The Story of Yuan: The Tale of the First Line of the Qian Hexagram

In the mid-Spring and Autumn period, the six ministerial clans of the State of Jin were locked in bitter strife, and the Zhao clan teetered on the brink of ruin. Yuan, a young man from a distant branch of the Zhao family, possessed the talent to aid a ruler, yet he concealed his brilliance and contented himself as a halberd-bearer in the Zhao manor. Yao, a daughter of the main clan line, was quick-witted and skilled at the zither; she often played the tune *The Crane Calls* from the waterside pavilion. The two would gaze at each other across the water, their eyes meeting and hearts aligning. Admiring his talent and character, Yao secretly gave him a jade jue (a notched jade pendant), vowing to grow old together with him.

But Yuan knew full well that the Zhi clan had already set its sights on annexing the Zhao, and a great catastrophe was imminent. Were he to reveal his abilities now, he would instantly become the target of all clans; were he to accept Yao’s affection, she would be slandered for illicit trysts, and her clan would suffer as well. Deep affection rarely lasts long; great wisdom often brings harm.

That night, Yao came to Yuan’s side courtyard with the jade jue in hand. Her eyes glistened as she whispered, “You hold lofty aspirations—why trap yourself here? I would follow you, to live in seclusion far from the world.” Yuan stared at the jade jue, his fingertips trembling slightly, but in the end he did not take it. He stepped back, bowed deeply to the ground, and said slowly, “Lady, look at this deep well in the courtyard.”

Yao leaned over to peer in: the well water was dark, so deep its bottom could not be seen. Yuan’s voice was cool, yet laced with sorrow: “The *Book of Changes* says, ‘The first line of the Qian hexagram: The hidden dragon should not act.’ The dragon lurks in the abyss not because it lacks the will to soar to the heavens, but because it knows the winds and clouds have not yet converged—and to act rashly is to perish. If I were to accept your jade today, I would bring disaster upon myself, and drag you into unrighteousness. True love is measured by restraint, not by the joy of possession. The world is in turmoil now; only by enduring and hiding can we survive.”

At these words, Yao felt as if struck by thunder. The jade jue slipped from her hand and shattered on the bluestone. She gazed into Yuan’s eyes, seeing deep affection tangled with unshakable resolve. Then she gave a bitter smile, curtsied in return, and said, “I understand your heart.” She turned and vanished into the night.

From that day on, Yuan remained a halberd-bearer, and Yao was married to a man of the Han clan. The two became as strangers to each other.

Years later, the Disaster of the Lower Palace erupted, and the Zhao clan was nearly wiped out. Yuan fought as a sworn warrior, shielding the orphaned heir of the Zhao clan through the siege, and ultimately helped the clan rise again—rising to the rank of Upper Minister himself.

When the realm finally grew more peaceful, Yuan returned to the old estate. The waterside pavilion had collapsed; only the dry well remained. Standing by the well, he unfastened the sword at his waist and dropped it into the water. Ripples spread gently, reflecting his graying temples.

The wind rose, scattering fallen leaves across the steps. Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the lone cloud in the vast sky, and murmured: “The hidden dragon… should not act…” The words drifted into the dusk, leaving no trace behind.