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Have you ever heard of the term “Bamboo Curtain”?

It refers to the isolation policy of ancient China, likening it to the Soviet “Iron Curtain,” substituting ‘iron’ with ‘bamboo,’ one of China’s representative plants.

Now, this ‘bamboo’ is quite an interesting organism.

The idiom “Uhujuksoon” (雨後竹筍) refers to bamboo shoots popping up everywhere after the rain, metaphorically implying that many events can happen all at once.

As seen here, bamboo has the characteristic of remaining quiet before suddenly sprouting rapidly. Its growth is so astounding that in Japan, there’s a ghost story about a company’s employee whose tie got tangled in a rapidly growing bamboo shoot, leading to the bamboo strangling him to death!

Of course, that’s just a ghost story—such incidents are unlikely in reality. Yet, because of how quickly bamboo grows, it makes sense that people would hear that story and think, “That could happen.”

Thus, the term “Bamboo Curtain” holds a profound meaning.

It silently grows into a dense forest, forming a natural maze that makes it difficult for people to pass through. Interestingly, bamboo in a single forest is all interconnected, meaning despite being countless, they share the characteristics of both individual entities and a collective.

Furthermore, the bamboo that grows this way has proven to be incredibly useful.

Isn’t that a fitting metaphor for China?

If we were to see bamboo as people, then a curtain made of it would literally be a “Curtain of Humanity,” and a forest of bamboo would embody those people as a wall and a maze. The interconnectedness of the bamboo symbolizes the Communist Party, often referred to as a “shadow government,” reflecting their social structure, while their utility denotes that their population was directly tied to national strength.

Indeed, bamboo serves as a fitting symbol for China.

But what if within this “Bamboo Curtain,” bamboo is representing something other than people?

What if bamboo symbolizes China itself, not the people?

“Bamboo. What a strange metaphor.”

That too is not an incorrect analogy. The vast territory can be described as a forest, a curtain, and a foundation.

Thus, both metaphors hold true—whether for people or the nation itself. China is a country that suits bamboo as a symbol.

And hence, it becomes even more enigmatic.

“How curious. Thinking of bamboo brings to mind a certain type of magic.”

There’s a form of magic called “Curse of Malevolence.”

It’s an evil, wicked, and dreadful kind of magic. Because of this, the three countries—Korea, China, and Japan—all feared it and went so far as to officially ban it.

“The Curse of Isolation.”

This notorious magic is often associated with the equally infamous “Curse of Malevolence” and involves creating a divine object through a ritual. According to historical texts, creating a Curse of Isolation was punishable by death, and merely making a Curse was also deserving of severe punishment, whether it be execution or other harsh fates. This indicates just how much people feared this magic and how vigilant they were against it.

The texts stated that simply creating a Curse is akin to conspiracy to murder, and if one were to invoke it while praying to evil gods or spirits, it would be akin to committing murder. Indeed, the methods of this curse are so wicked and horrifying that one cannot bear to watch, and the very act of performing it would create chaos in the world and instill fear in the populace!

“Spirit Conjuring…”

Before his return, Park Jinseong gained possession of a book during his visit to ancient China.

To be precise, it wasn’t a regular book but a bamboo slip.

This slip, damaged over many years, would typically have much of its content lost or would require expert intervention for interpretation given the ancient language used; however, at that time, Park Jinseong was extraordinarily fortunate to have obtained both the original and its interpretation.

The slip mentioned that it was written by a disheveled student who survived the Literary Inquisition, emphasizing that he could not name himself and that he wrote these words using blood-tinged ink. It expressed that the loss of knowledge would be akin to the loss of light and urged that it be preserved for future generations, detailing Spirit Conjuring and the assisting magic techniques.

It stated that the Curse of Malevolence comprises two parts: one that creates human forms to curse individuals and one that creates and controls spirits. The Curse and Spirit Conjuring can exist separately, but when combined, their efficacy is akin to adding dry firewood to a fire, enabling immense power. Therefore, before utilizing the Curse, one must prepare the spirit to be conjured.

The method of obtaining this spirit is gruesome.

To control a spirit, the technique called “Soul Conjuring” is employed. It requires abducting a living person, dismembering them, and subsequently killing them, using their corpse along with their fate and soul meticulously to conjure spirits through the process known as “Harvesting Life.”

But isn’t it interesting to note what materials are recommended for the vessel of Soul Conjuring? The use of jars, hollowed gourds, and dolls is noted, yet for the method of Harvesting Life, bamboo is specifically recommended!

They say bamboo tubes are light and sturdy, easily portable without raising suspicion, and can be disposed of without much concern. They are also affordable and easy to procure, making them suitable for inscribing the incantations needed for magic.

Indeed, that information holds true. The historical accounts of those who used the Curse were either referencing this slip or had discovered for themselves that bamboo proved advantageous, as most preferred to use bamboo.

This was the case not only in China, but also in Joseon.

Records from Joseon indicate that concerning the Curse, children were abducted and their souls contained within bamboo tubes through the method of harvesting life, and the details were truly horrific.

Strangely, looking at modern China, the expression “Bamboo Curtain” often recalls the methods of the Curse and Harvesting Life.

“If the bamboo is cut and shaped for convenience, then the bamboo tube represents…”

Intuition speaks.

It feels as though the stars whisper to him.

It seems necessary to take a peek inside.

But there’s no need to rush.

“Hehe.”

If one climbs the roots, a stalk must exist. That stalk bears fruit too.

This signifies that the cycle is connected.

The stars, barely capable of speech, convey their message.

“Bamboo tube, and what lies within it.”

Soon, he shall uncover this curtain.

* * *

The Mandate of Heaven.

A term used since the Zhou and Shang Dynasties.

From divine entities to colossal nature.

Its meaning has transformed yet the two powerful characters have never vanished from the annals of Chinese history.

From oracle bone script to simplified characters.

From turtle shells to digital records.

Regardless of the form, the value of those two characters never changes!

It is said to be the fate conferred upon the hero who will seize the world.

It is said to be bestowed by the Shangdi upon the favored.

It is said to be the proof for the conqueror, and it is said to embody the flow of the world realized in a single person.

Thus, whenever the world is in disarray, the people of China yearn for it.

They desire someone who possesses the Mandate to emerge and restore peace, establishing a prosperous era.

They wish to eradicate the cruel bandits and corrupt officials who are scarier than tigers and grant the people a comfortable existence.

And this yearning compelled the Chinese to revere and sing of their heroes.

When chaos reigns, they long for a hero to emerge, and when a hero appears, they must surely be applauded and praised; thus, their history cannot be spoken of without mentioning those powerful leaders and heroes who seized the “Mandate of Heaven.”

This has not changed even in modern times.

The emperor, once the bearer of the Mandate, has disappeared into history, and now, instead of a singular extraordinary person, the dictatorial party known as the Communist Party of China governs them, yet even today, the words “Mandate of Heaven” remain inscribed in the lives and spirits of the Chinese people.

Especially so for their leaders.

The Mandate of Heaven.

Knowing well the history of a united empire that has fractured for various reasons, this term resonates with both allure and gravity for them.

Therefore, they had no choice but to pursue it.

Just as the old emperors did, seeking to hold tightly to the Mandate for an extended period.

To maintain the unity of the vast empire across generations.

Yet not by primitive means such as producing numerous children and choosing a capable heir, but employing modern civilization in a highly scientific manner.

And that entails asking.

“Are the data and genetics of the talents from various nations being collected well?”

“Yes. It’s going smoothly.”

Ethically questionable, indeed.

 

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