Old China Through the Eyes of a Storyteller by Herrera Julie Moss;

Author:Herrera, Julie Moss;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Parkhurst Brothers, Incorporated, Publishers

Tears that Crumbled the Great Wall

Retold by Dr. Kang Li of the China Folklore Society Translated by Ms Yan Lixian, National Storytelling Tour Guide

During the beginning of the Qin Dynasty, the first Emperor, who called himself Qin Shi Huangdi, wanted to rebuild and connect the walls built to protect the Warring States from invasions by the nomadic Hsiung Nu tribes from the north. This was no easy task. The border was long and treacherous winding through the mountainous regions in northern China. So in order to have enough laborers, he conscripted many of the male population by force. Qin Shi Huangdi's soldiers forced the conscripted men to march the long distance to the Wall where they were given no warm clothing and very little food. His subjects began to hate him. Families hid their sons, men tried to find ways to hide for no one wanted to help build the Great Wall under the severe conditions being reported back to them. Very little food and rest were provided for the laborers. When they starved or froze to death their bodies were left to lie about and then buried in the next section of the Wall.

It is no wonder that Fan Xiliang, a scholar, wanted to find a place to hide. Running away from the soldiers, he pushed through a hedge surrounding the gardens of Meng Jiang's family where she was working. Before she could cry out, he explained, “I am running away from the soldiers who want to conscript me to build the Great Wall! Please allow me to hide myself here.”

Meng Jiang took pity upon poor Fan Xiliang. With her parents consent, he was allowed to go into hiding although they knew the penalties for hiding an able-bodied man were stiff and could include death. Every day Meng Jiang provided food and companionship. The couple soon fell in love. Meng Jiang's parents granted them permission to marry. But no sooner had the ceremony taken place, than the soldiers pounded on the door, demanding to see the bridegroom. Pulling him from Meng Jiang's arms they dragged Fan Xiliang away.

Many months passed with no word of how Fan Xiliang was faring. Meng Jiang was saddened when she thought, “How cruel Qin Shi Huangdi is, forcing men to be torn from their families and toil under harsh conditions just to satisfy his need to be mighty. I hate him so much! But I miss my husband even more.” With that thought she burst into tears.

It was spring, the gardens were in full bloom, the swallows flew in pairs looking for places to build their nests. Meng Jiang felt the pangs of loneliness all day and night. She longed for her husband, to regain the loving companionship they had shared. All summer she reminisced about their discussions, walks in the secluded gardens and sharing meals as she worked in the gardens she waited for news. No news ever came.

The falling leaves in autumn made her think of tears falling from heaven for her

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