• An Old Man's Tale


    Zhang Bao approached his brother with haste. Zhang Jiao, a ‘magician’ of sorts was supposed to give the reading of the future to his two brothers, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang was already waiting for the last brother to arrive. “I apologize brothers; I was caught up in work.” He told his older brother. He got a grunt from Zhang Liang in return. “Silence, my dear brothers, and let the fortunes rain upon us from the heavens above!” Zhang Jiao said, and raised his staff to the dark clouds above. “O gods in Heaven! Hear my prayer and bring calm to this troubled land! Show me my past! Show me my present! Show me the future!” he chanted. Thunder sounded in the distance. Nothing happened. This ‘nothingness’ lasted for several minutes. “Brother” Zhang Liang started, “is this going to work, if not I suggest-“, he was cut short by a loud shot of thunder. “The heavens have given me the vision! It is but a grim one, yet we shall make the best of it! Brothers! We must strike down those would turn their backs on the Heaven!” Both his brothers nodded, pretending to understand what he said. “Zhang Jiao, brother, comrade, tell us the vision of which you saw” Zhang Liang told him, and Zhang Jiao nodded. “Listen closely brothers, for it is dark and grim. Only the strong in heaven can hold this down” and so, the old man told his tale.