by Mark Swaine
Women battle on horseback in a brutal game of Jiju (Polo), galloping in charging packs to the hurtling wooden ball. Leaning low from the sides of their drooling steeds, they clash in shoves and barges to gain possession. Savage whacks from wooden mallets send the ball back and forth between ramming horses thudding wildly across the fresh green terrain as they whinny, snort and scream on pounding hooves. A firm faced woman hangs low from her saddle and lines the head of her mallet with the spinning ball. Swinging her arm savagely and accurately, she strikes the ball into the opposing teams net to end the game of Polo by maximum points. In another area of the field, the grass rolls in various sized hills dotted with ten red flags. Two aged men holding iron putters over their shoulders stroke their chins as they look to the distant holes marked by red flags. One of the men, wearing a slim wicker hat, tartan slacks and matching tunic licks his finger and holds it against the wind. Nodding approvingly, the Chuiwan (Golf) player takes his time whilst lining the ball with the head of his club. The stern faced man moves his hips slightly then draws back his club before swinging it down and teeing off. He whacks the small wooden ball and watches it being carried afar by the wind. Smiling contently with his hand acting as a visor, his face becomes one of dismay as it lands in a sand bunker. His competitor shrugs sympathetically, then strikes his ball true and far. The ball hurtles high and curves against the wind, landing directly in the tenth and furthest hole without even touching the sides.
“Long (a dragon),” says the player, referring to the hole in one with a self complimentary nod.
The other, less fortunate challenger claps grudgingly before descending into the sand filled pit. Only the tip of his pointed hat remains visible as he hacks up mounds of sand. A short while later a golf club flings upward from the sandpit and the player storms out in a red faced rage. Retrieving his club, he hammers it against the soft grass whilst cursing to the skies. Eventually he senses the eyes of the crowd upon him and he regains his composure to try again, a little more successfully. In another area of the field, the names of three competitors are hailed by an umpire whilst three tiered rows of cork and wicker targets move sideways on wires and rails.
“Captain Jinjing Lim of the Jade Army, step forward,” bellows the umpire.
A short haired man in Jade slacks steps forward and bows to the umpire and audience.
“One of my best Archers,” says the General smugly,
“Genghis Kong of the Blue Coastal Clan, step forward,” shouts the umpire.
A large muscle bound hunter garbed in coral fashioned body armour steps forward and raises his bow to the cheering audience, eventually bowing to the umpire and Emperor.
“Hailing from Japan, Akane Junko of the Onna-Bugeisha, step forward,” yells the umpire.
Akane Junko steps forward and bows to the umpire, the Emperor, her competitors and finally the crowd before preparing her bow. General Arachie scoffs a short patronizing puff of air at the idea of her contending against his Jade soldier.
Yu-Huang catches the General's mocking gesture, amused at his lack of tolerance toward the idea of women warriors.
“General, it troubles you that a woman competes against your Jade soldier?” asks Yu-Huang.
“Yes,” replies the General frankly after pausing to stare the Emperor dead in the face.
With their strings and bows flexed and the points of their arrows aimed forward, the three challengers select and mark their targets. The umpire gives the signal to fire and the archers release their rushing projectiles. All hit their mark well and true. After studying the pierced red ringed targets, the umpire hails Akane Junko as the victor. The archers ready themselves for the second round, lingering their fingers close to the fletchings of their quiver packed arrows strapped to their backs. The umpire gives the signal and the three archers fire consecutive arrows in rapid succession. The umpire looks in disbelief at the results and amazingly hails Akane Junko as the victor for the second time. Akane Junko had not only hit and exited the bullseye of the front targets, but the second and third row bullseye targets too. Akane Junko's competitors bow towards her and the Jade Captain appears particularly impressed as he approaches her.
“I am Jinjing Lim, Jade Captain of the fifth Battalion, you are a master archer Akane Junko, may I ask the name of the one who instructed you,” asks Captain Huang, humbly.
“My friend, Master and leader of the Onna-Bugeisha, Xan Li, aided in honing my skills,” replies Akane Junko bowing to the smitten Jade Captain.
Yu-Huang, his entourage of Priests and the people of the city clap wildly at Akane Junko's impressive display of archery. Yu-Huang shoots the General a quick look of disappointment as he stands cross armed and frowning. He reluctantly begins to clap as if coerced by Yu-Huang's disapproving expression. After a sunny afternoon of swordplay and various other tournaments entertaining the masses, General Arachie nods with a grunt as the final Cuju tournament is announced to begin. The cheering crowds raise banners branded with the symbols and names of the two competing teams, ‘Běi Lóng Liánhé (North Dragon United)’ and ‘Xī Wǔshù Cùjū jùlèbù (West Wushu Cuju Club)’. The two teams jog into the arena volleying an inflated cow’s bladder layered in tanned leather. The players volley the ball from one end of the pitch whilst others stretch their limbs in a manner of warm up exercises. Two teams of eleven take their positions at both sides of the pitch, each man ready to intercept the ball upon kick off. The two Captains approach the referee in the centre of the field then defiantly face each other. The referee flips a bronze cowrie shell into the air and catches it to reveal a marking signifying West Wushu's kick-off. The Captain chips the ball swiftly with the bridge of his foot then kicks it to the mid-fielder on his left. The mid-fielder curves the ball to the striker hurtling towards the fishnet goalpost and strikes true and hard. The goal watcher leaps barrel rolls and curves his leg to intercept the ball with the tip of his foot. Liu Chan, the striker, intercepts the ball and takes it from his own defender's possession. Weaving and volleying the ball in his sprint. Liu Chan finds himself overcome by the opposing team and despite his own team's calls and chants to pass the ball, he decides to out manoeuvre his tacklers instead.
Liu Chan trips and stumbles across the multiple tackling feet and loses possession of the ball. Heckled by his team mates, Liu Chan insults them harshly whilst spitting a loose stream of saliva in his jog. In a dogged effort to regain possession, Liu Chan adamantly catches up to the player in possession and slide tackles him from the side, sending the player into a face first slide across the callous dry grass. Liu Chan persistently navigates a course around five players and swiftly boots the ball with the side of his leather-bound foot. The ball thrusts through the air, far from the reach of the goal-watcher, pounding into the back of the net. As the crowd roars Liu Chan's familiar moniker, Long Jiao (Dragon Foot) he smiles for the crowd whilst performing a well executed double back flip before revealing his toned bare chest and stomach for the screaming women.
The goal-watcher kicks the ball far to the mid fielder and is intercepted by a striker who wastes no time in his down field sprint. The striker uses his team to the best of his advantage as they disperse in a rapid tactical formation of criss-crossing paths. Their strategy pays off as the goal-watcher's predicted trajectory of the ball is miscalculated. Liu Chan is too late to tackle as the centre forward belts the ball to the striker heading the ball into the corner of the net. Liu Chan curses his delayed action and his team mates ignore his typical attitude as he attempts to shift half the blame on their lack of action. Liu Chan's error temporarily ceases his foolish antics of showmanship and he begins concentrating on winning the game by himself. The referee blows his whistle, signalling half time. During the interval, Chung Denshi signals to his Priests in training and an entourage of youthful Monks navigate the stadium aisles to hand out rations of food, water, wine and cowrie shells to the masses. The merry uproar fills Yu-Huang's heart with light and power, empowering his spirit with much needed vitality.
“Our duties are to the people my Emperor, all the Houses of the Brotherhood contributed to this offering,” says Chung Denshi, in a grand attempt to be noble for the sake of his ignorant and less than interested companions who barely even acknowledge the generous act bringing happiness to the crowd.
Yu-Huang appears sceptical to the extent of their offerings, glaring disapprovingly at the obnoxious Ministers smirking pitifully at the crowd.
“Truly?” asks Yu-Huang, in a self declamatory tone, still observing the pompous Priests.
Chung Denshi defends his brothers and affirms his answer with a simple smile and nod, embarrassed by the truth that they contributed nothing, that all the resourcescame from his own pocket. Chung Denshi is simply happy to see the people being treated well. The game continues as a spare ball is thrown onto the pitch. Yu-Huang and Chung Denshi converse with enthusiasm regarding the highlights of the day's game and the various strengths of each player's performance as defensive and offensive strategies are played out in the first half. After a well played first half, the two teams find themselves at 四- 三 (4- 3) to West Wushu CC. The teams play out a desperate second half as the ball curls and elongates whilst defying impossible physics with contact with each kick from leather bound foot. The General is impressed by his soldiers’ incredible display of powerful acrobatics and relentless will. The men are on form as usual and have succeeded in honouring the presence of their Emperor and making their General proud. The Captain of North Dragon United sets up a perfect goal as he tears down the pitch and volleys the ball to his wing-man who delivers a double overhead kick. The ball bounces off the goalpost and into the other side of net, much to the glory and cheer of the crowd and Captain's ecstatic relief. With the Captain's team mates rallying around him to celebrate, Liu Chan finds himself excluded from the grouping bond as he claps half-heartedly at the well executed goal. With the score 四 - 四 (4 - 4), the teams tackle fiercely, battling for possession of the ball. Liu Chan, being more aggressive and a little dirty, manages to gain possession then volleys it to the centre forward before racing slightly ahead. Liu Chan beckons for the ball and the centre forward volleys it back to him. As the ball drops from above, Liu Chan leaps into a rapid continuous horizontal spin, stretching out his leg. His foot connects perfectly with the ball, sending it rushing above the heads of the front row spectators' at high speed before spiralling into a turn towards the edge of the goal post. General Arachie winces and his head tilts to one side, as if his motions would somehow manipulate the ball inside the goal post. The General’s eyes squint for a second then open wide as his rarely seen smile of bright white piano key teeth hover below that heavy moustache...
“Mùbiaaaaaāooo!!!! (Goaaaaaaal!!!)” yells the General at the top of his coarse voice whilst clapping loudly in great outward arches.
Arachie suddenly feels irresponsible for allowing the moment of excitement to draw his focus away from the attention of the Emperor.
“Apologies, my Emperor,” says the General bowing humbly.
Emperor Yu-Huang, still clapping at the incredibly executed move, frowns a little at the unnecessary apology.
“General, find yourself dismissed of all duties for the day, sit, enjoy the match,” replies a distracted Yu-Huang gesturing to the vacant seat beside his.
The General is slow to react and appears slightly embarrassed as Yu-Huang's uncommon gesture not only catches him off-guard, but also the Ministers. Yu-Huang lobs an apple to the General and gestures to the maidens to bring the man some refreshments. As Liu Chan celebrates his goal with the mid fielder, a member of the opposing team knocks into his shoulder. Liu Chan shoves the player back, sending him reeling backwards onto the grass. As the other team mates race to the downed player’s aid, Liu Chan's team mates keep him separated from those attempting to grab him. The referee jogs over with his knees high and holds up a yellow dragon scale to issue a penalty. Shaking his head in self-disappointment, Liu Chan is barely able to watch as the Captain of West Wushu CC lines up the ball. Creating distance between himself and the ball, the Captain takes a few paces back before running forward and executing a perfect goal. With the score now 五 - 四 (5 - 4) to West Wushu, Liu Chan becomes frantic, angered and frustrated. North Dragon's goalie appears stuck for who and where to throw the ball to as he finds his team too well covered by the opposition, so he reluctantly throws it to the only player momentarilyuncovered, Liu Chan.
Li Chan and his opponent leap high for the ball and the West Wushu striker elbows Liu chan across the face, dazing him.
The dirty player delivers the ball to a team mate freeing himself from a resolute defender by the goal area. As a North Dragon defender doggedly reclaims the ball, he passes it to the Captain who back flip kicks it high and hard back to Liu Chan out of lack of choice. The ball is not well aimed at Liu Chan and he jogs backward to intercept it. With time growing short before the conclusion of the match, Liu Chan realises he’ll need more than skill with a Cuju ball if North Dragon are too win. Desperate to recover from his failures, Liu Chan vows to win back the respect of his team mates and the glory of the crowd before the final scores are set. Liu Chan's face tightens as he focuses and changes his stance. Bracing and flexing his powerful hairy legs, he extends is arm and upturns a rigid flat palm. His legs bend at the knee and space apart and the back of foot grips the soil beneath the grass as he carefully times his strike. Liu Chan crouches lower to the ground whilst constricting every muscle in his body, then springs like a tiger pouncing for its prey. Liu Chan's team mates shout words of protest as he leaps upwards toward the ball into a back spin. Waving their hands in objection at the spinning figure of green twisting at a ludicrous speed, they hold their hands on their heads knowing what will follow.
Liu Chan snaps his body open and times a backflip kick with his blue flaming dragon foot. Connecting perfectly with the leather ball, it explodes on impact and transforms into a violent orb of flames.
Travelling towards the West Wushu's goal posts, the spherical inferno of red and orange flames rockets across the pitch blowing the grass outwards on both sides of its trail blazing journey. The shockwave launches the on-looking players onto their backs as the evading ref is too fear-struck to even reach for his bamboo whistle to call a foul. The crowd rise in a roar of cheers at the spectacle, but General Arachie appears less than enthused as he stands expectantly at the missile growing in density. The ball of fire leaves a plume of black smoke in its scorching trail and the goal-watcher ducks whilst coverering his ears. Liu Chan descends from his rapid flip to land perfectly on his feet, admiring the result of his handiwork. Appearing proud of himself with heat rising from his foot, the cocky smile drops from his mouth as the ball jets over the goalies head and ignites the goalpost in a boom of bursting flames. The soot faced referee with missing eyebrows storms furiously over to Liu Chan and holds a red scale up to his face before throwing it at his feet in a raging panic. As Liu Chan's team rise with minor scrapes, they look at him scornfully. Liu Chan appears baffled by their cross reaction as he was certain he’d just secured their victory. With the opposing team receiving a free score point due to Liu Chan's dangerous stunt, he sees that he’s actually cost them the game. The referee finally realises his eyebrows are missing and blows his whistle furiously whilst sending Liu Chan off the pitch. Liu Chan argues wildly with the referee about his selective blindness to the opposing team's foul moves and dirty tricks. Feeling unappreciated and frustrated, Liu Chan furiously storms off the pitch. As Liu Chan walks shamefully away from the heckling crowd, he looks to the distant seating area where the General was surely watching. Even with 100 yards of separation from General Arachie, he can feel that stare of disappointment anywhere, a look that would mean many weeks of gruelling training.
“I must apologise for my soldier's behaviour my Master, many times I have punished him for his use of magic,” says General Arac
hie, embarrassed.
“Do not apologise, we require magic as strong as his. Extraordinary, this one has discovered the Flaming Dragon Foot technique?” says Yu-Huang rhetorically.
“Need it he will, for the lesson in humility he will be receiving at next sunrise,” replies the General severely.
“Correct me if I am wrong General, but is that not the boy who sided with you on the bridge the day the Samurai arrived at the main gates,” observes Chung Denshi.
“Yes, Liu Chan is his name. This one has much pride, once he was one of my best soldiers, until he was beaten in a game of Cuju by a seventeen year old girl five seasonal cycles ago... although... he has always been this way,” replies the General, hiding his weariness.
“The boy is powerful,” observes Yu-Huang, truthfully.
“The boy is arrogant, egotistical, a hindrance to my teachings... and the only son of my late sister,” says General Arachie.
“Pride can drive the mind insane, make a man irrational it can,” says Chung Deshi in a mild mannered tone. “I must applaud your teachings of the Flaming Dragon foot technique Master Arachie," adds Chung Deshi.
“I did not teach the boy the Dragon Foot technique,” confesses the General awkwardly.
“Then he must be doing something right,” says the Emperor.
“Yes, perhaps he should be teaching you,” replies Chung Denshi jokily, “for my methods are clearly not working,”