A Prophet - Chapter 11 (Part 5)
Chapter 5 - Zuo Yongchan Appears
When the housekeeper politely ushered the visitor into the room and Grandpa Zu took a look, the visitor was by no means one of Ninth Master's men, but rather an instructor from the Jingwu Athletic Association. This instructor was surnamed Zeng, given name Jingwu, and had visited Grandpa Zu on multiple occasions out of admiration to exchange pointers on dart-throwing techniques.
Zeng Jingwu cupped his fists in a salute to Grandpa Zu and said, "Grandpa Zu, coming to visit at this late hour is quite a disturbance."
Grandpa Zu smiled and said, "Instructor Zeng traditionally 'never visits the Hall of Three Treasures for nothing'; what instruction do you bring with you this time?"
With a solemn expression, Zeng Jingwu said to Grandpa Zu, "The matter is urgent, Grandpa Zu, so I will dispense with beating around the bush. I am one of Ninth Master's (Wang Yaqiao) men, and my role as a Jingwu Athletic Association instructor is merely a public facade. My purpose in infiltrating the Jingwu Athletic Association is to recruit more Jingwu members into the anti-Japanese resistance ranks, and naturally we have also selected some hot-blooded patriotic souls to join Ninth Master's fold. At present, both the Kuomintang and the Japanese are hunting for Ninth Master. His situation is extremely difficult, and he must leave the Jianghuai region for a period of time. If Grandpa Zu has any matters in the future, you can come directly to the Jingwu Athletic Association to contact me."
With that, Zeng Jingwu drew a letter from his bosom: "Ninth Master instructed me that this must be delivered to you personally."
Grandpa Zu was stunned. It turned out that this instructor Zeng, who frequently sparred in martial arts with him, was actually a disciple of Ninth Master. It seemed Ninth Master was both assisting him on one hand and testing him on the other. Thinking of this, Grandpa Zu felt a cold breeze ripple down the back of his neck.
Grandpa Zu opened the letter and read it carefully.
One reading was all it took for Grandpa Zu to break out in a cold sweat instantly! This was a matter of monumental proportions; if it came to fruition, it would undoubtedly shock the entire world! Written in Wang Yaqiao's own hand:
My younger brother Guansheng, please peruse with your esteemed attention:
Your foolish older brother was born to humble roots as a commoner, yet though my position is lowly, I have never dared forget my anxiety for the country! Ever since the uprisings of the Xinhai Revolution, I have only witnessed the misty rains of the West River weeping and the northern soils bereft of their mountains and rivers. In our majestic land of China, how can one mask the pack of Japanese wolf-bandits? Casting my eyes across the expanse of Huaxia, my tears fall in bitter anguish. I have sworn to pledge my body to the nation, using a scholar's frail and delicate physical form to shoulder the arduous, righteous path of these turbulent times. Thus, assassinating Song at the North Station, assassinating Chiang at Mount Lu, fighting the Songhu Battle, and hacking Baichuan to pieces—risking life and death fearlessly for twenty swift years, I harbor neither resentment nor dread! Those dwelling in full-bellied comfort can never fathom the backbone of a tough man, nor do those dwelling high in temple halls perceive the anguish of a subjugated nation. Everyone says that the world fears ghosts, yet ghosts fear Yaqiao. Your foolish brother sought throughout his life to awaken the martial spirit of the sons and daughters of Huaxia, yet ultimately ended up sharing a name on equal footing with ghosts. How painful! How sorrowful!
In the sixth year of the Republic, I first made the acquaintance of my younger brother. As the descendant of a military family, your descent into the Jiang-Xiang underworld was likewise the destined return of fate. My worthy brother strictly upholds human ethics, acting on behalf of heaven to mete out justice, repaying gratitude by giving back—you are a true man indeed! You and I share a common destiny of taking to the greenwood, separated by a thousand miles yet close as neighbors, a sworn bond never to be forgotten!
Today the foreign bandits press ever closer, our national territory is falling into ruin, and the authorities are obsessed with civil war. Such actions defying heaven shall inevitably invite universal condemnation from the entire nation. Your brother, overestimating his own capabilities, desires to execute another major undertaking in Nanjing, decapitating the heads of the three traitors to swear an oath to wash away our national humiliation, and manifesting public righteousness brightly across Huaxia! This enterprise shall either succeed or result in martyrdom; should your foolish brother meet an untimely end, my brother must restrain your grief, faithfully upholding my aspirations to truly console me in the nether springs!
My younger brother Jingwu possesses gallantry, benevolence, and righteousness. All news from the northern front stems from his hands; as hostilities are about to erupt, we should maintain frequent contact!
Lifting my chopsticks and raising my brush, bitter tears stream down. Our bond as brothers—never forget it even in slumber and breathing! Take good care of yourself!
Your foolish brother Yaqiao
At the Hai double-hour on the Gengzi day
After finishing the letter, Grandpa Zu's mood was exceptionally heavy. He held a deep respect for Wang Yaqiao, yet now Wang Yaqiao had been driven to a state with nowhere to hide, while he himself was utterly powerless to help. Thinking of this, a wave of self-reproach surged within Grandpa Zu. Even more critically, Wang Yaqiao was once again plotting to assassinate Chiang Kai-shek and others; should he fail even slightly, the consequences would be unimaginable, and perhaps he would never lay eyes on this Ninth Master ever again!
For so many years, Wang Yaqiao had looked after Grandpa Zu on numerous occasions. Whenever Grandpa Zu encountered adversity, Wang Yaqiao invariably extended a helping hand, a debt of gratitude so immense it defied expression!
Grandpa Zu hurriedly instructed the housekeeper to grind ink and dip the brush to write a reply. In detail, Grandpa Zu responded regarding his own predicament, and with almost pleading phrasing expressed his hope that Wang Yaqiao would act with extreme caution, finally sealing his brush with the line: "Countless heroes populate this mortal world, yet Guansheng alone recognizes Wang Yaqiao. Take good care of yourself, Ninth Master, and how fortunate it is for China!" Upon finishing, a tear dropped onto the page. He immediately handed the letter to Zeng Jingwu, who paid his respects and withdrew.
Grandpa Zu sat desolately in his chair, his mind in complete turmoil. Truly, brothers shared a common fate; Ninth Master was driven into a dead end by the Japanese, while he himself was rendered all but immobile by the "sectarian societies" of Jianghuai...
Huang Farong walked over holding a cup of hot tea. Grandpa Zu hadn't noticed when she had come out at all, and hastily wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes.
Huang Farong extended her hand to pass over a handkerchief. Without thinking much, Grandpa Zu took it and wiped his face, but suddenly felt something was amiss. The handkerchief was redolent with fragrance—it belonged to Huang Farong. Grandpa Zu stared blankly for a moment, waved his hand, and said, "You may withdraw."
Huang Farong uttered a soft "Understood," turned and walked out. Just as she neared the door, she turned back and added, "Farong seeing Grandpa Zu looking like this is of no consequence, but make sure the other brothers don't see." With that, she strode briskly away.
Grandpa Zu gazed at her retreating figure, his expression growing solemn.
Not long after Huang Farong left, the sound of knocking rapped out once more. Expecting it to be her returning, Grandpa Zu was surprised a moment later when the housekeeper entered to announce that Zuo Yongchan, the newly appointed sect leader of the Tiansheng Dao, had come to call. Grandpa Zu felt a jolt in his chest! How did he come here?!
Zuo Yongchan was a few years younger than Grandpa Zu, with a lean and diminutive physique, a rodent-like face with piercing eyes, and a long parted mustache. Viewed from afar, he resembled a giant rat. Yet this fellow was exceptionally clever, possessed brilliant eloquence, and had previously served as the "head staff disciple" commanding over a thousand disciples across Jianghuai. Zuo Yongchan was Zhang Jiyao's eldest disciple and the chief of the ten staff disciples, hence referred to as the "head staff." Accompanying him were two "green-robed" attendants.
Grandpa Zu ordered tea to be served, and after a round of conventional pleasantries, asked, "What instruction brings Sect Leader Zuo to visit in the dead of night?"
Zuo Yongchan smiled and said, "My late master has undergone transformation and ascended to immortality. Though I, Yongchan, lack talent, I have been honored by the unanimous recommendation of the brothers to inherit my late master's mantle. During his lifetime, my late master shared a profound friendship with Grandpa Zu; I must faithfully inherit my master's mandate and continually cultivate friendly relations between our two houses. My visit tonight is precisely to resolve an urgent crisis for Grandpa Zu!"
A shock coursed through Grandpa Zu's heart, though his exterior remained unruffled. With a hearty chuckle, he remarked, "Not at all, not at all! That Master Zhang attained the Dao and achieved immortality is a joyous occasion for all. It is my sincere wish that Master Zhang, in his boundless compassion for all living beings, will extend his heavenly blessings from above to ensure that the incense burners of both the 'Tiansheng Dao' and 'Plum Blossom Lotus' burn with enduring prosperity! Sect Leader Zuo, as Master Zhang's premier disciple, being able to take the reins of Tiansheng is an even greater stroke of fortune for the common folk of Jianghuai!"
Grandpa Zu was playing tai chi, sidestepping the heavy issues to touch lightly upon the trivial.
Zuo Yongchan burst into laughter. "Everyone says Grandpa Zu handles matters with cool-headed composure and remains fearless in the face of danger. Witnessing it today, I see the reputation is well-deserved! Does Grandpa Zu happen to know who laid down the setup involving the dark-haired coffin?"
Seeing that Zuo Yongchan had already pierced through the facade, Grandpa Zu ceased beating around the bush. Gathering his smile, he said, "There are numerous dao sects in the Jianghuai region; I merely wonder which Bodhisattva I inadvertently offended to have such an unceremonious trick played upon me!"
Zuo Yongchan gazed at Grandpa Zu and said, "It was Master Xuanzi."
Lowering his gaze, Grandpa Zu said, "Please enlighten me further, Sect Leader Zuo!" This was his way of saying: You claim it's Master Xuanzi, but how do you know? What is the full story behind the sequence of events?
Zuo Yongchan cast a glance at the surrounding personnel. With a wave of Grandpa Zu's hand, his housekeeper and Zuo Yongchan's green-robed attendants all withdrew. Speaking in low, whispered tones, Zuo Yongchan elaborated while Grandpa Zu listened with rapt attention.