Yun Zhongzi Advances with His Sword to Eliminate Evil

White clouds drift over the southern mountains,

The azure sky and spring's tranquility abound.

Towers adorned in golden splendor pierce the purple mist,

Jade-like dewdrops glisten on crimson visages.

Flowers welcome white cranes, singing celestial songs,

Willows brush against green phoenixes, dancing with emerald tresses.

In this realm where mortals and immortals are worlds apart,

A pervasive aura of enchantment transcends heavenly gates.

Let's not speak of King Zhou's infatuation with Daji,

His days consumed by debauchery, neglecting his kingdom.

Now, in the depths of Mount Zhongnan, there resides a Daoist,

Known as Yun Zhongzi, an immortal for centuries.

On a day of idle leisure, he carried a basket of herbs,

Intent on gathering medicinal treasures near Tiger Cub Cliff.

As he rode the clouds and conjured mists with ease,

He glimpsed an ominous aura rising from the southeast.

Yun Zhongzi cast a concerned gaze and sighed,

"This creature, a fox of a thousand years' age,

Now dons the guise of a human,

Hiding within the palace of Chaoge's sovereign.

If left unchecked, it will surely bring great calamity.

As a practitioner of Dao, compassion is my foundation,

I must find a way to address this threat."

He summoned his young disciple, Jin Xiaotong, saying,

"Retrieve a branch from the old withered pine tree,

I shall fashion a wooden sword to expel this malevolent presence."

Jin Xiaotong inquired, "Why not employ your Daoist sword,

To sever this evil at its core and end its menace forever?"

Yun Zhongzi chuckled, "A thousand-year-old fox,

Merely an inconvenience to my Daoist sword.

This simple wooden sword shall suffice."

With a pine branch in hand, Jin Xiaotong assisted Yun Zhongzi,

As he fashioned the wooden sword, and then heeding his orders,

Jin Xiaotong stood guard at their hermitage,

While Yun Zhongzi set out for Chaoge.

Yun Zhongzi, riding on auspicious clouds,

Approached the city of Chaoge with purpose.

As he journeyed, a poem emerged, encapsulating his path:

No need for steeds or boats to ply the seas and skies,

In moments, traverse the vast world far and wide.

Within this great realm, swiftly arrive and depart,

As seasons change, rocks erode, and trees shed their leaves.

Let's leave Yun Zhongzi's quest for now

And turn our gaze to King Zhou, entangled in his debauchery.

His long absence from court, a source of concern,

Prompted discussions among his ministers and advisors.

Among them were Mei Bo, a high-ranking official,

And the Prime Minister Shang Rong, and Bigan, the Second Minister,

Who spoke in earnest: "Your Majesty's indulgence in pleasure,

Neglecting state affairs, is a perilous path.

We, your loyal subjects, bear a duty to advise,

For as kings have counselors, fathers have sons,

And scholars have confidants.

We beseech Your Majesty to listen to our counsel.

The throne carries heavy responsibilities.

Heed our words, and rectify the nation's course.

Disregard the allure of worldly desires,

Diligently govern, and tend to the needs of your subjects.

It is said, 'The position of ruler is fraught with challenges.'

Currently, your rule is marred by discontent.

The heavens' displeasure manifests in droughts and floods,

Calamities befall, a consequence of governance amiss.

May Your Majesty refocus on the nation's well-being,

Shun debauchery, and prioritize governance.

With these changes, the heavens may smile upon us,

And prosperity will grace our lands, and peace will bless the world."

King Zhou responded, "I have heard your words.

I acknowledge the wisdom in them.

However, affairs of state are managed competently,

And the kingdom prospers under my rule.

Even if I attend court, it is merely a formality,

As the true work is carried out by my advisors.

There is no need for me to be overly involved."

As the discussions of king and ministers continued,

A messenger arrived at the royal court,

Bearing news of Yun Zhongzi's presence at Mount Zhongnan.

King Zhou pondered the matter and realized,

"This Daoist wishes to see me privately,

To avoid arousing further rumors and discussions.

Perhaps, engaging in a conversation with him

Will quell the unrest among my ministers.

I shall grant his request and speak with him."

King Zhou issued a decree, "Summon him!"

Yun Zhongzi entered the court, crossing Nine Dragon Bridge,

Walking along the grand avenue with poise.

His robe was an exquisite shade of green, representing balance,

A sash around his waist, adorned with the Queen Mother's knot.

On his feet, he wore cloud-stepping shoes,

Which allowed him to walk amongst the stars during the night.

In his hand, he carried a basket of fresh flowers,

And his demeanor exuded tranquility and grace.

His appearance was impeccable, and all could see:

His headband was adorned with three radiant dots,

Symbolizing the Three Luminaries.

Behind his head, twin halos of sun and moon radiated.

His Daoist robe was made of precious jade,

Harmonizing the dualities of yin and yang.

Around his waist, he wore a sash of immortality,

Fastened with the Queen Mother's knot.

His feet, shod in cloud-stepping shoes,

Allowed him to traverse the heavens at will,

And his steps, even on rocky terrain, left no trace.

In the darkness of night, he walked among the stars.

He looked not a day older than in his prime,

His lips resembled a fresh drop of blood,

And his complexion was as smooth as white jade.

Yun Zhongzi knelt and greeted King Zhou,

Saying, "Your Majesty, I bow in respect."

King Zhou, taken aback by Yun Zhongzi's demeanor,

Initially displeased, now found himself intrigued.

He asked, "Where do you hail from, Daoist?"

Yun Zhongzi replied, "I come from the realms of clouds and waters."

The king inquired further, "What do you mean by 'clouds and waters'?"

Yun Zhongzi elucidated, "In my heart, I am as free as the drifting clouds,

And my thoughts flow as unrestricted as flowing water."

King Zhou, his curiosity piqued, asked,

"What happens when the clouds disperse and the waters run dry?"

Yun Zhongzi responded, "When the clouds disperse, the bright moon appears in the sky,

And when the waters run dry, a brilliant pearl emerges."

King Zhou, now impressed by Yun Zhongzi's wisdom, said,

"Your previous actions troubled me, but your words hold truth.

You possess both intellect and wisdom.

Please, be seated."

Yun Zhongzi accepted the offer and sat down.

He then continued to speak with King Zhou:

"I have heard that among the Three Teachings, Dao is supreme.

It neither pays homage to the emperor nor visits the nobility.

It avoids the confines of worldly snares,

Breaking free from the trappings of fame and wealth

.

In the forest and mountains, it seeks seclusion,

Preferring to live in simplicity and humility.

It takes joy in the purity of nature,

Relishing the freshness of the wild.

It eschews extravagance and embraces frugality,

Rejoicing in the freedom of poverty.

It is free from all entanglements,

Indifferent to the world's pleasures and distractions.

Some cultivate the Dao through discussions of the Three Teachings,

While others explore the ancient and contemporary,

Seeking to understand the roots of existence.

It disregards the cold and heat of seasons,

And follows the movements of constellations.

It roams freely, knowing no bounds,

Its heart remains serene amid chaos.

It embraces the changes of the four seasons,

Adapts to the flow of Yin and Yang.

It follows the path of least resistance,

And returns to simplicity.

Those who cultivate the Dao are as steadfast as Mount Hua,

With a spirit as vast as the seas.

They tread on the heads of tigers and the backs of dragons,

And soar to the heavens on the wings of cranes.

They understand the mysteries of the cosmos,

And uphold the principles of virtue.

They elucidate the ways of Dao,

And wield talismans to dispel malevolent forces.

They bow before celestial realms,

And stride through the gates of thunder.

They unlock the secrets of heaven and earth,

And harness the essence of the sun and moon.

With a deep understanding of Yin and Yang,

They refine their essence and nurture their vitality.

They traverse the realms of existence,

And master the art of alchemy.

They ride on the Blue Dragon, soaring to the Purple Palace,

Guided by the White Tiger, they explore the Jade Capital.

They comprehend the wonders of the universe,

And embody the essence of virtue.

Compared to Confucian scholars, who seek official positions,

And chase wealth and glory,

Or to practitioners of the Way of Cuts and Polishing,

Who follow treacherous paths, rarely attaining enlightenment,

Dao cultivators are content in simplicity,

Forsaking the allure of worldly riches.

They are free from worldly cares,

And willingly endure the trials of poverty.

Whether they have disheveled hair and bare feet,

Or sport simple attire with a wide-brimmed hat,

They pick fresh flowers to weave into their hats,

Or gather wild herbs to cushion their bedding.

They sip sweet springs to cleanse their mouths,

And chew on pine and cypress to prolong their lives.

They sing and clap, rejoicing in their simplicity,

And when they meet fellow Daoists, they discuss the Dao and drink wine.

They laugh at extravagance and indulge in simplicity,

Taking pleasure in their carefree, humble existence.

They are unburdened by material possessions,

And readily offer aid to those in need.

They bring solace to the troubled,

And may even bring the dead back to life.

They study the ways of Dao,

And read the signs of Heaven and Earth.

They communicate with celestial beings at the imperial court,

And harness the energy of the constellations.

They unlock the gates of mystery,

And banish dark spirits with their talismans.

They pay respects to the Flying Deities at the Emperor's palace,

And traverse the skies through the Thunder Gate.

They open the gates of heaven and earth,

And master the secrets of the sun and moon.

In the presence of such Daoists, even the emperor bows,

For they possess wisdom that transcends the ordinary.

They possess the ability to discern good and evil,

And to understand the root causes of life and death.

They are compassionate healers,

And may revive the dying.

They are guardians of the Way,

And protect the world from malevolent spirits.

As Daoists, we follow the path of virtue,

Seeking harmony with the heavens and the earth.

We embrace the mysteries of the cosmos,

And illuminate the Way of Dao."

King Zhou, captivated by Yun Zhongzi's words, listened intently,

Realizing that he was in the presence of a true sage.

The courtiers watched in silence as the Daoist and the king conversed,

And even the ministers were left in awe of Yun Zhongzi's wisdom.

In the following days, King Zhou and Yun Zhongzi continued their discussions,

And a profound friendship between sovereign and sage began to blossom.

As for Yun Zhongzi's mission to confront the malevolent presence in Chaoge,

It remained unresolved for the time being,

As King Zhou found himself increasingly preoccupied with the Daoist's teachings,

And the affairs of state gradually improved under his newfound wisdom.