Hello, welcome to Chinese Folk Tales.
I'm Man Ling.
And today I've got a story that begins near water, but not just near any water.
The story starts at Boston Lake in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
It is the largest inland freshwater lake in the country.
A long long time ago, the lake was even bigger, so wide and endless that people called it the West Sea.
It was surrounded by fertile farmland, and people nearby worked hard to grow their crops and tend to their cattle and sheep.
Life was not easy, but the people were happy.
Then, one year, something changed.
The rain has failed us.
Our cattle are dying and the fields are dry.
We will starve if this goes on.
If only we could use the water from the West Sea to irrigate our land and save our livestock.
Their wish was heard.
High above the clouds in the heavenly court, the Jade Emperor, ruler of the heavens in Chinese mythology, saw everything that was happening below.
He dispatched the Dragon King to assess the problems.
Let me see for myself what's going on.
Ah.
No rain.
Dying crops.
Starving livestock.
He's burying humans.
Not good.
Not good at all.
Okay, well, desperate measures are called for.
This was just the right job for the Dragon King, who flew over the West Sea and swallowed two-thirds of its water in one gulp.
He then flew back up and sprayed the water out over the land, saving the crops.
The people rejoiced.
Well, I saved the lands, but now the mighty West Sea has turned into a small lake.
As the Jade Emperor decreed, the Dragon King and his wife settled by the lake to watch over the land to ensure that it would never suffer from droughts again.
The kind and graceful Dragon Queen was always by her husband's side, helping him solve problems and care for the people.
They loved and trusted each other completely.
But one day, a disturbance broke out just outside their palace.
The dragon king heard the noise and called for his palace guard.
Your majesty, we captured a spy.
A spy?
Really?
Bring him to me.
It's a she, your majesty.
Oh, well bring her to me then.
In the throne room at once.
The moment the spy was brought in front of him, the dragon queen was suddenly gripped by her charms.
She was so beautiful that the king turned speechless.
News soon spread of the enchanting newcomer who had mesmerized the king.
My queen, come quickly.
Watching it all unfold was Cui Yun, the dragon queen's lawyer maid.
Alarmed by the king's behavior, she rushed to find her master.
My master, your husband has been entranced by another woman.
I fear he may become, well, disloyal.
How dare he?
I'll go see for myself at once.
Tell me everything you know.
In the throne room, the dragon queen found the dragon king exactly as she feared, lost in the charm of a young, beautiful woman.
He could see no one else, nor the courtiers, nor the guards, not even his wife.
But to her, this woman was not a beauty, but a being full of demonic energy.
My dear husband, please, I beg you, be careful.
What was that, dear?
That woman is a devil.
I can feel her evil energy.
She's dangerous.
I think otherwise, my dear.
I think I'm in love with her.
In fact, I will make her my new wife.
You want to throw away all that we've built up together?
At least to find out more about her.
Where did she come from?
What is she doing in our palace?
The girl turned to the queen slowly. lowered her eyes and gave a pitiful subtle smile.
She blinked back imaginary tears, acting like the victim instead.
Your Majesty the Queen, I didn't mean to cause trouble.
I just admire the Dragon King so much.
I heard such noble things about him.
I thought that if I could just see him once, I could tell him how amazing he is in person.
But my presence here is upsetting to Your Majesty the Queen.
Then I should leave.
I don't want to make things hard for anyone.
She stole a look at the Dragon King through her long eyelashes.
But just that one look sent the King's heart spinning.
No, you can't go, shouted the Dragon King.
You must stay.
It's the Queen who shall leave.
To everyone's shock, the Dragon King banished the Dragon Queen from the palace, along with her servant Cui Yun.
But before they left, the spy cursed the dragon queen in secret, using a dark spell that slowly drained her strength and brought illness upon her.
As it turned out, The dragon queen was completely right.
This beautiful woman was none other than a thousand-year-old snake spirit who held a grudge against the dragon king.
After this turn of events at the palace, the dragon king became a bad monarch.
His rule became erratic. and his duties were forgotten.
Worst of all, he forgot what he was sent there to do, to bring the rains that nourished the land.
The Dragon Queen could only watch all this unfold with sadness.
Together with her lawyer servant Cui Yun, the two women wandered around the parched countryside witnessing people's suffering as hunger grew day by day.
They were so tired and thirsty that they had to sit and rest by the roadside.
A young man happened to pass by and came over to speak to them.
I am Sangala.
Why are you walking around in this hot weather?
It is not safe to be out like this.
My mistress has no home to return to.
Can you help us?
Sangala took them both home, gave them water and some food and a place to rest.
After a while, he said, Life's been hard.
I lost my parents when I was young, being alone ever since.
But when I saw you, I felt something I haven't felt in a long time.
Warmth, like family.
If you have nowhere to go, why not stay here?
This can be your home too.
The Dragon Queen was overwhelmed by his kindness.
She couldn't say no.
Days passed and though the drought dragged on, their small home was filled with warmth and laughter.
In time, Sengala and Terin fell in love and got married.
Not long after this, the dragon queen fell ill.
But before she died, she drew Sengala close and whispered, My child, I'll tell you the truth.
I was once the Dragon Queen of the West Sea, but the Dragon King was bewitched by a demon girl.
He drove me and my maid Cui Yun out of the Dragon Palace.
His poor ruling has turned this once rich grassland into a barren wasteland.
My strength is fading, and I can no longer help.
But you, you may have a chance.
If you're brave enough to face the demon spirit, you might still save this land and the people from starvation.
Shangala pledged to do just that.
But you are mortal, my child.
You need heavenly weapons to accomplish your goal.
She plucked a hairpin from her hair and blew a breath of fairy magic onto it.
And the pin turned into an impressive sword.
Then she spat out a glowing pearl from her mouth, radiant with untapped power.
Hold this pearl in your mouth during the battle.
It will give you strength and protect you in the water.
And with that, the dragon queen closed her eyes.
After the burial, Sengala and Cui Yun left straight away for the Dragon Palace.
Come out, you demons, and face your doom.
I will avenge the wrong you did to my mother, the true Dragon Queen.
Wave after wave of demons charged at them, but time and again They repelled the onslaught with his fairy sword until the palace grounds ran red with blood.
Terrified, the surviving creatures fled, rushing to report to the dragon king and the evil snake spirit of the approaching threat.
Who do they think they are?
Oh, my majestic king, we shall slay them and crush them like ants under our feet.
A fierce battle erupted.
Cheyenne chased down the evil snake spirit and, with a swift strike, sliced her in half, killing her instantly.
Shangela then faced the Dragon King.
Placing the glowing pearl in his mouth, he felt a surge of divine strength coursing through him.
But the fight was brutal.
In the heat of battle, the pearl slipped out from his mouth.
Though he struck a final blow and defeated the fallen king, Sengala was killed too.
Shui Yun was overwhelmed with grief.
With a heavy heart, she took up Sengala's sword and ended her own life.
So that in death they could be reunited forever.
Once the Dragon King died, the heavens opened and rain began to pour down, quenching the thirst of the land all around the lake, saving people from starvation.
From then on, The arched body of the rebellious dragon became an island mountain that sits at the center of Boston Lake.
And the white fern it spat out turned into sword ponds along the lake shore.
Sangala and Cui Yun transformed into a pair of white swans.
Swans circle above Boston Lake, forever cherishing their beautiful homeland and the hardworking people.
The people have deep love for the vast Boston Lake and the graceful white swans.
To this day, a folk song still echoes on the shores of the lake.
Why is Boston Lake as clear as a mirror?
That's thanks to the heart of a hero.
Why are the swans as white as snow?
It is a symbol of pure and enduring love.
There's always retribution in the world.
Good shall always vanquish evil.
But Lake Boston has become a symbol of our enduring need to care for our environment, for its lush fields and blue, clear waters.
Head to Shenzhen's Boston Lake today and you will see a stunning 1600-square-kilometer oasis fringed with whispering reeds and alive with fish.
This natural wonder is not just big, but breathtaking.
Locals and travelers alike treasure its serene beauty.
Trust me, you will understand why this place is legendary.
That brings us to the end of this episode of Chinese Folk Tales.
Thanks for listening.
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Bye for now.
