What would happen if we talked about integrity with the people around us now? "Oh, you idiot, showing off again." "So pretentious? My hand's about to be chopped off, what integrity are you talking about? How much per pound? I'll sell it to buy lipstick, okay?"
It seems that nowadays, everyone scoffs at some metaphysical things. Indeed, it's ethereal and invisible, just like history—a little girl who can be dressed up however you like. I can't even afford a toilet, and you're talking to me about integrity? Are you just looking for attention?
But in contrast, when *Nirvana in Fire* aired, we saw this person... we saw this
person...
and when we watched the sworn brotherhood before Shaolin
Temple... and the Battle of Juxian Manor...
we felt a deep respect, even a surge of emotion so intense we wanted to roar to the heavens, even tears welling up as we shouted "male god" at the actors on screen, some of whom were no longer young. It seems that even the most important thing in this era—looks—has become unimportant. So what moved us?
It seems to be integrity.
I've always felt that Mei Changsu's blood should be cold.
His entire family was unjustly murdered, his infamy unresolved, and he suffered the agony of fire and cold, forced to undergo bone-crushing as an antidote. He was reborn with a different identity, but his body was already weakened, his lifespan short. He could no longer write the words of his youth, nor draw the bow of his past, unable to recognize old friends or speak to his beloved.
You, oh you, why are you still fighting for your family, your country, your love, and your righteousness?
I remember when Xia Dong asked him why he went to help Nihuang, he said, "As a citizen of Liang, I fight against foreign invaders, yet I am asked why. Has the atmosphere in the Jinling court really deteriorated to this point?"
He spoke calmly, but the moment he uttered those words, I knew:
You, oh you, ten years of drinking ice, have ultimately failed to cool your burning passion.
Many people comment on Mei Changsu, talking about his loneliness, his feelings for Nihuang and Jingyan, and his resourcefulness. But I think the most fitting assessment is Hu Ge's: "He was an integral part of the 70,000-strong Chiyan Army, carrying the expectations of those 70,000 men. He returned to Jinling like a symbol, devoid of personal emotions and a personal life. His only task was to seek justice. His only task
was to place everyone's hopes on Prince Jing, to let him continue the will of Prince Qi, to let him bring righteousness to the court. And then, when everything was done, he disappeared. So, throughout the entire process, he didn't exist as a human being."
Yes, he brought righteousness back to the court, even though that court had wronged him so much.
Perhaps some might say, "Isn't it just about clearing his family's name? Why make it sound so noble?"
No, it's not!
After clearing the name and changing the atmosphere of Liang, Mei Changsu was gone. He could go to live a carefree life, he could distance himself from the world.
But what choice did he make? Lin Chen said to him, "Changsu, the old case has been cleared. You should be relieved of the burdens you've placed on yourself. It's not unreasonable to think about yourself now."
What did he say? "Mei Changsu's mission is complete, but Lin Shu still has his responsibilities."
He said, "I want to go back, back to the battlefield of the Chiyan Army. I want to go back; that's where I belong."
The road he wanted to walk—the road once strewn with corpses, where his father's blood had been spilled, where he had once died.
He wanted to be Lin Shu again; he wanted to risk his last breath to fight the enemy.
Go, that's your path.
Mei Changsu, Lin Shu—what was their spirit?
It was like a fire in the snow, melting the ice and snow with its heat. The sizzling sound melted your blood and bones, the rising smoke carried away your life. The snow melted, the fire went out.
The three-way alliance intended to jointly attack Liang, dividing the land, with five times the military strength, a vast army, pressing directly against the border.
An envoy, barely twenty years old, wielding a royal staff and comb, dressed in silk robes and a plain crown, traversed the enemy camp alone. Despite the threat of swords and axes, he remained steadfast, engaging in a fierce debate with the enemy's ministers within the royal tent. His heart was as firm as a mountain, his words as sharp as a knife, causing the already loose alliance of interests to crumble.
This envoy was named Yan Que.
Even later, when he secluded himself in the world, spending his days with incense and cinnabar, one might assume he had become despondent.
No, everything he did was to kill the one who had killed his beloved, the one who had killed his revered brother. Even if that person held the throne, even if discovery meant certain death, he said:
He didn't care about the heinous crime of treason and regicide. For the unending pain that had churned within him for over a decade, for his deceased love and brother, he cared nothing more.
Such was the depth of his affection and loyalty.
But he wasn't one to indulge in petty romances. His silent, measured steps along the long corridor outside the banquet hall, his wise composure and calmness during his confrontation with Xia Jiang, and his words at the hunting grounds: "Even if we breach the palace gates, there's still this hall gate; even if we breach this hall gate, we still have our own bodies. As long as we have a breath left, it's not a loss." Such wisdom and unwavering courage!
What is Yan Que's integrity?
It's knowing that tomorrow will be separated by mountains, and the world is uncertain, yet still wielding the sword he once held, asking, "Your Majesty also drew your sword back then, didn't you?" Wasn't the era Xiao Feng lived in a mess? So
messed up that Mr. Chen Shixiang commented, "No one is without injustice, all affection is a curse."
His adoptive parents were killed, his mentor died tragically, he was betrayed by the Beggars' Sect, and in the battle of Juxian Manor, he became an enemy of all the heroes of the world. Didn't he know that attending that martial arts tournament would be fraught with peril? Didn't they know that those people had gathered together with a desperate intent to kill him? He knew, but he still went, to save a girl whose name he didn't even know.
The whole place erupted in uproar. "Qiao Feng, are you stupid? Coming here to die for such a young girl you barely know? There must be some trickery involved!" "Whatever your scheme, I'll tear you to pieces today!" What did Qiao Feng do? "
Fine, if you want to kill me, let's settle our past ties first.
" He said, "Many of the heroes here are old friends of mine. Since you have doubts about me, let's drink to sever our ties. Which friend wants to kill me? Come and drink with me first. From this day forward, all past friendships will be wiped clean. My killing you isn't ingratitude, and your killing me isn't betrayal. All the heroes of the world are my witnesses." After he finished speaking and drank with Bai Shijing, he even begged him to take care of A'Zhu.
Jin Yong wrote, "Although the heroes hated him for being a barbarian Tartar who committed many injustices, they were also moved by his generosity and chivalry." Even
those who hated him the most were shaken by his spirit. It was truly a case of "Even in death, his chivalrous spirit remains fragrant, worthy of being a hero of the world."
In front of Shaoshi Mountain, he was filled with heroic spirit and drank wine to fight his enemies. This wine even made the little monk Xuzhu unable to restrain himself.
He said loudly, "Eldest brother, third brother, you're drinking, why didn't you call me?" The text reads, "When he saw Xiao Feng arrive on the mountain, his imposing presence immediately overwhelmed the crowd, making them pale in comparison, and he was deeply impressed; seeing Duan Yu cherish their sworn brotherhood and willing to die with him
, and remembering how he had included Xiao Feng in his oath of brotherhood with Duan Yu on Misty Peak, a true man's word is his bond, even unto death, and recalling the heroic spirit he shared with Duan Yu at Lingjiu Palace, he immediately forgot all about safety, life and death, and all rules and regulations."
If you ask what kind of demeanor and spirit could make someone disregard life and death, and disregard all rules and regulations?
And look at Qiao Feng.
"I, a fine young man, am to be compared to someone like you!" This sentence, upon first reading, truly stirred my heart and left me deeply moved. Consider Qiao Feng's circumstances: his lover died tragically, his deepest gratitude betrayed, and although he was the Southern King of Liao, this was not what he truly desired—let's leave that aside. Anyone else in his shoes would have been utterly dejected and self-deprecating. Yet, he remained true to himself, upright and magnanimous—a truly fine young man, a man of integrity and upright character.
Throughout the entire novel, when I think of Xiao Feng's life, the phrase "no debts" always comes to mind. He didn't want to owe A'Zhu, so he risked his life to treat her illness. No matter how mischievous A'Zi was, he diligently cared for A'Zhu to fulfill her last wish.
He didn't want to owe his mentor and parents, so he relentlessly pursued the truth, even amidst storms and countless hardships.
Not wanting to be indebted to the Beggars' Sect, even after being expelled, he shouted, "Who says the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms are inferior to the Starry Constellation Evil Skill?" This caused the Beggars' Sect disciples to forget the changing times and still call him Chief Qiao.
Not wanting to be indebted to the Song and Liao dynasties, he ultimately committed suicide before a cliff, ending his own life. If you were a man, wouldn't you yearn to become sworn brothers with such a person, drinking and riding horses together, even risking your life for him?
You think so, because you know this person values promises and loyalty; he would surely be willing to live and die for you, to stand with you through thick and thin, braving wind, rain, mountains of knives, and seas of fire.
If you were a woman, wouldn't you imagine such a rough and bold man saying something like, "From now on, I will spoil you a hundred times, a thousand times more"—something a little too sentimental? Wouldn't you imagine him promising you cattle and sheep?
You think so, right? Because you know this person is loyal and responsible; he always keeps his word. You don't need to worry or be afraid. You just need to rely on him, believe in him, and support him. If anything happens to you, this seemingly foolish man might even remain unmarried for life.
What is Qiao Feng's character?
Loyalty, keeping promises, upholding righteousness, and taking responsibility—truly a heroic spirit worthy of respect.
Lu Xun said, "Since ancient times, we have had people who bury themselves in hard work, people who fight desperately, people who plead for the people, and people who sacrifice themselves for the law. Even the so-called 'official history,' which is tantamount to compiling genealogies for emperors, generals, and ministers, often cannot conceal their brilliance. This is the backbone of China."
The era we live in is not easy at all; on the contrary, it is very difficult. Many people struggle to live, living in great distress, feeling that this messed-up life is unbearable. We feel that there are so many petty people in life, conflicts of interest, backstabbing, and betrayal. Where are such upright and honest people?
So why do I still talk about integrity, such an intangible thing, and how is it any different from slogans and catchphrases?
It's because we're moved. People are only moved by what they desire and care about.
It shows that there's a fire burning inside us, still hoping to become a clear-headed and cheerful person, able to do courageous things with interesting people. It doesn't necessarily mean keeping a promise forever, being unmoved by death; occasionally telling a few harmless lies is fine, but solemn promises should be kept, okay? It doesn't necessarily mean being devoted to one person for life. In this era of free love, everyone has the right to choose. If it's right, be together; if not, separate. But in every relationship where you're truly invested, don't play games with others, okay? It doesn't necessarily mean carrying the burden for
life. "If it benefits the country, I will risk my life; how can I avoid it because of personal gain or loss?" But if you hold a position, fulfill your responsibilities; don't be a mere figurehead, okay? If we can't be the backbone, we should at least be some flesh and blood, okay?
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