Abe no Nakamaro's letters to Li Bai

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A series of letters were written from 754 to 756 by the Japanese scholar Abe no Nakamaro to his friend Li Bai over the course of the An Lushan Rebellion. These letters recounted Nakamaro's attempted return to Japan after decades of study and work in Tang China, the true purpose of the voyage, his survival of the subsequent storm that destroyed his vessel, his escape from the agents of the Golden Turtles in Annam, his investigations into the Golden Turtles and the secrets of the Isu, and his reflections on contemporary political events.

Letters

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Dear Li Bai,

I hope all has been well since we last spoke. Since we parted ways in Chang'an in the tenth month of last year, already countless moons separate us. I remember when you were seeing me off, you said to me, "this parting is for a whole lifetime".

I also remember when I first came to the Great Tang, I was still a nineteen-year-old teenager, captivated by all its splendour. As of today, I am already more than half a century old. Having seen the liveliness and beauty of Chang'an and made many intimate friends, the Great Tang has also become a part of me.

However, as my age grows ever older, the more I miss the taste of my hometown. Thirty years of the Great Tang has been as though it were one long, wondrous dream. I only want to, before I die, to experience the scent of my mother's cooking once again.

So, it is for the sake of fulfilling my heart's one last desire that this time I am following Lord Fujiwara's diplomatic mission to the Tang so as to return to Japan with them.

But apart from this, I still have, in fact, another objective.

As you know, I am someone who is full of curiosity, and this curiosity has spurred me to learn some secrets. It turns out that the Buddha that we know of is called a "Precursor" by some people. In distant antiquity, the Precursor Shakyamuni guided his masses of disciples to promulgate the proper dharma, receiving deeply the adoration of everyday people. Therefore, once he had discarded his flesh and chosen to enter nirvana, the people overwhelmingly grieved. After the Buddha's body was cremated, the Buddhist disciples recovered a large amount of multi-coloured pearls. These are the "śarīra", and each one of these śarīra is indestructible. Otherwise, they are filled with Shakyamuni's memories of his past lives—the truth of the world. Following the trade route of the Western Regions, the śarīra also poured into China in the Han period, and they passed from generation to generation throughout the tumultuous ages, cared for and protected by great master monks high in virtue and lofty in repute. At present, the śarīra that we know of has been enshrined by Master Jianzhen of the Yanguang Temple in Yangzhou. Master Jianzhen is a high priest who is full of wisdom. Even though it is a prosperous era of great peace, he remains as uneasy as he was in olden days. Like you and me, Master Jianzhen clearly knows about the "Golden Turtles'" existence at court. Every type of clue here and there makes it apparent that unforeseen events may soon happen at court, but we still do not know when it will be. Supposing that the śarīra carelessly fall into evil hands, that they are exploited by ambitious people, the outcome may be too dreadful to contemplate. Master Jianzhen hopes to settle them in a tranquil place far from turmoil. He said that Buddha dharma knows no borders and that perhaps Japan is the best destination.

Master Jianzhen has attempted to ferry east five times before. Unfortunately, he has not met any success, yet the setbacks have only hardened his resolve. My pressing hope is to assist Master Jianzhen in protecting the śarīra. Notwithstanding this, if Master Jianzhen can borrow this opportunity to transmit the true Buddha dharma to Japan, awakening the populace—this too would be a good thing of immeasurable merit. Therefore, I have linked up with Lord Fujiwara no Kiyokawa of the Tang diplomatic mission, bidding our farewells to Chang'an together. Under secrecy, we picked up Master Jianzhen, raised the ships, and proceeded towards Japan. To our fortune, this operation was not at all discovered by the "Golden Turtles", and yet it was truly terrible. We were divided into only four ships. Amidst calm ocean currents, the journey was constantly as smooth as the wind. I closed my eyes, and it was as though I could already smell the scents of my hometown.

"Upward gaze at far-stretched skies, my spirits gallop at Nara's edge.
There above at Mikasa's peak, then again the luminous moon."

Following the trail of home, ever closer and closer, I peered at the circular moon and thought of your reluctant parting. Thereupon, I decided to write this letter.

But it was at this moment that a storm arose above the sea.

The first ship, which Lord Fujiwara and I were riding on, unfortunately collided with rocks, and there was no way that it could continue sailing. We lost contact with the other three ships, and amidst the intense, stormy waves, I gradually lost consciousness as well. Once I opened my eyes, I found myself on a shore. Our ship had already been wrecked beyond repair, yet I did not know where I was. Lord Fujiwara and I could only lead everyone to abandon the ship and keep moving on to seek help. I wonder if this is Japan or the Great Tang? Everything is still unknown. We can only believe in the path beneath our feet. If it is fate that I cannot return home, I can only accept this fate. I only hope… that Master Jianzhen's ship at least is safe and sound.
I only hope… that the śarīra can safely arrive at their destination.
I only hope… that both the Great Tang and Japan are at peace and unharmed.
…… I do not know when I can send this letter out. For the time being, I will keep it by my side for safeguarding. If there is a next life, I hope I would be able to drink a jar of wine with you once more. —Chao Heng (Abe no Nakamaro)

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Dear Li Bai,

Now that beacon fires have risen in the four corners under Heaven, I wonder where you find yourself?

Having experienced a half a year's arduous journey, I have already presently returned to Chang'an. The reason, then, that I am now writing this letter is because I had constantly not dared to think back on the terrifying experience leading to this day. After I returned, I learned that the news that I had encountered disaster at sea had already spread throughout all of Chang'an early on, so all my friends thought I had died. So the moment everyone saw me, it was as though they were all seeing a ghost.

Or perhaps, the past me has truly already died in that great ocean. The present me—it is as though I have become a dreadful ghost, roaming about in an endless nightmare.

I have forgotten how to laugh heartily. There were times when I really wanted to cry and yet how come I couldn’t cry it out either?

I am always panicked and cannot find peace. I am always frightened awake in the middle of the night. The room that I used to know is yet so strange and unfamiliar now. I am also terrified to see other people. Every time my friends come to visit me, I close my doors and do not come out. I do not know for how long days like this would continue.

It was truly not until I read that poem you wrote mourning me that I finally lost my voice crying painfully. Thereupon, I drummed up the courage to pick up my pen.

Once I started writing a letter to you, I drifted to that place, which was actually a state situated south of the Tang: the name is Annam. The moment when we searched for the people of the land to make clear our identity and ask for rescue, we suddenly came under attack by a group of mysterious people. As a result, the majority of the entire ship of more than a hundred people met slaughter. Only Lord Fujiwara no Kiyokawa and I alongside a small number of warriors managed to escape tragedy and flee that hell. But those people continued to unrelentingly pursue us. Therefore, we were evading the pursuit of death on one hand and striving to survive in a strange country on the other. I think that they learned somewhere that our squadron of ships was to secretly send the śarīra abroad, that they thought the śarīra was with us. This originally was a secret. People in general would not have known about it. Could it be that they had been directed by the "Golden Turtles"? I cannot at all be certain, but I know that they must have some link. In the whole process of fleeing death, one of the things that kept me supported was my fine memory of the past. But gradually, my memory also began to become muddled: I am beginning to be unable to recall many circumstances. People say that an individual's proof of existence in the world is their own memory and others' memory of them, the combination of the two added together. I was in a foreign land where there was not anyone who knew me, in a different state without a language I could communicate, and I began to forget my past, becoming more and more numb. As of now, I have finally begun to recall what kind of person I am. Unfortunately, Chang'an is yet no longer the Chang'an that I knew.

The news of An Lushan's rebellion that recently came down has stricken people from the court to the country all over with anxiety. The court ordered the execution of An Lushan's eldest son An Qingzong, who resided in Chang'an, and furthermore opened the treasury, raising a force of 100,000 soldiers in the capital. Proclaimed the Tianwu Army, they are to proceed to the east capital Luoyang to defend it. Many celebrated generals have pledged their lives to peril and have departed on the expedition to pacify the rebels, including your good friends: the Great General of Jinwu, Gao Xianzhi; Anxi jiedushi Feng Changqing; and Shuofang jiedushi Guo Ziyi... People say that with so many reliable generals dispatching on horseback, we need not a few days, and the government’s great generals will have beheaded An Lushan. But what I am anxious about is that the Tianwu Army that has been assembled for now is mostly composed of street youths who, like me, have never experienced true war. They are only full of enthusiasm, without any real experience. But all in the rebel army have battled in frontier expeditions for many years; all are elites who can kill without blinking. Even though there is parity between troop strengths, even though there are great generals who are valiant and skilled in war, there is nonetheless an enormous hidden danger. But let's wish that my anxiety will not come true. I have continuously inquired about the whereabouts of Master Jianzhen. Unfortunately, communications have been cut off. There is no way of knowing if Master Jianzhen and the śarīra have already safely arrived in Japan. I also urgently would like to see you again face-to-face, yet I have heard that you had already left Chang'an ahead of time to travel the four corners, and no one knows where you actually are. Adding to that the fires of war swirling in the air, the land laid waste by soldiers and horses in disarray, I am especially anxious about your safety. I am praying for fortune on the Great Tang, praying for fortune on Master Jianzhen, and praying for fortune on you. Given that I do not know to where I would send this letter, I will keep it at my side for the time being. Take utmost care of yourself. — Chao Heng (Abe no Nakamaro)

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Dear Li Bai,

Your honour, Luoyang has fallen. My prior fear ultimately still became reality.

I heard that before General Gao Xianzhi and General Feng Changqing withdrew to Tong Pass, they continuously chopped down pagoda trees on both sides of the road to block the road behind them. This is not to mention that they opened the Taiyuan storehouses, distributing all money and goods to the troops, and furthermore incinerated the granaries, so as to prevent the supplies from being used by An Lushan. But the rebel army's pursuit was still quicker than the retreating army. Thereupon, the soldiers who had not yet undergone training scattered in four directions, tossed aside their helmets, forsook their armour, trampled one another, and the casualties were numerous.

At the same time, the court turned to the nation to conscript from every circuit but not a single reinforcement came. This entire development surpassed even the people's expectations. The present city of Chang'an has already fallen deep into terror, and as for the city of Luoyang which has fallen into bandit hands, what miserable condition awaits it?

It is really something people would not dare to imagine. Every day there are new bad news which make me even more anxious about your safety.

The amazing fortune amidst misfortune is: I have finally learned of the whereabouts of Master Jianzhen.

Apparently, at the moment that the ship I was embarked on encountered disaster at sea, Master Jianzhen’s ship fortunately managed to avoid it and eventually arrived safely in Japan. Master Jianzhen established an ordination platform at the Eastern Great Temple in Nara for the Emperor and members of the imperial house to receive the Bodhisattva Precepts and moreover to help the monks of Japan discard the old precepts for the new. Japan originally did not have the orthodox Risshū Buddha dharma, and it is now from this moment that they have begun to inherit them. The śarīra that Master Jianzhen has been protecting has also constantly been under his personal care. Reportedly, the Master is preparing to erect an entirely new temple where the śarīra would be safely installed. This brand-new temple will be built in the style of the Tang dynasty. Its name will be "the Temple where the Tang Beckons and Carries". This is a great matter. The construction will expend many years of time and the blood and sweat of countless people. Yet destruction only needs be in a day and night. Those people who hold the "golden turtle pouches"—would they follow the ships of the emissaries to the Tang and secretly arrive in Japan eyeing the śarīra like hungry tigers? It is at this time that I finally smacked my spirits awake and began to research the "Golden Turtles".

Thousands of years ago, amidst the interchange of Chinese dynasties, there was a secret society that continuously controlled the power at the core of government. At times, they supported a suitable individual to be selected as emperor. At times, they had one of their members personally seize power and assume the throne as emperor. Just as you are aware, under the Tang dynasty's system of protocols and regulations, officials ranked five and higher wear carp-shaped fish tallies to authenticate their identity. During the era of Wu Zetian more than sixty years prior to our time, because Wu Zetian thought that the character of her surname "Wu" correlated with "Xuanwu", which signifies the turtle and snake, she thereupon changed the accessory from the fish to the turtle. Notwithstanding this, she used the decorative pouches filled with turtle tallies as a means of distinguishing officials' ranks. Among the nine ranks of officials, ranks three and higher wore golden turtle pouches, ranks five and higher wore silver turtle pouches, and ranks six and lower did not have turtle pouches. Wu Zetian became empress regnant, bolstered her own relatives' influence, and consolidated tremendous power. From then on, a new secret society began to take shape. They controlled the government's key posts and military power, manipulating from behind-the-scenes the fate of the world under Heaven. These ministers high in stature and immense in power were precisely the "Golden Turtles". And one of the core personages of Golden Turtles in those years was none other than Empress Wu's paramour (male lover): Zhang Yizhi. In the Shenlong Revolution fifty years prior, Empress Wu abdicated, Zhang Yizhi and the Golden Turtles were accordingly also executed, and the Tang dynasty was restored. The turtle tallies that the court officials were wearing were, following this, freshly changed back to fish tallies as well. And yet there was still some lingering force which covertly preserved the turtle tallies and even transmitted them down the line in secret to serve as proof of membership tokens—all while continuing to exert influence at court. The members of the Golden Turtles are no longer limited to officials ranked three and higher. They need only be approved by the society, and they will be able to secretly wear a golden turtle pouch. According to my investigation, Zhang Yizhi, while still alive, secretly gave birth to an illegitimate child with a servant girl in order to leave behind progeny. This illegitimate child—his name is "Yang Guozhong".

As a result, based on my conjecture, Chancellor of the Right Yang Guozhong is precisely one of today's members of the Golden Turtles and is even a chief figure. A few years ago when he advocated for the rehabilitation of his biological father Zhang Yizhi, this too proves this point. Perhaps military power-wielding An Lushan is also a Golden Turtle. Remember when the court first learned of An Lushan raising his forces in rebellion, Yang Guozhong was even quite pleased with himself as though the whole scenario was under his control—it was truly funny. Now, His Majesty cannot contain his fury. Sending down an edict clearly expressing his desire to personally lead the campaign, he has ordered his crown prince to supervise the state. In this case, Yang Guozhong has also begun to fret restlessly. Having the crown prince supervise the state in a time of emergency signifies that the great authority of the court is shifting into the crown prince's hands. It also signifies that the [Emperor’s] yielding of the throne is not far off. Just as you are aware, the open and veiled strife between Yang Guozhong and the crown prince has already gone on for a long time. Yang Guozhong constantly thinks of any means to beat down the crown prince and preserve his own position and power. Should the crown prince begin to hold real authority, the first person he would clear out would precisely be Yang Guozhong. I learned from my good friends in the palace that Yang Guozhong and the Lady of Guo work together to talk around Yang Guifei, causing her to keep her mouth shut with clay while pleading on their behalf to His Majesty. "Should His Majesty personally lead the campaign, your humble servant would certainly so and so die like this." Under Yang Guifei’s pitiful begging, His Majesty withdrew the issued order.

When a country is at a perilous juncture, being a prime minister should normally mean giving their utmost efforts to devise strategies for defending the peace and pacifying rebellion, but Yang Guozhong is only ever looking after petty feuds and the preservation of his own position. It is truly unbelievable to anyone. Saying this, with Yang Guozhong inciting An Lushan to rebel time and time again, could it signify that this calamity originated in an internal power struggle of the Golden Turtles? Of those with high status and immense power at court, how many of them are affiliated with the Golden Turtles as a member? I still need to further my investigation, so that I can verify my conjecture. Someone said that you have fled south to avoid the turmoil and that your person is in Xunyang. There was also someone who said that you are in Jinling, but given the present chaos of war and obstructed roads, there is no one in Chang'an who can verify your fate. Because of this, I still do not know to what location would I send this letter, and for the time being, it will be by my side for safekeeping. Please take care of yourself at all cost. —Chao Heng (Abe no Nakamaro)

References

• Assassin's Creed: Dynasty