Life of Bāo - Chapters 30, 31, 32
July 2 - 4, 2023
In the last chapter, you were transported back to the first century—the clues of the intact gold bracelet brought four souls to a remarkable discovery on Mount Hua. Like persistent carp in a Chinese fable, a transformation occurred. In Chapter 30, Prince Yijun discovers the ‘luminous God.’ In Chapters 31 and 32, plans are made only to be interrupted by a Dragon. Enjoy
Chapter 30
July 2, 2023
The next morning, Master Zhao woke early and immediately went to the library. To his surprise, the lights were on, and someone was reading at the table. “Good morning, you're up early,” a bald monk said, looking up from his book. Ong Jin introduced himself as Venerable Liao Guo. “I am traveling from Xinjiang. They have kindly shown me hospitality here.”
Master Zhao bowed three times and said, “It's a pleasure to meet you. “My name is Zhao Sun Feng.”
Jin commented, “With all the commotion last night, I thought I had missed a party. Quite unusual for a monastery.”
Master Zhao explained, “I am also a visitor here and an archaeologist. Yesterday, we made a discovery that will likely change historical speculation into historical fact. I cannot reveal details yet. I hope you can join us on July 4th. We will share our good fortune and return a long-lost artifact to the monastery.”
Jin thought I cannot believe my good fortune. I could not have planned this better. Once I have the gold bracelet, I can sell it on the black market, use connections to move to Taiwan and start a new life. After foreseeing an opportunity, Jin quickly accepted. “Thank you very much. I look forward to that day. I will leave you now and light incense in the prayer hall for your good fortune.”
Master Zhao sat down and opened the plastic container holding the smaller book found in the tomb. The night’s excitement had prevented him from looking at it closely until now. Chinese characters, written in Kaishu, indicated that it was the month of Wũ Yuē, May, A.D. 280. Translating went slowly, but Master Zhao did the best he could. There was no question. It was a journal. He read -
“I, Prince Yijun, sought refuge on a mountain in my 27th year. I was born into the ruling class of the Wei Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms. After God touched and awakened me, I opened the food stores to the common people, the peasants. Praising compassion, peasant farmers from the Three Kingdoms presented me with a gold bracelet with a center of yellow quartz. It was a gift from the people. The rulers denounced me. Each sought to rule all Three Kingdoms. My family renounced me. Banished with nowhere to live, I sought refuge among the five mountains.
That long journey brought me here, to this village, Weinan, on a plateau. The people accepted me as their own. God had also touched them three centuries earlier when travelers from the east entered the village, remaining for eight weeks. They shared the story of Thomas’ visit to their village and the miracle, the healing of Lord Chen’s son. They said Thomas followed a man named Jesus, who was more than a man. Thomas proclaimed the good news, testifying that Jesus claimed to be the light of the world. After Thomas left the village, a man who traveled with him, named Chunwen, a disciple, remained behind. Chunwen ministered to the people of the village, and within a few years, all were baptized in the name of Jesus. These isolated people are unlike any I have ever encountered in China. They referred to themselves as Thomas Christians. By their example of love, I have been touched by God again, but my reward is not gold but everlasting life. I, too, was baptized and offered my life to the Son of Heaven. I have spent all my remaining years here, never craving contact with the world. Jesus is now my Lord. This journal records my daily life in this village and other extraordinary events that occurred.” The journal continued with many more pages.
Master Zhao leaned back in his chair, amazed. He recalled their meeting with an unexpected sage in the park near the monastery. She was only a child. What were the words she used? Then he remembered: A prince offers it to the Son of Heaven. This Journal introduction by Prince Yijun confirmed that the larger book found was a translation of the Writings of Thomas, which were the words of Jesus written by the Apostle Thomas, translated into Chinese. It must be the only first-century Chinese translation in the world. They discovered two artifacts from different centuries: the Writings of Thomas, translated in A.D. 65, and the Yijun Journal from A.D. 280. I must protect this discovery. The Chinese government will try to suppress and discredit the artifacts found. Master Zhao knew the reasons for the suppression: China is an atheist state. Communist Party members must not practice any faith because religion can provide an alternative to Communism. The loyalty to the government could be undermined.
***
Later that same day, Syaoran stopped by the monastery to collect his dogs and share photos. Bāo, Yan, and Juān met Master Zhao and Syaoran in the library, where photos were scattered on the table. Two showed the tomb before it was opened. Three pictures of the inscriptions on the side of the tomb, four that showed the skeleton with the box on its chest, and a group shot of the five of them with their yellow headbands. They passed them back and forth and commented on the details.
Master Zhao requested, “I will keep these safe for future scholarly journal articles. “Syaoran, please join us on July 4th. We will have a ceremony in the prayer hall followed by an unveiling in the courtyard of our discoveries at Mount Hua.
Syaoran commented, “I'm not much for parties.”
Master Zhao, sensing his reticence, did not press the matter.
Syaoran said, “Mei said she had a surprise for me and asked that I meet her in the courtyard. Can you show me where that is?”
Master Zhao said, “Yes, of course, right this way.” He winked at Bāo, Yan, and Juān.
They reached the courtyard, and Mei stood beside the dogs. The spaniel and beagle sat quietly, each with a yellow cloth collar, like their headbands. Syaoran jested, “What happened? No yapping, no howling, and no running? You have converted them, haven't you? I knew it was a bad idea to have them stay in a monastery.”
Everyone laughed as they put on their yellow headbands.
Chapter 31
July 3, 2023
It was agreed upon by the monastery Abbott and Master Zhao that there would be two ceremonies. One was for the return of the gold bracelet in the prayer hall, and one was for the announcement of the discovery of the Writings of Thomas, the earliest written record of Jesus’s words, prior to all Gospels and Letters of the New Testament. The discovery of the Yijun Journal confirmed Thomas's travel from India to China. The archaeological discoveries would be shared at a press conference in the courtyard to accommodate the large crowd expected.
The monastery Abbott informed the group, “We have limited publicity to deter government interference. Only one reporter and photographer from the Luoyang Daily will be allowed in the prayer hall. Thank you in advance for understanding. The prayer hall is a sacred place.”
Master Zhao replied, “I agree.”
The Abbott questioned, “Will you be presenting the gold bracelet.”
“No, Bāo will be presenting the bracelet.”
“Bāo, the child accompanying you?”
“Yes, he's 16 now, so he is sensitive about being called a child.”
“My apologies. How did he acquire the gold bracelet?”
“He recovered the stolen item. Ever modest, he wishes to keep that a secret.”
Chapter 32
July 4, 2023
On the day of the ceremonies, the invited press and members of other monasteries arrived. All the monks and nuns were there, and the prayer hall was filled. The Abbott, Venerable Liao Guo, Master Zhao, and Bāo sat in the front row. Flowers flanked both sides of the seated Buddha. The scent of jasmine and sandalwood incense filled the air. The reporter and photographer from the Luoyang Daily sat at the side of the room and respected Abbott's wishes.
Yan, Juān, and Mei sat on cushions in the back row of the hall. A group of nuns from White Horse Temple sang customary prayers and chants. The library attendant rang a bell to indicate the start of the festivities. Bāo held a teak box on his lap.
The Abbott spoke first: “It is with great pleasure that a lost treasure is being returned to this monastery today. We are forever grateful to Bāo, who recovered this treasure and returns it after a long absence.” The photographer snapped a picture of the Abbott and those seated in the front row. “Loong Bāo, would you please join me.”
“Thank you, Abbott, for your support and hospitality. I would like to introduce and thank Venerable Zhao Sun Feng, my teacher; Yan, my friend and classmate; and our friend Cao Juān. The journey was both dangerous and exciting. The gold bracelet, reunited with its yellow quartz center, provided clues to the oft-told legend of Prince Yijun. Those clues guided us to Mount Hua, where two new discoveries were made. I don’t want to take away from the unveiling that will take place in the courtyard following this ceremony. So without further delay…”
The prayer hall erupted with applause. Bāo opened the box and removed the gold bracelet. “I humbly restore this gold bracelet to its rightful home.”
This time, applause was interrupted by a shout from the front row. The monastery guest, Venerable Liao Guo, stood and shouted, “I'll take that!” When he reached for the gold bracelet in Bāo’s hand, his robe sleeve pulled back, revealing a tattooed Red Dragon. Jin shouted, “This is my property.” He held a plastic ghost gun to Bāo’s head. Everyone in the room was silent, with fear. He stepped back with the gun at Bāo's head and threatened, “Everyone moves to the front of the room. Now! If anyone attempts to stop me, I will put a bullet in his head. If you do what I say, you will all stay alive.”
***
Syaoran rang the monastery bell. No one answered. Opening the front door, he walked in and shouted, “Hello!” No reply. “Damnit, I'm late.”
He walked down the hall, brushing dog hair off his pants and coat. This must be the prayer hall. He stood at the door and removed as much dog hair as possible as he heard, “Everyone moves to the front of the room. Now!”
As a reflex, he immediately moved to the side of the door and thought, What the hell is going on?
More commands could be heard. “I'm going to exit this room. If anyone attempts to stop me, I will put a bullet in his head. If you do what I say, you will all stay alive.”
Syaoran slowly opened the door and peeked in. His heart raced when he saw a baldheaded monk holding a gun at the back of Bāo’s head. They were both inching backward toward the door.
From his vantage point, Master Zhao saw the door in the back of the room open slightly. He anticipated his next move and positioned himself in front of everyone.
Bāo stepped back slowly, feeling the barrel of the gun at the base of his head.
The door flew open and slammed into Jin's back, causing him to drop the gun as he tumbled to the floor. Master Zhao ran to the front of the room and quickly subdued Jin as Syaoran picked up the gun. There was no further struggle. Syaoran saw Bāo, Yan, and Juān huddled together. He said, “Sorry I was late.” There was a burst of nervous laughter and then hugs.
Within fifteen minutes, the people's police handcuffed Jin, arrested him for attempted murder and robbery, and took him out of the monastery to the awaiting police vehicle.
***
The photographer snapped a picture of Bāo holding the gold bracelet and one group picture with Master Zhao, Yan, and Juān. The reporter asked questions about the four for the news article. The reporter was surprised by one of the answers and said, “Really, you're both orphans from the Chengdu Children's Welfare Institute?
“Yes, that's right,” Bāo confirmed, providing highlights of their adventure.
Yan concluded, “With all the publicity in the press about Sun Yee On and Ong Jin's arrest, we can safely return to Chengdu.”
Master Zhao and the Abbott called the trio over, “We still would like to present our archaeological discoveries on Mount Hua in the courtyard as planned. Do you feel up to it?”
They all enthusiastically replied, “Yes!”
***
Master Zhao placed the two books on the white-clothed covered table in the courtyard. He placed placards in front of the Yijun Journal and The Writings of Thomas and covered each book with white cloth. Unlike the ceremony in the prayer hall, reporters and photographers were everywhere. When the Abbott and the four appeared, the anticipation grew, and the chatter diminished.
The four stood behind the table. Suddenly, armed soldiers burst into the courtyard and surrounded everyone. Bāo looked up to see soldiers lined at the balcony railing, with their rifles pointing at them. Clicking footsteps in the brick-covered courtyard echoed from a distance and became louder as they drew closer and silent as they stopped. Two men, one a military officer, the other dressed in a business suit, stopped in front of the table. The military officer forcefully removed the white cloth covering the books. The business-suit-attired man shouted, “Is this your discovery?”
All remained silent.
He announced, “I am Ren Lei, the State Administrator of Cultural Heritage. You have violated the province laws, which state that artifacts discovered must be submitted for examination and authentification before being reported in the press. Luckily for you, your discoveries have not been made public.” Two soldiers placed the books in a metal trunk. Lei said, “These items are being confiscated. Because you violated province law, they are now the property of the state.”
He turned to all in attendance. “Please leave your names, cameras, phones, and notes with the officers. No one will report on what happened in this courtyard. If this is reported prior to our official report, the guilty individual will be arrested and imprisoned.”
Master Zhao had witnessed a similar incident at the university. There will never be an official report submitted.