Michael Hai Dong Question #2

2/17/2012

Both Yurang and Nie Zhang s primary motivation for taking revenge on behalf of their patrons was more based on loyalty than on practical reasons. Their patrons treated them well and regarded them as having high value. Therefore, Yurang and Nie Zhang felt like they were obligated to repay their patrons investment and high regard in them. As a result, both Yurang and Nie Zhang were willing to risk their lives and die to uphold the honor of serving the patrons who appreciated them and saw value in them. After Viscount Xiang of Zhao ruthlessly killed Earl Zhi, Yurang s patron, Yurang claimed that a man of valor dies for the one who appreciates him, just as a woman makes herself beautiful for the man who loves her. I must avenge Earl Zhi. This statement illustrates that Yurang is willing to sacrifice his own life to show loyalty and reciprocate Earl Zhi s high regard in him. Indeed, Yurang did sacrifice his life when he persisted in taking revenge on Earl Zhi by trying to assassinate Viscount Xiang for the second time after Viscount Xiang released him after the first assassination attempt. Even Viscount Xiang was moved by Yurang s loyalty, and that was the reason why Viscount Xiang let Yurang go in the first assassination attempt. Additionally, Yurang had other options in his path. Since Viscount Xiang claimed Yurang as a worthy man, Yurang had the option of serving Viscount Xiang instead of assassinating him. However, Yurang replied that this would be taking vengeance on someone who appreciated me later for the sake of someone who appreciated me first, and harming my new lord for the sake of my old lord. Nothing could more confuse the proper duty of lord and subordinate I have taken the hard way to shame all those who in the future are guilty of such duplicity. Yurang regards the roles of lord and subordinate as important in society, and that loyalty should be a primary goal of the subordinate, especially to a patron who appreciates him. Nie Zhang, a brave man living as a butcher, initially has no ties with Yan Sui, a minister to the ruler of Han. However, Yan Sui tried to in over Nie Zheng s friendship by giving him lavishing gifts and even presented a hundred gold pieces to Nie Zheng s mother. Initially, Nie Zheng did not accept Yan Sui s gifts, because Nie Zheng s only goal at the time was to take care of his mother. This shows that a family duty, such as taking care of an old mother, was probably important to the values of the Chinese at the time period. Nonetheless, after Nie Zheng s mother passed away, Nie Zheng reconsidered Yan Sui s offer. Nie Zheng stated that, I work in the market wielding a butcher s knife, while Yan Sui is a minister to a feudal lord. Yet he drove a thousand li to seek my friendship Even though I didn t accept [Yan Sui s gifts], his act shows his appreciation of me. A worthy gentleman burning with the desire for revenge placed his faith in a humble and obscure man like me I must serve this man who appreciates me. This statement by Nie Zheng shows that the Chinese considered social status as a significant factor, because Nie Zheng called Yan Sui a worthy man because of his status as a minister, while he called himself a humble and obscure man. Thus, Nie Zheng was motivated to reciprocate Yan Sui s offer of appreciation, and loyally served Yan Sui in assassinating Yan Sui s enemy, Han Kui. Nie Zheng not only killed Han Kui, he slashed his own face, gouged out his own eyes, and disemboweled himself to make himself unrecognizable in order to protect Yan Sui s anonymity. This act by Nie Zheng illustrates

the extreme loyalty to his patron. Meanwhile, Nie Zheng s sister was saddened by the fact that his brother s name will be lost. She claims, I should not let his name be lost out of fear for my own body. It would not be his wish It is up to me. I could not bear to fail to broadcast his name out of fear for my own person. After clarifying her wishes, Nie Zheng s sister went to Han, found his body, and let everyone know that, this is my borther, Nie Zheng of Shenjing village in Zhi. Then she bravely killed herself. This act of valor by Nie Zheng s sister exemplifies that life is perhaps secondary to other virtues and values such as honor, loyalty, and preserving family members name. Both cases demonstrate that the Chinese regarded honor and reciprocation of respect as significantly vital to their identity, culture, and society. Regarding the role of social status, in the light of honor, loyalty, and valor, is therefore an important part of the Chinese society at that time. Therefore, both Yurang and Nie Zhang were willing to sacrifice their lives in order to attain the goal of loyally serving their lords.