Fang Xiang

This is both a work of science fiction and an exploration of the meaning of life, love, literature and art. Brainpower is no longer the main ingredient for being human in this far distant future world.  Spirituality, physical balance, and diligence all come together as integrity for Chen Mu, the Card Apprentice.  The cards which Chen Mu masters in his own scrappy way, distill all the powers of the cosmos –  human and nonhuman –  into something that is not a book, not technology, and neither art nor magic, but is these and more.  Learn about these strange cards, which can embody everything you might imagine for the future of technology, but also a future beyond technology which promotes the best, and sometimes the worst, from mankind’s past.

The Card Apprentice

Chen Mu stood up and gave the fatty one of the folding Yanbo cards. "I'd like to keep the other one. You may deduct the required fees from the income."

Xi Ping carefully took the card the fatty handed him. Pearson, who couldn't wait any longer, went over to them.

The fatty waved his hand and said without a care, "My young brother is too polite; just take it."

"Since we've already decided the rules, how could I break them?" Chen Mu shook his head, insisting.

The fatty laughed. "Well, then let's do as you say." His appreciation for Chen Mu grew a few notches. A big business man like him treasured reputation and trust more than anything. They were the sort of people who followed the spirit of the contract. Not being petty, Chen Mu's conduct gave him a good feeling.

"Let's check this card out." The fatty clearly wanted to know the true worth of the card. He turned around to say, "I still haven't asked my little brother what the card is called."

The Folding Yanbo Card (II)