feet,’ I said defiantly.
‘Your feet are not ugly,’ said Ah Zhao, looking into my eyes. ‘They’re beautiful, just like the rest of you. Is it permissible for a servant to tell his master’s daughter that she’s beautiful?’
A pang goes through me when I hear him, and I start to tremble. ‘Don’t say such things!’
‘You’re right! I should not have said that to you… but, surely, even a servant has eyes? Seeing is knowledge. What we see remains with us. One day, I’ll paint the images I’m carrying in my mind. That way, even though I have no home, I’ll create one wherever I go.’
I think of our ‘playroom’ and know in my heart that neither Gege nor I could have built it without him. What he says is true. He’ll be able to effect his sanctuary wherever he goes; establish an oasis where things come together; install a tranquil retreat at will. But we, the ones left behind, will be lost without him…
At that moment, a curious, pounding noise suddenly starts up as if from nowhere. Muted, rhythmic and insistent, the ominous beat grows louder and louder: Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom ! Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom !
‘What’s that?’ I ask in alarm.
‘Remember the Bell and Drum Tower in the guardhouse above the city gates? They’re beating the drums to warn us that the gates are about to close for the evening.’
‘Sundown already?’
‘I’m afraid so. Time to go.’
We make our way back to the plateau above the riverbank and gaze at the peaceful city of Bian Liang spread out below. Around the entire length of the shore, as far as the eye can see, mile after mile of cultivated fields, hamlets, orchards, markets, roads, bridges, canals and boats are laid out like toys in a playland, under the setting sun. The expanse of blue river, flowing from west to east, seems almost endless. A line of red stretches like a gentle brushstroke across the darkening sky.
Ah Zhao and I wave to Gege. He leaves his cu ju friends and runs towards us, the personification of life and hope. My heart vibrates with the magic of youth and I’m suddenly infused with a wonderful feeling that everything is possible. On an impulse, I turn to Ah Zhao and say, ‘Today is the happiest day of my life. I’m going to write it in my notebook and remember it forever.’
13
Prime Minister’s Son
After the Qing Ming Festival, everything seems to change. With the help of Baba’s influential friends, Gege is admitted to the prestigious National University of Bian Liang. He spends his time attending classes, studying for the Imperial Examination and advancing his career.
At the university, he makes a new friend. Cai Youis eight years older than Gege and gifted in music. He teaches Gege to sing, compose songs and play the qin (a zither consisting of a wood frame and seven strings of twisted silk). Gege asks me for help in writing the lyrics. I do so gladly because a song is really a poem set to music, and I love writing poetry. I’m thrilled to hear my words being sung loudly, by my brother, for everyone to hear.
Gege shows Cai You my lyrics and he’s delighted. Cai’s father, the newly appointed Prime Minister Cai Jing, persuades Emperor Huizong to create a special Da Cheng Yue Fu (Bureau of Music of Great Brilliance). It includes a Wan Qin Lo (Pavilion of Ten Thousand Zithers) and is staffed by one Da Si Yue (Musician-in-Chief), two Dian Yue (Music Managers), one Da Yue Ling (Music Officer), four Xie Lu Lang (Composers) and two hundred performers and dancers.
Huizong announces that Confucius and He both believe that Ya Yue (Proper Music) is beneficial and nurturing, whereas Yin Yue (Improper and Licentious Music) is corrupting and destructive. When asked the definition of Proper Music, His Majesty replies that Ya Yue consists of two kinds of music written and produced at the Bureau of Music of Great Brilliance: heavy and solemn music, or light and entertaining music. The former is to be performed at sacrificial rites
‘Your feet are not ugly,’ said Ah Zhao, looking into my eyes. ‘They’re beautiful, just like the rest of you. Is it permissible for a servant to tell his master’s daughter that she’s beautiful?’
A pang goes through me when I hear him, and I start to tremble. ‘Don’t say such things!’
‘You’re right! I should not have said that to you… but, surely, even a servant has eyes? Seeing is knowledge. What we see remains with us. One day, I’ll paint the images I’m carrying in my mind. That way, even though I have no home, I’ll create one wherever I go.’
I think of our ‘playroom’ and know in my heart that neither Gege nor I could have built it without him. What he says is true. He’ll be able to effect his sanctuary wherever he goes; establish an oasis where things come together; install a tranquil retreat at will. But we, the ones left behind, will be lost without him…
At that moment, a curious, pounding noise suddenly starts up as if from nowhere. Muted, rhythmic and insistent, the ominous beat grows louder and louder: Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom ! Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom !
‘What’s that?’ I ask in alarm.
‘Remember the Bell and Drum Tower in the guardhouse above the city gates? They’re beating the drums to warn us that the gates are about to close for the evening.’
‘Sundown already?’
‘I’m afraid so. Time to go.’
We make our way back to the plateau above the riverbank and gaze at the peaceful city of Bian Liang spread out below. Around the entire length of the shore, as far as the eye can see, mile after mile of cultivated fields, hamlets, orchards, markets, roads, bridges, canals and boats are laid out like toys in a playland, under the setting sun. The expanse of blue river, flowing from west to east, seems almost endless. A line of red stretches like a gentle brushstroke across the darkening sky.
Ah Zhao and I wave to Gege. He leaves his cu ju friends and runs towards us, the personification of life and hope. My heart vibrates with the magic of youth and I’m suddenly infused with a wonderful feeling that everything is possible. On an impulse, I turn to Ah Zhao and say, ‘Today is the happiest day of my life. I’m going to write it in my notebook and remember it forever.’
13
Prime Minister’s Son
After the Qing Ming Festival, everything seems to change. With the help of Baba’s influential friends, Gege is admitted to the prestigious National University of Bian Liang. He spends his time attending classes, studying for the Imperial Examination and advancing his career.
At the university, he makes a new friend. Cai Youis eight years older than Gege and gifted in music. He teaches Gege to sing, compose songs and play the qin (a zither consisting of a wood frame and seven strings of twisted silk). Gege asks me for help in writing the lyrics. I do so gladly because a song is really a poem set to music, and I love writing poetry. I’m thrilled to hear my words being sung loudly, by my brother, for everyone to hear.
Gege shows Cai You my lyrics and he’s delighted. Cai’s father, the newly appointed Prime Minister Cai Jing, persuades Emperor Huizong to create a special Da Cheng Yue Fu (Bureau of Music of Great Brilliance). It includes a Wan Qin Lo (Pavilion of Ten Thousand Zithers) and is staffed by one Da Si Yue (Musician-in-Chief), two Dian Yue (Music Managers), one Da Yue Ling (Music Officer), four Xie Lu Lang (Composers) and two hundred performers and dancers.
Huizong announces that Confucius and He both believe that Ya Yue (Proper Music) is beneficial and nurturing, whereas Yin Yue (Improper and Licentious Music) is corrupting and destructive. When asked the definition of Proper Music, His Majesty replies that Ya Yue consists of two kinds of music written and produced at the Bureau of Music of Great Brilliance: heavy and solemn music, or light and entertaining music. The former is to be performed at sacrificial rites
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