The Romance of Shaolin (5) - Huiyang's Tonsure

This picture-story book, "The Romance of Shaolin," is based on historical records. It chronicles the development of the Shaolin Temple and its martial arts over a period of more than 130 years, from the third year of Xiaochang in the Northern Wei Dynasty (527 AD) through the Sui Dynasty to the fourth year of Xianqing in the Tang Dynasty (659 AD). The story unfolds through seven chapters: "Huike Seeks the Dharma," "Zhineng Receives the Precepts," "Wuxing Enters the Monastery," "Righteously Accepting Tanzong," "Huiyang's Tonsure," "Tanzong Commands the Troops," and "Returning to Shaolin." Through the joys and sorrows of monks like Huida, Zhineng, Wuxing, Tanzong, and Huiyang, both before and after they entered monastic life, the book reflects the historical landscape of a time when frequent warfare plunged the common people into deep suffering.

Huiyang's Tonsure

The story now shifts to the final, chaotic years of the Sui Dynasty. In 618 AD, the tyrant Emperor Yang has been assassinated, but peace has not returned. Instead, powerful warlords have risen to carve out their own territories. One of the most prominent is Wang Shichong, who has seized control of the eastern capital, Luoyang. This chapter introduces a young man whose life is shattered by the cruelty of this new regime, setting him on a path of vengeance that leads, once again, to the gates of the Shaolin Temple.

After Tanzong left to further his martial arts studies, Wuxing accepted another disciple with the Dharma name Huiyang. Huiyang's secular name was Li Yong, and he was from Wang Family Village, south of the Tianjin Bridge in the eastern capital, Luoyang.

2. Yong's father, Li Cheng, had been a close friend of their neighbor, Han Ming. The Li family had a son, Li Yong, and the Han family had a daughter, Han Mei. The two families had long intended to unite their children in marriage.

3. Li Cheng passed away in middle age, leaving Li Yong and his mother to face a difficult life. Han Ming, remembering their old friendship, constantly helped and supported them, treating Li Yong as his own son.

4. Li Yong and Han Mei were childhood sweethearts, growing up together day after day. Even as they grew older, they remained as close as brother and sister without any awkwardness. If Han Mei gathered firewood, Li Yong would carry it. If Li Yong's clothes were torn, Han Mei would mend them. Han Ming saw this with joy in his heart and planned to arrange their wedding soon.

5. However, the tyrannical Emperor Yang launched his massive construction projects, building palaces in Luoyang and conscripting men from all over. The young men of the village went into hiding, forcing the couple's wedding to be postponed again and again.

6. In the year 618 AD, Emperor Yang of Sui was assassinated in Jiangdu by his general Yuwen Huaji. The common people spread the news, hoping that with the tyrant's death, they could finally live a few days of peace.

7. Han Ming also believed that a new dawn was breaking for the people and began to plan the long-delayed wedding for Li Yong and Han Mei. But to his dismay, Wang Shichong, the general left in charge of the eastern capital, took advantage of the chaos to declare himself the "King of Zheng." The people were once again plunged into misery.

8. Wang Shichong's ancestral home was in Wang Family Village. His family owned vast farmlands and a grand estate. He had always used his power to bully and exploit the local people. Now that he was a self-proclaimed king, the villagers feared him like a venomous snake.