“The Biography of Yu Jang” is a story that teaches us a lot about Chinese values. For instance, loyalty. Yu Jang used to serve under the heads of Fan and Chung-hang, but left their service due to poor treatment and decided to serve the Earl of Chih. The Earl treated him with honor and even favored Yu Jang. The Earl is killed by Lord Hsiang. When Yu Jang hears this news he says, “Since the Earl of Chih understood me, I should sacrifice my life to avenge him. If I can repay him in this way, my soul need not be ashamed.” (p.41) After this declaration, he fled to the mountains and disguised himself as a criminal in order to break into Lord Hsiang’s palace. He planned to stab Lord Hsiang, but his weapon was noticed and he was almost killed. however, due to his immense loyalty to Chih Lord Hsiang lets our hero go. He tries once more to kill Lord Hsiang by hiding under a bridge. He was undetected until a horse noticed his presence. He was then captured and sentenced to death, but he pled with the Lord to let him tear up his robes so that he could “die without regret.” (p.42) He then stabbed himself with his own sword and perished.
Yu Jang goes through a lot during his quest for revenge and even gives up his life for the Earl of Chih. His friend pleads with him to just serve Lord Hsiang, but he does not listen. He goes into hiding and then disguises himself, even leaving his wife and children behind to travel to Lord Hsiang. Then after he is given a warning, he still attempts to murder the Lord again. This story shows us just how much Chinese people care about loyalty to those that they love. They will go to any length in order to achieve the revenge they seek for the one they are loyal to. They would even die for the one they serve.