Zu Ye’s Concerns

I’ve always believed Zhang Zizhan was born in the wrong era. If it had been a time of peace and prosperity, he would surely have been a top scholar candidate. Born at an inopportune time, his family’s misfortune led him down the path of becoming an A’Bao. From that point on, his fate, his fortune, his love, his everything—all became entangled in the world of A’Bao.

Zhang Zizhan was the only one among all the Batou who had married twice.

China’s marriage system is quite interesting: during the Tang and Song dynasties, the legal marriage age was 15 for men and 13 for women; during the Ming and Qing periods it was 16 for men and 14 for women; during the Republican era, legislators established new marriage ages of 18 for men and 16 for women. Although regulations existed, no one followed them, especially children from poor families. If any man reached 18 without marrying, he was basically cut off from women forever.

The A’Bao never lacked money, but due to their special status, they generally married late.

Zu Ye didn’t marry because he had his own thoughts; Da Batou had married, but later his wife was devoured by pigs, and he never planned to find another wife; Er Batou never intended to marry at all—he worshipped Zu Ye and said he would only marry when Zu Ye did, and until marriage, he temporarily resided in brothels; San Batou had married, and his wife was a female A’Bao, but he still went to brothels every day, and his wife couldn’t do anything about it.

In Zhang Zizhan’s second year in the trade, he was 17 years old. One day, after the Council Meeting dispersed, Zu Ye had Er Batou summon Zhang Zizhan. At that time, Zhang Zizhan hadn’t yet assumed the position of Fourth, he was merely a Xiao Jiao under Er Batou’s command.

Normally, Er Batou always wanted to take Zhang Zizhan along when visiting brothels, wanting to help him transform from boy to man, but Zu Ye didn’t allow it. He told Er Batou: “Zizhan is a very pure child. He’s always been different from us. Don’t corrupt him, otherwise I’ll have failed him.”

When Zhang Zizhan arrived at Zu Ye’s residence, he didn’t know why Zu Ye had summoned him.

Zu Ye had him sit down and said with a smile: “Zizhan, you’re 17 this year. It’s time you started a family.”

Zhang Zizhan tensed up, silently lowering his head without speaking.

Zu Ye continued: “You’ve read so many books, including plenty about romance and love. You understand matters between men and women no less than anyone else…”

Zhang Zizhan’s face reddened: “Zu Ye, I’m still young…”

Zu Ye smiled and said: “Not young anymore. If you hadn’t followed me, at this age people would already be coming to arrange marriages.”

Zhang Zizhan’s face turned completely red.

Zu Ye laughed heartily: “You’re a young man of both talent and good looks. Though we’re from the Jiang Xiang Sect, we’re absolutely not people who engage in casual liaisons. Zu Ye wants to find you someone well-matched. I won’t agree to just any ordinary woman.”

Zhang Zizhan lowered his head and smiled secretly.

When I entered the trade in 1948, Er Batou told me that Zu Ye initially cultivated Zhang Zizhan as his successor. Zhang Zizhan had sharp features, fair skin, a natural military bearing, mastery of both Eastern and Western learning, and brilliant writing skills. Zu Ye protected and cultivated him like his own child. But man’s calculations cannot match heaven’s will. Several years later, just when Zhang Zizhan was riding high on spring breezes of success, a sudden catastrophic blow completely destroyed Zhang Zizhan and broke Zu Ye’s heart as well.

Zhang Zizhan went mad.

Zhang Zizhan’s madness wasn’t the usual kind of raving lunacy or loss of human awareness, but depression—severe depression! At that time the term “depression patient” didn’t exist yet. People called anyone with abnormal mental state “mad.”

Perhaps supremely intelligent people all carry the seeds of depression. Darwin, Hemingway, Van Gogh, Churchill all suffered from depression, and some even ended their lives because of it. Geniuses are often the most fragile. Their mental realm’s unmatched free-ranging brilliance cannot resist even the slightest external trauma. Once hurt by some aspect of life, they collapse faster than normal people. Genius belongs only to a certain domain, not to an entire life.

Zhang Zizhan was this type of person. Though normally cheerful and conversing freely, if he made a mistake, he would start trembling even before Zu Ye criticized him. He demanded too much of himself, not allowing himself the slightest error. So even when Zu Ye needed to criticize him, he had to be very particular about the method—patiently guiding, gently explaining, until he was thoroughly convinced, only then could Zu Ye breathe a sigh of relief.

I felt that Zu Ye treated Zhang Zizhan so well not only because he intentionally cultivated him, but more because Zu Ye felt guilty inside. When Zu Ye saved Zhang Zizhan, he carried selfish motives. He could have rescued Zhang Zizhan’s father as well, but he didn’t. Instead, he forcibly tore the father and son apart, separating them forever between heaven and earth, so that Zhang Zizhan could be completely at Zu Ye’s disposal. This shows that when Zu Ye became ruthless, his heart was harder than stone.

Returning to the matter of arranging the marriage, two months later, Zu Ye took Zhang Zizhan to Southern Yue.

Zhang Zizhan’s Matchmaking Visit

“Yue Haitang” was full of female A’Bao. Zu Ye’s so-called well-matched marriage had two meanings: first, both parties must be disciples of the Jiang Xiang Sect, otherwise disputes would easily arise; second, the woman must also possess both talent and beauty—no ugly or dull-witted ones would do. Thinking it over, Zu Ye felt this person could only be found from “Yue Haitang.”

At that time, Jiang Feiyan hadn’t yet established the hall rule that “female A’Bao never marry for life,” and her thinking coincided with Zu Ye’s. Zu Ye’s arrival delighted Jiang Feiyan tremendously. She hadn’t yet had the chance to thank him for how Zu Ye had outwitted Nishida Yoshiko last time to rescue the hall from crisis.

During Zu Ye’s years presiding over “Muzi Lian,” he had visited “Yue Haitang” a few times, but unfortunately Jiang Feiyan was never at the hall. When the four great halls gathered annually, those who stayed home to guard were often the hall’s Da Batou, so the two had never met at the great gatherings either. Jiang Feiyan had only heard that the Eastern faction had produced a rising star, but never had the chance to meet. Finally, after her master Qiao Wumei’s death, Jiang Feiyan met this enigmatic yet extremely legendary figure.

Jiang Feiyan said with a smile: “Zu Ye honors us with your presence. What instructions do you have?”

Zu Ye smiled and said: “Sister Yan is too polite. I’ve come to arrange a marriage.”

Jiang Feiyan’s face reddened: “Arrange a marriage?”

Zu Ye said: “I have a brother in my hall, over sixteen years old, supremely intelligent, handsome and talented. I’ve been thinking of finding him a well-matched young lady. Thinking it over, I still feel the people under Sister Yan are reliable, so I’ve come uninvited this time, ha ha…”

Hearing this, Jiang Feiyan laughed: “Zu Ye is truly righteous, even taking such care of your brothers’ marriages.”

Zu Ye said: “Not at all, not at all. Please give it much thought, Sister Yan.” He turned and called Zhang Zizhan over. “Zizhan, come pay respects to Grand Master.”

Zhang Zizhan quickly walked before Jiang Feiyan and bowed: “Grand Master, please accept this humble one’s bow.”

Jiang Feiyan said with a smile: “Rise quickly, rise quickly.”

Looking at the handsome and talented Zhang Zizhan, Jiang Feiyan thought for a while and remembered a disciple in her hall named Huang Farong. This person would match well with the young man before her.

Huang Farong—another legendary figure. She was born in the fourth year of the Republic, ancestral home in Jiaozhou, Shandong, one year older than Zhang Zizhan. Four years ago she encountered Jiang Feiyan in Fujian and was taken into the hall. Later, almost all the major “flying operations” were related to her. She challenged the “Plum Blossom Society,” settled the “Taiji Gang,” eliminated the “Five Tigers of the Central Plains,” destroyed “Zheng the Half-Immortal of Jiaodong”—summoning wind and rain, reaching the pinnacle. She was skilled at scheming, even repeatedly testing Zu Ye’s limits. She was too clever, but since ancient times cleverness and wisdom have never been the same thing. History’s experience repeatedly proves that the cleverer people are, the more tragic their endings often are—too clever by half!

Huang Farong always played the role of “spirit medium” in Jiang Feiyan’s hall. Supernatural people must have supernatural features. This woman had large, bright eyes, and her deep gaze always revealed a hint of the supernatural and mysterious. Some said she could see ghosts, others said she could see through people’s internal organs. “Yue Haitang” had a saying: “Heaven’s secrets all calculated by Ghost Sister; King Yama’s investigations ask Farong”—showing Huang Farong’s status and ability in the hall. Ultimately, this Huang Farong was a genuine “Drill.” “Drill” was trade jargon in the A’Bao circle, contrasting with “Pull.” Some who mixed in A’Bao circles had real skills, understood yin-yang and the five elements, and had a certain foundation in divination studies—these were called “Drills”; some relied entirely on deception and were called “Pulls.” Of course, most people in A’Bao circles were “Pulls.”

Huang Farong’s “Drill” skills were all taught by her grandfather. Huang Farong’s grandfather, Huang Daocheng, was a famous fortune-telling master in Jiaozhou. When Huang Farong was born, Huang Daocheng proudly said: “My granddaughter’s birth date is excellent! Her fate carries the Three Wonders, her Canopy is not empty, the General Star is in her month, Wenchang enters her destiny—she will surely be a genius of her generation!” So from when Huang Farong was small, Huang Daocheng continuously transmitted mystical arts and techniques to her.

The Eight Characters Determine Fate

Those who practice fate calculation all believe that what profession a person should pursue, what occupation they’re suited for—all have specific symbols in the eight characters. Everyone wants success, everyone envies those glamorous professions, but when fortune tellers spread out your eight characters and look, they know you’re not cut out for it. The eight characters theory holds: those who become officials must have strong Official Stars that are favorable gods or useful gods; those who do business must have high-shining Wealth Stars; those who pursue scholarship must have strong Seal Stars serving as useful elements…

The “Canopy,” “General Star,” and “Wenchang” that Huang Daocheng mentioned are all spirit-evil terminology in the four pillars. “Canopy” originally referred to the umbrella cover over the Jade Emperor’s head, representing aloofness—it cannot encounter the “Empty Death” spirit, for meeting emptiness breaks it, becoming the “Heavenly Evil Lone Star.” The legendary martial heroes who suffered from the “Heavenly Evil Lone Star” fate came from here. Even Mr. Lu Xun had the lament: “Fate intersects with Canopy, what can I seek? Before I dare turn over, I’ve already bumped my head.” “General Star” represents the power of generals and commanders; anyone with this star in their fate has leadership and organizational ability. “Wenchang” represents imperial examinations and learning, similar to the “Literary Star”—top scholars often had this star in their destiny.

Although these superstitious theories had long been thoroughly criticized by countless sages, Huang Daocheng still stubbornly held onto and savored them. Huang Farong was naturally intelligent with exceptional memory. She quickly memorized the five elements, eight trigrams, and heavenly stems and earthly branches perfectly, then delved into techniques like the four pillars, six lines, Qimen, Liuren divine lessons, Ziwei astrology and more. By her teens she could already use simple techniques to predict fortunes for people, gaining some local fame.

But Huang Farong had four siblings, and she was the eldest. In the countryside, if there were many brothers and sisters, the eldest definitely suffered most, doing all the work. Cooking, feeding pigs, watching younger siblings—needless to say, and any carelessness would bring her volatile father’s curses and beatings. Moreover, her parents disapproved of her studying these things. They said: “A girl just needs to learn some needlework. When she grows up it’ll be easier to marry her off! Learning all this nonsense—let’s see how you manage after you’re married!”

The turning point in fate occurred when Huang Farong was 14. That summer, her father proposed a marriage for her, saying she and her second aunt’s son were “betrothed in the womb”—this marriage had been arranged before she was even born.

Hearing this, Huang Farong exploded with anger. She knew this cousin—he was honest enough, but too honest to the point of stupidity. Huang Farong considered herself supremely intelligent with aspirations higher than heaven. The man in her mind must be exceptionally talented and learned, so she refused no matter what.

As the wedding day approached, her second aunt frequently visited. The old lady sensed something amiss—this niece seemed unwilling. Seeing the cooked duck about to fly away, each visit she brought generous gifts, first proposing marriage with beaming smiles, then wiping tears and pretending grievance.

In feudal times, women had low status, and marriage contracts were equivalent to contracts. If the woman broke the agreement, she would face severe punishment. Huang Farong’s parents decided: even if they had to tie her up, they would send this girl to the other party!

Huang Farong ran to her grandfather’s room, tears streaming: “Grandfather, Grandfather, what should I do?”

The old man wept: “Rong’er, Grandfather can’t help you this time either. This is all fate!”

If it were an ordinary girl, she would have submitted, but this was Huang Farong. At 14 she had heavenly courage. She ran away, fled the marriage, grabbed a bundle, stuffed a few flatbreads inside, and escaped home in the dead of night. She ran south all the way—hungry, she’d gnaw a flatbread; thirsty, she’d find a household, enter and kowtow to beg for water. Later she climbed onto a train, passing through Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, straight to Fujian.

Arriving in Fujian, Huang Farong stopped running. She felt it was far enough—her family wouldn’t find her. She breathed out a long sigh, feeling incomparably relaxed and happy. She thought she was free, the road ahead bright and smooth. If she had known her future years would be entangled with a criminal organization and she would pay a terrible price for it, she would never have been so happy at this moment, might even have regretted fleeing home.

In Fujian, Huang Farong first had to solve survival problems. Though she ate sparingly, those few flatbreads still weren’t enough. She could tell fortunes, but was too young—surely no one would believe her. At home she borrowed her grandfather’s reputation. Sometimes when fortune seekers came, grandfather would have her divine first. Now alone and away, who would believe a 14-year-old yellow-haired girl?

She could only beg. Begging wasn’t so easy either. Beggars all had territories—outsiders begging would be driven away. Sometimes she’d just beg two copper coins and immediately a group of beggars would snatch them away. A small girl, weak and frail, couldn’t fight those wild boys. Finally she could only pick rotting food from garbage heaps to fill her stomach.

Living in hunger and cold like this for many days, that rotten food began churning in her stomach. Within days, Huang Farong fell ill, burning with fever in a daze, lying roadside, quietly waiting for death.

In her delirium, she felt someone lift her up. She tried hard to open her eyes but couldn’t. In confusion she fainted again. When she woke next, she found herself lying in a warm room. She blinked, thinking she’d died, thinking this was heaven. While foolishly pondering, a warm face leaned close.

“Child, you’re awake?”

It was Jiang Feiyan. That day, Jiang Feiyan happened to be bringing several A’Bao to Fujian to negotiate with local “secret societies.” At dusk returning to the inn, passing through a small alley, she saw Huang Farong on death’s doorstep. The Jiang Xiang Sect was a group that robbed the rich to help the poor, and Jiang Feiyan was especially kind-hearted. Seeing this scene, she unhesitatingly ordered Xiao Jiao to carry Huang Farong back to the inn.

Huang Farong stared blankly at this elegant and noble woman before her, not knowing what to say. Huang Farong came from the countryside, had seen little of the world to begin with. For 14 years she’d only dealt with country folk in tattered clothes, living in dark, damp earthen houses. Now lying in this clean, warm room with such a noble lady standing before her, she thought she truly was in heaven.

Seeing her silence, Jiang Feiyan softly said: “Child, it’s all right now.”

Huang Farong still stared blankly at Jiang Feiyan, quietly, not speaking, lips tightly closed.

After a long while, finally understanding she was still alive, tears immediately filled her eyes, rolling down her cheeks.

Jiang Feiyan bent down, wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

“Child, don’t cry, don’t cry.”

“Mother—” Huang Farong softly called.

“Child… you…” Jiang Feiyan’s body shook.

“Mother—” Huang Farong stretched out her small hand, tightly embracing Jiang Feiyan, tears flowing freely.

These two calls of “Mother” made Jiang Feiyan’s heart ache. She knew this girl before her had suffered too much trauma and hardship. Calling a stranger “Mother”—that was a long-standing thirst for affection and maternal love.

Jiang Feiyan thought of her own past—she too had been abandoned by her parents. Women who became A’Bao were either brothel girls sold there by parents, or orphaned beggars, or murderers who took desperate risks unable to bear their husbands’ abuse, or resentful women whose husbands “loaned them out” for survival… In short, they’d all been hurt.

Some died, some got up and continued being human, became strong people.

“Child, don’t cry.” Jiang Feiyan held Huang Farong tightly in her arms.

Huang Farong cried harder: “Mother, please take me in… I’ll be your ox and horse, serve you for life! Just let me be your goddaughter…”

“Child, don’t be afraid. I won’t abandon you.” Looking at this pitiful little thing, Jiang Feiyan’s nose stung, tears falling.

Even at that moment Huang Farong displayed supreme intelligence. When she discovered she hadn’t died, she knew she must grasp this woman before her—the days of escaping suffering had come. Cleverness, once again cleverness was at work.

The Mystery of Praying for Rain

Entering the hall required the Grand Master’s approval. Though Jiang Feiyan agreed verbally, she understood whether this child could remain in the hall still depended on Qiao Wumei’s word. Several days later, Jiang Feiyan took Huang Farong back to Southern Yue.

This world is always thus: some people, though far apart, can always bond at first sight; some people, though close at hand, pass each other daily as strangers.

Huang Farong was someone who bonded at first sight with both Jiang Feiyan and Qiao Wumei. This girl was born clever and strange, with large sparkling eyes. Besides being thin, there was nothing to criticize. Upon first meeting Qiao Wumei she knew to actively kneel and kowtow calling her grandmother, delighting Qiao Wumei beyond words.

In the days that followed, Qiao Wumei and Jiang Feiyan gradually discovered they’d found a great treasure! This girl with large eyes was a genuine fortune-telling prodigy! This was fate—if Huang Farong hadn’t fled the marriage, she wouldn’t have come to Fujian; if Jiang Feiyan hadn’t passed that small alley, she wouldn’t have rescued her.

In fate’s vast woven net, encounters between people are always necessity within coincidence.

After Huang Farong joined the hall, Jiang Feiyan according to custom should teach her yin-yang, five elements, and basic knowledge, but she actually didn’t need to study—she knew more than anyone in the hall. Even Qiao Wumei couldn’t stump her!

During that period, Qiao Wumei was invited to Liuzhou, Guangxi to pray for rain for local people. Thinking it over, she brought Huang Farong.

When Qiao Wumei prayed for rain, the spectacle was grand: setting up cloud platforms, performing great rituals, sprinkling purified water on streets, paving roads with yellow earth, wrapping trees with white silk, hanging yellow banners on bamboo—hundreds of people calling out before and behind, an immortal’s array displayed to all.

The cloud platform stood three zhang and three chi high. Qiao Wumei ascended by ladder, holding a whisk, moving her golden lotus feet. Two rows of Daoist priests played drums and chimes, bells and cymbals ringing together. Atop the platform, incense table, candle stands, incense burner, yellow paper all complete, Qiao Wumei first worshipped the Queen Mother, then the Thunder Duke, then the Lightning Mother, then loudly recited prayer texts. Below the platform the county magistrate, clerks and others watched reverently, the masses bowed in admiration.

When the ritual ended, Qiao Wumei would shout: “Thunder Duke assists, Lightning Mother sustains—within half a month, rain must come!”

Actually, Qiao Wumei’s rain prayers relied on observing celestial phenomena. As for setting up altars and performing rituals—that was all to deceive observers. Just like Zhuge Liang borrowing the eastern wind from the Seven Star Platform—gesturing above, all for surrounding people to see. In reality Zhuge Liang mastered astronomy and geography, observed celestial signs, examined earthly conditions, relied on Qimen techniques to divine, and long ago calculated that day would definitely bring wind, so finally could “borrow” the wind.

Ancient times had no weather forecasts. Laboring people summarized much experience in long-term struggle with nature, and some dedicated practitioners explored patterns between the five elements and solar phenomena, stellar phenomena, lunar phenomena, meteorological phenomena and other natural occurrences, summarizing a uniquely Eastern ancient predictive science system.

Qiao Wumei mastered this technology. In “Yue Haitang Wind Observation Notes” there’s this brilliant passage:

Where is Thunder Duke? Where is Lightning Mother?

Jiang Xiang School, A’Bao self-comprehend.

Moon halo brings wind in three days, sun halo brings rain at third watch;

Morning glow don’t go out, evening glow travel thousand miles.

Clouds go east, a gust of wind;

Clouds go south, heavy rain floods boats;

Clouds go north, heaven and earth pitch black;

Clouds go west, fish don rain capes.

Foundation dry magpies call, month stays dry and parched;

Morning call wealth arrives, evening call mourning news.

…

The first four lines are the opening, meaning: “Where is Thunder Duke? Where is Lightning Mother? Jiang Xiang Sect disciples can deduce themselves.” Ancients believed thunder and lightning were caused by heavenly Thunder Duke and Lightning Mother, hence this opening.

What follows are specific event patterns. “Moon halo brings wind in three days” means if a halo appears around the moon—what common folk call “moon warming by fire”—then within three days wind will surely rise. Similarly, “sun halo brings rain at third watch”—if a sun halo appears, that very day at third watch rain will surely come.

“Morning glow don’t go out” means if at dawn when the sun just appears clouds already blaze across the sky, definitely don’t go out—heavy rain arrives immediately. Conversely, if at sunset evening glow spreads gloriously with radiant light, feel free to travel—there won’t be rain soon, hence “evening glow travel thousand miles.”

The next four lines are masterful cloud observation techniques. This method is recorded not only in “Yue Haitang Wind Observation Notes” but widely circulated among common folk, with slight variations in different regions. Some say this method isn’t accurate—that’s because they haven’t grasped its essence. The clouds in these four lines don’t refer to ordinary floating clouds, but overwhelming dark clouds, thick clouds.

China’s overall territory lies north of the equator, terrain high in west low in east, temperature hot in south cold in north. The Notes state: Clouds are rain—ground water rises meeting cold and forms; clouds rise west move east, following terrain downward, cold-hot convection creates fierce wind, thus “clouds go east, a gust of wind”—but will rain follow wind? This depends on cloud phenomena. Clouds emerge north move south, cold clouds ride above, heat waves tread below, cold-hot meet, clouds thicken, too thick to bear, torrential rain pours, thus “clouds go south, heavy rain floods boats.” Clouds rise south move north, heat waves above, cold air flees below, Kan joins Kun gathers, heaven and earth darken, thus “clouds go north, heaven and earth pitch black.” Clouds rise east move west, circulating upward, wind blows but won’t scatter, thunder strikes but won’t move, thick accumulation thick release, finally thunderbolt’s shock, pouring down, fish can’t bear it, seeking shelter, thus “clouds go west, fish don rain capes.”

This is the “Yue Haitang” ancestor’s scientific explanation for these oral formulas. But fundamentally, all methods lie in adaptation. Moreover cloud types are many: dark clouds, thick clouds, dense clouds, thin clouds, broken clouds, light clouds, bald clouds, castle clouds, fish-scale clouds, hook cirrus clouds and more. Without three to five years’ effort, observing cloud phenomena to predict rain timing is mere jest.

The last two lines: “Foundation dry magpies call, month stays dry and parched.” “Foundation” refers to building foundation. “Foundation dry” means foundation is dry—this shows clear weather. Magpies and weather have a necessary relationship. The clearer the sky, the more happily magpies call. The more happily magpies call, the longer clear weather persists.

Regarding magpies, they’re always mentioned with crows. The saying goes: magpies report joy, crows report mourning. Actually, magpies don’t always report joy—sometimes they also transmit bad information, called “morning reports joy, evening reports mourning.” If at dawn magpies chatter on branches at your home, good fortune arrives immediately. If at dusk they stand on branches calling back and forth, great trouble looms, hence the conclusion “morning call wealth arrives, evening call mourning news.”

These secrets are all experience summarized over hundreds of years by countless A’Bao of “Yue Haitang.” Now some can be scientifically explained, but some still cannot.

Among all ancient techniques for predicting weather, the most masterful move is “smelling foundation to know heaven’s timing”—accurately predicting wind and rain timing based on foundation moisture and smell. The person who invented this method was the Tang Dynasty feng shui master Yuan Tiangang. Yuan Tiangang excelled at distinguishing soil smell and moisture—naturally essential for feng shui masters—but Yuan Tiangang could reverse-apply earthly conditions to heavenly timing, which ordinary people couldn’t achieve. In fertile fields, pinching a handful of soil, smelling with the nose, one could predict future weather.

Huang Farong unintentionally mastered this skill of “smelling foundation to know heaven’s timing.” As a child at home, her parents wouldn’t hold her, neighbors wouldn’t acknowledge her. When bored, she would squat by wall corners fighting cockroaches. Inadvertently she discovered the relationship between the weight of moisture emanating from the foundation and the amount of rainfall. Over time she figured out a set of patterns.

That day in Guangxi, after Qiao Wumei observed the stellar and cloud phenomena, she learned that rain would surely come within fifteen days, then put on an act of performing rituals, finally informing the local magistrate: “Within half a month, rain must come!”

After the ritual ended, Huang Farong quietly tugged at Qiao Wumei’s sleeve and said: “Grandmother, I don’t think it’ll take half a month. Within ten days rain will surely fall.”

Qiao Wumei’s heart jumped: Could this child be even more capable than herself?

Sure enough, at noon on the tenth day, dark clouds like ink covered the entire sky, then torrential rain poured down. Qiao Wumei happily held Huang Farong in her arms.

“My granddaughter is remarkable.” This woman over fifty finally found in Huang Farong the long-absent joy of family relations, also compensating for the emptiness of her long-lost maternal nature.

Jiang Feiyan once said sadly to Qiao Wumei: “This child Farong, even if she didn’t become an A’Bao, would be someone living in plenty in the future. With her real skills, she could completely walk the proper path, safely and steadily pursue divination studies, and surely become a generation’s great master.”

Qiao Wumei said: “Mixing in the A’Bao ranks, she’s indeed gone astray, but this is also her fate. Once you’re in, it’s impossible to wash your hands of it until death—this is our rule.” Qiao Wumei feared Jiang Feiyan might one day show mercy and release Huang Farong, so she had to give Jiang Feiyan this preventive warning.

When Zu Ye came to arrange the marriage, Jiang Feiyan decided to part with what she loved, also to repay last year’s favor when Zu Ye rescued them during Qiao Wumei’s funeral procession. Jiang Feiyan cared deeply for this goddaughter. If it weren’t Zu Ye coming to propose, she wouldn’t let her go.

Huang Farong was already 18 years old, also of marriage age. Jiang Feiyan trusted Zu Ye, so she let Huang Farong and Zhang Zizhan meet.

In matters of courtship and marriage, the Jiang Xiang Sect was quite open-minded. They never arranged marriages—only when both parties found each other pleasing could things work out.

Ancient courtship wasn’t like now. On first meetings they dared to eat and drink together, even hold hands and kiss. In ancient times they emphasized side viewing and front viewing.

Side viewing was the first step—a pair of new people, one outside the window, one inside, would first steal a glance at each other to see if there was immediate chemistry. If at first sight they weren’t each other’s ideal type, there was no need for further interaction.

After Zhang Zizhan and Huang Farong’s side viewing, they felt mutually pleased.

So Zu Ye and Jiang Feiyan arranged their front viewing.

During front viewing, others couldn’t be present, because the new people were both shy. If others were present, it would be very awkward, inconvenient for communication.

Jiang Feiyan gathered the two in the room, then left with Zu Ye.

These two truly fell in love at first sight, as if they’d known each other in a past life and came together in this one. The two chattered in the room for two hours. Seeing the sky about to darken, Jiang Feiyan and Zu Ye exchanged glances, knowing this marriage was settled.

That evening, Jiang Feiyan hosted a banquet for Zu Ye. During the meal Jiang Feiyan half-jokingly said: “Zu Ye has already passed thirty. Haven’t you thought about arranging a marriage for yourself?”

Zu Ye smiled bitterly and shook his head, sighing: “The great enterprise hasn’t prospered, no achievements, no fame, wasting away thirty years—what talk of romantic feelings?”

Hearing this, a trace of disappointment flashed in Jiang Feiyan’s eyes.

A month later, Huang Farong married from “Yue Haitang” into “Muzi Lian.” Though not a biological daughter, after four years together, when Huang Farong married out, Jiang Feiyan still hid in her room and secretly cried.

The Eastern and Southern factions joined in marriage, and people from the Western and Northern factions also came to congratulate. This matter became a fine story within the Jiang Xiang Sect.

The Secret of Roosters Not Crowing and Dogs Not Barking

In the 1930s, the Chinese land still struggled bitterly between superstition and new knowledge. At that time there were over a thousand large and small “secret societies” nationwide, several hundred with registered names. They continuously manufactured and spread various superstitious heresies, spreading fallacies to confuse the masses and take advantage to amass wealth.

The Jiang Xiang Sect was just one branch. Sometimes multiple secret societies gathered in one territory. Neighboring secret societies would cross boundaries, creating conflicts—sometimes very intense, life-and-death struggles. If gangs got involved too, it became even more lively.

At that time, the three most famous secret societies in the Jianghuai region were “Muzi Lian,” “Plum Blossom Society,” and “Tiansheng Dao.”

“Muzi Lian” had the firmest foundation—three hundred years of inheritance, unbent by wind, unmoved by thunder. Despite tremendous changes, it stood majestically.

“Plum Blossom Society” had the shortest establishment time, founded during the Second Zhili-Fengtian War by Daoist Mei Xuanzi from “Plum Blossom Daoist Temple.” This gang had less than a hundred members, but each was an elite soldier and strong general, claiming to match a hundred.

“Tiansheng Dao” was established during the Boxer Rebellion period. This gang developed rapidly. Over several decades believers numbered in the tens of thousands, disciples spread throughout the nation, with the momentum to overwhelm the Jiang Xiang Sect. Moreover, this organization was very tightly structured, its sophistication even surpassing the Jiang Xiang Sect. Tiansheng Dao’s organizational framework consisted of: Sect Leader, Staffs, Canes, Fans, and Green Robes. The Sect Leader was the organization’s supreme head, with ten Staffs below, each Staff having ten Canes, each Cane having twelve Fans, and below Fans were all Green Robes—Green Robes equivalent to the Jiang Xiang Sect’s Xiao Jiao.

Though all three played deceptive tricks, their emphases differed. “Muzi Lian” took the elegant route—A’Bao all styled themselves as fortune tellers, refined and cultured with scholarly charm. “Tiansheng Dao” played big—constantly conjuring up world’s end scenarios, making people panic day and night. “Plum Blossom Society” liked the superman route, as if everyone were immortals who could reach the ninth heaven to grab the moon or dive five oceans to catch turtles.

“Muzi Lian’s” “Secret Flying Operations Manual,” “Tiansheng Dao’s” “Pure Yang Success Methods,” “Plum Blossom Society’s” “Three Divination Methods”—all were secret society manuals familiar to insiders. For years, each organization’s successive leaders firmly controlled their inherited secret manuals, guarding against both external enemies and internal thieves.

Normally everyone minded their own business, all doing similar things, understanding in their hearts that unless contradictions became extremely intense, conflicts generally wouldn’t arise. Moreover, most of the time everyone tacitly helped and protected each other, because protecting others meant protecting oneself. Otherwise, mutual exposure would ultimately doom everyone.

The second year after Zhang Zizhan and Huang Farong married, a major incident occurred in the Jianghuai region: the hall master of “Plum Blossom Society” claimed he’d become an immortal! He could ascend to heaven, enter the earth, summon heaven and earth’s ghosts and spirits. He made roosters not crow and they dared not crow; he made dogs shut up and they made no sound. Every few days he gathered with heavenly immortals and earthly ghosts for meals—many people witnessed this with their own eyes. This was undoubtedly a bombshell. For a time “Plum Blossom Society’s” fame soared!

Initially, Zu Ye didn’t pay much attention to this matter, thinking it was just “Plum Blossom Society” playing flying operations, figuring after making some noise and money they’d quiet down. Who knew this matter intensified, the other side having momentum to eliminate dissidents and unify the underworld! Social resources in the same region during the same period were limited. If this group swindled it all, that group would starve. Zu Ye couldn’t sit still.

“Tiansheng Dao” also felt “Plum Blossom Society” went too far this time, acting as if they were the only immortals in the Jianghuai region. If common folk all believed them, what would others do?

On Qingming Festival, “Tiansheng Dao’s” sect leader Zhang Jiyao suddenly visited Zu Ye.

“Zu Ye, have you heard?” Zhang Jiyao asked Zu Ye.

Zu Ye nodded: “Yes, I’ve heard something.”

Zhang Jiyao said: “This fire burns hotter and hotter, not the slightest sign of extinguishing. My disciples secretly investigated—some matters are truly puzzling.”

Zu Ye smiled and said: “Just flying operations.”

Zhang Jiyao said: “Flying operations aren’t scary. What’s scary is not seeing through them.”

Zu Ye said: “Elder Zhang refers to the rooster crowing and dog barking matter?”

Zhang Jiyao chuckled: “Zu Ye underestimates your foolish brother. Such tricks can’t escape my eyes. I refer to his street performance of the Three Gathering Immortals and Immortals Eating Noodles matters.”

Zu Ye laughed, smiling without words. Though his face smiled, his heart was uncertain too. These days he’d frequently sent Er Batou and Zhang Zizhan disguised as common folk to observe “Plum Blossom Society” hall master Mei Xuanzi’s magical performances. Result: after returning, Zhang Zizhan and Huang Farong only cracked the roosters not crowing, dogs not barking technique—everything else left them completely baffled.

Roosters not crowing, dogs not barking—both mentioned in “Secret Flying Operations Manual” and “Yue Haitang Wind Observation Notes.”

Regarding roosters not crowing: The rooster, ancients called it the god of darkness and obscurity. In the twelve zodiac animals called “You Rooster,” five elements attribute metal. Metal governs lungs, lungs govern breathing. Rooster respiratory systems are very sensitive. European and American military strategists claim: “In modern biochemical warfare integrating weaponry equipment and high-tech, roosters are sentries preventing people from chemical weapon harm.” During the Gulf War, to prevent Saddam’s poison gas attacks, American forces often drove thousands of roosters ahead to avoid poisoning.

Roosters have a large tendon under each wing—places where the rooster’s vital energy and blood must pass. When grabbing a rooster, it struggles desperately and crows loudly. At this moment, if both hands press hard on the tendons under the wings with steady technique and sufficient force, repeating several times, then releasing the rooster, it will just stare wide-eyed without making sound.

Those performing magic tricks simply pressed hard while grabbing roosters, simultaneously pretending to shake heads and recite incantations. Common folk were deceived by these performances, never seeing the trickery beneath hands, thus creating the strange phenomenon of roosters not crowing.

As for dogs not barking, actually they fed dogs a medicine causing hoarseness in the dog’s throat. If the dosage was large, it would make dogs mute.

This medicine greatly harming moral virtue surprisingly originated from the elegant opera world. Opera troupes were ancient names for theatrical companies; those who sang opera were called opera disciples. In ancient times, opera people competed jealously. To compete for roles and stage time, sometimes they’d ruthlessly poison each other.

This medicine wouldn’t kill people, but once eaten, vocal cords would suffer violent irritation and within days become hoarse. Opera performers lived by their voices. If the voice broke, that opera career ended.

The ingredients for making this poison were very simple—human earwax. Of course, simply extracting earwax for people to eat wouldn’t work. “Secret Flying Operations Manual” records that earwax must be mixed with other Chinese medicines, then dissolved in appropriately temperatured water. This temperature control was very difficult to master—only those skilled in this art like Zhang Zizhan could prepare it properly.

Now “Plum Blossom Society” people used this method on dogs. Except for insiders, no one could understand what was really happening.

But the “Plum Blossom Society’s” Three Gathering Immortals and Immortals Eating Noodles matters left both “Muzi Lian” and “Tiansheng Dao” utterly perplexed.

Eating Noodles with “Immortals”

The highest realm of cultivating immortality was being able to gather various immortals together, sitting at one table eating together. First, it represented good relations with immortals; second, it represented one’s own profound cultivation, able to sit as equals with immortal families. After New China’s establishment, in the mid-to-late 1980s a Zhouyi fever arose nationwide. Some Hebei “master” researching “Qimen Dunjia” also claimed he could summon immortals. Often while eating he’d say something came under the table, then his feet would make fighting motions as if already “engaging hands” with ghosts and monsters. The masses believed it was true, those seeking apprenticeship came in endless streams. Later this immortal-summoning master finally summoned the police, was detained in the station for half a month. After coming out he never again discussed summoning immortals.

At that time, “Plum Blossom Society’s” hall master Mei Xuanzi claimed he could use “Time Qimen” to summon immortals. He set up a large ritual ground in the street, piled up a three-chi ritual platform, supported an Eight Immortals table on top. At the platform’s four corners stood a banner-holding disciple each. On the table sat a circle of spirit tablets including: Fox Immortal (fox), White Immortal (hedgehog), Long Immortal (snake), Yellow Immortal (weasel), etc. In the center were incense burner, candle stands, three offerings, yellow paper. Before each spirit tablet sat a large bowl—the bowls were empty.

Mei Xuanzi sat upright at the Eight Immortals table’s main position, first wielding talismans chanting incantations, shaking head swaying, muttering words, sometimes humming low, sometimes looking up at the firmament. Finally he shouted loudly: “All immortals take your places!”

At this moment, his disciples would carry up a pot of cooked dragon whisker noodles. Mei Xuanzi personally picked noodles for each great immortal, ladled noodle soup, then also filled a bowl for himself, loudly saying: “I today gather and feast with you immortal families. Xuanzi specially respectfully offers dragon whisker longevity noodles. Please immortal families bless our common people with prosperity and peace in all matters!”

This kind of ritual ground eating together with immortals, only Daoism’s founding master—Eastern Han’s Master Zhang Daoling had done, but that was only legend. Now Mei Xuanzi actually dared imitate it in the street!

After Mei Xuanzi finished speaking, he made an inviting gesture, then ate with relish himself while surrounding common folk quietly watched.

About one quarter hour later, Mei Xuanzi ate the noodles in his bowl completely clean, then rose and bowed to the spirit tablets on the table saying: “Thank you immortal families for honoring us.”

The next scene was the moment witnessing miracles. Mei Xuanzi successively lifted the large bowls before each immortal on the table, loudly saying: “Immortals ate noodles, bestow upon me sacred water. Sacred water scattered on earth, blessings reach posterity!” Then vigorously splashed—soup water splashed down on the ground. People discovered with amazement that on the ground was all water—not a single noodle! The immortals really ate the noodles?!

Hearing is believing, seeing is truth. Zhang Zizhan witnessed this with his own eyes—clearly picked noodles into the bowls, how after a while were they gone? During that time, only Mei Xuanzi was on the platform, others couldn’t play tricks. Eyes clearly saw noodles enter bowls, eyes clearly saw them vanish into nothing.

Mei Xuanzi concluded the ritual and bowed, smiling slightly, saying: “Fate ties to heaven, heaven ties to spirits, spirits tie to me. I can converse with immortals. What do you still fear? Don’t go calculate fortunes or read faces anymore—those are all too superficial!”

Er Batou was so angry he gnashed his teeth, cursing in his heart: “You showing off arrogantly up there is one thing, but telling common folk not to have fortunes told—isn’t this cutting off our Jiang Xiang Sect’s livelihood?”

On the way back, Zhang Zizhan thought bitterly. Er Batou cursed: “What sorcery! If you push me too far, I’ll smash his pots and bowls along with those spirit tablets—let’s see if he still eats!”

Hearing Er Batou’s description, Zu Ye also fell into contemplation. Did Mei Xuanzi take the wrong medicine, or what? This gang with unstable foundation usually treated the Jiang Xiang Sect with utmost respect. Today daring to brazenly spout such nonsense! Tired of living?

The disciples Zhang Jiyao sent likewise couldn’t crack it, hence coming to consult with Zu Ye.

Zu Ye said: “I heard those deeply versed in Qimen Dunjia can summon heavenly immortals. Could Mei Xuanzi really have penetrated this Qimen technique?”

Zhang Jiyao laughed heartily: “Zu Ye wise all your life, confused for a moment. This foolish brother still claims to understand ‘Plum Blossom Numerology.'”

Zu Ye also smiled: “Elder Zhang, don’t forget, Mei Xuanzi is the successor of ‘Plum Blossom Daoist Temple’ abbot Mei Fuzu. Though old Master Mei Fuzu has passed to immortality, Master Mei Fuzu inherited from Maoshan Shangqing sect. His ‘Time Qimen’ is very formidable. His mystical Daoist techniques cannot be underestimated!”

Zhang Jiyao restrained his smile: “Zu Ye, foolish brother didn’t come seeking amusement. Mei Xuanzi doing this concerns both our families’ livelihoods. If Zu Ye continues jesting words, foolish brother takes his leave.”

Zu Ye hurriedly said: “Mei Xuanzi is a very cautious person. This time making such a great display, doesn’t Elder Zhang find it strange?”

Zhang Jiyao’s brows jumped.

Zu Ye continued: “Those in our trade never fight unprepared battles. Doesn’t Elder Zhang always make arrangements above and below before daring to act each time you set up operations?”

Zhang Jiyao said: “Zu Ye means Mei Xuanzi has expert guidance behind him?”

Zu Ye said: “Mei Xuanzi has always been meticulous and cautious. In the past he also impersonated immortals, but each time stopped at the right point, wouldn’t let matters expand. If his disciples dared make great displays swindling and cheating, they’d receive his punishment.”

Zhang Jiyao said: “Mei Xuanzi also has people in official circles. Could it be…”

Zu Ye shook his head: “No. Those few adjutants can’t support such a grand scheme.”

Zhang Jiyao nodded: “Zu Ye means…”

Zu Ye looked at Zhang Jiyao, squeezing one word through his teeth: “Wait.”

The Fallacy of “Rooster-Monkey Don’t Reach the End”

Zu Ye didn’t dare analyze too much with Zhang Jiyao because he guarded against Zhang Jiyao. Now the situation wasn’t clear. Zu Ye didn’t know what medicine Mei Xuanzi sold in his gourd, much less whether Zhang Jiyao and Mei Xuanzi wore the same pants. The Jianghuai region was divided three ways. If slightly careless, two families jointly scheming to eliminate one wasn’t impossible.

Zu Ye always thought of matters in the worst way, then slowly sorted through, preparing various countermeasures.

Simultaneously, Zu Ye also issued a death order to Er Batou and Zhang Zizhan: must crack the other side’s immortal-summoning scheme as soon as possible!

Er Batou and Zhang Zizhan were very anxious, but Er Batou was broad-minded, eating and drinking uninterrupted. Zhang Zizhan couldn’t—couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep. Huang Farong saw this and worried in her heart. Actually, ever since that day Zhang Zizhan returned describing the other side’s scheme situation, Huang Farong had been analyzing what was really happening.

Zhang Zizhan had followed Zu Ye for two years—first time encountering such a difficult problem. Though at that time he was still a Xiao Jiao under Er Batou’s command, he was indeed an outstanding Xiao Jiao. He’d always wanted to earn a Batou position, and Zu Ye had hinted as much. Especially after he married Huang Farong, Huang Farong went to great lengths helping her husband set up schemes to make him famous and establish reputation.

At that time the hall’s fourth chair was controlled by someone called Qi Chunfu. He was Zhang Dancheng’s old subordinate. Years ago when several Batou under Zhang Dancheng rebelled, he as a senior “Provincial Graduate” stood on Zhang Dancheng’s side. After the rebellion was quelled, he was promoted by Zhang Dancheng to the hall’s Si Batou.

After Zu Ye took the main position, to consolidate his own status, he successively removed the Da Batou and Er Batou that Zhang Dancheng preserved before death, replacing them with his own Da Batou and Er Batou. Later he recruited Xue Jiaren and supported him onto the third chair. Thus, of the five Batou Zhang Dancheng left before death, only Fourth Qi Chunfu and Fifth Liang Wenqiu remained.

Did those old Batou not respect Zu Ye? Not really. One emperor one set of ministers. The old fellows were deeply entrenched, spoke with great weight. Who knows when they’d get unhappy and give you a few words—Zu Ye couldn’t take that. Zu Ye’s power-seizing methods were very elegant, similar to “releasing military power over wine.” Zu Ye said the old folks labored most of their lives for “Muzi Lian,” should enjoy their twilight years. Hall matters could be handled by the young ones.

Several old fellows were very tactful, took the silver and retired to second line for retirement. Some were tactless, like Qi Chunfu and Liang Wenqiu. They felt they could still work, could still fight alongside Zu Ye to conquer the world.

What Zu Ye wanted was a power balance. At that time the hall had five Batou total—three new, two old. This was a balance, basically acceptable.

Since ancient times the Jiang Xiang Sect’s promotion mechanism heavily emphasized performance assessment. It wasn’t that being older or longer in the hall made you Batou, nor that when Er Batou died, San Batou naturally got promoted to Er Batou. The Jiang Xiang Sect looked at ability and achievements. No matter who, as long as ability was strong and could earn greater benefits for the hall, they could stand out. Before the reform, some could in less than a year progress layer by layer from Xiao Jiao through Provincial Graduate, Metropolitan Graduate, Hanlin, straight to Third Place Scholar position. After Zu Ye’s reform, promotion channels were even smoother. As long as ability was sufficient, Xiao Jiao could directly become Batou.

The young couple Zhang Zizhan and Huang Farong really had a headache this time. They carefully studied every detail, studying until dawn roosters crowed, still without results.

At this critical juncture, “Special Merchant” Jia Siye arrived.

Jia Siye smuggled opium and weapons—a complete scoundrel, but a scoundrel who kept his word. Generally those who accomplished things, whether black or white path, couldn’t discard the word loyalty, otherwise sooner or later they’d be eliminated.

Underworld courtesy—coming and going is propriety. Zu Ye helped Jia Siye smuggle opium through “corpse driving.” Afterward, Jia Siye according to their prior agreement sent over half the silver, but Zu Ye only accepted twenty percent, because Er Batou privately cut off the corpse’s head, nearly exposing the scheme.

Zu Ye conducted business fastidiously, Jia Siye even more so. He told Zu Ye: “Zu Ye is righteous. We have long days ahead.” Meaning he acknowledged this favor and would definitely repay it later.

This time what Jia Siye introduced to Zu Ye was a lucrative job, also a very thorny job. Otherwise he wouldn’t request Zu Ye’s involvement—killing chickens doesn’t need ox knives; ox knives necessarily slaughter oxen.

An Anhui salt company owner, surname He, given name Fan, courtesy name Liao Yi. Boss He’s daughter died two years ago. The daughter was then studying at Republic Vocational Women’s School. One day during heavy rain, she and several classmates waited at the ferry crossing. Suddenly lightning flashed in the sky with a boom. This girl was struck by lightning, entire body emitting black smoke. Surrounding classmates were terrified. In the chaos a male classmate picked her up and sent her to a nearby church hospital, but it was too late—her back was already scorched by lightning.

Boss He and his wife faced this sudden disaster, nearly crying themselves blind. Because their daughter hadn’t yet married, afterward Boss He wanted to arrange a ghost marriage for his daughter.

Arranging ghost marriages and yang marriages followed the same principles—both looked at birth date and time eight characters, especially examining zodiac animals. Ancients left behind a set of marriage compatibility verses commonly used by fortune tellers. The verses say:

Since ancient times white horse fears green ox,

Sheep rat meeting once then rest.

Snake sees fierce tiger like knife cuts,

Pig meets monkey don’t reach the end.

Dragon meets rabbit goes to cloud’s edge,

Golden rooster sees dog tears intermingle.

Even now, when parents go to have children’s marriage prospects calculated, fortune tellers often say certain zodiac animals don’t match certain others, clash or overcome—actually all derives from these verses. From the literal meaning one can know: horse and ox don’t match, sheep and rat don’t match, and so on.

What’s the principle behind these verses?

It lies in the twelve earthly branches’ punishment, clash, overcoming, and harm. The twelve zodiac animals and twelve earthly branches correspond. The twelve earthly branches and five elements also correspond. So-called: Zi Rat, Chou Ox, Yin Tiger, Mao Rabbit, Chen Dragon, Si Snake, Wu Horse, Wei Sheep, Shen Monkey, You Rooster, Xu Dog, Hai Pig. Among these, Zi and Hai belong to water, Yin and Mao belong to wood, Si and Wu belong to fire, Shen and You belong to metal, Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei belong to earth. The twelve earthly branches mutually generate, overcome, combine, clash, and harm. Ancients believed those branches that combined were all good, predicting hundred years of harmony, while those that clashed were all bad, representing separation, representing inability to grow old together.

Among the twelve earthly branches, the six combining groups are:

Chen-You combine (Dragon and Rooster combine)

Zi-Chou combine (Rat and Ox combine)

Hai-Yin combine (Pig and Tiger combine)

Mao-Xu combine (Rabbit and Dog combine)

Shen-Si combine (Monkey and Snake combine)

Wu-Wei combine (Horse and Sheep combine)

The six clashing groups are:

Chen-Xu clash (Dragon and Dog clash)

Zi-Wu clash (Rat and Horse clash)

Chou-Wei clash (Ox and Sheep clash)

Shen-Yin clash (Monkey and Tiger clash)

Mao-You clash (Rabbit and Rooster clash)

Si-Hai clash (Snake and Pig clash)

According to the patterns of the Six Combinations and Six Clashes, that set of marriage compatibility verses was derived. Because Zi-Chou combine (Rat and Ox combine), but Zi-Wu clash (Horse clashes Rat), the Wu Horse chases away the Zi Rat, so the Zi Rat cannot grow old together with the Chou Ox. The Chou Ox will naturally become furious with shame and want to kill the Wu Horse, hence the line “Since ancient times white horse fears green ox.” The other verses follow the same principle.

In historical evolution, as people transmitted these verses orally, many errors appeared. For example, “Golden rooster sees dog tears intermingle” means those born in the year of Rooster and Dog don’t match, will frequently quarrel, wash their faces with tears daily, ultimately leading to separation. Common folk jokingly say “rooster-dog don’t reach the end.” But due to pronunciation and dialect errors, through transmission it actually became “rooster-monkey don’t reach the end,” saying those born in the year of Rooster and Monkey cannot marry—this is truly a tremendous fallacy! Shen Monkey and You Rooster, Shen and You both belong to metal in the five elements, don’t clash, don’t overcome, don’t punish, don’t harm—how could they “not reach the end”!

Moreover, this marriage compatibility method only considered zodiac animals, didn’t involve other heavenly stems and earthly branches. Throughout history many divination sages have questioned this method. But common folk always prefer to believe it exists rather than believe it doesn’t.

The Hair-Filled Coffin

At the time, Boss He couldn’t find a suitable newly deceased person, so reluctantly he first buried his daughter. After burial, he waited two years. Finally hearing that a neighboring town had a newly deceased man with comparable family circumstances and age, he quickly sent people to propose marriage. Through the ghost matchmaker’s mediation, both sides matched the eight characters, and this marriage was settled.

According to ghost marriage customs, Boss He had to first dig up his daughter’s remains, select an auspicious date and time, carry them to the groom’s family, place them with the newly deceased man in the same coffin, perform the consummation ritual, then bury together.

So Boss He hired a blind fortune teller to calculate. According to the auspicious day on the old almanac, he found a date for exhuming the grave and hired several laborers to pry open the tombstone and dig out the coffin. When buried two years ago, the coffin was coated with anti-decay agents and insect repellent potions, but after two years, the coffin boards had still aged somewhat.

Before opening the coffin, looking at the weathered large coffin, Boss He hesitated. He didn’t know what his daughter would have decayed into after two years. He wanted to see his daughter yet couldn’t bear to look. So he remained silent, holding his pipe, continuously smoking.

“Boss, open it or not?” a laborer asked.

After a long while, Boss He gritted his teeth: “Open it!”

Near noon, the sun blazed directly overhead. The laborers’ foreheads gushed with sweat—whether from fear or heat, unclear.

Several people took axes and iron chisels, clanging as they pried up the rivets on the coffin.

After working a while, all the nails on the coffin came off. Several laborers exerted force to lift—with a creak, the coffin lid was raised. A wave of yin energy rushed at their faces, the smell of the dead also wafted out. Just as the coffin lid shifted, several laborers unanimously screamed loudly: “Ah?!” Their hands trembled, the coffin lid slid to the ground.

Boss He was startled: “What happened?”

The laborers’ faces turned ashen. One of them pointed at the coffin, trembling: “Boss… look…”

Boss He hesitated a moment, slowly approached the coffin, lowered his head to look, couldn’t help but gasp: jet-black hair, densely packed filling the coffin!

They say after death, hair continues to grow, but it’s just a little bit more than when buried. This situation of thick hair filling the coffin had never been seen before!

Boss He’s vision spun, but after all it was his own daughter. He bent down, slowly parted layers of black hair, finally seeing his daughter’s skull. The face had no flesh left, the belly was sunken, parts around the navel had rotted. Perhaps because the coffin’s seal was quite good, the corpse hadn’t completely decayed. Hair on the skull stood up strand by strand, as if all the body’s energy had been supplied to the hair.

Folk legend says after death, if resentment is strong, it rushes to the head, continuing to support hair growth. Boss He didn’t know what resentment his daughter had to rush out this coffin of black hair!

When the groom’s family who came to exhume the grave saw this scene, they immediately ran back to inform the other parents. Upon hearing, the other side immediately began regretting, saying this woman was a fierce ghost, didn’t match their son!

Boss He fell into a dilemma. The other side wouldn’t agree to the marriage, but he’d already dug up his daughter. Couldn’t just bury her back like this. Moreover, in two years his daughter had grown a coffin of hair—clearly full of resentment. Just muddling through and burying his daughter like this, he couldn’t bear it.

Thinking it over, Boss He prepared to find a master with profound Daoist techniques to look.

Jia Siye was Boss He’s old acquaintance. The two met in Qingdao. In the twenty-ninth year of Guangxu, at the founding ceremony of the Qingdao Anglo-German Brewery Company (predecessor of today’s Tsingtao Beer), the two became acquainted. Later when the Nationalist government conducted salt industry reorganization, Boss He’s days became difficult, so Jia Siye mobilized official friends to help. In that era, interests were all mutually linked. Jia Siye helped Boss He secure salt business, actually wanting to use Boss He’s dock salt warehouses to smuggle opium and weapons. Thus, back and forth, the two became so-called friends.

Unlike his relationship with Boss He, Jia Siye and Zu Ye had a life-and-death friendship. The two had collaborated on life-threatening matters countless times. After Boss He lost his daughter, Jia Siye kept thinking about this matter, planning to introduce this fat job to Zu Ye. Unfortunately war was continuous then, Jia Siye’s opium business suffered setbacks, too busy taking care of himself, so had no mind for Boss He’s matter.

Unexpectedly two years later, Boss He wanted to arrange a ghost marriage, and before arranging it such a matter occurred. Jia Siye immediately informed Zu Ye of this news.

Soon this matter also made the newspapers—special edition—all of Shanghai knew that the Jianghuai region produced a coffin filled with black hair!

After hearing, Zu Ye felt this matter was not good. If this coffin of hair was real, that would be troublesome. “Secret Flying Operations Manual” recorded this kind of thing once.

In the sixth year of Jiaqing, an old landlord’s concubine died. Years later descendants exhumed the grave, discovering that concubine after death grew much more hair. The family was so frightened they immediately reported to officials. After officials came, they also couldn’t figure out what was happening.

Afterward, this family had strange incidents one after another. First at midnight they saw white-clothed women carrying lanterns walking in the courtyard. Then on rainy days they saw a small boy on a tree holding a carp laughing. Later, this family all successively got strange illnesses and died.

People all said that concubine was pregnant when poisoned to death by the landlord’s first wife. After death her resentment didn’t disperse. Mother and child both became fierce ghosts, claiming all the family’s lives.

Therefore, the Jiang Xiang Sect ancestors left this line in “Secret Flying Operations Manual”: “Black hair covering coffin cannot be flown, resentment and evil energy chaotic as hemp. Dou E’s blood splashed three feet of white, A’Bao don’t struggle with ghosts.” Meaning to tell A’Bao, encountering this situation of black hair filling coffins, don’t set up operations. The deceased’s resentment hasn’t dispersed—whoever moves the coffin meets misfortune.

So for this kind of operation, A’Bao always felt very taboo, generally didn’t do it.

After Jia Siye left, Zu Ye specially convened a Council Meeting for this, wanting to hear each Batou’s opinion. Result: except for Er Batou, other Batou all said don’t do this operation.

Zu Ye looked at everyone, didn’t speak, waved his hand: “Meeting adjourned.” The Batou looked at each other, not knowing what Zu Ye planned.

That night, Zu Ye tasted tea in his study. At this moment, knocking sounds arose. Zu Ye smiled.

Soon the butler led Zhang Zizhan and Huang Farong in. Zu Ye anticipated they would come. They weren’t Batou, couldn’t participate in high-level secret Council Meetings, but after Er Batou returned he’d definitely disclose this matter, and after Huang Farong heard she’d definitely come!

“Zu Ye, this operation must be done,” Huang Farong said.

Zu Ye’s eyes slightly closed: “Speak.”

Zhang Zizhan spoke: “Zu Ye, black hair coffins cannot be flown—that’s just the ancestors’ view. There are no ghosts in this world. Zu Ye must not stick to old conventions!”

Zu Ye knew these words were all taught by Huang Farong. Zhang Zizhan had always been meticulous and cautious. For matters the hall hadn’t determined, he never spoke. Since Huang Farong married into “Muzi Lian” the situation became very different. Supporting her husband and teaching children—this matter of supporting her husband Huang Farong did quite well.

Zu Ye smiled: “Just this?”

Zhang Zizhan paused, looking at Huang Farong.

Huang Farong said: “Zu Ye, arranging marriages and moving graves has always been the Jiang Xiang Sect’s specialty. Whether common folk or underworld friends all know—if black hair coffins appeared and we didn’t do it, wouldn’t we leave a laughingstock?”

Zu Ye opened his eyes, drank a sip of tea and said: “I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it.”

Huang Farong looked at Zhang Zizhan. Both smiled.

Zu Ye continued: “Zizhan has read extensively. First analyze what’s happening with the hair in this coffin!”

Zhang Zizhan immediately said: “When I first came to Shanghai, I read some Western biology texts at the church academy. After death, hair relying on nutrients in the scalp indeed still grows for a period, but to say it fills a coffin—impossible! The only possibility is…”

Zu Ye fell into contemplation. This was what Zu Ye worried about most! Setting up operations most fears operations within operations. If the grave site was tampered with, it meant someone already preempted. Who were they? What did they want to do? Should he still wade into this muddy water?

Thinking it over, Zu Ye still couldn’t sort it out. Jia Siye suddenly providing such a good job—could he be a “double agent”?

“Double agent” was underworld slang, meaning double spy. Spies in ancient times were called “secret operatives.” In A’Bao circles, if an informant was turned by the other side, becoming the other side’s informant, then they played the double spy role, commonly called “double agent.” During operations, most feared appearing “double agents.” When Zhang Dancheng set up operations for Qing palace Beilei years ago, it was because a “double agent” appeared, resulting in crushing defeat, losing a testicle.

But Zu Ye quickly eliminated this thought. Jia Siye had no reason to be a “double agent.” So many years of relationship, and every operation everyone’s interests were distributed appropriately. Moreover, the other party was just a salt-selling boss, not some government official. Even if exposed, no big deal. Jia Siye had no need to be a “double agent” for this.

Zu Ye began considering whether to still accept this job. As hall master, safety was always first.

At this moment Zu Ye recalled what Er Batou said during the daytime Council Meeting: “Do it, why not do it? Isn’t it just several feet of hair? I’ll go cut it off and burn it!”

Zu Ye felt these words made sense. If he could personally examine the coffin’s situation, perhaps everything would become clear. Ultimately, Zu Ye had two concerns: if the hair in that coffin was tampered with by people, then next wouldn’t be fighting ghosts but fighting people; but if that hair showed no flaws, truly was natural growth, that was even more terrifying. After all, that era’s technology wasn’t as developed as now. Even those playing flying operations revered ghosts and spirits. If it provoked heaven’s wrath and public anger, ghosts emerging to settle accounts, he himself couldn’t resolve it.

People in the underworld, bodies not autonomous. Since this matter occurred in the Jianghuai region, then as the Jiang Xiang Sect of this place, they necessarily must manage it. If they shrank back now, the entire hall’s reputation locally would decline. Moreover, recently Mei Xuanzi’s side created great momentum. “Muzi Lian’s” business declined daily. If they didn’t make some money, the hall’s livelihood would truly become problematic. Finally, Zu Ye decided to first send Er Batou and Zhang Zizhan to scout the way.

With Jia Siye’s introduction, Er Batou stuck on a beard, bringing Zhang Zizhan and several Xiao Jiao to Boss He’s home.

Jia Siye introduced: “These people are all disciples of the Daoist Mr. Tieban mentioned in newspapers. Daoist Mr. Tieban is meeting government dignitaries, cannot get away, so first sent several disciples to examine the situation.”

Boss He quickly thanked them, then recounted the entire matter’s ins and outs.

Er Batou was very calm, presenting a master’s demeanor. He stroked his beard, loudly chanting: “Immeasurable Celestial Worthy! Such matters, we’ve seen before. This is caused by your beloved daughter’s resentment during life. Don’t know what resentment she had?”

Boss He looked confused, carefully recalled then said: “No, my daughter during life was dearly loved by us old couple, cheerful personality, progressive and studious, had no resentment.”

Er Batou said: “Perhaps she never mentioned it to you. Never mind, let me go see.”

The coffin was placed in the east wing room, the door locked. To arrange the ghost marriage, Boss He dug up his daughter buried for two years.

The corpse was already partially dried, lying hideously like cured meat. Also had a thick layer of hair—whoever saw it would fear. Boss He further feared this corpse would provoke cats and dogs to cause trouble. If they drilled into the coffin, scattering the remains, that would be even more sorry to his daughter, so he locked it.

Er Batou had flown countless operations in his life, wasn’t afraid of the dead, but this time still felt somewhat timid. That coffin of jet-black hair, the skeleton sleeping under thick hair, the strange smell emanating through the hair made people shudder.

Er Batou while pretending to recite incantations, lowered his head to examine. Zhang Zizhan also followed behind Er Batou, carefully scrutinizing everything in the coffin.

After looking a while, Er Batou joined palms contemplating, muttering: “Resentment too heavy.” Then said: “Still need to perform a ritual, otherwise the whole family will meet disaster!”

Boss He was shocked: “Meet disaster?”

Er Batou said: “Of course! After death, those with resentment cannot ascend to heaven, cannot descend to the underworld, cannot reincarnate as humans in between, can only become lonely wandering ghosts, roaming everywhere. The coffin is her only resting place. Wild ghosts most fear seeing light. You opened the coffin, causing her yin energy great damage. Your whole family will pay the price for this.”

Boss He paused, said: “This is my daughter. Could she harm her old father and mother?”

Er Batou smiled bitterly: “Living in the yang world with resentment, after death becoming ghost even more miserable! This life you’re her father, next life she’ll be your mother! Once a person enters the ghost path, evil energy multiplies, disowns all relatives. Has Boss He not heard of people casually relocating ancestral graves, ruining feng shui, causing the whole family to die?”

Boss He was sprayed by Er Batou until his head dripped sweat.

“Yes, I’ve heard of such.” Saying this, Boss He looked at the coffin, became somewhat afraid. “Master, let’s return to the parlor to talk.”

Er Batou gave Zhang Zizhan a look, followed Boss He out.

Zhang Zizhan helped several servants lift the coffin lid, slowly covering it. At the instant of covering, Zhang Zizhan used the coffin board as cover, quickly extended his hand, quietly pulled out several strands of hair, balled them up, hid them in his sleeve.

Playing with Fire and Self-Immolation

Zhang Zizhan had studied human biology, knew that after death, the skull would become osteoporotic due to calcium loss. After a long time, hair would fall off with one touch. Stealing several strands back for careful study, he’d know what was happening.

After returning to the hall, Zhang Zizhan carefully observed those several hair strands, discovering that starting from the hair root, about one foot away, there was a splice, stuck together with some kind of medicinal liquid. Without careful examination, couldn’t see it at all.

Thus, matters became clear—someone was tampering!

Zu Ye immediately fell into a puzzle.

Zu Ye went to Jia Siye’s residence, informing Jia Siye of this matter.

Upon hearing, Jia Siye was also shocked.

“Someone’s playing tricks?”

Zu Ye said: “Fourth Master, carefully recall—is there anything wrong?”

Jia Siye lowered his head thinking, then said: “No. Boss He is a merchant. Though cunning as a person, he’s meticulous and cautious in everything, never makes enemies with underworld people. Sometimes when conflicts arose with black path people, he’d take big sums of silver asking me to resolve disasters. So this operation, definitely not set up by himself. Moreover, there are no fathers who’d set up operations using their own daughter’s remains!”

After hearing, Zu Ye fell into contemplation. After a long while said: “Then this problem is big. Meaning the operation setter knew in advance Boss He would arrange a ghost marriage. Within a few short days, could find Boss He’s daughter’s grave site, infiltrate the coffin, attach the hair, then restore the scene as if never touched—this is an expert.”

Jia Siye quickly asked: “This kind of thing, easy to do?”

Zu Ye said: “Ordinary people can’t do it. Only very experienced people can. First, manpower must be appropriate. Those doing it must be people who frequently play flying operations, must be familiar with coffin structure and nail positions. Second, tools must be appropriate, cannot damage the coffin surface, cannot leave traces. Third, after re-placing the coffin, the soil surface and tombstone must be restored to original condition. This is delicate work, must prepare coarse skin and dry soil beforehand. Even if all this is done well, without five or six days of wind blowing and sun exposure, still inevitably shows artificial aging traces.”

After hearing, Jia Siye said: “This isn’t completable by one or two people, must be a group.”

Zu Ye said: “Right! If time is tight, at least need to mobilize over ten people. Everyone wears small-holed coarse shoes, leaving no traces at the scene.”

Jia Siye said: “The other side comes with ill intentions. In the Jianghuai region, able to raise such great waves are just these few groups. Zu Ye’s group, ‘Tiansheng Dao’ Zhang Jiyao’s group, ‘Plum Blossom Society’ Mei Xuanzi’s group. Could it be…”

Zu Ye murmured: “Zhang Jiyao… Mei Xuanzi…”

Jia Siye said: “Recently old Mei has been making quite a racket, with momentum to rewrite Jianghuai history. However, something’s still wrong. Since the other side already made a move, why give this good job to us to do?”

Zu Ye contemplated a moment and said: “This is the key to the problem! In the past there were also situations where various halls’ information didn’t circulate, causing one family to set up operations for a mark while another family unknowingly went to resolve disasters. But in such situations once both sides spoke openly, one side would immediately call it off, at most just split some silver at the end. But this time, no one called off this matter…”

While the two were discussing, San Batou suddenly entered, whispered in Zu Ye’s ear. Upon hearing, Zu Ye’s brows furrowed tightly.

Jia Siye saw Zu Ye’s expression was wrong, asked: “What happened?”

Zu Ye didn’t answer, continued asking San Batou: “The information reliable?”

San Batou said quietly: “Absolutely true!”

Zu Ye stopped speaking, expression grave. Jia Siye became even more anxious, quickly asked: “Zu Ye, what happened?”

Zu Ye glanced at Jia Siye, said: “Zhang Jiyao is dead.”

Upon hearing, Jia Siye nearly jumped up. “Dead? How did he die!”

Zu Ye said: “Don’t know yet. Publicly saying he ‘ascended to immortality.’ Informant says he burned to death in a self-made Eight Trigrams Furnace.”

This Eight Trigrams Furnace thing also once shocked the Jianghuai region. Zhang Jiyao’s “Tiansheng Dao” from time to time propagated world’s end. He packaged himself as savior, vigorously developed believers, and put faithful believers into his designed Eight Trigrams Furnace for tempering.

That large furnace was fully eight chi wide, over five zhang high. Following Qian, Kun, Kan, Li, Zhen, Dui, Xun, Gen—the eight trigrams’ form—built into the mountain, piled up with large blue bricks. In the middle was a large furnace chamber, underneath was a furnace grate made of thick iron wire. The entire fire furnace had one entrance, no exit. After people entered, the furnace door was locked, then from the furnace’s lower large chamber dry firewood was piled, diesel poured, fierce fire would blaze.

Zhang Jiyao brought disciples into the furnace for cultivation, generally selecting winter. Common folk plowed in spring, worked in summer, harvested in autumn—only winter was relatively leisurely, many people watched excitement, convenient for creating momentum. When heavy snow fell, a vast whiteness between mountains and fields, after Zhang Jiyao worshipped heaven gods and earth ghosts, he led disciples into the Eight Trigrams Furnace. Great fire blazed, thick smoke soared to the sky. Smoke mixed with snowflakes, churning in the dim sky.

Forty-nine days, great fire continuous. After forty-nine days, opening the furnace to emerge, Zhang Jiyao and disciples walked out with oily shining bodies, claiming to have obtained indestructible vajra bodies. He’d already put over twenty disciples into the Eight Trigrams Furnace for tempering. After these disciples emerged, they all became “vajras,” dispatched to major cities like Tianjin, Beiping, Baoding as missionaries for each province.

Jia Siye said: “Zhang Jiyao’s Eight Trigrams Furnace matter, generally performed in winter. Now is summer, why so impatient? Could it be Zhang Jiyao setting up an operation, in a few days staging a physical return, performing some farce like immortal descending to the mortal world?”

Zu Ye didn’t speak, thinking bitterly. If Zhang Jiyao truly died, then matters became serious. Zhang Jiyao came to the hall just days ago, died within days? If Zhang Jiyao faked death, then what was his purpose? Were he and Mei Xuanzi jointly setting up operations?

After a long while, Zu Ye said: “First observe for a period then discuss, see ‘Tiansheng Dao’s’ reaction. If faking death, then ‘Tiansheng Dao’ won’t fall into great chaos, everything in Zhang Jiyao’s control; if truly dead, then ‘Tiansheng Dao’ will show chaotic situation.”

Several days later, Zu Ye’s planted agent in “Tiansheng Dao” transmitted reliable news—Zhang Jiyao indeed died, body already charred. Reportedly Zhang Jiyao also wanted to imitate Mei Xuanzi becoming immortal, wanted to create an even more mysterious legend for himself, wanted to fake “ascending to immortality.” Result: after entering the Eight Trigrams Furnace he never came out. Finally the chimney mouth spewed a pile of goose feathers and duck feathers. Disciples guarding around the furnace all kneeled down, congratulating the sect leader on ascending to immortality.

Zhang Jiyao’s first disciple Zuo Yongchan using Zhang Jiyao’s becoming immortal as excuse, hastily buried him.

Zu Ye thought this time “Tiansheng Dao” would definitely fall into great chaos. The hall’s boss died. Outsiders didn’t know the truth, but those “vajras” in their hearts were clear as mirrors—wouldn’t they cause an uproar?