familiar, was being comforted by several archers whilst Boqin glanced up to see two women, presumably a
nurse and a fortune-teller (to give a lucky name to the baby), following a few soldiers as they marched toward
the beacon tower. Boqin heard one of the soldiers whisper to his partner, ‘Poor wretch, first his father, the
general that everyone respected and loved, is dead, now his mother’s followed her husband to hell! Not a
relative lives…’ Boqin felt the tears come out as he listened to this statement and wept aloud, mournfully – yet
none of the people present heard him.
Several men were chosen to take care of the little boy and teach him in everything an average child
was expected to be taught. Boqin stared at several familiar, avuncular soldiers who were playing with a 5 year
old Boqin, when the boy slipped, fell with a thud on his head and lay there. The soldiers were at first, stunned
and stared at each other. Then, they moved forward with alarmed looks on their faces. Boqin passed a hand over
his eyes in silent misery. One of the soldiers sat him upright and the young Boqin opened his eyes. But, alas!
The boy stared around him blankly and wondered at the darkness that enrobed his eyes. The word soon got
around that Boqin was blinded by a fall and a great cloud of sadness drifted and settled over the Great Wall for
over a month. But these men were allowed to take care of the child as the fault wasn’t theirs.
Boqin watched his younger self struggling to learn his way around the part of the Great Wall within
Hebei province and other things, blind. During the day, he would learn songs from the soldiers, chat with them
about almost anything as he trotted beside the soldiers when they patrolled the Great Wall. At night, he listened
in fascination as several soldiers told him stories of the outside world, of emperors, myths, legends and fables at
night, tucked in, an oil lamp brought light and warmth. Snow piled on mountains and kept on falling yet the
stars were bright and uncountable outside, but the 7 year-old Boqin couldn’t enjoy it. It was bitter cold and
everyone wore thick coats, hats and boots made of animal fur.
‘
The Monkey King was tending them Royal Peaches in the Garden, in Heaven, and two little sprites
lied to him, telling him that he had the lowliest job in the whole blooming place, even when he was very highly
respected and feared! Haha! You should’ve heard him bellow! He muttered a few words in a language only the
gods understand, Sanskrit, methinks… and the whole flipping place was turned upside down and oh, how he
laughed!’ shouted the soldier.
‘
Where is Heaven?’ asked Boqin innocently.
‘
Erm… It’s in the very West! Just before you fall off of the world and drown in dark, murky water.’
The soldier hesitated.
‘
No! I’ve heard tell that it’s the right palm of the Buddha! It’s enormous!’ cried another soldier,
butting in.
‘
It’s up in the sky,’ murmured an old soldier, simply.
The older Boqin chuckled softly as he stood by one of the doors as he looked at a very confused face,
wondering which of them to believe.
‘
Have you been there?’ asked the boy.
‘
No! Erm… Only the gods could go up there!’ the soldier hesitated, thinking up what to say next.
‘
What happened after the Monkey King turned Heaven upside down?’ the boy asked, eagerly.
‘
That’s for tomorrow night, me boy! Now, go get some sleep.’ The men shuffled out of the room,
noisily, one of them blowing out the oil lamp by the side of the door.
The young Boqin tossed and turned but he couldn’t sleep. He was still thinking about the Monkey
King. ‘I bet it was he who ordered this Great Wall to be built! Millions of evil spirits and demons must have
done all the hard work while he sat back and the other monkeys lashed them with great big whips.’ he whispered
to himself. He kissed the slab of stone right next to his face, and closed his eyes. All of a sudden, ear-splitting
booms and almighty crashes could be clearly heard. Yells and screeches of fear rose up from Boqin, including
some of the soldiers. Boqin covered his head with his blanket and shut his eyes tight.
The sun and moon chased each other rapidly and then slowed down until a quarter moon was up in
the sky. Boqin looked at his younger self who was lying in bed, his breathing irregular and his face hot and
flushed.
‘
Will I ever get better?’ asked the sick boy, desperately.
‘
Of course, Boqin, Li Shizhen is the best doctor of all China! He can cure anything and he is currently
preparing your medicine, which will be put into your soup,' replied the soldier calmly lied through his teeth.
‘
Can he cure my blindness?’ asked Boqin.
‘
Um… Yes, but he’s a very busy man and probably won’t have time for that…’ answered the soldier
awkwardly.