Bennett's Trilogy

"I am the mighty warrior, Ku Nung, who has led and nurtured my courageous soldiers through many battles. With these sinewy hands, I severed the head of the despicable Tsu Shun, and with these strong legs I have chased the swift horse of Chang Chien, pulled him from his mount and pierced his evil chest with this stalwart blade. I have conquered all of the armies of Wang Tu, and have released the flower women to return to their homes in the Bhing Lo Mountains.

"I have conquered all of my enemies, and I rightfully claim all lands that lie north of the Hang Chow River, east to the Great Sea, and those that extend to the west as far as the Bhing Lo Mountains.

"Be it known that my unrelenting strength arises from my chest and finds its way into my sturdy arms, and my arms are destined to crush the life from anyone who dares to defy me.

"I proclaim that from this day forth, my subjects shall be required to respectfully address me as, 'The Grand Lord of All Provinces, North of the River Hang Chow.' Henceforth, this new land shall be known as Lord Ku Nung's Chowkiang Province.

"I shall rule this land to my own liking, and I will compel all those who live within its borders, to do as I command, else they will regret the consequences."

While Ku Nung was proclaiming these strict conditions and prohibitions, he glanced at those standing before him, and I felt a strange belittling when his eyes focused upon mine. I realized that this great warrior had noticed me, and he evidently considered me to be one of the captive peasants of Chonju. It was then that I sadly realized that I would be subjected to Ku Nung's repressive rules, exactly like the other unfortunate Chonjucons standing before their grand lord, with their heads bowed in fear and disgrace, on this demoralizing denouncement day.

Grand Lord Ku Nung's stern, uninterrupted proclamation was convincingly spoken and graciously applauded by the faithful soldiers who had followed the mighty warrior through many victorious battles. Contrarily, it was sadly received and bitterly thrust upon his newly admonished and defeated subjects, and upon all those currently living within the boundaries of his recently acquired, and adequately defined, domain.

"I bravely mustered sufficient courage to leave my hiding place, and I rose and proceeded to the edge of their camp. Fearlessly, I walked directly toward them, although I possessed considerable doubt concerning the consequences of my daring aggression. I attempted to restrain my nervousness and excitement, as I presented myself at the rim of their tiny village

"An astounded native woman was the first to notice me, and after displaying a reaction of shock and surprise, she pointed at me, and drew the others’ attention to my presence. I felt the remote power of their silent, penetrating stares, and their intense mental appraisals, and I began to envision a variety of unpleasant reactions.

"My sudden appearance had initiated a bewildering surprise, and their hesitation to extend either a cordial, or an unfriendly, reception, was not what I had anticipated. However, they stopped their activities and concentrated their gazes upon me. Then they slowly advanced half the distance between us, and waited until they had thoroughly appraised my appearance.

"The tallest native approached me, and I presumed that he was their leader, because I previously had noticed him directing the storage of their foods. I thought it best to address this tall one, by using the few greetings I had acquired from the people at Addis Ababa, but he did not seem to understand these words, although I believed that he realized that this was a friendly greeting. After a short time, he uttered an unfamiliar short phrase, which I could not answer, so we both stood there facing each other in silence.

"The tall man turned away and firmly spoke to a small boy standing behind him. The boy scampered away and entered one of the huts. I hoped that he had not been sent for some type of death-dealing weapon.