Hua Hua You Long - Volume 1 - Chapter 2.1

Chapter 2- Moonlit Night in the Grand Capital

            Hangzhou has always been a city of scholars and learned men. It didn’t matter whether they were talented or mediocre, old or young. All of them sought a place by East Lake to reside. The rich ones built vacation homes and the poor ones built cottages. It wasn’t so uncouth that it would offend their titles of “educated men,” and at the same time, they could borrow the believed-to-be supernatural atmosphere of East Lake to realise their dreams of fame and fortune. 

 Situated amongst the big and small residences of well-read though miserly Confucian scholars, at the head of the broken bridge, the master of Baiwen School Bai Xu was a man of slightly notable fame. The Baiwen Society of Poetry headed by said man was the laudably the largest poetry society in all of Jiangnan. Besides the Society, Bai Xu was thoroughly learned in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting([1]), and his pretentious fame from his expertise in engraving([2]) was not subordinate to the fame of contemporarily renowned poetry and literature.

            On this fine day, Bai Xu, as usual, ended his class at noon to return to his home by East Lake—The House of Bai.

            The moment he stepped through his door, his apprentice([3]) Bai Yuan rushed over. “Teacher, there are guests in the greeting hall waiting for you.”

            Bai Xu automatically assumed that his guests were here to ask for instruction on literature, so dismissed indifferently, “Tell them to wait. I’ll be down right after I change.”

            But Bai Yuan didn’t nod and leave. Instead, he stared back with fright in his eyes.

“What is it? Why don’t you go to send on my word?” Bai Xu asked, slightly puzzled.

Bai Yuan quietly leaned over and whispered in his teacher’s ear, “Teacher, please hurry to greet the guests. They’ve been waiting for the entire morning, and their tempers are quite big...”

Seeing that Bai Xu still wore an expression of unwillingness, Bai Yuan added in a low voice, “The guests all have weapons...”

The colour instantaneously drained from Bai Xu’s face. Though he had gained slight fame, he was far below the high standing of Hangzhou’s wealthy elitists, nor did he have any deeply vengeful enemies lying in wait. He really couldn’t imagine what these armed people would be here for.

Then, quickly hiding his shock, he said to Bai Yuan, “Come with me to the greeting hall.”

Hurrying to the greeting hall, Bai Xu made out the figures of three tall, well-built men with unpleasant expressions, standing or sitting down. A young man donned in robes of fine, grey silk with a long sword strapped to his waist sat upright in the guest’s seat. To his left stood a middle-aged man dressed as a strategic advisor([4]), and there was also a servant around eighteen or nineteen standing behind the young man—quite obviously a follower.

Seeing Bai Xu rushing over in hurried steps, the young man rose to his feet, and the man dressed as an advisor followed suit. Bai Xu was ascertained of his presumption—this young man was to be his main guest today.  

The moment he reached the main hall, the young man came up to greet him. “Teacher([5]) Bai, please don’t be alarmed by our arrival. We simply took the liberty of visiting.”

Only upon close encounter did Bai Xu discover that this young man was actually exceptionally handsome. Oval face, and underneath two long eyebrows that neared his temple, a pair of spirited, large eyes that seemed to dance with bright sparks. The sword strapped to his strong, slender figure was clearly one above normal worth. Ah, so this must be what is called “the wulin hero”, Bai Xu thought. 

Returning his greeting with a nod, Bai Xu sat down in the host’s seat and turned to Bai Yuan. “Why haven’t you gone to pour some tea-”

But before he could finish, he was interrupted by the young man. “Teacher Bai, there’s no need. I’m here today because there’s something I need to ask of you...”

Bai Xu’s brows furrowed at the interruption. This person is so lacking in manners, even though he has something to ask of me!

The young man did not fail to detect the small wavering in Bai Xu’s countenance. A surge of pride surfaced between his brows as he uttered coldly, “I won’t try to hide it from Teacher. We three hail from Mt. Lu Cang, so it’s truly not convenient for us to stay long in the city. Please be considerate, Teacher!” Though he used the word “considerate,” his expression was not so. His followers standing behind him also placed a ready hand on the hilt of their swords.

The moment Bai Xu heard “Mt. Lu Cang”, an involuntary shudder travelled down his spine. Mt. Lu Cang was a mountain inhabited by bandits, located right outside of the city of Hangzhou. These bandits frequently robbed the rich and wealthy, and have never failed once. They could be considered quite famous in the region of Jiangnan, but Bai Xu never would’ve guessed that today, they’d come to visit his own home.

Bai Xu was a pure scholar through and through. How could he have expected a situation like this? As panic rose in his heart, his manners also grew moderated. “Apologies, apologies, I truly do not know...do not know...” He was lost for words.

Seeing through the meaning behind his stuttering, the young man gave a carefree, “Do not be alarmed, Teacher. We are not here for Teacher’s money today. We are here for your help, really.”

Bai Xu calmed down a little after hearing him speak thus, but still could not think of a reason for a bandit gang to visit his residence. He began, a bit troubled, “I’m not sure what I could do to help...”

Apparently impatient with Bai Xu’s flowery, “sophisticated”([6]) way of speaking, the young man said with a wave of the hand, “Don’t be too worried, Teacher...I wonder if there’s a secret chamber here?”

“Secret chamber?” Bai Xu frowned slightly. He was only a white-robed scholar. How would he have a secret chamber built into his house?”

The young man saw his hesitation and suggested, “It’s alright if there’s no secret chamber. Please bring me to Teacher’s bedroom then.”

Bai Xu was dumbstruck by his demand. Why would this mountain bandit want to enter my bedroom? Don’t tell me there’s some treasure I don’t know about in there!

Bai Xu was still shifting back and forth in uncertainty, but the young man soon grew irritated. “Teacher, there isn’t anything that’s inconvenient is there?”

“Ah...ah, ah...” Bai Xu was finally dragged out of his train of thought. Wearing a gloomy expression, he quickly said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Quite convenient, quite convenient.”

At this, the young man’s brows unfurled slightly and then, waving to the two behind him, said, “Wait here. If I’m not back in two hours...” He gave Bai Xu a threatening glare, then admired the satisfactory effect of fear on Bai Xu’s face.

“This way, please, guest([7]).” Knowing that he couldn’t afford to offend this mafia boss, Bai Xu’s attitude soon grew courteous and polite.

The two continued towards the back yard([8]) through the hallway, Bai Xu leading the way. He glimpsed from the corner of his eye the grave expression on the young man’s face, as if there was a severe emergency locked within that frown of his.

In a few moments, they arrived at Bai Xu’s own bedroom, hidden amongst a small, green bamboo grove.

Leading the young man into the inner chamber, Bai Xu watched as he closed the door, then cautiously locked it as well. Bai Xu couldn’t help but feel a bit jumpy on the inside, not knowing what he was about to do.

“What do you exactly want me to help you with...” Bai Xu casually asked as he mindlessly pulled off his outer robe and threw it on the bed. But, as he turned around, the scene that met his eyes gave him an instantaneous scare.

The young man had already unstrapped his sword and thrown his outer robe onto the chair to the side, and was currently concentrated on untying the belt that held up his trousers...

“Ah!...Guest, you...what’re you doing...” Suddenly shocked, Bai Xu let out an involuntary cry.

But the young man didn’t respond. Instead, he took off his pants, then untied his under robe and set it aside. Subtly gesturing to the root of his thigh, he said, “Teacher, please look at this for me...”

Bai Xu , trembling with terror, traced with his eyes in the direction the young man’s finger was pointing in...He immediately felt as if he was about to faint. He was a man thoroughly read in all kinds of poetry and literature, and had indeed read of certain abnormal individuals who enjoyed exposing themselves in front of others, especially their private parts...but he didn’t expect there would be types who specially chose victims for them to...look!

    Bai Xu instantly averted his eyes, his voice beginning to quiver, “Guest, you...you’re joking with me. I, I’m not a young woman...”

“What young woman? What’re you talking about? Why would I want a young woman to see? I’m here to have you help me look at...” He treaded towards Bai Xu as he spoke.

Not waiting for him to finish, Bai Xu already began to exclaim in distress, Guest...Guest...you’ve got the wrong person! I do not have the habit of cut sleeve([9])...I do not like this practice...” In a startled jump, Bai Xu fell unsteadily to sit on the edge of the bed, frightfully curling into a ball, terrified of the horrible misfortunes he will have to bear...

“What ‘habit of cut sleeve’...what’re you talking about?” The young man stopped in front of him with a demeanour of perplexity. “I only want you to help me identify the characters([10]) in this seal’s branding.”

“Ah?...” Bai Xu slowly allowed the hands shielding his head to slide down. Then, still only half-convinced of the truth, he looked to the crevice at the root of the young man’s thigh, which was held slightly ajar. Sure enough, by the weak candlelight, Bai Xu made out a miniscule brand hidden in the honey-coloured skin.

“You’re...you’re asking me to read the engraving?” Bai Xu let out a long sigh of relief, but was still a bit unsettled.

“Well, what did you think I wanted you to do?” The young man frowned in irritation. The mien upon his brows was a little scary.

“Oh...” Bai Xu finally settled his fears, and continued, “So that’s how it is...” As he spoke, he reached over to touch the small branding to make out the engraved words.

“What’re you doing?!” At his touch, the young man immediately leapt backwards. Then he seemed to notice his betrayal of emotions and hurriedly added, “I’ll do it myself.”

Blood flushing his cheeks, he gently stretched out the skin around the minute branding and scooted a bit closer. “I shall trouble Teacher to look at this for me.”

Though it was something that Bai Xu had himself, but he still found observing that place at such a close proximity quite startling. What was unusual was that, on that place which never one saw the sun were scattered, round bruises one after another, as if something had cruelly bitten into it. Bai Xu glimpsed the young man’s loathing glower from the corner of his eye, and could only choose to act as if he saw nothing, repressing the odd feeling that arose in his chest. Closely examining that tiny branding, he found that the words were written in Xiaozhuan([11]), and were awfully complex. It would be a true challenge for those who weren’t learned in the art of seal-engraving to discern the words—he finally began to understand why this mountain thief came to find him, an expert in the field of stone engraving, to distinguish this seal brand.

When he finally raised his head, the young man swiftly asked, “Teacher, did you see clearly what the words are?”

Bai Xu’s expression was a bit complicated. Slowly, he answered, “From what I know, that branding is the two words ‘Jing Xi’.”

Before he was finished, a bearing of total epiphany struck the young man. Then, a faint notion of bloodthirstiness surfaced between his brows. “So that bastard’s name is Jing Xi!!” he growled maliciously.

Glancing towards Bai Xu, the young man saw that there seemed to be something else Bai Xu wanted to say. The young man’s face suddenly became a bit terrifying. “If you speak one word of what happened here today, I’ll make sure that not a single chicken or dog in this house gets out alive!” After he finished making his threat, he didn’t look at Bai Xu again. He only minded to walk over to the chair and redressed himself with the discarded clothing, then stalked with mighty grace out the bedroom.

Bai Xu watched his proud, retreating figure and shook his head. He was just about to tell him that in the language of seals, “xi([12])” was a word specifically used to refer to seals reserved for the use of royal family. And furthermore, wasn’t the current emperor...wasn’t his forbidden name([13]) “Jing”?

But...it’s not like he had a moral responsibility to tell him in the first place.

 Feeling a bit pleased that with himself for using an indirect trick in revenge of the young man’s rude behaviour, Bai Xu smiled secretly to himself.

 But of course, the young man knew nothing of the Bai Xu’s secret musings. With the joy of triumphing over one great mystery in his heart, he returned to the greeting hall, and, called out to his followers, left the Bai household.

On the returning trip, he made a weighty oath to himself: Oh, Jing Xi, Jing Xi, you atrocious rapist, if I don’t personally end your life by my sword, I, Lu Cang, swear that I’ll never step into Jianghu([14]) again for the rest of my life!

Needless to say, this young man was the horribly unfortunate mountain bandit king who was forcibly taken by the coercive emperor Jing cross-dressed as a woman, Lu Cang. Ever since he was humiliated by Jing, there hasn’t been a single moment he didn’t spend plotting his revenge.

He wanted to find out the name of his enemy from the seal brand between his legs, so he spent all his days trying to read the branding by propping a mirror between his legs. But to conquer that twisted, elaborate calligraphy was essentially impossible for a martial artist like him, who only knew only just enough to pass as literate. On the cusp of desperation, he could only act on such an underhanded scheme: ask for the help of the famous engravings master of Hangzhou Bai Xu. And in the end, he finally had his way.

But why? Why do I have to do something so humiliating as this—going to the house of someone I don’t know to make a stranger look at the most secretive part of my body?! Oh, the rage!!! The more Lu Cang thought, the angrier he became. He felt a slight wetness surge to the edge of his eye.

Every day for the past ten days, it was as if he was being burned by the hatred that clogged up his heart. Each day was living hell. The place that had been forcibly penetrated was severely ripped and bled profusely. Because of the endless bruising that dotted his body, he could only go to the lake in the mountain in the middle of the night to bathe. The place that had been branded was constantly ablaze with unbearable pain. And in spite of all this, he still had to continuously look at his own private place with a mirror to try and discern the words in the brand like some sort of mutant freak! But this wasn’t the worst part. There was still something even more tragic.

After his manhood had been touched by that freakish male beauty, it seemed to have become limp and powerless...To think that, because he wanted to prove he was completely healthy and normal, he sought out a famous Jiangnan prostitute, but in the end he recalled the horrid memories of that day and couldn’t do as he intended, and ended up being harshly laughed at...At the thought of this, he nearly had the impulse of tearing up!

The entirety of all this was the doing of that freakishly mutated beast! Lu Cang chewed his tongue with an entire chest full of abhorrence and loathing, enveloped by the thrill of imagining his own revenge...Now, to wait until the fifteenth of this month to avenge myself of this hatred beyond the knowledge of man!

June 15, night of full moon.

Like every other imperial dynasty that upheld a prosperous golden age, Datong also situated its capital in Chang’an([15]), but changed the name of the city to Tong’an. Yue Long Bridge([16]) was juxtaposed right where the southern central imperial city and the outer ring of the city connected.

It was already midnight. The street was silent. Not a single human silhouette along its path. The chaste splendour of the moon spilled frigidly onto Yue Long Bridge. But there was a long shadow, a blurred figure, perched upright on the bridge.

Needless to say, this was the fellow who travelled a thousand miles from Hangzhou to Tong’an to obtain an antidote, the dastardly unfortunate Mt. Lu Cang...No, no, no, he was the glorious mountain king, the one that everyone of Jianghu called “the Eagle,” Lu Cang.  

 But today, Lu Cang wasn’t here for the cure...He secretly pulled out a sharp-edged dagger from inside his sleeve([17]).The moment he imagined putting this dagger against that beautifully-shaped neck, he couldn’t help the laughter that rose from inside his chest.

The night was cold as water.

The stuffy, hot air of the day seemed to melt into strokes of refreshing cool during the night, and brought with it a sort of hidden fragrance floating and swaying so lightly that it was barely detectable.

Wait...hidden fragrance?

Lu Cang, abruptly struck awake, instantaneously spun around. And of course, at the north end of the bridge stood a white-robed figure—the very man he had been waiting for.

Though he had rid himself of women’s clothing, the white Confucian robes added a dash of aura exceeding the mundane world to his magnificent beauty. Why are the features of the perfect beauty of my dreams on the face of this unpardonably wicked man who wouldn’t hesitate to commit any and a;; inconceivable crimes?! Completely unable to defend himself against the exquisiteness of that face, Lu Cang could only choose to look away, his heart aching on the inside all the while.

“What, aren’t you happy to see me?” Jing smiled lightly as he asked, the sound of his voice ever the more pure in the soundlessness colours of night. It seemed to ignite a certain excitement in the hearts of all who listened.

Lu Cang was still too afraid to turn his head back to stare into that face which was100% effective in seducing him. He could only look down and say, “Where’s the antidote? Give it to me quickly.” His voice was low and heavy, with an inkling of dejection.

Jing smiled, and walked to stand in front of Lu Cang. The two, whose heights were pretty much exactly the same, immediately met each others’ gazes straight on. Looked on by those eyes of beauty unparalleled in the whole universe, Lu Cang’s heart began to race to the point of insanity. He hastily forced himself to repress his heartbeat.

“You want me to give it to you here?” There was a dash of teasing in Jing’s voice.  Edging closer so they were pressed upon each other, Jing wrapped one arm round his waist, while the other hand reached down to give his buttocks a hard wrench.

Suddenly remembering how the pill entered his body, Lu Cang couldn’t control himself as his face flushed crimson. But he who loved his reputation too much still forced himself to act unperturbed.  “Then, then...do you have a place?”

Sensing Lu Cang’s panic, Jing, much to Lu Cang’s horror, laughed. Seeing the fury and detestation that surged upon that handsome brow, Jing quickly withdrew his laughter. “Come with me,” he said. And, not waiting for Lu Cang’s answer, already unfolded his air kung-fu([18]) and flew swiftly towards the north outer ring of the city.

 Lu Cang hurriedly followed suit, unfolding his own footwork to catch up. The reason he was called “the Eagle” was because his air kung-fu was exceptional. Now that he had an opportunity to display his kung-fu skills, there was no way he would allow himself to show any weakness. And so he proceeded, “flying” as if it were for his life.

Once again, the truth gave him a huge disappointment. Lu Cang was already using his full strength, but Jing was still three steps ahead, steadily leading with completely zero hint that he was going to be passed.

Is he really better than me at everything? A wave of tragic grief began to rise up from the depth of Lu Cang’s heart. He instinctively gripped the dagger inside his sleeve once again, as if he was drawing from it more strength.

Jing finally slowed to a stop in front of a small citizen’s residence. This was an ordinary four-sided courtyard house([19]), but the yard was arranged with exceptional elegance. A bright light seeped out from behind the fancy silk paper window([20]), making the house markedly noticeable in the deep, vacant night.  

Following Jing into the room, the first and most alarming thing that met Lu Cang’s eye was that bed...that bed which was much wider than the average measurements, with a brocaded, fine, red silk mattress and the covers made from rare, white satin cloth, embroidered with an extravaganza of a hundred flowers. Red and white complemented, appearing especially striking under the luminous glow. 

He took a step back in spite of himself. Lu Cang was a bit uncomfortable sharing the same space this man when a bed was before his very eyes.

“Can you give me the antidote now?” Lu Cang didn’t sense it, but his tone had begun to grow involuntarily soft and sapped of strength.

Once again, Jing displayed that smile that Lu Cang reviled, and said, “Take off your clothes and come on the bed. I’ll give you the antidote.”

(Cont in next post)
[1] Music, chess, calligraphy, painting (琴棋书画)- these are the four fundamental elements of an ancient Chinese artistic education. If you master these four, then you’re really awesome. Music usually refers to the zither, chess usu. Go, calligraphy is calligraphy, and painting is traditional Chinese-style painting. Technically, they don’t get you anywhere in life (unless you’re a prostitute, then you earn money…) and are “refined hobbies” that gentlemen and ladies alike enjoy in their spare time, and practically all but “chess” are marketable skills.

[2] Engraving expertise (金石学)- an ancient Chinese skill/study that consists of recognizing and analysing engravings on different mediums, including but not limited to bronze and stone mediums.

[3] Apprentice- I translated this as “apprentice” for lack of a better word. 书童 (Shu Tong) are boys serving in a scholar’s study. They’re not really servants, but certainly not respected as an actual student of the school.

[4] Advisor/strategist/counselor (军师)- in China, this is traditionally a government position (or if you’re a rebel army or something), so I’m sort of confused as to why the author used this term in reference to a gang of bandits. But the literal meaning is “military advisor.”

[5] Teacher/Mister(先生)- here, it actually should be “teacher” although the words for mister and teacher are the same. In ancient China,先生is a gender neutral word used to address teachers whereas today 先生means “sir” or “mister.”

[6]Bai Xu’s way of speaking- In ancient China, the difference of how an educated person and an uneducated speaks exhibits quite a great gap. Bai Xu, a 100% stereotypical Chinese scholar, talks in an extremely polite, mannered, humble, and “decorous” fashion that typifies your average “learned person” in China (I’m not going to lie, the humbleness and floweriness of it pisses me off sometimes, too).  Meanwhile, Lu Cang has no patience for such manners, and speaks straight and to-the-point. The funny thing is that Jing actually never speaks in the “learned fashion” through the book (though I’m sure he does when he discusses politics or something), since he’s quite careless about what comes out of his mouth xDDD

[7] Guest- It’s common to address your guest as “guest” if you don’t know them that well (in ancient China). I know it sounds strange.

[8] Chinese houses- In ancient China, homes (of moderately wealthy to wealthy people) were built in a “yard” style instead of as an entire edifice. They would have many separate houses, each being one or two rooms, separated by garden and yard. The hallways are outside, though roofed (it’s like a super extended gazebo), and different sections of the house, say the master’s bedroom and the servant’s quarters, are walled off from each other and connected through doors. So basically, a huge yard with separate little houses and pretty Fengshui ponds and whatnot.

[9] The habit of cut sleeves- “Cut sleeve” is a scholarly euphemism for male homosexuality. The origin of the phrase comes from an incident with the Emperor of Han, Han Aidi (汉哀帝). Han Aidi had a male lover Dong Xian(懂贤), whom he favoured very much. The story goes that one day, when Han Aidi woke up in the morning, Dong Xian was still asleep beside him, and was lying on the Emperor’s sleeve. Han Aidi couldn’t bring himself to wake up Dong Xian, so instead, he cut his sleeve loose. And so, the “habit of cut sleeve” became an implied reference to homosexual relationships. But, such euphemisms were only understood by those who were well-read, so most common people don’t understand the implied meaning.

[10] Identify the characters- No, Lu Cang is not illiterate. Chinese calligraphy is extremely complex, and consists of many different styles and ways of writing, which vary partially on the era in which each style was created. As you can imagine, it’s hard to read artistic calligraphy (usu. seals are carved artistically) unless you’re an expert.

[11] 小篆 (Xiaozhuan)- the type of calligraphy used by Qin Shi Huangdi (秦始皇) to standardise written language in China (221 BC). It’s quite ancient and twisty. (Google it and you’ll know what I mean).

[12] 玺 (xi)- it usually refers to THE royal seal, like that REALLY big and heavy one(no seriously it’s this huge hulking block of jade...) that the emperor uses to approve all the petitions and whatnot. But technically, any seal used by the emperor is called “xi”...including a mini version xD

[13] Forbidden name- the emperor’s given name is also known as his “forbidden name” since it’s such a severe offence it’s pretty much considered illegal to call the emperor by his name, unless you’re his mother. (No, seriously. Only his mother, because his father the last emperor is dead, for the exception of like that one Qing emperor Qianlong, and everyone else has to call him “emperor” or “your majesty” unless he allows otherwise).

[14] Jianghu 江湖- literally, “river lake” and synonymous with wulin. Refers to the “world” of the kung-fu community and martial artists in ancient China. See Chapter 1 footnotes for more in-depth description of wulin/Jianghu.

[15] Chang’an (长安)- historical Chinese capital city. The capital was at Chang’an until the Mongols moved it in the Yuan Dynasty to Dadu, or the Beijing of today. Chang’an (now, Xi’an, yes where all the terracotta soldiers are, plus a bunch of emperors’ graves) was the capital of China for more than millennia…yeah, a goddamn long time.

[16] Yue Long Bridge (月龙桥)- Yue=Moon, long=dragon. ‘Nough said.

[17] Inside his sleeve- ancient Chinese people kept things in their sleeves...no seriously, like money and food (you could wrap some buns in a napkin and put it in your sleeve) and medicine and apparently tiny seals...And they kept extremely important things in their front chest cloth. Who needs pockets when you have sleeves, am’right? xD

[18] Air kung-fu (qing gong/轻功)- literally, “light kung-fu”. It’s one of the essential elements of Chinese kung-fu (note: this is not real, only in stories). Air kung-fu is a direct display of the martial artist’s agility and speed, and does not necessarily require a deep qi base. It allows the martial artist to propel him or herself forward a relatively long distance with a relatively small amount of solid base (to propel off of, for example the ground). The better your air kung-fu the farther you can jump (and higher) and the faster you can run and the more balance you have while running on roofs or climbing bamboo or whatever stuff they do. The idea is that if you become a master of air kung-fu you can propel yourself off of almost nothing and begin to “fly.” For example, running on water and running on the tip of prairie grass, etc, etc. Air kung-fu doesn’t belong to a specific kung-fu family (like say Shaolin or Wudang), but instead is a kung-fu essential that is usually included in all kung-fu families and branches, though obviously some emphasise it more than others depending on the style of kung-fu practiced. If you watch some wuxia dramas, you’ll know immediately what I mean.  

[19] Four-sided courtyard house- if you know anything about traditional Chinese architecture, the most standard, common house in ancient China is the four-sided courtyard house, which literally consists of a courtyard in the middle and all the rooms built on its four sides.

[20] Paper window- Chinese people invented many things, but they failed to discover glass…so ancient Chinese windows are all paper.