“Yellow Sky”: Crisis for the Han Dynasty sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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“I propose that we ask His Majesty for permission to begin a grand work…
the creation of stone carvings of the greatest works of literature,” Cai Yong
declared. “If we can, we will have everything chiselled in stone; but if we can
protect just one thing from these wretched villains that would distort and
destroy everything, that is something. We can hide and protect other works,
just as brave souls are hiding men of worth already, and hope for a lighter day
in the future when great men and great works of art and literature are to be
liberated. But what I ask of you all now is dangerous… we will earn the wrath
of those that seek to change the truth, because they will know that we attempt
to thwart them from the moment our petition is filed. I demand nothing from any
of you… I only ask.”
“I’ll not live in a world without the truth,” Kong Rong insisted. “How
could I face my esteemed ancestor in Heaven if I allowed his life’s work to be
perverted to serve the evil and unjust? You shall have my name on your
petition, Mister Cai.”
“And even though I risk my privileged position, there is no point in
living in a world without truth,” the Right Assistant to the Imperial
Secretariat, Sima Fang, said boldly. “I will put my name on your petition,
Master Cai.”
“I have not lived all these years to see such things,” Zhao Qi grumbled.
“You’ll have my name, in blood if
needs be.”
“I am a scholar of the Great Philosopher: the ‘Ten’ might as well change
my name to ‘Donkey Fool’ and be done with it,” Zheng Xuan said. “And Master Ma
would never forgive us for allowing this, would he Lu Zhi?”
“For Master Ma Rong’s sake alone, I’d sign it,” Zheng Xuan’s friend Lu
Zhi replied. “But for my own, I have to. The ‘Ten’ have gone far enough, and
further still.”
Qiao Xuan had watched the proceedings silently: Cai Yong turned to him,
smiled desperately and asked, “Will you sign it, Master…?”
All eyes turned to the legendary Qiao Xuan.
“…When I first met you, Cai Bojie, I knew that I was seeing a man of
great worth, but… never did I imagine how great,” Qiao Xuan replied at last.
“There is no talent that has been beyond you, and now you shame other men with
your foresight, wit, courage and ingenuity. When you served me as a clerk, I
knew that you could do better… but now I know that no role would be above you.”
Cai Yong lowered his head and stifled tears of embarrassment and
gratitude.
“Of course I will support you,” Qiao Xuan continued. “Let the ‘Ten’ and
their cronies do their worst: any one of our minds can match them all, just as
yours will beat them with this plan of yours!”
Others quickly voiced their own agreement. Within days, Cai Yong and his
allies had secured the creation of what would come to be known as the Xiping Stone Classics, an enduring work
that ensured the survival of the words of many noted figures in Chinese
history.
For several weeks, Cao Cao was the talk of the officials for his strict
adherence to the law. None dared believe the rumours that Cao Cao had been a
mischievous drunk and womaniser, since this newest incarnation accepted nothing
from anyone. Cao Song was openly proud of his son and was glad to declare that
his undying faith in his son’s true nature had been justified.
“A truly amazing transformation,” Kong Rong said to Zhang Miao as they
sat in the former’s office one afternoon.