The high priests of Shang Di prophesied the birth of the Dragon Emperor.

Calligraphy found on ancient silk scrolls predicted that he would be Chinas greatest savior, rising from the fierce waters of the Chang Jiang River and conquering the barbarians in the north. Most important of all, he would finally bring peace to China and enrich the lives of the poor and downtrodden. The Dragons rule would breath life and inspiration into the souls of his countrymen. His deeds would live on making him a hero of legend. His name was Yulong, the Jade Dragon, and this is his epic story . . . My father is an educated man; a Confucian scholar who served on the Imperial Court for 9 years. He was an Imperial Engineer who drafted the specification on the new guard towers protecting the northern border. Mother was the daughter of a well-respected silk merchant. She would be married off to my father at the age of 15. Many Chinese marriages are arranged; however, this relationship was more than a contract. They had a love that was kind, patient, and knowing. Their first few years of marriage were utter bliss; carefree and whimsical. Unfortunately as time passed, mother began to grow thin. No matter how much she ate, she could not keep her weight up. Worried about her health, Father would pay for a doctor to help diagnose her rapid weight loss. The doctor checked her balance, performed acupuncture, and prescribed a special tea to help with Mothers digestion. Nothing seemed to work. Finally, the doctor would make his final visit and give concluding diagnosis: consumption. It was all but impossible to deny the doctors judgment; he was the most well respected practitioner in Beijing. Father would actually resign from his position on the Imperial Court to help take care of her. He sacrificed his career for his one true love and to care for his dying wife. After his resignation, Father would buy a small plot of land with his pension and the remaining dowry. Basically, he put everything he had into this land. Father had firmly decided to spend the rest of his days growing rice and fishing on the

Chang Jiang River. It was an unassuming life that afforded him very few luxuries. But to him, time was the greatest gift of all. Time to be with his dying wife. With mothers illness, it would be impossible for them conceive a child. Still, both dreamed of having a family and a child to nurture and teach. To personify the immeasurable love they both had for one another. As luck would have it, their dreams would finally be answered by the heavens. One fateful day, Father was returning home from a long day of fishing. He had barely caught anything. Frustrated, he went ashore to gather his thoughts and pray to the ancestors for guidance when he noticed something odd in the distance. A shimmering green light emitted from the muddy banks. He would feed into his curiosity and get a closer look. According to Father, that was where he found me. I was an infant just a few days old, wrapped in a blanket of luxurious green silk; the finest he had ever seen. Whoever left me there along the riverbank clearly wanted me to be discovered by someone. I was blessed by the Shang Di to have been rescued by my father that day. Now, when father tells the story of my discovery, his expression always changes. His eyes water and his cheeks turn rosy. Even more, it was a day that would bring prodigious happiness to my mother, and those days were few and far between. Father always says, The day I brought you home, mothers smile could light the night sky. And yet in some ways, her final days were bitter sweet. Even though my adoption would grant her the satisfaction of being a mother, it would not be enough to cure her of her illness. Sadly, mother would lose her battle with consumption before my 3rd birthday. I dont have many memories of her, but the few I have are gloomy and painted with sorrow. I try to remember her through the stories told by Father. Nonetheless, a part of father truly died that day. A part of me died, as well.

This brings us to the present. Today, it is simply Father and I. We live a humble existence on the banks of the Chiang Jiang Basin. During the day, we fish and cultivate our rice crop. At night, Father reads me the words of Elder Confucius. His ideas bring me hope of a better day. Confucius was wise; he understood that peace and harmony could only be attained through knowledge and respect. Father has already taught me how to read and write. I am one who greatly values the education he has given me. Knowledge is power, but it is also exciting and fun. My favorite activity is calligraphy because I am able to show my learning in a creative way. Recently, father brought home paper for me to practice my art. To show my gratitude, I wrote these wise words, Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself. Then, I wrapped the scroll and gave it to my father as a gift. Indeed, my fathers wise teaching and the words of Confucius have given me the insight I need to garner the respect of my elders and my community. Many view me as a young man who embodies Junzi. Besides being the son of a noble father, the respect of my elders is truly a great honor. I hope to one day make them proud. Moreover, I hope to one day make my father proud.