During the last years of Emperor Qianlong’s reign and the early years of Emperor Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty, the land was in turmoil. Bandits were rampant, and those who traveled, especially in the northern regions, often did so with trepidation. Anyone carrying silver and valuables would invariably seek the protection of a skilled bodyguard.
Seeking protection
A Sichuan official residing in Beijing needed to transport a large sum of silver back to his hometown. The route home was fraught with dangers, as it passed through mountains notorious for bandit activity. He therefore sought the help of a renowned security company. Unfortunately, all the skilled bodyguards were already assigned to other tasks. The official, in his desperation, asked the wife of the security company’s owner for help. She proposed her young daughter as the solution to his predicament.
A surprising guardian
Upon meeting the girl, the official was taken aback. She was just a teenager, with delicate features and a slender figure that could rival the beauty of any wealthy maiden. The official was hesitant, doubting her ability to handle the enormous task of protecting such a significant amount of silver. However, the mother reassured him, guaranteeing the safe delivery of the silver with her daughter as the escort.
The journey begins
On the day of departure, the girl arrived riding a black donkey, without any weapon or servant. The official was puzzled and asked about her weapon of choice, expecting her to reveal a hidden dagger or sleeve arrows. To his disbelief, she confidently stated she needed none. He reluctantly proceeded with the journey, but his heart was filled with unease.
A night of suspense
By the time they reached Tongguan, a location infamous for banditry, the sun was still high. Instead of pushing ahead, the girl commanded they stay at a large inn nearby. The official was surprised, but he complied. The inn was surrounded by burly men with menacing looks, heightening the official’s fear. However, the girl seemed unperturbed, calmly moving into the inn and securing their silver in her room.
After dinner, she sent everyone to rest, but ordered tea for herself, retreating to her chamber. The nervous official stationed himself and his men outside her door, weapons at the ready.
The silent battle
Late into the night, the official heard the sound of tiles shifting on the roof. Peering through a crack, he saw the roof covered with bandits. Inside, the girl was calmly reading, seemingly unaware of the impending danger. As the bandits peered down through the gaps in the roof tiles, the girl finished her tea, shattered her cup, and began to flick the shards like a child playing a game. After a while, she extinguished the lamp and went to sleep, leaving the official in a state of high alert.
A morning revelation
At dawn, the girl emerged from her room and asked the cart driver to collect the bodies of the bandits from the roof. The official and his men were shocked to see the bandits dead with no visible injuries, except for a small blood spot in their eyes. It was then they realized that the girl had killed the bandits by flicking shards of her teacup into their eyes, piercing their brains.
Respect and reverence
From then on, the official respected the girl immensely, treating her with the reverence of a deity. Word of this incident spread among the bandits, and no one dared to cross paths with the girl for the rest of the journey.
This tale of the teenage bodyguard reminds us that appearances can be deceiving. The young girl, with her delicate features and unassuming demeanor, was the embodiment of unexpected strength and unparalleled skill. Her actions not only ensured the safe passage of the official’s silver, but also left an indelible mark on those who dared to underestimate her. Stories like these underscore the importance of recognizing the latent potential in everyone, irrespective of their external demeanor, and serve as timeless lessons in humility, courage, and the hidden strengths that lie within you.
Translated article
