The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen
EDITOR / CONVERTER NOTES
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- EyesOnly
1
• Arrival of Master Wu •
• Prince Jen Hurries to The Pavilion of Joyful Mornings •
• Mafoo Makes a Suggestion •
ONE MORNING, A RAGGED OLD MAN came hobbling to the Jade Gate of the Celestial Palace in Ch'angan. He leaned on a staff, his robe was kilted to his knees, red dust caked his bare feet. He was not a beggar, since he asked for no alms. He was not a man of wisdom, since he did something ridiculous: He demanded an audience with King T'ai.
The guards would have had rough sport with the foolish old fellow, but the look in his eyes made them uneasy and uncertain what to do about him. So, they reported his presence to the Department of Further Study. There, the officials decided that he was merely a wandering lunatic and should receive five blows from the Rod of Correction. However, when the guards returned to administer Benign Chastisement, he had vanished.
Later that day, Young Lord Prince Jen was practicing archery at the far end of Spring Blossom Garden. It was one of his many accomplishments, which included appreciation of the new moon at the Mid-Autumn Festival, riding, fencing, writing poetry, and knowledge of the Six Forms of Polite Address, the Eight Mandarin Ranks, and other essential information.
His servant, a round-faced, bandy-legged fellow named Mafoo, had gone to retrieve an arrow when Prince Jen glimpsed an astonishing sight: an intruder on the palace grounds. At first, Jen thought it was his beloved old teacher, Master Hu, who had instructed him in Princely Virtues, as well as all the other precepts, principles, and analects that a young man of Jen's rank was required to know. Jen and the ancient sage had been devoted to each other. One day, however, Master Hu disappeared from the palace and never returned.
It was not Master Hu. Unhindered by walls, gates, and sentries, a stranger was making his way across the gardens toward the Pavilion of Joyful Mornings, where the ailing King T'ai customarily took the fresh air.
Prince Jen immediately summoned Mafoo, who peered in the direction his master indicated.
"Do you mean that old codger in a red robe?" Mafoo said, squinting one eye, then the other. "Carrying a walking staff? Prosperous, distinguished looking, with a long white beard?"
"Exactly," Jen said.
"I see nothing at all," Mafoo said. "Since it's not allowed, he isn't there. He's a figment of your imagination."
"You see him as well as I do," Jen said, hustling Mafoo toward the pavilion. "Don't play the fool."
"Who's playing?" Mafoo muttered. "This is something out of the ordinary. I've served long enough in the palace to know one thing: What starts by being unusual ends by being troublesome."
Jen's astonishment grew. Outside the pavilion, instead of rushing to protect King T'ai, the royal bodyguards stood about in befuddlement. Some leisurely scratched themselves, others stared blankly at the clouds. A few had gone to sleep on their feet and snored loudly.
Jen hurried into the pavilion. There sat his father conversing with a lean old man whose weathered face was brown and wrinkled as a walnut shell.
"My son, how surprising this is," King T'ai said. "I was about to send for you this very moment. Here is Master Wu. He has journeyed great distances and learned much of interest to me during his travels. I confess he so startled me at first that I feared I must have died without noticing it and he was a spirit come to lead me, to my ancestors. I could only wish he had chosen a more conventional way of obtaining an audience."
"With all honor and respect, Your Highness," replied Master Wu, "had I done so, would it have been granted? I understand an old man of the streets sought a hearing but was sentenced to a beating."
"If so, I regret it," said King T'ai. "I know nothing of him. My councillors decide who is admitted into my presence. As for yourself, Master Wu, you seem a person of substance and rank. Your request would surely have been given every consideration."
"Perhaps, or perhaps not," Master Wu said. "Yet, as the poet Lo Yih-tsi wrote. Whether it comes wrapped In fresh leaves or old straw, The discerning cook smiles and says, 'What an excellent fish!'"
Master Wu now turned his attention to Prince Jen. The wayfarer did not fling himself to his knees and knock his head on the ground, as the law required. After a calculating glance, he nodded briefly.
"I was speaking to His Majesty," Master Wu said, "of a happy, harmonious realm."
"Clearly," Mafoo said under his breath to Jen, "the old geezer doesn't mean our Kingdom of T'ang."
"The old geezer," said Master Wu, whose ears must have been as sharp as his eyes, "was referring to the Kingdom of T'ien-kuo."
"Is there truly such a place?" asked Prince Jen. Long ago, Master Hu had spoken of T'ien-kuo, but the old sage himself was not certain whether it existed or was only a fairy tale.
"So I gather, from all I have heard and read," Master Wu said. "It is a remarkable kingdom. Far north of here, in its great capital, Ch'ung-chao, reigns the noblest and most generous of rulers: Yuan-ming. His subjects thrive and prosper, the land yields harvests in abundance, the arts flourish as richly as the orchards. The laws are just, but seldom enforced, since the inhabitants deal with each other as they themselves would wish to be dealt with. Thus, few officials are needed, but they serve their monarch and the people well."
"If true," Jen said, "it must be the Sphere of Heavenly Perfection itself."
Master Wu chuckled like a dry branch scraping a roof. "Indeed not. How could it be? Even in T'ienkuo, none can escape living or dying, the pains of rheumatism or the pangs of a broken heart. There, simply, a reasonable amount of happiness is a definite possibility."
"I would be glad for half as much in my own kingdom," said King T'ai. "I wish to consult Yuanming and learn how he governs his people. I have little strength for a long journey, but I must make it nevertheless."
Prince Jen was about to speak, but Mafoo dropped to his knees before the king. "Divine Majesty, I offer a humble suggestion. The journey will be difficult, uncomfortable to say the least, with who knows what dangers. Send someone else to observe Yuan-ming's methods and principles. Give the task to the lowest ranking official in the palace. If something fatal happens to him, he won't be missed. Better yet, send a high official, who will be missed even less."
"Would they report the truth to me?" replied the king. "I doubt it. They would tell me what they wished me to hear, for their own benefit. Who goes in my place must be one I trust beyond question."
"Honored Father," Prince Jen began, "hear my own thought."
"Young Lord, be careful," Mafoo whispered. "I know you're good-hearted, well-meaning, kindly, with a sweet and innocent nature. Therefore, you' re about to do something stupid."
"Honored Father," Jen continued, "let me make the Journey."
"I knew it!" groaned Mafoo. "Young Lord, you've never set foot outside the palace grounds. You've never put on your clothes for yourself, or even washed your own feet. For your own good, avoid such a journey."
Prince Jen, despite Mafoo tugging at his sleeve, went on so eagerly and persuasively that King T'ai nodded agreement.
"Go, then. Study and learn all that is possible. If Yuan-ming is as generous as Master Wu tells us, he will surely welcome you and share his wisdom. I will anxiously await your return."
"Young Lord," whispered Mafoo, "will you give your groveling servant permission to speak?"
"Mafoo," said Prince Jen, "first, when have you ever groveled? Second, when have you ever asked permission for anything?"
"Young Lord," said Mafoo, "I haven't told you this before, but I have to tell you now. No one could hope for a better master than your noble self. Since your revered mother passed away, I have served you with admiration and affection growing greater every day. The thought of your leaving on such a journey is more than I can bear. Therefore, I beg you: Stay in the palace. Find someone else to undertake the hardships."
"Good Mafoo!" cried Prince Jen. "Faithful Mafoo! What you have said touches me deeply. I had no idea you would be so grieved by my absence. I cannot bring myself to put such a painful burden on your loyal heart."
"Blessings on you," exclaimed Mafoo. "I knew I could count on your kindness and compassion."
"You can," said Prince Jen. "Therefore, I have decided to take you with me."
"What?" Mafoo clapped his hands to his head. "Young Lord, do you realize?"
"So be it," said King T'ai. "What better companion than one who declares such deep devotion?"
"Your Highness," Mafoo said hastily, "there has been a small misunderstanding. I only wanted to protect the Young Lord."
"So you shall," said King T'ai. "I count on your affection and obedience. I have every confidence you will not let Prince Jen come to harm. See to his comfort as you would your own."
"Of that," answered Mafoo, "you can be absolutely certain."
"Make preparations now," declared King T'ai. "I will order an escort of my finest troops, and write a royal warrant, stamped with my vermilion seal, commanding every subject, every official throughout the land to provide all that Prince Jen may require."
"Wait." Master Wu raised a hand. "There is one difficulty."
• • • • •
Our young hero is eager to start his journey, but Master Wu seems to he casting a dark shadow on a bright prospect. What can he the difficulty? To find out, read the next chapter.
2
• Seeking Worthy Offerings •
• Six Valuable Objects •
• One Inconvenience •
JEN'S FACE FELL. He stared in dismay at Master Wu. "But-all is settled. What difficulty can there be?"
"Finding suitable gifts," replied Master Wu. "All who seek an audience with Yuan-ming must bring him worthy offerings. Not to do so would be a most profound discourtesy, a mortal affront. Yuan-ming is a kindly, reasonable monarch, but on this point I understand he is unshakable. Without acceptable tokens of esteem, Young Lord, you would surely be turned away."
"That difficulty is easily overcome," said King T'ai. "I will open the Hall of Priceless Treasures and hold back nothing that may please Yuan-ming." Jen's concern vanished. "Only a matter of costly presents? Master Wu, you'll find more than enough."
"Perhaps," Master Wu said. "We shall see." He turned to the king. "I must be allowed to choose the gifts, without question or objection to what I select."
King T'ai nodded. "I put all my possessions at your disposal."
The guards by now had recovered from their befuddlement and rushed into the pavilion. King T'ai gestured for them to lower their swords and lances. He ordered their captain to carry word to General Li Kwang, the king's commander of palace troops. Li Kwang was to attend him later in the Chamber of Private Discourses; meantime, he was to assemble a princely escort of horsemen and foot soldiers, holding them ready to depart for the Kingdom of T'ien-kuo at the earliest moment.
From the Pavilion of Joyful Mornings, the king led Master Wu, Prince Jen, and Mafoo to the Hall of Priceless Treasures. The surprised First Custodian unlocked the teakwood cabinets, opened huge golden coffers, and drew back the silken drapes from the alcoves. Master Wu glanced around him as the Second and Third Custodians scurried ahead to unbar other chambers.
Even as Master Wu began peering at the store of treasures, news of the king's intention spread from one department to the next.
The highest officials urged King T'ai to give up his ill-considered, ill-advised, and impossible plan. For once, the king refused to heed them. If they thwarted his wishes, he warned them, every official in the palace would be demoted by two grades. They fell silent instantly.
Meanwhile, Master Wu continued inspecting the royal treasures. For three days, he paced the chambers and galleries. Each day, Prince Jen grew more dismayed. Master Wu shrugged at the priceless figurines of rare jade. He wrinkled his nose at the exquisite porcelain ware and waved a scornful hand at the intricate objects of pure gold.
When King T'ai came to learn the reason for the delay, Master Wu shook his head.
"Among all these treasures," he declared, as Prince Jen's heart sank, "I find none worthy of offering to Yuan-ming."
One chamber remained unexamined. The First Custodian assured the king that it held items of little value or interest. They had not been sorted, listed, or classified and hardly merited even counting as part of the royal collection.
"Let me look at them nevertheless," Master Wu said.
Following him into this last chamber, Prince Jen glimpsed only a hodgepodge of dust-covered articles. He was about to turn away, disappointed, when Master Wu's eyes brightened.
"Here-yes, here is one acceptable gift." He pointed to a curved sword leaning in a corner. The First Custodian hastened to fetch it. Master Wu stepped toward a pile of harness leathers, stirrups, and other gear.
"There is a saddle," he said. "I choose it as well."
From then on, Master Wu unhesitatingly selected one item after the other, though his choices struck Prince Jen as being of much less value than the treasures in the other chambers. In addition to the first two, Master Wu rummaged out four more. He bobbed his head and pronounced himself satisfied. The First Custodian begged to mention that a list must be made of any objects removed. He produced a tablet of paper and wrote according to Master Wu's direction:
Item: one sword, iron, with scabbard likewise, including tassels and attaching rings. Item: a saddle, of tooled leather, with stirrups and bridle. Item: a flute, of painted wood. Item: a bowl, bronze, one hand span in circumference. Item: a box, of sandalwood, containing one paintbrush, one ink stick, and one ink stone for grinding same. Item: one kite, paper, bird-shaped, with wooden rods and struts (disassembled), including one ball of string.
"A child's toy?" Prince Jen, hearing this last object named, whispered to Mafoo. "What value does this have for Yuan-ming? Can Master Wu be serious?"
Mafoo shrugged. "At least it's easy to carry. What if the old bird had picked a pair of ten-foot vases?"
Assembled in the palace courtyard the next morning, a splendid escort of cavalry and foot soldiers stood ready while Prince Jen knelt to take leave of his father. He had expected Master Wu to be on hand to offer parting words of advice, but the old man was nowhere to be found.
The six chosen objects had been wrapped in silk and set beside Prince Jen in a carriage canopied in yellow brocade. Mafoo had appointed himself driver of the pair of white horses. The Jade Gate was flung open. Tall banners fluttering, tassels swinging at the necks of the steeds, horsehair plumes waving at the crests of glittering helmets, the procession crossed the Great Square of Tranquil Harmony. Word of Prince Jen's purpose had been cried throughout Ch'angan. As the carriage passed, the townspeople dropped to their knees and called down ten thousand blessings on the journey.
As for Prince Jen, his long hair bound up under a tall cap stiff with gold embroidery, his robes wrapped around him and tied with a sash at his waist, he composed his features in a look of calm dignity, as he had always been instructed to do. However, with the cheers of the townsfolk ringing in his ears, he found this attitude more and more difficult.
"Has there ever been a day like this?" he cried. "Has the sky ever been so blue? Or the sun so bright? The air has a fragrance I never smelled in the palace. What is this spicy perfume?"
"Let me analyze it." Mafoo sniffed loudly. "Ah. Yes. I can identify the subtle ingredients. One part fried cabbage. One part wandering livestock. Two parts old rags. Four parts sweat. The rest, a concentrated absence of cash. Mixed with the correct proportions of thievery, beggary, and a generous pinch of greedy officials, it is called 'Sublime Essence of Wretchedness."
"You make sport of my ignorance," Prince Jen said reproachfully.
"No, no," Mafoo protested. "Ignorance Is. a common ailment. In time, it goes away. Unless it proves fatal."
Passing through the outskirts of Ch'angan, Prince Jen was appalled to observe the ramshackle dwellings, patched together with paper, straw, and plaster, none of them as spacious as the palace kennels or pigeon coops. Street urchins picked through heaps of rubbish, a bent backed old woman and a dog lean as a skeleton disputed over a bone in the gutter.
"One of our nicer neighborhoods," Mafoo remarked.
"Can there be worse?" Jen burst out. "I never realized-Mafoo, I must learn all I can from Yuan-ming, and come back as soon as possible to help these folk."
"Agreed." Mafoo slapped the reins. "Especially the part about 'as soon as possible."
Passing the Happy Phoenix Gardens and crossing the Lotus Bridge, they left the capital well behind them. Prince Jen's earnest concern for what he had seen strengthened his resolution. At the same time, he could not imagine a pleasanter way to accomplish a noble purpose. Halting at the end of their first day on the road, Mafoo pitched a silk tent and set up comfortable couches; from the supply wagons, he obtained chairs, taborets, flowered screens, and a cooking brazier.
As courtesy required, Prince Jen invited Li Kwang to share the excellent meal Mafoo himself had prepared. After the obligatory expressions of gratitude, the gray headed, battle-scarred warrior addressed Prince Jen.
"His Divine Majesty entrusted your life to my care," Li Kwang said. "I gave him my solemn vow that I and my men would guard you with our lives. Young Lord Prince, I repeat that vow to you."