Vietnamese Legends by George F. Schultz

Author:George F. Schultz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

18

LU SINH'S DREAM

FOR THE third time Lu Sinh had failed the triennial civil service examinations and it seemed that misfortune followed him every where. Less talented and knowledgeable students were successful and happy.

Sadly Lu Sinh left the capital to return to his native village, his bag of clothing slung over his shoulder at the end of a stick.

In passing through the mountain region of Nam Kha he was caught by a sudden shower, and climbed into a cave to protect himself from the rain. It turned out to be the grotto of an old Taoist hermit.

The hermit invited him to be seated on the only piece of furniture that he owned, a bed of polished stone. Meanwhile he continued to give his attention to a pot of millet porridge that was slowly cooking over the fire. While stirring the millet he asked Lu Sinh whence he had come and where he was going. The latter began by recounting his failures at the government examinations, his intentions of trying again, his hopes and fears. The hermit listened in silence; he then invited Lu Sinh to lie down on the bed to rest for awhile before continuing the journey.

* * *

Three years later Lu Sinh was graduated as first doctor of the Empire. Graduation day and those immediately following were days of glory. First came the series of unforgettable rites: his name proclaimed by the herald through his shining copper trumpet to the assembled throng; presentation of his Court robe by a high mandarin; and finally, the ride on a white horse through the capital to his own village, where for several days without interruption, there were banquets and merrymaking.

Following these high public ceremonies came marriage to a princess, the most beautiful daughter of the Emperor. The following years brought the birth of his beautiful children and promotion to the rank of first minister. Having risen rapidly to the pinnacle of wealth and honors, Lu Sinh continued in these functions for fifteen years.

Then barbarians suddenly invaded the Empire. The first battles were disastrous for the Emperor. Lu Sinh, named supreme commander, defeated the enemy, invaded their territory, and killed their king in combat. But the savage charm of the barbarian queen captivated him and he remained with her. Carried away by an overwhelming passion, he forgot completely his wife, his home, his children, and his duty towards Emperor and country.

In vain the Emperor begged Lu Sinh to return to the capital and resume his duties. The Emperor then resolved to send a large army against him. Lu Sinh revolted and tried to meet the forces sent against him, but his own commanders betrayed him into the Emperor's hands. In spite of his wife's pleas for mercy, Lu Sinh was condemned to death by the Emperor.

Lu Sinh spent the night before the execution reliving his entire life: his boyhood poverty, his student labors, his brilliant career, his great happiness, and then the enervating passion, bewilderment, and sudden fall.

* * *

Lu Sinh opened his eyes; he was in the grotto lying on the stone couch.

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