Ronald Tan

Destined Journey Ronald Tan

Father, usually a man of few words, found his tongue and said, "I hope today is the seed of your success, and when you are successful, you remember your roots in the soil. Only in the soil can the seed grow to become a tall tree whose roots are deep in the earth and whose branches extend to heaven. When adversity befalls you, remember that life is a struggle, and you cease to live if you cease to struggle."There are two kinds of heroes-those who overcome their enemies, and those who do not run from their destinies. Set during the Tang Dynasty, Destined Journey tells the story of a young scholar named Youfu. After failing the imperial examination, Youfu leaves his family and travels from Luoyang (China) to Benares (India) to seek knowledge and wisdom. The historical figures he encounters include the poets Du Fu and Li Bai, and Emperor Xuanzong's favorite concubine, Yang Guifei. This charming and thought-provoking story asks these timeless questions: Is love at first sight possible? Can romantic love endure? Is passion doomed to diminish over time?In a journey of romance and adventure, Youfu hopes to learn lessons that will enable him to pass the imperial examination, but the lessons (from The Analects of Confucius to The Kamasutra of Vatsyayana) transform him intellectually and spiritually. After exploring many metaphors for love and truth, his conflicting emotions and the various Chinese and Indian philosophical perspectives are reconciled in surprising yet logical ways. But what is his destiny? And will he be wise enough to recognize and embrace his destiny?