The Child Emperor

Training was held in a long, rectangular room. There were weapon racks all around, well stocked with all manner of weaponry. However, they were securely chained to the rack, covered with a cotton cloth. It was like the élan of the weapons had been lost, becoming weak vines that needed support.

Five eunuchs stood in two rows, their hands holding boxes of various sizes. They were said to contain items for the Emperor, but Han Ruzi had never used them, nor did he know what they contained.

The only one accompanying him was Prince Donghai. The other young nobles of his entourage stayed outside.

Meng E stood slightly further. She hardly spoke, leaving everything to be decided by her older brother Meng Che.

In front of the eunuchs, Meng Che did not be too indecorous. He gave a standard kowtow, and after rising, said, “Martial arts is vast like the sea. Your Majesty, what would you like to learn?”

“Erm… Trainer Meng, you may decide.” Han Ruzi had been told that the teachers of the classics may be called “Teacher”, but his martial instructor should be called “Trainer”. Just a word of difference, but it allowed one to differentiate the civil and the military. There was also a difference in prestige: Teacher was a much more prestigious term of address.

Prince Donghai had suffered at the hands of the Meng siblings before, so he had a poor impression of them. He said sarcastically, “You speak as though you know everything.”

Meng Che replied blandly, “If one were to speak of expertise, I have expertise in only three martial arts. But if it is about teaching the basics, I know a little of everything.”

“Then let us choose what Trainer Meng is an expert at.” Han Ruzi did not really care one way or the other.

Prince Donghai snickered. “Why don’t you tell us what you’re good at first.”

Meng Che nodded lightly. “Fists, swords, and inner qi.”

“I have seen you hold a sword, though I’ve never seen you use it.” Prince Donghai looked around surreptitiously. “We only have your word for it. Why don’t you show us a few moves.”

“Since the Empress Dowager has let the two Trainer Mengs teach us martial arts, they must surely be quite good at it,” Han Ruzi said.

The Emperor’s attempt at persuasion only caused Prince Donghai to be more adamant. “The Empress Dowager is noble and revered, while Your Majesty has long been shielded from the outside world. That causes a lack of understanding of the pugilist world and vulnerability to deception. I have had trainers before. Even though I did not learn well, I still have quite a discerning eye.”

Meng Che replied, “Martial arts is something that requires talent and powers of comprehension. It does not care about nobility, seniority nor age. I would be honored to receive comments from the Prince of Donghai.”

“I can’t say that I have anything to teach, but I can tell competence and incompetence apart. Come on, show us your fist techniques.”

Meng Che moved back to a more open area and tightened his sash. He placed his feet firmly on the ground in a half-squat, and slowly took a deep breath. Suddenly, he stepped forward, punching out, then moving back. He repeated this: stepping forward, punching out and moving back. Then he straightened his back, relaxed his arms, took a breath out, and then looked at Prince Donghai.

“What’s going on?” Prince Donghai was stunned.

“That was… pretty quick.” Han Ruzi could not tell what was going on either.

“If the Prince of Donghai wished to see fancy moves, I am sorry, for I do not know such things.” Meng Che’s tone was even more prideful than before.

Prince Donghai sneered coldly. “Let’s see your sword arts then.”

“Blades are sharp and dangerous. Let me just do something simple.”

Meng Che took a few steps back again. Then he  suddenly leaped forward, quickly traversing the distance of seven to eight paces. His right arm contracted then shot out — the piercing action of a sword, then he quickly moved back. In two steps he was back to his original position, where he again straightened his back, relaxed his arms, took a breath out. “Please comment.”

Prince Donghai’s face reddened. “Are you kidding me?” he said angrily.

Meng Che shook his head. “In front of His Majesty, who would dare play such a joke. This one’s fist and sword techniques are as such. They are meant for actual battle, not playing tricks.”

“So your inner qi technique is nothing to look at either, I presume?”

“Of course.”

Prince Donghai curled his lips in disdain. He turned to look at the eunuch, “I wish to test Trainer Meng’s skills for myself. There’s no problem, right?”

Yang Feng was not here today. It was Zuo Ji who was leading the eunuchs. He smiled and said, “No using of actual weapons, but other than that, you may do as you please.”

Prince Donghai knew that he was no match, so he said, “That’s good. Trainer Meng, I am young and my strength is weak. It is normal that I am outmatched by you. I shall call a few men in to test your abilities in ‘actual battle’.”

Prince Donghai did not care whether Meng Che agreed or not, nor did he seek the Emperor’s opinion. He walked straight out, and before long, called the accompanying young nobles in. The official from the Ministry of Rites and Decorum who was supervising the entourage for the day looked panicked. He looked at Zuo Ji but seeing that Zuo Ji did not object, did not stop the young nobles.

Prince Donghai called out the oldest of the young nobles. “This is the grandson of Zhang Yin, the Marquis of Penetrating Distance, the General of Ironclad Cavalry… What’s your name again?”

The young noble was a youth of seventeen or eighteen years. He still had some childlike features on his face, but his build was sturdy and he was the tallest of the young nobles. Even though he was just standing still, it was evident that he was itching to have a go. “This subject’s name is Zheng Yanghao.”

Han Ruzi had noticed this young noble for a while. He quickly remembered his name, and was interested to see Meng Che’s true abilities.

Prince Donghai moved closer to Zhang Yanghao. He pointed at Meng Che and said, “This guy’s pretty tough. Go teach him a lesson. Let him know that being the Emperor’s trainer is not an easy job.”

“But if he is His Majesty’s trainer, then I would probably be outmatched.” Zheng Yanghao was rather cautious. He did not rush in.

“Don’t worry, it’s just for fun. His Majesty is interested to watch, too.” Prince Donghai glanced at the Emperor and Han Ruzi nodded.

Zhang Yanghao grunted heavily in acknowledgement. He rolled up his sleeves and strode opposite of Meng Che. The young nobles behind him cheered quietly in support. Their faces gleamed with excitement. It was rather boring to be part of the Emperor’s entourage, so everyone looked forward to the spectacle.

“Trainer Meng, please.” Zhang Yanghao did not clasp his fists in respect. He was in line to succeed to his grandfather’s Marquisate, there was no reason for him to be too deferential to a mere trainer.

“Childe Zhang, please,” Meng Che replied.

Zhang Yanghao came from a clan of military generals. He was trained in martial arts since young, and was quite reputed in his social circles. He stood poised in his stance and waited. After seeing that his opponent had no intention to attack, he grunted lightly and rushed forward, his fist raised and ready to hit.

“The Hundred Step Fist. The most famous fist technique in the military. It lives up to its name.” Meng Che said while dodging. He kept a distance of five paces from Zhang Yanghao.

Even though the Hundred Step Fist was a fist technique, it placed high importance in footwork. Zhang Yanghao’s steps were neat and steady, while both his fists were ferocious like tigers in the wind. He was indeed the descendent of a famous general. The accompanying young nobles cheered uncontrollably until the decorum official stared at them,  following which they quickly kept quiet.

One person was attacking while the other was dodging. Just as they moved a semicircle around the grounds, Prince Donghai grew impatient. He said loudly, “Trainer Meng, is this all you’ve got? Are you just going to teach His Majesty how to run?”

Meng Che also felt that it was enough. He warned, “Childe Zhang, watch out.”

“Come on!” Zhang Yanghao was excited from the fight and wanted his opponent to fight back.

Meng Che did not stop his steps, nor did he take up any particular stance. Just a moment before he was dodging left and right, but the very next moment he was up in front of Zhang Yanghao as his fist struck out. Then he quickly retreated seven steps back and straightened his back. His facial expression was cold, and his gaze icy.

Zhang Yanghao stood still, his knees bent. His arms flung about, like a shrub that had suffered a violent gale. He let out a gasp of air and cried out, clutching his stomach, his back bent.

“I have been reckless and struck too hard. May Childe Zhang forgive me.” Meng Che’s expression had returned to normal.

Zhang Yanghao’s right hand was still clutching his stomach. He stretched his left hand, and waved lightly as he said coarsely, “It’s alright. Trainer Meng’s technique is admirable. I… I accept my loss.”

The young nobles’ shock turned into respect. They started pestering Meng Che with questions. “What is this fist technique?” “How much of your strength did you use?” “Which martial sect are you from?” “Do you know Gui Yuehua? He is my martial trainer, he is very famous in the pugilist world.”

The decorum official coughed in consternation. The young nobles quickly kept quiet while Zhang Yanghao finally straightened his back. He clasped his fists and said, “As expected of the Imperial Trainer. Very respectable.”

“Childe Zhang is too kind. My fist technique is just my own personal technique. It cannot be compared to Childe Zhang’s Hundred Step Fist, a technique which has achieved victory and earned merits on the battlefield.”

In the army, the Hundred Step Fist was only a means to training physical fitness. On the battlefield, nobody would fight with his bare fists. But Meng Che’s words caused Zhang Yanghao to brighten up.

Prince Donghai had wanted to cause embarrassment to Meng Che. After seeing Meng Che’s prowess, he changed his mind and said, “Mm, you are truly quite skillful. How many men can you take on by yourself?”

“That would depend on the opponent,” replied Meng Che.

Prince Donghai looked at the young nobles and found them wanting. “The palace guards.”

“There are many experts within the Imperial Palace. Any one of them could defeat me.”

“What about on the battlefield, facing the troops of the enemy army. How many could you take on?”

Meng Che paused to consider. “If they are well trained, at most five.”

“Just five!” Prince Donghai was very disappointed. “I thought you’d be able to take on a hundred!”

“There is no such thing as an invincible martial art. Just like the Art of War, we’d have to consider the terrain. Accessible ground, entangling ground, temporizing ground, narrow passes, precipitous heights, positions at a great distance from the enemy[1] — in different terrain, the fist technique to be used would be different. My fist technique is the technique of a lone wolf. If the enemy is too numerous, I would rather retreat and seek a different opportunity than try out my fists.”

Prince Donghai wanted to press further, but Han Ruzi interrupted with a cough. He was the Emperor, and hence Prince Donghai could only keep quiet.

Han Ruzi found two things interesting: First, Meng Che appeared to be wooden, but he was actually very articulate. Second, Meng Che’s fist technique caused him to think of the question that Yang Feng had posed to him.

“Trainer Meng, when you exchanged blows with Childe Zhang, you retreated immediately after landing a blow. Why did you not press your advantage and continue attacking?”

Prince Donghai rushed to answer. “He is afraid that he would get into trouble if he injured Zhang Yanghao.”

Zhang Yanghao, who had returned to the ranks of the young nobles, turned red at Prince Donghai’s words.

Meng Che looked at the Emperor and bowed slightly. “My fist technique is not meant to fight to the death, but for self-protection. Attack and defense cannot be simultaneously maximized. When I attack, I use my full strength, targeting his weak point. Whether or not the attack succeeds, I immediately retreat to defend, to prevent myself from falling into any trap to lure me in.”

“How would Zhang Yanghao know to lure one in.” Prince Donghai believed that Meng Che was over thinking matters.

That afternoon, Meng Che did not teach any fist techniques, but spoke of some key points. His views were rather different from the common fist techniques in the pugilist world, but his audience could not tell. Based on his performance, everyone nodded vigorously.

Han Ruzi slowly formed a view. That night, he said excitedly, “I have figured it out!”

“Do speak, Your Majesty.” Yang Feng was very calm.

“The Founding Emperor dared to advance and dared to withdraw. When he had the chance to advance, he would attack bravely. When things looked bad, he withdrew without any hesitation, not caring about any temporary harm to his reputation. In the legendary tales, the Founding Emperor always encountered someone who could assist him when he was in danger. In actual fact, the Founding Emperor was just really good at making his escape.”

Han Ruzi paused for a moment as the words he was about to say was not very respectful to his ancestor. “The Founding Emperor was like that to his allies as well: daring to advance and daring to withdraw. Even though some betrayed the Founding Emperor, more of them were betrayed by the Founding Emperor. The Founding Emperor was colder, and more ruthless than anyone else. He knew how to make use of his friends to protect himself.”

After he had finished, Han Ruzi anxiously awaited Yang Feng’s appraisal.

Yang Feng solemn face broke into a slight smile. “Good. Then I shall pose Your Majesty another question: Everyone in the world is selfish. There were many men who were more ruthless than the Founding Emperor. Why did they not conqueror the realm?”

Han Ruzi was dumbfounded again.

[1] This is a reference to the chapter on “Terrain” in Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”, which can be read here: https://suntzusaid.com/book/10