Time: 2013-04-14 11:37 Source: Story China Author: Xu Zhangbin
The character “人” (person) has only two strokes, but being a person takes a lifetime. Being a person is difficult; the hardest things to control are emotions, the hardest to maintain is one's true nature, the hardest to keep is time, the hardest to grasp is opportunity, the hardest to overcome is oneself, and the hardest to see through is the human heart…
1. The Taller the Tree, the Stronger the Wind
It is said that the ancestral master of tailoring was the Yellow Emperor. Later generations recorded the clothing-making secrets he taught, leaving a remarkable book called "Yi Jing" (The Classic of Clothing). This book details various extraordinary methods of making clothes, among which the most magical is the “eye ruler.” What is an eye ruler? It is measuring a person's height, shoulder width, and waist circumference with the eyes alone, as if a pair of eyes were a ruler. It is said that those with the ability of the eye ruler can do more than just make clothes. Today, I will tell a story about the eye ruler.
During the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, a small tailor shop named "Xiushen" (which means "Refining the Body") opened at the East Gate Street corner in Yangzhou. The clothes trimmed in the Xiushen tailor shop were trendy, diverse in style, and inexpensive, winning the favor of the local people. Therefore, although the shop was small, it was always crowded with customers.
As the saying goes, the taller the tree, the more it catches the wind; the more famous a person is, the more trouble comes with fame. One morning, just as the assistant of the Xiushen tailor shop opened the door for business, they suddenly heard a "rumbling" from the street. In the blink of an eye, seven or eight strong men arrived at the door, frightening the assistant so much that he dropped the doorboard and ran to the back room to find the owner.
Soon, the boss of the tailor shop, Huang Yaozu, hurried out. Seeing the leader of this group of men, he felt a sudden jolt in his heart.
The leader was Lei Bao, famously known in Yangzhou as the "Little Wu Song." Speaking of Lei Bao, he was well known throughout Yangzhou. Lei Bao could actually be considered a good person; during years of famine, he often distributed porridge and grain to help the poor. However, there was one flaw: he was competitive and loved to show off. Sometimes, he would come up with mischievous tricks to play pranks on others.
Huang Yaozu privately sighed in distress. He knew that Lei Bao's family was wealthy and owned several shops, including a tailor shop. This time, it was likely that he had come to compete in some way.As expected, when Lei Bao saw Huang Yaozu, he grinned and cupped his hands, saying: "I heard that Shopkeeper Huang is highly skilled and can make clothes for anyone, so today I brought someone for you to help make an outfit..." After speaking, he clapped his hands, and a few servants immediately led a woman in with ropes from outside. The woman's hands were tied with ropes, and as soon as she stood still, a strong, pungent smell radiated from her, causing the servants to cover their noses and stand far away.
Huang Yaozu frowned at the sight: the woman was wrapped like a zongzi (rice dumpling), with even her head bound in cloth strips, leaving only her nose and a pair of eyes exposed. Even more terrifyingly, the exposed skin of this woman was covered in red bumps, her ten fingers were incomplete, and twisted in a strange way. Suddenly, Huang Yaozu seemed to understand something; he hastily covered his mouth and nose with his hand, stepped back repeatedly, and pointed at the woman with a terrified look, saying, "Sh-she..."
"That's right, she is a leprosy patient!" Lei Bao said with a smile. "Look at her in those tattered clothes, how shabby! I wanted to make her a new set of clothes, but the tailors in my shop are not skilled, and none of them dared to take her measurements. I heard Shopkeeper Huang is highly skilled and brave, so we hurried over to trouble you!"
At the entrance of the "Xiu Shen" shop, there were already many neighbors standing around, watching the commotion. Upon hearing that this woman was a "leprosy patient," the crowd instantly stirred. With a 'whoosh,' most ran far away, but they did not leave entirely, watching from a distance. Everyone knew today's show would be lively because a tailor making clothes first requires taking measurements—how could they do it without getting close? But since this woman had leprosy, proximity would transmit the disease, and everyone secretly worried for Huang Yaozu...
2. Measuring the Body with a Tailor's Tape
Huang Yaozu looked at the smug Lei Bao and frowned: "Boss Lei, this, this joke is unacceptable!"
"What are you saying, Shopkeeper Huang? I really came here to ask for help. If you can make it, I will take you as my master; if you can't, then you shall take me as your master. How about that?" Lei Bao continued to smile, speaking slowly and unhurriedly.As soon as he heard these words, Huang Yaozu's face turned red and white alternately. He looked at the leper, then glanced at the neighbors gathered at the door to watch the commotion. Gritting his teeth, he was about to admit defeat. But if he did, the signboard of the “Self-Cultivation” shop he had apprenticed under Lei Bao would be ruined! At that moment, a handsome young man stepped out from the tailor shop. He held Huang Yaozu, who was about to kneel, and said calmly without any servility: "We'll take on this job!"
"Why do you keep causing trouble? This isn't a game!" Huang Yaozu stamped his feet anxiously. Then he turned repeatedly toward Lei Bao, smiling nervously, "Boss Lei, this is Yao Tianci, a new tailor in our shop. He is young and inexperienced, please don't take it to heart."
But Yao Tianci stopped Huang Yaozu with a firm hand and said, "Thanks to Shopkeeper Huang for taking me in, I would not be left homeless otherwise. Now that the shop is in trouble, how could I stand by and do nothing? Rest assured, I can handle it!"
Hearing this, Lei Bao laughed heartily, "Alright, Master Yao, start taking the measurements!"
"No need, I just need to take a look," Yao Tianci said. The people present were stunned. What? Could someone just take one look to know the woman's shoulder width, sleeve length, and waist size? And then make her clothes? Everyone was dumbfounded as Yao Tianci, ignoring the astonished gazes, walked around the leper, nodding slightly as if silently memorizing something. In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Yao Tianci turned to Lei Bao and Huang Yaozu, saluted them, and said, "Please wait here a moment." After speaking, he went to the back room.
Lei Bao was so surprised that his eyes widened. Looking at Huang Yaozu, he saw his face was equally confused—it seemed Huang Yaozu himself didn't know what was happening.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yao Tianci came out holding a blue long garment and handed it to the leper, saying, "Try this on." The leper took the clothes and put them on. It fit perfectly—not too big, not too small, not too long, not too short. At this moment, the neighbors who were watching snapped out of their daze and began cheering.
Lei Bao did not expect such talent to exist in this small tailor shop. Reluctantly, he took out money and tossed it onto the counter as payment for the clothes, then saluted Huang Yaozu and the others, saying, "I admire you, I admit defeat!" Saying this, he left with his followers in a hasty exit.After Lei Bao walked away, Huang Yaozu finally regained his composure. He wiped a handful of cold sweat and hurriedly took Yao Tianci into the inner room, asking, "Did you just use the eyeball measurement?"
Yao Tianci honestly replied, "I dare not deceive the shopkeeper. It is indeed the eyeball measurement. I learned it from an old beggar when I was drifting in Jiangnan."
"I see, I never expected the legendary eyeball measurement to actually be real!" Huang Yaozu plopped down on a chair and muttered to himself, "Thanks to you this time, otherwise our tailor shop's reputation would have been ruined. But Lei Bao suffered a loss this time and surely won't let it go. You should leave quickly."
Yao Tianci was startled and hurriedly said, "Shopkeeper Huang has taken me in out of kindness; how can I prioritize my own safety over everyone else? Please, I won't leave!"
Huang Yaozu sighed and said, "Then be careful."
3. Facing Life and Death
Once news spread that the tailor shop concealed a skilled master, business became even more prosperous. Think about it: since ancient times, it has been said that men and women should not have physical contact. Therefore, it was extremely difficult for young ladies from wealthy households to have suitable outfits made. Now, hearing that Yao Tianci had the special skill of eyeball measurement—which allows one to know the size just by glancing without touching—they all sent people to have Yao Tianci make clothes at their homes. Business flourished more and more, and Huang Yaozu was so happy he could hardly close his mouth.
One day, someone knocked on the door. Huang Yaozu saw them and was immediately drenched in cold sweat. It was Lei Bao again, and behind him followed a sprightly elderly man with a white beard.
Lei Bao grinned, "Shopkeeper Huang, how have you been? I'm not here to trouble you this time, but to introduce business to you. This is my distant uncle. He heard that Master Yao knows the eyeball measurement, so I brought him to take a look."
Huang Yaozu heard this and had no choice but to call Yao Tianci out.
Yao Tianci looked at the white-bearded elder and asked, "What kind of fabric do you prefer, sir?"
The white-bearded elder stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Master Yao, you decide."
Yao Tianci nodded, then walked around the white-bearded elder once. After finishing, he couldn't help but furrow his brows. Seeing this, Lei Bao quickly said, "Master Yao, no need to hurry. I can pick up the clothes the day after tomorrow."No need, Boss Lei, please wait a moment. But this elderly gentleman is old; he should go back and rest first," he said, and without consulting Huang Yaozu, hurried into the inner room. Huang Yaozu looked on and had no choice but to send someone to escort the white-bearded elder back, then brought Lei Bao into the living room, keeping him company while drinking tea, waiting for Yao Tianci to make the clothes.\
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After two or three hours, Yao Tianci came out looking completely exhausted and said, 'The clothes have been laid out outside.'\
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Lei Bao was overjoyed and rushed out. A short while later, a deafening roar of anger from Lei Bao shook the air: 'You, Yao Tianci, look at what you've made!'\
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Huang Yaozu hurried out and saw five apricot-yellow upper garments and three skirted pants on the counter, all in Han style. He was stunned: Yao Tianci had made a full set of 'Five-collared, Three-waisted' shrouds—that is, funeral clothes for the dead!\
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It turned out that after the Qing army entered the Pass, they issued the order to shave the head and change clothing. Han people argued to keep their traditions, and eventually someone petitioned the Qing government with the request 'Change in life, not in death,' meaning wearing Qing clothing while alive but traditional Han clothing in death. Seeing the public sentiment, the Qing government had to agree, so Han clothing became funeral attire. Now, Yao Tianci made a 'Five-collared, Three-waisted' shroud for Lei Bao's uncle; wouldn't this essentially curse him to death?\
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Seeing this stack of shrouds, Lei Bao's neck veins bulged with anger. He rushed forward, grabbed Huang Yaozu by the collar, and shouted, 'What is the meaning of this?'\
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Huang Yaozu, terrified, cupped his hands and said repeatedly, 'Boss Lei, it's a misunderstanding! This clothing was surely taken by mistake; it's a funeral outfit we made for someone else!'\
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'No mistake,' Yao Tianci came out at this time and said to Lei Bao, 'These clothes will be needed by that elderly gentleman tonight.'\
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Furious, Lei Bao flung Huang Yaozu aside and approached Yao Tianci, glaring at him intently, trying to restrain himself from losing his temper. After a while, he said, 'I only knew you could measure clothes, but I didn't expect you could also tell fortunes! Fine, I'll give you one night; if by tomorrow morning I'll come back and tear down your shop!'After saying that, he didn't take the clothes either and stormed out angrily, slamming the door...\
4. Seeing through the world\
Watching Lei Bao storm off in anger, Huang Yaozu paced anxiously, muttering nonstop: "What should we do now? Wasn't the old gentleman perfectly fine? How could you be so confused?"\
"Rest assured, shopkeeper, they'll come back tonight," Yao Tianci said, then turned to his room to rest, leaving Huang Yaozu alone, sighing and lamenting in front of the pile of shroud clothes, unsure whether to cry or laugh.\
That entire night, Huang Yaozu tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Just as he drifted off a little, he heard a thunderous knocking at the main door. His heart sank—oh no, Lei Bao is here to smash the shop!\
Huang Yaozu hurriedly called everyone, and each person grabbed a weapon, ready to defend themselves with all their might. Moments later, the door opened, and Huang Yaozu was stunned. The group outside were all dressed in mourning clothes, led by Lei Bao himself. He came forward, crying, took Huang Yaozu's hand, and explained that his uncle had passed away last night and he came overnight to take those shrouds.\
After sending Lei Bao and the others off, Huang Yaozu felt this incident was incredible. How could a perfectly healthy person just die so suddenly? Yao Tianci smiled slightly and said, "It's actually not that difficult. The eye measurement method isn't just for assessing a person's body size; you also observe their face, smell, voice, and breath to make an accurate judgment. The reason I let the old gentleman go first was not to let him see the shrouds, which might have caused him to die from a sudden shock. Even so, he still couldn't survive the night, because the veins on both sides of his temples were swollen and dark purple, clearly indicating long-term blockage. Once they ruptured, the accumulated blood rushed to the brain—no immortal could save him then!"\
Huang Yaozu listened in awe.\
The news spread quickly. The master at the "Self-Cultivation" tailor shop, who could measure with his eyes, not only made clothes but could also "read faces," predicting that the old gentleman would die tonight and not make it to dawn. Word spread far and wide, eventually reaching the ears of the magistrate of Yangzhou. The magistrate immediately sent for Huang Yaozu and Yao Tianci, not only to have a new set of clothes made but also to witness the wonders of the eye measurement method.\
Upon receiving the news, Huang Yaozu was overjoyed and quickly brought Yao Tianci to the magistrate's residence.Upon arriving at the mansion, Yao Tianci circled around the Governor once, then asked a baffling question:
"May I presumptuously ask Your Excellency a question? How many years have you been in office?"
The Governor was momentarily stunned and asked curiously, "Does this question have anything to do with making clothes?"
"No, no, I just asked it casually."
The Governor laughed and said, "By the grace of the Emperor, I have only been in office for a little over a year."
Yao Tianci nodded slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Excellency, I have completed the measurements and will immediately return to the shop to make your garments."
On the way back, Huang Yaozu was puzzled and asked, "Why did you ask how many years the Governor has been in office? Surely it wasn't just a casual conversation, was it?"
Yao Tianci smiled and said, "Of course it has its purpose." After saying this, he refused to explain further. Though Huang Yaozu was intrigued and curious, he did not press him for answers.
Back at the shop, Yao Tianci set to work making the Governor's clothes. Scissors flew and threads danced; in less than an hour, the clothes were finished.
Huang Yaozu took the clothes and, upon seeing them, was stunned—not because of Yao Tianci's tailoring skills, but because the clothes had the front longer than the back! Being an experienced tailor himself, Huang Yaozu knew that typically a garment's front and back are of equal length, or if the wearer has a hunchback, the back would be longer. Clothes with a front longer than the back could probably only fit a pregnant woman.
Just as Huang Yaozu was about to question him, Yao Tianci stopped him and said, "Don't worry, shopkeeper, I know what I'm doing."
**5. Hard to Know People's Hearts**
The next morning, Huang Yaozu and Yao Tianci brought the finished clothes to the Governor's mansion. Hearing that the clothes were ready, the Governor was very happy and immediately decided to try them on.
Huang Yaozu nervously took out the garment, sweating on his face. He glanced at Yao Tianci, who, in contrast, remained calm and confident.
After the Governor put on the new clothes, he didn't speak for a long time and stared at the mirror for quite a while, then finally burst into laughter and said, "Master Yao's craftsmanship is truly excellent. Over the past year, I've never worn clothes that fit me so well!"Hearing this, Huang Yaozu finally felt a weight lift off his heart.\ On the way back, Huang Yaozu asked again: "Now you should tell me the answer, right?"\ Yao Tianci smiled and said, "Actually, it's not difficult to explain. When an official has just taken office, they inevitably feel ambitious and proud, walking with their chest out and stomach forward. So, when making clothes, the front should be longer than the back. If an official has been in office for a certain period, by then, they have calmed down, and the clothes should be made equally long in front and back. If the official has been in office for a long time, they are ready to retire, and their spirit is low, walking with their head down and back bent, so the clothes should be made with the front shorter than the back. Therefore, if I don't ask clearly about the duration of the official's service, how could I make clothes that fit perfectly?"\ Hearing this, Huang Yaozu was suddenly enlightened and said, "The measuring eye ruler is indeed extraordinary; it can not only determine life and death at a glance but also see through the ways of the world!"\ However, unexpectedly, a few days later, a group of soldiers suddenly surrounded the 'Xiushen' tailoring shop and took Yao Tianci away.\ Three days later, Huang Yaozu spent money to bribe the prison warden, finally gaining access to visit.\ Yao Tianci was held in a single cell. When Huang Yaozu entered and saw him bruised and battered, he wore a face full of regret and said, "It's all my fault for indulging in drink and being careless, speaking about your words on being an official and making clothes to others. I never imagined this reached the ears of the Prefect, which caused your suffering..."\ Yao Tianci shook his head and smiled bitterly, saying, "Don't blame you, only my own words were too straightforward."\ Huang Yaozu looked outside the cell. Seeing no one paying attention, he whispered, "I heard that the Prefect imprisoned you for another reason. He wants to get that 'Yi Jing' from you!"\ "'Yi Jing'? I don't have such a thing!"\ "It's too late to hide it now," Huang Yaozu said. "Carpenters have the 'Mu Jing,' doctors have the 'Yi Jing,' and as tailors, of course, we have the 'Yi Jing.' Our ancestor, the Yellow Emperor, once taught people to use bone needles with hemp thread to sew leaves and animal skins into clothes, preventing people from being inadequately clothed. All these secrets of making clothes are recorded in the 'Yi Jing.' Legend has it, the measuring eye ruler is documented there."Now that the magistrate knows you have the treasure called the "Book of Clothes," how could he possibly let you go?”\ Yao Tianci shook his head after hearing this and said, “This is the first time I've ever heard of the 'Book of Clothes.' How could I dare deceive the shop owner?”\ After listening, Huang Yaozu sighed: “I originally wanted to use this book to plead with the magistrate to save your life. Since you say you don't have it, then I can't save you either…” After saying this, he looked helpless and left the prison with a sigh.\ A month later, Yao Tianci was finally released. By then, he had been tortured to the brink of death. What he didn't expect was that standing outside the prison to receive him was not Huang Yaozu, but Lei Bao…\ 6. Clear-sighted Observer\ Seeing Yao Tianci's astonished expression, Lei Bao grinned and said, “Master Yao is finally out! Come on, let's go back to my place and rest for a few days!” After speaking, Lei Bao didn't wait for Yao Tianci to respond and ordered someone to carry him home.\ After all, Yao Tianci was still young and physically strong, so after a few days of recuperation, he could walk again. On this day, when Lei Bao came to see him, Yao Tianci got straight to the point and said, “Boss Lei, you're probably here because of the 'Book of Clothes,' right? Unfortunately, I only heard about this book not long ago. I've never seen it, so I'm afraid I'll disappoint you!”\ “You think I want the 'Book of Clothes'? What nonsense are you talking about?” Lei Bao's expression changed slightly. He said aloud, “Although I am not a gentleman, I can still be considered an honest and upright man. How could I harm you for the sake of a book? Besides, I lost to you in that last competition. We agreed that I would become your disciple. Even though I didn't say it out loud, I've already considered you my teacher in my heart. And last time with my uncle's matter, I haven't repaid you yet. This time I saved you from prison to repay your great kindness!”\ “I see. It was wrong of me to blame you, Boss Lei.” Yao Tianci bowed. “Now that my injuries have healed, it's time to return to the tailor shop. My shop owner is probably still worrying about me.”\ “You mean Huang Yaozu? Haha, that old guy is truly malicious. He couldn't face anyone and had already escaped!” Lei Bao said. Previously, he had heard that Yao Tianci was caught by the magistrate's office. Remembering the favor Yao Tianci had done for him, he went to find Huang Yaozu to discuss how to save him.Who would have thought that Huang Yaozu would hesitate, evade the topic, and clearly show he had no intention of saving anyone. Enraged, Lei Bao left in a huff. Later, he secretly sent someone to follow Huang Yaozu and discovered that it was actually Huang Yaozu who had orchestrated Yao Tianci's capture. That day, when Yao Tianci talked about becoming an official and making clothes, Huang Yaozu had exaggerated and reported it to the prefect, who, in a fit of anger, arrested Yao Tianci. Huang Yaozu hoped to use this opportunity to deceive Yao Tianci and obtain the 'Clothing Canon.' Later, Lei Bao pulled strings and tried every possible means to rescue Yao Tianci from prison. Hearing this, Huang Yaozu, fearing unexpected trouble and ashamed to face Yao Tianci, sold his shop and fled overnight.
Yao Tianci grabbed Lei Bao's hand and asked in a trembling voice, “Is what you said really true?”
“Of course it's true!” Lei Bao patted his chest and said, “I am truly a scoundrel, but I am far better than that hypocrite Huang Yaozu. No matter what, I would never betray my own master or benefactor!”
Yao Tianci stumbled to the entrance of Dongguan Street and saw that the 'Xiushen' tailoring shop sign was gone, replaced by a stinky tofu shop! In an instant, Yao Tianci felt a sharp pain in his chest, his vision darkened, and with a 'pfft' sound, he coughed up a mouthful of blood... He understood now—after Huang Yaozu had seen his eye-measuring skill, he had already harbored evil intentions. He sighed, “Eye-measure, eye-measure, although you can see through the world and even life and death, why can't you see through the human heart? If you cannot see through the heart, what use are such eyes to me?” Saying this, Yao Tianci suddenly raised his hands, pointed two fingers, and jabbed violently at his eyes...
Seeing this, Lei Bao hurried forward to stop him, but it was too late; Yao Tianci's eyes were already destroyed...
Three years later, at Hanshan Temple in Yangzhou, a monk with the Dharma name 'Liaochen' was chanting sutras in the hall. Outside, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed. Liaochen heard it and said, “Patron Lei, what brings you to the temple so early?”
Lei Bao laughed heartily and said in a loud voice, “Master Tianci... ah, no, Master Liaochen has cultivated so steadily that he could recognize me at once!”After saying this, he had someone put down the gifts he had brought, and then he said: 'I have been investigating for so many years, and I finally got news of Huang Yaozu. That old fellow somehow got his hands on a book, said to be "The Classic of Clothes." After obtaining the book, he was overjoyed and begged someone to present it to the current emperor, hoping to use it as a way to rise rapidly. Who would have thought that before the book even reached the emperor's hands, Huang Yaozu was dragged out and beheaded. It is said that this "Classic of Clothes" originally belonged to the royal family and was greatly loved by the Empress Dowager. Later, it was stolen by someone unknown. In a fit of rage, the emperor ordered a thorough investigation. The officials, troubled by the lack of a scapegoat, never expected Huang Yaozu to hand himself over...'
After hearing this, Monk Liaocheng mumbled to himself: 'The human heart is unfathomable, the world constantly changes; do not seek good causes, only good results. Harm to others ultimately harms oneself!'
