Chapter - 475 The Great Army Heads West (10) (1/2)
Even if one was an invincible, fearless warrior; once one's strength gradually faded, one's mind would involuntarily think about 'death'. He could not help but feeling trepidation; his heart trembled with fear.
”I heard in the south there exists a class of people called 'Taoist Priests' who can teach people how to become deity who will never grow old and never see death. I wonder if it is true?” he mused. Clapping his hands twice he called a guard to summon Guo Jing into the tent.
As soon as Guo Jing arrived Genghis Khan asked him about this matter. ”I don't know about becoming immortal deity, but there indeed some people who can teach you how to meditate, to do breathing exercise, circulating your energy; in the end, it will prolong your life,” Guo Jing answered.
Genghis Khan was delighted, ”Do you know such person? Quickly go and find one to see me,” he said.
”This kind of people won't come with any casual invitation,” Guo Jing replied.
”Correct,” Genghis Khan said, ”I am going to send a high official to invite him to the north. Tell me, whom should I invite?”
Guo Jing thought, ”Among the Taoist orthodox sects, the Quanzhen is the best. Among the Quanzhen Six Masters, Qiu Daozhang's [Taoist Priest] martial art is the highest, he is also the most amiable, perhaps he would be willing to come.” Therefore, he mentioned the name of Changchun Zi [Eternal Spring] Qiu Chuji.
Genghis Khan was ecstatic; he summoned his secretary immediately, told him his intention and ordered him to write an imperial letter.
The secretary had a bitter experience earlier that day, he thought for a long time, then finally wrote the imperial letter, ”I have something to talk, please come immediately [zhen you shi, bian ji lai].” He followed the Great Khan's literary style, also only used six characters. He thought this time surely the Great Khan would be pleased with his work. Who would have thought that as soon as Genghis Khan heard the letter, he was angry, and once again his whip hit the secretary's face.
”I said that way to a dog king, but how can I treat an honorable Taoist Priest the same way?” Genghis Khan scolded, ”You must write a long letter, a modest and respectful one.”
The secretary knelt down on the ground and started to compose this imperial letter:
'The Heaven despises the arrogant in the Central Plains, I rule in the northern desert yet I also share the sentiment. I wish for a simple and pure character, shun the extravagance and embrace frugality. Each clothes each meal, along with the livestock in the corral enjoying the Heaven providence. Regarding the people like newborn babies, raising warriors like brothers, seeking harmony with the earth's element and the living beings.
Training tens of thousands soldiers, dispatching hundreds of military expeditions with me leading in the front; within seven years I have completed great undertakings, uniting six elements into harmony. Not by my own virtue, but because of the Jin's government's lack of patience and the Heaven bestowed its blessing and gave honor to me.
To the south I made an alliance with the Zhao family's Song Dynasty, to the north annexed the Hui Ge, to the east Xia and to the west Yi [name of countries, not sure the exact location]; all acknowledging Genghis Khan's sovereignty, unparalleled since the founding of my Great Mongolia for thousands of years and hundreds of generations. However, my responsibilities are heavy; there is something I lack to maintain peace.