The youth of Hong Xiu-quan

[CHUNG Yoon-Ngan <chungyn@mozart.collective.com.au>]

  The youth of Hong Xiu-quan
 
  Hong Xiu-quan, a Hakka, was the founder of the
  Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851AD to 1864AD) with the
  capital in the present day city of Nanjing, Jiangsu province. 
 
  There were only about four hundred people, who were all Hakka, in this
village called Lu Bu in the county of Hua which was about thirty 
kilometers north of the city of Guangzhou, the provincial capital of 
Guangdong province. Majority of the residents in this village were with 
the surname of Hong. There were only six houses in the front of the village, 
but behind these six houses there were three rows of dwellings with narrow
lanes leading to them, and in the third row on the west side was the
humble house which belonged to the of parents of Hong Xiu-quan. 
 
   Before the village and in front of the houses was a large pool of muddy
water, where all the dirt and refuse of the village was carried down by
the rain which formed a rich supply of water for manuring purposes. The 
village school was situated on the left hand side from the village near 
the side of this pool. Boys from the village studied their Chinese 
classic in this school, with the hope ultimately of rising from their 
present humble status to the highest dignities in the Empire. 
 
  In the twelve moon of the 17th year of Emperor Jiaqing (1812)  Hong
Xiu-quan was born in this village. He was named Guang Yan "Brilliant fire" 
after his birth. When he had reached the age of manhood, he was given 
another name, marking his relation to the Hong family. Later when he went
to school he adopted Xiu-quan, "Elegant and Perfect', as his literay name.
 
  The two elder brothers of Hong Xiu-quan, the elder one was called Hong 
Ren-fa and the second Hong Ren-da, laboured with their father in
cultivating their paddy-fields. Besides the rice fields the Hong family
also planted vegetables in a patch bordering the rice fields. The Hongs
was a self sustaining family, possessing two buffaloes, besides some pigs,
dogs, and poultry, which were generally included in a Chinese farming
establishment. The young Hong Xiu-quan soon developed an extraordinary
capacity for study and was sent to school when he was seven years old. 
For five or six years he attended the village school where he studied the
Four Books, the Five Classics and the Thirteen Classics. Later he read for
himself the History of China, and the more extraordinary books of Chinese
literature, all of which he very easily understood at the first perusal.
He soon gained the favour of his teacher as well as of his own family
members who felt proud of his talents, and surely hoped that he would in
course of time attain the degree of Jin-shi (Graduate), or even become a
member of the Han-lin academy, from which the highest officers were
selected by the Emperor, and thus by his high status reflect a lustre upon
his whole family.  Several of his teachers gave him free tutions. Although
some of the schools he visited were at a great distance, and the financial
position of his family was unsound, yet, in order that he might continue
his studies, they rejoiced to bring him provisions. Several of his
relatives even shared their clothing with him. His old father loved to
talk with his friends about the talents of his youngest son. His face
brightened whenever he heard any one singing his son's praises. He would
invite the speaker to his house for a cup of tea, or even a bowl of rice. 
He would continue his favourite topic of discourse with the friend. 
 
  When Hong Xiu-quan was about sixteen years of age, due to the poverty of
his family he discontinued his studies. He assisted in the field labour,
or led the buffaloes to graze upon the mountains. It was regretted by all
that Hong Xiu-quan's studies should thus be discontinued.
 
  In the following year a friend, same age as Hong Xiu-quan, invited him
to study with him as a fellow-student for one year. This friend of Hong
Xiu-quan hoped to procured some benefits from being associated with such a
talent, like Xiu-quan. After this period was over the relatives and 
friends of Hong Xiu-quan regretted that his talents should be wasted in 
manual labour in the fields. They, therefore, engaged him as a teacher in 
their own village. Thus an opportunity was given to him to contiune his 
literary pursuits. 
 
  The yearly income of Hong Xiu-quan as a village schoolmaster depend upon 
the number of boys who attended his school. The usual number was between 
ten and twenty. If it were less than ten students it would be insufficient 
to support himself. On the other hand if he had more than twenty students 
he could not give proper attention to them, as he had to teach every boy
separately. They had to hear from him and repeat after him and later
memorize their lessons by heart.
 
  Every student had to supply Xiu-quan with the following articles
annually: rice 50lb., for extra provision 300 cash, one kilo of lamp-oil,
one kilo of lard, one kilo of salt, one kilo of tea and besides these a
sum of one dollar and fifty cents. The school studies continued throughout
the whole year, with about one month's intermission at the New Year. At
this time Xiu-quan's engagement terminated and a new engagement must be
made. 
 
  The name of Hong Xiu-quan was always among the first upon the board at
the District Examinations, yet he never succeeded in attaining the degree
of Xiucai ( a graduate). In the year of 1836 when he was twenty-three
years old, Hong Xiu-quan again went to Guangzhou to sit for the public
examination. Near the examination hall he saw a man dressed in the custom
of the Ming dynasty without a pigtail, but tied his hair in a knot upon
his head. It seemed that the man could not understand or speak Cantonese
because he employed a Chinese as his interpreter. The stranger was
surrounded by group of people of people. Hong Xiu-quan heard him telling
the people through the interpreter about the fulfilment of their wishes.
Hong xiu-quan approached the stranger and asked him through the
interpreter if he could attain a literary degree. The stranger told him
that "You will attain the highest rank, but do not be grieved, for grief
will make you sick. I congratulate your virtuous father."  Hong Xiu-quan
thought it was stranged to hear that. 
 
 The next day Hong Xiu-quan again met these two men in the street. One of
them had in his possession a parcel of books consisting of nine small
volumes which were a complete set of work entitled Quan4 Shi4 Liang2 
Yan2 or Good words for extorting the age. When Hong Xiu-quan came out 
from the examination hall the man (whose name was Liang Kung-fa born 1789AD 
and in 1855AD, originally from Malacca - present day Malaysia) gave him 
the whole set. Hong Xiu-quan took them home and after glancing through 
their contents he placed them in his book-case thinking that they were 
unimportance.
 
  The following year in 1837 Hong Xiu-quan again attended the public
examination at the provincial city of Guangzhou. When the results were out
Hong Xiu-quan saw his name placed high upon the board, but afterwards it
was lowered to the bottom. Deeply grieved, disappointed and discontented,
Hong Xiu-quan went back to the inn with his ambition dashed. Shortly 
afterwards he felt very ill. He engaged a sedan-chair with two stout men, 
who carried him back to his village. That day was the first day of the 
third moon in the 17th year of Emperor Daoguang. He confined himself to 
bed.  During this period he had a succession of dreams or visions. He 
first saw a great number of people welcoming him to an unknown place. 
When he woke up he thought it was a strange dream. He presumed that the 
place arrived at was the palace of Yan Luo Wang (the King of Hades) and 
he was going to die soon. So he called his parents and other relatives to 
assemble at his bedside. He told them in the following terms:
   
   "My days are counted, and my life will soon be closed. 
    O my parents! 
    How badly have I returned the favour of your love to me! 
    I shall never attain a name that may reflect its lustre upon you."
 
After saying this Hong Xiu-quan closed his eyes and was in coma. 
Those, standing next to his bed, thought he was going to die, but as
soon as Hong Xiu-quan closed his eyes he saw a dragon, a tiger and a cock
entering his room. Soon after he observed a great number of people playing
musical instruments. They approached with a beautiful sedan chair inviting
him to be seated. Once he was seated on the sedan chair they carried him
away. He was astonished at the honour and distinction bestowed upon him.
He did not know what to do. They soon arrived at a beautiful and luminous
place, where on both sides were assembled a multitude of fine men and
women who saluted him with expressions of great joy. As he left the sedan
chair, an old woman took him down to the river and said,
  
  "Thou dirty man, why hast kept company with yonder people, 
   and defiled thyself? 
   I must now wash thee clean." 
 
  After the washing ceremony, Hong Xiu-quan, in company with a great
number of old virtuous and venerable men, among whom he remarked many of
the ancient sages, entered a large building where they opened his body
with a knife, took out his heart and other parts, and put in their place
others new and of a red colour. Instantly when this was done, the wound
closed, and he could see no trace of the incision which had been made.
Upon the walls surrounding this place, Hong Xiuquan remarked a number of
Tablets with inscriptions exhorting to virtue, which he one by one 
examined. Afterwards they entered another large hall the beauty and
splendour of which were beyond description. A man (God?), venerable in age, 
with golden beard and dressed in a black robe, was sitting in an imposing 
attitude upon the highest place.  As soon as he saw Hong Xiuquan, the old 
man began to shed tears, and said,
 
   "All human beings in the whole world are produced and sustained by me; 
   they eat my food and wear my clothing, but not a single one among them
   has a heart to remember and venerate me; 
   the worse is that they take my gifts and they worship demons; 
   they purposely rebel against me, and arouse my anger. 
   Do thou not imitate them." 
 
After saying this the old man gave Hong Xiu-quan a sword, commanding him
to exterminate the demons, but to spare his brothers and sisters. He also
gave Hong Xiu-quan a seal and said it was for him to overcome the evil
spirits. Ater that he gave Hong a yellow fruit to eat and Hong said it
was very sweet. After having received the sword and the seal from the old
man Hong Xiu-quan began to exhort to those people waiting in the hall and
to perform the duties for old man. Some replied to his exhortations,
 
   "We have indeed forgotten our duties towards the venerable." 
 
Others said,
 
  "Why should we venerate him? Let us only be merry, and drink together
   with our friends." 
 
  Hong Xiu-quan continued his admonitions with tears. The old man said to
him,
 
"Take courage and do the work; I will assist thee in every difficulty." 
 
Shortly after this the old man told the people in the hall that,
 
" Hong Xiu-quan is competent to this charge;" 
 
 He then led Hong Xiu-quan out and told him to look down and said,
 
  "Behold the people upon this earth! 
   Hundredfold is the perverseness of their hearts." 
 
   Hong Xiu-quan looked down and saw such a degree of depravity and vice
that he was flabbergasted. He then woke up in trance and he felt the very
hairs of his head raise themselves. Suddenly, seized by a violent anger
and forgetting his feeble state he put on his clothes and left his
bedroom. When he saw his father he bowed to him and said,
 
   "The venerable old man above has commanded that all men
    shall turn to me and all treasures shall flow to me." 
 
When his father saw him speaking in this manner, he did not know what to
think, but with joy and fear. 
 
 The sickness and visions of Hong Xiu-quan continued about forty days.  In
these visions he often met a middle age man whom he called elder brother
(Jesus?) who instructed him how to act. This elder brother of his went 
with him wandering to the uttermost regions in search of evil spirits.  
Together they slew and exterminated the evil spirits. 
 
  Hong Xiu-quan also heard the venerable old man with the black robe
reprove Confucius for having omitted in his books clearly to expound the
true doctrine. Confucius seemed much ashamed, and confessed his guilt. 
Hong Xiu-quan, during his sickness, often, as his mind was wandering, used
to run about his room, leaping and fighting like a soldier engaged in
battle. His constant cry was,
 
  "Tianzhu, tianzhu, tianzhu, tianzhu; 
   Slay the demons!  Slay the demons! Slay, slay: 
   there is one and there is another; 
   many many cannot withstand one single blow of my sword." 
 
His father felt very anxious about the state of his mind and attributed
the calamity of his family to the fault of the geomancer who selected an
unlucky spot of ground for the burial of their forefathers. He engaged
conjurers to drive away evil spirits; but Hong Xiu-quan said,
 
   "How could these imps dare to oppose me? 
    I must slay them, I must slay them! 
    Many, many cannot resist me." 
 
  In his imagination he pursued the Demons who seemed to undergo many
changes and transformations: one time flying as birds, and another time
appearing as lions. In case he was not able to overcome them he held out
his seal against them who at the sight of which they immediately fled
away. He imagined himself pursuing them to the most remote places under
heaven. Wherever he made war with them he destroyed them. Whenever he
succeeded he laughed joyfully and said,
   
  "They can't withstand me." 
 
 He was constantly singing one passage of an old song,
 
"The virtuous swain he travels over rivers and seas; 
     he save many friends and he kills enemies." 
 
During his exhortations he often burst into tears, saying,
 
  "You have no hearts to venerate the old father,
   but you are on good terms with the impish fiends; 
   indeed, indeed, you have no hearts, no conscience more." 
 
Hong Xiu-quan's two brothers constantly kept his bedroom door shut and
watched him because they did not want him to run out of the house.  After
Hong Xiu-quan had tired himself by fighting, jumping about, singing, and
exhorting, he lay down upon his bed and went to sleep.  While he was
asleep people would come and look at him. The news about his condition was
spread far and wide. Soon the whole district knew that he was a madman. 
 
  Hong Xiu-quan often said that he was an appointed Emperor of China.  He
was highly gratified when some one called him the Emperor of China. 
However, if any one called him mad, Hong Xiu-quan would laugh at him and
said,
 
"You are indeed mad yourself, and do you call me mad?" 
 
 When undesirable persons came to see him, he rebuked them and called them
demons. All day long he sang, wept and exhorted. During his sickness he
composed the following piece of poetry: 
 
  "My hand now holds both in heaven and earth the power
      to punish and kill. 
   To slay the depraved, and spare the upright; 
      to relieve the people's distress. 
   My eyes survey from the North to the South
      beyond the rivers and mountains; 
   My voice is heard from the East to the west
      to the tracts of the son and the moon. 
   The Dragon expands his claws,
      as if the road in the clouds were too narrow; 
   And when he ascends,
      why should he fear the bent of the milky way? 
   Then tempest and thunder as music attend,
     and the foaming waves are excited. 
   The flying Dragon the Yik-king describes,
     dwells surely in Heaven above." 
 
  One early morning when Hong Xiu-quan was about to leave his bed, he
heard the birds of the spring singing in the trees which surrounded the
village. Instantly he recited the following ode: 
 
   "The Birds in their flight all turn to the light,
        In this resembling me; 
    For I'm now a King, and every thing
        At will to do I'm free. 
    As the sun to the sight, my body shines bright-
        Calamities are gone; 
    The high Dragon and the Tiger band
        Are helping me each one." 
  
Hong Xiu-quan's relatives engaged several physicians to cure his disease. 
They gave him medicines to take, but was of no avail.  One day his father
noticed a slip of paper put into a crack of the doorpost, upon which were
written the following characters in red-
 
   "The noble principles of the Heavenly King,
    The Sovereign King Quan." 
 
His father took the paper and showed it to the other members of the
family, but they could not understand the meaning of these seven
characters. From that time onwards Hong Xiu-quan gradually regained his
health. Many of his friends and relatives came and visited him. They
wanted to know and to hear from his own mouth what he had exprienced
during his disease. Hong Xiu-quan related to them, without reservation,
all that he could remember of his extraordinary visions. All his friends
and relatives could say was that it was very strange indeed.............
........................................................................
................... 
 
Sources:  

Theodore Hamberg (Hong Kong 1854)  
Autobiographical deposition of Li Xiu-cheng (August 1864) 
Zhong Guo Tong Shu by Zhou Gu-cheng (1939) 
 
CHUNG Yoon-Ngan.  chungyn@mozart.collective.com.au