📖 The Godbound Puppets

Since Tang, the Entertainment District in the capital has been home to many skilled craftsmen. Among them, Zhang Jinxian's puppet show, using gold threads to manipulate his marionettes, was particularly renowned. As night fell, before the lanterns of the servants in Courtyard Street were even lit, the crowd had already gathered around Zhang Jinxian's puppet theater. Over a hundred spectators crowded around the stage, craning their necks and eagerly waiting for the show to start, filling the street to the brim. A young man pushed his way through the crowd, ignoring the complaints of those around him. He headed straight for the front of the stage. Looking up, he saw Zhang Jinxian's fingers flicking gracefully in the air, guiding delicate silver threads that connected to the wooden puppets each about two feet tall directing them in a flawless, synchronized performance. With a pull and a flick, the puppet of a scholar was knocked to the ground by a bandit puppet, curling up in agony and crying out in despair. Another flick, and a female puppet appeared from behind the curtains, gently helping the scholar to his feet, leading him to the bridal chamber, and assisting him on his journey to the capital to take the imperial exams. The performance continued, filled with dazzling twists, spins, and turns. The scholar passed the exams with top honors, while the woman came to the capital to find her husband, only to be tragically slain by the him... Though Zhang Jinxian was already over fifty years old, his performance was masterful. He not only controlled the puppets with skill but also voiced the characters, switching seamlessly between the ungrateful scholar and the heartbroken woman, playing multiple roles with absolute precision. As the show ended, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. The young man, however, remained frozen in place, lost in thought. It wasn't until the crowd dispersed that he muttered to himself: "There's always someone better, and there are always greater heights to reach. If there's already mastered gold-thread puppetry in Bianjing, what chance do I, Li Waining, have to make a name for myself?"

The opening gongs and drums sounded three times, yet only a few people stood before Zhang Jinxian's puppet opera stage. "My string puppet skills have grown rusty?" Zhang Jinxian moved his fingers. The female puppet began to dance. "Old Zhang, your puppet is too small. Li Waining brought a female puppet as big as a real person." Zhang Jinxian looked up at the Talespinner, who often told stories in the theater. The Talespinner leaned in, "People are saying that this boy must have learned some dark arts, turning people into puppets." Zhang Jinxian curled his lips, "Nonsense! Is it really that lifelike?" "Of course! I saw it with my own eyes. If it weren't for the strings attached, I'd almost think it was a real person!" With the Talespinner's exclamation, the already sparse audience began to head towards the Bian River. Seeing this, Zhang Jinxian also headed to the riverbank. The Bian River was already crowded with people. Across the river, a young man stood on a high platform, holding several thumb-thick cotton strings. At the lower end of the strings was a female puppet the size of an adult woman. The puppet, with a dignified and elegant appearance, danced gracefully in colorful attire. Her face was rosy, lips smiling, and her black almond-shaped eyes blinked from time to time as the young man behind her pulled the strings, truly as lively and vivid as a real person. "That is Li Waining from Min. It's said that this string puppet skill is a family tradition," the Talespinner appeared behind Zhang Jinxian. On stage, Li Waining sang while manipulating the puppet to dance with the music. As the song ended, he released the strings, and the puppet's eyes closed, falling to the ground with a dull thud. Li Waining immediately jumped off the platform, carefully picked up the puppet, and turned backstage. "Li Waining treasures his puppet dearly. He never lets anyone else handle its transport or maintenance. Once the puppet is off stage, he quickly places it in a padded camphor wood box, afraid of even the slightest damage. Even his own sister isn't allowed to touch it." As the Talespinner spoke, a woman in a plain gauze garment and a heavy veil appeared before the crowd, holding a money pouch. A clear voice called out from beneath the veil: "My brother and I are new to this place. If you have money, please support us with money; if not, support us with your presence!" Zhang Jinxian placed a few coins into the pouch and asked, "Why do you wear a veil, miss? Is it inconvenient to be seen?" The woman paused and said, "I have no issue being seen. However, I suffer from a strange ailment. Once exposed to the wind, my whole body itches, and I get a splitting headache." Zhang Jinxian said no more, merely smiled playfully, and then strode away.

Zhang Jinxian had barely taken a few steps when he heard someone call from behind, "Mr. Zhang, please wait!" Turning around, he saw none other than Li Waining. Li Waining was beaming with excitement. He hurried over, taking two or three quick steps, and, once in front of Zhang Jinxian, immediately kneeled down with great respect, bowing deeply. "I've long heard of your renowned gold-thread puppetry, Mr. Zhang. I am truly fortunate to witness it today. May I ask if you would be willing to teach me?" he said earnestly. Zhang Jinxian examined Li Waining from head to toe. After a long pause, he spoke slowly, "You're a promising young man. But I'm just an old fellow now, unable to work such large puppets. I don't think I have anything worthwhile to teach you." Li Waining's face flushed red with embarrassment. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees again and grasped Zhang Jinxian's sleeve, pleading, "I've seen your performances, Mr. Zhang. Your skills are exquisite, and despite my many years of practice, I still cannot master the true essence. Please, take me as your attendant!" Zhang Jinxian ignored the pleading and instead looked over at a woman nearby, asking, "Is that woman over there, with her face veiled, your sister? Her graceful figure suggests she must be a dancer of great talent." Li Waining's face instantly turned pale at the mention of her. He glanced around nervously at the onlookers and then muttered quietly, "Yes, that's my younger sister, Li Zhu'er... Could we speak privately, sir?" A short while later, in a private room at Fan Pavilion, Li Zhu'er removed her veil, revealing a face heavily powdered with white makeup. Her delicate face, with springlike warmth, her red lips, and her almond-shaped eyes sparkling like black lacquer, looked no different from the puppet on the shore. Zhang Jinxian let out a soft chuckle. "Sixteen years old and already on stage. Fifty years have passed in the blink of an eye. You may fool others with your puppetry, but you won't deceive me." His expression suddenly changed. He became serious, his face growing stern, and he slammed the table with a loud thud. "A puppet is supposed to imitate human form! But now you've inverted the order, turning people into puppets. That is not only breaking the rules it's a mockery!" Li Waining, who had always revered Zhang Jinxian like a god, was deeply ashamed by the harsh rebuke. He lowered his head, wilting under the criticism. Li Zhu'er, however, young and hot-headed, couldn't stand seeing her brother treated this way. She spoke up, "My brother's marionette puppets are unmatched in the Fujian region. We didn't expect to encounter a master of gold-thread puppetry here in Bianjing... But so what? Even if we're using people as puppets, what's the harm? Puppets are meant to entertain. No one notices the flaws, the audience enjoys the performance, and we make money it's a win-win situation. Are you jealous of our success, afraid we'll steal your business?" "Zhu'er!" Li Waining snapped, his voice cutting her off. He turned to Zhang Jinxian, bowed, and apologized, "My sister is young and naive. Please, forgive her." Zhang Jinxian waved dismissively and turned to leave. "We're on different paths. You keep performing your full-sized puppets, and I'll stick to my two-foot-tall ones. As for taking you on as an attendant don't bring it up again." Li Waining rushed to catch up, but when he stepped outside, the bustling scene of the Fan Pavilion restaurant was in full swing, with servers and guests moving about, and Zhang Jinxian had vanished without a trace.

Li Waining felt that he must have been out of luck lately. First, he parted ways unhappily with Master Jinxian, and then he was pestered by Mr. Zhao. Since Li Waining arrived in Bianjing and began performing string puppet shows, there had always been a Mr. Zhao who would unfailingly appear in front of the stage. This Mr. Zhao was extremely generous. It was said that Mr. Zhao came from a well-known merchant family. Although his wealth was not as vast as that of capital's richest man, Marquis Fang, he was still ranked among the affluent. Renhe Tavern, which earned a fortune daily, was a Zhao family business. Li Waining had never encountered such a generous patron before. He felt undeserving and would always perform an extra show of Celestial Maiden Scattering Flowers to please Mr. Zhao. But today, Mr. Zhao unexpectedly proposed to buy the puppet. Li Waining was shocked and declined, saying, "This puppet is not only my livelihood but also a family heirloom. I cannot sell it." Mr. Zhao was calm, "A thousand gold." Li Waining remained firm, "Mr. Zhao, even if you offer ten thousand gold, I will not agree." Mr. Zhao said, "Very well, as you say, ten thousand gold." Li Waining assumed Mr. Zhao was joking. But the next day, as Li Waining was performing, his sister Li Zhu'er came rushing back with a money pouch. The two opened the pouch, and found ten taels of gold and a letter from Mr. Zhao. The letter read: I have never regarded puppet as lifeless. From the first sight, I wished to marry it. If you agree, I am willing to offer a betrothal gift of ten thousand gold. Mr. Zhao wanted to spend so much to marry a puppet! Li Waining and his sister Li Zhu'er exchanged glances, seeing fear in each other's eyes. "Brother, what should we do now?" Li Zhu'er asked in panic. Li Waining furrowed his brows, remained silent for a long time, "Invite Mr. Zhao here!"

Second year of Xuanhe, on the day after full moon in April, was the most unforgettable day in Mr. Zhao's life. That day, he rose at 03:00, attended by three or five maidservants, he changed into newly tailored brocade trousers, a golden-threaded jujube-red cloak, and a dark green belt with pine patterns. After more than two hours of meticulous grooming, he rode in a light carriage drawn by four Royal Jasper horses, heading to Li Waining's residence to attend puppet appointment. However, upon entering, Mr. Zhao was hit with a shocking revelation the puppet he was infatuated with was not a real puppet, but was played by Li Waining's younger sister, Li Zhu'er! Mr. Zhao, who had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, had never suffered such a blow. He collapsed into the chair, overwhelmed with shock, confusion, shame, and anger. After hastily refusing the ten taels of gold returned by Li Waining, he staggered to his feet, intending to flee the scene. Just as Mr. Zhao was about to leave, a servant from Zhao Estate rushed in, shouting: "Officer Gao is claiming our food made people sick. He insists we hand over the premises to him. Of course, Master refused, but just now a group of soldiers came and took Master to jail!" "They say when love fails, business prospers. Why is my luck so poor? Not only is the puppet fake, but now my family faces such a calamity!" At this, Mr. Zhao collapsed to the ground, clutching his head and wailing. The room descended into chaos, with Li Waining and the servant helping Mr. Zhao up, while Li Zhu'er prepared tea and towels. After drinking the tea and wiping his face, Mr. Zhao regained his composure. "I apologize for making a fool of myself," Mr. Zhao said. "My sister and I are at fault. Please forgive us," Li Waining asked, "But who is this Officer Gao, so brazen under Emperor's nose?" "Officer Gao is the adopted son of Grand Commandant Gao Qiu. Not even the Emperor can restrain him, only a deity descending could possibly do so. To protect my father, I'm afraid Renhe premises cannot be saved," Mr. Zhao sighed. "A deity descending, puppets reversed... I've got it!" Li Waining said, "If you trust me, please allow me to assist you to make amends for earlier."

In Courtyard Street, the Talespinner gesticulated wildly, recounting the "Puppet Miracle" that had taken the capital by storm over the past two days: "The puppet was already exquisitely crafted, but who would have thought it would truly come to life! I saw it clearly by the Bian River! Initially, the puppet was manipulated by a person, moving jerkily, pulled by cotton strings. Then, as the sky gradually darkened with thick clouds and a fierce wind arose, the puppet suddenly opened its eyes wide, broke free from the strings, and strode forward, muttering 'Bullying the weak, unjust official, tyrannizing Renhe - heaven strikes with thunder!' Although no names were mentioned, it was clear to all that this referred to the official's tyrannical act against the Zhao family's Renhe Building. Evidently, Heaven could not stand it and sent an immortal to uphold justice. The official, who usually boasted of fearing neither heaven nor earth, was now trembling in fear, releasing the Zhao family patriarch from prison overnight. It's said he's still hiding under his covers, too scared to move..." Outside the crowd, at a corner noodle stall, Zhang Jinxian poured a cup of wine and invited Li Waining beside him to drink. Zhang Jinxian raised his cup and said, "The younger generation is formidable. I've always followed the ancestral teachings, yet never imagined puppets could be reversed in such a wondrous way." Li Waining quickly drank his cup dry and said, "Sir, your praise is too generous. To be honest, the puppet's divine descent was a pretense, but there was a reason behind it..." Li Waining then revealed the entire affair concerning Mr. Zhao. Zhang Jinxian laughed heartily upon hearing this, first saying, "Who would have thought Mr. Zhao is such a passionate soul!" Then he turned serious and asked Li Waining, "Do you now understand why I said that reversing puppets violates the rules?" Li Waining replied, "Mixing humans and puppets causes misunderstandings, which might lead to inconvenience." Zhang Jinxian shook his head, "It's more than that. Puppets originated from the cruel practice of live human burial during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Puppets replaced humans, sparing them from such fate. We who inherit the legacy of puppets must not treat them as mere playthings, reversing humans and puppets at will, forgetting the original purpose of their creation that would be betraying our ancestors!" Li Waining was so ashamed his ears burned, and he quickly lowered his head. Zhang Jinxian continued, "However, though you reversed the puppets, you cleverly punished a wicked youth, doing a great deed. Times have changed, and perhaps the tradition of puppets should evolve too." Li Waining's cheeks flushed, saying, "Though the outcome was good, the reason behind it was not honorable; I was merely excusing my lack of skill. Now that the Zhao family's troubles are resolved, performing life-sized puppets might still cause misunderstandings and risk harassment from Officer Gao. Although you once said not to mention apprenticeship again, I still boldly ask you to accept me as your disciple!" As Li Waining spoke, he knelt down. Zhang Jinxian laughed and said, "I came today with the intention of accepting a disciple. But mastering the craft is not achieved overnight; can you endure the solitude?" "I am willing, Master!" Since the Chong and Guan eras, the art of string puppets has thrived in the capital's entertainment districts. Zhang Jinxian and Li Waining are its true masters.