Chapter 817: 508 chapters, those who know the heart, know the feeling, know the intention

508 chapters, those who know the heart, know the feeling, know the intention...

5o8 chapters, those who know the heart, know the feeling, know the intention...

――――Red apricot branches extending over the wall

Zhuangzi told King Zhao that the emperor's sword could not be demonstrated in the palace for him to see, and furthermore he explained many whys.

Zhuangzi said: "Among these whys, there is an important why: that the emperor's sword technique is infinitely variable; such profound and unfathomable swordsmanship requires one to ponder and comprehend it with heart."

"I will tell you another story related to sword practice."

King Wen Zhao said: "Zhuangzi, I fear your stories the most; once you start telling stories, I have no clue, and my head gets dizzy from your tales."

Zhuangzi said: "This story of mine is very short; it will not only not make you dizzy, but will also clear your mind and let you understand."

King Wen Zhao said: "If so, please tell another story. However, this story must be related to sword practice."

"That's for sure. I, Zhuangzi, have never told those useless stories. You consider carefully; the story I told, is it meaningless?" Zhuangzi defended his story saying.

"Then go ahead and tell it." King Wen Zhao said.

In this world, any matter, any person needs others' understanding; only mutual understanding allows seamless cooperation. Sword practice is no exception. I heard that in Chu Guo there is a pair of close friends who both live in the capital Ying of Chu Guo. Usually they are of one heart; a smile, a frown, a word, an action—without any signal they know each other's thoughts, what they are thinking, what they intend to do.

Yet these good friends are not engaged in the same work; one makes a living by shaping white clay figurines.

What is a "white clay figurine"? In plain terms, it is a toy made by shaping mud into various forms. In today's popular term, it is engaging in intangible cultural heritage.

The friend of the white clay figurine maker is a stoneworker; he shapes steles, grindstones, signposts, and square stones to sell. In short, the two do not do the same work to earn a living and support their families. Just as I, Zhuangzi, make a living by fishing and weaving straw sandals, my friend makes a living by studying punctuation in texts—selling scallions and candy, each pursuing his own trade.

One day, the stoneworker brother was watching his friend the white clay figurine maker shape mud toys, when the latter accidentally splattered mud from his hand onto the tip of his own nose.

What to do? It's terribly itchy, uncomfortable.

The stoneworker said to his friend the white clay figurine maker: "Just bear with it a little, stand still, lift your face. I'll use an axe to shave off the mud speck on the tip of your nose. How about that?"

"Good! I'm busy right now. I don't have time to wash off this mud speck. Just do as you said. I'll stand ready; you go get the axe and shave it."

The stoneworker picked up the axe from the ground and swung it at the white clay figurine maker's nose. In an instant, the mud speck on the tip of the younger brother's nose disappeared. His nose was fine, not a scratch. Moreover, it was even more miraculous that when the stoneworker swung the axe to cut at his nose tip, the younger brother's eyes didn't even blink.

The younger brother felt reassured: his stoneworker brother would not harm him in the slightest.

You see how deeply these friends understand each other, how perfectly they cooperate.

At that time, the ruler of Song, King Yuan of Song, heard about this and was very curious.

Ah, this stoneworker's skill is truly amazing, so high. Thus King Yuan of Song summoned that stoneworker and also smeared a speck of mud on his own nose tip.

He said to the stoneworker: "Come on, please shave off this mud speck on the tip of my nose with your axe!"

The stoneworker said: "Your Majesty, although I have high skill, you are not my partner in coordination. My friend the younger brother can, when I swing the axe to cut at him, not even blink his eyes. He understands me that well, in perfect sync. Can you do that?"

King Yuan of Song shook his head at this highly skilled stoneworker before him…………………………………………………………………..

Zhuangzi said: "I say the emperor's sword is hidden in an ant's eyes, Your Majesty, do you believe it?"

King Zhao also…………………………………………………………..

(Heart tied to the disaster area, feeling tied to the disaster area: wishing peace, courage, confidence, strength to accompany the people of the disaster area! Companionship)