The Mind-boggling Sound of the Lute, and the Weeping of Mistress Woo

-Listen to the World-

“Trenched in Ten Directions” and the Ancient Capital of Chu

Chinese culture seems eternal and diverse. However, culture doesn’t look alive unless history is breathed into it. The same is true of “Trenched in Ten Directions,” a lute song of ancient China.

“Trenched in Ten Directions” referred to a life-or-death combat situation when surrounded by an enemy. After a series of defeats in 202 BC, Hsiang Yü of Chu and his armies, while being surrounded by Liu Pang’s army of Han in Chiyuan of Anhui province, faced a final battle. When Han soldiers began to sing Chu songs, Hsiang and his soldiers began to feel demoralized. “Have the Han has already occupied Chu? Why are there so many Chu people in the Han army?” Chu’s Anhui battle is the source of an old saying that states, “Chu Songs Coming From Four Directions.”

Capitulating to Liu’s psychological warfare, Hsiang’s army became completely demoralized and faced brutal defeat from 10 directions. The theme of the lute song was this battle. However, this particular turn of history depicts the overall history of China. A song can be a microcosm of the historical implications and lessons of China.

As far as the unfolding and truth of humanity’s history that we learn through history, the battle between Ssuma Hsin and Shama Wie is more meaningful than the Anhui battle. This probably is because I am more familiar with China’s three ancient kingdoms than Kokuryo.

In this respect, one should listen to “Trenched in Ten Directions” while traveling the ancient capital of Chu. The road to the ancient city is a journey transcending time and space while at the same time, it is a mirror of our present.

Before traveling to Chu, let us look at the rise and fall of the Three Kingdoms. Ts`ao Ts`ao of Wei quickly seized power with quick judgment and boldness and set up a legitmate kingdom. Ch`uan, a warlord, won the hearts of the people and established the kingdom of Wu south of the Yangtse. And between them is Liu Pei, who founded Shui in what he said was an attempt to salvage the people.

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The lesson Chinese history teaches us is that choice of the people is the mandate of heaven. And history goes on in that direction.

The Chinese way of thinking is cyclical. A logic of historical development that goes beyond cyclical theory is what we need today, and one should look at the rapid development of China while walking on the road to the ancient Chu. I hope people with clear vision will learn the teachings of the history of other countries and will show a mutually benefiting attitude toward life in May when all flowers bloom. By then I will be able to tell you a story about “Apricot Flowers and Three Bows,” which is a flute song.