Читать книгу The Great Empire - Joaquim Augusto Barbosa de Melo - Страница 12

The Decision of the Gods 19th century

Green fields of rice growing in the wind and bathed in the sun! It was with this landscape that Li found her home village again when she left the palace. Li’s youth had been spent in this paradisiacal setting. Relaxed and happy days! Fields full of farmers working under a burning sun, hidden in their straw hats, happy with themselves and with life, perhaps because from an early age they got used to appreciate what they had. Her sudden return did not arouse any great curiosity among family members, much less among the people of the village. No one had the courage to question her for having left the palace, not even her mother, who was used to reading her soul in the expressions of her face. With Li’s arrival, the idea of building a school in the village began to form in her mind. The aim was to put, alongside the basic and cultural teachings, contents of professional training. The school would have a private management, but would include free teaching for the children of the most deprived farmers. Li looked at the region where she was born, rich in rice production, with eyes of growth and prosperity. Often, she was assaulted by memories of her father, her uncle and the place where she lived her youth. Her father belonged to the small nobility and throughout her life developed a social concern for the poor and homeless, seeking to do good. He was an active person in society, respectful of conventions, but not influenced by it, following his own thoughts. He had a positive attitude towards life, trying to transmit to his children a rigorous, intellectual education of great emotional balance. One of his lessons that would haunt Li for the rest of her life was: “the ultimate goal of every human being is to be happy” he said over and over again. Intervening, he considered that nations and their rulers had to do everything to achieve, in a peaceful way, a permanent state of development and well-being among peoples. He advocated that the path to reach this state of maximum development of nations should be based on a planetary government representative of all regions. Li also recalled that, thanks to her father’s action and influence, many of the current cultivation methods and fertilizers used in rice cultivation were included by him in agricultural practice, as well as new organized irrigation techniques, acquiring a determining importance for increasing productivity.

Rice is not a very demanding cereal because it tolerates a wide variety of soils well, but in order to obtain high yields in small areas it is necessary that the cultivation is well oriented. In the growing season the water must have a certain minimum depth to ensure uniform growth. To conserve water, therefore, small walls are built around the fields which, through irrigation channels, make it possible to manage the crop. When the harvest approaches, the fields are drained and the harvest begins.

As in the past, Li went on to visit the weekly market. Among a wide variety of products, merchants sought to attract the attention of potential customers. In those spaces they sold a bit of everything: from ceramic pieces to fabrics; passing by agricultural products; natural medicines; cattle and so many other things. Tournaments and shows were held periodically, which, with their diversity, lent a bit of joy and enthusiasm to the faces of the people. Once in a while there were interesting people there, almost always with an enigmatic message to leave, sometimes pleasant, sometimes not so pleasant. They traveled through esoteric worlds, full of magic, speaking of “future truths” almost always improbable and nebulous. But if the message was promising, the clients retained in their memory the hope of a time full of mystery and charm. As she witnessed those scenes, Li recalled a time in her youth when, accompanied by her uncle, one of those “fairies” insisted and pursued her for a long distance, telling Li that she had an important message to give to her. Her uncle, at that time, drove away the said “fairy” several times, but that one, with the insistence of those who have a high mission to fulfill, did not let go of her. Already tired of being bothered so much, she looked the said “fairy” in the eye and told her:

- What is so important you have to tell me?!

Her uncle still tried once again to intervene, but that gesture proved late, as the “fairy” had already taken her hand and started to read the message: “the girl is of good lineage and has a beautiful future ahead of her! You are well educated and have good principles but almost always you will not be understood in your intentions. You will travel and meet other places - attracted by dream, beauty and charm. You will live among silk, jewels and gold, but you will not be happy in this place. The sunshine will not let you see the stars, even though they so insistently look at you. This place, from the distance, will seem to you a paradise, full of gardens and charms, but as you approach, you will notice that it exhales strong odors of putrefactive matter. Everywhere you will find flowers laden with poison, living side by side with verdant trees where menacing snakes walk. The air in this garden is almost unbreathable. At first you will feel attracted by the beauty of this place and makes an effort to adapt, but you will not be able to live with all that! One day, dragged by a strong storm, you will return to the place where you were born. There you will find again the peace and the star that for a long time was looking at you. Then, as if by enchantment, your life will change, becoming intense, exuberant, distributing knowledge and joy everywhere. Then you will feel invaded by a wave of happiness and with it everything around you will grow, like an immense virgin forest full of sunshine and charm!” Li remembered saying to her: “That’s all?” surprised by the message. At the time the good “fairy” smiled, accepting the little silver coin that her uncle gave her. She also remembered that on the way home she had not stopped thinking about everything she had just heard, but as at that time she understood almost nothing of what the good “fairy” had told her, she shrugged her shoulders and fell silent. Now, years later, recalling those scenes (but without her uncle’s presence), she wondered: “how is it possible that now, after all these years, the words of the “fairy” make perfect sense?

A few days later...

She went to her uncle’s house to gather opinions about the school project. She found him rather crestfallen. His brother’s death had brought him much bitterness. He had not yet accepted the new situation, perhaps because they were twins. All his life they remained very close to each other, maybe that’s why the abrupt estrangement sent him into a deep emptiness. Li never understood how a few months’ uterine closeness between two beings could have such an intense and prolonged effect on their lives! Still as a child, she had a few embarrassing moments when she called her uncle her father and her father her uncle. Almost always these situations occurred when he had to refer to a third person having previously been with one or the other.

In her meeting with her uncle she preferred to omit the reason for the visit at first, but was surprised by his words.

- You come to tell me about your concerns?

- What do you mean?!

- Don’t try to avoid what your eyes reveal.

- I didn’t even know my eyes spoke!

- Of course they do! And I see it for as long as I know you.

- Well, then, here it is! I don’t know if you know this, but I’d like to open a school. Your opinion is very important to me.

- Your mother had already told me about it. As you know, a decision of that nature represents a great personal responsibility. It involves financial resources, human resources, and also a lot of organization. I’m sure if your father were alive he wouldn’t stop helping you. You’ll have my full support!

- I look forward to your help in choosing the location, facilities, masters and everything else! – Li said, with a smile.

- One thing at a time! I’m going to have to involve other people to solve several of these issues. As for the location, I already gave it some thought. There are at least two alternatives, but I have to talk to your mother first. However, there are things you can already start thinking about, for example, the program content of the future school.

- I was hoping Uncle would tell me about it. I have a number of ideas here, which I’ll leave you to analyze and give me your opinion.

- Very good. In a few days we’ll talk about this again.

When, moments later, she said goodbye to her uncle, she appreciated that he looked less gloomy than before, what she took as a good sign. Perhaps school business could help to invigorate his own life and perhaps also be a new hope. That afternoon Li saw her ideas revived, so after dinner she went to the garden to take a short walk, something she had not done for a long time. The garden formed a large annex to her parents’ house and as a whole was bordered by the fields of the vast property. While walking, she went over places and talks from other times. After some time and already very close to her house she remembered in particular the long conversations her father had with her uncle, usually at the end of the afternoon, catching up on business matters. Next to the house there was still the reclining chair, as in other times. She approached and sat down. Li sat there for a long time, looking at the immensity of the sky, until the night came. That time allowed her not only to regain serenity and calm, but above all to find herself again, listening to the voice of her heart. When she finally went to bed, she was feeling a great inner peace. The next day Li woke up revigorated, lighter and with an enviable disposition. She had to repeat that experience more often, “to restore the joy of living,” she thought.

The school project was now a priority in Li’s life. It was necessary to decide on the location. So that morning she chose to take a walk around her father’s estate in an attempt to find a suitable place. The future facilities should allow, as far as possible, easy access and be as close as possible to the surrounding villages. It was also desirable to have a minimal cost solution, perhaps with the remodeling of one of the existing buildings. As Li’s uncle reminded her, the total costs are always significant. She would also have to think about the basic equipment needed for classrooms, offices and so many others. At that moment, the important thing was to find the appropriate building, everything else would come in due time. Li walked around all morning without finding a solution that to her seemed appropriate. The existing buildings did not fit in with the global goals she had set. After the midday meal she stayed home scribbling out possible solutions for the construction of facilities. Near the afternoon, Li left. She had an absolute need to talk to the people, to know their needs. So she decided to make a walking tour around the village. She collected opinions about the school (generally favorable), but the people were permanently concerned - the costs of attending it. The weak financial resources of most people in the village were the main reason for so much concern. The financial issue had already been widely considered in her reflections, but still with no solution in sight. Li was convinced, however, that a solution would be found in due time - she expected a positive contribution from her uncle on this matter, too. The following days went by peacefully, but also with great anxiety. Her uncle’s response was delayed and with it doubts about the motives grew. Since she was a little girl she had a strong affective and trusting connection with him, so she had no choice but to wait.

One fine morning Li received the news that her uncle was coming to visit her in two days. He would stay to have lunch and talk about school. That news left her in a state of even greater anxiety, only balanced by the serenity of her mother who welcomed the good news with great satisfaction. Since her father’s death, her mother would spend the days gathered over herself, so the uncle’s visit would also represent a different day for her. At noon, as he had promised, the uncle entered her mother’s house with his wife and son. The first moments, after the welcome, were built with great silence. The painful departure of her father was still very much present in everyone’s memory. Little by little, however, the conversation took hold, pulled by recent events and the school. The arrival of her cousin, a lively and well-educated boy, recently returned from distant lands, made him a new and pleasant subject of conversation.

In the past, her cousin, still very young, had left in a wagon of rich silk merchants. When he left home, driven by adventure and trade with distant peoples, he did not expect such a distant return in time. He left with parental permission, despite the many reservations of his mother and aunt. The merchants, who traded regularly with his father and uncle, were well-known people who could be trusted. For that time the son’s departure represented a serious risk, but it ended up representing a great opportunity, not only in the strengthening of commercial relations, but above all, opening horizons of knowledge for the boy. After all these years, the balance is frankly positive, not only because of the business, that has experienced an unusual growth, but because it has allowed him to have a solid professional training. The early days required a great effort of adaptation and dedication on both sides, but over the years, the results came and were strongly encouraging. At present the boy holds a significant share of the company’s capital that he shares with the merchants. A real commercial empire! The genius for business was in his blood and the merchants soon realized it. From a very young age he began to participate in the business meetings that his father and uncle had with the merchants, revealing a great insight. The result is in plain sight today. During lunch Li revealed herself to be a satisfied woman and had good reason for it. With the arrival of her son, her uncle now had a frankly more positive attitude. The dark and sorrowful air had disappeared from his face. There were other reasons for those changes, as Li would later confirm. Hence her intervention.

- So, Uncle, have you had a chance to think about it?

- Yes, the school is one of the reasons we’re here today. Let’s talk about that later. Right now I want to give your mother some support. To tell her that, after all, life goes on. Kids can be a good reason to keep fighting. I confess that my boy’s recent arrival has brought great joy to our home. I thank heaven he has arrived well and in good health. Today, a man made, full of vigor. Isn’t that a satisfaction?!

Li’s mother sketched a little smile, for everyone’s pleasure. Since her husband’s death, the lady’s face was wasting away every day. She rarely spoke and when she articulated a word she did so with a bitter expression - of a totally shattered soul. It was already difficult to convince her that she had to eat. It was with great joy, then, that Li observed that her mother showed the first signs of hope for life! Confirmation of this fact was in itself a strong reason for satisfaction, but lunch would reveal greater surprises.

- My boy’s got a lot of projects on his hands. I therefore ask your attention to what he has to tell us! After that I will then talk about the school.

The eyes fixed on the young man, curiously, waiting for his words.

- The question is very simple. We have several trading posts spread throughout the Mediterranean, some of them with great strategic importance, such as those in Tunis, Florence and Alexandria. As we intend to open others in Asian cities, with emphasis on the commercial warehouse that we plan to install here, we need skilled people to manage all this business. Now, the school can make a good contribution in this sense. My father has some ideas on this subject, so I ask for your attention to what he has to tell us.

- In my opinion, the State has had a very restrictive stance on Education, confined to Public Administrationfunctions without taking care of other needs of the country, in particular those emerging from trade. On the other hand, it is necessary to train people who want to learn a profession without social class restrictions. From this perspective, my child is available to contribute financially to the school, especially in the training of the children of the most deprived farmers. For my part, I am open to making available the houses located near the village for the installation of the school, and also to contribute to the costs of rehabilitation.

- The ones at the village entrance? - Li asked, curious.

- Those same ones! Does that sound good?!

- An excellent location! - Li replied, with a broad smile.

- Well, it is then agreed that next week we will stop by to make a survey of the changes to be made.

Those words enlivened the lunch, which also helped for Li’s mother to have an increasingly positive attitude towards life. That fact in itself was already a great cause for satisfaction, but the revelations of her cousin gave her even more confidence in the promising future.

Six months later...

Li now proved to be a woman grateful for life and for very good reasons: the school had scheduled to start the next month; the hiring of the schoolmasters had been completed; the cousin’s commercial warehouse was running and, as if all this were not enough, financial aid to the school was guaranteed. Among the schoolmasters hired was Zeng, an acquaintance of Li since palace times, where he held public office in the State Administration at the time of the Emperor, a position which, together with his father, he abandoned following the Emperor’s death.

Zeng’s arrival in the village provided Li with news from the palace. Empress Xi was now the woman of whom much was spoken, not only because she had assumed the regency of the empire in place of the heir who was still too young to reign, but above all because of her wrong attitudes in the conduct of affairs of state. As a result, a deep uneasiness among many state cadres was installed in the palace. The old sages did not forgive the Empress for having put Zhu as their advisor - now the affairs, before being dispatched by the Empress, had to go through Zhu’s screening. This situation was unacceptable to most state leaders, who thought that in this way one day the government of the empire would inevitably fall into ruin. Among all the news brought by Zeng, one made Li curious. The Emperor made a will to donate goods, not only to relatives and nobles, but also to her. The strange thing is that after all those months, after the Emperor’s death, the palace did not inform Li that she was also heiress! For Li that situation could not go unanswered, not so much for the value of the donation, but, above all, for the appreciation Li had for the memory of the Emperor. When she learned of this situation, she informed his mother and uncle. When some time later a meeting was agreed at school between Zeng and her relatives, Li was the first to intervene.

- At that time my departure from the palace was untimely and the result of a disagreement with the present Empress. I will not recall any unpleasant details of that time, but I wish to point out that I intend to claim what belongs to me. As you can understand, I would like to not return to the presence of that “rattlesnake”, so I thank you to help me find a solution.

Li’s eyes invariably fell on Zeng, who was not indifferent.

- When I informed Li of the Emperor’s donation, I was convinced that the palace had given notice to all concerned. As you can confirm from the copy I gave to my father, Li’s name is on the list. The Emperor was a very strict and far-sighted person. He took care to indicate in the same document of appointment of the Crown Prince all donations, the respective people and goods donated, as well as to have copies made in the same number as those involved. With this he guaranteed not only the authenticity of the document, but also that all interested individuals would be aware of it.

-In your opinion, what can we do? – Li said, apprehensive.

- By Law it is always possible to claim, at any time, the donation made by the Emperor.

- Yes, but I don’t want to go there!

- It can always be done by a person to whom you have conferred full powers of representation.

- How do you do that?!

- After conferring full powers of representation on your mother, uncle, or anyone else, with the respective certificate and accompanied by the Emperor’s document, that person may withdraw the donation.

- I don’t want to expose my mother to a trip like this; I’d prefer that the person to go was you, uncle, if you’re available.

- You have my support! We’ll handle the necessary documentation with Zeng’s help, if that’s okay.

- I am available, not only for the power of attorney, but also to go to the palace, if you wish, of course!

Her uncle’s and Zeng’s willingness to represent Li in the claim for the donation was a great emotional relief for her - a new meeting with the Empress was out of the question. The words of anger and hatred spoken that morning by Xi were still fresh in her mind - although she still couldn’t find a single reason for it, she would never forget that scene!

Days later...

In the palace, Zeng and Li’s uncle awaited the audience requested from the Empress. The request once again had to be conveyed through Zhu, to whom the Empress delegated much of the matter. When he explained to her the reasons for that request for a hearing, she was left in a very bad mood. She too remembered with intensity the moments experienced on the morning of her marriage. In spite of the long time elapsed, the Empress retained in her memory, still very present, the image of her veil reduced to strips and the anger that she had felt for such ignoble act, for which her reaction was not made to wait.

- I don’t want to receive those people, let alone resolve matters of this “Li”!

- For any particular reason? - Zhu asked, surprised.

- Yes, but that’s none of your business!

- They claim a donation from the Emperor to which they are entitled! - Zhu reminded, still not understanding the Empress’ attitude.

For a moment the Empress wanted to detach herself from the memory of anger and intense bitterness that she still had.

- I didn’t want to tell you this like this, but the memory I keep of the morning of my wedding still brings me a lot of trouble! That wretched girl turned my veil into a bunch of rags! I’ll never forgive her...!

- What do you mean, you will never forgive her? Who told you Li cut your veil into pieces?! - Added Zhu, even more surprised.

- Wasn’t she?! - Said the Empress, outraged.

- Your words reveal that you don’t know what really happened that night. I always thought you knew! You’re always so well informed that I assumed you knew the whole truth about it!

- You want to be more specific?!

- I think you’re aware that you’re envied by a lot of people!

Zhu took a brief break before continuing.

- I never told you about this, because I understood that it was too hard for you what they did at that time, but it’s always the right time to restore the truth!

- What do you mean by that?!

- Simply, everything! - I said Zhu, serenely.

- You’re making me anxious with your half words!

- If you let me continue, I’ll explain! At that time your meteoric rise facilitated the envy and hatred that you built around you to lead your rivals to unite in a true conspiracy. They wanted you to feel a strong humiliation in front of everyone. They knew that you would lose control when you saw the veil destroyed, thus appearing before the Emperor in the worst possible condition!

Zhu paused before continuing.

- Contrary to what you imagine, it was not one, but hundreds of women who cut your veil into a thousand pieces.

- You’re making me more and more angry with that long talk of yours!

- Wait, and you will know everything that really happened. The concubines decided among themselves that, in the dead of night, in small groups, they would go up to your veil and each one would apply a blow of scissors in memory of the anger they had for you. For what I know this ritual lasted all night!

- Do you know who those “bitches” were?! I have to cut them into a thousand...

Zhu, before Xi advanced with her hatred, said:

- Don’t ask me for names or details! I couldn’t learn more than what I just said. One thing I’m sure of - Li wasn’t there, as she had been excluded by all. As far as I could tell, it all happened in the greatest of secrets and under bloody commitments.

- How did you know all that?!

- Pure chance! One of the times I met you during the night, I was surprised by steps in one of the corridors. I had to hide. It was then that I heard a conversation between two women talking about a subject that I only later associated with what happened to you. Even though I did everything, I couldn’t find out more about it than what I just mentioned.

The Empress, after listening to this explanation, referred to a compromising silence. That news came too late. Even today she still had a hatred of death for Li, but she recognized that she had hastened to the conclusion that it was Li who had destroyed her veil. But that no longer mattered! The important thing was to identify who these traitors were, “they would have to pay for everything they did! Those revelations made the Empress even more distressed. She would have preferred to remain in ignorance, so at least she had someone to cast all the anger she felt on. After those brief moments of reflection, she made quick decisions on the matter.

- As soon as you can, you’ll get me a list of the names of all the women who were in the palace that night. As for the hearing requested by the relatives of that one, you’ll handle it yourself. Hand over the donations they’re entitled to. You can leave, I want to be alone!

Zhu had never heard of their meeting on the morning of the wedding, so he did not understand the hatred that the Empress still felt for her rival.

The return to the village of Uncle and Zeng, bearers of the donated goods, allowed Li to have a renewed hope for the school project. The donation came at the right time. Thus, the funds given by the uncle and cousin together represented an excellent guarantee for the future of the school. Li’s self-esteem was thus at a high level, as she had long since forgotten! That day, after dinner, she took another walk through the garden of her house. It was a beautiful moonlit night! For the first time in many years, she realized that the shapes and shades of the plants and objects she walked by seemed different to her! Maybe because of her eyes, maybe because of the tranquility of her heart, or maybe because of the radiant clarity of that night! Ever since she was a little girl, she had got used to being a good observer - she was enchanted by the beauty of things and especially by the magic of the difference caused by the effect of light! A simple flower seen in the moonlight seemed different to her - it did not have the same brightness and beauty when, in broad daylight, the star king shone down on her, yet it was the same flower! This made her reflect on the form and essence of things - even though they were the same, to our senses everything is configured differently. As she wandered through those thoughts, Li came to a conclusion: things and beings, including people, are very dependent on each other, even in the image they give of themselves. These thoughts reminded her of her first encounter with Zeng, when he appeared among the schoolmaster candidates. From the very beginning she felt an intense light in his eyes (from then on Zeng had focused his attention on Li and this one had in her image the reflection of his fascination) - without realizing it, they had let themselves be caught in the meshes of passion...!

On the way back from the walk in the garden, Li noticed the reclining chair, which her mother had left forgotten by the old tree hours before. Li sat down (the night mirrored a particularly pleasant moonlight) and, enveloped by the serenity of the moment, she let herself fall asleep. Soon after, she failed to answer her mother’s call, nor did she feel her approaching, who, without interrupting her sleep, gathered back to the house, with a smile on her lips. Some time later Li awoke - hours had passed for her! She had had a dream, pleasant and intense, so when she woke up, she went to meet her mother to tell her. As she entered the house, she noticed that she had already retired to her room. However, not wanting to leave it until the next day to tell her about that dream, Li knocked.

- Mom, is it still possible to talk to you?!

-Of course, my dear. Oh, come in! What’s that face?! What can I do for you?

- That’s exactly why I want to talk to you!

- I confess, I don’t understand! Can you be more precise?

- You’ll understand! When I sat in the rest chair you left outside, I fell asleep. Then I had a strangedream that I want to share with you. What I have to tell you won’t take more than a few minutes, can I?

- I’m always available; do tell me what you have to say!

- So here it is... “The first images appeared at a time that seemed to be the present. We lived in a kingdom of vast territory on whose throne a small king sat. Because of his tender age, the decisions of governance were made in his place by a cunning, cruel and manipulative queen. In that kingdom the court was surrounded by the greatest luxury, while outside the palace the people lived with great difficulties, burdened with taxes. Despite the constant complaints of the population, the queen remained on the throne and with her back turned to the people, caring little for their suffering. When the successor came of age, already with full rights over the throne, the queen cunningly induced him to take part in a royal hunt from where he returned dead. In addition to the protests that were heard throughout the kingdom, the queen usurped the throne for her own benefit. And despite the constant outbreaks of revolt of the people and aggressions of neighboring kingdoms, her reign was long. When the queen finally felt that her end was near, she put her nephew in her place. With her death, the successor, still of a young age, was transformed by the military into a powerless figure. I remember that after this I had another dream, but from the images I realized that I had gone back to the time when the queen was still ruling, yet showing a different reality. It was a bright sunny day, I was walking along the path that led to the village and in the distance I saw a young man coming towards me, riding a horse of a shining white. As he approached, he smiled at me and said that the girl I was holding by the hand was also his daughter. At that moment I became aware that I was not walking alone and that I was holding a child. The young man stretched out his hands and raised the child, putting her in front of him on the horse back, and then he did the same to me. We left towards the village. When we arrived there many people from the village came to meet us and threw flowers at our passage and waved to us happily! Through the following images and as time went by we began to rise in the air towards the sky. As I looked back, I realized that a trail of light had formed with many stars following us! Then those stars began to fall on the earth, becoming people, multiplying and spreading across all continents! They lived in peace, with joy, without hatred or war. At the same time as all this was happening, I was invaded by a feeling of immense happiness... Then I woke up!”- What does this strange dream mean, Mother?!

- I don’t know! I only know that the gods have many ways of showing us their purposes!4

4. From the romance between Li and Zeng was born a daughter, Lili, who, years later, continued, not only the school created by her mother, but also the Import and Export business that expanded throughout Europe.