually remarked that there is indeed such a beauty in the form of the court musician's sister.

The Emperor fell madly in love when he gazed upon her beauty. However this romance did not last long. First of all she was a fragile beauty and her health gave up upon her soon after giving birth. Knowing that she was not going to live long, she refused to see the emperor.  Each time he came to see her she hid herself under the quilts crying. No matter how much he pleaded or entreated, he could not get to see her face. The frustrated Emperor once remarked that he would give her a million taels of gold and elevate her brothers to the ranks of dukes. She merely replied that it was his imperial prerogative to do so and does not need the excuse to get a glimpse of her. The Emperor left angrily. Her siblings came berating that she could cause the demise of their family.

She rebuked at their stupidity, "It is for the sake of the welfare of our family that I will not see him. He cares only for my beauty and nothing else. By denying him even a glimpse, he will not be able to see me in a state of diminished beauty. My beauty will forever be enshrined in his mind. After I'm gone, you all will know unbounded wealth and glories!"

When she died she was buried with the honours due to an Empress. Just as she predicted, each time the emperor thought of her, her family gained unbridled wealth and power. A crafty Taoist priest told the love sick Emperor that he could conjure her spirit to meet him. The wily priest then asked for her clothing and on such and such a night, in a heavily curtained and poorly candle lit chamber filled with incense smoke, the Emperor in his tipsy mood, glimpsed an image of her appearing on the curtains for a brief moment before her clothes fell to the ground when a gust of the wind caused the curtains to flutter.

Han Wu Ti ascended to the throne at the age of 16. When he was the crown prince, he fell in love with his cousin (his father's sister's daughter who was older than him) but could not get his hands on her and remarked that once he became emperor, he will build a house made of gold for her (in another words a golden cage!) . The phrase 金屋藏嬌, "a golden house to contain a beauty" comes from this story. Actually, the word 'beauty' is the name of the cousin, 陳阿嬌.

In his old age, the Emperor dabbled in mysticism to attain immortality but only enriched the pockets of Taoist priests and ending with deadly consequences including the execution of the crown prince on false charges of rebellion. When the truth finally came out, it was too late. Part of the cause of the demise of the Han Dynasty was due to his foolishness in his old age which the Emperor did not learn from his past mistakes.

There was a time when some pills of immortality were finally ready for the Emperor's consumption. Just as he was about to take them, this minister suddenly grabbed them and ate it himself. The Emperor was so enraged that he ordered immediate execution. The wily minister remarked calmly to him that such an order cannot be carried out. The astonished Emperor asked for the reason.

"If the pills were indeed that effective, then nothing can do me harm now that I am an immortal. If I get be killed, then the pills are false. Your Majesty's sacred name would forever be sullied in history as a befuddled ruler!"

Incense Burner

This is the incense burner I had in mind when I started on this poem, imagining smoke engulfing the lid.  How people used it to seek divine help and answers; yet it could not foretell its own coming demise when incense stopped burning.

爐烟繞纒紫檀香, Smoke enshrouding the incense burner in sandalwood fragrance,
木魚長敲驚乾坤. Incessant beats from the wooden fish1 alarming the Universe.
聖杯落地解天意, Sacred cups2 a cast to determine Heaven's will.
難測人性比海深. Deeper than the deepest ocean is to plumb the nature of man.

Notes:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_fish

2. Divination blocks also known as jiao bei (筊杯)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiaobei

For an interesting story see http://javewu.multiply.com/reviews/item/74

Update

It had been more than five years now.  Only one minor character had been changed to read better without altering the intent of the poem or its English translation.

爐烟繞纒紫檀香,
木魚長敲驚乾坤.
聖杯落地解天意,
難測人面比海深.

Tuesday, 21 Jul 2015

Firefly

螢火不曉鬥星光,

琴音無意接花香.

只識撲奪金鏤衣1,

難明春色不待人.

The fireflies' light does not know how to vie with the stars
Flowers' fragrance - zither's unexpected boon.
To those madly pursuing the glories of the world,
Would hardly understand that spring waits for no one.

Notes: 1.  Literally a golden knitted suit.  Also used as a burial shroud for the nobility.

Updates

It has been more than five years since I had written this poem which I am now updating to reflect on the improvement of my Chinese.  I did not pay attention nor was I interested in the rhyming of the lines.  This is due to my poor standard at that time.  I just wanted to express the thoughts that were surging within me.

I am changing the second line so that it now rhymes with the fourth line.  The "red dust" is a Buddhist term for the polluted mundane world of the laity.  

螢火不曉鬥星光, The fireflies' light does not know how to vie with the stars,

微光短短艶紅塵,  What a short time for it to glow in this world,

只識撲奪金鏤衣,  To those madly pursuing the glories of the empire,

難明春色不待人.  Would hardly understand that spring waits for no one.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

螢火不識鬥星辰 Light of fireflies knows not how to vie with starlight

輕舞微點挑花魂 Dotting in dance, gingerly here and there, arousing the soul of flowers

郎君醉傾鏤衣金 My beloved, drunken in the gold on his official robes

難解春色莫待人. 'tis difficult for him to understand colors of spring wait for no one.

Friday, September 21, 2018

Tuesday, March 2, 2021