Grief and Resolve in the Jiang Camp After Heavy Losses

The people of Jiang were also plunged into sorrow, having lost Baigan Tulu and Serige Bu, who were braver than ten thousand men. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Baidui, had barely settled back into his tent when he spoke: "In today's battle, we lost my heart and soul, Baigan Tulu, and the gentle Serige Bu, who was like a warm fur coat. There could be no greater loss. Since last year, King Sadan has been hatching schemes unlike any before. I, your servant, advised against them repeatedly, but the King turned a deaf ear. Though his grace is great, his actions now are truly absurd. It seems death will soon be upon him. If the King remains deluded, what can his ministers and people do?"

Hearing Baidui's words, every Jiang person felt deep worry, yet they were powerless. After a moment, the official Caima Keji said, "Minister Baidui speaks great truth. Now, most of our rivers, mountains, and fortresses have been breached and occupied by the Ling army. Especially with our brave generals falling one after another, it will be very hard for us to defeat the Ling forces if this continues. At this life-and-death juncture, we must all share life and death, and fight the Ling army to the decisive end. As long as we have breath left, we must fight the Ling to the death."

As he finished speaking, he gritted his teeth until they creaked. The two Poison Brothers, whenever they remembered their eldest brother Baigan Tulu was no longer in this world, would weep bitterly again. After crying, they wanted to charge at the Ling army to fight to the death. Everyone persuaded them to stop, comforting them in every possible way.

After capturing the heroine Adanam with his lasso, the official Qula bound her hands in front of her chest and brought her to the Jiang camp. One by one, the Jiang people stood before the female general, loudly interrogating her. The heroine closed her eyes and did not utter a word. Official Qula threatened, "You wicked woman! We ask you questions and you don't answer. Watch out, or we'll tear your heart out!"

Faced with the Jiang people's threats and interrogations, the heroine thought: I have now fallen into enemy hands, and I'm afraid it will be hard to escape death. Answering or not answering is the same. But before I die, I must also show my grief and indignation, so I can die with eyes closed. So she said, "People of Jiang, listen. I have words to say now."

Then, in a tone neither humble nor arrogant, she said:

"You high ministers seated there are like tigers and leopards. Though I haven't seen you before, I've heard of you from afar, heard that the people of Jiang are each like Rakshasas. This year, the Ling army came to Jiang to fight. They did not come to show off and conquer the world, nor to let their steeds display their speed. It was only because unprovoked war came to their home. The lands of Ling and Jiang border each other; originally there was no hatred, we were not enemies. Who knew war smoke would rise at the Kangdui mountain pass, and the Jiang army would bare its claws to seize the Salt Sea? The flowery land of Ling and the purple land of Jiang were originally pure cheese without blemish, living in friendly harmony, people at peace and happy. Yet you recklessly took up arms and harmed yourselves. You Jiang ministers seated here, my words are worth more than a thousand taels of gold. Whether you listen is entirely up to you. I will not waste more breath speaking."

After Adanam finished speaking, the Jiang minister Baidui said, "A woman's words are like soup in a pot: grease floats on top, dregs settle at the bottom, not much substance. Rather than kill her immediately, it's better to freeze her for a night and finish her off tomorrow. For now, lock her up in the prison!"

A Divine Warning to Gesar of rescuing Adanam

The next day, the ministers went before King Sadan to discuss how to handle affairs. Princess Pema Chuzhen, accompanied by her maids, came to offer wine and tea to her father the King. The Princess said, "Father! Have you decided on tomorrow's actions? Our land of Jiang has been brought to this state by the Ling people. Many heroes have died by the blade; the fine land of Jiang has become a sea of blood. Now, your daughter requests that you, Father, and all the ministers do not sit idly tomorrow, but should attack together. Even if we cannot defeat the great army of King Gesar, we should at least turn a small part of the Ling camp into a bloodbath. Please consider this, Father and ministers."

The ministers, hearing this, thought the Princess spoke sense, and busied themselves with planning, preparing to attack again.

That night, King Gesar, was sleeping peacefully in his divine tent. The White Brahma King set out from his palace in the infinite sky, riding auspicious clouds, and descended above the rainbow-hued divine tent. He delivered a prophecy to Gesar: "Beloved son Joru, tomorrow morning you must definitely rescue the heroine Adanam. Otherwise, the day after tomorrow, the Jiang people will kill her."

Having spoken, he vanished again into mid-air. The next day, King Gesar discussed methods to rescue Adanam with his ministers. Danma said, "There's no other way to rescue the heroine except relying on us heroes. First, me, Chaxiang Danma; second, Bara Senda Adong; third, Gade Chujiong Benna; fourth, Gongba Buyi Chajia; fifth, the Hor Sinba Meruze; sixth, Mudu Jiana Jibu. The six of us heroes will go together and smash that black prison to pieces."

The King and ministers heard Danma's words, and no one raised an objection. At this moment, Chao Tong thought: Hmph! It seems only those six are heroes. How can I, Chao Tong, show weakness? If I compete to go with them, they'll think I'm trying to bask in their glory. I must think of a way to go alone and show my ability. So he spoke to everyone: "Great King and all ministers, please listen to your uncle's words. The northern heroine Adanam, let your uncle take responsibility for rescuing her. I understand the language of Jiang, so it's easier to deal with the Jiang people. In the vast sky, white clouds drift unmoving; to say a cold wind is coming is nonsense. When rain falls and mountains and rivers flood, relying solely on boats and bridges is useless. When a real man undertakes a task, where is the courage if he must find companions? I, Chao Tong, will go alone to rescue the heroine. It's not that I want to compete and show off, only that I want to win respect for the Ling people. How the saddle on the mount is adorned, so should the horse and armor be adorned. If you consider this old man incapable, that would be truly laughable!"

As he spoke, Chao Tong acted very confident. The other heroes heard but said nothing. Danma found his words very grating, but he regarded Chao Tong's speech like a monkey performing before a lion—the lion, deep down, didn't care at all. Therefore, he also said nothing.

The King thought: This uncle of mine, sometimes we must let him show off and reveal his true colors. So he smiled slightly and said, "Uncle speaks sense. Your idea has the courage of a hero. Your plan is like the sun and moon, capable of illuminating the four seas and dispelling darkness. If Uncle can rescue the heroine from prison, the Senior lineage of Ling will reward you with ten fine steeds and ten sets of armor. The Middle and Junior lineages will also offer generous gifts."

Hearing this, Chao Tong was overjoyed. His face beamed with a smile, his mouth unable to close: "If it's truly so, then everyone watch my skill. I will rescue the heroine from her prison cell today, in broad daylight!"

Chao Tong's Deceptive Rescue Through Sorcery

Chao Tong immediately mounted his hunchbacked, sharp-headed demon horse and galloped forward. Halfway there, he dismounted and performed magic by the roadside. Using sorcery, he transformed himself into a beautiful white bird. The bird's breast was like a white conch treasure vase, its upper beak like cast gold, its lower beak like carved jade, its wings like inlaid white coral. The white bird spread its wings and flew to land on the roof of King Sadan's palace, emitting the singing call of a lark. The clear, melodious "ji-jue, ji-jue" calls were extremely pleasant to hear. The Jiang people who saw and heard it found it very novel, each rushing to see the spectacle. Everyone said this bird was most extraordinary. Even the prison guards came to watch. The bird sang in human speech:

I am the prophetic bird skilled in flight, ji-jue,

Come to land on the Precious Dew palace roof, ji-jue.

Protective deities are like colored clouds far away, ji-jue,

Bless this divine bird to sing, ji-jue.

Ruler of the purple Jiang people with black heads, ji-jue,

King Sadan, please listen carefully, ji-jue.

How are the sufferings and joys of the Jiang people? ji-jue

The deities specially sent me to observe, ji-jue.

Ministers who hold the nation's power, ji-jue,

A few words you should remember, ji-jue.

If power is still in your hands, ji-jue,

You must make offerings to the deities, ji-jue.

Deities satisfied, the world also rejoices, ji-jue,

All can enjoy and be happy, ji-jue.

The Ling army is like a poisonous sea stirring great waves, ji-jue,

This is the decree of the daytime demon gods, ji-jue,

Do not be timid, hesitant, or waver, ji-jue.

The Dharma of Jaga and the Dharma of Jhana, ji-jue,

Only the Ling Kingdom of Makang dares oppose, ji-jue,

Beware your ancestral rule may be lost, ji-jue,

Please keep this firmly in mind, people of Jiang, ji-jue.

In the next five or six days, ji-jue,

Fortune or calamity will befall you, ji-jue.

Between that auspiciousness and inauspiciousness, fortune and calamity, ji-jue,

How your rule and rivers-and-mountains will fare is hard to gauge, ji-jue.

This white bird sang the above song in bird speech. The Jiang people were extremely curious and all came to listen to the bird sing. Some listened and watched, their eyes transfixed. Chao Tong then transformed into another creature—a mouse—then burrowed underground into the prison, gnawed through the ropes binding the heroine, cast an invisibility spell on her, and led her out of the prison. Thus, the heroine Adanam escaped the prison and returned to the Ling camp.

The King's Stubborn Refusal and the Aftermath of the Escape

The heroine Adanam had already escaped, but the Jiang people did not know. The ministers were still gathered before King Sadan discussing, preparing to interrogate Adanam again. At this time, Princess Pema Chuzhen again advised her father, King Sadan: "The sacred territory of Jiang is vast, yet now it's like seedlings brutally destroyed by hail. Father, do not remain mourning in the dark room; please quickly return to the throne in the palace. The sufferings of the Jiang people depend on you, Father, to relieve. The laws of Jiang need you, Father, to uphold. Wise decisions must be made by you, Father. Quickly rescue the Jiang people drowning in a sea of blood to the shore. Starting from tomorrow's auspicious hour, Father, quickly issue your wise sacred decree. Command the entire army and people to rise together, united in heart and virtue, vowing to resist to the death. The men, women, old, young, and all ministers of Jiang, their lives of suffering or joy depend entirely on you, Father. Originally, if the enemy had not invaded, it was only because you, Father, brought disaster upon yourself. Now the Ling army covers mountains and rivers; headless corpses of Jiang people litter the wilds; people grieve, ghosts lament—a scene of utter misery. I ask you, Father, how will you eliminate this calamity?"

After the Princess finished speaking sorrowfully, the ministers joined the Princess in urging the King to consider the nation's survival, care for the sufferings of the black-headed common people, and hoped the King would quickly return to the palace throne to think of ways to defend the realm. Unexpectedly, the King did not say a word. The Princess and ministers had only racked their brains and wasted their breath; overcoming the enemy remained very difficult. At this time, the people of the entire country, like lice on a dog, scurried everywhere, seeking places to flee for their lives.

Although the Princess had advised her father with many words, her father still would not listen. King Sadan summoned the ministers before him and said, "Ministers, say no more. Would you believe the words of a woman without insight? I have said many times before: within nine years, I will definitely not leave this mourning chamber. After nine years, if I cannot send the Ling army to water, fire, and wind in a single day, then I will abandon the demon gods. In my land of Jiang under King Sadan, demon gods protect everywhere; no weapon can harm me. Ministers, as before, each guard your fortresses well. Because of competitiveness and showing off, the fierce general Baigan Tulu died on the battlefield. This loss is greater than losing nine fortresses. This is the result of your rash actions. From now on, do not attack lightly. If the Ling army actively comes to challenge, use iron hooks and rope lassos against them. Minister Baidui was steady and effective in past actions; now he should also plan well. Qula, Caima Keji, and others, as long as you hold your positions steadfastly within nine years, what is there to worry about? As said before, it's best for women not to talk too much." Having spoken, he sat as before in the dark room.

When the guards returned to the prison, the heroine was already gone without a trace. Only then did people realize: "We were tricked by that wicked bird!" The Jiang people felt regret and resentment, but there was nothing they could do.

After Chao Tong rescued the heroine Adanam, they returned together before the Ling heroes. Everyone praised Chao Tong. Chao Tong was also immensely pleased with himself, thinking his sorcery superb, and when he walked, he puffed out his chest more than usual.