Chapter 51

After more than half a year of instruction, this group of girls had learned most of the Chinese characters—or, as I called them, "Immortal Script." I began to rack my brain, teaching them—or rather, subtly guiding them—that one's first impression is of the utmost importance. I taught them how their previous kingdoms were flawed and indifferent, using poems like "Behind the vermilion gates, wine and meat go to waste; out on the road lie the frozen bones of the poor" to illustrate this. I provided these lessons for free, and when the girls asked questions, I offered my own interpretations. For example, regarding the ancient sage's teaching, "Do not impose upon others what you yourself do not desire," I flipped it: "If you don't want something, fool others into taking it; if you do desire something, prevent others from having it." Another example: "To hear the Dao in the morning, one may die in the evening without regret." I explained it as: "If you find out the way to your house in the morning, I’ll kill you by the evening." This was simply to ensure that these girls wouldn't expose my whereabouts if they were to leave later.