Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai

"The melody is excellent, poignant and moving, its deep feeling lingering long. It deserves to be called a masterpiece, and must have been composed by a master."

An elderly woman seated sideways on a cushioned couch came back to herself after listening and offered an entirely fair assessment. "But you yourself haven't even crossed the threshold of music. This is truly a squandering of heaven's gifts."

"You're quite right, Auntie. It must have come from an accomplished master." Sitting on a small folding stool, Liu Acheng lowered his transverse flute and laughed. "Back when my father and grandfather lived in Qiao Commandery, they collected and compiled a great many exquisite pieces of music. Later, when they wandered into the barbarian lands of Hebei, they often played them. But I spent my childhood adrift. I never even studied the Mao Commentary on the Book of Songs or the Spring and Autumn Annals, and only liked listening to history, much less learning music... now I simply play whatever tune comes to mind."

"I see." The elderly woman sighed. "What a pity..."

"Now that this tune has found you, Aunt Song, there's nothing to regret. Might I ask you to play it once?" Liu Acheng paid no heed to whether she might disdain his flute and presented the bamboo instrument with both hands.

The elderly woman accepted it without any sign of distaste and was about to play, only to pause and ask, "Every tune has a name. Do you still remember the name of such a fine piece?"

"To tell you the truth, Auntie," Liu Acheng immediately sighed, resting his hands on his knees, "I've forgotten its original name. But what brought this tune to mind was an anecdote I heard about your household's Xie Eastern Mountain. I felt it echoed the spirit of the music, so I gave the piece a new name..."

"Now that is interesting." The elderly woman grew curious despite herself. "What anecdote about Eastern Mountain? And what name?"

"I heard that there's a grave in Kuaiji. The man buried there was surnamed Liang and called Liang Shanbo, while the woman was surnamed Zhu and called Zhu Yingtai," Liu Acheng declared with absolute conviction. "When people migrated south back then, Liang Shanbo came from the north with his clan. Zhu Yingtai was the daughter of a wealthy local family in Kuaiji, but disguised herself as a man to travel and study. She and Liang studied together for three years. Later, Zhu returned home first, while Liang was appointed magistrate of a county in Kuaiji. He stopped along the way to visit his old classmate, only to discover that she was a woman. Overcome by a sense of loss, he approached her parents to ask for her hand.

"Who could have expected that Zhu's parents, unwilling to agree because of the antagonism between the northern and southern gentry, would falsely claim that their daughter was already betrothed to the Ma family in a neighboring commandery? In truth, they only arranged the engagement afterward, once they had deceived Liang.

"Liang Shanbo returned to his county, fell ill from excessive longing, and died within a few months. He was buried south of the town. Just then, Zhu was traveling to the neighboring commandery to marry. As she passed that place, a fierce wind stopped her boat from proceeding. She went to inquire and learned that the new grave across the river belonged to Liang Shanbo. She broke into bitter, heart-wrenching sobs. At that moment, her wedding robes turned, piece by piece, into butterflies, which carried her across the river to his grave. The earth then split wide open, and Yingtai threw herself inside to be buried with Shanbo. The earth closed again, as though nothing had happened. The following year, a tree grew before the grave, and a pair of butterflies appeared upon it, weaving together in flight. Everyone in Kuaiji said they were Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai transformed.

"Because Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai had never been properly married, and because the matter touched upon the divisions between the northern and southern gentry, the story circulated only among the common people. That lasted until Xie Eastern Mountain went to Eastern Mountain and heard it. Moved by their true feelings, he requested that a shrine be built for them.

"So this piece is called 'Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai,' or 'Butterfly Transformation.'"

After hearing him out, the elderly woman remained silent for a long time. Even the young household entertainers behind her, and Xie Ae, who had appeared behind Liu Acheng at some unknown point, stood there in a daze.

"In that case..." Only after an indeterminate interval did the elderly woman sigh and raise the bamboo flute. "Let me try..."

As her words faded, the flute began to sound softly, then gradually found its full expression: poignant and surging, its deep feeling lingering long... in truth, even Liu Acheng himself had already been in this world for four or five months. The sights, sounds, sensations, and impressions of his former life had long since grown elusive. Suddenly hearing music like this, he too could hardly avoid losing himself in it.

Of course, compared with everyone else, he was still the first to recover. By now, how could the youth fail to realize that this elderly woman living in the Xie residence, whom Steward Qian respectfully addressed as "Aunt Song" and who was said to have studied under the famous courtesan Green Pearl, truly was an authority on music?

Just as-just as Grandpa Wang was an authority on weaving straw sandals.

When the passage ended, Aunt Song let out a long breath on her couch, then reminded him, "I've memorized the melody you taught me, but a complete performance will still require arranging. It's getting late. Here is your bamboo flute; you should go back... if you have any new tunes in the future, go straight to Steward Qian and have him find me."

Liu Acheng nodded, clasped his hands in farewell, and walked out.

There was still plenty to do once he left, but first he had to find Liu Jili and comfort him... although the fellow had not smashed the flute earlier, he had certainly lost his temper. Otherwise, Liu Acheng would not have had to negotiate with Aunt Song alone. He did not even know where Camel Jili was now.

To be fair, both Liu Jili and Liu Huzi had obvious shortcomings and faults. But accomplishing anything truly required help, especially since neither of these two was simply bad-tempered and useless.

First came their status. In this day and age, a person without gentry status genuinely had no rights, and these two were, after all, members of fallen gentry families. For Liu Acheng, who was falsely claiming descent from the Lius of Pengcheng, befriending them both secured his own identity and provided an opening through which to get things done.

As individuals, Liu Huzi could ride, shoot, and fight, and had clansmen behind him who could be recruited as retainers. Was anything worth more in a troubled age? As for Liu Jili, he might seem rather down-and-out, but he knew the inner workings of the gentry families between Jingkou and Jiankang as intimately as treasures in his own home. He also understood things known only to the gentry, such as that afternoon's Mao Commentary on the Book of Songs. Not only did Liu Acheng know nothing about it, neither did Liu Huzi!

So he still had to cherish these two clan brothers and find ways to keep them close-or, rather, keep them soothed.

Sure enough, when he emerged carrying the rice on his shoulder pole and reached Changgan Lane, Liu Jili was waiting at the entrance. When they met, Liu Jili did not reflect on his own faults as he had last time, but merely shook his head. "Acheng, I'm afraid I'll never change this temper of mine."

"They were in the wrong first." Liu Acheng hurriedly set down his load and comforted him. "They looked down on us without even asking... we're swallowing it now not because that's how things ought to be, but because we really do need something from them."

Liu Jili shook his head repeatedly, then paced with his hands behind his back. "That's not it, Acheng. I've thought it through... I've often encountered things like this over the past few years. At first, I thought it was only because I'd fallen on hard times, and that once I became a high official again, they would naturally treat me with the utmost respect... but then I experienced too much of it. Day after day, scraping along at the very bottom, whenever you meet someone from a great gentry house, even if you've done nothing to offend them, they humiliate you for no reason. And they don't even think it's humiliation! They think that's simply how it ought to be! That's what's wrong!"

At this, he abruptly stopped and swept a hand through the air. "Gentry, gentry-families of scholars! And a scholar is a virtuous Confucian. I've never heard of the scholars spoken of by Sage Confucius humiliating people without cause! Clearly, it's the spirit of this whole realm that's wrong! No wonder my great-uncle and the others wanted to reform scholarly conduct back then! When we become high officials, we ought to take that as our duty too!"

"Well said!" Although Liu Acheng had no idea who the other man's great-uncle was, or whether this speech was merely an outlet for his pent-up anger, that did not stop him from praising it heartily on the spot. He also drew on views learned from forums in later ages to lend his support. "So the problem doesn't lie with us, but with them... with these gentry families! It must have begun in the Later Han. The gentry grew ever more degenerate, and scholarly conduct ever more corrupt. When Great Jin was founded, because it had gained the realm illegitimately, it had to govern through great houses, and inevitably indulged these gentry families still further. That's how we ended up with the crooked winds and foul practices among the gentry today!"

Hearing this, Liu Jili finally grew less agitated, though his breathing became somewhat heavy. After a while, he replied, "Acheng, you always agree with me, and somehow everything you say is incisive too... isn't that exactly it? During the Later Han's partisan prohibitions, some scholars stood firm, but others submitted to eunuchs and imperial relatives. Especially when thinking of their families, they could hardly avoid bending themselves into flattery. That was when the gentry began to degenerate."

Those who had not submitted might not have left today's scholars much of a good inheritance either. Otherwise, where had the fashion for valuing pure conversation over practical affairs come from?

Of course, there was no need to say that. For Liu Jili to reach his present understanding was already a rare fruit of his years of struggle. He had risen to recognizing the deep-rooted failings of the entire gentry class. What further guidance did he need?

That was already remarkable. If he really became a high official someday and put these gentry houses in order, it would simply be progress for history itself.

With that thought, Liu Acheng did not continue joining him in treating mighty nobles as so much dirt. Instead, he stepped forward and put an arm around his shoulders. "Brother Jili, you really have been wronged. But in my view, this time truly wasn't anything serious. On the contrary, we've taken another step forward... I even suspect that once Xie Eastern Mountain hears the tune tonight, he may become interested in us and summon us directly next time... if so, today's business has actually succeeded."

Liu Jili gave a dry laugh and could only suppress his feelings, apologizing in turn. "In the end, I'm still the burden. You've had to handle so much all by yourself... if anyone has been wronged, it must be you."

Liu Acheng let out a long breath. At last, he had soothed the man again.

However, the two did not leave immediately. After settling that day's money and grain with Steward Qian's wife, they stayed in his courtyard and asked her to find a way to call him out.

Liu Acheng had noticed upon leaving earlier that Steward Qian was clearly alarmed. He had to soothe this man too... they could not stop earning simply because they already had enough to survive the winter. Besides, he genuinely did not think today's events posed much of a problem. Attracting Xie An's attention would naturally be good; if the man could not be bothered with them, they could simply find another opportunity next time. So they still had to keep clinging to the Xie residence.

Sure enough, Steward Qian had clearly been thrown off balance by Xie An's appearance. In his words, Xie An was far too clever. He could see to the bottom of anything at a glance; he simply could not usually be bothered to concern himself with the affairs of those beneath him.

Liu Acheng advised that, if Xie An asked about the two of them, he must still keep their business separate from them. They were one matter, and business another. He had first made legitimate purchases from the Way of the Celestial Masters, and then, for some unknown reason, these two had appeared wearing Crimson Headscarves among the sect's firewood delivery workers... it was only because they were ordinarily well behaved, and their status so low, that he had not mentioned them to his masters, which had led to today's tune.

Steward Qian turned it over in his mind but could find no other solution. Besides, they had already been doing business for more than a month. His household was so full of money and grain that he was considering buying a second house. It would be difficult to sever ties with them now, so he could only agree.

Thus, Liu Acheng and Liu Jili did manage to leave Jiankang before dark. But they had been delayed too long to return to camp, and could only make their way to Jiangcheng and lodge with Liu Rengong.

Meanwhile, Xie An's afternoon visit to Yangzhou Governor Yin Hao had also encountered a small mishap. He had intended to persuade his friend not to act too hastily under pressure from Huan Wen, and above all not to casually rupture relations among the gentry in his eagerness for quick gains. That would be bad for both the state and his friends... especially since his haste had already brought Chu Pou to such a pass. If he fell out with Huan Wen as well, things would be even worse.

Yet the moment he arrived, Yin Hao told his friend that he planned to have Xun Xian succeed Chu Pou as General of the Northern Army and take overall command of the Northern Command's forces. He even asked what Xie An thought.

What could Xie An think?

It was already a courtesy that he had not simply swept his sleeves and left. Yet his temperament made it impossible to resist a few barbed remarks.

Who could have expected Yin Hao to bring up Xie Shang, head of the Xie Family and commander of the Western Command, and declare outright that Xie Shang also supported his grand undertaking of a Northern Expedition? Uncertain of his elder cousin's true intentions, Xie An finally fell silent. He could only endure a while longer before beating a disordered retreat.

However, before he even reached home, while still resting on a household entertainer's lap, Xie An suddenly realized something.

So it had not been him Cai Mo was mocking that day. He had merely been a fish caught in the disaster of a burning moat. That business about "if so-and-so does not emerge, what will become of the people," and about pure conversation ruining the country... what conflict had there ever been between him and Cai Mo? He had merely provoked the man by speaking out of turn that day. Yin Hao, on the other hand, was unrivaled in pure conversation. People also said, "If Yuanyuan does not emerge, what will become of the people?" And because he had gone home to observe mourning for ten months while serving as Yangzhou Governor, Cai Mo had been left holding the post for him.

So had Yin Hao been the one Cai Mo doubted from the outset?

At this thought, Xie An, who had already come to place considerable faith in the veteran minister Cai Mo, grew frightened again. If Yin Hao launched a Northern Expedition, then judging by today's conversation, his own cousin Xie Shang would march too-and would probably lead the main force.

Had one brother-in-law only just fallen, and now a cousin was about to fall as well?

Yet once his thoughts reached this point, Xie Eastern Mountain instead felt powerless... for he keenly realized one thing: holding neither office nor appointment, merely sitting idle on Eastern Mountain, he now had no standing to stop anything or anyone!

Even his own cousin would not attach much weight to his opinions.

But to make these people take him seriously, he would have to wait until his family had no one else, until it fell to him to uphold the house, before he could possibly hold an important post... yet Xie An knew perfectly well that he was not like Yin Hao, who had lived in seclusion for the sake of winning office. He, Xie Eastern Mountain, truly wanted to lie on Eastern Mountain for the rest of his life without stirring!

But with the situation as it was?

In all the vastness of the realm, could it not leave him one Eastern Mountain on which to amuse himself?

Xie An rode home in his carriage, despondent all the way.

"Uncle." Shortly after Xie An's ox carriage passed through the gate with its threshold removed and entered the rear courtyard directly through a side entrance, he suddenly heard his niece Xie Daoyun's voice. "I heard you were back. There is something I wished to ask you."

Xie An hurriedly sat up from the couch and lifted the curtain. Seeing Xie Daoyun and several nephews, including Ae, offering their greetings outside, he jumped from the carriage with a smile and his Dust-Tail Fan in hand. He waved for the driver to take the carriage and the household entertainer away. "What is it? Have you gained some new insight into the Mao Commentary on the Book of Songs today?"

"No." Xie Daoyun glanced back at the youngest, Xie Xuan, then answered earnestly. "Ae heard an anecdote about you today. We were all curious whether it was true, so we waited especially to ask."

"What anecdote?" Though it was deep winter and almost dark, nothing prevented Xie An from flicking his crimson Dust-Tail Fan, as composed as ever, with no trace of the worries that had weighed on him all the way home. "There are so many anecdotes about me that I can't remember them myself."

"The story of you building a shrine for Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai."

Thus, Xie Daoyun began recounting the story, Xie Xuan supplied the backgrounds of the two Lius, and even Xie Quan and his brothers described what had happened on Flower Mountain that day.

In fact, halfway through, Xie An already understood exactly what had happened.

Was it not simply a few down-and-out gentry men who, because of their earlier chance encounter, believed they had attached themselves to his family, and now wanted to attract his attention again and ask for official posts? That was why they carried loads, played the flute, and invented stories.

In Xie An's view, this was of little consequence. He had even inwardly agreed already.

That was not because he liked promoting promising juniors, nor because he found the story and tune pleasing, but because, through the accounts of his nephews and niece, he had realized that they-and probably he himself-had unwittingly humiliated these men several times without knowing it.

In other words, if he did not help these two... no, these three... they might very well come to hate the Xie Family. That would be most undesirable!

One had to understand Xie An's temperament. If someone gained the upper hand over him, he would do his utmost to push back, reclaiming whatever ground he could. Conversely, he never wished to use his power to drive others into a corner. This disposition had developed in direct reaction to his elder brother Xie Yi's tendency to go to extremes whenever he held the advantage.

Years ago, when he was only seven or eight, he had accompanied his elder brother to take office in Kuaiji. They encountered an old man who had broken the law. His brother, out of boredom, forced the old man to drink. Seeing that the man was about to drink himself to death, Xie An could bear it no longer and spoke up to stop him, saving what little remained of the old man's life.

Today's matter was much the same.

Before that, however, he still needed to establish one thing. This story seemed intended for a young girl, especially since his niece had spoken to those three impoverished Lius on Flower Mountain that day. None of them had better dare harbor improper ambitions!

"Uncle, is there really such a legend, and did you really have the shrine built?" Once her younger brothers had finished, Xie Daoyun immediately pressed him.

"I did." Xie An answered proudly. "I thought the two could be called a righteous husband and a steadfast wife..."

"But Uncle," Xie Daoyun said with a frown, "does this really warrant a shrine? Leaving aside whether it is true, and considering only the story, Liang Shanbo is one thing, but what are we to make of Zhu Yingtai? Though her parents falsely claimed she was already engaged to the Ma family, they did arrange the engagement afterward... if she loved Liang Shanbo, she should have refused the engagement from the start and resisted even unto death. Yet once she accepted it, she showed not the slightest resistance right up until her wedding, and only grieved bitterly when she heard Liang Shanbo was dead. Isn't that absurd? And when she threw herself into the grave and died, what wrong had the Ma family done? What wrong had her parents done? The reputations of both families were ruined..."

Halfway through, Xie An had already put his mind at ease. Now he nodded repeatedly. "Daoyun is right. I failed to consider it carefully... it was only that the story sounded so poignant at the time, and Xi Linhai happened to be beside me, talking about a righteous woman and such things. So I took the lead and suggested building a shrine... you should know that the two Xi brothers flatter the Way."

"I see." Xie Daoyun suddenly understood. "So it was Xi Linhai... I thought this story didn't suit you, Uncle. I even wondered whether that Liu Cheng had invented it himself to flatter you."

Xie An merely smiled, flicked his Dust-Tail Fan, and prepared to go inside for dinner.

The youngest, Xie Ae, was still the most considerate. He took the initiative to ask, "Uncle, would you like to hear Aunt Song play that piece? I heard it, and it was wonderfully intricate and poignant."

"How could I not?" Xie An agreed at once. "Have all your brothers and sisters come tomorrow, and we'll listen together... also, tell Steward Qian that if those Lius come carrying firewood again while I'm home, he should bring them to see me."

------A firewood carrier's dividing line------

Emperor Gao, the Great Ancestor... was especially accomplished in music. Once, he played the flute at the Xie residence, astonishing everyone, high and low. Song Yi, a disciple of the famed courtesan Green Pearl, was then staying in the household. Hearing him, she inquired, and upon learning that he came from Pengcheng and had grown up in Qiao Commandery, she exclaimed, "I have never heard Ji Kang's music, but surely it must have been like this." Xie Ju likewise sighed, "Ji Kang was called the Sleeping Dragon. Could his legacy extend only to music?" Thereafter, he became very close to him.

-Chronicle of Jiangzuo, Pei Songzhi of Qi

PS: My heartfelt thanks to Shan Bu Lai Wo Zi Ying for the alliance-leader support. I am endlessly grateful.