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Authors: Zhao Rui-Yong, Zhou Su
Submitted by Bihailan, in Chinese
Source:
Wu Jing Sina Fan Club
Chapter 3
Like a Lotus Born
from the Mud
Why is it that the road to God is so narrow? Some even say it is like a
razor's edge, so sharp and so difficult to walk on. It is because the road
and the way to it are contradictory to our way of thinking and to our
worldly desires and temptations. We have to swim in the ocean but we also
have to protect our clothes from getting wet. That's how hard it is. We
have to live in this world with all its temptations and struggles, and yet
we have to maintain our discipline and purity like the lotus that is born
from the mud, but is very pure, very clean, and very fragrant. We have to
become saints in hell. ~
Supreme Master Ching
Hai |
9. Kangxi's Chamber
Emperor Kangxi, inflicted by illness, lies on the bed. He inspects Hongli,
who is writing composition, with a complex look.
Hongli inches forward, "Grandfather Emperor, are you getting better?"
Kangxi doesn't reply him directly, and instead asks, "Hongli, you words are
full of Grandpa's Imperial Edicts and Discourses. Your father
must have especially instructed you to study and memorise them, so that
you can show
off in front of me, pander to me?"
With innocence and naivety, Hongli says, "Well, you are only half correct."
Kangxi smiles, "Huh? What did Grandpa say wrong?"
"Father did told me to learn them by rote, as a form of respect
to Emperor Grandfather," Hongli replies, "However, he did not tell me to
show off to you."
Kangxi asks again, "In that case, have you also studied other books
well and are able to recite them?"
With aplomb, he puts down his brush, "As you wish, go ahead."
Kangxi takes out a book from his bedside and turns to a certain page.
"Which passage?"
"See it yourself."
"Love for Lotus, written by Zhou Dun-Yi," Hongli receives the book from
Kangxi.
Kangxi wishes to test him, "Eh?"
Hongli stands up straight, returns the book to Kangxi and start reciting,
"Flowers of land and sea. There are those who likes Chrysanthemum and
those who adores Peony. Yet I loves only Lotus for it's uncontaminated by
the muddy water from which it grows, the Gentleman of Flowers."
"Fantastic!" Kangxi is very satisfied, "And do you like chrysanthemum,
peony or lotus most?"
Hongli throws the question back instead, "Emperor Grandpa prefers lotus,
peony or chrysanthemum?"
Kangxi says, "Isn't there a saying, Peony, The Nobility of Flowers, Ruler
of Households, How noble? Naturally, I love peony."
"Why doesn't an emperor like lotus?" Hongli argues, getting a mite
agitated," She is upright, fragrant and pure. She grows out of muddy waters
but is not contaminated. She is the gentleman among all flowers. Shouldn't
a ruler be like her?"
Kangxi appears to be particularly calm, "He can never be like that! A
ruler, because he is a ruler, he can't be a gentlemanly person."
"Why? A ruler of the country, yet is not a gentleman?
"An career of an emperor is all encompassing and full of ups and downs.
His chariots have to leave tracks of blood as they move forward, his
command encompasses cries of the world," as Kangxi speaks, he becomes
frantic, "His cleaver has to split apart fog of underhand means,
the ship he rides on has to stay on the top of muddy waves, the broad-mind
of his has to withstand trials of kindness and evil. All the decisions he
makes, his happiness, anger, sadness, are inextricably linked to for very
important words......
Hongli listens with total rapture.
Kangxi: " (The Empire is of More Importance)."
Hongli ponders over it deeply.
With a deep sigh, Kangxi continues, "... ...He, he is no longer himself. He is
already being manipulated by hand of fate! ... ... The blood soaked heart
of an emperor is so much like the red-inflamed petals of peony, eh?"
Hongli rubs his chest unconsciously.
Kangxi stares at Hongli's gesture, "What's the matter with you?"
Hongli tries to cover up, "Nothing, Emperor Grandpa."
"This is also Grandpa's Imperial Edict. Have you remembered it?"
Hongli lapses into morose silence.
Kangxi is a little disappointed, "Pure like lotus, this is not the flower
the imperial family should adore... ...Unwilling to remember it?"
"No, I have taken note of it."
... ...
16. Kangxi's Chamber
Kangxi with his eyes shut, lies calmly on the bed. Hongli stays silently
by the bed. The princes and their families are crying outside the imperial
chamber, "Emperor Father, Emperor Father! Let us go in, Emperor Father."
Kangxi opens his eyes slightly, looking at Hongli.
Hongli asks softly, "Emperor Grandpa, you've woken up?"
Suddenly, a group of crowd outside shouts, "Emperor Father, make
Eighth
Brother the heir to your throne. He is smart, saintly and has the bearing
of a ruler!"
Another another group shouts, "Emperor Father, pass your throne to
Fourteenth Brother. Only then can Manchurian rule lasts forever."
The fur flies furiously between the two camp: Eighth Brother! Fourteenth Brother!
Zhang Tingyu raises his voice, "Princes, please be quiet. The emperor is
sick but you shouldn't coerce him to give up the throne."
In a kind manner, Kangxi asks Hongli, "Hongli, tell me, what is Grandpa thinking of
right now?"
Hongli replies without delay, "Emperor Grandpa is looking forward to
Fourteenth Uncle's return."
"What a bright Hongli."
"What a great Emperor Grandpa."
Kangxi asks again, "Tell me, among my many sons, whom should I make the
crown prince? Tell me, who do you like most?"
"Don't crown anyone, Hongli loves Emperor Grandpa most," says Hongli,
without any thinking.
"What if it is necessary to crown a prince?"
"Really have to crown a prince?"
"Aye."
"If it cannot be avoided, I would say Fourteenth Uncle," Hongli voices out
his view forthrightly.
Kangxi enquires again, "Ever thought of crowning your father?" "No. I have never thought of him.
It's true."
"Why not?"
Hongli laughs, "Hahaha. I don't wish to speak ill of my father."
"But Emperor Grandpa is the father of your father." Kangxi also
laughs.
"Do I really have to say it?"
"Yes."
Finally, Hongli explains, "When I am with him, I am lifeless. When I am
with Emperor Grandpa, I am full of energy. Emperor Grandpa is erudite,
kind, charming, fl... ..."
"Pardon?"
Hongli, "I won't speak any further."
Kangxi pretends to look stern, "Tell me, fl... what?"
Hongli, "Flirtatious."
Kangxi laughs.
Hongli begins to explain, "King Qin pales in comparison with you, while
Emperors of Tang and Song Dynasties are not much of lady-killers as you
are. Emperor Grandpa is a gentleman among the rulers of all centuries. How
is it?"
"Gentleman? You have talked about lotus yet again. Seems like our debate
has yet to end." Kangxi sits up, "Alright, in future, when you become the
emperor, I hope you can be like the lotus, growing out of muddy waters
without being contaminated. Eh? A true gentleman, leaving behind a good
name for posterity. Eh? ... ... Difficult, unconvinced? ... ..."
Hongli tries his best to hide his joy, "Emperor Grandpa, you must be
thirsty. Have a sip of ginseng soup." |
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