Kids in Ancient China (Zhang Qian)

Here's another part of the Kids in Ancient China series... 

 Off to see the Emperor: Zhang Qian

“Baba, are you scared?” He asked his dad. 

“Yes, I am a little scared. He is, after all, the ruler of this country,” the dad said and gave his son a big hug. “You are one brave boy and today you’re going to need your bravery! Do you have it?” 

“Yes, I do,” his son said as he took out a little stone from his pocket. “I have Xiong.” Xiong was the small, smooth stone that he took and kept with him these last almost two years since he left his hometown. It was a beautiful, black stone with white streaks in it that he took from the small river that ran close to their home in the Xiongnu country. Now, they were not in the Xiongnu country but they were in China and about to see the emperor.

“Good. You’ve had Xiong all these years,” he said.

“Baba, I have it with me today because I want to give it to the emperor.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, baba. You said that this is going to be our new home so I’ll pick a new rock from here and call it “Chin” for “China.”

“That sounds like a great idea.” 

The family walked together in silence. 

The young boy, no more than 13 years old, spoke up. “Baba, have you been to the palace before?” 

“Of course, but it was years ago. That was the last time I saw the emperor.”

“Can you tell me again how he’s like?” Asked the young boy.

“Well, I didn’t know him that well. Of course I had seen him around because I worked in and out of the palace. The last time I saw him, he sent me, Uncle GanFu, and almost one hundred people to go on a big trip.”

“Yes, and only you and Uncle GanFu have made it back after all these years. Yes, you told me before.” The young boy said. His “Uncle GanFu” wasn’t his real uncle, but a really good friend of his dad. When the emperor sent his dad to travel West many years ago, he sent GanFu with him to help guide him and be a translator. At the time, his dad and Uncle GanFu were supposed to go to out West, around the Xiongnu people. They were going to the people to the West of the Xiongnu to see if they could trade and work together with the Chinese people. However, the Xiongnu people got them on the way there. His dad married his mom, who as from Xiongnu and he was born there in Xiongnu. 

“Well, the emperor is probably much older now than when I remember him. He probably has some gray hair by now. When I remember him, he was tall. He had a friendly smile on his face.” Said the dad.

“Were you afraid the first time you saw him?” The boy asked.

“Yes, I was. After meeting him, I realized that he’s just a person like you and me. Yes, he leads the country, but he’s a person too,” answered the dad.

“Mom, are you nervous?” Asked the boy.

“Yes, I am. As you know, Chinese isn’t my first language. Everything I know I learned from your dad. I just hope that your dad does all the talking and you and me just have to nod our heads and be polite,” answered the mom. It was true. Until she met his dad, she knew no Chinese at all. By the time his dad met his mom, he had already started learning some of the Xiongnu language, thanks to GanFu. It took him a long time until he was fluent and even then sometimes his son would surprise him with a new Xiongnu word that he didn’t know. 

For the most part, this boy grew up bilingual, which means that he grew up speaking both the Xiongnu (from his mom) and Chinese (from his dad) languages. The whole time he was growing up, his dad and GanFu were the only people he spoke to in Chinese, so after they moved to China, he loved hearing the language all around him and knowing everything they were saying. It was great! However, his mom was often shy since they had moved to China. The move was hard on her and she was lonely. Her son missed his grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles on his mom’s side of the family. Sometimes he wished that both sides of his families lived in the same city so he could always see them! Whenever he told his dad this, his dad’s usual answer was: “That would be great, but both sides of the family live far away from each other- in different countries!”

They had been in China a few weeks already and it was now their turn to see the emperor. The dad walked in first, bowed with his head low to the ground. His wife followed and she pointed for her son to do so too. The room they were in had paintings all around and beautiful flooring with designs in it. The boy wanted to just look and see everything. However, his mom soon gave him a “ahem” to remind him that now was not the time for looking around.

“Your majesty, this is my wife and my son. We have come back to China to give you a report of our travels,” the dad started. Thankfully, the son and mother didn’t have to say anything. The emperor arranged to have the dad over for a nice dinner to talk in more detail about his travels and the people that lived to the West of China. The other leaders in the government also wanted to hear about it, so it was going to be a big dinner. Zhang Qian’s wife and son were also invited, but they didn’t have to say anything. The boy loved watching everyone around him because he knew that this was a once in a lifetime experience. 

Before the dinner he asked his dad a question. “Dad, I want to give this rock to the Emperor. You said that when people see the emperor, it’s nice to give him something. Last time you brought him a few things from mom’s country, but now I want to give him something. I’m too scared to give it to him, can you do it for me?”

“Are you sure? This is your rock from Xiongnu? It’s very special to you,” his dad asked.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m going to find a new rock and call it “Chin” for “China,” my new home.

Epilogue: Zhang Qian and his family lived in China for most of the rest of their lives. He traveled 2 more times, once to find a new road to get to India and another time to encourage trade with the West. He died two years after coming back from his last trip. It’s not sure when he was born but he died 114 BC.

Poem

I've been working with my kids this week on some phonics sounds and thought I'd make a poem of the -igh- sounds. Enjoy. 

The IGH Ship

Oh look what a sight,

In the middle of the night,

A ship full of freight,

Her name is Lucy the Eight.

She sailed with all her might. 

Nothing made her alright, 

Even when there was not much light,

And the waves were of great height. 

No, she did not sigh,

When the waves got high,

And the wind howled with freight,

For this ship had great might.

She did not alter, not in the slight,

Whether her load was heavy or light,

She did not veer to the left or the right,

When a great storm came with all its might.

Discovering Christmas Carols

 I just finished a book that was a joy to research, write, and put together: Discovering Christmas Carols. It's available as a PDF on Living Book Press (www.livingbookpress.com). It's $5.00 and includes 35 different Christmas carols. Song lyrics are included for most of the carols. Here's the description for the book: 

Read about the stories behind 35 beloved Christmas carols. Some of them are old (from the Middle Ages) while others are more recent (from the last one hundred years). Understanding the story behind the song can help you appreciate and understand the song better. Lyrics and poems (if the song is based on a poem) are also included for all of the songs. This makes a great Christmas gift or a great book to bring out every Christmas season. 

Kids in China (Part 3)

The Warrior Queen: Fu Hao

“Mom, do you have to go?” The boy asked his mom.

“Yes, I do. I’ll be back before you go to sleep tonight. The place I’m going to today isn’t that far,” the mom said.

This mom was unlike any other mom. She was the queen: she was Wu Ding’s wife. The boy, her son, was one of the princes of the country. She was a warrior (fighter) queen.

“Where is it?” He asked.

“About an hour away by horse. We’re taking the horses today.”

“Oh, mom, be safe.” He said as he gave her a big hug. “I love you.” 

“I love you too. You know, your mom always comes back.” She said with a smile.

The boy, the king, and a crowd of people from the palace went to the gate to see her off. After she left the palace walls, the boy ran to his favorite climbing tree and climbed up so he could see over the palace walls. This was the last glimpse of his mom for the day. Whenever she went off to fight, he always climbed up this tree to see her off. Later that day, he would climb the tree a few times to watch for her return. 

She was leading a small army against the Yi people. She led the army against at least 4 other peoples as well, neighbors who weren’t as friendly with China. When she first started leading the army, no one thought that she, a women, could really lead the army or fight at all. However, she soon proved them wrong. They asked her to shoot an arrow at a target and she did. They asked her to ride a horse around and she rode better than most of them! 

Finally, after dinner, the boy begged his nurse (the lady taking care of him while his mom was gone) if he could climb up the tree once more to watch for his mom. He went up the tree and she watched from below.

“Is she here yet?” The nurse asked him.

“Not yet. Can I wait a few more minutes?” The boy asked.

“Yes, we can wait until the sun goes down.” She said.

She had often waited with the boy. This was his usual routine when she was gone. Just as the sun was setting, the boy shouted down, “She’s here! She’s here!”

“I know you’re excited, but come down slowly. Your mama wouldn’t like to come home and see her boy hurt from climbing down the tree,” she said.

A few minutes later, the boy was down the tree and started running to the gate of the palace shouting, “She’s here, she’s here, she’s back! Mama’s back!” The servants, other queens (this king had many wives!), king, and many others came out to meet them. 

Whenever she came back, she always looked tired, but this time she looked really tired. As usual, the king was the first one she greeted. Then she would always look around for her son. “Welcome back, mama” he said, as he gave her a big hug.

“Oh, I’m yucky from a long day, let me clean up first, then give me an even bigger hug!” She said. “Go and wait in your room. I’ll be there in a little bit to say goodnight.”

The nurse took the boy to his room and helped him get ready for bed. She stayed with him until his mom came in, which seemed like a long time to the boy. However, it was only about 30 minutes. 

“I told you I’d always come back for you,” she said as she gave him a big hug.

“Did you fight a lot of people today, mama?” The boy asked.

“Yes, and mama’s tired. You must be tired too. What did you do today?” She asked.

“I climbed the tree many times looking for you.” He said.

“Your favorite climbing tree?” The mom asked. The tree actually was named after the boy because everyone always saw him climbing in it. 

“How did you know?”

“Because it’s yours. What else did you do today?” The mom asked.

“Ate lunch. Oh, we also ate dinner.” 

After a few minutes of chatting, the mom said, “Mama’s tired. I need to say goodnight. We can talk more in the morning.”

“You don’t have to go back and fight tomorrow, right?” The boy asked.

“No, not tomorrow. Good night. I love you,” she said as she gave him a big hug goodnight.

Epilogue: 

Wu Ding (1250-1192 BC), the king at the time, married 64 women: one women from each of the neighboring areas. However, Fu Hao rose above them and became one of the 3 queens of Wu Ding. She owned land (which was a big thing then!) and led the army a few times. It’s not clear how she died: some people think it was after giving birth or maybe it was from a disease. After she died, she was renamed Mu Xin. Most of what we know about her and her life is from what was found in her tomb, which was excavated in 1975. 

Mooncakes

 I've made homemade moon skin mooncakes a few years now and wanted to bring the moon skin press with me from China. Last week I got to use it! I made a big batch of mooncakes (coconut, vanilla, and chocolate fillings- they're a bit untraditional but nice)...the probably was that everyone liked them so much (especially the kids) that I had to make them 2 more times! 

Kids in Ancient China (Part 2)

Today's story is about one of my favorite people in ancient China: Shao Kong, one of the great emperors of the past. It's also our second story in our Kids in Ancient China series. 

 The Unknown Emperor: Shao Kang

“They’re looking for you,” Shao Kang’s grandpa told him one day. 

“Who, Ye Ye (grandpa)?” Shao Kang asked.

“Han Zhuo and his sons. Actually, it’s his sons that are out looking for you. When their dad heard that your father had a son and he was alive, he sent his sons to go out and find you.” The old man said.

“Wow.” Shao Kang was stunned. 

“The day has come. We knew people would find out about you sometime.” The old man said.

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Do what you’re called to do: become the emperor!” His grandfather said.

“How am I to do that?”

“Leave. You won’t ever take the country back if you stay here your whole life. No, they will somehow, someday find you and probably kill you, your mother, your grandmother, and me as well.”

“Why?”

“They don’t want you taking back the country, but it’s what you’re meant to do.”

It was. Shao Kang was the son of the emperor. His dad was the 5th emperor of the Xia Dynasty. Sadly, his dad wasn’t a good ruler and was often lazy. This made it easy for Han Zhuo to form an army and fight against him. He slowly starting taking over the country and finally killed the emperor. 

His wife was inside the capital when she heard the news and knew she had to escape. How was she going to leave? She couldn’t leave through the city gates because Han Zhuo would have people there looking for her. She walked along the inside of the city wall just as the sun was setting. She finally found the spot. She had seen dogs digging there earlier and thought the hole they dug might be big enough for her to get under the city wall. Thankfully, it was. She made it out of the city as the sky grew darker and darker. She didn’t go on the main road because she knew it would be watched.

It was a long trip back to her parents house, the only place in the country she knew she’d be safe. It would be good to see her parents because she hadn’t seen them for a long time. They knew she was pregnant because she wrote them letters, but she hadn’t seen them since becoming pregnant. Thankfully, she wasn’t that big yet so traveling so far by walking wasn’t as hard as it would be later. She finally arrived home and into the arms of her mom and dad. 

A few months later she gave birth to a son there. Together, she and her parents saw it to be their job to teach him about culture, history, and how to be a good ruler (unlike his father). They taught him many things. He was a good student, but not always confident. Finally, the moment came when his grandfather told him the news: Han Zhuo heard that he, the emperor’s son, was alive.

“Where would I go? You, grandma, and mom are all I’ve ever known.” The young boy said. He was 16 years old. Even though he was told he was the emperor’s son, he never thought he’d have to do anything about it!

“Go up north. We’ve heard there are people there who are still loyal to the Xia Dynasty. Find them,” the old man said.

“How?” 

“Take the road from our farm here to the nearest town. Don’t stop to talk to anyone. Then go north on that road. Do you remember how I taught you how to tell what “north” is?”

“Yes, I remember. Look for the sun and the shadows. From there I’ll be able to find where North, South, East, and West are.”

“Good. You’ve learned well. Walk a few hours until you reach a few towns after that. Talk to the people in those towns up north and tell them who you are. We hope they will help you. This is our only chance- your only chance.”

“When will I go?”

“You should go tomorrow. Your mom will make some extra flat bread and some other things for you to take for food on your long walk.”

The next day Shao Kang left his home, with tears in his eyes as well as huge tears in his mom’s, grandma’s, and yes, even his grandpa’s eyes. He walked to the nearest town and then walked passed 5 other towns before stopping to talk to people. It was about a 6 hour walk. He first went to the market in the town and asked where the leader was. It was a small bedouin town so it was easy to find the leader. After Shao Kang told him the story, the leader agreed to help him. Finally, Shao Kang started to get his confidence: he was going to be the next Xia Dynasty Emperor.

Epilogue: Shao Kang did take back the country and brought back the Xia Dynasty. He’s one of China’s legends and one of the greatest leaders China has ever had. He married the daughter of the leader of that village and together they had a lovely family, The people there helped him go from town to town to make an army to fight Han Zhuo and take back the country. 

Kids in Ancient China (part 1)

 I wrote a few stories a few years ago and recently came across them. I love writing and love writing about history. These stories are kids who grew up in different time periods in Chinese history. I thought I'd share them here in a series of blog posts. The first one is called Moving Again? and is from the Xia Dynasty (2100-1766 BC, during the time of Yu The Great). Hope you enjoy it!

Moving Again

“Mom, do we have to move again?” The little girl asked her mom. Actually, it was more her complaining then talking with her mom. This was the 4th time they’ve moved in her short life of 6 years.

“Yes, the River is flooding again so we have to move. I know that it’s not fun, but if we don’t move, we’ll not only lose our home and all that we have, but we could also die,” the mom told her youngest daughter. There were three kids altogether: two girls and the eldest, a boy. 

“All that I’ve known my whole life is moving because of the floods. Will the floods ever stop?” She asked.

“We hope so. I told you about Yu, right?” The older brother asked.

“I think so. He’s the guy who’s the leader in our city, right?” She asked her brother.

“No. He’s the guy who’s working with people like our dad to find ways to make the water from the floods go away from where the villages are. He’s trying to save the villages,” Said the brother.

“Speaking of dad, when is he coming home?” The young girl asked.

“He should be home soon, it’s almost time for dinner,” said the mom. “Ok, kids, can you keep packing? We need to be moving in a few days, before the water reaches the street that we live on, and I need to finish dinner before your dad gets home,” said the mom. Their parents decided earlier that week that it was time to move again. By this time, the family was so used to packing and moving that it didn’t take so long. Actually, they were almost all packed. 

“Mom, where are we moving again?” Asked the young girl.

“I think it’s the village next to this one. You’re dad knows where it is,” said the mom.

By this time the kids had gotten used to “hello”s, “goodbyes”, “What’s your name?”, “Where you from?”, And “How old are you?”- all the typical questions you ask when you get to know people in a new place. They had had many new friends over the years and many goodbyes. They also knew what things they really want to keep and move with them from home to home and what they didn’t really need.

The next day when they were packing, the older sister asked the girl, “Why are you taking this with you? You know that we’re leaving today or tomorrow, right?” 

“I know. I have everything I want to take with me, and, yes, I want to take this seashell with me.”

“Why? It’s not important,” said the older sister.

“Because it’s from my first best friend that I can remember. It was a gift that Wang Jing gave me when we said goodbye. She gave me this seashell to help me remember her. I miss her. Can’t we go back there and see her?”

“No, we can’t. It’s all been flooded- that’s why we had to move in the first place. Don’t you remember that her family also moved or were going to move a few days after we did? Everyone was moving, just to different towns.”

“I wish she would’ve moved to the same place we did. I miss her,” the young girl said. 

“Oh, I know. Moving can be so hard,” said the older sister as she gave her sister a hug. “I miss my friends too. Do you remember what mom says?”

“No, what does she say?” Asked the girl.

“That we are each other’s best friends- that you, me, and our older brother are best friends because we’re family. Family is important.”

“Yes, I remember both mom and dad saying that Family is important,” said the young girl.

“Ok, time to move,” said the dad as he came in to tell his family. “The people I’ve been working with say that the water’s going to reach the area where our house is probably tomorrow so we should move today. Besides, the part of the canal that we were building is done. Most of the men are moving to the same place we are. This is good news for you kids because that means that their families are also moving to the same place. For once you kids might be able to keep some of your friends from here.”

“Really? That would be so cool!” Said the boy.

“Dad, you’re the best,” said the young girl as she gave her dad a hug.

“Ok, we’ve gotta get going. Get your things together. Remember, only take what’s important to you. We can get or make new things when we get to our new home,” said the dad.

They walked two days until they reached their new home. This time it was a little ways up the mountain, so they hoped they would be safe from the floods for a long time. Their dad kept working with Yu and the other men to make the canals in their area. It was a lot of work and took a lot of time, but they would help stop the flooding for good. The children were glad to see that a few families from their old village also moved to the same village they did. Of all of the houses the girl had lived in, this new house was her favorite because it was her home for good.

Epilogue: The Yellow River flooded for over 9 years, causing many people to move. Yu was sent to come up with a plan to stop the flooding. He worked with people from all over the country to make a series of canals to solve the problem. Later, when Shun the Great was looking for someone to take over the country after him, he decided to make Yu the next Emperor. Yu the Great started the first official dynasty of China: the Xia Dynasty (2000-1600 BC).

Skunk Rescue

 We tried to rescue a skunk that was caught in the crack of a drain pipe along the side of the road. The kids and I were walking along the road to go to the beach and saw the little creature along the road. I thought the animal was dead but the kids saw it breathing and then it moved. We called the animal control place and they came to rescue it. They got it free and it ran away. We've had lots of lovely days at the beach lately; it's been so nice!

Lighthouse

 Today we went to visit a lighthouse...the first lighthouse any of us have ever been to. It was super, super cool. The kids loved it. We moved here (to Oregon) a few months ago (December 2024) and have been waiting until April to see some of the lighthouses because most of them are closed in the winter (and start opening up for the year in April). We got the kids "Lighthouse passports" where they can stamp each passport we visit. We hope to visit a few lighthouses this year. 

Redwoods

 We went hiking with some friends today at some redwoods...this picture is great to show how tall these trees are! 

Shells in rocks

 We went to the beach yesterday (the one we can walk to) and found lots of beautiful rocks. The beach is right where the river runs into the ocean. We also saw some rocks with holes (that we've seen before) that had seashells in it. The seashells must've got come in when they were little and then grew inside the rock.