Orchid Pavilion
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Taizong, the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty, was good at calligraphy. Calligraphy was considered a fine art in China. Works by grand masters were earnestly copied and studied. Pieces of their handwriting were treasured works of art and Taizong was an ardent collector.
The most famous piece in Chinese calligraphy was The Orchid Pavilion written by Wang Xizhi in 353A.D. When Taizong learned that it was in the hands of an elderly monk in Zhejiang, he dispatched several envoys to the monk to ask for it. But the monk insisted that it was lost in the war. Taizong then sent a court minister Xiao Yi, a crafty man with an artistic bent, on the acquisition mission.
Posing as a scholar, Xiao Yi frequented the temple where the monk resided. Before long he got along well with the monk, often drinking, playing chess, and writing poems together. Upon learning that Xiao Yi was in possession of some pieces of calligraphy by Wang Xizhi, the monk’s interest was piqued. He asked Xiao Yi to bring his collection to the temple.
“Although they are genuine Wang Xizhi,” the monk commented after examining them, “they are not his best. I have The Orchid Pavilion. That is a true masterpiece.”
Xiao Yi pretended disbelief. “It can’t be genuine. The real one has been lost in the turmoil of war.”
“Not at all. The Orchid Pavilion is a family heirloom. My late mentor is the seventh generation of Wang Xizhi. Before his death, he entrusted it to me. Come over tomorrow. I’ll show you.”
The following day the monk took the treasure out of hiding. Xiao Yi was struck dumb by the sheer beauty of the masterpiece. He admitted what he had were Wang Xizhi’s lesser works and left them with the elderly monk.
Over time the monk came to trust Xiao Yi and let him have free access to his quarters. Others in the temple took Xiao Yi for a friend. One day Xiao Yi came to the temple when the elderly monk was away. Xiao Yi said he had left some books in the monk’s room and the monk’s pupil told him to go inside and fetch them himself. Xiao Yi took the opportunity and made off with The Orchid Pavilion easily along with his own collection of Wang Xizhi.
Taizong was so exulted to get hold of the masterpiece that he promoted Xiao Yi. He wanted to punish the monk who had lied to him. But upon second thought he gave the monk three thousand hectoliters of grain and three thousand bolts of silk as compensation. The monk sold them for cash, with which, he built a pagoda.
Taizong had The Orchid Pavilion traced over and carved on a stone from which copies could be made by rubbing. When Taizong died, the original piece of The Orchid Pavilion was buried with him in his tomb. Taizong’s own handwriting, done in swift and graceful strokes, is now kept in the Museum of Xi’an.
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Red Cat
Wise Proverbs
- Even Homer sometimes nods.
- 智者千虑，必有一失。
- Creep before you walk.
- 循序渐进。
- Courtesy on one side only lasts not long.
- 来而不往非礼也。
Editor Says:
Pride is a double-edged sword. If you don’t handle it well, it will make you psychologically vulnerable to be exploited by others. The pride of owning The Orchid Pavilion made the elderly monk an easy prey for provocation. In the end, he let his guard down and fell victim to Xiao Yi’s trick.