DTSLZ Book 43 Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – The Way to Live or Die

With Zong Xianghua’s help, Shang Xiufang opened the brocade case, a bamboo Xiao appeared in front of Xu Ziling’s eyes. Even though he had no knowledge of musical instruments, he was able to tell from the exquisite design and the craftmanship that it was a fine work among the Xiao. It was different in design to the Xiao popular in the Central Earth.

Shang Xiufang closed the brocade case and handed it over to Xu Ziling. She spoke with serious expression, “I wonder if Xu Gongzi could deliver this Tianzhu bamboo Xiao to Qingxuan Xiaojie; she is the person whom Xiufang esteem and admire for many years, only too bad I have not had the predestined affinity to see her.”

Liexia cheerfully said, “Turns out this is the significance behind Xiufang Dajia’s desire to search for Tianzhu Xiao.”

Xu Ziling respectfully received the case, he asked in astonishment, “How did Xiufang Dajia know that I know Qingxuan Xiaojie?”

Shang Xiufang cast him a glance, pursing her lips, she let out a peal of laughter and said, “This morning, because Lie Gongzi generously presented the scroll of music score to Xiufang, I went to Sheng Guang Si to thank God for His kindness, suddenly I received inspiration!”

Xu Ziling suddenly understood; Shang Xiufang went to Sheng Guang Temple [here, the character is miao] this morning was to see Shi Feixuan. From her, she understood that he was the person with enough qualifications to visit Shi Qingxuan at the small valley in the secluded forest in Bashu [Sichuan].

Ay! Shi Feixuan clearly wanted to play matchmaker between he and Shi Qingxuan, but she did not know that toward the matter between men and women, Shi Qingxuan’s heart was like a dead tree; practically there was not the slightest bit of interest. If he went to see her one more time, it would only mean his heart would be broken one more time.

He also recalled that after seeing Shi Feixuan, on her way back to the Palace, Shang Xiufang paid Kou Zhong a visit, and this fellow half-forced her a kiss on her mouth. When he heard about it at that time, he simply brushed it off. But now that he was facing this touching beautiful woman with natural beauty, he personally experienced her powerful sex appeal, he could not help feeling understanding and ‘empathy’ on Kou Zhong unable to restrain his emotions and his rude, presumptuous action.

That day, on the small second-floor room in Xie Hui Castle in Chengdu, Shi Qingxuan was playing her xiao for him. This touching beautiful memory reappeared in his mind. At that time he also had the urge to draw her into his embrace to love and to hold her, but unlike Kou Zhong toward Shang Xiufang, he did not put it into practice.

Her beautiful eyes flickering, Shang Xiufang looked at Xu Ziling’s countenance turning clear and dark alternately, with a bit mischievous implication, she smiled and said, “Did Xiufang evoke the load on Xu Gongzi’s heart? Then Xiufang is really guilty of sin!”

Embarrassed, Xu Ziling laughed and put the brocade case inside his sleeve. A powerful fighting spirit stirred up in his heart; he pondered quietly that he must not let himself get killed tonight, otherwise, how could he be able to accomplish Shang Xiufang’s cherished desire? He nodded with determination and said, “Xiufang Dajia, please be at ease. This xiao will definitely be delivered into Qingxuan Xiaojie’s hands.”

But Liexia was unwilling to let him off; he laughed and said, “Xu Xiong has not answered Xiufang Dajia’s question concerning the load on Xu Xiong’s heart yet.”

Xu Ziling cursed him inwardly. He began to understand why Kou Zhong and Ke Dazhi wanted to kill this kid, because this person was indeed repulsive. He smiled and said, “Who could have no load on his mind? It’s just a matter of whether he is willing to reveal it or not!”

Shang Xiufang sighed faintly, her gaze turned toward the two men still talking on the platform. Her cicada head lightly nodded, she spoke in soft voice, “Xiufang knows to handle musical instruments, you guys know how to handle weapons; but I am afraid we will never know how to handle our own heart, indeed we are incapable to rely on it.”

Liexia was slightly startled; he revealed a thoughtful look.

This moment, Bai Ziting, accompanied by Ma Ji, returned to the hall. Immediately the two groups that were having separate discussion’s attention was turned back to him.

Bai Ziting shot a quick glance toward Kou Zhong and Ke Dazhi, who were still in deep deliberation on the platform, leaning on the parapet – first before laughing aloud and said, “There is still a distinguished guest whom Bai Ziting has admired for a long time, whose good self has not arrived; if ladies and gentlemen do not mind, how about we wait another quarter of an hour before taking our seat? It will also allow Shaoshuai and Ke Jiangjun a bit more time to talk.”

Shang Xiufang spoke in delight, “The distinguished guest that Da Wang is talking about, I wonder if it refers to Song Er Gongzi [second young master]?”

It was only then did Xu Ziling find out that Song Shidao was invited, but this matter was only to be expected, because Bai Ziting has always admired Central Earth culture, and Song Shidao came from a rich and powerful family with the most power, influence and status in the south, which adhered to Han clan’s orthodox culture, naturally he was the object of Bai Ziting’s admiration as well. But he was a little worried, what could possibly entangle Song Shidao that he was late?

Bai Ziting turned toward Fu Junqiang, Han Chao’an and Jin Zhengzong, three persons, and said, “Looking at the high-spirited and intense conversation lady and gentlemen have with Guoshi [teacher of the state], the subject must be very fascinating; why don’t you share it with everybody?”

Fu Junqiang cheerfully said, “Guoshi was talking about life and death and reincarnation, which is very enlightening and makes people ponder. Junqiang’s benefit is not shallow.”

Shang Xiufang smiled excitedly and said, “Unexpectedly that topic; I really want to ask Guozhi to give more directions.”

Xu Ziling secretly paid attention to Liexia, only to see that when he was looking at him, the murderous aura suddenly appeared, but quickly disappeared.

Funantuo’s pleasant and full of inspiration voice rang again in the hall. Xu Ziling was finally able to personally experience this demonic monk from Tianzhu’s unimpeded eloquence and exquisite in the law of nature and reasoning.

“What did Zong Xianghua say about Yin Xianhe?” Kou Zhong asked.

Ke Dazhi replied honestly, “Unless they were talking about Liexia, that son of a turtle, I usually did not bother to listen. I vaguely remember we were just leaving the palace gate that time, Xiufang Dajia noticed that Zong Xianghua was paying special attention to a pedestrian on the street, so she asked her what was she looking at? It was in this situation that Zong Xianghua mentioned Yin Xianhe, three characters.”

However, he had no interest in the relationship between Zong Xianghua and Yin Xianhe at all, hence he went on, “As long as you and Ziling can defend yourselves and not losing, I could make proper arrangement so that not only Shen Mohuan will not know that I am following behind him, but can also make … Ay! Supposing Du Xing is really like what you said, I can make him unable to see that you and I have other big plan.”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Kou Zhong said, “Now there is another problem that give me most headache, yet it is still unclear. Ling Shao and I are very likely going to lose our lives when we go with you to kill Shen Mohuan.”

Frowning, Ke Dazhi asked, “What could be that serious?”

Kou Zhong replied, “It’s the relationship between Cui Wang, Xu Kaishan, and Bai Ziting, three men.”

Liexia waited until Funantuo finished speaking some modest remarks before he calmly said, “I wonder if Da Wang would let this ignorant person to ask Guoshi a question first?”

Xu Ziling cried inwardly, ‘Here it comes!’ Finally Liexia could not help making his move against Funantuo. If he could confound this Tianzhu Mad Monk in debate, then it would not be much different to if he defeated him with real swords, real spears, because Funantuo’s most formidable weapon was his eloquence, with which he was able to manipulate Mohe tribe.

Bai Ziting took a deep glance toward Liexia, and then laughing involuntarily, he said, “Why must I not allow any question? We are just chatting here!”

Liexia cheerfully said, “In that case, this ignorant person will no longer be polite.”

Turning toward Funantuo, who had his gaze fixed on him, he smiled and said, “May I ask Guoshi, why did you leave Tianzhu and come to the faraway prairie?”

Funantuo moved his gaze to Xu Ziling first, before smiling and turning his gaze toward Shang Xiufang; the divine refined light in the pupil of his abstruse-like-bottomless-abyss eyes flickered, and then his gaze was back to Liexia. He glibly said, “What I, Funantuo learned in all my life can be summarized in four characters ‘the way to live or die’ [sheng si zhi dao], and the most ideal place to discuss the way to live or die is on the battlefield. Only there will every person confront life or death without being able to avoid it. Death can happen any moment, the feeling of survival is particularly strong! Hence it is also the most suitable place to expound the law. Outside of this, could there be a more attractive subject than the way to live or die?”

Greatly astonished, Ke Dazhi said, “Unexpectedly Gongqi is Cui Wang? It is indeed difficult to guess. I saw this person this morning; he is quite shrewd and formidable, in term of martial art, he hides it very well, so that it’s difficult to measure its depth. Indeed he has the qualifications to be the chief of the wolf-bandits. Are you sure you did not misread his tattoo?”

Kou Zhong shot a glance backward, he whispered in Ke Dazhi’s ear, “Old Fu is starting to expound the law! Should we go back into the hall to listen to the wonderful truth?”

Ke Dazhi responded in displeasure, “Fancy that you still have this kind of idle mind; since Funantuo himself is not upright, his speech must be of heretical law as well. If the wolf-bandits are really the wonder troops [troops appearing suddenly (in a raid or ambush)] that Bai Ziting grooms to make money, what do they have to do with Xu Kaishan?”

Kou Zhong replied, “Today, Ling Shao and I encountered three Huihe men that we are 90% sure are wolf-bandits; they all claimed to be Liexia’s subordinates; it is thus clear that the wolf-bandits indeed belong to the Da Ming Zun Jiao. What we don’t understand is that Da Ming Zun Jiao and Funantuo ought to be enemies, so why does Gongqi work for Bai Ziting? There must be something here that we don’t know. What we are most afraid right now is that after the banquet, Bai Ziting might send Gongqi to escort us away. If we decline, Han Chao’an will be suspicious, then it will only add another unknown variable.”

Ke Dazhi exhaled slowly, he said, “I must now leave for a short period of time to make advance arrangement for tonight’s events, while at the same time I’ll try to investigate whether Gongqi has not been in Longquan all the year round. With Shaoshuai and Ling Shao’s ability to change according to the situation, I am sure that tonight, the troops come, you will block, the water comes, you will build a dike.”

Kou Zhong reminded him, “When you leave, remember to act like your anger soars to the sky because you can’t come to an agreement with me. No! That would be too obvious. On the surface you show nothing, but your eyes must exude murderous aura.”

Blurted out laughing, Ke Dazhi said, “Don’t worry! No one will believe that we are working together like brothers.”

Greatly interested, Shang Xiufang said, “This is the first time Xiufang hear that the battlefield is the most suitable place to expound the law. Guoshi really know how to choose words. Presently, the Central Earth is all split up and in pieces [idiom], soldiers munity and troops rebel [also an idiom]; moreover, for various tribes in the prairie, there is not one peaceful day. Only I wonder what the way to live or die is?”

Funantuo’s law appearance was solemn. This moment, no matter from which angle one saw him, one would only agree that he was a very able person who had attained the Way; no one would associate him with a devil monk and lascivious thief. [Note: ‘law appearance’, orig. Buddhist law (法 – fa), but I am quite sure Funantuo was not a Buddhist.]

He showed a pouring-out-his-spirit-to-listen-carefully-to Shang Xiufang’s question; nodding, he said, “Life and death is something that everybody must experience, hence it is related to everybody. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the emperor, king, general or minister, virtuous person or stupid and unworthy, one must face this inescapable fate that is added to various aspects of their life. However, even if the fact is like this, for us to imagine death is a nearly impossible matter. So much so that it produces misconception, thinking that one would be an exception, that one would not die, thereupon one could not see the death, which will eventually come. If we want to master the way to live or die, we must first alter this ridiculous conception.”

‘Formidable!’ Xu Ziling cried inwardly; he was on par with the Four Great Holy Monks. From Funantuo’s expounding the law, the most moving thing was that it directly related to everyone; simple and unadorned, contemporary, plus brimming with sensations. In contrast, although the Four Great Holy Monks’ Zen allegory and Buddhist terms were abundant with wisdom, but to average person’s way of thinking, it was comparatively strange, relatively vague with nothing in it, not in line with realistic necessities.

This moment, Ke Dazhi, with gloomy expression, returned to the hall, interrupting Funantuo’s discourse on the law. Coming to Xu Ziling’s side, he spoke in low voice, “Advise your good Xiongdi! Great Khan has been extremely lenient to him.”

Even Xu Ziling thought that Ke Dazhi had broken off relations with Kou Zhong. Revealing a hint of pained smile, he shrugged his shoulders with helpless expression, which was more convincing than any dress-up-as-God, play-the-devil trick.

In particular, Han Chao’an and the others must have thought themselves clever, believing that the reason Ke Dazhi wanted to have a private talk with Kou Zhong on the platform was to persuade Kou Zhong to realign his allegiance to Xieli, just like Liu Wuzhou, Liang Shidou, and the others, to become Xieli’s hunting dogs.

And then Ke Dazhi turned to Bai Ziting to ask forgiveness, saying, “Xiaojiang [little/lowly general] has an urgent matter to deal with, I must return immediately. Da Wang need not wait for me.”

Finished speaking, he left the Pavilion without saying anything else. Even Xu Ziling thought that he was going to have his subordinates send out the news that he could not come to an agreement with Kou Zhong; others need not be mentioned.

After Ke Dazhi left, Ma Ji said with a laugh, “It’s my turn to have a few words with Shaoshuai!”

Finished speaking, he went out the door to go to Kou Zhong, who was still on the platform, leaning against the railing.

Everybody’s attention returned to Funantuo.

Jin Zhengzong said, “Guoshi’s insight is very penetrating. That is the majority of people’s attitude towards death, but we have no choice, because nobody can escape death, no one can alter the ending. Instead of worrying about this fear, it would be better to simply forget about it.”

Funantuo laughed calmly; he chanted a couple of sentences in Sanskrit that no one understood in low voice, and then glibly said, “My way to live or die is precisely to face the death. Not only to recognize death’s true identity, but also to surpass death, to let death turn into one kind of ascension, and not the end at all.”

Liexia spoke indifferently, “That being the case, how is it different from Buddhism’s karma and reincarnation?”

Xu Ziling also really wanted to know Funantuo’s answer. If Funantuo could not tell the difference between his Tianzhu Jiao and the Buddhism, which was also passed on from India, then his way to live or die had nothing unusual.

Ma Ji came to Kou Zhong’s side and spoke softly, “What is Shaoshuai thinking? There is a discussion about life and death going on inside the hall.”

Kou Zhong swept his gaze around the beautiful scenery of the bank of the lake, he spoke indifferently, “I am pondering over some problems. Why didn’t Ji Ye stay inside the hall to listen to very able person passing on his doctrines?”

Ma Ji sighed and said, “Being preoccupied by mundane affairs, how could I have the leisurely frame of mind to listen to perplexing life and death matters? Why isn’t Ba Xiong attending tonight’s banquet?”

Kou Zhong looked at him. The two men’s four eyes were locked on each other without yielding the slightest bit.

Ma Ji smiled and said, “Shaoshuai need not answer that question. The eighty thousand sheets of sheepskin have fallen through, Shaoshuai does not need to pay half a penny to get the entire batch back. As for Pingyao merchants’ goods, it is a bit difficult. I am still striving on Shaoshuai’s behalf to get it back as soon as I can.”

Kou Zhong secretly cursed Ma Ji’s craftiness; his close relationship with Bai Ziting, perhaps even Xieli was also kept in the dark. To get the sheepskin and the Pingyao merchants’ goods back, as long as Ma Ji could afford the ransom, coupled with a batch of bows and arrows to threaten Bai Ziting, it ought to be the exertion of lifting his hand. But the way he said it was precisely ‘although the price has fallen down to the ground, it still brings profit’, hoping that Kou Zhong would abandon his investigation on who robbed the eighty thousand sheets of sheepskin, and no longer demand justice for Da Xiaojie’s subordinates who lost their lives.

Frowning, Kou Zhong said, “I would like to ask for Ji Ye’s guidance on one question, which is what is so attractive about Bai Ziting that unexpectedly Ji Ye is most willing to accompany him being buried in the city?”

Ma Ji’s countenance changed, he said, “What does Shaoshuai mean?”

Kou Zhong calmly shrugged his shoulders and said, “Because until this moment you are still protecting Bai Ziting. Although the egg is closed, the chick can still hatch, let alone big matters like killing and burning. Supposing because of this Tuli won’t let you get away, do you think Xieli is going to stick his head out for you?”

“How am I protecting Bai Ziting?” Ma Ji replied in displeasure, “Shaoshuai must not make false accusation against me.”

Kou Zhong turned around and leaned leisurely against the railing. Laughing indifferently, he said, “I know that Ji Ye thinks I do not know the truth of the matter. This could be considered your, Ji Ye’s last chance, it could decide whether you, Ji Ye, will not obtain good end, or enjoy your later years in peace and prosperity. The world’s struggle now is already developing into the struggle between Xieli, Li Shimin, and me, Kou Zhong; no one can predict the result. However, Ji Ye, you have no grasp of this latest development, you only take immediate interests into account. The fortunate timing is gone forever, I can kill Shen Mohuan tonight, tomorrow I won’t have any interest in listening to whatever Ji Ye has to say.”

Kou Zhong’s words were extremely fierce and severe; he made it absolutely clear that he did not accept Ma Ji’s appeasement and was forcing him to decide his position.

With Ma Ji’s rigorous schemes and deep foresight, he still could not withstand it; he was unable to control his breathing so that he was panting slightly, but the refined light in his eyes was flaring greatly, it flickered continuously.

Funantuo spoke with serious expression, “To certain extent, any kind of religious thought will develop into some kind of authority that cannot be questioned by anybody. The most ancient religion in our country is Brahmanism [Hinduism], based on the ‘Vedas Scripture’ and yoga cultivation. But when Brahmanism became an unquestionable authority, there appeared Sramana tide of thought that set itself against her, including Buddha’s Sakyamuni, Jainism’s great hero Futuomona, Shenghuo Pai’s [life/livelihood sect, Ajivika] leader Makkhali, Jusheluo, Shun Shi Pai’s [obeying/following life/world sect] Aqiduo, Chisheqinpoluo, and other founding patriarchs. Unfortunately, they could not break away from Brahmanism shadow. For example, the same emphasis on karma and reincarnation, also the assimilation of their deities. Although they saw the need for reform, they were still different broth but the same old medicine, so that the future generations repeat the Brahmin polytheistic worship, and the disastrous policy on the implementation of many and complicated sacrificial system.”

A novel feeling rose up in Xu Ziling’s heart. Although he was not a believer in Buddha, he always felt that Buddhism was set up on high, completely beyond ordinary person’s comprehension. Now he heard it with his own eyes a man coming from Tianzhu speaking about his fellow countryman, Buddha’s lifetime achievements, but also criticizing him. He could not help having a fantastic feeling that Buddha was also a human, or at least he was once a ‘human’.

Shang Xiufang disagreed; she said, “Buddhism and Dhyana school’s quest is ‘a moment of enlightenment’, not attaching any importance to scripture and sacrifice. Guoshi’s criticism seems to be deviating from the facts.”

Xu Ziling praised her inwardly. Shang Xiufang did not shrink back because of Funantuo’s status and power, but she spoke up in defense of her own conviction. He had been in contact with Chan Zong Si Zu’s Daoxin Dashi [see Book 29 Chapter 11], and thus he had quite a good impression on that kind of transcending-the-natural, not-stuck-on-material, leisurely-and-comfortable, unrestrained distinguished-and-accomplished realm of ‘pointing straight to the heart, a moment of enlightenment to become a Buddha’.

Remaining calm and unhurried, Funantuo smiled and said, “Xiufang Dajia is not wrong. But Dhyana School is the transformation of Buddhism in the Central Earth. Zen in Sanskrit is Dhyana, which means ‘meditation’, which developed into all the Central Earth people with Buddha nature’s ‘Zen’, representing the Central Earth’s person with knowledge and experience, looking into the shortcoming of the various commandments of the Buddhism that came from our country. It’s a pity that Dhyana School is still lacking something, which is considering individual ‘I’ as greatly important, but it already has a lot more reverence to the scripture, more esteem to the deity, and more brilliant ceremony.”

Shang Xiufang knitted her pretty eyebrows; although she could not fully accept Funantuo’s argument, she could not find any words to refute him either.

Funantuo did not directly answer Liexia’s question, but he brought up the implicit qualities of the issue, by pointing out the errors in Buddhism, to make people wanting to know his own thought more.

Bai Ziting stood by Funantuo’s side with his hands behind his back; he did not join the discussion, but only became the observer on the wall.

Finally Xu Ziling could not help asking, “If not considering ‘I’ as important, then what is important? Considering ‘I’ as important represents pointing straight at one’s own heart, renouncing the worship of various deities and Buddha, away from heavy ancient books and many and complicated ceremonies, free and unconstrained, penetrating deeply and exploring each person’s Buddha nature and Tathata.”

Funantuo let out a long laughter and said, “Tathata [zhen ru] two characters said it best; it’s rare that Xu Gongzi’s interest is aroused like this. I wonder if you are still interested in listening to me, while we still have a bit of time, to explain ‘fan wo ru yi’ [lit. Brahma and I as one] law in simple terms?”

Emotionally moved, Fu Junqiang said, “Dashi, please show us how to get to the right path!”

Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan Facts and Figures