Red Thread, A Tang Dynasty Tale

Red Thread

I.

紅線,潞州節度使薛嵩青衣,善彈阮,又通經史,嵩遣掌箋表,號曰內記室.

Red Thread[1] was the maidservant of Xue Song,[2] the military governor of Luzhou.[3] She played the ‘moon-shaped’ lute very well, and was well versed in history and the Classics. Xue Song dictated documents to her, and she was given the title of Inner Notation Secretary.

時軍中大宴,紅線謂嵩曰: "羯鼓之音調頗悲,其擊者必有 事也."

During a large military banquet, Red Thread commented to Xue Song: “The tone of the deer-skin drum is quite sorrowful; whoever is drumming it surely must have some troubling matter.”

嵩亦明曉音律,曰:"如汝所言."乃召而問之,云:"某妻昨夜亡, 不敢乞假."嵩遽遣放歸.

Xue Song understood about the music and said: “It is just as you’ve said.” Only then did he call over and ask him what was the matter, and the drummer said: “My wife passed away last night, but I dare not beg for a leave of absence.” Xue Song immediately gave him a leave of absence and sent him home.

II.

時至德之后,兩河未寧,初置昭義軍,以釜陽為鎮,命嵩固守,控壓山東.

After the reign of Zhi De,[4] when the states on the two sides of the Yellow River were not yet stable, the area was initially under control of the Army of Illustrious Rightness,[5] and its garrison was quartered in Fuyang. Xue Song was ordered to defend and suppress (rebellion) in Shandong.[6]

殺傷之餘, 軍府草創.

Assassins and mercenaries were in abundance, and the army grew like grass.[7]

朝廷復遣嵩女嫁魏博節度使田承嗣男, 嵩男娶滑州節度使令狐彰女,三鎮互為姻婭,人使日浹往來.

The Emperor moreover, sent Xue Song’s daughter to be married to the son of the governor of Weibo,[8] Tian Chengsi.[9] Xue Song’s son also took the daughter of the governor of Hua,[10] Ling Huzhang,[11] to wed; and the three garrisons were mutually bound by marriage, and their people’s messengers had numerous and frequent interactions with one another.

而田承 嗣常患熱毒風,遇夏增劇.每曰:"我若移鎮山東,納其涼冷,可緩數年之命."

It was the case however, that Tian Chengsi’s health was often troubled by the hot climate (in Weibo), and when the summer approached it got even worse. He always said: “If I could only move my garrison to Shandong, and take in its cool breezes, then it might extend my life a few years.”

乃募軍中武勇十倍者得三千人,號外宅男,而厚卹之.

Thereupon, he recruited among his troops three thousand men, who were ten times more martial and brave. They were called the Exterior Guard,[12] and they closely assisted in training the troops.

常令三百人夜直州宅,卜選良日,將遷潞州.

He regularly ordered three hundred men to take up night watch in residences around the state, so as to carefully choose a good day to move on (annex; swallow up) Luzhou.

嵩聞之,日夜懮悶,咄咄自語,計無所出.

Xue Song heard this news, and day and night he was deeply depressed; he sighed and spoke to himself, trying to strategizing any possible way out.

時夜漏將傳,轅門已閉, 杖策庭除,唯紅線從行.

Right about the time the first night watch sounded, and the outer gates were already shut, he was holding a cane and pacing the house. Only Red Thread followed him.

紅線曰:"主自一月,不遑寢食,意有所屬,豈無鄰境乎?"

Red Thread said: “Master, for the last month you haven’t restfully slept or eaten. You are attentive to something in particular; what else could it be but the neighboring territories?”

嵩曰:"事繫安危,非汝能料."紅線曰:"某雖賤品,亦有解主懮者."

Xue Song said: “The matter is tied up with our peace and safety; it is not something you are able to solve.”[13] Red Thread said: “Although I am a worthless thing,[14] I am able to resolve your concerns.”[15]

嵩乃具告其事,曰:"我承祖父遺業,受國家重恩. 一旦失其疆土,即數百年鄖業盡矣."

Xue Song only then gave her an account of the whole affair, saying: “I have inherited my grandfather’s life’s work, and received the respect and grace of the country. The moment I lose this territory, I will also lose several hundred years of meritorious service and great achievement.

紅線曰:"易爾.不足勞主懮.乞放某一到魏郡,看其形勢,覘其有無.

Red Thread said: “This is easily taken care of. It is not enough that I work on my master’s depression. I beg to be placed to go to the Wei Commanderies, and look at the circumstances, and spy what they have and don’t have.

今一更首途,三更可以复命.請先定一走 馬兼具寒暄書,其他即俟某卻迴也."

By tonight’s first watch I will start out, and the by the third watch I can return and report. I ask only that a horse be prepared and a secret letter of correspondence be written. All else, can then wait until I return.

嵩大驚曰:"不知汝是異人,我之暗也,然事若之不濟,反速其禍,奈何?"

Xue Song exclaimed: “As for my not knowing and yet you to be an extraordinary person, it was my ignorance. As for this matter, if it is the case that these things cannot be resolved, and on the contrary speeds our downfall, what we will we do then?

紅線曰:"某之行,無不濟者."

Red Thread said: “Of all my endeavors, there are none that have not been resolved.”

乃入閨房,飾其行具.梳烏蠻髻,攢金鳳釵,衣紫繡短袍,繫青絲輕屨.

Thereupon she entered the women’s quarters, and prepared her traveling requisites. She fixed her hair in the Wuman[16] style and held it tight with a Golden Phoenix hairpin. She put on a purple silk-embroidered short robe, and laced up her black-blue silk-slippers.

胸前佩龍文匕首,額上書太乙神名.再拜而倏忽不見.

On her breast she carried a Dragon-patterned dagger. And on her forehead, she wrote the name of the Daoist god, Tai Yi, the God of Ultimate Reality.[17] She once again bade farewell to her master, and very suddenly disappeared.

III.

嵩乃返身閉戶,背燭危坐.常時飲酒,不過數合,是夕舉殤十余不醉.

Xue Song thereupon turned around and shut the door. With his back to the candlelight, he sat upright. Usually when Xue Song drank wine, he couldn’t drink more than a few small cups.[18] But that night he lifted his goblet a dozen times or more and was still not drunk.[19]

忽聞曉角吟風,一葉墜露,驚而試問,即紅線迴矣.

Suddenly he heard the reveille singing in the breeze, and the sound of a leaf falling like the morning dew. Startled, he called out to see if someone was there. It was none other than Red Thread who had returned.

嵩喜而慰問曰:"事諧否?"曰:"不敢辱命."又問曰:"無傷殺否?"

Xue Song was glad and inquired of her health saying: “Did things go smoothly?”[20] She replied saying: “I wouldn’t dare dishonor my commission.” He then asked: “Were there any assassins or mercenaries there?”

曰:"不至是.但取床頭金合為信耳."

She replied: “It didn’t come to that, instead I only took a gold box from the head of his bed for proof.”

紅線曰:"某子夜前三刻,即到魏郡,凡歷數門,遂及寢所.聞宅外男止於房廊,睡聲雷動.

Red Thread said: “I arrived at the Wei Commanderie at about midnight.[21] I slipped through a few main gates, and then arrived in the sleeping quarters. I heard the Exterior Guards resting in the chamber-halls, and the sound of their sleeping was like thunder.

見中軍士卒步於庭廡,傳呼風生.某發其左扉,抵其寢帳.

I saw the soldiers of the Central Guard patrolling the halls and covered walkways. The breeze lifted their spreading voices. I opened the left-side-door and arrived at the bed curtains.

見田親家翁正於帳內,鼓跌酣眠,頭枕文犀,髻包黃縠, 枕前露一七星劍.

I saw Tian Chengsi’s personal family riches right inside the curtains. He was cross-legged and slumbering deeply. His pillow had a rhinoceros pattern, his hair was laced up in a yellow tie, and right in front of the pillow a Seven-Star Sword was revealed.[22]

劍前仰開一金合,合內書生身甲子與北斗神名.复有名香美珍,散覆其上.

Before the sword was golden box laid open. In the box was written his date and time of birth and the name of the Northern Star God.[23] It also possessed prominent fragrances and beautiful treasures, scattered over and covering it.

揚威玉帳,但期心豁於生前,同夢蘭堂,不覺命懸於其手下.

He menacingly flaunted his authority, notwithstanding that he had been looking forward to this goal his entire life. Yet, while he dreamt in the inner chambers, he was unaware that his fate would hang within my hand.

寧勞擒縱, 祇益傷嗟.時則蠟炬光凝, 爐香燼煨,侍人四布,兵器森羅.

Shouldn’t I take it when I had worked so hard to get it? Or would it only add to my pain? At that moment, the candles began to flicker, and the fuel in the stove was burnt to ashes. His servants were in all four directions, and the soldiers’ weapons were arrayed all about.

或頭觸屏風, 酣而殫者,或手執巾拂,寢而伸者.

Some had their heads propped against the screens, snoring and hanging down. Some clutched turbans in their hands, holding them out while they slept.

某拔其瓚珥,縻其襦裳,如病如昏, 皆不能窹,遂持金合以歸.

I plucked out their hairpins and ear ornaments, tied together their short-coats and clothes. They slept as if they were sick or faint, and could not wake up. And so, I took the gold box and started back.

既出魏城西門,將行二百里,見銅臺高揭,而漳水東注,晨飇動野,斜月在林.

Once I had made my way out from the Wei city wall’s west gate, I traveled two-hundred li, and caught sight of the Brass Watchtower rising up on high, and the swelling waters rushing east. The morning breeze stirred in the forest as the slanting moon fell into the trees.

憂往喜還,頓忘於行役;感知酬德,聊副於心期.

My sorrow fled and my joy returned.[24] I suddenly forgot the errand I was on. I was moved to know that I could repay your virtue and that I had managed to match your own heart and kindness.[25]

所以夜漏三時,往返七百里,入危邦,經五六城,冀減主懮,敢言其苦."

It was by the dark of night that the third watch slipped by, and I had gone there and back seven hundred li. I had entered that dangerous city, and passed through five or six other cities. I only hoped to ease your troubles, but dare I speak of the hardship involved?”

嵩乃發使遺承嗣書曰:"昨夜有客從魏中來,云:自元帥床頭獲一金合,不敢留駐,謹卻封納."

Xue Song thereupon dispatched a messenger to Tian Chengsi saying: “Last night I had a guest that came from Wei, who said he had obtained a gold box from the head of the Supreme Commander’s bed, but I dare not keep it, so I respectfully return it enclosed to you.”

專使星馳,夜半方到.見搜捕金合,一軍懮疑.使者以馬撾扣門,非時請見,承嗣遽出,以金合授之.
The special fleet courier traveled by night, and arrived in Wei just at midnight. He observed the search and seizures for the gold box, and the entire army’s anxiety. The courier, using his horsewhip, knocked on the gate. In no time at all he was invited to an audience with Tian Chengsi, who hurriedly emerged, and he presented the gold box to him.

捧承之時,驚怛絕倒.遂駐使者止於宅中,狎以宴私,多其賜賚.

As the courier presented it to Tian Chengsi with both hands, he nearly toppled over in fright. Then, they had the courier stay in a separate lodging, approached him, and entertained him personally, bestowing multiple gifts to him.

明日遣使齍繒帛三萬疋, 名馬二百匹,他物稱是,以獻於嵩曰:"某之首領,繫在恩私.

The next day, Tian Chengsi dispatched envoys to present 30,000 bolts of fine silk, 200 exceptional horses, and other similar tributes, all presented to Xue Song with a letter saying: “As for my leadership, it is bound by your personal grace.”

便宜知過自新,不复列貽伊戚.專贗指使,敢議姻親.役當奉笱后車,來則揮鞭前馬.

Therefore, through moral knowledge I have changed myself and turned over a new leaf.”[26] I will no longer give you trouble. I will receive your instructions, and dare to view myself as a relation through marriage. When I am sent off I should be as if I was pushing the rear of the cart; and when I am come, then I will whip the horses in the front of the cart and prepare the way.

所置紀綱僕號為外宅男者,本防它盜,亦非異圖.今并脫其甲裳, 放歸田畝矣."

As for those servants that I had set apart called the Exterior Guard, they originally defended against outside bandits, and had no other nefarious design. Now they will all shed their armor, and I will send them back home to plant the fields.”

由是一兩月內,河北河南,人使交至.

From this point on, within the space of a month or two, in both Hebei and Henan the people came to have interactions again.

IV.

而紅線辭去.嵩曰:"汝生我家, 而今欲安往?又方賴汝,豈可議行?"

Then, Red Thread was about to make her farewell. But Xue Song said: “You were born in my household; and now, where might you go? Now, just when I need you, how can you think of leaving?”

紅線曰:"某前世本男子,歷江湖間,讀神農藥書,救世人災患.

Red Thread replied: “In my former life I was a man, and I traveled through many a river and among the lakes. I studied the Divine Farmer’s Classic of Medicine, in order that I might save the people of this earth from terrible calamity and sickness.

時里有孕婦,忽患盅症,某以莞花酒下之,婦人与腹中二子俱斃.

At that time, in a village there was a pregnant woman, and she suddenly developed a swelling infection in her stomach. I used Daphne Bloom Wine to decrease the swelling. But the woman and the twin boys in her womb all died.

是某一舉殺三人.陰司見誅,降為女子.

This one act of mine killed three people. The officials of hell passed down my punishment, and I was sent down to be a woman.

使身居賤隸,而气稟賊星,所幸生于公家,今 十九年矣.

I was caused to dwell in the body of a vulgar servant, but my fate was endowed by a falling star. As for the good fortune that saw me born into your house, that began nineteen years ago now.

身厭羅綨,口窮甘鮮,寵待有加,榮亦至矣.況國家建極,慶且無疆.

My body has been worn out and overwhelmed by silk and satin, and my mouth exhausted with eating sweet and salty. The favor that I have been treated with has increased, praise has also come my way. Even more though, the kingdom has been established beyond compare and we celebrate an endless territory.

此輩背違天理,當盡弭患.昨往魏都,以示報恩.

In this life those that betray the principle of Heaven in the end meet with calamity. Yesterday I went to the capital of Wei, in order to show and repay my gratitude to you.

兩地保其城池,萬人全其性命,使亂臣知懼, 烈士安謀.某一婦人,功亦不小.

The two lands now preserve each other’s cities, and the lives of all the people. This has caused rebellious ministers to know fear. And your valiant soldiers to plan in peace. As for a woman like me, the merit I have accumulated is not a small amount either.

固可贖其前罪, 還其本身.便當遁跡塵中,棲心物外,澄清一气,生死長存."

This surely will atone for the sins of my previous life, and return me to my previous body. And so I must eradicate my traces in the dust of this world, place my heart beyond the things of this realm, and purify my “qi”/“chi” so that I may exist forever beyond life and death.”

嵩曰:"不然. 遺爾千金為居山之所給."紅線曰:"事關來生,安可預謀."

Xue Song said: “This cannot be. I'll set aside a thousand pieces of gold as an allowance for you to take up residence in the mountains.” But Red Thread said: “This matter concerns my next life, how can it be planned for?”

嵩知不可駐,乃廣為餞別,悉集賓客,夜宴中堂,嵩以歌送紅線,請座客冷朝陽為詞曰:"<採菱

歌>怨木蘭舟,送別魂消百尺樓. 還似洛妃乘霧云, 碧天無際水長流."

Xue Song knew he could not get her to stay, and thereupon threw a large parting feast. All the known honored guests attended, and they feasted that night in the great hall. Xue Song sang a ballad to bid farewell to Red Thread. He invited his guest, the poet Ling Zhayang to write lyrics to the song, “The Picking Water Chestnuts Ballad”:

The Ballad of Picking Water Chestnuts laments the orchid wood boat,

The parting spirits dissipate as does the towering look-out.

Returning home is like the Lady Luo being carried off by the misted clouds,

The emerald sky stretches limitlessly as the waters flow ‘long.

歌畢,嵩不勝悲,紅線拜再泣,因偽醉離席,遂亡其所在.

After the ballad was finished, Xue Song was overcome by his sorrow, and Red Thread bade farewell and cried once more. Feigning a drunken state, she then departed, and forever gave up her place there.

Map:

From top to bottom: Weizhou (Weibo), Luzhou, and Huazhou.

Source: Zhongguo lishi ditu, 32-33

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[1] The character Red Thread is fictitious.

[2] Xue Song was a military governor in the mid-Tang Dynasty, after the rule of Tang Xuanzong and the onset of the An Lushan Rebellion sometime. His dates are not known, but his father died in 712.

[3] Luzhou was the seat of the Zhaoyi jiedu, one of the military commanderies or garrisons. It was located in the northern part of present-day Henan Province, where the city of Hebi is now located.

[4] The reign of Zhi De: 756-758 A.D. I.e., Tang Xuanzong.

[5] This is the makeshift translation for the army of the Zhaoyi jiedu, or the garrison situated in Luzhou.

[6] Shandong in the Tang was considered as the territory east of the Taihang Mountains. Source: Tang chuan qi xuan, 400.

[7] It was an unstable time right after the An Lu Shan Rebellion, and the Army of Illustrious Rightness was still being formed.

[8] Also a garrison, located in present-day southern Hebei, just east of Shijiazhuang, where the city Hengshui now stands.

[9] Tian Chengsi, 704-778. Was a commander in An Lu Shan’s Army, but later repatriated himself to the Tang, somewhat. He led two unsuccessful rebellions against the mid-Tang.

[10] Huazhou was located south of the Yellow River, just east of present-day Zhengzhou in northern Henan. It was situated in near Kaifeng.

[11] Ling Huzhang, also was a commander in An Lushan’s army, but later realigned himself with the Tang.

[12] Or “Outer Headmen” perhaps.

[13] “Solve” or “understand.”

[14] “Low,” or “base” instrument, product or thing.

[15] Or: “I have that which I can resolve your concerns with.”

[16] The Wuman were an ethnic minority during the Tang and the Song, and were closely associated with the Baiman minority. The Wuman were indigenous tribes that spanned provinces from Henan to Jiangxi to Guizhou to Yunnan. The hair style indicated is a bun on top of the head, most likely.

[17] Tai Yi is also known as the God of the Northern Star, and is fabled to live in the Big Dipper constellation.

[18] The text states that the amount he couldn’t drink more than was a few of the unit equal to a “tenth of a pint,” approximately 4-6 fluid ounces.

[19] The text states that he drank “ten or more” goblets of wine.

[20] The text states that he asked about her health saying “was the matter accomplished or not?”

[21] The time indicated by the Chinese in this sentence of the text is actually 11:40 P.M.

[22] A broad-sword with the Big Dipper constellation engraved in the blade.

[23] Also known as the God of the Big Dipper, famed to have the power over death in the human world in Beijing opera.

[24] This sentence of the text might also mean “Sorrow on the way there, and joy on the way back.”

[25] I relied heavily on the Modern Chinese translation for these sentences. The Classical Chinese, no matter which way I put it, seemed to make little sense.

[26] I have used the English expression “turned over a new leaf” for the Chinese expression herein: “turned myself new.”