Pleasant Rain: Lao's student fees

Yu grimaced again, his leg needed a bit of rest before he put a lot of weight on it. As he made his way back to the temple part of his mind worked on why he had nearly lost the fight. He had no doubt the gong fu, as taught by the Uncles, was strong in a fight. Yu himself had mastered much of what they had taught and when he played with the other students his victories were numerous.

Yet tonight he had hesitated and it had nearly cost him his life. This was not good. One of Uncle Feng's comments came to mind; "Act without contrivance and nothing will be beyond control." In retrospect it was easy to see that Bing had fought with focus. He wanted to crush the upstart peasant and nothing else. Yu had tried to show respect and yet fight to the death. His motives were split in two and thus his gong fu was only half effective. Yu chided himself as he stepped up to the temple. It was as if he was just learning gong fu all over again. Still, that lesson may help him in future fights.

The fresh smell of pine bough caught his attention, as did the sniffle from the shadow of the portal. Yu recognized the young girl in the sniffle but let his mind wait on the pine smell. Gently going to Lao, he knelt and whispered. "What troubles She who is old enough?"

Lao moved with a start but recovered quickly. "I...your bed is prepared, master. Please, let me show you." She led the way to an isolated section of the temple. A thin curtain had been hung up, the debris cleaned away, and Yu smelled the fresh pine cuttings placed to catch the incoming breeze. He also noticed a smaller mat placed at the foot of the main one.

"This one merely asked about a place to rest his head and he has been provided a palace to rest his soul." Yu bowed deeply. "This one thanks you, yet is confused. Why would such a wonderful student be troubled enough to cry at night?"

"I spoke to Xao and the others." Lao said quietly. "They told me of the high student fees a Xia charges for training." She bowed and returned to the formal. "This one does not have such money or ways to get it that would not dishonor her father-in-spirit or her master."

Yu sighed. "She who is old enough has done much today and received no training yet. Perhaps she should see what training fees would pay for? Come, let us find a little moon light."

He gently took her arm and led her outside where they could see each other. "Your feet go like this, it is a training stance to strengthen your legs and teach how to hold ground." With gentle words and a light touch, Yu guided Lao through the early moves of the student form. "Do not use muscles yet. Feel the pattern."

Yu let himself be strengthened by the memories of his childhood, doing exactly this form. How he had gone from flowing the pattern to being able to use the moves in a fight.

"This one wonders what the form is called." Lao said meekly. "Other students proclaim their techniques and styles."

"And I discussed such things when playing with Xao, did I not?" Yu chuckled. "My Uncles often chided me for making up names for techniques. Often as I used them. There is a special one my village now has, named after me. It is called 'Spread the dirt' in honor of how many times I have been knocked to the ground and had the dust fly up around me. Perhaps one day I will teach it to you."

"This one sees she is being mocked." Lao bowed her head.

Yu hesitated, and then reached out. Holding her hand in a block he had just taught her, he whispered "Fo shan." Moving it to a fist, he repeated. "Fo shan." He gently rested his fingertips on her dan tian. "Fo shan." He let his hand rest there. "Cultivate it in yourself; its virtue shall be true. Cultivate it in the family; its virtue shall be abundant. Cultivate it in the community; its virtue shall be lasting. Cultivate it in the country; its virtue shall be prosperous. Cultivate it in the world; its virtue shall be widespread."

He gently took her hand in his, softly brought it towards his face. "Lao?"

"Yes...master..." her breath caught.

With a quick twist she was horizontal and then thumped on the ground. As she gasped for air Yu leaned over and smiled. "You seem to do 'Spread the dirt' quite well."

. . .

The early morning air refreshed Yu. Full dawn was still a bit away but his village farming life had taught him to rise early. He looked at his feet and smiled. Lao was curled up on her small mat, her hair spread out around her face. Yu took his blanket and covered her softly. He quickly changed into his peasant clothing and when out to the court yard. In his mind he again fought Bing but this time watched the man's style more closely. How did he prepare the baton for power? Was his footwork solid or over extended. Where did it leave him open? He must use circular attacks a lot, both the baton and the knee kick confirmed that.

With practice Yu trained against the baton's style. It was like some of the other weapons he had fought against. Over and over Yu brought the principles of Fo shan against the circular attacks of whatever style Bing had trained in. After a while Lao and Crane Backed Dao joined him, as did a couple of the other mendicants.

"You look as if something serious is happening, young Xia. Something more than just practicing a form?" Crane said.

Yu nodded and stepped back from his imaginary opponent. He looked at Lao and smiled. When he turned to face the older man his smile was more memory than fact. "Last night one of the White Sticks wanted to play so we went outside the city." He glanced at Lao but returned his eyes to Crane Backed Dao. "He mentioned threats against one I would not wish to see harm. I did not do as well as my Uncles taught me."

"I have heard there was a commotion late last night. Did the soldier give a name?"

"Bing Liu. He used a metal baton and was a skilled fighter."

Crane Backed Dao paled a bit. "He has killed many. Bing Liu is a leader-of-twenty with the Society. There is a lot of innocent blood on his hands." With a quick glance down at the young girl, he added. "I would worry about such threats."

Yu's expression went flat. "He slipped and fell. There are rocks in the grass, it seems."

The old man raised an eyebrow. "That seems like a lucky event, my friend. And certainly Heaven sent to many families in Damei. However, I doubt if it will bring you into the good graces of the society."

A young boy came up to them and whispered in Crane's ear. The old man nodded and gave the child a piece of bread before the boy scampered off.

"It seems my information on your two thieves is slow to arrive. However, there is other news. Your friend Zhou is training in the yard of the White Sticks and Black Heavenly Dragon will be going to see her brother shortly. I do not know what else may transpire but perhaps your friend has been placed to help one of our benefactors."

Yu nodded. "Thank you! Let me spend a few moments with my student and then I will be off to see if I can help the Honorable Guan Zhou." Yu bowed and led Lao back to where he had been practicing.

"Show me what you remember from last night."

"The form, or being thrown on the ground?" She stuck out her lower lip.

Yu chuckled. "The former. I am sure you will have time to practice the latter." He spent a few minutes helping her with the form and then gave a quick introduction to the application. "Think center to center; dan tien to dan tien. Control that and you will win. In the form, this..." he moved her hand "blocks a punch. This, too. Not being hit is a good thing."

"I look forward to seeing how good such a serious student is by this evening."

With that he quickly found some water to rinse off, changed into his gentleman retainer uniform, and went in search of Guan Zhou, Black Heavenly Dragon, and the jail of Black Tiger Sword.