Preparing for War and Zumu’s Resistance

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Gesar quietly got up and woke his maids, Azhongji and Lizhongji, instructing them to fetch water and make tea. He also called for the maid Maleigui and asked her to gather everyone for a council to discuss the expedition to the north.

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Azhongji and Lizhongji set out to fetch water and make tea. The flames roared like leaping tigers, the bellows blew like bellowing bulls, purple smoke rose like colorful clouds, and the aroma of tea swirled like morning mist. They knew the secrets of how to build the perfect fire: yellow thorns should be stacked, thorny branches should be pressed, sheep dung should be scattered, chopped firewood should be piled, cypress wood should be selected, and wheat straw should be laid flat. Soon, the fire blazed brightly, and the scent of tea filled the entire kitchen.

 

Queen Zumu woke up to the commotion. Seeing the maids busy and her king nowhere to be found, she grew suspicious and confused, wondering what was happening.

 

At that moment, Gesar entered the room and saw that Zumu was awake. He instructed her, “Go and open the treasure vault. Bring me my victorious white helmet. Shake my world cloak three times in the wind. Fetch my red-bladed, white-handled crystal sword. Prepare my ninety-thousand divine arrows, my ox-horn bow, my hard shield, and my golden saddle with silver stirrups.”

 

Zumu said nothing. She understood that Gesar was preparing for war again. While she had managed to delay him last time with wine, she realized that wouldn’t be enough this time. Still, she went to the treasure vault and brought the items he requested while secretly considering how to stop him from going to the demon lands.

 

Meanwhile, Maleigui climbed to the top of the White Crystal Mountain, lit a ceremonial fire, and called out loudly, “Ge, ge, ge!” Soon, 30 heroic warriors, 11 queens, and countless officials and citizens of Ling Gabu gathered in the grand square.

 

Gesar announced his plans to subdue the black demon Luzan in the north and assigned Jiacha Xiega to temporarily govern Ling Gabu in his absence. The people bowed their heads in obedience.

 

When Gesar mounted his divine steed, Jiangga Peibu, and was about to depart, Queen Zumu knelt in front of his horse to block the way. Gesar’s heart sank at the sight. He dismounted, gently lifted his beloved queen, and said, “Zumu, my dear queen, parting from you feels like being pierced by needles. But going north to subdue the demon is my destiny. Please don’t be upset. Take care of Mother and manage the affairs of Ling Gabu in my absence.”

 

Tears welled in Zumu’s eyes. She took a bowl of wine from Azhongji, raised it, and recited:

 

“For the powerful, this wine opens the heart,

For the timid, it eases the lonely path.

For heroes, it brings courage to slay enemies.

 

This wine offered to the gods above,

Protects your iron armor and golden helmet.

This wine offered to the spirits on the right,

Grants your right hand endless strength to shoot arrows.

This wine offered to the dragons on the left,

Gives your left hand power to draw the bow.

 

This is the king’s wine,

A wine to ease sorrow.

Sing and dance with this wine,

But my king, I beg you—don’t leave!”

 

Looking at Zumu’s tearful eyes and the wine in her hands, Gesar resisted the urge to drink. He replied calmly, “Zumu, my beloved queen, we descended to Ling Gabu together from the heavens. The gods above guide us, the spirits inspire us, and the dragons bind us by oath. Now the goddess has decreed that I must go north to subdue the demon. If I disobey, we will be forever separated. Please, step aside and let me go.”

 

Zumu’s Despair and Determination

 

As Zumu listened to Gesar’s words, tears streamed down her rose-colored cheeks, making her look even more delicate and beautiful, like a pear blossom covered in dew. Letting her tears fall freely, she spoke with sorrow and reproach in her voice:

 

“Oh, my king, there is an old Tibetan saying. Listen carefully to my plea:

If the snowy mountains are abandoned, where will the white lion live?

If the great seas are abandoned, where will the golden-eyed fish go?

If the forests are abandoned, where will the flower deer find shelter?

If the king of Ling Gabu leaves, where will Zumu, your queen, go?”

 

Gesar replied calmly, “Zumu, even if the snowy mountains are far, there will still be small valleys where the white lion can live. Even if the great seas are distant, there will still be ponds where the golden-eyed fish can swim. Even if the forests are gone, there will still be small patches of grass for the flower deer to live. And even if I, Gesar, am far away, Jiacha Brother will be here to care for Ling Gabu, and you, my queen, will have his support.”

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Hearing this, Zumu’s gentle sadness turned into anger. “I have a jeweled coat adorned with tassels, and gold and silver ornaments in my chest. If you stay in Ling Gabu, I will wear them for you. But if you leave, I will burn and smash them, never to use them again!”

 

Gesar, seeing Zumu’s anger, grew frustrated as well. “I have tried to reason with you, but if you won’t listen, then I won’t waste more words. Let go of me and let me leave!”

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But Zumu tightened her grip on the reins and her anger deepened. “A wise king brings joy to his people, but a foolish king deceives himself! Back then, three kings competed to marry me, and out of a hundred suitors, I chose you. You wore ugly, tattered boots, a pointed, worn leather hat, and a patched, torn coat. It was out of pity that I, Zumu, chose you. But now I’ve become a stone on the roadside, kicked around as you please. If you still consider me your queen, stay here with me!”

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Zumu’s harsh words ignited Gesar’s fury. “Oh, Senjang Zumu! I see now that you are beautiful on the outside, like milk and tea, but inside, you’re a cruel and wicked woman! How can I keep such a fiery-tempered queen? If you act this way again, I will abandon you!”

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With that, Gesar refused to listen further. He spurred his horse forward. Zumu, still holding the reins, was dragged about ten meters before she collapsed to the ground, fainting in anger and frustration.

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In her dazed state, Zumu thought she saw Gesar standing before her again. His face was as luminous as the full moon, his cheeks as radiant as red coral, his eyes as bright as the morning star, his teeth like strings of pearls, his body majestic as Mount Meru, his heart pure as white silk, and his voice as melodious as a jade flute. But when Zumu slowly opened her eyes, the vision of Gesar vanished, and all she could hear were voices around her: “Queen, wake up!”

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“Ah, the queen is awake!”

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The other queens, seeing Zumu regain consciousness, hurriedly brought her tea and food. But Zumu, unable to see Gesar, had no appetite. She waved them away, dismissing them. Her two maids, Azhongji and Lizhongji, stepped forward and asked, “Queen, do you have any commands for us?”

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Zumu acted as though she neither saw nor heard them. Instead, she began to sing softly, pouring her sorrow into her song:

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“A barren mountain without snow,

The white lion will not rest easy.

A muddy pond without clear water,

The golden-eyed fish will not find peace.

A grassland without forests,

The tiger will grow restless and uneasy.

 

Without the King of Ling Gabu,

Zumu’s heart is filled with sorrow.”

 

Though Zumu’s song was quiet, Azhongji and Lizhongji heard every word and grew deeply worried for their queen. But they could think of no way to ease her pain. As they stood helpless, Zumu finally spoke. “Azhongji, Lizhongji, quickly saddle my horse. I cannot stay here for even a moment longer. Without my king, I cannot live another day. I must follow him to the north, no matter how far or how difficult the journey may be!”

 

The two maids exchanged hesitant glances but, seeing the queen’s angry expression, dared not refuse. They rushed to prepare her horse.

 

Notes

 

Ninety Thousand Divine Arrows: Also known as the Ninety Thousand Loyal Friend Arrows, they are a type of divine arrows belonging to Gesar.

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