The Bronze Rose

A Romantic Historical Martial-Arts Novel

Prologue
In the year 1127 AD, the Jurchen forces invaded Bianjing, abducting Emperors Qin and Hui, along with over three thousand royal family members and officials. Government treasuries and private stores were plundered—everything was left bare. This marked the Jingkang Incident in the second year of the Jingkang era.
Zhao Gou, ninth son of Emperor Huizong, ascended the throne in Ying Tian Prefecture and later established his capital in Hangzhou, becoming Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song. He initially appointed Li Gang as chancellor, taking all his advice to heart. Later, swayed by Huang Qianshan and Wang Boyan, he dismissed Li Gang and discarded all his plans for governance and military affairs, making statecraft impossible.

Zong Ze served as the military governor of the Eastern Capital and prefect of Kaifeng. He recruited local heroes and organized militias, building fortifications and defenses. He employed the likes of Yue Fei and repeatedly defeated Jurchen troops.
Zong Ze submitted over twenty memorials urging the emperor to return to the capital, all blocked by Huang and Wang. Dying in indignation, he suffered a fatal back ulcer and passed away after crying out thrice, “Cross the river!” The people mourned bitterly.

The Jurchens crossed the river, seized Jiankang, and took Lin’an, pursuing Emperor Gaozong to Mingzhou. The emperor fled to the sea, chased for over 300 li before Zhang Gongyu drove the enemy off. Yue Fei engaged the Jurchens at Guangde, winning six consecutive battles. Han Shizhong, with only eight thousand men, blocked Wuzhu’s hundred-thousand-strong army at the Yangtze for forty-eight days. From then on, the Jurchens dared not cross the river again.

At that time, heroes and outlaws rose across the Jiangnan and Jiangbei regions. Some traveled in small bands; others wandered alone. Among them, the most renowned were “Xin Qiji of the North and Lu You of the South,” both young swordsmen skilled in both literature and martial arts.

Volume One: The Scholar-Swordsman

Chapter One: Lu You Trains on Mount Qixia
Frost slashes the face, cold stiffens the fingers—
A heart of crimson burns only for the nation.

01
Lu You was born into a scholarly-official family that rose from poverty through learning. His father, Lu Zhengxing (Lu Zai), once served as Vice Minister of War. Disillusioned with the peace-favoring officials like Li Boyan, he resigned and returned to their ancestral home in Shanyin County, Yue Prefecture (modern-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang), to farm and study.
Zhengxing saw through the treachery of officialdom and taught his son literature and poetry, but did not want him to follow in his political footsteps, lest he become corrupted by the powerful.

Lu You had a prodigious memory, able to compose poetry and prose by age twelve. He practiced with a bamboo sword and studied military strategy on his own. The villagers called him a “child prodigy,” and the elders believed he was destined for greatness.

At age sixteen, during a spring day in March, Lu You sparred with his friend Liu Kezhuang by the lake with bamboo swords. A Taoist happened to pass by and paused at a nearby pavilion, drinking from a gourd while watching the two youngsters duel.
Just as they were about to end their match, a voice rang out:

“You boys wield swords with no force—how can your duel be anything more than butterflies chasing among flowers?”

Startled, they turned toward the sound but saw the old Taoist seated in deep meditation.

“A man who holds a sword becomes its servant;
But one who holds no sword commands it like a dragon swimming in water—
The mind precedes the blade, and the blade follows the will.”

The voice echoed again. There was no one else nearby—could it be the Taoist? Or had they seen a ghost?

Lu You said to Kezhuang:

“This Taoist can speak without moving his lips—he must have deep inner power. Surely a sage from beyond the mortal world. Let us greet him.”

The two approached and bowed.
Lu You said,

“Master Taoist, your words from afar enlightened us greatly. We’ve come to pay our respects.”

He observed the Taoist: silver hair flowed freely, his face radiant like an immortal. He held a horsetail whisk and bore twin swords on his back—clearly a man of great cultivation.

The Taoist slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning.

“You must be the son of Lu Zhengxing—Lu You?”

Surprised, Lu asked,

“Indeed I am. How does Master know my father?”

The Taoist stood and said,

“Your father once served as Vice Minister of War and defied Li Boyan’s peace faction at court. His name is known throughout the land. Though I refrain from politics, my ears are not deaf. As it happens, before my late master passed, he predicted I would one day meet a youth fated to become my disciple—today that prophecy comes true.”

Lu You asked,

“Though my father shuns politics, I believe a man should not merely train in seclusion during troubled times. Just now, you mentioned a master-disciple fate. What did you mean by that?”

The Taoist stroked his beard and smiled,

“I have written a letter explaining everything, which has already been sent to your house. Your father will not refuse. If you doubt me, return home and ask him yourself—I’ll wait here.”

Lu asked,

“May I ask your name, Master Taoist?”
“I am Tian Shuzi, Abbot of the Seven Stars Temple on Mount Qixia. In the martial world, they call me Daoist Yangming.”

Kezhuang gasped,

“Yangming? The head of the Big Dipper Sword Formation? The Gan Shi Star Manual says: ‘The Big Dipper governs the heavens, as if driving the emperor’s chariot.’”
The Taoist chuckled,
“You know your classics. That’s me.”

Lu You said,

“Kezhuang, why don’t you speak with your family and join me on the mountain to train?”

But Yangming interjected,

“Your friend walks a different path—he will enter officialdom in time. He and I share no destiny as master and disciple. Return home separately; I will wait for you, Lu You.”

The boys saluted and left together.

02
When Lu You arrived home, his father was already waiting with servants having packed his belongings.

“Father, I—”

Lu Zhengxing waved him silent, unable to hide his sorrow.

“Go say farewell to your mother.”

Lu You had never seen his father so emotional—it was as the Taoist said.

In the back hall, his mother and cousin Tang Wan were weeping in each other’s arms.

“Mother, I’m back.”

He knelt before her.
His mother held his face, tears streaming:

“My dear son, how can I bear to see you leave?”

Tang Wan comforted her:

“Cousin will only be away for a few years. If you miss him, we can visit him on the mountain.”

Lu You, eyes glistening, said:

“Please take care of your health, Mother. Don’t worry about me.”

His mother handed him a leather pouch:

“You’ve never traveled far before. I argued with your father, but he insists you follow the Taoist. I’ve prepared some silver for emergencies.”

Lu You bowed three times and took his leave. Tang Wan walked him out.

“Cousin, once I’m gone, please care for our parents in my place.
Here’s a scroll of verses I wrote for you over the years—many you’ve already seen.
And this sandalwood box holds a pair of bronze roses. I will take the female flower; you keep the male.
When you see it, think of me.”

He gently placed the box in her hands and whispered:

“Bronze rose, fair flower—may we meet again within its petals.
You understand me, you care for me—this love, even heaven shall know.”

Tang Wan replied, tears falling:

“If love can endure, why care for day and night?
I will treasure your heart always.”

Lu You turned away with a heavy heart. He returned to the hall and knelt to his father.

Zhengxing lifted him up and said:

“Son, in these chaotic times, with war and treachery rampant, I’d rather you master the martial arts. If need be, you may serve the country in arms—or safeguard our family.
Someday, descend the mountain and choose your path—fight for justice, defend the weak. But never consort with traitors.”

Lu You bowed:

“Father, I will obey your teachings. I shall always put the nation first.”

03
Lu You returned to the pavilion. Beside the Taoist stood a female Taoist, about sixty years old, and a young girl of fourteen or fifteen in a blue robe, her hair styled into twin buns.

“Lu You, this is your Seventh Martial Aunt, Yao Guangzi—Daoist name Tian Guan.”

“Greetings, Martial Aunt.” He bowed.

Yao Guangzi studied him and smiled:

“You have a rare physique, a once-in-a-century talent for martial arts. My senior brother is lucky to have found you.”

Yangming nodded:

“Our master foresaw this fate and instructed me to take you as my disciple.”

Tian Guan said to the young girl,

“Cai Ling’er, although you joined earlier, he is now your senior. Show proper respect.”

“I shall obey, Master,” Cai Ling’er said, stealing a glance at Lu You.
“This boy looks like a clueless dullard—I’ll tease him someday for fun.”

Tian Guan added,

“Lu You, she is mischievous and often pranks fellow disciples. If she acts out, report her to me.”

Cai Ling’er made a face behind her master’s back but said nothing.

Yangming said,

“Sister, I must travel to Lin’an on urgent business.
Lu You will follow you back to the temple. Let the disciples teach him etiquette.
Once I return, I’ll formally induct him.”

Tian Guan asked,

“Are you going to meet Marshal Zong Ze?”

“Partly. There are other matters I must settle first.”

With that, he leapt away effortlessly, vanishing into the distance—his skill clearly profound.