Chapter Four: Sima

Mount Song was originally a sacred site of Daoism, but during the reign of Empress Wu, who favored Buddhism, it was proclaimed a Divine Mountain, and temples were established on its many peaks. For a time, Buddhism seemed poised to overshadow Daoism entirely. Yet when Empress Wu relinquished her imperial title and was interred as the Great Sage Empress of Heaven, the Buddhist temples suffered no reprisal; incense and offerings from the people remained abundant. What changed was the Daoist abbeys, once sparsely visited, now saw the arrival of even more dignitaries and nobles than before.

Among all these temples, the Songyang Abbey, built at the dawn of the Sui Dynasty, nestled north of Steep Peak with its hundreds of chambers, was by far the most favored. Back when Emperor Gaozong performed the imperial rites at Mount Song, he had stayed at Songyang Abbey, instantly boosting its fame. Successive abbots were granted their roles by imperial decree, and the elite of Chang’an and Luoyang came and went in an endless stream. The abbey was maintained and renovated year after year, growing ever more imposing and splendid.

On this particular day, few worshippers found their way to Songyang Abbey. After a heavy rain, the guest lodges reserved for pilgrims stood mostly empty. Sima Heiyun, accompanied by the guest master, entered through the main gate. Upon reaching the quarters where his master resided, a companion came forth to greet him. After a few brief words, Sima thanked the guest master, shed his rain cape and hat, and followed his companion to the central lodge. There, after being announced, he entered.

Seated cross-legged in the place of honor was an elder in Daoist robes, hair at his temples white as frost, a few wisps of beard flowing from his chin. At first glance, his hair suggested a man of fifty or sixty, but a closer look revealed a face strikingly refined, with ruddy complexion and barely a wrinkle—eyes bright with a penetrating spirit, making him seem no older than forty. Seeing Sima Heiyun approach and bow, the old man smiled and asked, “Did you settle them in safely?”

“Yes, master. They are staying in a cottage at the foot of Steep Peak, just a quarter of an hour’s walk from Songyang Abbey. The roads are treacherous in the rain, so I was delayed somewhat.”

“In such a downpour, those siblings lingered before the abbey—did they quarrel, perhaps?”

Catching the old man’s playful tone, a thin Daoist of about forty seated to the left coughed lightly, then mused, “They claim to be from Duling in Jingzhao, and so young—surely they aren’t recluses here to pursue the Dao. Why would they dwell in a cottage at the base of Steep Peak? Perhaps to study in seclusion?”

“Master, Reverend Sun, they came to Songyang Abbey seeking a physician. The young master Du is said to suffer a grave illness—he lost the power of speech and movement. His sister, with their maid Qingyi, brought him all the way from Jingzhao to Mount Song for treatment. But since Reverend Sun was absent, the abbey refused them. Today, the sister knelt in supplication at the gates, refusing to leave despite the rain. Miraculously, the young master Du recovered; thus, Qingyi led the way here, and I escorted Miss Du back, which is why I borrowed the rain gear earlier.”

At these words, both elders’ expressions changed at once. The old man in the seat of honor, with a half-smile, remarked, “In such a heavy rain, to let a young woman languish outside… Will people not accuse Songyang Abbey of cold indifference? The Du family, while not one of the Five Surnames or Seven Clans, is still a noted house of Guanzhong. If they truly hail from Duling in Jingzhao and bear the Du name, that must be so. What say you, Zifang?”

Though this esteemed elder was known for his levity, even when recently struck by illness on the road, he remained cheerful and fond of jest. Now, with his condition improved, the middle-aged Daoist named Sun Zifang replied quickly, “Master, that is precisely my thought. I will have Heiyun guide me there at once, but first, I must prepare my medicine chest.”

After Sun Zifang took his leave, Sima Heiyun stepped forward and bowed again, respectfully: “Master, as I escorted the siblings back, I overheard in their conversation that young master Du’s recovery was attributed to his late father appearing in a dream. Moved by his sister’s devotion, the Lord of the Underworld permitted the spirit of their father to intercede and extend his son’s life. Young master Du is refined in appearance, his speech elegant; their maid, though only a servant, is neither servile nor insolent, and her manner toward me—though I am but a retainer—was always proper. I do not believe these are fanciful tales.”

“The late father of young master Du must have watched over his son with deep concern. With such ancestral blessing, this young man is surely favored by fortune,” the old master mused, stroking his beard, unperturbed by talk of the supernatural.

Sima Heiyun, impressed by Du Shiyi’s gentle manners, continued, “To think—the sister would journey a thousand miles to seek treatment for her brother; the brother, recovering from illness, braved the rain to fetch his sister home. Such mutual devotion would surely move their ancestors to manifest.”

The elder nodded thoughtfully, twisting his beard, then smiled. “Zifang is most concerned with his reputation. No doubt, having been pressed by my words, he has already gone to see Abbot Song. Since he asked you to guide him, do so with care. Our Daoist tradition may not speak of karma and retribution as Buddhists do, but since we have done a good deed, let us see it through to the end!”

Outside the lodge, Sun Zifang’s face was stormy. He had gone to Tiantai Mountain with all his skill to invite this illustrious master—celebrated as his own teacher once was—to Songyang Abbey. Along the way, their discussions of Dao and literature had been most congenial. Moreover, since Songyang Abbey had once housed his late teacher, he was confident he could persuade the master to stay. Who could have foreseen such an episode at the very gates? What’s more, as the elder observed, the Du siblings claim descent from Duling in Jingzhao; if they are truly from Fan River’s Duqu, such news would bring disgrace to the Abbey! He might have been absent, but others capable of healing were not.

He summoned a waiting attendant and said in a stern voice, “Inform the Abbot—I must see him at once.”

“Understood.”

Soon after, Sun Zifang arrived at the Flying Star Pavilion, residence of the Abbot. He nodded curtly to the two Daoist acolytes who greeted him and stepped inside, bowing to the elderly abbot before seating himself on a mat to the left.

“Brother, what you entrusted to me was close to being accomplished today. But because of a pair of siblings encountered in the rain before the Abbey, Master Sima was moved to pity and sent his men to escort them home, thus uncovering a most bizarre tale. They came seeking medical help; the Abbey’s people declined with words, but today, the sister was left kneeling in the rain, ignored. Had her brother not miraculously recovered and braved the rain to fetch her, this might well have ended in tragedy. Brother, Songyang Abbey’s reputation has been hard won—how can we let it be tarnished so? Worse, Master Sima witnessed it all! The Du family of Duling is a noble house. Even if I was absent, there are others here skilled in medicine!”

The elderly abbot was Song Fuzhen, the imperially appointed head of Songyang Abbey. Hearing Sun Zifang’s account, he furrowed his brows and immediately sent for Daofang, the disciple charged with the Abbey’s affairs. Soon, a middle-aged Daoist hurried in and saluted. The abbot questioned him sternly, “What happened with the young woman who knelt in the rain outside the Abbey today?”

At this, Daofang glanced nervously at Sun Zifang, then stammered, “Master, the young lady was not here to worship, but to seek medical aid. With Mr. Sun absent, although several other elders and brothers are skilled, the lady described her brother’s illness as so severe that even palace physicians would be powerless. Unable to speak or move—a living death, she said. If we had accepted the case and failed, the Abbey’s name would have suffered greatly. So… I had someone inform her that Mr. Sun was absent, but she was so persistent that she knelt outside in the rain. Seeing there were no pilgrims outside at the time, I rashly had the doors closed…”

Before he could finish, both Song Fuzhen and Sun Zifang were stunned by the account of Du Shiyi’s illness. Sun Zifang then reprimanded him sharply, “Absurd! The reputation of Songyang Abbey as the foremost temple on Mount Song was not easily earned. Should outsiders spread word of this, not only would the upstart Chongtang Abbey seize the chance, but even Taiji Abbey and others with longer histories would not stand idly by! The Du family of Duling is a noble house—if the Abbey had done its utmost, would they seek to blame us in the event of misfortune?”

Seeing his master glare at him in anger, Daofang broke out in a cold sweat, unable to defend himself. After a long silence, Song Fuzhen’s voice came cold and distant from above: “I entrusted you with the Abbey’s affairs so I could devote myself to cultivation. Now, it seems you are unfit for the task. Go—henceforth, let your brother Wei handle the Abbey’s business. You shall sweep the grounds for three years to purify your heart, before you return to proper practice!”

In that instant, Daofang’s authority was stripped, and he was assigned to menial chores. Crestfallen, he withdrew, and only then did Song Fuzhen turn to Sun Zifang with a nod. “Had you not returned just now, I might have been kept in the dark about this. Please, visit the siblings and see to their needs. A journey in such rain can easily lead to illness. Since there’s a patient, prepare medicine and tonic. Our Abbey’s Chongshan Retreat on Steep Peak is quiet—let them recover there. It will show our sincerity in making amends, and being Abbey property, they’ll be undisturbed by outsiders.”

“I have just promised Master Sima to tend to the matter myself. Your suggestion is well taken,” Sun Zifang replied, understanding the layered meaning of “outsiders.” He rose and said, “Master Sima’s attendant should be ready by now. I’ll go at once. You, brother, should visit Master Sima as well. If you explain everything, he will surely let the matter rest. But news of his departure from Tiantai for Mount Song can’t be kept secret for long. The emperor is a devoted Daoist; there are rumors the court may establish a new Daoist college alongside the Office for the Veneration of the Profound. In matters of doctrine, if Master Sima claims second, no one would dare claim first! Besides, with the Retired Emperor gravely ill, His Majesty has often asked after Master Sima, whom Empress Wu and the Retired Emperor once summoned. Once word reaches the court, the emperor’s delight will be boundless. Otherwise, if Chongtang Abbey hears first, there’s no telling what may ensue.”