Methinks the painter used poor Gaoyu's tearsTo mixhis colours and his brush towet'This Lovely Land'was commentary enough;No need was there for other wordsto fret.Theblind would see, the lame would walk again,Could we but bring, back Hong Wu's glorious days. With what wild joy we'dlookdown fromeach height And see thelandscapefreeofmistandhaze!*He threwthe brush on the floor as he finished and burst into tears.'It says all there is to say,'said Gu Yanwu. Masterly!''It lacks subtlety, ' said Lu. 'In no way could you call it a good poem. I merelywanted to put Erzhan's original idea into writing so that anyone looking at thepicture in days to come will know what it is about.''When China does eventually emerge from this time of darkness, ' said Huang,'we shall indeed "see the landscape free of mist and haze". When that timecomes, we shall gaze at even the poorest, meanest, most barren landscape witha feeling of joyful liberation. Then, indeed, we shall look down with "wild joy ..from each height"!Your conclusion is excellent,'said Gu.'when wedoeventuallyrid our countryof this foreign scum, the feeling of relief will be infinitely greater than thesomewhat arid satisfaction we get from occasionally uncorking our feelings aswedonow.'Huang carefully rolled up the painting.You won't be able to hang this up any more now, Liuliang, ' he said. 'You'dbetter put it away somewhere safe. If some evil-intentioned person like WuZhirong were to set eyes on it, you'd soon have the authorities round askingquestions and the consequences could be serious not only for you but probablyfor Erzhan as well.:That vermin Wu Zhirong!' said Gu Yanwu, smiting the desk with his hand. 'could willingly tear his flesh with my teeth!
Methinks the painter used poor Gaoyu's tears To mix his colours and his brush to wet. 'This Lovely Land' was commentary enough; No need was there for other words to fret. The blind would see, the lame would walk again, Could we but bring, back Hong Wu's glorious days. With what wild joy we'd look down from each height And see the landscape free of mist and haze!* He threw the brush on the floor as he finished and burst into tears. 'It says all there is to say, ' said Gu Yanwu. 'Masterly!' 'It lacks subtlety, ' said Lu. 'In no way could you call it a good poem. I merely wanted to put Erzhan's original idea into writing so that anyone looking at the picture in days to come will know what it is about.' 'When China does eventually emerge from this time of darkness, ' said Huang, 'we shall indeed "see the landscape free of mist and haze". When that time comes, we shall gaze at even the poorest, meanest, most barren landscape with a feeling of joyful liberation. Then, indeed, we shall look down with "wild joy . . . from each height"!' 'Your conclusion is excellent, ' said Gu. 'When we do eventually rid our country of this foreign scum, the feeling of relief will be infinitely greater than the somewhat arid satisfaction we get from occasionally uncorking our feelings as we do now.' Huang carefully rolled up the painting. 'You won't be able to hang this up any more now, Liuliang, ' he said. 'You'd better put it away somewhere safe. If some evil-intentioned person like Wu Zhirong were to set eyes on it, you'd soon have the authorities round asking questions and the consequences could be serious not only for you but probably for Erzhan as well.' That vermin Wu Zhirong!' said Gu Yanwu, smiting the desk with his hand. 'I could willingly tear his flesh with my teeth!
'You said when you came that you had something serious to discuss with me,said Lu, 'yet here we are, like typical scholars, frit-* Note to Reader:Lu's impromptu poem is full of politically dangerous allusions to the shame ofoccupation by the Tartars (both Mongol and Manchu).Thefirst lines refer tothe thirteenth century and the dying days of the Southern Song dynasty, whenthe last Emperor, carrying his infant son, was hounded southwards by theMongols, and finally flung himself and his son into me sea from the cliffs ofMount Yai. Hong Wu (towards the end of the poem) was the reign tide of aperiod during the heyday of the Ming dynasty (when China was still ruled byChinese),'to which these Loyalist scholars looked back with such nostalgia.taring our time away on poetry and painting instead of attending to business.What was it, exactly, that brought you here?''It has to do with Erzhan's kinsman Yihuang, ' said Huang. The day beforeyesterday Gu and Ilearned that he has now been named in connection with theMing History affair.Yihuang?'said Lu. You mean he's been dragged into ittoo?''I'm afraid so,'said Huang.'As soon as we heard, the two ofus hurried as quickly as we could to his home in Yuanhua Town, but he wasn'tthere. They said he'd gone off to visit a friend. In view of the urgency, Yanwuadvised the family to make their getaway as soon as it was dark. Thenremembering that Yihuang was a good friend of yours, we thought we'd comeand look forhim here,''No,'said Lu, 'no, he's not here. I don't know where he canhave gone.''Ifhehadbeenhere,hewouldhaveshownhimselfbynow,'saidGu.'Ileftapoem for him on his studywall. If he goes back home,he will understand whenhe reads the poem that he is to go and hide. What I'm afraid of, though, is thathe may not have heard the news yet and may expose himself unnecessarilyoutside and get himself arrested. That would be terrible
'You said when you came that you had something serious to discuss with me, ' said Lu, 'yet here we are, like typical scholars, frit- * Note to Reader: Lu's impromptu poem is full of politically dangerous allusions to the shame of occupation by the Tartars (both Mongol and Manchu). The first lines refer to the thirteenth century and the dying days of the Southern Song dynasty, when the last Emperor, carrying his infant son, was hounded southwards by the Mongols, and finally flung himself and his son into me sea from the cliffs of Mount Yai. Hong Wu (towards the end of the poem) was the reign tide of a period during the heyday of the Ming dynasty (when China was still ruled by Chinese),'to which these Loyalist scholars looked back with such nostalgia. taring our time away on poetry and painting instead of attending to business. What was it, exactly, that brought you here?' 'It has to do with Erzhan's kinsman Yihuang, ' said Huang. The day before yesterday Gu and I learned that he has now been named in connection with the Ming History affair.' 'Yihuang?' said Lu. 'You mean he's been dragged into it too?' 'I'm afraid so, ' said Huang. 'As soon as we heard, the two of us hurried as quickly as we could to his home in Yuanhua Town, but he wasn't there. They said he'd gone off to visit a friend. In view of the urgency, Yanwu advised the family to make their getaway as soon as it was dark. Then, remembering that Yihuang was a good friend of yours, we thought we'd come and look for him here, ' 'No, ' said Lu, 'no, he's not here. I don't know where he can have gone.' 'If he had been here, he would have shown himself by now, ' said Gu. 'I left a poem for him on his study wall. If he goes back home, he will understand when he reads the poem that he is to go and hide. What I'm afraid of, though, is that he may not have heard the news yet and may expose himself unnecessarily outside and get himself arrested. That would be terrible,
'Practically every scholar in West Zhejiang has fallen victim to this wretchedMing History business, ' said Huang. The Manchu Court has obviously got it infor us. You are too well known. Gu and I both think that you ought to leavehere-for the time being, at any rate.Find somewhere awayfrom here whereyou can shelter from the storm,'Lu Liulianglooked angry.'Let the Tartar Emperor haveme arrested and carried off to Peking! he said.'IfI could curse him to his face and get rid of some of the anger that is pent upinside me, I think I should die happy, even though it meant having the flesh cutslice by slice from mybones!''I admire your heroic spirit, ' said Gu, "but I don't think there's much likelihoodof your meeting the Tartar Emperorface to face. You would the at the hands ofmiserable slaves. Besides, the Tartar Emperor is still a child who knowsnothing about anything. The Government is in the hands of the all-powerfulminister Oboi. Huang and I are both of the opinion that Oboi is at the back ofthis Ming History affair. The reason they are making such a song anddance about it and pursuing it with such ferocity is that he sees in it a means ofbreakingthe spirit of the Southern gentry''T'm sure you are right,' said Lu.'when the Manchu troops first came inside theWall, they had pretty much of a free run in the whole of Northern China. Itwasn't till they came south that they found themselves running into resistanceeverywhere. The scholars in particular, as guardians of Chinese culture, havegiven them endless trouble. So Oboi is using this business to crush theSouthern gentry, is he? Humph! What does the poet say?The bush fire cannot burn them outFor nextyear'sspringwill seethem sprout.-Unless, that is, he plans to wipe out the lot of us!''Quite,'said Huang.'Ifwearetocarryon the struggleagainstthe Tartars, we need anyone who can be of use to stayalive.Indulging in heroics at this juncture might be satisfying, but would
'Practically every scholar in West Zhejiang has fallen victim to this wretched Ming History business, ' said Huang. The Manchu Court has obviously got it in for us. You are too well known. Gu and I both think that you ought to leave here—for the time being, at any rate. Find somewhere away from here where you can shelter from the storm, ' Lu Liuliang looked angry. 'Let the Tartar Emperor have me arrested and carried off to Peking!' he said. 'If I could curse him to his face and get rid of some of the anger that is pent up inside me, I think I should die happy, even though it meant having the flesh cut slice by slice from my bones!' 'I admire your heroic spirit, ' said Gu, 'but I don't think there's much likelihood of your meeting the Tartar Emperor face to face. You would the at the hands of miserable slaves. Besides, the Tartar Emperor is still a child who knows nothing about anything. The Government is in the hands of the all-powerful minister Oboi. Huang and I are both of the opinion that Oboi is at the back of this Ming History affair. The reason they are making such a song and dance about it and pursuing it with such ferocity is that he sees in it a means of breaking the spirit of the Southern gentry.' 'I'm sure you are right,' said Lu. 'When the Manchu troops first came inside the Wall, they had pretty much of a free run in the whole of Northern China. It wasn't till they came south that they found themselves running into resistance everywhere. The scholars in particular, as guardians of Chinese culture, have given them endless trouble. So Oboi is using this business to crush the Southern gentry, is he? Humph! What does the poet say? The bush fire cannot burn them out For next year's spring will see them sprout. —Unless, that is, he plans to wipe out the lot of us!' 'Quite,' said Huang. 'If we are to carry on the struggle against the Tartars, we need anyone who can be of use to stay alive. Indulging in heroics at this juncture might be satisfying, but would
be merely falling into their trap.'Lu suddenly understood. It was not only to look for ZhaYihuang thathis friends had madetheir journey to him in thebittercold.Theyhad comebecausetheywantedtopersuadehimtoescape.Theyknewhow impetuous he was and were afraid that hemight throw his life away to no purpose, This was true friendshipand he felt grateful for it.'You give me such good advice,'he said, 'I can hardly refuseto follow it. All right, then.I'll leave with the family first thingtomorrow.'Huang and Gu were visibly delighted and chorused their approval of hisdecision, but Lu looked uncertain.'But wherecan wego?The whole world belonged to the Tartars now,it seemed.Not a single patch ofland was free of their hated presence. He thought of the poet Tao Yuanming'sstory about the fisherman who, by following a stream that flowed betweenflowering peach trees, had stumbled on an earthly paradise-a place whererefugees from ancient tyranny had found a haven.'Ah, Peach Tree Stream,'hemurmured, if I could butfind you!''Come,' said Gu, 'even if there were such a place, we cannot, as individuals, optout altogether. In times like these-Before he could finish, Lu struck the desk with his hand and jumped to his feet,loudlydisclaiminghisownweakness.'You do right to rebuke me, Yanwu.The citizen of a conquered country still hashis duty.It's all very well to take temporary refuge, but to live a life of ease insome Peach Tree Haven while millions are suffering under the iron heel of theTartars would be less than human.I spoke without thinking'Gu Yanwu
be merely falling into their trap.' Lu suddenly understood. It was not only to look for Zha Yihuang that his friends had made their journey to him in the bitter cold. They had come because they wanted to persuade him to escape. They knew how impetuous he was and were afraid that he might throw his life away to no purpose. This was true friendship and he felt grateful for it. 'You give me such good advice, ' he said, 'I can hardly refuse to follow it. All right, then. I'll leave with the family first thing tomorrow.' Huang and Gu were visibly delighted and chorused their approval of his decision, but Lu looked uncertain. 'But where can we go?' The whole world belonged to the Tartars now, it seemed. Not a single patch of land was free of their hated presence. He thought of the poet Tao Yuanming's story about the fisherman who, by following a stream that flowed between flowering peach trees, had stumbled on an earthly paradise—a place where refugees from ancient tyranny had found a haven. 'Ah, Peach Tree Stream,' he murmured, 'if I could but find you!' 'Come,' said Gu, 'even if there were such a place, we cannot, as individuals, opt out altogether. In times like these—' Before he could finish, Lu struck the desk with his hand and jumped to his feet, loudly disclaiming his own weakness. 'You do right to rebuke me, Yanwu. The citizen of a conquered country still has his duty. It's all very well to take temporary refuge, but to live a life of ease in some Peach Tree Haven while millions are suffering under the iron heel of the Tartars would be less than human. I spoke without thinking.' Gu Yanwu
smiled.'I've knocked about a great deal during these last few years,' he said, 'and madefriends with an extraordinary variety of people. And wherever I've been, northor south of the River, I've discovered that it isn't only among educated peoplelike ourselves that resistance to the Tartars is to be found.Many of our mostardent patriots are small tradesmen, Yamen runners, or market folk-peoplebelonging to the very lowest ranks of society. If you'd care to join us, the threeof us could travel to Yangzhou together. I have a number of contacts there Icould introduce you to. What do you think?'But that would be wonderful,' said Lu Liuliang delightedly. 'We leave forYangzhou tomorrow, then. If the two of you will just sit here for a moment, I'llgo and tell my wife to start getting things ready.'He hurried off to the inner quarters, but was back in the study again after onlyafewminutes.'About this Ming History business,' he said. 'I've heard a good deal of talk aboutit outside, but you can't believe everything people say, and in any case theyconceal a lot of whattheydoknow out of fear.I'm so isolated here,I havenomeans of finding out the truth.Tell me, how" did it all begin?' Gu Yanwusighed.'We've all seen this Ming History. There are, inevitably, passages in it which arenot very complimentary to the Tartars.It was written byZhu Guozhen, who, asyou know, was a former Chancellor at the Ming Court. when he came to writeabout the"antics of the Paramount Chief of the Jianzhou tribe",which is howthe Ming Court used to refer to the Tartars, it's a bit hard to see how he couldhave been polite.'Lu nodded:'I heard somewhere that a member of the Zhuang family of Huzhou paid one ofChancellor Zhu's heirs a thousand taels of silver for the manuscript andpublished it under his own name- never dreaming, of course, that it wouldlead to such terrible consequences.'Gu wentontotellhimthewholestory.The Ming HistoryHangzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou, the three prefectures of Zhejiang Provincearound the southern shores of Lake Taihu, are situated on flat, low-lying, andextremely fertile soil. It is an area which produces rice and silk in abundanceHuzhou has always been a great cultural centre, the home of many artists and
smiled. 'I've knocked about a great deal during these last few years,' he said, 'and made friends with an extraordinary variety of people. And wherever I've been, north or south of the River, I've discovered that it isn't only among educated people like ourselves that resistance to the Tartars is to be found. Many of our most ardent patriots are small tradesmen, Yamen runners, or market folk—people belonging to the very lowest ranks of society. If you'd care to join us, the three of us could travel to Yangzhou together. I have a number of contacts there I could introduce you to. What do you think?' 'But that would be wonderful,' said Lu Liuliang delightedly. 'We leave for Yangzhou tomorrow, then. If the two of you will just sit here for a moment, I'll go and tell my wife to start getting things ready.' He hurried off to the inner quarters, but was back in the study again after only a few minutes. 'About this Ming History business,' he said. 'I've heard a good deal of talk about it outside, but you can't believe everything people say; and in any case they conceal a lot of what they do know out of fear. I'm so isolated here, I have no means of finding out the truth. Tell me, how" did it all begin?' Gu Yanwu sighed. 'We've all seen this Ming History. There are, inevitably, passages in it which are not very complimentary to the Tartars. It was written by Zhu Guozhen, who, as you know, was a former Chancellor at the Ming Court. When he came to write about the "antics of the Paramount Chief of the Jianzhou tribe", which is how the Ming Court used to refer to the Tartars, it's a bit hard to see how he could have been polite.' Lu nodded: 'I heard somewhere that a member of the Zhuang family of Huzhou paid one of Chancellor Zhu's heirs a thousand taels of silver for the manuscript and published it under his own name— never dreaming, of course, that it would lead to such terrible consequences.' Gu went on to tell him the whole story. The Ming History Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou, the three prefectures of Zhejiang Province around the southern shores of Lake Taihu, are situated on flat, low-lying, and extremely fertile soil. It is an area which produces rice and silk in abundance. Huzhou has always been a great cultural centre, the home of many artists and