ZOUYU 1

Zhu Su was stupefied. He never saw zouyu all this time - even his father had neither seen it. He only saw the image of zouyu when he studied in the school. Only when his teachers were giving the lecturer about Zouyu the Legendary Creature. Although he was eager to meet with zouyu, Zhu Su was not sure that he could see it on his own. Moreover to face directly with zouyu, he did not dare to wish it even in his dream.

Zouyu was still staring at him. Although it had a fierce face, its eyes were clear and beautiful. The silver moonlight reflected on its eyes. A moment later, zouyu put his head on Zhu Su's body as if asking to be petted. As if, it was expressing its joy to him.

Slowly, Zhu Su's hand stretched out, stroking zouyu's head.

Zhu Su's stroking apparently made zouyu tamer towards Zhu Su. It moved closer, now entered his arms.

"Long live Zhou Wang! Zouyu likes you very much!"

"Look! The ruler of Kaifeng has been proven to be a benevolent ruler!"

"Your Highness, no need for you to catch it, it's the zouyu itself who comes to you!"

The soldiers hailed once more. Still, in great surprise, Zhu Su was busy stroking zouyu who had laid down on him.

"Your Highness, this is the answer to your worry."

Zhu Su turned over. Liu Ku was standing beside him. "Liu Ku?! How long have you been here?!..."

"You are too focused on finding a solution for the Kaifeng problem that you don't know that so many people have been here."

After that, Qu You appeared. And so did other officials. Just like Liu Ku said, so many people had been in Iron Pagoda. He really did not realize it.

"I am so lucky today, I can see zouyu by myself!" Qu You said cheerfully.

Meanwhile, Liu Ku stared deeply at Zhu Su.

"Your Highness, take the zouyu to Yingtian and present it to the Emperor."

Liu Ku's idea was as surprising as his sudden appearance. "Eh?!?... why?"

"For three reasons." Liu Ku raised his right fingers one by one. "First, because zouyu is a legendary creature worshipped by the whole Ming, we can't dominate it and keep it just by ourselves, after all, we must present it to the Emperor. Second, to please the Emperor, so that your prestige rises in the eyes of the Emperor. And third, this is the most vital reason. In order to let Kaifeng people become aware of the leader they should follow. Is that the rebels, or you whom zouyu likes?"

This time all people cheered enthusiastically.

"Those deceivers always exalt themselves as the compassionate people who get oppressed by the authority. They can deceive the people, but even Heaven is angry with them as they send zouyu to help His Highness!"

"Kaifeng people should be more aware now. How come a despot is liked by zouyu? They mustn't slander His Highness, instead, they are supposed to be shameful with their insolent!"

On the other hand, Zhu Su stared deeply at zouyu. He was so touched, even tears began to shimmer in his eyes, although it was not obvious to let others see it. He blinked, then whispered in a hoarse voice.

"Thank you very much, Dear Zouyu... Thank you very much, Heaven... and, thank you very much, Lord Buddha. You have answered my question, even give the solution which is far better than my most magniloquent wish... thank you very much..."

I won't doubt myself again. I'll overcome my self-doubt. I am very confident about myselt right now, completely.

Even though the entire world scolds me, I don't care. Because, I have my own way to solve it.

I love my country. And I'm sure of all life principles I'm walking on. It is enough to face whatever blocks in my way.

***

Yingtian people were looking dazzled as they saw the extravagance convoy of Zhou Fan Wang Guo from Kaifeng. The convoy consisted of two huge horse-drawn carriages and hundreds of attendants in charge of guarding the convoy. The people had been surging on the main road which was the lane of the convoy. And what actually attracted them to gather there, was that spectacular news spreading all around.

"I've heard that zouyu has appeared in Kaifeng!"

"And Zhou Wang manages to catch it!"

"You're wrong! It's zouyu itself who approached Zhou Wang, it surrendered of its own accord!"

"Ah, whatever happens... I just want to watch zouyu, because this is a spectacular event that doesn't necessarily happen in a hundred years! Even my granny never sees zouyu!"

"And now we'll see it! Wow! We can tell about this spectacular event to our descendants!"

"Hey, don't push me! I almost fall down, you know!"

Everyone was frenzied. The zouyu itself was placed in the biggest carriage with a unique appearance so that the people could see what was inside it. Thence the people compete to be in the foremost position to get the distinct sight of zouyu.

"By the way, Kaifeng is in riot, right?"

"Oh, it's so terrible! Hundreds of people take to the street, destroy and burn everything they can reach, the roads are on and on filled with the fighting between the mass and the guards."

"And it's not finished until now?"

"Even worse! The total mass amount is so great! And all of them are anti-government!"

"But zouyu appears in Kaifeng..."

"Hopefully the riots can vanish quickly and the appearance of zouyu can help to appease it."

"It will! Long live The Great Ming!"

Inside the carriage, Zhu Su observed the conversation talked outside thoroughly. It showed a really different scene from what happened in Kaifeng. Here Yingtian people was so happy when hailing, they looked so proud of their country. Such a rare occurence he never watched for a long time.

Well, hopefully, the appearance of zouyu can help to appease the riot. Hopefully, Kaifeng people won't be angry again and they'll change their minds to be the same as Yingtian people's. For the sake of Kaifeng... and The Great Ming.