Ominous Dreams And Rising Tensions In The Jiang Kingdom

At this time, within the palace of the Jiang Kingdom, everyone was filled with doubt and suspicion. Ministers from both inside and outside the court had gathered before King Sadan. Sentries and hundred-legged centipedes guarded the four gates of the royal city, the "Jade Dragon Precious Dew City." All the kingdom's strategists deliberated on state affairs day and night. Unfavorable news kept arriving from outside, putting everyone on edge. Particularly worrying was the fact that Yula, Jiwu, Zhuzha, and the others sent out earlier had not returned, causing even greater anxiety. All the Jiang people had no choice but to assemble before the palace as ordered by the king. Ministers like Qula, Caima Keji, and Baidui stood guard before the king all day long. Recently, the king's temper had become vastly different from before, extremely irritable, and he did nothing but reprimand his ministers and subjects. Though various bad tidings came from outside, the ministers dared not report them to the king.

One day, the king said: "Ministers inside and outside the court, especially Qula, Caima Keji, and Baidui, listen: Yula Toju and the others have been on their campaign for many days now. To this day, they have not returned, nor have we received any news. I do not know the reason. Now, I need to dispatch you three officers and your respective troops to go and investigate clearly. Only then can I, your King, be at ease."

Hearing this, all the ministers remained silent. The three appointed officers—Lawu, Balin, and Shengjiang—stood up and said in unison: "The king's command is like an arrow shot; wherever it points, we shall go. We three will certainly carry out the king's orders!"

At this moment, Queen Jiangsa Namu thought to herself: Since Yula and the others departed on their campaign, I have had various ominous signs in my dreams. The king and his ministers are skilled at interpreting such dream omens for good or ill. I should report the contents of my dreams to the king. So she said: "King, ministers, and all subjects, please reconsider carefully. The three men sent earlier have not yet returned, and now you wish to send three more to investigate. Is this course of action appropriate? Recently, I have experienced some signs in my dreams. I do not know if they portend good or ill fortune. Please analyze these dream omens!" With that, she sang a gentle song:

This year's warfare is truly most inauspicious,

We have lost much and gained very little.

Especially with Yula and his vanguard,

Their departure bore ill omens from the start.

I advised against it repeatedly, but it was not heeded,

Alas, not listening to counsel brings only distress.

Now you wish to send Lawu and the other two,

And these three also wish to go and win merit.

I dreamed I stood atop a mountain in the east,

The treasure in my hand melted under the blazing sun.

The lofty snow-capped mountain also melted away,

I know not if this is an omen good or ill?

A white man came from Lingga,

Riding a white horse, with the bearing of a deity.

He came before the gate of the "Jade Dragon Precious Dew Palace,"

And fiercely struck his spear three times—thud, thud, thud!

When he brandished his long spear thrice,

The great mountains shook, the very earth trembled;

The "Jade Dragon Precious Dew Palace" turned to ruins,

I know not if this is an omen good or ill?

I also dreamed of a yellow man on a yellow horse,

Wielding a long yellow spear in his hand.

He came to the gate of the "Jinzong Castle,"

Always pacing back and forth, never stopping.

When he circled three times to the right,

The palace was instantly turned upside down.

When he circled three times to the left,

Wild grass instantly grew upon the ruins.

I also dreamed of a blue man on a blue horse,

Wielding a long blue spear in his hand.

He strode before the walls of "Kajizong" city,

Always pacing back and forth, never stopping.

When he circled three times to the right,

The protective walls of "Kajizong" instantly collapsed on both sides.

When he circled three times to the left,

Wild hares instantly ran upon the ruins.

I also dreamed of a red man on a red horse,

Wielding a long red spear in his hand.

He came to the gate of "Zema Angzong" city,

Always pacing back and forth, never stopping.

This man gnashed his teeth and roared three times,

And "Zema Angzong" instantly collapsed from its foundations.

This man stamped his feet and kicked his legs thrice,

And ghostly wails instantly rose from the ruins.

I also dreamed of a maiden carrying a bronze mirror,

Adorned with a lovely floral wreath upon her head.

Riding a three-legged mule,

She came coquettishly to the gate of "Kalong Yuzong."

First, she wantonly sprinkled water at the gate,

Then she scattered barley all over the ground.

She brandished the shining bronze mirror in her hand,

And facing the mirror, she burst into wild laughter.

I also saw before the gate of "Nima Dongdan Yan" city,

A golden pagoda, one finger's height.

Its spire emitted a dazzling golden light,

A sea of people crowded around it to look.

The treasure atop the royal palace castle,

Suddenly vanished along with the golden light.

The onlookers scattered like stars in an instant,

The square instantly fell deathly quiet.

I also saw in a grassland of thousand-petaled lotuses,

A high seat stood empty.

People said the seat was reserved for the Jiang fledgling,

A tiger cub would perform meritorious deeds for the lion.

I also saw at the foot of a pristine snow-capped mountain,

At the corner of the "Banma Dongdan" pasture,

Many riders sang and danced,

Everyone was overjoyed and merry.

On the mountain to the right was a tiger cub,

Opening its huge mouth, leaping and bounding;

It devoured the warhorse ridden by Qula,

I know not if this dream is good or bad?

On the mountain to the left was a black bear cub,

Opening its huge mouth, pausing and running;

It devoured the fine steed of Caima Keji,

I know not if this dream is good or bad?

On the central snow mountain was a little lion,

Opening its huge mouth, baring its teeth and claws.

It devoured the flying steed ridden by the king,

I know not if this dream is good or bad?

From the front charged forth a wild yak calf,

Opening its huge mouth, bellowing loudly,

It devoured the king's soul-binding black bear,

I know not if this dream is good or bad?

From behind crept out a little jackal,

Opening its huge mouth, searching for food,

It devoured the mount beneath Baideng,

I know not if this dream is good or bad?

From mid-air descended a ball of fire,

Fierce flames instantly lit up the sky;

The golden pagoda was melted by the fire,

I know not if this dream is good or bad?

I also dreamed a rainbow shone upon Jiang land,

A wondrous illusion made the rivers and mountains more beautiful,

I, along with my little daughter Pema Chuzhen,

Were taken away to settle in a foreign land.

Are these dream omens good or bad?

Each time I speak of them, Jiangsa's heart aches.

Let me speak a word of truth from my heart,

Even good dreams will not last long.

This year has been long since it began,

Never has there been the slightest good omen,

Because the Jiang Kingdom sent men to provoke war,

The king's power and prestige have suffered repeated losses.

Hereafter, bad omens will come one after another,

The white snow on high mountains will melt into surging waves,

The flowing water in the valleys will freeze and cease,

Cliffs will crumble, and gales will rise from level ground.

Whether these dream omens are auspicious or ill is hard to foresee,

I earnestly request the king and ministers to ponder deeply.

Do not act in ways that will lead to regret,

Lest you be left with distress after the deed is done.

The Queen Mother's Dire Interpretation and the King's Dismissal

After Jiangsa finished singing this song recounting the dream omens, the king and all the ministers were greatly shocked. They stared wide-eyed, speechless. At this time, the elite among Jiang women—the Queen Mother Chijiang Jimu—remembered clearly the dream details sung by Jiangsa Namu. She sensed the various inauspicious signs in the dreams, and particularly from the perspective of celestial timing and terrestrial advantages, she felt this year would bring no good fortune. She believed it necessary to properly analyze Jiangsa Namu's dreams, then advise the king to halt the military campaign and cease hostilities to avoid disaster. So she said: "King and all ministers, brave warriors of all tribes adorned in red and green, your wisdom is as clear as the sun in the sky. There is no need for an old, muddle-headed woman like me to point things out. Jiangsa Namu's dreams are inauspicious. Our purple Jiang Kingdom launched an unjust war against Lingga, and from the start gained no benefit. Now we are at a critical juncture of survival. If we can see the precipice and rein in the horse, turn back to avoid disaster, we can still prevent greater losses."

Although Queen Mother Chijiang Jimu patiently explained Jiangsa Namu's dream omens to the king and spoke many words hoping for a cessation of hostilities, King Sadan would not listen at all. He did not even glance her way and said impatiently: "Women have long hair but short sight; sharp tongues but much nonsense; their words are of little use. The grand strategies in my, the great king's, heart cannot be fathomed by women. Old mother, you'd better close your mouth and rest."

Just as the king would not heed the old mother's advice at all, Minister Baidui could not help but offer his counsel: "Your Majesty, currently, in every aspect, many inauspicious signs have appeared. Especially the three men dispatched a few days ago—their fate corresponds to Jiangsa's dreams. Now, the Queen Mother has clearly interpreted the various dream omens. Yula and the other three have not returned for many days; this surely bodes ill rather than well. If we now send Lawu and the other two along with troops, it will only provide enjoyment for the Ling people and bring no other benefit whatsoever. While a hero's spirit is precious, recklessness is not a good thing. I hope you will temporarily halt the invading army; three thousand troops should not march afar again. Previously, we dispatched generals and an army; we should now inquire whether they still survive. We could send three men ahead to scout, but there is no need to send a large army to invade. Whether sent into deep valleys or atop mountains, they must not be timid or fearful. Before the three men sent out return, the troops within the kingdom must maintain strict vigilance. If the enemy dares to invade, the men of Jiang should charge forward. If this is correct, Your Majesty and ministers, please adopt it. If it is wrong, I will waste no more words."

After Minister Xieqin Baidui offered his counsel, Princess Pema Chuzhen thought: Minister Baidui's words are very reasonable. We still do not know the fate of the men and horses sent out a few days ago, and now we wish to dispatch troops again. This is very unwise. Whether Father King listens or not, I should also offer a few words of advice. Even if Father King does not listen, at least there will be no regret later. So the princess presented tea and wine to the king and the ministers, saying: "I respectfully inform Father King, the words spoken by Minister Baidui just now are all reasonable. Father King should heed them. In the past, strategies have always come from Baidui, and the regime has never suffered defeat. The capable man Lawu Sisi the Poison Child, the fierce general Balin Bawo Toju, and the young lord Shengjiang Lawu Toju—these three need not be sent to the front again. Although these three are brave and capable, they still cannot compare to Gesar in prowess."

After Princess Pema Chuzhen finished speaking, no one else said anything. Minister Baidui seized the moment to advise once more: "Please, Your Majesty, keep the princess's good words in mind. When planting a tree, one must consider the fruit; when undertaking an action, one must consider the consequences."

The King's Fury and Unwavering Resolve

After hearing the princess's and the minister's counsel, King Sadan was very displeased and said angrily: "Silence! Has the minister gone mad? No matter what, such spineless words must never be spoken! How can my daughter Pema Chuzhen's timid words be considered reliable! Daughter, if your dream omens prove true, the consequences will only fall upon your own head. You go and dispel them yourself!"

The king then turned to the assembled ministers and generals and declared with full confidence: "What is so remarkable about that so-called Great Lion King? Why should we fear him and bow our knees? Though some say Gesar is the most heroic, I will not be frightened and lie prostrate on the ground. Though the Ling troops are very fierce, the great army of Sadan will surely seize victory. Though the warhorses of Ling are swift runners, the warhorses of Jiang will surely win the pennant. You need not harbor fear in your hearts. The three brave men I named earlier, if they dare to go, should set out immediately. If they encounter the enemy army or scouting parties, they must whip their horses and return to report. They must not delay in the slightest. If they miss the military situation, they will be beheaded!"

King Sadan's command left all the ministers and the people of the Jiang tribes with troubled expressions. No one dared to offer further counsel.

The Reluctant Departure of the Three Warriors

The three men obeyed the order and prepared to depart. They saw the Poison Child Lawu Sisi, riding a yellow mule horse, emerge from the dark, dense ranks; Shengjiang Lawu Toju, riding a dapple-gray white-backed horse, emerge from the neat, orderly ranks; and Balin Bawo Toju, riding a waterbird-like flying horse, emerge from the thick, crowded ranks. Each led a thousand troops and set out from the eastern gate of the royal palace. The tribespeople all came to see them off. The heroes escorted them for stretch after stretch, finding it hard to part. Some used sorrowful words, hoping for a swift reunion. The three men whipped their horses and set off on the road.