Chapter 53: Yuan Zhuo’s Dance and Bojie’s Qin Melody

In ancient times, there seemed to be no such concept as retirement for officials. One either resigned for some reason or continued serving until physically unable to do so.

Take Liu Hong, for instance. By all logic, he was already quite advanced in years, yet the imperial court showed no concern for his age, assigning him nonetheless to Shanyang Commandery. Although he would hold the power of a commandery governor over a region, given his age, the long and arduous journey all the way from Luoyang to Shanyang in Yanzhou was nothing short of a torment.

Moreover, the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Yanzhou was quite severe. Upon arrival, Liu Hong would not only have to pacify the populace and restore production, but also match wits and courage with the remnants of the Yellow Turbans who had transformed into mountain bandits and highwaymen, and even raise an army to suppress them. Therefore, taking on this post was by no means an easy task.

Liu Hong was a descendant of Prince Liu Xing of Lu during the Eastern Han dynasty. However, by his generation, under the impact of the Edict of Grace, that royal lineage had become so diluted that it merely granted him a smoother entry into an official career; its other benefits were truly negligible.

Since childhood, Liu Hong had been passionately fond of mathematics. However, his mathematical talent and career advancement only received due recognition thanks to the recommendation of Cai Yong.

First, he co-authored the *Book of the Seven Luminaries*, and later completed the *Book of the Eight Origins*. He also collaborated with Cai Yong to supplement the *Treatise on Harmonics and Calendar in the Book of Han*. One might say that the friendship between him and Cai Yong was forged through the discussion of one volume of books after another and the collision of their intellects.

What could be more gratifying in life than having a confidant who truly understands you, shares a common language, and can converse with you seamlessly?

Understanding the deep bond between these two elders, Pei Qian quietly stepped aside to pour two cups of wine for them, then held them respectfully with both hands, presenting one to each elder.

Liu Hong was the first to snap back to his thoughts. He picked up his wine cup and toasted Cai Yong, saying, "Come, Bojie, put aside any sentimental displays like a young girl or boy, and let us drain this cup!"

Cai Yong accepted the invitation, raised his cup, and the two men emptied them in a single draught.

Turning his head toward Pei Qian, Liu Hong admonished, "Ziyuan, your proficiency in mathematics is quite commendable, but you must still guard against arrogance and rashness. Devote yourself wholeheartedly to deep study, and never grow lazy or slack."

Pei Qian quickly cupped his hands in obeisance and accepted the instruction.

Liu Hong continued, "Your teacher, the Palace Attendant Cai, is advanced in years. You must frequently pay your respects and attend to his side to fulfill the proper duties of a disciple."

"Understood!" Pei Qian bowed and promised once more.

Liu Hong cast another look at Pei Qian and said earnestly, "It is good that you are gentle with others, but you must be prudent in choosing your friends. I heard that the other day you went drinking with Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian?"

Pei Qian was startled. The old gentleman was certainly well-informed! "It was merely an accidental encounter, Your Excellency. I was moved by how Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian, has guarded the borders and pacified the people for many years, and furthermore—"

Pei Qian secretly glanced at the expressions of the two old men and, finding no drastic changes, continued, "This disciple is deeply aware of the chaos plaguing the realm, yet my martial skills are rather meager. Therefore, I sought instruction in certain combat techniques from Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian, merely for self-preservation..." One always had to find a legitimate excuse for oneself, did one not?

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong exchanged a glance with Cai Yong and nodded, seemingly accepting Pei Qian's rationale.

Cai Yong spoke up, "A gentleman masters the Six Arts. Since Ziyuan puts it this way, learning some martial arts techniques is hardly objectionable. However, battlefield combat styles often carry the risk of physical injury, so you must proceed with caution."

Scholars of the Han dynasty were worlds apart from the frail pedants of later eras who would topple at the slightest gust of wind. The single greatest difference lay precisely in these "Six Arts." In later periods, to better control intellectuals, the authorities quietly replaced the Six Arts of a gentleman—rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics—with the *Classic of Changes*, the *Classic of History*, the *Classic of Poetry*, the *Classic of Rites*, the *Classic of Music*, and the *Spring and Autumn Annals*. After all, a bookworm was much easier to control than someone accomplished in both literary and martial arts.

It is recorded quite clearly in the *Rites of Zhou - Official of Bao*: "Nurturing the sons of the state through the Dao, he teaches them the Six Arts: first, the Five Rites; second, the Six Music; third, the Five Archery techniques; fourth, the Five Charioteering skills; fifth, the Six Calligraphic scripts; and sixth, the Nine Mathematical methods." Among these, archery and charioteering were directly related to martial prowess, rather than being entirely confined to books as in later times.

During the Han dynasty, many scholars followed the ancient Six Arts of the gentleman and developed in an all-around manner. Ban Chao, the famous figure who cast aside his writing brush to join the military, was the most typical example.

Therefore, when Pei Qian stated that his martial prowess was low and he wished to learn from Lü Bu to enhance his combat skills, neither Liu Hong nor Cai Yong found it strange. Instead, they reminded Pei Qian that Lü Bu's style leaned toward battlefield slaughter and was excessively fierce, which might harm his body, advising him to exercise caution.

With all necessary admonitions given and all questions answered, Liu Hong felt this was sufficient. If fate permitted, they might meet again in the future; if...

Liu Hong poured himself another cup of wine and drank it alone, then poured one for Cai Yong and said, "Now that Yuanzhuo is leaving on this journey, I wonder when I shall hear Bojie play the zither again. Would Bojie be willing to play one more tune for Yuanzhuo?"

Cai Yong nodded, his voice slightly hoarse, "Very well! Ziyuan, fetch my zither."

Ah? Surely he didn't mean for me to go all the way back into the city to fetch it? No, Old Man Cai must have brought it with him! Sure enough, when Pei Qian went to the carriage Cai Yong had arrived in, he discovered an antique zither inside the compartment.

As Pei Qian carefully carried the ancient zither over, Liu Hong stretched his neck to look at it and smiled at Cai Yong, "You once presented me with this zither, and now you bid me farewell with this zither. Every cause and effect is ordained by Heaven..."

Once Pei Qian had properly placed the zither and lit the incense burner, Cai Yong composed his mind, seated himself serenely behind the instrument, and slowly placed his hands upon the strings.

Everything around them seemed to grow still in that very instant, and Pei Qian felt as though he could hear only the beating of his own heart...

Then he saw Cai Yong's fingers suddenly flutter across the strings like butterflies, and a continuous stream of notes rushed forth to meet them—

Pei Qian felt as if he were suddenly deep in the mountains, with a gentle breeze sweeping past, stirring the pine needles into the sound of rolling waves. A clear spring flowed by from one side, winding its way downward along the terrain. By all reason, his mind should have been elevated and refreshed, but for some reason, a nameless sorrow welled up within him...

Before him lay a winding mountain path, twisting along the contours of the terrain. At the far end of that path, a lone figure seemed to be pressing forward, walking further and further away...

Pei Qian suddenly wanted to make that figure stay, but try as he might, he could not catch up; he wanted to cry out, but no voice came from his throat, leaving him to watch helplessly as that figure stepped further and further away until it vanished completely...

It was as if a flock of wild geese were flying across the sky, uttering plaintive cries, leaving one with no choice but to transform this boundless parting sorrow into profound longing and earnest blessings...

Liu Hong closed his eyes to listen. Hearing this point, he stood up. Without saying anything more to Cai Yong, he flung his long sleeves outward to either side and unexpectedly began to dance. Swaying back and forth with sweeping, grand movements, the dance possessed an indescribable, ancient rustic charm. Keeping time with Cai Yong's zither music, he danced toward the pavilion's exit, chanting loudly:

"The Green-Silk Zither plays a clear and resonant tune,
With generous passion, it sounds a lingering sorrow.
Long is the song for one about to embark on a distant journey,
Deep thoughts and fond memories fill the heart within.
Looking down, the waters of Jing and Wei flow on;
Looking up, drifting clouds return and whirl around.
Good friends part and bid each other a distant farewell,
Go now on your way, and do not linger here..."

Two streams of turbid tears rolled down Cai Yong's tightly closed eyes as he, too, opened his mouth to harmonize:

"In the early chill of the ninth month's dawn,
I walk through the morning forest over biting frost.
Looking up and down, my heart is wounded within,
Alone, the tears stream down in double lines.
The yellow swan spreads its wings and soars away,
Only to vanish at the edge of the sky.
Mountains are high and waters flow far apart,
From this day on, my longing shall be long enduring..."

Amidst the sound of the zither and the singing, Liu Hong boarded the carriage, and the entourage proceeded along the imperial highway, traveling further and further away until they vanished completely from sight...