1. The Eternal Tree
J Schmidt
Jschmid3@peoplepc.com
When I arrive in China the past will be gone and the newness will start. Is
this a mantra of escape, or a plea for help? No matter, the plane drones on and the
hours slip by, washed away by the abundant wine. Dreams are frightful, filled with
memories of the past, and not with much promise of tomorrow. Tomorrow will
come, it always has; however, the combination of anticipation and dread throws
things off balance.
I focus on my plan. In the past my detailed plans would drive my wife and
children crazy. My wife would say, “Live in the moment”, and she did, but the
moment is gone, as is my family. Arrival was nothing special; there was no one
there to greet me, no one to run to my arms. I could speak Mandarin, having
worked for some time in China. It was years ago so the words would come slowly,
but I was sure I could get by.
I planned to travel to Shaanxi Province in the center of China to a town
named Xian. This is a very old town that has been a focus of spiritual mystery for
centuries. It was in this area that in early Chinese culture, around 500 AD, a legend
tells of a magician who was able to transport himself into a secret world that was
held inside a hollow gourd. Inside the gourd he was able to live in peace, protected
from the ills of common life. He, at one point, however, chose to share his secret
world with a woman friend. This action led to him being put under a spell,
prohibiting him from traveling into the secret world again. He attempted to recreate
this safe place by collecting miniature trees and plant material that he found high in
the mountains where extreme weather had miniaturized the trees through its harsh
force. These trees were planted in small trays and were called Penjing. He
eventually worked out ways to prune and shape other trees to make them small as
well, creating a miniature world to replace the world to where he could no longer
escape. He built his world in a small courtyard in the center of his home.
The concept of Penjing was many years later transported to Japan and
Penjing became Bonsi. I was traveling to the ancestral home of Penjing to learn of
its secrets. I got into a cab at the airport and asked to be taken to the hotel that I had

2. arranged for, but felt an unease creep into the cab with me. Was it just the same
anxiety that I had felt for the last months? No, this was different, I checked the
back window of the cab, looking for, I am not sure what. I saw a man looking
toward my cab and motioning for a car behind him to pull up. He got in a large
black Mercedes and they proceeded toward the cab that I was in, but by now we
had moved off into traffic, getting off of the freeway on an exit toward another
road. The black Mercedes dodged through traffic in what appeared to be an attempt
to follow.
Perhaps it was my imagination as the black Mercedes was not to be seen as
we entered the different road. Did they miss the exit, or were they just appearing to
follow me. I turned forward and watched as we flew through the traffic. I went
inside the hotel with my small carryon bag and checked into the China View Hotel.
The hotel was known for the collection of Penjing in the spacious and bright
atrium lobby. Imitation, silk Penjing were placed throughout the hotel, but the
lobby was the gem. There were several men caring for the trees, one watered while
the other two carefully pruned. I planned on taking a train to Xian. It would take
longer than flying, but I had no time constraint. My plans laid out what I was
hoping to do, but unlike any plan that I had ever made there was no timeline, just
tasks. What I was going to do might take a year or perhaps ten. I planned on taking
a train where I could book a cabin with sleeping quarters, and although I could be
sure it would be cramped, by western standards, it would not be a bad way to
spend three days and two nights.
I went to my room and tried to sleep, but was not able to escape the sense of
unease that lingered. Perhaps a walk would help. I placed my backpack in the safe
provided in the room and went to the lobby. Getting out of the elevator I spotted
the same man that I had seen hailing the black Mercedes at the airport. I ducked
back into the elevator and went up to my room. Fumbling with the safe I lost ten
minutes getting it open. There was now no doubt that I was being pursued, there
was also no doubt who it was that was pursuing me.
My father-in-law blamed me for his only grandchild’s death. Carla had told
me early on in our relationship that her father was a powerful man, who helped
others with their problems. In exchange, however, he expected that they would, at
some future time do whatever it was that he asked. I thought of it as a banker who

3. lent money and then at some future time the money had to be paid back with
interest, perhaps a considerable amount of interest.
I left the room and headed toward the stairs. Near the door to the stairs was
a table where a large and graceful silk Penjing rested. As I turned the corner I
heard men running down the hallway. I stopped and peered through the limbs of
the Penjing hiding behind its graceful curves. I watched as the men approached the
door to the room that I had just left. They did not knock. One was looking at a
paper while the other was talking on a cell phone. The man with the phone closed
it and gave a nod to the other as he kicked in the door. I ran down the stairs to the
ground floor and exited out the back of the hotel into an alleyway. Running to the
street, I hailed a pedicab and told him to take me to the History Museum. The men
that followed from the airport must have gotten the number from the cab and
traced me that way. The pedicab also had a number so I figured that if I changed to
another one perhaps I could throw off my pursuers, at least for a while.
At the Museum I paid the driver and got off, walking through crowds of
people I went to a street on the opposite side of the Museum and got another
Pedicab and told the driver to take me to the railway station. In the station I found
that the train to Xian did not leave for five hours. I purchased my ticket and
grabbed a tourist map from the news counter, looking for a nearby Buddhist
Shrine. I knew that for a small fee one could purchase incense sticks and meditate
for hours with no questions asked and no suspicion aroused.
The time passed quickly as I sat in a dream state of relaxation and
contemplation. I left and got on the train, somewhat confident that I had eluded the
pursuers. The train was relaxing with its rhythmic sounds and rocking motion. It
did not move fast and stopped from time to time in towns along the way. I had paid
for a private cabin with Chinese cash, which would probably arouse question;
however, I chose to take that chance. I had left all credit cards behind in the USA
and did not bring any electronic devices that might leave a trail. I was, however,
not inconspicuous, as a tall American, I would receive attention by those who were
not used to seeing such people. Foreigners are common in China, but only in large
cities, places where the money lived, not in the poor countryside where there was
no reason for wealthy foreigners to go.

4. When I arrived in Xian, I felt relaxed and the tension that I had been
experiencing seemed to have left me alone, at least for the time being. I did not
think that I had left tracks that might be followed, but time would tell. I first went
to the largest bank and deposited the Chinese cash that I had been carrying in my
backpack since I arrived. The bills were large, old and spread out in the lining of
my backpack so as not to be seen on the x-ray machines and I was sure that the one
hundred thousand dollars would last a long time in Xian. There were no metal
threads in these bills, so the risk of detection was low, but the penalty would have
been significant if I had been caught. I then found a hotel and after checking in,
spent time talking to the head gardener about Penjing. He was carefully attending
to a small collection in a greenhouse behind the hotel when I found him. The trees
that he was working on were exquisite and he was eager to accept my
complements. I asked him,
“Who is the grand master of Penjing in Xian?” He said,
“There is no question of whom, as he is probably the grand master of all of
China. He is very old and wise, but I am sure that you cannot see his collection, as
it is hidden away inside his compound. He is protected by a group of followers and
watched over by his only granddaughter.”
“What is his name and where is his compound?”
“His name is Han Lu and he lives in the old part of town in a large
compound that was once the home of a very powerful Monarch. It is not hard to
find as it is on the river to the east. I am sure, however, that you will not be well
received if you try and go there.” I thanked him for his time, but knew that early in
the morning there was a possibility that I would be able to meet someone
exercising outside the home. An hour before dawn I was sitting outside the
doorway of Han Lu’s home. There were a few people that emerged from the gate
just at dawn. A young woman stopped and asked why I was there. I replied,
“I am here to speak to Han Lu.”
“He is not seeing visitors, so please leave this place.” I waited, and at noon a
man came by selling fried rice cakes and tea. Near dark I left and went back to the
hotel.

5. This same procedure was followed all week, but on Saturday at about noon,
the girl emerged from the gate. She said,
“You must leave as Han will be very harsh with you if you do not.”
“I will wait, as I have nowhere else to go.” Then in perfect English she said,
“Why is it that you want to speak to my grandfather?” She was a beautiful
girl about my age. She wore a silk dress and seemed as though she had been well
educated, clearly not a common person.
“I wish to learn the ways of Penjing. I seek a peaceful existence removed
from my past, one where I can find relief from the demons that pursue me.”
“My grandfather is a difficult person that can be very harsh. He is the leader
of this community and grants favor to those deserving, but always seeks repayment
sometimes in ways that are of extreme difficulty. Repayment must be made as
there is no other recourse. Meeting my grandfather will put you in great risk, so I
urge you to leave now as it will be your only chance. If you insist, you may come
with me, but do not speak until Han Lu asks you to speak.”
I followed her inside, where it was suddenly quiet except for the birds. It
was strange as I heard none outside the gate. We walked through a doorway into a
courtyard surrounded by large potted plantings and trees, however, none were
Penjing. There was a fountain in the center of the courtyard that released the quiet
gurgling sound of water. I was told to sit on a bench in front of a large, but
beautifully shaped pine tree. I stared at it, amazed by its beauty, and flowing form.
Time passed and the shadows grew in the courtyard. An old man appeared from
the shadows and stood before me.
“What is it you want from me?”
“I am here to learn.”
“This is not a place of learning. Perhaps that is a lesson that you can learn,
before you leave. Not to return.” He turned to leave, but I said,

6. “I want to learn the ways of Penjing.” Two men grabbed me from behind,
pulling my shoulders back, in a painful rush. I was taken to a small room and
thrown inside.
The room was small, and built of stone, with no openings other than the door
which was made of heavy wood. The ceiling seemed to also be made of stone
slightly domed in the center. There was no furniture, so I sat on the floor and
waited. In the morning the men returned and took me to another room where I was
placed on a chair and tied tightly with twine. The old man came in and asked
where I was from. I told him my story and explained that I came here to learn
Penjing and to leave my prior life behind.
“I have brought some money and am willing to do what is necessary to learn
something that will free my mind from the bindings of the past.”
“I am sorry, but Penjing is not some drug that will let you forget your past. It
will not allow you to escape your past sin. It will not forgive you of what you have
done. Penjing nor I have that power and I am sorry, but your quest will likely take
you to some place from which there is no return. I do on occasion help a few others
with their problems, but in exchange I extract a high price of repayment that is
often more than they are able to pay.”
“I am, I as have said, in need of help and am willing to accept your terms, as
I have traveled far seeking help, not knowing what I might find.”
“The help that I offer will require sacrifice and hard work. The penalty for
failure is more than you can give.”
“I am interested in learning the ways of Penjing.”
“I am sorry, traveler, but the refuge that you seek in Penjing, is just that,
temporary refuge from that which torments both body and soul. It will not solve
these problems for you, as they must be solved in other ways. Why are there men
that mean harm following you?”
“My father-in-law blames me for the death of my child and his daughter. He
is a powerful man that I choose not to fight as he may be right in his claim.”

7. “Alright, in order to understand the nature of Penjing, one must first
understand the nature of the torment. You will start with your understanding at
dawn, but now you may eat. My granddaughter will bring you food and take you to
a place where you can sleep.”
I was taken to a different room with a window that allowed me to see the
street below. As I was taken into the room I noticed a man in a black robe standing
near the doorway. The door was not locked, but I assumed that the man outside
was there for a reason. She brought in a tray with rice, fish and a pot of tea. I asked
her name. She answered in Chinese,
“My name is So Lu, but I cannot stay long.”
“Outside you spoke English, where did you learn?”
“I went to University in Beijing, where I studied Electrical Engineering. I
came back to help my grandfather when his wife died a year ago.”
“Do you miss not doing what you were trained to do?”
“We all have burdens that we must deal with. I might ask you why you are
not doing what you were trained to do, as I am sure that you were not trained to
come to China to learn the skill of Penjing”
“That is a fair question but the story is sad and I do not wish to relive the
memory and to tarnish this moment. I would rather talk of the future.”
“I am sorry, but it is time for me to leave.”
At dawn I was taken from the room and led to an open area surrounded by a
tall stone wall. Within the area were men dressed in black robes standing near the
wall. I was dressed as I had been and felt out of place. I too stood near the wall.
We all waited. The men dressed in black did not move, nor did I. After some time
Han Lu appeared. He motioned for me to move forward and said that my name
would now be Chang Yung-fa. He then motioned for a small boy to come forward.
He stood facing me, tense, waiting for something. I stood with my hands at my
sides, not sure what to expect. I had seen no trees in the large area we were in,
and I had expected something quite different. I had imagined that we would be

8. going to an area filled with Penjing, or perhaps large trained trees, as had been
present in Han Lu’s residence. Han said something to the boy that I did not quite
understand. The boy sprung at me and with his leg swept my legs from under me.
I fell and the boy was on top of me, where he grabbed my arm and twisted it
around my back. I tried to resist, but the pain was enough for me to cry out. The
boy pulled harder and the pain was extreme. He held my arm there as tears came
to my eyes. Han spoke and the boy jumped up. I got up slowly and looked at Han
who just stared through me. I asked what this meant, but he did not reply.
The boy stood looking at me. I said,
“I do not understand what you want, I cannot fight this small boy. I came to
learn the way of Penjing, not to fight with some child.” The boy then jumped and
kicked at my head. I ducked, but not fast enough and was knocked down, stars
spinning before my dimed eyes. I lay in the dirt, but this time rose prepared for
the next attack. The boy circled, walking slowly. I followed, facing him. He jumped
forward and I moved back to avoid the attack that I thought was coming; he
stopped, but then jumped forward catching me off balance. His hands were
together and caught me in the midsection and I went down again, but this time
the breath had been knocked from me and I lay on the ground trying to regain my
strength.
This continued for what seemed like an hour, but each time I was slower to
get up. When I was not able to get up again two men picked me up and took me
back to the room. So Lu brought tea and sat near the bed that I had been placed
on. She spoke,
“Chang Yung-fa, you have begun the training. It will be very difficult, but
you must not ask to leave or try to leave on your own as this will not be allowed.
The contract that you have entered into with my grandfather cannot be broken; it
can only be completed as agreed. I can apply a salve that will ease the pain if you
would like.” It was an hour later that Han Lu appeared. I had fallen asleep and he
was now next to my bed.

9. “Chang Yung-fa, you have seen what a small child can do to someone that
has not been trained in Shaolin. During the coming months you will be trained to
defend yourself and, more importantly, to accomplish tasks that you will be
assigned in the future. You will work for six days each week from the rising sun to
the evening meal at dusk, and on the seventh day you will be trained to rest
through Penjing.
The training continued and the secrets of Penjing were revealed. My body
became stronger and the moves of Shaolin became comfortable. The training of
Penjing was done in a different area of the large building where we were all
housed. Each of the members was assigned a secluded outdoor workshop where
we worked with our trees, guided by a mentor. Viewing the others trees was not
allowed and was met with swift and severe punishment if even casual viewing
was suspected. So Lu came by to visit frequently. It seemed that she was not
bound by the rules that the others followed. She offered suggestions about the
training of the Penjing that I had in my care.
One day when So Lu stopped by I asked,
“Your grandfather must have a collection of Penjing. When he comes to
comment on what I am attempting to do, he has very firm thoughts about what is
to be done. He has much knowledge about this as he is always pointing out small
ways to improve what I am doing.”
“Yes, he has a beautiful collection in a special courtyard at his home. It is
where he meets, during the first night of each full moon, with those who need his
help. It is where contracts are made and promises fulfilled, and punishment
extracted.”
“Would you take me there?”
“It is not allowed. If we were caught there would be certain retribution. In
your case it would probably mean death, and mine would most likely mean
banishment from the village.”

10. “I must see this place, it sounds as though it is indeed magical. Please take
me there. If we were careful and were to go in darkness, there is no way for
anyone to know that we had been there. There will be no moon tonight, so it
would be a perfect time.”
“Alright, I will come to your room at midnight, but we must not be gone
long.”
There was a light tap at the door, as So Lu slipped inside she said,
“Are you ready, we must hurry?”
“I am ready. Is it far?”
“No, just follow me and stay out of the light. We will move from shadow to
shadow.” When we got to Han’s residence we passed through the same doorways
that we had passed before, but now we moved further into the interior. We came
to a passage that was oddly shaped. It was as though we were entering into a
large gourd. Once inside the interior was dimly lit by small lanterns placed in
strategic areas. The space seemed magical, as though we were in a forest of
miniature trees that all were gracefully shaped. There was soft music playing from
somewhere.
“So Lu, this place is like nothing that I have ever seen. It will be hard to
leave, but the memory will, I am sure, never leave.” We continued to walk, So Lu
pulling my hand as she showed me one marvel after another. She moved quickly
toward the far corner of the area. She whispered,
“I must show you my grandfather’s special tree. He started training it when
he was a small child. He collected it from high on the mountain after searching for
many days and nights. I believe that the tree is home to grandfather’s soul, and it
is the most beautiful Penjing in all of China.” We rounded a large grouping and
she stopped.
“No! Grandfather! I am so sorry.” Standing in front of us was Han Lu.

11. “Granddaughter, you have betrayed my trust. This terrible thing that you
have done must, as you know, lead to your punishment. You will be sent to the
mountains where you will spend the rest of your days. You will never be allowed
to return and I will never see you again. I am sorry that you have done this
terrible thing. Chang Yung-fa, you will be punished tomorrow at dawn. Your
punishment will be severe and final. I am sorry that you have led my
granddaughter astray. You will never see her again.”
Men emerged from the shadows to lead So Lu away. She grabbed on to my
hand and I said, “I am sorry So Lu. We will meet again. I will come to you.” As she
was pulled away men also emerged to take me. I had been a good student of
Shaolin and had been taught well. There were three of them, but there was little
trouble with the first, who rushed in and seemed not trained well. The second
and third were better prepared, but not well trained either. The battle was over in
just a few minutes. With the three attackers on the ground I had expected Han Lu
to come at me, but he was gone. Perhaps this too was a test. I left quickly to try
and catch up with So Lu, but when I got into the street it was empty, with no sign
of anyone. I knew that I had to leave. I knew that I had to pursue So Lu, but did
not know if I could ever get back what we had.