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update more quickly. I need to know what would happen.
update more quickly. I need to know what would happen.
"History's third dimension is always fiction."
-- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse
That night Hai Lung could not sleep well thinking of the map, the complex situation of his country, and his father's position.
A few miles away from there, a wounded leprosy girl was walking in the desert. She was badly injured that she didn't really notice the direction she's heading to. It was a bad luck for her that when the sun set she has not reached the nearest village.
She's in the desert and she felt very tired that she decided to take a rest.
Because of her wound, she fell asleep until suddenly she heard crying wolves in the distant.
That girl realized that the place might not be safe for her. But she's too weak to get up and leave that place. She sat there and hoped that the wolves pack won't go near her.
Bad luck for her that the wolves pack went to her direction. Those hungry wolves surrounded her and ready to torn her flesh and eat her body.
There's no trees around there where she could climb to avoid the wolves. Nothing she could do but fight the wolves pack. There were more than fifty wolves surrounding her.
The girl drew her sword and used her sword to kill the wolves pack. But her wound made her could not move easily. And wolves were not easy to fight, since wolves always work together to prey their target. When she attacked one wolf, another wolf beat her from another direction.
After about fifteen minutes, her body had bled a lot of blood. The wolves become more ferocious as they smelled blood dripping from the girl's body.
The girl kept on fighting the wolves. She didn't want to die in vain in desert. She tried to lift up her spirit. But she's too weak to do more than to defend herself.
At the same time, Levi was riding her camel to find some water around the area where the leprosy girl was attacked by the wolves.
Levi heard the noise of the wolves. He decided to turn to another direction to avoid him from the wolf pack. But then he hears a female's voice among the wolves growling.
Levi tried to focus his ears and now became more convinced that there's a girl who was besieged by a pack of wolf.
Levi was a kind man; he could not stand if he saw someone in trouble. So he decided to go to the noise source and find out what he could do to help.
In just a few minutes, he arrived at the place where the leprosy girl was fighting the wolves.
Levi was very surprised when he saw that. He saw that girl was bleeding and badly wounded.
Levi knew that he couldn't do much. If he approached to help, the wolves would attack him also. So he decided to make a torch to drive away the wolves.
Levi threw the torch to one of the wolf's tail. The wolf was panic and he tried to attack Levi. But it couldn't attack Levi since in a very short term all of its fur was burnt.
The wolf tried to put off the fire, so it's rolling on the floor.
Unfortunately it couldn't stop the fire and instead, its action only spread the fire to other wolves.
The leprosy girl could move easily now to attack the wolves who wanted to beat her.
Levi threw a rope toward the girl and shouted, " Miss, take the robe and let's get out from here," said Levi. He's riding his camel again and ready to grab and pull the girl as she took the rope.
The girl took the rope, and using her ginkang, she jumped to the camel's back. Levi's grabbed the girl's body, and galloped his camel left the wolves which were burning while some of them still tried to chase the girl and him.
The girl fainted as she landed on Levi's hand. Levi held her body and took her away from that place.
Why only few people read my story? ( (

Levi could not return to his troupe. His culture and religion won't allow him touching a leprosy person like that. According to his religion, a leprosy should be quarantined and no one should have any contact with leprosy person.
But Levi has a good heart, besides he felt that he owed his life to this girl. So no matter what would happen, Levi decided to safe this girl. So he turned his camel and tried to find a place where he could treat the girl.
He found a cavern after some time.
The girl's burlap covering her head fell on the ground as Levi carried the girl's body entering the cavern. Her long hair unravel on the ground and Levi smell sandalwood from her hair. Levi laid the girl on the ground.
He felt pity to the dirty and pale face in front of him.
Levi covered his hands and checked the girl's heart pulse on her wrist. He just realized that the girl was not only bleeding because of the wolves attack, but also she had a bad injured inside. Her heart rate was very weak.
The blood streamed without stopping from the girl's body. Levi took the ointment bottle that the girl gave him last time. He used the ointment last time to cure his wound and it was proved to be a very fine medicine to stop the bleeding.
Levi wrapped his hand with cloth. No matter what he didn't want to take a risk since leprosy could easily transmitted with skin contact.
Levi saw that the girl's fingers were bandaged with cloth like the way the leprosy always did. He shook his head and could not understand why a girl like her, who seemed to be innocent like that could have such kind of leprosy, while bandits and robber could stay healthy like that.
Levi took off the girl's robe since he wanted to stop the bleeding and bandage her wound. He was amazed as he saw a beautiful silk dress worn by the leprosy girl behind her ragged burlap. The silk dress worn by the girl was wet because of the blood streaming from her body. Levi took off the girl's dress awkwardly. It's the first time in his life to see female body, especially a young female. But like or dislike, awkward or not, he had to stop the bleeding and bandage the girl.
Levi was amazed as he saw that the girl had a healthy porcelain skin, smooth and well cared. "She probably came from a rich family and just got the leprosy recently," thought Levi.
After some times, Levi finished cleansing and bandaging the girl's wound. He also took his outer robe to replace the ragged full with blood on the girl's burlap.
"Poor girl! If not because of you, then probably I would die and the Yutai (Jewish) community in Kaifeng wouldn't be able to get the Bible scroll," muttered Levi.
He looked at the girl's face. Although her face looked dirty the girl still looked cute and pretty. She had a nice eyebrow, wide eyelids, cute lips, high nose, and as far as Levi remember, the girl also had a beautiful bright eyes.
"Don't worry little sister! I will take care of you no matter what. I owe you my life, and this time I have to repay you," muttered Levi. He realized that tonight he could not return to his troupe who camped a few miles from there. But he just could not leave the wounded girl alone in the cavern. So that night Levi slept on the cavern to protect the girl.
The next morning, the girl started to awake from her unconsciousness. She took a few seconds to recall where she was. She remembered that the brown haired man threw a rope and she jumped on his camel's back. After that, she didn't remember anything.
"Where am I?" muttered the girl. She tried to wake up but she felt dizzy on her head. She recalled her wound caused by Madame Flower and the wolf pack attack.
She looked around and saw the brown haired man was sleeping on the ground not far from her. The girl laid her back again on her fury mattress. "It must be him who brought me here," said the girl in her heart. She tried to sleep again but she couldn't sleep again.
After several time, Levi wake up from his sleep. The first thing he did was checked the girl. He was surprised as he saw the girl was already awake, and starring at him as he approaching her.
"Hi…good morning," said Levi smiling at her.
"You saved my life," said the girl.
"Well…it's my duty to help others, especially because you previously saved my life too!" replied Levi.
"But why? Aren't you afraid with my….leprosy?" asked the girl with low voice.
"Hmm…… Yes I was afraid with your disease at first!" said Levi. "But I won't be alive if not because of you, then why should I feel worry because of your leprosy?"
"Oh….," said the girl. "Then a man like you must be one in a million! Nobody wants to help someone like this!
Levi blinked his eye, "Don't worry! I'll treat you nicely no matter what!"
"What is your name, Miss?" asked Levi.
"Hmm…why do you want to know? I didn't ask your name when I saved you," said the girl. She sounded like she's trying to hide something.
"Do I offend you if I asked your name?" asked Levi again. He was now so sure that the girl had a secret that she had to disguise and hide her name.
The girl sighed, "No you don't! My name is Li Ching." Levi thought that the girl family name is Li and he didn't ask for more. If only Li Ching mentioned her family name and Levi remembered what Liu Chin Kang said about General Yang's daughter, then probably things wouldn't be the same. But Li Ching has her own reasons not telling anyone her family name and Levi didn't really put attention when Liu Chin Kang mentioned Yang Li Ching before he died. All Levi remembered was that he had to go to Lin An and meet General Yang. He didn't remember the detail that General Yang had a daughter whose name was Yang Li Ching.
"Okay Miss Li," smiled Levi. "Now I will try to find something to eat for us. Just stay here and don't run! I won't hurt you anyway," said Levi and he blinked an eye to the girl.
"Hey, I don't know your name! I've told you my name but you haven't tell me your name!," said the girl.
"My name is Yacov Levi. I'm a Yutai (Jewish) from Anxi (Persia)," replied Levi.
"Ya Ke Le Wi?" asked the girl.
"No…no! Ya-cov Le-vi!" said Levi. He just didn't understand why Chinese people couldn't pronounce his name well, just like the old Chinese man who died last time.
"What a difficult name," mumbled Li Ching. "Le Vi! Am I right?"
"Yes, you are right!" said Levi. He smiled and looked at the girl. He thought that the girl was cute and also funny.
"Now be a good girl and have a rest here! I will try to find something to eat for us!" said Levi.
"Okay! And if you returned, please bring more water to drink!" said Li Ching and smiled at Levi.
Li Ching didn't understand why she could trust this foreigner. She heard that there were some Yutai people who lived and stayed in Kaifeng. But this was the first time for her to talk with a foreigner. More than that, it is the first time for her to talk with a man, of course besides her father, teacher, brothers and her servants at her house.
Suddenly Li Ching face blushed and turn into red. She just realized that now she's not wearing her own clothes. She was wearing a leather jacket and her body was bandaged, and it must be the Yutai man who took her clothes off and bandage her wound.
"Oh my goodness…."said the girl
"Ah forget it! Anyway, I and he didn't do anything lust! He just tried to cure my wound……that's all!" muttered the girl to ease her embarrassment. "Yeah, nothing to be worry about. He wouldn't think lust of a leprosy girl anyway!" said Li Ching to comfort herself.
About thirty minutes later, Levi returned and brought a chicken at the cavern. He roasted the chicken and he gave the roasted chicken to Li Ching.
Li Ching tried to sit down, but her condition was very weak. Levi wrapped his hand with cloth and helped her to sit down.
Li Ching was about to bite her chicken when he heard Levi recited a kind of prayer in a foreign language.
"What is that for?" asked Li Ching after Levi finished his prayer.
"What for? That was a prayer," replied Levi. "Don't you ever prayer?" asked Levi bewildered with Li Ching question.
"No, I had never prayed," said Li Ching. She began to eat and asked no more. Li Ching ate very slowly. She felt pain on her chest. Madame Flower hit her with powerful strength. Li Ching vomited blood from her mouth. She felt something burning inside her chest.
"Hey Miss, are you alright?" asked Levi worriedly. It's the first time for Levi to see someone blood vomiting like that.
Li Ching took a deep breath. She knew that she's badly injured.
"I'm not alright," said Li Ching laughed at Levi. "But it's okay, don't worry! I just need a long rest to collect my strength," said Li Ching again.
"What happened to you?" asked Levi. He knew that the wolves attack wouldn't hurt her like that.
"Aiya…It's all because I interfered other people's business," said Li Ching. "A bandit with high martial art skill hit me while I was fighting other two bandits," explained Li Ching.
"I hope they have nothing to do with the bandit who attack me last time," said Levi. He was worried if the girl was attacked because she helped and saved him last time.
"No! Don't be silly! They have nothing to do with you, no need to be worry!" said Li Ching. She couldn't eat the chicken since she felt pain on her abdominal if she had to chew her food.
Levi knew that Li Ching suffered so bad and was so weak. He tried to feed Li Ching like a baby. But Li Ching was so ill that she couldn't chew. So Levi tried to make a soup for her. He was lucky that he brought some cooking tools on his camel's saddle.
"Now you have to drink this soup, Miss!" said Levi. He noticed that Li Ching breath was heavy and ragged. He remembered of the Chinese man who gave him a map last time.
"You have to eat to gather your strength," said Levi again.
Li Ching just nodded her head and drink the soup Levi had made for her.
"I'll take care of you, Miss! Until you are fully recovered!" said Levi.
"You don't have to, Sir," replied Li Ching. "You saved me from the wolves, and that's enough. You have no obligation to take care of my wound. I'm injured because of my carelessness. I don't want to make your trouble!" said Li Ching again.
"Stubborn girl! How can I leave you if you are badly wound like this?" replied Levi with his funny halting Chinese accent. "Finish your soup and take a rest!"
"Urgh…you even worse than my mother who always force me to eat a lot!," said Li Ching laughed. Suddenly she remembered her mother and she missed her.
After finishing her soup, Li Ching fell asleep for almost two days. During the two days, it was Levi who took care of Li Ching.
That night, Levi was making a bonfire on the cavern when he heard Li Ching moved. That's the first time Li Ching awake after two days.
"Hey, you still here Le Vi?" asked Li Ching with surprised tone. She never thought that Levi would take care of her like that. She sat down and looked at Levi. Levi approaching her, wrapped his own hands with cloth and gave her a bottle of water.
"Levi, Miss! My name is Levi, and not Le Vi! And yes, I'm still here," said Levi. "I told you that I will take care of you until you're fully recovered," said Levi.
Li Ching drank the water and looked at Levi with blank eyes. She just couldn't believe why a foreigner like him wanted to help her like that.
"You really don't owe me a thing! You can leave me alone here whenever you want," said Li Ching again.
"Why are you so kind to me?" asked Li Ching curiously. "You're not even one of my people. Why do you want to help a stranger?"
And before Levi replied, Li Ching said again, "Especially I have a leprosy…aren't you afraid of me?"
"Hei…you asked me that two days ago…and I have replied it. Should I repeat it again little miss?" said Levi and laughed.
Li Ching also laughed. "I'm sorry Levi. But I…I just can't believe that you want to stay here…taking care of a dirty leprosy girl like me."
"Well….even if you are more dirty and your leprosy worse than your condition now…I will still want to help you!," said Levi.
"I can't help you more that I've done so far," said Levi. "I even wrapped my hands to avoid skin contact with you….although you've been so kind to me and saved my life," said Levi. He really felt guilty that he treated the girl like that.
"I'm hungry…do you have something to eat?" said Li Ching. She had slept for two days, and now she's starving.
"For sure! I made soup for you today," said Levi. He warmed up the soup on the bonfire. "I had to eat your soup yesterday since you didn't want to wake up and eat yesterday," said Levi again.
Levi wrapped his hands using cloth again before he helped Li Ching to eat her soup. Levi saw that the girl was very weak. He began to worry about her wound.
"Do you know a doctor who can cure you?" asked Levi. He knew that only a few doctor in this world wanted to help a leprosy patient. Usually doctor wouldn't want to help leprosy patient, since sooner or later they would die because of the leprosy, so why should they took a risk and helped a leprosy person.
Li Ching ate her soup greedily. She's very hungry and tired. Levi smiled when he saw her ate the soup. Levi couldn't make a soup, and his soup taste was so awful, but the girl ate it as if it was very delicious.
Li Ching smiled at Levi when she finished her soup. Levi thought that the girl was cute, although she looked dirty and the fact that she had a leprosy.
Levi threw the cloth that wrapped in his hands on the fire. Li Ching knew that he did that because he was afraid that her leprosy would transmitted to him. She lowered her head and muttered something.
"Hey, I heard flowing water from here….Do this cavern near river or something?" asked Li Ching curiously.
"Wow….you have a sensitive ears," said Levi bewildered. "Yes, there's a river near here."
"Oh…good!" said Li Ching.
"Miss, I'm really worry about your inner wound," said Levi with low voice. "I only know a little about medical, but I know from your heart pulse, you're wound is a very serious wound. Only a very good doctor can cure you!" said Levi again. His voice tone showed that he really cared about this girl.
Li Ching took a deep breath. She also knew that only top doctors or a top kungfu master can cure her. But where could she find a good doctor or a top kungfu master here in the prairie near desert?
Suddenly she remembered her mother, father and her family. She began to cry as she realized that if she died, she wouldn't be able to meet them again.
Levi felt pity to the girl. "She's alone and she got that kind of disease! If only I could help her and made her happy, even for only few days," thought Levi. He predicted that the girl couldn't survive more than a week because or her wound. He couldn't stand when he saw the girl cried.
"Hey Miss, please don't cry!" said Levi to soothe her. Levi wanted to comfort her, but Li Ching sobbed bitterly without any sound as she heard his statement. She never thought that this stranger would be so kind to her.
Li Ching felt shy as she cried. She turned her head into another direction so that Levi couldn't see her.
"Good night, Sir!" said Li Ching. Then she laid on the mattress and pretend to sleep.
Levi sighed. He really didn't know what to do. It has been three days and he hasn't return to his troupe. His troupe might be worried about where he was. Levi was assigned to find oasis, and it was by accident that he met the leprosy girl again.
That night, after Levi slept, Li Ching forced herself to sit down and meditate. It was very difficult for her to control her breath. But in the end, she could manage her breath and she felt a little bit better. She predicted that she could survive for at least two weeks and she could use that two weeks to find someone to cure her wound.
Almost dawn Levi awake, when he heard the girl sneezing. He saw that Li Ching's blanket was not covering her. So he approached her and covered her with the blanket.
Levi smiled when he saw the girl sleeping. He remembered of his younger sister. Her sister died a year ago in the desert because of high fever. He was thinking of Li Ching. He was really sure that Li Ching came from a rich family who was then exiled because of her leprosy. "Poor girl! It must be hard for her," thought Levi.
good writing, keep on....
"History's third dimension is always fiction."
-- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse
 Thanks Goofy! I was a bit desperate since only few people read this story
Quite a long time Levi couldn't sleep again. Then Levi slept and just wake up after a sunbeam fell on his cheek. He just realized that it was very late for him to wake up. He was also surprised as he saw the girl was not on her mattress.
Levi tried to search her around the cavern, but couldn't find her. Then he tried to search around the river. He felt glad as he a shadow of girl who was wearing his outer robe. Levi could recognize that it's Li Ching who sat near the river.
"Li Ching, you went here without telling me! You made me worry," said Levi as he's approaching the girl.
Li Ching turn her head to Levi while she's still brushing her hair. Levi stopped and he couldn't believe his eyes. He saw Li Ching, just cleaned her face, and she's brushing her long wet hair. Levi looked at Li Ching with amazement.
"Hey Sir, don't look at me that way! Do I look like a ghost that you looked at me that way?" Li Ching laughed. Actually she's using the same word Levi used when she saw him for the first time.
"Is that really you? Little Miss?" asked Levi with disbelieved voice. He walked approached the girl, and now he was really sure that the girl was the same girl with the leprosy girl who was with him on the cavern the night before. Suddenly Levi remembered his dream about this girl, the first night when he saw her, and he became to blush as he recalled it.
Levi saw that the girl's fingers were no longer wrapped with the dirty burlap cloth. Her fingers were fine and no sign that she had leprosy.
"You're cheating everybody, Miss!" Levi laughed. I thought that you really had leprosy. Never thought that you are so amazingly beautiful!"
"Why do you have to disguise like that?" asked Levi curiously?
"Why? Hmm…" said the girl, still brushing her hair. "I disguised like that since I'm beautiful," said Li Ching and she smiled with a very cute smile at Levi. "Nobody will hurt an ugly leprosy girl like that," said Li Ching again.
Levi was so amazed since the girl was so naturally beautiful and lovely. Levi couldn't believe his ears too, since he always heard from his friends who ever went to China that Chinese girls were shy and reserved. But now an amazingly beautiful Chinese girl in front of him was telling him that she disguised to be a leprosy girl since she knew that she was beautiful.
He just looked at Li Ching with his mouth opened.
Li Ching still brushed her hair. Again, Levi smelled something like sandalwood from her hair.
"Urgh," Li Ching blood vomited again. Her sandalwood brush fell on the ground and she put her hands on her chest, tried to stop the blood vomited from her mouth.
"Miss, are you alright?" shouted Levi. Li Ching fainted again. Levi had to carried her back to the cavern and laid her on her mattress.
He couldn't do anything, but prayed in his heart that this girl can be saved.
Levi decided to take the girl back to his troupe. He knew that he could bring the girl now to his troupe since she had no leprosy.
Thirty minutes felt like a day for Levi. He was so worry about this girl safety. He didn't even turn his head from her. Sometimes Levi still could not believe his eyes when he saw how beautiful the girl she knew once as a leprosy girl. He now realized that it's very important not to see someone from his/her outer look. Just like the girl, nobody wanted to help her when they saw the girl wore a burlap. Levi guessed that even a king will want to help her if he saw how beautiful the girl was.
Li Ching opened her eyes. She felt like something burning in her chest.
"Miss, you're awake," said Levi. His voice showed how glad he was. He helped Li Ching to sit and drink.
"Let me take you to my troupe," said Levi. "My troupe camp about a day trip from here," explained Levi. "My uncle and some old men there were doctors. Probably they can help you."
Although telling that, actually Levi was not really sure that his uncle could do something to help her.
"I just need some rest. If I take a rest and save energy, then probably I could go to Chang An (Xi'An) and meet someone who can help me.
"Then let me take you to my troupe first, and after that I will accompany you go to Chang An," said Levi.
Li Ching frowned," Why are you so kind to me? You don't have to accompany me to Chang An! I'll be fine…don't worry about me! I don't want to bother you or owe you something!"
"Listen, I helped you because I wanted to help you. And if I want to accompany you, I do that because I want to accompany you," said Levi.
"Two people are better than one, since two people can help each other. Look at you, you just fainted for about half an hour. I can not imagine what will happen if you're not with me. Bad people may kidnap you and do bad things to you!," said Levi seriously.
Li Ching realized that what Levi said was right. She lowered her head and sighed.
"Thanks, but…I can't give you anything to appreciate your help," said Li Ching.
"No problem with that," said Levi laughed. He blinked an eye and said, "Looking at a beautiful face like you is also something refreshing to me."
Li Ching pretended that she didn't hear what Levi said.
Levi realized that his statement might offend Li Ching. He made a correction on his statement and said," I'm sorry. I'm just teasing you. I didn't mean to be rude," said Levi. He really regretted his previous statement. He was worried if Li Ching had prejudice on him because of his statement.
"I think it will be great if you can accompany me to Chang An. I heard that the city had a lot of beautiful scenery. I can take you around the city if you want. It will be useful for you to make your travel guide since I'm sure that only few people can understand your Chinese," Li Ching laughed.
Levi also laughed. He just realized that his Chinese is very poor and bad.
"Naughty girl!" laughed Levi. "Now you'd better sleep, and tomorrow early in the morning I will take you to my troupe!"
Comment please
Wen Hai Lung was sipping his tea and enjoyed his lunch when suddenly a beautiful young girl entered the restaurant.
The restaurant was crowded and no table left for her to eat. The waiter suggested the girl to join other people who still have one or two seats on the table. But the girl insisted to sit alone in a table reserved for her only. She said that she's willing to pay a lot of money if the waiter wanted to drive away other people who ate at the restaurant and let her sit on that.
The waiter refused the girl offer. Although the girl showed him a lot of money and he wanted to get the money also, but the waiter couldn't told someone to go away just because of a new comer. So the waiter insisted and asked the girl to eat at the hotel room upstairs or wait at the restaurant.
The girl was very angry and tweaked the waiter's ear. The waiter screamed and asked the girl to let her go.
Hai Lung noticed that and he became fretful to that grumpy girl. He arose from his seat and he approached the girl and the waiter who was still screaming in pain because of his ear tweaked.
"Here little brother, this is a money for you to go to the doctor and heal your ear and let this lady sit there on my seat," said Hai Lung. He pretended that he didn't see the girl and he walked toward the stairs to return to his room.
The grumpy girl feel offended with Hai Lung action. She drew her sword and aimed her sword to Hai Lung's neck. "Where are you going to?" asked the girl arrogantly.
"I want to return to my room and sleep, big boss," said Hai Lung tried to insinuate the girl.
"Huh, you are so kind aren't you?" snubbed the girl.
Hai Lung turned his body to another direction and attempt to make his way upstairs. The girl was very angry to Hai Lung now.
"I won't let you go before you say sorry to your big boss," said the girl arrogantly pointed herself.
"I have never had a boss like you," said Hai Lung nonchalantly. He didn't want to get into trouble with that spoilt girl, but he just couldn't let the girl insult him either.
"How dare you act so rude to me?" the girl yelled and angry to Hai Lung. She slugged a table and the table broke into pieces. In a second she aimed her sword to Hai Lung's neck.
"Crang," the girl's sword was dodged by Hai Lung's folded fan.
"Auw," the girl screamed. Her sword fell on the ground. Her hand bled since the concussion was so great. Lucky for her that Hai Lung didn't use a lot of strength to ward off the girl's sword.
"You hurt me," said the girl almost cry. Her eyes teary and disbelieved that a scholar like Hai Lung will hurt her.
Hai Lung saw the girl's hand was bleeding. He took a bottle of ointment from his pocket. "Take this to heal your wound!"
The girl saw Hai Lung sympathy as an offence. She attacked Hai Lung tactlessly. Hai Lung didn't intend to hurt the girl, so he just avoided the girl's attack without paying back the attack.
People in the restaurant screamed and ran away from the restaurant. The restaurant owner and the waiters screamed and begged the two people to stop fighting. The restaurant owner cried as he thought that his restaurant will be ruined by the fighting.
Hai Lung didn't intend to hurt the girl, and he also didn't want the restaurant owner to bear loss because of the fighting. Hai Lung then used his ginkang and left the restaurant.
The girl also use her ginkang and chased Hai Lung. Hai Lung knew he was tailed. He led to the forest outside the town. In case if the girl still wanted to fight him, at least they both won't make trouble for the restaurant owner. Hai Lung has a high ginkang and only few people can compare him, so the chance for the girl to be able to chase him was very little.
Hai Lung never thought that although the girl had a low kungfu skills, but she had a high ginkang. She easily could chase Hai Lung.
After awhile, then Hai Lung and the girl were now confronting.
"Miss, I didn't do anything wrong to you, please don't follow me again!" said Hai Lung.
"Didn't do wrong, you said?" said the girl angrily. "You hurt my hand and you said you're innocent?" said the girl again.
"I only tried to protect myself from your sword! It was not me who triggered this matter," said Hai Lung again. He just noticed that the girl was actually a cute girl. But her bad behavior made her looked like a spoilt uneducated girl.
"You insulted me," said the girl again. Her face was red as she's really angry.
"Did I?' asked Hai Lung. "I gave you a table for you to seat and eat, and you said that I insulted you?" said Hai Lung disbelieved his ears.
"You...you…!" said the girl. She's speechless since actually deep in her heart she knew that the scholar in front of him was innocent. But she's been treated like a princess for so many years, and suddenly someone didn't respect her.
"I didn't mean to insult you or harm you. So please excuse me! I have to go," said Hai Lung. He was about to leave when suddenly they both heard something sneaking among the trees.
A few second later, the girl screamed as suddenly a black shadow grab her body and kidnap her.
"A spoilt little girl like this has to be taught a lesson. And let me be the one who should teach her a lesson, Master Wen," said the shadow.
Hai Lung was surprised as he saw the black shadow carried away the girl. He knew who the black shadow was. His name was Guo Sing Li.
Guo Sing Li could not be described as a bad or crook, since he always defend and protect weak people and he also very patriotic. But on the other side, he couldn't be said as a good person since he was very ruthless and no mercy to crook people. A few years ago he raped and tortured Madame Flower's only daughter since the girl was so cruel and often killed people for no reasons.
Now that the Guo Sing Li kidnapped the girl made Hai Lung curious. The cute girl probably was not as innocent as he thought, as Guo Sing Li will never disturbed good girls or women.
Hai Lung jumped and chased Guo Sing Li. "Master Guo, wait for me. That girl is my friend. Don't harm her!" shouted Hai Lung.
Guo Sing Li stop his movement and now both Guo Sing Li and Hai Lung were facing each other. The girl was fainted. Maybe because she was so scared that she fainted.
"Master Wen, you are really talented. I see that your ginkang is much improving now!" said Guo Sing Li.
"Master Guo, nice to meet you!" smiled Hai Lung. "Do you know this girl?" asked Hai Lung curiously. Hai Lung knew that Guo Sing Li would never hurt good girls. But this girl didn't look like a bad girl also.
"This girl is Wong Man Siu's daughter! Her name is Wong Chi Lan," explained Guo Sing Li. "She's a very spoilt girl. Even just now she almost made trouble with you!" replied Guo Sing Li. "But believe me Master Wen, she's not that bad that I want to do anything harm her. I just intend to kidnap her and left her on the near forest to chasten her."
"Ha..ha…! I guess that's the best way to punish a spoilt girl," said Hai Lung. He was worry that Guo Sing Li would rape or torture that girl. But no matter what, Hai Lung believed that Guo Sing Li wouldn't hurt innocent people. Hearing that the girl was Wong Man Siu's daughter, Hai Lung felt pity to that girl. Wong Man Siu was known as a very cruel bandit in the border. He often kidnapped and raped young females as well as young males.
"Master Wen, I come here to tell you something urgent. It's not by accident that I come to this city. I come here especially to meet you!" said Guo Sing Li.
Hai Lung could sense the urgency in Guo Sing Li's voice. It must be something very important that Guo Sing Li become very serious.
Suddenly the girl awake from her unconsciousness. She screamed and frightened as she saw Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li were standing not far from her.
"Ah…that baby doll is awake," said Guo Sing Li. He blinked an eye and said to Hai Lung, "Master Wen, we'd better go and find another place!". He took Hai Lung's hand and in a flash they both already moved to another place.
Wong Chi Lan was surprised and somehow she felt lucky that neither Hai Lung or the man wearing black didn't harm her. She cried as she thought that the men could have hurt her easily.
Not far away from there, Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li stopped in a small pavilion. They were now ready to discuss serious matter.
"Master Guo, what is so important?" asked Hai Lung curiously.
"The Kim army is preparing to attack our cities," said Guo Sing Li. "While our country is very weak now. Your father and some ministers had already warned Emperor to strengthen our armies. But the money to strengthen the armies had been corrupted by the those corrupt ministers also," sighed Guo Sing Li. "
"I know about that," said Hai Lung with low voice.
"Yes, that's why with this kind of situation we have to find Liu Chin Kang's map before the Chin (Kim) or the Hsi Hsia (Xixia) !" said Guo Sing Li.
"Are you trying to say that the Hsi Hsia also want to have the map also?" Hai Lung just couldn't believe his eyes.
"I don't know that for sure. But if the barbaric Hsi Hsia and the Kim know what kind of map is that, I'm sure that they will do anything to find out the book," said Guo Sing Li again.
"Book? You said book?" said Hai Lung disbelieved his ears. "I heard that it is said that those who have the map will conquer the world…and you're telling me that the map leads to a book? What kind of book is that? Martial art book?" asked Hai Lung curiously.
"It's a war strategy book. A lot of people thought that the map leads to a secret treasure…but no…it's about a war strategy book," said Guo Sing Li.
"Ah….but that's true also. A strategy book can be used to conquer the world.," said Hai Lung. "What's so special about the book, Mr Guo?"
"Hmm….it is said that Prime Minister Zhu Ge Liang wrote a strategy book before he passed away," explained Guo Sing Li.
"Prime Minister Zhu Ge Liang? Wow..that must be a very valuable book," said Hai Lung. Zhu Ge Liang was a very brilliant Prime Minister during the period of the Three Kingdom hundred years before. He was a great strategist and a very genius man in all aspect. "No wonder that whoever who have the map can conquer the world," said Hai Lung nodding his head.
"Yes…. Some people guess that the map leads to secret treasure of a book of martial art, and that's all wrong. If the map reveal a book of martial art, then the North Devil Swordman would not gave the map to Liu Chin Kang," said Guo Sing Li again.
"You know now how difficult the situation is," said Guo Sing Li bitterly.
Hai Lung remained silent. Now his burden was much heavier. The Song Dynasty would face a great danger if the Kim or Hsi Hsia ever got the map.
"I guess the Kim knows about map," said Guo Sing Li. "It is the Kim who paid Wong brothers, Madame Flower and the Black Scorpion Sect to find Liu Chin Kang and the map."
"Hmm….By the way, last time I overheard Madame Flower's conversation with someone whose name was Wan. Do you know anything about this guy?" asked Hai Lung.
"Or could it be…that this Wan is a Kim? From her conversation with this Wan, I can sense that Madame Flower feared with this man. And I've never heard any master of kungfu whose name is Wan," said Hai Lung almost so sure that the man Wan was a Kim who paid the martial art crooks to find out the map.
"Hmm..could be. I will try to find it out. We shall meet again in three days time here!" said Guo Sing Li.
"Okay Master Wen, see you in three days." And before Hai Lung replied it Guo Sing Li has already gone in a flash.
Hai Lung shook his head. He felt lucky that this kind of man didn't join the Kim and betray the country.
[ August 21, 2002: Message edited by: andrea7974 ]

Read the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud now. I swear that you won't regret meeting someone like Bartimaeus. Ever.
Levi woke up early in the morning and find out that Li Ching was still sleeping. He smiled as he saw the girl cuddled the blanket.
He nudged the girl and intended to wake her up. But he didn't do it. Instead, Levi just sat near her and watched her sleeping. If not because of politeness and other things, Levi wanted to pinch those porcelain skin cheeks.
When Li Ching woke up from her sleep, she was surprised to see Levi was sitting near her and watching her. She had never expected that she could sleep so well that she didn't hear any sound and didn't realize someone was near her.
"How long have you been here?" asked Li Ching. She used her fingers to brush her hair. "Let me go to the river and wash myself before we go," said Li Ching.
"Whatever you want, my Lady!" said Levi laughed. Li Ching smiled at Levi. Levi carefully prepared some soup for Li Ching. When she returned to the cavern with fresh look and neat hair, the food for her was ready.
"Wow, you look great today, Miss!" said Levi. "I think I have to take a bath also. I won't feel confident if I have to accompany a beautiful girl like you while I looked like this," Levi laughed.
When Levi returned to the cavern, he came with a fresh look. His brown hair was wet and clean shaved. He smiled as he sat near Li Ching. Li Ching thought that Levi has a cute smile with nice white teeth.
"Ah..you have finished your soup! What do you think about my soup?" asked Levi.
"Hmm….honestly it taste horrible!" said Li Ching grinned. "But you have been so kind to me, that's why I have to eat all of it," said Li Ching again and grinned at Levi.
"Oh…then next time I won't make any soup for you again!" said Levi laughed. "Let's go now!"
They both only have one camel. So Levi has to share his camel with Li Ching. He helped Li Ching to ride the camel first and then he sat behind her.
That's the first time Li Ching rode a camel. She kept on talking about how exciting riding a camel and how beautiful the scenery in the prairie.
Levi had taken a journey from Persia to Central China for almost three years. Riding a camel and that kind of scenery were not special for him. So he just agreed the girl. While the girl enjoyed her trip with camel, Levi enjoyed his trip with the girl. He could smell the sandalwood fragrance from the girl's hair in front of him. And also the girl was a funny and charming girl.
Li Ching was still unhealthy. Sometimes during her cheerful conversation, she blood vomited and that means that Levi had to stop and let the girl rest.
Both Li Ching and Levi knew that Li Ching wound was so severe. She probably wouldn't be able to survive to go to Xi'An in only two weeks.
Actually Levi troupe was not far away from there. But since Li Ching was not strong enough, they had to stop often to let her rest.
Almost nightfall, Levi and Li Ching sat under trees and watching the sunset on the desert. Li Ching was amazed and excited as she saw the beautiful scenic panorama of the sunset.
"Look at the beautiful sunset Levi," said Li Ching. "I've never seen such beautiful scenery like this before," Li Ching sighed. She remembered that if she couldn't manage to reach Xi'An in two weeks, she would never be able to see the sunset like that again.
Levi didn't know what's in the girl's mind. He was absorbed with the beauty of the sunset. He took a flute from his robe and said to Li Ching, "Let me play a song to admire this beautiful sunset."
Levi played a song that sounded strange in Li Ching's ears. "It must be Yutai traditional song," thought Li Ching.
That night Li Ching and Levi chatted until late at night. They talked about Levi's religion, etc.
Li Ching didn't have any religion. Although basically she believed that there's something or someone who created the whole world, but she didn't have any concept about God or things like that. She listened to Levi and just couldn't believe what Levi told her about his religion.
"Urgh," Li Ching coughed and she blood vomited again. Levi spontaneously massaged her neck to ease her cough. And by reflect, Li Ching avoided Levi's hand. Levi felt embarrassed because of that.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be impolite to you," said Levi.
Li Ching knew that his attitude might hurt Levi. She didn't intend to offend Levi by her action. But she's a woman and Levi was a man. She couldn't be touched by any man like that.
"I'm sorry Levi. But in my culture, it is not polite for a man to touch a woman. Actually it is even not permitted by tradition for us to sit so close like this," said Li Ching.
"I understand," said Levi. He tried to smile although actually he felt insulted because he touched the girl's neck not because he's impolite or lust.
"You know Levi, actually you are the only outsider man that I know," said Li Ching.
Comment please
Keep on, getting more exciting.
"History's third dimension is always fiction."
-- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse
Thanks for reading Goofy  I thought that nobody read my story again
Hey, Andy, I read it!!
Although I prefer reading in winglin, as u updated much more often there
back w/ a vengeance ^_^
actually, I prefer reading the story here, so keep update the story here (with quicker pace, please)
"History's third dimension is always fiction."
-- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse
"What?" Levi couldn't believe his ears.
"I've never had male friends before. I had never left my house before. And in my house, I only know my father, my teacher and the male servants there. And my cousins or other relatives of course.
"My mother and my maids always told me to be very careful with men. They say that men are…not good," said Li Ching. Actually she wanted to say "lust" instead of "not good". Actually she had heard a lot of scary stories about men. But Li Ching thought that Levi was one of the nicest people that she ever met.
"Wow, that's new to me," said Levi. He had never thought that Chinese culture was so conservative. "Is Chinese culture so conservative like that? Tell me more about it!"
"Uhm…you know, one of the most ridiculous traditions is: that a man had to marry a woman if by accident he saw the female's body part, such as hands or arms, or legs, or…" Li Ching didn't continue her words. She just remembered that a few days ago Levi took off her clothes to treat her bleeding.
"Ha..ha…that's funny. What about if I see a female is trying to reach an apple on the tree and I see her arms, is it mean that I have to marry her?" said Levi. But he didn't continue her word also as he remembered that a few days before he took Li Ching clothes off and bandaged her body.
In a few minutes they both quiet and said nothing.
"But that's all just tradition, not to worry about that Levi!" said Li Ching try to neutralize the situation.
"Yeah, sure…that's just tradition," said Levi tried to laugh.
"Tradition is made by men, and when the generation passed, sometimes the tradition becomes no longer exist. Don't you think so?" asked Li Ching to Levi.
"Yes. You are right!" said Levi.
"Urgh," Li Ching coughed again and blood vomited again. This time Levi didn't try to massage her neck again. But it's Li Ching who asked him to massage her neck. "Hey Levi, massage me on my neck…..I feel like there's a big fish trapped on my throat and neck," said Li Ching.
Li Ching almost fainted as she bled a lot from her cute mouth. This time she didn't vomit a liquid blood, but she vomited a frozen blood.Levi held her and wrapped her with his thick robe.
"Li Ching, you have to be strong! Tomorrow we will reach my troupe camp and I'm sure that my uncle can help you to survive for at least two weeks so we can go to Xi'An, okay?!" said Levi almost whispered near Li Ching's ears.
Li Ching nodded her head and let Levi held her like that. She trusted Levi that the man wouldn't hurt her or do something bad to her. She believed that Levi did that because he cared for her. Her cheeks became blushed as she thought about that.
That night Levi didn't sleep well as he reawakened several times when he heard Li Ching coughed.
He awoke as the sun shine on him. He saw that Li Ching was already sit near him and smiled.
"Good morning big boss! It seemed that you slept very well last night," Li Ching grinned. She knew that last night Levi didn't sleep well because of her. "I'm really sorry since I made you couldn't sleep well," she said with guilty voice.
"No problem with that," Levi smiled. He didn't shave that day that Li Ching saw his newly grown beard on his chin. Li Ching become curious, her father had a black thick beard, but she never saw a newly grown beard like that. She extended her hand and touched Levi's beard. Levi opened wide his eyes didn't understand why she did that.
"It feels tickle…in my fingers" said Li Ching grinned. She looked like an innocent girl who did that because of her curiosity.
"You are really a naughty girl!" said Levi. "I will tell your father about this," said Levi teased the girl.
"You tell him," Li Ching pouted at Levi and laughed.
"I'm sorry! I know that's impolite…but I'm really curious….I won't do that again!" said Li Ching lowered her head and voice. She's angry to herself why her hand was so careless touched the man.
"It's okay! When I was a kid I was also curious to touch my father's beard," said Levi. "But next time if you still curious then I will ask you to shave my beard everyday…ha..ha…! Just a kidding…please don't feel offended!"
Li Ching also laughed. She took out her sandalwood comb and gave it to Levi. "Brush your hair, brown hair!" said Li Ching and smiled. "I like your brown hair, Levi. Do all of your people have the same hair color like this?" asked Li Ching curiously.
"Well, if you meet my troupe, you will see how they have different hair colors. Red, brown, yellow, and some have black hairs like yours," said Levi.
"Wow…how can be like that?" Li Ching asked curiously. Although she was raised in a mansion and came from a rich family, but she had never met a lot of people, especially foreigners.
"Well, why not? When you meet them, you will be more surprise when you see that they also have different eyes colors. Some of them have brown eyes like me. Some have blue, green, or grey eyes," explained Levi.
"Wow…can't wait to see them," said Li Ching, "So let's go now!"
A few hours later Levi and Li Ching arrived at Levi's troupe camp.
The Yutai were happy when they saw Levi returned safely. They were all worried since Levi hadn't returned for few days. They became more surprised as they saw Levi brought a Chinese girl with him.
Wen Hai Lung was sitting and drink some tea in his room. He felt angry to himself since he couldn't trace Wong Man Li and his friends.
Suddenly he heard someone knocking on his door.
"Who's that?" asked Hai Lung.
"Master Wen, it's me," said the voice outside. Hai Lung recognized that voice as A Yung voice. He immediately opened the door and he felt glad to see A Yung again. A Yung was sometimes very careless, that's why Hai Lung worried a lot about him.
"How do you know I'm here?" asked Hai Lung happily.
"Where else can I find you if not here? This is the only town near the desert around Wong Man Li's nest," said A Yung.
"Actually I asked people in this town in case they ever met you. And it seems that you are very popular here since you since a lot of people know you…as a scholar who had a fight with an arrogant girl."
"What a notorious name I have," grumbled Hai Lung.
"So, how's Wong Man Li and the gang?" asked A Yung.
"Hmph," snuffled Hai Lung. "I lost their traces when I arrived at this town. I suspicious that probably Wong brothers headquarter is around this area. Wong brothers and his gangs always roam around the borders and desert, so their headquarter probably around here too," said Hai Lung
"Ah Master Wen, you're out of date this time," said A Yung teased his young master.
"I've meet the informer who told me that Wong Man Siu's headquarter is not far away from here. You guess first where it is!" said A Yung.
"What? The informer told you where's Wong Man Siu's headquarter? That's great! Tell me where it is!" said Hai Lung enthusiastically.
"Guess first!"
"I give up. Tell me now!"
"It's in JiuQuan (known as Suzhou now)" said A Yung grinned. This time he really proved himself as a good companion for his master and not a troublemaker like he usually did.
"JiuQuan? Are you sure about this?" asked Hai Lung disbelieved the information.
"Master Wen, would I lie to you? I heard with my own ears when the informer told me that the headquarter of Wong brothers gang is in JiuQuan! Moreover he told me that next week on full moon they will hold a secret meeting with Madame Flower, the big boss of the Black Scorpion Sect, Sie Hian Kiat, and someone called Mr. Wan," said A Yung.
"Mr. Wan again, that mysterious man. Do you something about this man?" asked Hai Lung.
"Informer suspect, but he's not really sure about this, that this Mr. Wan is a Kim who compensate Wong brothers, Madame Flower and Black Scorpion Sect to hunt Liu Chin Kang and get the map that lead to the secret treasure."
"This Mr. Wan pay a lot to those bandits as long as they can bring the map and get the treasure for him," said A Yung again.
"And what kind of treasure they are looking for?" asked Hai Lung try to find out more information A Yung already get without telling A Yung what he already knew from Guo Sing Li.
"That's it!" said A Yung with loud voice. "None of the bandits know exactly what they are looking for. They just know that they have to find the map and find the treasure written on the map. But they don't know what kind of treasure is that."
"A Yung, promise to Heaven and Earth that you won't tell anyone what I tell you today, okay!" said Hai Lung with serious tone.
"I will Master. You know that although I'm talkative but I can always keep a secret," said A Yung raising his hand and made a swear.
Hai Lung then told A Yung what he heard from Guo Sing Li about the strategy book of Zhu Ge Liang. And he told A Yung his anxiety if that Mr. Wan was a Kim who knew about the strategy book.
They decided to go to JiuQuan as soon as they met Guo Sing Li the night after.
Please comment  thanks
Floo: My name is Andrea, and not Andy! Please don't call me Andy again!
Goofy: I will update it more frequently!
I don't think that the last part was in winglin though I could be wrong.
Nice addition, and keep on andrea...
"History's third dimension is always fiction."
-- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse
In the desert not far away from JiuQuan, Levi and Li Ching were welcomed by the Yutai people.
They were glad that Levi could return safe to their troupe, and curious why Levi brought an ill Chinese girl with him.
"Levi, glad to have you back," said the men there with their own language. Li Ching didn't understand what they were talking about. She's still sat on the camel as she couldn't step from the camel back without someone's help.
After Levi spoke with his troupe, he helped Li Ching to step down from the camel's back.
A man with thick white beard approached them. Levi gave respect as he saw the old man.
Levi grasped Li Ching's hand and brought her to meet the old man.
"Uncle, this girl is the one who saved my life the night when the bandit almost killed me and took our Holy Bible," said Levi in his own language to the old man.
The old man and the people there were surprised as they heard that. They never thought that the one who saved Levi's life was a young Chinese girl who seemed to be very weak and pale.
The old man raised his hand and laid his hand on Li Ching's head. "May the Almighty God bless you, my child!"
Li Ching didn't know what the old man say. She just starred at the old man and Levi with empty eyes. She's very tired and had no energy.
"What happened to you that you get this bad injured inside?" asked the old man using Chinese.
Li Ching impressed as the old man could speak Chinese fluently. She smiled at the old man.
"Uncle, you have keen eyes. You know that I got a bad injured inside just by looking at my face," said Li Ching. "A bandit hit me from my back when I fought another bandit. The bandit had a great strength that I can't resist."
The old man looked at Li Ching with a deep concern. "I'm not an expert doctor, but at least I know a little bit. Do you mind if I examine you?" asked the old man.
"Thank you Uncle," Li Ching answered.
The old man said something in his own language to Levi. Levi grasped Li Ching's hand and took her to one of the tent there. Just as Levi wanted to show the way to Li Ching, a girl ran towards the crowd.
"Levi, you're return," said the girl with delight voice. It was Hannah who was so excited as she saw Levi returned safely.
Levi smiled at her. The girl took Levi hand and said, "Come with me I want to show you something." And before Levi replied, the girl had already dragged him away from the crowd.
Li Ching stood still. She didn't know where she had to go, while the old man just shook his head as he saw that.
"Let me show you the way Miss," said a man who suddenly appeared on the crowd. Li Ching looked at the man. He's about the same age with Levi, with brown hair and green eyes. "Levi didn't lie when he told me that his people have difference eyes colors," thought Li Ching.
"This way Miss," said the man again with his funny Chinese dialect. Li Ching smiled and thanked the man.
She entered the tent and sat on the chair. The old man sat in front of her and ready to examine her.
Li Ching extended her hand and let the old man examine her heart pulse.
The old man was shocked as he knew how bad her wound was. Li Ching saw his expression. She knew that her chance to live was just as thick as a paper. Her only hope was that she could reach Xi'An and meet The Devil Swordsman to help her. She never met the Devil Swordsman. But she's quite sure that the man would willing to cure her since she was Liu Chin Kang's pupil.
"I couldn't help much my child," said the man. Li Ching thought that the old man was like her late grandfather.
"I can only give you some medicine to make you stronger. But you still have to find someone to cure you," said the old man seriously.
"I know there's someone in Xi'An who can help me. If I can reach Xi'An, then probably I can be saved," said Li Ching with low voice.
"Then I shall support your idea. I will give you medicine to strengthen you so you can reach Xi'An and meet the person. I will prepare the medicine. Meanwhile you should take a rest now," said the old man. He said something to the green eyed young man,and the young man led Li Ching to another tent provided for her to sleep that night.
"My name is Micha, Miss. What's your name?" asked the green eyes young man introducing his name while they were walking to the tent.
"My name is Li Ching," said Li Ching. "Where's Levi?" she asked.
"Hmm…I guess he's with Hannah now," said Micha.
"Who is Hannah?" asked Li Ching curiously. "Is it the girl who dragged Levi?" asked Li Ching.
"Yes she is. Hannah is Levi's girlfriend. They supposed to get married when we reach Kaifeng," explained Micha.
"Oh…I see!" said Li Ching. Suddenly she felt like a knife stabbed at her heart.
Li Ching and Micha reached a tent where some girls and women were sitting in front of the tent.
Micha said something in his language to the girls. The girl laughed and smiled at Li Ching. Li Ching smiled back to them.
"I told the girls to help you and give you a proper female dress," said Micha. Li Ching smiled. Her dress was raged after the wolf attack and now she's wearing Levi's outer robe.
The girls helped her enter the tent. They help Li Ching to change her clothes and prepared a mattress for her. Li Ching laid her body on the mattress when the mattress was ready.
She closed her eyes tried to sleep. But she kept on seeing how the girl, Hannah dragged Levi and took her away when Levi grasped her hand. And also Micha saying that Levi and Hannah were supposed to get married once they reached Kaifeng echoing in her ears.
Li Ching slept for a few hours until suddenly a Yutai girl nudged her and wake her up.
The girl took Li Ching out from the tent to join the crowd. The Yutai people made a big circle around the bonfire. They had a small party since they will reach Suzhou in the next few days. That day would be the last night for them spent in the desert.
Li Ching saw Levi sat on the other side with Hannah holding his hands. As her eyes met Levi, she saw that Levi was starring at her too. Levi smiled at her, but Li Ching pretended like she didn't see Levi.
Levi saw a sad expression on Li Ching's face. She lowered her head, and was thinking about how she was going to reach Xi'An with her wound when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Micha and a young girl with blue eyes who brought her food.
"Eat this Miss," said the young girl in her language while giving a soup bowl to Li Ching.
"She told you to eat the soup," said Micha translating the girl's word.
"Thank you," said Li Ching and smiled.
The girl smiled and said something in her language. Micha smiled and said, "My sister said you are very beautiful and polite, Miss Li Ching."
Li Ching smiled again and said to Micha, "Tell your sister that she's also beautiful and kind!"
Micha said something in his language and the girl replied. Then both of them laughed. Li Ching didn't understand what they were talking about. Suddenly she felt lonely.
After the girl left, Micha sat near Li Ching.
"Is the girl your sister, Micha?" asked Li Ching.
"Yes she is. Her name is Tavita. She's the only family I have now," said Micha. In just a few minutes, Li Ching and Micha had a long conversation. Micha told her how at first his father decided to move to China and took Micha and her sister along with him after her mother's death, how they faced a lot of problems with bandits and how his father died because of disease a few months before.
Li Ching thought that Micha was very charming and also cute. He had beautiful green eyes and nice brown hair. He also shaved like Levi and some of the young men, while the older men usually had thick beard. From Micha, Li Ching learned that the old man, Levi's uncle was a priest for Yutai religion and called Rabbi.
Li Ching slept and she dreamt of her parents. She dreamt that she's still in her house, a big mansion in Lin An. And the next day was her wedding day. She had to marry the Master Huang son, the fat lazy Huang Siu. She tried to ran away and climb a tree, threatening her mother that she would jump and hurt herself if her parents still tried to force her to get married. Her mother was angry and threw a snake to her. She was panic and she fell from the tree.
'Ahh..," Li Ching screamed and woke up from her sleeps. The girls in the tent were shocked and they were giggled as they could guess that the Chinese girl just had a nightmare.
"Sister, are you alright?" asked one of the girl there. She couldn't speak in Chinese, and Li Ching couldn't speak in their language also. But they could communicate with their body language and face expression.
Li Ching smiled and shook her head, "I'm alright. I'm sorry if I made you all shocked." It was already morning and all the Yutai girls had already waken up. Li Ching decided to wake up also.
Tavita, Micha's sister helped Li Ching to dress up. She lent her dress to Li Ching and dressed her like a Yutai girl.
When Li Ching intended to brush her hair, she just realized that Levi has not returned her sandalwood comb to her. She decided to out from the tent to find Levi. When she just stepped out her feet from the tent, she saw Micha was already waiting in front of her tent.
Micha was awe-stricken as he saw Li Ching wearing a cloth to cover her hair, just like the other Yutai women. Li Ching smiled as she saw Micha there.
"Good morning Miss Li," said Micha with nervous voice. He never thought that the Chinese girl was so cute and beautiful.
"Good morning Micha. And my family name is not Li, you should not call me Miss Li. Call me Li Ching," said Li Ching.
"Oh, I thought your family name is Li. What is your family name then?" asked Micha curiously.
Li Ching shook her head and smiled, "I can't tell you my family name. It's a secret anyway. I ran away from home, and I have to hide from my parents now. So I can't tell you my family name now. Someday I will tell you!"
Please comment  thanks  :
"You what?" Micha disbelieved his ears. "You ran away from your parents? Why?" Micha couldn't understand why a girl wanted to run away from her parent's house.
"It's better for me to run away than to marry someone I've never known or met," said Li Ching frowned.
"You mean…you ran away from your parent's house since they want to wed you with someone you had never known?" asked Micha curiously.
"Yes," said Li Ching. She lowered her head. Deep inside her heart, she believed that she did a right thing, but somehow she could understand if people couldn't understand her and considered her as a bad child. "They want me to get married with someone that I've never known or met. It's better for me to run away than to face uncertain life."
"Is he not a good man?…I meant: the man that your parent chose to be your husband!" asked Micha again
"Well, he comes from a rich and respectable family. Probably he's not a bad man. But; not a bad man doesn't mean a good man, right? And also, even if he is a good man, it doesn't mean that he is suitable for me," Li Ching explained.
"Oh..I see," Micha laughed. "I heard that Chinese girls are shy and obedient. But today I talk with one exception," said Micha.
Li Ching laughed and asked back, "Do you think I'm wrong?"
"I can not say you are right or wrong. In Yutai tradition, we are taught to respect our parents, actually that is one of our Law too," said Micha.
"Sometimes I feel bad about it. But somehow I always love and respect my parents. But anyway I want to have my own life," said Li Ching with slow voice. "I know that I'm not an obedient daughter like my sisters or my brothers," Li Ching sighed. "But somehow I want to have my own life and marry someone I really love. I will find my soul mate and bring him to my father someday. I want him to see that I can be happy with life path I take!"
"In your case, it's not the action that you run away that make you wrong, but…you just disobey your parents. Well, I really don't know about this….Maybe you should ask Rabbi Levi about it. But honestly I support your action. Besides, if you didn't run away, I would never be able to meet you!" said Micha again. His cheeks blushed as he spoke the last sentence.
Li Ching only laughed when Micha said that.
"I always be an obedient daughter for my parents," said Li Ching smiled. "I think that my parents will be able to forgive me if I meet them and tell them the reason why I left them," said Li Ching with confident voice.
"Sure they will. Otherwise they will loose such a beautiful daughter like you," said Micha.
"Is that a compliment?" asked Li Ching laughed.
"Yes. You are absolutely very beautiful Miss Li Ching," said Micha again.
"You are flattering me, brother! Besides, I think that Yutai girls are beautiful. Especially your sister and…Hannah!" said Li Ching with low voice. Suddenly she felt something pain in her heart when she had to admit that Hannah was a beautiful girl.
"Where's Levi," Li Ching asked curiously.
"Which Levi?" asked Micha teased Li Ching. "Levi is a family name, so when you asked 'where's Levi' I should ask you back which Levi you meant. The old Rabbi Levi, Boaz Levi, or the handsome Yacov Levi?" Micha laughed.
"The one who saved my life, Yacov Levi," said Li Ching with low voice. She could guess that Yacov must be with Hannah.
"Yacov is in Rabbi's tent. They were discussing about you," said Micha.
"About me? How come? And why is that?" asked Li Ching curiously. She felt relieved to know that Yacov Levi was not together with Hannah who always hold his hands.
"Rabbi Levi thought that you deserved to be protected until you reach Xi'An. You are considered as our hero since last time you helped Yacov to bring back our Holy Bible scrolls," said Micha. "That is why Rabbi is thinking a way to protect you until you reach Xi'An."
"Oh… Thanks anyway," said Li Ching. Deep inside her heart she wished that the Rabbi Levi will send Yacov Levi or Micha to accompany her instead of other men.
Li Ching spent the day with Micha and the young Yutai men. She taught the Yutai men how to play Chinese chess and the young men were all very excited with new game. Besides the new games, the young Yutai men also enjoyed spending time with Li Ching as she's a charming and also beautiful.
Meanwhile in the tent, Levi and his uncle were sitting and enjoyed their drink.
"Yacov, how's Hannah?" asked Rabbi Levi to his nephew.
Levi sighed. He knew why his uncle asked him that question. After Yacov's parents died a few years before, Yacov stayed with his uncle. Rabbi Levi also considered Yacov like her own son. Rabbi Levi wanted to see Yacov get married soon with Hannah, while Yacov himself didn't know whether he loved Hannah or not.
"She's fine, I guess," said Yacov.
"Do you have a good relationship with her?" asked Rabbi Levi.
"We've been friends for so many years. We've never had a quarrel," said Yacov again.
"This year you will reach twenty three, and also we will reach Kaifeng in a few months ahead. I hope that you and Hannah will get married as soon as we arrived in Kaifeng," said Rabbi Levi again.
"Uncle, between me and Hannah…. We just friends!" said Yacov Levi. His statement make Rabbi Levi frowned.
"Hmm. I already thought that you will say this to me," said Rabbi Levi while he's shaking his head. "It must be because of the Chinese girl, right?"
"Li Ching? What are you talking about? It has nothing to do with her," said Yacov. He lowered his head and didn't want to see his uncle's eyes.
"You like that girl, don't you?" asked Rabbi Levi again. "Tell me the truth: do you like her?" asked Rabbi Levi pushed his nephew.
"I don't know Uncle. I just know that she saved my life. I owe her my life and I'm willing to do anything to protect her," said Yacov. "My relationship with Hannah has nothing to do with her," said Yacov again. This time he looked at his uncle straight in the eyes.
"I have known Hannah for years. I always treat her like I treat Leah, my sister. I know that you, my parents and also Hannah parents always want to see us together. And for this past two years I've been trying, Uncle," said Levi. "But I don't know. I'm not ready to marry Hannah in the mean time," Yacov lowered his voice.
"And also I already have a plan after we reach Kaifeng. I….I'm still young and don't want to have any string with anyone," said Yacov again. He felt guilty telling this to his old uncle. But somehow he really felt the urgency to tell his uncle what's in his mind. Besides, he already had plan in head to go to Lin An to fulfill his promise to the man who gave him a skin map last time.
Rabbi Levi sighed. "If you don't meet that girl, I'm sure that you will not refuse if I told you to marry Hannah as soon as we reach Kaifeng."
"I don't know Uncle. It is just….It is just… I felt something in my heart at the first time when I met her," said Yacov.
"I'm not surprise. She's a pretty young girl. And I can see that she has a strong personality also," said Rabbi Levi.
"At the first time I saw her, she disguised herself as a leprosy girl. But as soon as I saw her, I felt like something in my heart telling me that I have to be with her," said Levi.
Rabbi Levi sighed again. He shook his head and said, "I know from your eyes that you like her. You can't fool an old man like me."
They both remained silent for awhile before Yacov replied again. "I like that girl, and I also like Hannah. They're both so nice to me."
"That Chinese girl is a nice girl and she is also pretty. I can understand if you have a crush on her," said Rabbi Levi again. Now they both could talk more open. "But that girl is not one of us. I want you to remember that my son!"
"Uncle, it's not about the Chinese girl. I mean… Yes it is true that Li Ching is the one who opened my eyes that I don't love Hannah. But it is me and not her fault. Please don't hate her or blame her on this," said Yacov. He was worry that his uncle will hate that girl because of this matter.
"Sooner or later, with or without her, I will also realize that my feeling for Hannah is not a real love. Yes it is a love, but not a love between a man and a woman which lead to marriage. I like Hannah so much, she's a nice girl. But I think that I only love her as my own sister. I don't think that I want to spend and share my life with her forever," said Yacov.
"We will talk about this later after you return," said Rabbi Levi.
"The Chinese girl is badly injured and someone has to accompany her to Xi'An. But I don't think that I will let you accompany her alone after you telling me this."
Yacov Levi was surprised as he heard that. "Uncle, why do you…?". Yacov Levi didn't continue his word as his uncle asked him to remain silent.
"You and Micha will accompany her to Xi'An. Yacov felt relieved since at least he could accompany Li Ching.
"Tell the girl to meet me now! I have to talk to her before Shabbat begin," said Rabbi Levi.
is there anybody here read my story?
 Please comment! thanks


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text:
McCain to GOP: "Suckers!"
Plus--Obama turns to the same old players.
McWhorter and Loury parse the various reasons whites might vote against Obama--including "He's the radical type who might bring in Farrakhan" and "[I'm] more comfortable with a white candidate"--that aren't "racist.". ... Also: McWhorter--
There seems to be this tacit idea that if the college-educated brie-eating Blue American has not been for Obama, then it's because they have an intelligent, principled interest in Hillary Clinton ...[snip] .. but if the beer bottle person decides that they like Hillary Clinton better, it's because they're tribalists who are more comfortable with their own and/or they're outright racists ...
[via Baltimoron ] 3:15 A.M.
Nearly 1,000 state employees in California make more than $200,000 a year, according to the S.F. Chronicle. That's excluding university employees. ... The month before Gov. Schwarzenegger took office, there were only eight. ... Mainly, the high earners seem to be dentists, doctors, and psychiatrists in the state prison and mental health systems. ... The total state employee head count has gone up by 26,000 under Schwarzenegger. ... [via Newsalert] 2:05 A.M.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Senator Dianne Feinstein takes a stand:
Simply put, I cannot vote for another $165 billion to give President Bush a blank check and fund the continuation of the war in Iraq, without condition, for over another year.
This is a difficult decision and not one I take lightly. But I believe that the time has come for Congress to exercise the power of the purse and bring this war to a conclusion.
But, hey, if they'd included her sneak 5-year amnesty for illegal ag workers ... 9:42 P.M.


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Trusted Identities to Secure Critical Infrastructure
Release Date: 12/09/2013 Every week seems to bring news of yet another website hacked, user accounts compromised, or personal data stolen or misused. Just recently, many … more
Welcome Guests: Added Molecules Allow Metal-Organic Frameworks to Conduct Electricity
Release Date: 12/05/2013 Scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Sandia National Laboratories have added something new to a family of … more
JILA Team Develops 'Spinning Trap' to Measure Electron Roundness
Release Date: 12/05/2013 JILA researchers have developed a method of spinning electric and magnetic fields around trapped molecular ions to measure whether the ions' tiny … more Conferences and Events
Volume Metrology Seminar
December 9-13, 2013 The Volume Metrology Seminar is a one-week, "hands-on" seminar. It incorporates approximately 30 percent lectures and 70 percent demonstrations … more
USNWG on Taximeters Web-conference
December 11, 2013 This 2.5hrs web-conference will consider the proposed changes to the Handbook-44 Taximeter Code. more
NIST Cloud Computing Industry Day
December 16, 2013 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will be hosting an Industry Day for Cloud Computing to engage vendors and federal … more |


text: Renal FailureDiseases of the kidneys often produce temporary or permanent changes to the small functional structures and vessels inside the kidney. Frequent urinary tract infections can cause scarring to these structures leading to renal failure. Acute renal failure has an abrupt onset and is potentially reversible. Chronic failure progresses slowly over at least three months and can lead to permanent renal failure. Overview of Renal Failure


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Robin commented on another post about a great sweepstakes that is being ofered by Thomas' English Muffins and Bagels. It is called the "Make Every Day Mother's Day Contest" and you can play here daily through May 12th. Yesterday she won a $5/1 Thomas' English Muffins printable coupon which will get her a free product plus overage at Publix!
There are different instant win prizes each day. For example, today's prizes are iTunes Gift Cards, Manicures, Pedicures and a Cooking Class. Even if you don't win, you will be given an entry into their grand prize drawing every day. The grand prize is round-trip airfare and six nights accommodation in Florida. This prize will be awarded on May 14th.
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Thanks Robin!
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9570 Journeys End Rd
Breathtaking home sitting on a two acre lot in completely private and Gated Journey's End. This spectacular estate was completely redone in 2006. Beautiful fa?ade, grand, light filled spaces and natural light throughout. Spacious formal living room with bar, huge formal dining room and amazing eat in kitchen. Oversized master Suite with sitting area, stunning master bath and his and hers closets. Private dock in Journey's End Marina.


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You're watching...
Varney: Facebook, What a Mess!
FBN's Stuart Varney breaks down the Facebook IPO and the recent selloff of the social-networking stock.
May 23, 2012
You're watching...
FBN's Stuart Varney breaks down the Facebook IPO and the recent selloff of the social-networking stock.
May 23, 2012
Also in this playlist...
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All the miners and -- competent -- -- -- and mourn him for per Burnham real Brussels reporter journalist exactly stirred vita tomorrow mr.
-- the more access mr.
-- -- -- -- departing governor comes up and took.
Exactly not one -- time Perelman.
Fox Business Network -- -- already on.
On FOX & Friends this morning yes I am -- you bet on Fox & Friends First.
Yes -- have -- trigger -- that it was second at fox and friends first -- 5 AM should not open on the not.
And -- around and another girl it's a great show awesome to bottom left out of the army noted though it's a good show what -- is Brian Ares tells you what you -- -- good pace everything you need a you know America's getting up.
Much earlier in the morning.
A lot of people tuning at 5 o'clock see what's going on her -- sub -- -- -- -- You're not dealers embedded it through javelin strategy gas -- and so my financial advisors.
-- and Robert Landers -- veterans for forty years.
And I'll I'm going to stay where else.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- there we get some -- FaceBook.
That a bird one day -- parliament some money as the dollar turned many most of that.
You feel now well -- -- 300 shared don't -- And all -- affected -- too badly -- now.
Look what happened a lot a Mattson walk a disappointing masks a fiasco I think is a disaster.
Look long -- -- I don't know whether Facebook's going back for a vertical -- A disaster OK what Hampton.
That put out.
A lot more share has -- they stole a look at -- put out -- the last minute they upped the amount to over 400 million says -- -- the same time they upped the price to 38 dollars -- from 34 death from thirty from a range of 34 to the top -- 38 dollars and they said we're gonna put out of -- more than 400 million chants.
So that don't that high a price -- -- just as they would getting some bad news.
About the amount of money that's actually coming into FaceBook.
And so it hits the market at a high price millions and millions of shed as the market cannot handle it.
The bond holders to settle does the cancellation orders they get all messed -- -- -- frightening system breaks down -- masked men on NAVTEQ also missed analyst.
Yes that it that's it the stock trading system broke down.
So -- you've got 400 million shed as hitting the market at a very high price it -- a market system the wasn't capable of trading it properly.
So down it goes and and the finger pointing stops.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- They knew that in advance so some of them will pulling back just as they -- raising the price.
-- mean there weren't raising enough money from advertising.
Yes that's right yeah -- of the revenues that -- coming in.
We're actually going down that's not supposed to happen with a company big new company like FaceBook but it is an actor way to value the company valued the service debts.
All they have around 900 million right 900 men jump in anytime call absolutes of it's it's it's a conversation about this and there's -- I appreciate that opportunity so you can dressed up front -- -- -- -- -- is something that is an afternoon to learn something that's when I'm so let's turn taking notes that OK correction Icahn battle about 900 million people are just.
Now -- the question is how many people would for.
But don't have to renounce as well that's one way of raising money -- idling is a very good way because -- -- my question is is not a way to value the company.
Justice 'cause probably nobody would report another paramedic -- not a way to value -- I don't care.
Not the way to value the company was how much advertising revenue is coming in X amount of dollars plus how many dollars -- will -- in the future.
If you got a base of 900 million unit uses the seriously look this is a brand new industry -- you can milk 900 million people and bring in a lot more money that you bring in and now they're and that's what all -- regular small investors that's what they thought they wanted to be it on the ground flaw.
Of this all American dynamic big new American company new industry.
That's -- it might be the next Google all the next apple that buy cheap get in early and away it would go that make some money.
While in the first few days it didn't look out like that but I'm not -- -- law but in the long run it will still be a fight yeah.
I don't see how people look you've got 900.
Million -- soon.
You mean to tell me you can't figure out some way of making some money out of out lots and thank you think would aren't -- --
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Photo by Victor Tapia Marquis Thomas (right) comes up with the catch over Commerce's Daryian Hubbard on Sept. 14 in a non-district contest at PHS.
Panthers pass for 240 yards in victory
By Liam Baker Contributing Writer
Princeton weathered an early storm from Commerce and then played through a misting rain for most of the night before defeating the visiting Tigers 39-28 on Sept. 14 at Jackie Hendricks Stadium.
Princeton (3-0) remains unbeaten while handing Commerce (2-1) its first loss.
The defense stopped the Tiger running game in its tracks, allowing only 1-yard on the ground in the first half and 53 for the entire game.
For the full story see the Sept. 20 issue.


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Bobby Slayton
- Ticket Price: $17.00
- Show Type: Stand Up
- Showroom: Main Showroom
18 & over
Two items minimum per person
- Door Time: 06:30 PM
Bobby Slayton: A true "comic's comic," Bobby Slayton, often referred to as "The Pitbull of Comedy," has been performing his own intense style of stand-up comedy for over 20 years, becoming one of the best known, respected, and energetic comics working today. And there is no stopping "The Pitbull," this past March, he starred in his own one hour Showtime Special "Born To Be Bobby" which also comes out on DVD on April 27th. Audiences will recognize Bobby from his scene-stealing roles in movies such as "Get Shorty," "Ed Wood," "Bandits" and "Dreamgirls." He's been seen on dozens of television shows including "The Tonight Show" and "Politically Incorrect." Bobby's many appearances on HBO have included "Comic Relief " and his own stand-up special. He was a series regular on the HBO series "Mind of a Married Man," and played 'Joey Bishop' opposite Ray Liotta and Joe Mantegna in the critically acclaimed film "The Rat Pack." Slayton's distinctive gravelly voice has often been heard on animated shows like "Dr. Katz'" and "Family Guy," as well as many popular radio shows across the country including Howard Stern, Kevin & Bean, and Tom Leykis. The NY Daily News called Slayton "Armed and Dangerous" and the Las Vegas Review Journal pointed out that "Slayton's refusal to comprise his art has always made him worth a special trip."
- The ticket price does not include any food or beverages. All menu items are ordered the night of the show.
- 8:00 pm dinner shows are seated on first come first served basis. Doors open at 6:30pm for seating.
- 10:30 pm shows are assigned seats according to date reservation made (e.g. earliest advanced ticket purchase = best seats)
- If you purchased tickets to a 10:30 pm show and would like to be seated together with another party, please call The DC Improv at 202-296-7008 and inform us ahead of time.
- All tickets purchased to shows with the phrase "hosted in The Comedy Lounge" or "hosted in our side room" are only valid for shows in our Comedy Lounge.


text:
Changing Places: How Communities Will Improve the Health of Boys of Color
Edited by Christopher Edley, Jr. and Jorge Ruiz de Velasco, The Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Race, Ethnicity and Diversity, University of California, Berkeley School of Law. This book was made possible with support from the California Endowment and is published by the University of California Press
The challenges shaping the life chances of boys and young men of color are well-documented but still shocking. This book draws attention to the urgent need—both economic and moral—to better understand the policy and community-based factors that serve as incentives or barriers to young men and boys of color as they make critical life decisions. This volume draws attention to the potential of a public policy focus on young men and boys of color as a high-leverage strategy for promoting an agenda for equitable, sustainable, healthy communities in California and across the Nation.
Download PDF of the Book
(7.39 MB, 630 pages)
Purchase a Hardcopy
(Download individual book chapters below)
Let's Hear It for the Boys: Building a Stronger America by Investing in Boys and Young Men of Color: Angela Blackwell, President, PolicyLink and Manuel Pastor, University of Southern California (1.2MB, 37 pages)
Young Latino and African American Males: Their Characteristics, Outcomes, and Social Conditions: Belinda Reyes and Monique Nakagawa, California State University, San Francisco (1.5 MB, 32 pages)
Invisible Students: Bridging the Widest Achievement Gap: David Kirp, University of California, Berkeley (914 kb, 34 pages)
Doing What It Takes to Prepare Black and Latino Males for College: What We Can Learn from Efforts to Improve New York City's Schools: Edward Fergus and Pedro Noguera, New York University (2.11 MB, 47 pages)
Alternative Schools in California: Academic On-Ramps or Exit Ramps for Black, Latino and Southeast-Asian Boys?: Jorge Ruiz de Velasco, University of California, Berkeley and Milbrey McLaughlin, Stanford University (827 Kb, 20 pages)
Beyond Zero-Tolerance: Creating More Inclusive Schools by Improving Neighborhood Conditions, Attacking Racial Bias and Reducing Inequality: Susan Eaton, Harvard University (927 Kb, 36 pages)
Stopping Gangs with a Balanced Strategy: Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression: Diego Vigil and Gil Conchas, University of California, Irvine (835 Kb, 21 pages)
A Radical Healing Approach for Black Young Men: A Framework for Policy and Practice: Shawn Ginwright, California State University, San Francisco (875 Kb, 29 pages)
Building Pathways to Post-secondary Success for Low-Income Young Men of Color: Linda Harris and Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Center for Law and Social Policy, Washington, DC (1.31MB, 48 pages)
The Equity Scorecard: A Process for Building Institutional Capacity to Educate Young Men of Color: Frank Harris, III, California State University, San Diego; Estela Mara Bensimon and Robin Bishop, University of Southern California (1.16 MB, 36 pages)
Improving the Health of Young Men and Boys of Color: Natalie Slopen and David Williams, Harvard University (1MB, 51 pages)
The Geography of Opportunity: A Framework for Child Development: Dolores Acevedo Garcia, Lindsay E. Rosenfeld, Nancy McArdle and Theresa L. Osypuk, Northeastern University (1.58 MB, 53 pages)
Approaching the Health and Wellbeing of Boys and Men of Color through Trauma-Informed Practice: Theodore Corbin, Sandra Bloom, Ann Wilson, Linda Rich, and John Rich, Drexel University (1.06MB, 26 pages)
On the Outside: The Psychological and Practical Consequences of Parental Incarceration on Children: Sarah Lawrence and Jennifer Lynn-Whaley, University of California, Berkeley (985 Kb, 37 pages)
Big Boys Don't Cry, Black Boys Don't Feel: The Intersection of Shame and Worry on Community Violence and the Social Construction of Masculinity among Urban African American Males – The Case of Derrion Albert: Waldo E. Johnson, Jr., University of Chicago; David J. Pate, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; and Jarvis Givens, University of California, Berkeley (903 Kb, 35 pages)
Trajectories of Opportunity for Young Men and Boys of Color: Built Environment and Placemaking Strategies for Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities: Deborah L. McKoy, Jeffrey M. Vincent and Ariel H. Bierbaum, University of California, Berkeley (958 Kb, 43 pages)
Minding the Gap: Strategic Philanthropy and the Crisis among African American Boys and Young Men: Tia Elena Martinez, U.S. Department of Education; Susan J. Colby, The Bridgespan Group; and, Lisa Quay, University of California, Berkeley (1.06 MB, 45 pages)
Getting to the Root Causes of Social and Economic Disconnection: Maria Ledesma, University of Utah and Jorge Ruiz de Velasco, University of California, Berkeley (794 Kb, 12 pages)


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EJToday is SEJ's selection of new and outstanding stories on environmental topics in print and on the air, updated every weekday. SEJ also offers a free e-mailed digest of the day's EJToday postings, called SEJ-beat. SEJ members are subscribed automatically, but may opt out here. Non-members may subscribe here. EJToday is also available via RSS feed. Please see Editorial Guidelines for EJToday content.
"Earth's Hour of Darkness Illuminates Need for Climate Action"
"A 24 hour-long wave of darkness will sweep around the globe as people and corporations turn out the lights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time on Saturday, March 27 to mark Earth Hour - sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund to promote effective climate change action."
"Obama Aides Meet With Senate Dems to Map April Strategy for Climate Bill"
"President Obama's top aides huddled yesterday with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic committee leaders to map out a strategy for cobbling together 60 votes on a comprehensive energy and climate change bill once lawmakers return next month from their spring break."
"Sunk by Global Warming? Wave Goodbye To This Disputed Island"
"India and Bangladesh have been trying to snatch from each other a tiny landmass that first surfaced in the 1970s in the Bay of Bengal. It has resubmerged, an apparent casualty of climate change."
"The Secret of Sea Level Rise: It Will Vary Greatly by Region"
"As the world warms, sea levels could easily rise three to six feet this century. But increases will vary widely by region, with prevailing winds, powerful ocean currents, and even the gravitational pull of the polar ice sheets determining whether some coastal areas will be inundated while others stay dry."
Climate Poses Unknown Challenges for Migrating Whales
"With climate change transforming the Arctic, biologists are scrambling to understand the impact on gray whales and other creatures living in the region."
"France Drops Carbon Tax After Defeat"
"After his governing conservative party took a pounding in regional polls on Sunday, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France has dropped a key environmental goal: setting up a carbon tax to limit the growth of emissions and spur the development of renewable fuels."
Senate Climate Bill Compromises Frighten, Infuriate Some Enviro Groups
"Environmentalists began 2009 optimistic about prospects for swift passage of legislation mandating U.S. reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. ... But after the House passed a sweeping climate bill last June, the effort stalled in the Senate. And now environmentalists are being asked to agree to painful compromises that senators say are needed to get something -- anything, really -- across the finish line."
Hunting, Fishing Groups Angle for Climate Adaptation Efforts
"A coalition of hunting and fishing organizations that released a report Monday outlining the consequences of climate change for fish and wildlife in the United States. ... The report, 'Beyond Seasons' End,' suggests a number of strategies to help wildlife adapt."
"Offshore Drilling Revenue Sharing Takes Hold in Senate Climate Bill"
"Coastal states that agree to oil and gas drilling off their shores would be offered one-quarter of the revenue, under the latest draft of the new climate and energy bill, sources on and off the Hill say."
"Global Cooling Is Bunk, Draft NASA Study Finds"
"Global warming has neither stopped nor slowed in the past decade, according to a draft analysis of temperature data by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies."
"Climate Change Cited as Montana Leases Suspended"
"A federal judge has approved a first-of-its-kind settlement requiring the government to suspend 38,000 acres of oil and gas leases in Montana so it can gauge how oil field activities contribute to climate change."
"Farmers Hurt By Collapse Of Carbon Credits Market"
"With the cap-and-trade legislation aimed at curbing global warming stalled in Congress, there's an almost-complete collapse of the market for carbon credits. That means profits are drying up for people who are paid to create those carbon credits -- like farmers who manage their land in ways that capture carbon dioxide in the soil."
Asian Glaciers: "The Big Melt"
"It's the only explanation that makes sense to Jia Son, a Tibetan farmer surveying the catastrophe unfolding above his village in China's mountainous Yunnan Province. 'We've upset the natural order,' the devout, 52-year-old Buddhist says. 'And now the gods are punishing us.'"
"Senate Trio Courts Industry in Bid to Pre-empt Ad War"
"The lead authors of the Senate climate bill are courting key members of an industry coalition that once cheered on Dick Cheney's energy policies."
"Automakers Urge Congress Not To Block New Emissions Limits"
"Detroit's Big Three automakers, Toyota Motor Corp., and six other automakers urged Congress Wednesday not to bar the Environmental Protection Agency from setting the first-ever limits on tailpipe emissions."