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diff --git a/1076-h/1076-h.htm b/1076-h/1076-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d87345c --- /dev/null +++ b/1076-h/1076-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8894 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Wallet of Kai Lung, by Ernest Bramah</title> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> +<style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify; } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +.no-break {page-break-before: avoid;} /* for epubs */ + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} + +p.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: 90%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.center {text-align: center; + text-indent: 0em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +div.fig { display:block; + margin:0 auto; + text-align:center; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em;} + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1076 ***</div> + +<div class="fig" style="width:55%;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="[Illustration]" /> +</div> + +<h1>THE WALLET OF KAI LUNG</h1> + +<h2 class="no-break">By Ernest Bramah</h2> + +<hr /> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p class="letter"> +“Ho, illustrious passers-by!” says Kai Lung as he spreads out his +embroidered mat under the mulberry-tree. “It is indeed unlikely that you +could condescend to stop and listen to the foolish words of such an +insignificant and altogether deformed person as myself. Nevertheless, if you +will but retard your elegant footsteps for a few moments, this exceedingly +unprepossessing individual will endeavour to entertain you.” This is a +collection of Kai Lung’s entertaining tales, told professionally in the +market places as he travelled about; told sometimes to occupy and divert the +minds of his enemies when they were intent on torturing him. +</p> + +<hr /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>Contents</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0001">I. THE TRANSMUTATION OF LING</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0002">II. THE STORY OF YUNG CHANG</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0003">III. THE PROBATION OF SEN HENG</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0004">IV. THE EXPERIMENT OF THE MANDARIN CHAN HUNG</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0005">V. THE CONFESSION OF KAI LUNG</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0006">VI. THE VENGEANCE OF TUNG FEL</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0007">VII. THE CAREER OF THE CHARITABLE QUEN-KI-TONG</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0008">VIII. THE VISION OF YIN, THE SON OF YAT HUANG</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2HCH0009">IX. THE ILL-REGULATED DESTINY OF KIN YEN, THE PICTURE-MAKER</a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<hr /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"></a> +I.<br /> +THE TRANSMUTATION OF LING</h2> + +<h3>CHAPTER I<br /> +INTRODUCTION</h3> + +<p> +The sun had dipped behind the western mountains before Kai Lung, with twenty li +or more still between him and the city of Knei Yang, entered the camphor-laurel +forest which stretched almost to his destination. No person of consequence ever +made the journey unattended; but Kai Lung professed to have no fear, remarking +with extempore wisdom, when warned at the previous village, that a worthless +garment covered one with better protection than that afforded by an army of +bowmen. Nevertheless, when within the gloomy aisles, Kai Lung more than once +wished himself back at the village, or safely behind the mud walls of Knei +Yang; and, making many vows concerning the amount of prayer-paper which he +would assuredly burn when he was actually through the gates, he stepped out +more quickly, until suddenly, at a turn in the glade, he stopped altogether, +while the watchful expression into which he had unguardedly dropped at once +changed into a mask of impassiveness and extreme unconcern. From behind the +next tree projected a long straight rod, not unlike a slender bamboo at a +distance, but, to Kai Lung’s all-seeing eye, in reality the barrel of a +matchlock, which would come into line with his breast if he took another step. +Being a prudent man, more accustomed to guile and subservience to destiny than +to force, he therefore waited, spreading out his hands in proof of his peaceful +acquiescence, and smiling cheerfully until it should please the owner of the +weapon to step forth. This the unseen did a moment later, still keeping his gun +in an easy and convenient attitude, revealing a stout body and a scarred face, +which in conjunction made it plain to Kai Lung that he was in the power of Lin +Yi, a noted brigand of whom he had heard much in the villages. +</p> + +<p> +“O illustrious person,” said Kai Lung very earnestly, “this +is evidently an unfortunate mistake. Doubtless you were expecting some exalted +Mandarin to come and render you homage, and were preparing to overwhelm him +with gratified confusion by escorting him yourself to your well-appointed +abode. Indeed, I passed such a one on the road, very richly apparelled, who +inquired of me the way to the mansion of the dignified and upright Lin Yi. By +this time he is perhaps two or three li towards the east.” +</p> + +<p> +“However distinguished a Mandarin may be, it is fitting that I should +first attend to one whose manners and accomplishments betray him to be of the +Royal House,” replied Lin Yi, with extreme affability. “Precede me, +therefore, to my mean and uninviting hovel, while I gain more honour than I can +reasonably bear by following closely in your elegant footsteps, and guarding +your Imperial person with this inadequate but heavily-loaded weapon.” +</p> + +<p> +Seeing no chance of immediate escape, Kai Lung led the way, instructed by the +brigand, along a very difficult and bewildering path, until they reached a cave +hidden among the crags. Here Lin Yi called out some words in the Miaotze +tongue, whereupon a follower appeared, and opened a gate in the stockade of +prickly mimosa which guarded the mouth of the den. Within the enclosure a fire +burned, and food was being prepared. At a word from the chief, the unfortunate +Kai Lung found his hands seized and tied behind his back, while a second later +a rough hemp rope was fixed round his neck, and the other end tied to an +overhanging tree. +</p> + +<p> +Lin Yi smiled pleasantly and critically upon these preparations, and when they +were complete dismissed his follower. +</p> + +<p> +“Now we can converse at our ease and without restraint,” he +remarked to Kai Lung. “It will be a distinguished privilege for a person +occupying the important public position which you undoubtedly do; for myself, +my instincts are so degraded and low-minded that nothing gives me more +gratification than to dispense with ceremony.” +</p> + +<p> +To this Kai Lung made no reply, chiefly because at that moment the wind swayed +the tree, and compelled him to stand on his toes in order to escape +suffocation. +</p> + +<p> +“It would be useless to try to conceal from a person of your inspired +intelligence that I am indeed Lin Yi,” continued the robber. “It is +a dignified position to occupy, and one for which I am quite incompetent. In +the sixth month of the third year ago, it chanced that this unworthy person, at +that time engaged in commercial affairs at Knei Yang, became inextricably +immersed in the insidious delights of quail-fighting. Having been entrusted +with a large number of taels with which to purchase elephants’ teeth, it +suddenly occurred to him that if he doubled the number of taels by staking them +upon an exceedingly powerful and agile quail, he would be able to purchase +twice the number of teeth, and so benefit his patron to a large extent. This +matter was clearly forced upon his notice by a dream, in which he perceived one +whom he then understood to be the benevolent spirit of an ancestor in the act +of stroking a particular quail, upon whose chances he accordingly placed all he +possessed. Doubtless evil spirits had been employed in the matter; for, to this +person’s great astonishment, the quail in question failed in a very +discreditable manner at the encounter. Unfortunately, this person had risked +not only the money which had been entrusted to him, but all that he had himself +become possessed of by some years of honourable toil and assiduous courtesy as +a professional witness in law cases. Not doubting that his patron would see +that he was himself greatly to blame in confiding so large a sum of money to a +comparatively young man of whom he knew little, this person placed the matter +before him, at the same time showing him that he would suffer in the eyes of +the virtuous if he did not restore this person’s savings, which but for +the presence of the larger sum, and a generous desire to benefit his patron, he +would never have risked in so uncertain a venture as that of quail-fighting. +Although the facts were laid in the form of a dignified request instead of a +demand by legal means, and the reasoning carefully drawn up in columns of fine +parchment by a very illustrious writer, the reply which this person received +showed him plainly that a wrong view had been taken of the matter, and that the +time had arrived when it became necessary for him to make a suitable rejoinder +by leaving the city without delay.” +</p> + +<p> +“It was a high-minded and disinterested course to take,” said Kai +Lung with great conviction, as Lin Yi paused. “Without doubt evil will +shortly overtake the avaricious-souled person at Knei Yang.” +</p> + +<p> +“It has already done so,” replied Lin Yi. “While passing +through this forest in the season of Many White Vapours, the spirits of his bad +deeds appeared to him in misleading and symmetrical shapes, and drew him out of +the path and away from his bowmen. After suffering many torments, he found his +way here, where, in spite of our continual care, he perished miserably and in +great bodily pain.... But I cannot conceal from myself, in spite of your +distinguished politeness, that I am becoming intolerably tiresome with my +commonplace talk.” +</p> + +<p> +“On the contrary,” replied Kai Lung, “while listening to your +voice I seemed to hear the beating of many gongs of the finest and most +polished brass. I floated in the Middle Air, and for the time I even became +unconscious of the fact that this honourable appendage, though fashioned, as I +perceive, out of the most delicate silk, makes it exceedingly difficult for me +to breathe.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such a thing cannot be permitted,” exclaimed Lin Yi, with some +indignation, as with his own hands he slackened the rope and, taking it from +Kai Lung’s neck, fastened it around his ankle. “Now, in return for +my uninviting confidences, shall not my senses be gladdened by a recital of the +titles and honours borne by your distinguished family? Doubtless, at this +moment many Mandarins of the highest degree are anxiously awaiting your arrival +at Knei Yang, perhaps passing the time by outdoing one another in protesting +the number of taels each would give rather than permit you to be tormented by +fire-brands, or even to lose a single ear.” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” replied Kai Lung, “never was there a truer proverb +than that which says, ‘It is a mark of insincerity of purpose to spend +one’s time in looking for the sacred Emperor in the low-class +tea-shops.’ Do Mandarins or the friends of Mandarins travel in mean +garments and unattended? Indeed, the person who is now before you is none other +than the outcast Kai Lung, the story-teller, one of degraded habits and no very +distinguished or reputable ancestors. His friends are few, and mostly of the +criminal class; his wealth is not more than some six or eight cash, concealed +in his left sandal; and his entire stock-in-trade consists of a few unendurable +and badly told stories, to which, however, it is his presumptuous intention +shortly to add a dignified narrative of the high-born Lin Yi, setting out his +domestic virtues and the honour which he has reflected upon his house, his +valour in war, the destruction of his enemies, and, above all, his great +benevolence and the protection which he extends to the poor and those engaged +in the distinguished arts.” +</p> + +<p> +“The absence of friends is unfortunate,” said Lin Yi thoughtfully, +after he had possessed himself of the coins indicated by Kai Lung, and also of +a much larger amount concealed elsewhere among the story-teller’s +clothing. “My followers are mostly outlawed Miaotze, who have been driven +from their own tribes in Yun Nan for man-eating and disregarding the sacred +laws of hospitality. They are somewhat rapacious, and in this way it has become +a custom that they should have as their own, for the purpose of exchanging for +money, persons such as yourself, whose insatiable curiosity has led them to +this place.” +</p> + +<p> +“The wise and all-knowing Emperor Fohy instituted three degrees of +attainment: Being poor, to obtain justice; being rich, to escape flattery; and +being human, to avoid the passions,” replied Kai Lung. “To these +the practical and enlightened Kang added yet another, the greatest: Being lean, +to yield fatness.” +</p> + +<p> +“In such cases,” observed the brigand, “the Miaotze keep an +honoured and very venerable rite, which chiefly consists in suspending the +offender by a pigtail from a low tree, and placing burning twigs of hemp-palm +between his toes. To this person it seems a foolish and meaningless habit; but +it would not be well to interfere with their religious observances, however +trivial they may appear.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such a course must inevitably end in great loss,” suggested Kai +Lung; “for undoubtedly there are many poor yet honourable persons who +would leave with them a bond for a large number of taels and save the money +with which to redeem it, rather than take part in a ceremony which is not +according to one’s own Book of Rites.” +</p> + +<p> +“They have already suffered in that way on one or two occasions,” +replied Lin Yi; “so that such a proposal, no matter how nobly intended, +would not gladden their faces. Yet they are simple and docile persons, and +would, without doubt, be moved to any feeling you should desire by the recital +of one of your illustrious stories.” +</p> + +<p> +“An intelligent and discriminating assemblage is more to a story-teller +than much reward of cash from hands that conceal open mouths,” replied +Kai Lung with great feeling. “Nothing would confer more pleasurable +agitation upon this unworthy person than an opportunity of narrating his entire +stock to them. If also the accomplished Lin Yi would bestow renown upon the +occasion by his presence, no omen of good would be wanting.” +</p> + +<p> +“The pleasures of the city lie far behind me,” said Lin Yi, after +some thought, “and I would cheerfully submit myself to an intellectual +accomplishment such as you are undoubtedly capable of. But as we have necessity +to leave this spot before the hour when the oak-leaves change into night-moths, +one of your amiable stories will be the utmost we can strengthen our intellects +with. Select which you will. In the meantime, food will be brought to refresh +you after your benevolent exertions in conversing with a person of my vapid +understanding. When you have partaken, or thrown it away as utterly +unendurable, the time will have arrived, and this person, together with all his +accomplices, will put themselves in a position to be subjected to all the most +dignified emotions.” +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<p> +“The story which I have selected for this gratifying occasion,” +said Kai Lung, when, an hour or so later, still pinioned, but released from the +halter, he sat surrounded by the brigands, “is entitled ‘Good and +Evil,’ and it is concerned with the adventures of one Ling, who bore the +honourable name of Ho. The first, and indeed the greater, part of the +narrative, as related by the venerable and accomplished writer of history +Chow-Tan, is taken up by showing how Ling was assuredly descended from an +enlightened Emperor of the race of Tsin; but as the no less omniscient +Ta-lin-hi proves beyond doubt that the person in question was in no way +connected with any but a line of hereditary ape-worshippers, who entered China +from an unknown country many centuries ago, it would ill become this illiterate +person to express an opinion on either side, and he will in consequence omit +the first seventeen books of the story, and only deal with the three which +refer to the illustrious Ling himself.” +</p> + +<p class="center"> +THE STORY OF LING +</p> + +<p class="center"> +Narrated by Kai Lung when a prisoner in the camp of Lin Yi. +</p> + +<p> +Ling was the youngest of three sons, and from his youth upwards proved to be of +a mild and studious disposition. Most of his time was spent in reading the +sacred books, and at an early age he found the worship of apes to be repulsive +to his gentle nature, and resolved to break through the venerable traditions of +his family by devoting his time to literary pursuits, and presenting himself +for the public examinations at Canton. In this his resolution was strengthened +by a rumour that an army of bowmen was shortly to be raised from the Province +in which he lived, so that if he remained he would inevitably be forced into an +occupation which was even more distasteful to him than the one he was leaving. +</p> + +<p> +Having arrived at Canton, Ling’s first care was to obtain particulars of +the examinations, which he clearly perceived, from the unusual activity +displayed on all sides, to be near at hand. On inquiring from passers-by, he +received very conflicting information; for the persons to whom he spoke were +themselves entered for the competition, and therefore naturally misled him in +order to increase their own chances of success. Perceiving this, Ling +determined to apply at once, although the light was past, to a Mandarin who was +concerned in the examinations, lest by delay he should lose his chance for the +year. +</p> + +<p> +“It is an unfortunate event that so distinguished a person should have +selected this day and hour on which to overwhelm us with his affable +politeness!” exclaimed the porter at the gate of the Yamen, when Ling had +explained his reason for going. “On such a day, in the reign of the +virtuous Emperor Hoo Chow, a very benevolent and unassuming ancestor of my good +lord the Mandarin was destroyed by treachery, and ever since his family has +observed the occasion by fasting and no music. This person would certainly be +punished with death if he entered the inner room from any cause.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words, Ling, who had been simply brought up, and chiefly in the +society of apes, was going away with many expressions of self-reproach at +selecting such a time, when the gate-keeper called him back. +</p> + +<p> +“I am overwhelmed with confusion at the position in which I find +myself,” he remarked, after he had examined his mind for a short time. +“I may meet with an ungraceful and objectionable death if I carry out +your estimable instructions, but I shall certainly merit and receive a similar +fate if I permit so renowned and versatile a person to leave without a fitting +reception. In such matters a person can only trust to the intervention of good +spirits; if, therefore, you will permit this unworthy individual to wear, while +making the venture, the ring which he perceives upon your finger, and which he +recognizes as a very powerful charm against evil, misunderstandings, and +extortion, he will go without fear.” +</p> + +<p> +Overjoyed at the amiable porter’s efforts on his behalf, Ling did as he +was desired, and the other retired. Presently the door of the Yamen was opened +by an attendant of the house, and Ling bidden to enter. He was covered with +astonishment to find that this person was entirely unacquainted with his name +or purpose. +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” said the attendant, when Ling had explained his object, +“well said the renowned and inspired Ting Fo, ‘When struck by a +thunderbolt it is unnecessary to consult the Book of Dates as to the precise +meaning of the omen.’ At this moment my noble-minded master is engaged in +conversation with all the most honourable and refined persons in Canton, while +singers and dancers of a very expert and nimble order have been sent for. The +entertainment will undoubtedly last far into the night, and to present myself +even with the excuse of your graceful and delicate inquiry would certainly +result in very objectionable consequences to this person.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is indeed a day of unprepossessing circumstances,” replied +Ling, and after many honourable remarks concerning his own intellect and +appearance, and those of the person to whom he was speaking, he had turned to +leave when the other continued: +</p> + +<p> +“Ever since your dignified presence illumined this very ordinary chamber, +this person has been endeavouring to bring to his mind an incident which +occurred to him last night while he slept. Now it has come back to him with a +diamond clearness, and he is satisfied that it was as follows: While he floated +in the Middle Air a benevolent spirit in the form of an elderly and toothless +vampire appeared, leading by the hand a young man, of elegant personality. +Smiling encouragingly upon this person, the spirit said, ‘O Fou, +recipient of many favours from Mandarins and of innumerable taels from +gratified persons whom you have obliged, I am, even at this moment, guiding +this exceptional young man towards your presence; when he arrives do not +hesitate, but do as he desires, no matter how great the danger seems or how +inadequately you may appear to be rewarded on earth.’ The vision then +melted, but I now clearly perceive that with the exception of the embroidered +cloak which you wear, you are the person thus indicated to me. Remove your +cloak, therefore, in order to give the amiable spirit no opportunity of denying +the fact, and I will advance your wishes; for, as the Book of Verses indicates, +‘The person who patiently awaits a sign from the clouds for many years, +and yet fails to notice the earthquake at his feet, is devoid of +intellect.’” +</p> + +<p> +Convinced that he was assuredly under the especial protection of the Deities, +and that the end of his search was in view, Ling gave his rich cloak to the +attendant, and was immediately shown into another room, where he was left +alone. +</p> + +<p> +After a considerable space of time the door opened and there entered a person +whom Ling at first supposed to be the Mandarin. Indeed, he was addressing him +by his titles when the other interrupted him. “Do not distress your +incomparable mind by searching for honourable names to apply to so inferior a +person as myself,” he said agreeably. “The mistake is, +nevertheless, very natural; for, however miraculous it may appear, this +unseemly individual, who is in reality merely a writer of spoken words, is +admitted to be exceedingly like the dignified Mandarin himself, though somewhat +stouter, clad in better garments, and, it is said, less obtuse of intellect. +This last matter he very much doubts, for he now finds himself unable to +recognize by name one who is undoubtedly entitled to wear the Royal +Yellow.” +</p> + +<p> +With this encouragement Ling once more explained his position, narrating the +events which had enabled him to reach the second chamber of the Yamen. When he +had finished the secretary was overpowered with a high-minded indignation. +</p> + +<p> +“Assuredly those depraved and rapacious persons who have both misled and +robbed you shall suffer bow-stringing when the whole matter is brought to +light,” he exclaimed. “The noble Mandarin neither fasts nor +receives guests, for, indeed, he has slept since the sun went down. This person +would unhesitatingly break his slumber for so commendable a purpose were it not +for a circumstance of intolerable unavoidableness. It must not even be told in +a low breath beyond the walls of the Yamen, but my benevolent and high-born +lord is in reality a person of very miserly instinct, and nothing will call him +from his natural sleep but the sound of taels shaken beside his bed. In an +unexpected manner it comes about that this person is quite unsupplied with +anything but thin printed papers of a thousand taels each, and these are quite +useless for the purpose.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is unendurable that so obliging a person should be put to such +inconvenience on behalf of one who will certainly become a public +laughing-stock at the examinations,” said Ling, with deep feeling; and +taking from a concealed spot in his garments a few taels, he placed them before +the secretary for the use he had indicated. +</p> + +<p> +Ling was again left alone for upwards of two strokes of the gong, and was on +the point of sleep when the secretary returned with an expression of dignified +satisfaction upon his countenance. Concluding that he had been successful in +the manner of awakening the Mandarin, Ling was opening his mouth for a polite +speech, which should contain a delicate allusion to the taels, when the +secretary warned him, by affecting a sudden look of terror, that silence was +exceedingly desirable, and at the same time opened another door and indicated +to Ling that he should pass through. +</p> + +<p> +In the next room Ling was overjoyed to find himself in the presence of the +Mandarin, who received him graciously, and paid many estimable compliments to +the name he bore and the country from which he came. When at length Ling tore +himself from this enchanting conversation, and explained the reason of his +presence, the Mandarin at once became a prey to the whitest and most melancholy +emotions, even plucking two hairs from his pigtail to prove the extent and +conscientiousness of his grief. +</p> + +<p> +“Behold,” he cried at length, “I am resolved that the +extortionate and many-handed persons at Peking who have control of the +examination rites and customs shall no longer grow round-bodied without remark. +This person will unhesitatingly proclaim the true facts of the case without +regarding the danger that the versatile Chancellor or even the sublime Emperor +himself may, while he speaks, be concealed in some part of this unassuming room +to hear his words; for, as it is wisely said, ‘When marked out by +destiny, a person will assuredly be drowned, even though he passes the whole of +his existence among the highest branches of a date tree.’” +</p> + +<p> +“I am overwhelmed that I should be the cause of such an engaging display +of polished agitation,” said Ling, as the Mandarin paused. “If it +would make your own stomach less heavy, this person will willingly follow your +estimable example, either with or without knowing the reason.” +</p> + +<p> +“The matter is altogether on your account, O most unobtrusive young +man,” replied the Mandarin, when a voice without passion was restored to +him. “It tears me internally with hooks to reflect that you, whose +refined ancestors I might reasonably have known had I passed my youth in +another Province, should be victim to the cupidity of the ones in authority at +Peking. A very short time before you arrived there came a messenger in haste +from those persons, clearly indicating that a legal toll of sixteen taels was +to be made on each printed paper setting forth the time and manner of the +examinations, although, as you may see, the paper is undoubtedly marked, +‘Persons are given notice that they are defrauded of any sum which they +may be induced to exchange for this matter.’ Furthermore, there is a +legal toll of nine taels on all persons who have previously been +examined—” +</p> + +<p> +“I am happily escaped from that,” exclaimed Ling with some +satisfaction as the Mandarin paused. +</p> + +<p> +“—and twelve taels on all who present themselves for the first +time. This is to be delivered over when the paper is purchased, so that you, by +reason of this unworthy proceeding at Peking, are required to forward to that +place, through this person, no less than thirty-two taels.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is a circumstance of considerable regret,” replied Ling; +“for had I only reached Canton a day earlier, I should, it appears, have +avoided this evil.” +</p> + +<p> +“Undoubtedly it would have been so,” replied the Mandarin, who had +become engrossed in exalted meditation. “However,” he continued a +moment later, as he bowed to Ling with an accomplished smile, “it would +certainly be a more pleasant thought for a person of your refined intelligence +that had you delayed until to-morrow the insatiable persons at Peking might be +demanding twice the amount.” +</p> + +<p> +Pondering the deep wisdom of this remark, Ling took his departure; but in spite +of the most assiduous watchfulness he was unable to discern any of the three +obliging persons to whose efforts his success had been due. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<p> +It was very late when Ling again reached the small room which he had selected +as soon as he reached Canton, but without waiting for food or sleep he made +himself fully acquainted with the times of the forthcoming examinations and the +details of the circumstances connected with them. With much satisfaction he +found that he had still a week in which to revive his intellect on the most +difficult subjects. Having become relieved on these points, Ling retired for a +few hours’ sleep, but rose again very early, and gave the whole day with +great steadfastness to contemplation of the sacred classics Y-King, with the +exception of a short period spent in purchasing ink, brushes and +writing-leaves. The following day, having become mentally depressed through +witnessing unaccountable hordes of candidates thronging the streets of Canton, +Ling put aside his books, and passed the time in visiting all the most +celebrated tombs in the neighbourhood of the city. Lightened in mind by this +charitable and agreeable occupation, he returned to his studies with a fixed +resolution, nor did he again falter in his purpose. On the evening of the +examination, when he was sitting alone, reading by the aid of a single light, +as his custom was, a person arrived to see him, at the same time manifesting a +considerable appearance of secrecy and reserve. Inwardly sighing at the +interruption, Ling nevertheless received him with distinguished consideration +and respect, setting tea before him, and performing towards it many honourable +actions with his own hands. Not until some hours had sped in conversation +relating to the health of the Emperor, the unexpected appearance of a fiery +dragon outside the city, and the insupportable price of opium, did the visitor +allude to the object of his presence. +</p> + +<p> +“It has been observed,” he remarked, “that the accomplished +Ling, who aspires to a satisfactory rank at the examinations, has never before +made the attempt. Doubtless in this case a preternatural wisdom will avail +much, and its fortunate possessor will not go unrewarded. Yet it is as precious +stones among ashes for one to triumph in such circumstances.” +</p> + +<p> +“The fact is known to this person,” replied Ling sadly, “and +the thought of the years he may have to wait before he shall have passed even +the first degree weighs down his soul with bitterness from time to time.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is no infrequent thing for men of accomplished perseverance, but +merely ordinary intellects, to grow venerable within the four walls of the +examination cell,” continued the other. “Some, again, become +afflicted with various malignant evils, while not a few, chiefly those who are +presenting themselves for the first time, are so overcome on perceiving the +examination paper, and understanding the inadequate nature of their own +accomplishments, that they become an easy prey to the malicious spirits which +are ever on the watch in those places; and, after covering their leaves with +unpresentable remarks and drawings of men and women of distinguished rank, have +at length to be forcibly carried away by the attendants and secured with heavy +chains.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such things undoubtedly exist,” agreed Ling; “yet by a due +regard paid to spirits, both good and bad, a proper esteem for one’s +ancestors, and a sufficiency of charms about the head and body, it is possible +to be closeted with all manner of demons and yet to suffer no evil.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is undoubtedly possible to do so, according to the Immortal +Principles,” admitted the stranger; “but it is not an undertaking +in which a refined person would take intelligent pleasure; as the proverb says, +‘He is a wise and enlightened suppliant who seeks to discover an +honourable Mandarin, but he is a fool who cries out, “I have found +one.”’ However, it is obvious that the reason of my visit is +understood, and that your distinguished confidence in yourself is merely a +graceful endeavour to obtain my services for a less amount of taels than I +should otherwise have demanded. For half the usual sum, therefore, this person +will take your place in the examination cell, and enable your versatile name to +appear in the winning lists, while you pass your moments in irreproachable +pleasures elsewhere.” +</p> + +<p> +Such a course had never presented itself to Ling. As the person who narrates +this story has already marked, he had passed his life beyond the influence of +the ways and manners of towns, and at the same time he had naturally been +endowed with an unobtrusive highmindedness. It appeared to him, in consequence, +that by accepting this engaging offer he would be placing those who were +competing with him at a disadvantage. This person clearly sees that it is a +difficult matter for him to explain how this could be, as Ling would +undoubtedly reward the services of the one who took his place, nor would the +number of the competitors be in any way increased; yet in such a way the thing +took shape before his eyes. Knowing, however, that few persons would be able to +understand this action, and being desirous of not injuring the estimable +emotions of the obliging person who had come to him, Ling made a number of +polished excuses in declining, hiding the true reason within himself. In this +way he earned the powerful malignity of the person in question, who would not +depart until he had effected a number of very disagreeable prophecies connected +with unpropitious omens and internal torments, all of which undoubtedly had a +great influence on Ling’s life beyond that time. +</p> + +<p> +Each day of the examination found Ling alternately elated or depressed, +according to the length and style of the essay which he had written while +enclosed in his solitary examination cell. The trials each lasted a complete +day, and long before the fifteen days which composed the full examination were +passed, Ling found himself half regretting that he had not accepted his +visitor’s offer, or even reviling the day on which he had abandoned the +hereditary calling of his ancestors. However, when, after all was over, he came +to deliberate with himself on his chances of attaining a degree, he could not +disguise from his own mind that he had well-formed hopes; he was not conscious +of any undignified errors, and, in reply to several questions, he had been able +to introduce curious knowledge which he possessed by means of his exceptional +circumstances—knowledge which it was unlikely that any other candidate +would have been able to make himself master of. +</p> + +<p> +At length the day arrived on which the results were to be made public; and +Ling, together with all the other competitors and many distinguished persons, +attended at the great Hall of Intellectual Coloured Lights to hear the reading +of the lists. Eight thousand candidates had been examined, and from this number +less than two hundred were to be selected for appointments. Amid a most +distinguished silence the winning names were read out. Waves of most +undignified but inevitable emotion passed over those assembled as the list +neared its end, and the chances of success became less at each spoken word; and +then, finding that his was not among them, together with the greater part of +those present, he became a prey to very inelegant thoughts, which were not +lessened by the refined cries of triumph of the successful persons. Among this +confusion the one who had read the lists was observed to be endeavouring to +make his voice known, whereupon, in the expectation that he had omitted a name, +the tumult was quickly subdued by those who again had pleasurable visions. +</p> + +<p> +“There was among the candidates one of the name of Ling,” said he, +when no-noise had been obtained. “The written leaves produced by this +person are of a most versatile and conflicting order, so that, indeed, the +accomplished examiners themselves are unable to decide whether they are very +good or very bad. In this matter, therefore, it is clearly impossible to place +the expert and inimitable Ling among the foremost, as his very uncertain +success may have been brought about with the assistance of evil spirits; nor +would it be safe to pass over his efforts without reward, as he may be under +the protection of powerful but exceedingly ill-advised deities. The estimable +Ling is told to appear again at this place after the gong has been struck three +times, when the matter will have been looked at from all round.” +</p> + +<p> +At this announcement there arose another great tumult, several crying out that +assuredly their written leaves were either very good or very bad; but no +further proclamation was made, and very soon the hall was cleared by force. +</p> + +<p> +At the time stated Ling again presented himself at the Hall, and was honourably +received. +</p> + +<p> +“The unusual circumstances of the matter have already been put +forth,” said an elderly Mandarin of engaging appearance, “so that +nothing remains to be made known except the end of our despicable efforts to +come to an agreeable conclusion. In this we have been made successful, and now +desire to notify the result. A very desirable and not unremunerative office, +rarely bestowed in this manner, is lately vacant, and taking into our minds the +circumstances of the event, and the fact that Ling comes from a Province very +esteemed for the warlike instincts of its inhabitants, we have decided to +appoint him commander of the valiant and blood-thirsty band of archers now +stationed at Si-chow, in the Province of Hu-Nan. We have spoken. Let three guns +go off in honour of the noble and invincible Ling, now and henceforth a +commander in the ever-victorious Army of the Sublime Emperor, brother of the +Sun and Moon, and Upholder of the Four Corners of the World.” +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<p> +Many hours passed before Ling, now more downcast in mind than the most +unsuccessful student in Canton, returned to his room and sought his couch of +dried rushes. All his efforts to have his distinguished appointment set aside +had been without avail, and he had been ordered to reach Si-chow within a week. +As he passed through the streets, elegant processions in honour of the winners +met him at every corner, and drove him into the outskirts for the object of +quietness. There he remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of +exulting voices could be heard no more; but even when he returned lanterns +shone in many dwellings, for two hundred persons were composing verses, setting +forth their renown and undoubted accomplishments, ready to affix to their doors +and send to friends on the next day. Not giving any portion of his mind to this +desirable act of behaviour, Ling flung himself upon the floor, and, finding +sleep unattainable, plunged himself into profound meditation of a very +uninviting order. “Without doubt,” he exclaimed, “evil can +only arise from evil, and as this person has always endeavoured to lead a life +in which his devotions have been equally divided between the sacred Emperor, +his illustrious parents, and his venerable ancestors, the fault cannot lie with +him. Of the excellence of his parents he has full knowledge; regarding the +Emperor, it might not be safe to conjecture. It is therefore probable that some +of his ancestors were persons of abandoned manner and inelegant habits, to +worship whom results in evil rather than good. Otherwise, how could it be that +one whose chief delight lies in the passive contemplation of the Four Books and +the Five Classics, should be selected by destiny to fill a position calling for +great personal courage and an aggressive nature? Assuredly it can only end in a +mean and insignificant death, perhaps not even followed by burial.” +</p> + +<p> +In this manner of thought he fell asleep, and after certain very base and +impressive dreams, from which good omens were altogether absent, he awoke, and +rose to begin his preparations for leaving the city. After two days spent +chiefly in obtaining certain safeguards against treachery and the bullets of +foemen, purchasing opium and other gifts with which to propitiate the soldiers +under his charge, and in consulting well-disposed witches and readers of the +future, he set out, and by travelling in extreme discomfort, reached Si-chow +within five days. During his journey he learned that the entire Province was +engaged in secret rebellion, several towns, indeed, having declared against the +Imperial army without reserve. Those persons to whom Ling spoke described the +rebels, with respectful admiration, as fierce and unnaturally skilful in all +methods of fighting, revengeful and merciless towards their enemies, very +numerous and above the ordinary height of human beings, and endowed with +qualities which made their skin capable of turning aside every kind of weapon. +Furthermore, he was assured that a large band of the most abandoned and best +trained was at that moment in the immediate neighbourhood of Si-chow. +</p> + +<p> +Ling was not destined long to remain in any doubt concerning the truth of these +matters, for as he made his way through a dark cypress wood, a few li from the +houses of Si-chow, the sounds of a confused outcry reached his ears, and on +stepping aside to a hidden glade some distance from the path, he beheld a young +and elegant maiden of incomparable beauty being carried away by two persons of +most repulsive and undignified appearance, whose dress and manner clearly +betrayed them to be rebels of the lowest and worst-paid type. At this sight +Ling became possessed of feelings of a savage yet agreeable order, which until +that time he had not conjectured to have any place within his mind, and without +even pausing to consider whether the planets were in favourable positions for +the enterprise to be undertaken at that time, he drew his sword, and ran +forward with loud cries. Unsettled in their intentions at this unexpected +action, the two persons turned and advanced upon Ling with whirling daggers, +discussing among themselves whether it would be better to kill him at the first +blow or to take him alive, and, when the day had become sufficiently cool for +the full enjoyment of the spectacle, submit him to various objectionable +tortures of so degraded a nature that they were rarely used in the army of the +Emperor except upon the persons of barbarians. Observing that the maiden was +not bound, Ling cried out to her to escape and seek protection within the town, +adding, with a magnanimous absence of vanity: +</p> + +<p> +“Should this person chance to fall, the repose which the presence of so +lovely and graceful a being would undoubtedly bring to his departing spirit +would be out-balanced by the unendurable thought that his commonplace efforts +had not been sufficient to save her from the two evilly-disposed individuals +who are, as he perceives, at this moment, neglecting no means within their +power to accomplish his destruction.” Accepting the discernment of these +words, the maiden fled, first bestowing a look upon Ling which clearly +indicated an honourable regard for himself, a high-minded desire that the +affair might end profitably on his account, and an amiable hope that they +should meet again, when these subjects could be expressed more clearly between +them. +</p> + +<p> +In the meantime Ling had become at a disadvantage, for the time occupied in +speaking and in making the necessary number of bows in reply to her entrancing +glance had given the other persons an opportunity of arranging their charms and +sacred written sentences to greater advantage, and of occupying the most +favourable ground for the encounter. Nevertheless, so great was the force of +the new emotion which had entered into Ling’s nature that, without +waiting to consider the dangers or the best method of attack, he rushed upon +them, waving his sword with such force that he appeared as though surrounded by +a circle of very brilliant fire. In this way he reached the rebels, who both +fell unexpectedly at one blow, they, indeed, being under the impression that +the encounter had not commenced in reality, and that Ling was merely menacing +them in order to inspire their minds with terror and raise his own spirits. +However much he regretted this act of the incident which he had been compelled +to take, Ling could not avoid being filled with intellectual joy at finding +that his own charms and omens were more distinguished than those possessed by +the rebels, none of whom, as he now plainly understood, he need fear. +</p> + +<p> +Examining these things within his mind, and reflecting on the events of the +past few days, by which he had been thrown into a class of circumstances +greatly differing from anything which he had ever sought, Ling continued his +journey, and soon found himself before the southern gate of Si-chow. Entering +the town, he at once formed the resolution of going before the Mandarin for +Warlike Deeds and Arrangements, so that he might present, without delay, the +papers and seals which he had brought with him from Canton. +</p> + +<p> +“The noble Mandarin Li Keen?” replied the first person to whom Ling +addressed himself. “It would indeed be a difficult and hazardous +conjecture to make concerning his sacred person. By chance he is in the +strongest and best-concealed cellar in Si-chow, unless the sumptuous +attractions of the deepest dry well have induced him to make a short +journey”; and, with a look of great unfriendliness at Ling’s dress +and weapons, this person passed on. +</p> + +<p> +“Doubtless he is fighting single-handed against the armed men by whom the +place is surrounded,” said another; “or perhaps he is constructing +an underground road from the Yamen to Peking, so that we may all escape when +the town is taken. All that can be said with certainty is that the Heaven-sent +and valorous Mandarin has not been seen outside the walls of his well-fortified +residence since the trouble arose; but, as you carry a sword of conspicuous +excellence, you will doubtless be welcome.” +</p> + +<p> +Upon making a third attempt Ling was more successful, for he inquired of an +aged woman, who had neither a reputation for keen and polished sentences to +maintain, nor any interest in the acts of the Mandarin or of the rebels. From +her he learned how to reach the Yamen, and accordingly turned his footsteps in +that direction. When at length he arrived at the gate, Ling desired his tablets +to be carried to the Mandarin with many expressions of an impressive and +engaging nature, nor did he neglect to reward the porter. It was therefore with +the expression of a misunderstanding mind that he received a reply setting +forth that Li Keen was unable to receive him. In great doubt he prevailed upon +the porter, by means of a still larger reward, again to carry in his message, +and on this occasion an answer in this detail was placed before him. +</p> + +<p> +“Li Keen,” he was informed, “is indeed awaiting the arrival +of one Ling, a noble and valiant Commander of Bowmen. He is given to +understand, it is true, that a certain person claiming the same honoured name +is standing in somewhat undignified attitudes at the gate, but he is unable in +any way to make these two individuals meet within his intellect. He would +further remind all persons that the refined observances laid down by the wise +and exalted Board of Rites and Ceremonies have a marked and irreproachable +significance when the country is in a state of disorder, the town surrounded by +rebels, and every breathing-space of time of more than ordinary value.” +</p> + +<p> +Overpowered with becoming shame at having been connected with so unseemly a +breach of civility, for which his great haste had in reality been accountable, +Ling hastened back into the town, and spent many hours endeavouring to obtain a +chair of the requisite colour in which to visit the Mandarin. In this he was +unsuccessful, until it was at length suggested to him that an ordinary chair, +such as stood for hire in the streets of Si-chow, would be acceptable if +covered with blue paper. Still in some doubt as to what the nature of his +reception would be, Ling had no choice but to take this course, and accordingly +he again reached the Yamen in such a manner, carried by two persons whom he had +obtained for the purpose. While yet hardly at the residence a salute was +suddenly fired; all the gates and doors were, without delay, thrown open with +embarrassing and hospitable profusion, and the Mandarin himself passed out, and +would have assisted Ling to step down from his chair had not that person, +clearly perceiving that such a course would be too great an honour, evaded him +by an unobtrusive display of versatile dexterity. So numerous and profound were +the graceful remarks which each made concerning the habits and accomplishments +of the other that more than the space of an hour was passed in traversing the +small enclosed ground which led up to the principal door of the Yamen. There an +almost greater time was agreeably spent, both Ling and the Mandarin having +determined that the other should enter first. Undoubtedly Ling, who was the +more powerful of the two, would have conferred this courteous distinction upon +Li Keen had not that person summoned to his side certain attendants who +succeeded in frustrating Ling in his high-minded intentions, and in forcing him +through the doorway in spite of his conscientious protests against the +unsurmountable obligation under which the circumstance placed him. +</p> + +<p> +Conversing in this intellectual and dignified manner, the strokes of the gong +passed unheeded; tea had been brought into their presence many times, and night +had fallen before the Mandarin allowed Ling to refer to the matter which had +brought him to the place, and to present his written papers and seals. +</p> + +<p> +“It is a valuable privilege to have so intelligent a person as the +illustrious Ling occupying this position,” remarked the Mandarin, as he +returned the papers; “and not less so on account of the one who preceded +him proving himself to be a person of feeble attainments and an unendurable +deficiency of resource.” +</p> + +<p> +“To one with the all-knowing Li Keen’s mental acquisitions, such a +person must indeed have become excessively offensive,” replied Ling +delicately; “for, as it is truly said, ‘Although there exist many +thousand subjects for elegant conversation, there are persons who cannot meet a +cripple without talking about feet.’” +</p> + +<p> +“He to whom I have referred was such a one,” said Li Keen, +appreciating with an expression of countenance the fitness of Ling’s +proverb. “He was totally inadequate to the requirements of his position; +for he possessed no military knowledge, and was placed in command by those at +Peking as a result of his taking a high place at one of the examinations. But +more than this, although his three years of service were almost completed, I +was quite unsuccessful in convincing him that an unseemly degradation probably +awaited him unless he could furnish me with the means with which to propitiate +the persons in authority at Peking. This he neglected to do with obstinate +pertinacity, which compelled this person to inquire within himself whether one +of so little discernment could be trusted with an important and arduous office. +After much deliberation, this person came to the decision that the Commander in +question was not a fit person, and he therefore reported him to the Imperial +Board of Punishment at Peking as one subject to frequent and periodical +eccentricities, and possessed of less than ordinary intellect. In consequence +of this act of justice, the Commander was degraded to the rank of common +bowman, and compelled to pay a heavy fine in addition.” +</p> + +<p> +“It was a just and enlightened conclusion of the affair,” said +Ling, in spite of a deep feeling of no enthusiasm, “and one which +surprisingly bore out your own prophecy in the matter.” +</p> + +<p> +“It was an inspired warning to persons who should chance to be in a like +position at any time,” replied Li Keen. “So grasping and corrupt +are those who control affairs in Peking that I have no doubt they would +scarcely hesitate in debasing even one so immaculate as the exceptional Ling, +and placing him in some laborious and ill-paid civil department should he not +accede to their extortionate demands.” +</p> + +<p> +This suggestion did not carry with it the unpleasurable emotions which the +Mandarin anticipated it would. The fierce instincts which had been aroused +within Ling by the incident in the cypress wood had died out, while his +lamentable ignorance of military affairs was ever before his mind. These +circumstances, together with his naturally gentle habits, made him regard such +a degradation rather favourably than otherwise. He was meditating within +himself whether he could arrange such a course without delay when the Mandarin +continued: +</p> + +<p> +“That, however, is a possibility which is remote to the extent of at +least two or three years; do not, therefore, let so unpleasing a thought cast +darkness upon your brows or remove the unparalleled splendour of so refined an +occasion... Doubtless the accomplished Ling is a master of the art of +chess-play, for many of our most thoughtful philosophers have declared war to +be nothing but such a game; let this slow-witted and cumbersome person have an +opportunity, therefore, of polishing his declining facilities by a pleasant and +dignified encounter.” +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<p> +On the next day, having completed his business at the Yamen, Ling left the +town, and without desiring any ceremony quietly betook himself to his new +residence within the camp, which was situated among the millet fields some +distance from Si-chow. As soon as his presence became known all those who +occupied positions of command, and whose years of service would shortly come to +an end, hastened to present themselves before him, bringing with them offerings +according to the rank they held, they themselves requiring a similar service +from those beneath them. First among these, and next in command to Ling +himself, was the Chief of Bowmen, a person whom Ling observed with extreme +satisfaction to be very powerful in body and possessing a strong and dignified +countenance which showed unquestionable resolution and shone with a tiger-like +tenaciousness of purpose. +</p> + +<p> +“Undoubtedly,” thought Ling, as he observed this noble and +prepossessing person, “here is one who will be able to assist me in +whatever perplexities may arise. Never was there an individual who seemed more +worthy to command and lead; assuredly to him the most intricate and prolonged +military positions will be an enjoyment; the most crafty stratagems of the +enemy as the full moon rising from behind a screen of rushes. Without making +any pretence of knowledge, this person will explain the facts of the case to +him and place himself without limit in his hands.” +</p> + +<p> +For this purpose he therefore detained the Chief of Bowmen when the others +departed, and complimented him, with many expressive phrases, on the excellence +of his appearance, as the thought occurred to him that by this means, without +disclosing the full measure of his ignorance, the person in question might be +encouraged to speak unrestrainedly of the nature of his exploits, and perchance +thereby explain the use of the appliances employed and the meaning of the +various words of order, in all of which details the Commander was as yet most +disagreeably imperfect. In this, however, he was disappointed, for the Chief of +Bowmen, greatly to Ling’s surprise, received all his polished sentences +with somewhat foolish smiles of great self-satisfaction, merely replying from +time to time as he displayed his pigtail to greater advantage or rearranged his +gold-embroidered cloak: +</p> + +<p> +“This person must really pray you to desist; the honour is indeed too +great.” +</p> + +<p> +Disappointed in his hope, and not desiring after this circumstance to expose +his shortcomings to one who was obviously not of a highly-refined +understanding, no matter how great his valour in war or his knowledge of +military affairs might be, Ling endeavoured to lead him to converse of the +bowmen under his charge. In this matter he was more successful, for the Chief +spoke at great length and with evilly-inspired contempt of their inelegance, +their undiscriminating and excessive appetites, and the frequent use which they +made of low words and gestures. Desiring to become acquainted rather with their +methods of warfare than with their domestic details, Ling inquired of him what +formation they relied upon when receiving the foemen. +</p> + +<p> +“It is a matter which has not engaged the attention of this one,” +replied the Chief, with an excessive absence of interest. “There are so +many affairs of intelligent dignity which cannot be put aside, and which occupy +one from beginning to end. As an example, this person may describe how the +accomplished Li-Lu, generally depicted as the Blue-eyed Dove of Virtuous and +Serpent-like Attitudes, has been scattering glory upon the Si-chow Hall of +Celestial Harmony for many days past. It is an enlightened display which the +high-souled Ling should certainly endeavour to dignify with his presence, +especially at the portion where the amiable Li-Lu becomes revealed in the +appearance of a Peking sedan-chair bearer and describes the manner and +likenesses of certain persons—chiefly high-priests of Buddha, excessively +round-bodied merchants who feign to be detained within Peking on affairs of +commerce, maidens who attend at the tables of tea-houses, and those of both +sexes who are within the city for the first time to behold its temples and open +spaces—who are conveyed from place to place in the chair.” +</p> + +<p> +“And the bowmen?” suggested Ling, with difficulty restraining an +undignified emotion. +</p> + +<p> +“Really, the elegant Ling will discover them to be persons of deficient +manners, and quite unworthy of occupying his well-bred conversation,” +replied the Chief. “As regards their methods—if the renowned Ling +insists—they fight by means of their bows, with which they discharge +arrows at the foemen, they themselves hiding behind trees and rocks. Should the +enemy be undisconcerted by the cloud of arrows, and advance, the bowmen are +instructed to make a last endeavour to frighten them back by uttering loud +shouts and feigning the voices of savage beasts of the forest and deadly +snakes.” +</p> + +<p> +“And beyond that?” inquired Ling. +</p> + +<p> +“Beyond that there are no instructions,” replied the Chief. +“The bowmen would then naturally take to flight, or, if such a course +became impossible, run to meet the enemy, protesting that they were convinced +of the justice of their cause, and were determined to fight on their side in +the future.” +</p> + +<p> +“Would it not be of advantage to arm them with cutting weapons +also?” inquired Ling; “so that when all their arrows were +discharged they would still be able to take part in the fight, and not be lost +to us?” +</p> + +<p> +“They would not be lost to us, of course,” replied the Chief, +“as we would still be with them. But such a course as the one you suggest +could not fail to end in dismay. Being as well armed as ourselves, they would +then turn upon us, and, having destroyed us, proceed to establish leaders of +their own.” +</p> + +<p> +As Ling and the Chief of Bowmen conversed in this enlightened manner, there +arose a great outcry from among the tents, and presently there entered to them +a spy who had discovered a strong force of the enemy not more than ten or +twelve li away, who showed every indication of marching shortly in the +direction of Si-chow. In numbers alone, he continued, they were greatly +superior to the bowmen, and all were well armed. The spreading of this news +threw the entire camp into great confusion, many protesting that the day was +not a favourable one on which to fight, others crying that it was their duty to +fall back on Si-chow and protect the women and children. In the midst of this +tumult the Chief of Bowmen returned to Ling, bearing in his hand a written +paper which he regarded in uncontrollable anguish. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, illustrious Ling,” he cried, restraining his grief with +difficulty, and leaning for support upon the shoulders of two bowmen, +“how prosperous indeed are you! What greater misfortune can engulf a +person who is both an ambitious soldier and an affectionate son, than to lose +such a chance of glory and promotion as only occurs once within the lifetime, +and an affectionate and venerable father upon the same day? Behold this mandate +to attend, without a moment’s delay, at the funeral obsequies of one whom +I left, only last week, in the fullness of health and power. The occasion being +an unsuitable one, I will not call upon the courteous Ling to join me in +sorrow; but his own devout filial piety is so well known that I can +conscientiously rely upon an application for absence to be only a matter of +official ceremony.” +</p> + +<p> +“The application will certainly be regarded as merely official +ceremony,” replied Ling, without resorting to any delicate pretence of +meaning, “and the refined scruples of the person who is addressing me +will be fully met by the official date of his venerated father’s death +being fixed for a more convenient season. In the meantime, the unobtrusive +Chief of Bowmen may take the opportunity of requesting that the family tomb be +kept unsealed until he is heard from again.” +</p> + +<p> +Ling turned away, as he finished this remark, with a dignified feeling of not +inelegant resentment. In this way he chanced to observe a large body of +soldiers which was leaving the camp accompanied by their lesser captains, all +crowned with garlands of flowers and creeping plants. In spite of his very +inadequate attainments regarding words of order, the Commander made it +understood by means of an exceedingly short sentence that he was desirous of +the men returning without delay. +</p> + +<p> +“Doubtless the accomplished Commander, being but newly arrived in this +neighbourhood, is unacquainted with the significance of this display,” +said one of the lesser captains pleasantly. “Know then, O wise and +custom-respecting Ling, that on a similar day many years ago this valiant band +of bowmen was engaged in a very honourable affair with certain of the enemy. +Since then it has been the practice to commemorate the matter with music and +other forms of delight within the large square at Si-chow.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such customs are excellent,” said Ling affably. “On this +occasion, however, the public square will be so insufferably thronged with the +number of timorous and credulous villagers who have pressed into the town that +insufficient justice would be paid to your entrancing display. In consequence +of this, we will select for the purpose some convenient spot in the +neighbourhood. The proceedings will be commenced by a display of arrow-shooting +at moving objects, followed by racing and dancing, in which this person will +lead. I have spoken.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words many of the more courageous among the bowmen became +destructively inspired, and raised shouts of defiance against the enemy, +enumerating at great length the indignities which they would heap upon their +prisoners. Cries of distinction were also given on behalf of Ling, even the +more terrified exclaiming: +</p> + +<p> +“The noble Commander Ling will lead us! He has promised, and assuredly he +will not depart from his word. Shielded by his broad and sacred body, from +which the bullets glance aside harmlessly, we will advance upon the enemy in +the stealthy manner affected by ducks when crossing the swamp. How altogether +superior a person our Commander is when likened unto the leaders of the +foemen—they who go into battle completely surrounded by their +archers!” +</p> + +<p> +Upon this, perceiving the clear direction in which matters were turning, the +Chief of Bowmen again approached Ling. +</p> + +<p> +“Doubtless the highly-favoured person whom I am now addressing has been +endowed with exceptional authority direct from Peking,” he remarked with +insidious politeness. “Otherwise this narrow-minded individual would +suggest that such a decision does not come within the judgment of a +Commander.” +</p> + +<p> +In his ignorance of military matters it had not entered the mind of Ling that +his authority did not give him the power to commence an attack without +consulting other and more distinguished persons. At the suggestion, which he +accepted as being composed of truth, he paused, the enlightened zeal with which +he had been inspired dying out as he plainly understood the difficulties by +which he was enclosed. There seemed a single expedient path for him in the +matter; so, directing a person of exceptional trustworthiness to prepare +himself for a journey, he inscribed a communication to the Mandarin Li Keen, in +which he narrated the facts and asked for speedy directions, and then +despatched it with great urgency to Si-chow. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<p> +When these matters were arranged, Ling returned to his tent, a victim to +feelings of a deep and confused doubt, for all courses seemed to be surrounded +by extreme danger, with the strong possibility of final disaster. While he was +considering these things attentively, the spy who had brought word of the +presence of the enemy again sought him. As he entered, Ling perceived that his +face was the colour of a bleached linen garment, while there came with him the +odour of sickness. +</p> + +<p> +“There are certain matters which this person has not made known,” +he said, having first expressed a request that he might not be compelled to +stand while he conversed. “The bowmen are as an inferior kind of jackal, +and they who lead them are pigs, but this person has observed that the +Heaven-sent Commander has internal organs like steel hardened in a white fire +and polished by running water. For this reason he will narrate to him the +things he has seen—things at which the lesser ones would undoubtedly +perish in terror without offering to strike a blow.” +</p> + +<p> +“Speak,” said Ling, “without fear and without +concealment.” +</p> + +<p> +“In numbers the rebels are as three to one with the bowmen, and are, in +addition, armed with matchlocks and other weapons; this much I have already +told,” said the spy. “Yesterday they entered the village of Ki +without resistance, as the dwellers there were all peaceable persons, who gain +a living from the fields, and who neither understood nor troubled about the +matters between the rebels and the army. Relying on the promises made by the +rebel chiefs, the villagers even welcomed them, as they had been assured that +they came as buyers of their corn and rice. To-day not a house stands in the +street of Ki, not a person lives. The men they slew quickly, or held for +torture, as they desired at the moment; the boys they hung from the trees as +marks for their arrows. Of the women and children this person, who has since +been subject to several attacks of fainting and vomiting, desires not to speak. +The wells of Ki are filled with the bodies of such as had the good fortune to +be warned in time to slay themselves. The cattle drag themselves from place to +place on their forefeet; the fish in the Heng-Kiang are dying, for they cannot +live on water thickened into blood. All these things this person has +seen.” +</p> + +<p> +When he had finished speaking, Ling remained in deep and funereal thought for +some time. In spite of his mild nature, the words which he had heard filled him +with an inextinguishable desire to slay in hand-to-hand fighting. He regretted +that he had placed the decision of the matter before Li Keen. +</p> + +<p> +“If only this person had a mere handful of brave and expert warriors, he +would not hesitate to fall upon those savage and barbarous characters, and +either destroy them to the last one, or let his band suffer a like fate,” +he murmured to himself. +</p> + +<p> +The return of the messenger found him engaged in reviewing the bowmen, and +still in this mood, so that it was with a commendable feeling of satisfaction, +no less than virtuous contempt, that he learned of the Mandarin’s journey +to Peking as soon as he understood that the rebels were certainly in the +neighbourhood. +</p> + +<p> +“The wise and ornamental Li Keen is undoubtedly consistent in all +matters,” said Ling, with some refined bitterness. “The only +information regarding his duties which this person obtained from him chanced to +be a likening of war to skilful chess-play, and to this end the accomplished +person in question has merely availed himself of a common expedient which +places him at the remote side of the divine Emperor. Yet this act is not +unwelcome, for the responsibility of deciding what course is to be adopted now +clearly rests with this person. He is, as those who are standing by may +perceive, of under the usual height, and of no particular mental or bodily +attainments. But he has eaten the rice of the Emperor, and wears the Imperial +sign embroidered upon his arm. Before him are encamped the enemies of his +master and of his land, and in no way will he turn his back upon them. Against +brave and skilful men, such as those whom this person commands, rebels of a low +and degraded order are powerless, and are, moreover, openly forbidden to +succeed by the Forty-second Mandate in the Sacred Book of Arguments. Should it +have happened that into this assembly any person of a perfidious or +uncourageous nature has gained entrance by guile, and has not been detected and +driven forth by his outraged companions (as would certainly occur if such a +person were discovered), I, Ling, Commander of Bowmen, make an especial and +well-considered request that he shall be struck by a molten thunderbolt if he +turns to flight or holds thoughts of treachery.” +</p> + +<p> +Having thus addressed and encouraged the soldiers, Ling instructed them that +each one should cut and fashion for himself a graceful but weighty club from +among the branches of the trees around, and then return to the tents for the +purpose of receiving food and rice spirit. +</p> + +<p> +When noon was passed, allowing such time as would enable him to reach the camp +of the enemy an hour before darkness, Ling arranged the bowmen in companies of +convenient numbers, and commenced the march, sending forward spies, who were to +work silently and bring back tidings from every point. In this way he +penetrated to within a single li of the ruins of Ki, being informed by the +spies that no outposts of the enemy were between him and that place. Here the +first rest was made to enable the more accurate and bold spies to reach them +with trustworthy information regarding the position and movements of the camp. +With little delay there returned the one who had brought the earliest tidings, +bruised and torn with his successful haste through the forest, but wearing a +complacent and well-satisfied expression of countenance. Without hesitation or +waiting to demand money before he would reveal his knowledge, he at once +disclosed that the greater part of the enemy were rejoicing among the ruins of +Ki, they having discovered there a quantity of opium and a variety of liquids, +while only a small guard remained in the camp with their weapons ready. At +these words Ling sprang from the ground in gladness, so great was his certainty +of destroying the invaders utterly. It was, however, with less pleasurable +emotions that he considered how he should effect the matter, for it was in no +way advisable to divide his numbers into two bands. Without any feeling of +unendurable conceit, he understood that no one but himself could hold the +bowmen before an assault, however weak. In a similar manner, he determined that +it would be more advisable to attack those in the village first. These he might +have reasonable hopes of cutting down without warning the camp, or, in any +event, before those from the camp arrived. To assail the camp first would +assuredly, by the firing, draw upon them those from the village, and in +whatever evil state these might arrive, they would, by their numbers, terrify +the bowmen, who without doubt would have suffered some loss from the +matchlocks. +</p> + +<p> +Waiting for the last light of day, Ling led on the men again, and sending +forward some of the most reliable, surrounded the place of the village silently +and without detection. In the open space, among broken casks and other +inconsiderable matters, plainly shown by the large fires at which burned the +last remains of the houses of Ki, many men moved or lay, some already dull or +in heavy sleep. As the darkness dropped suddenly, the signal of a +peacock’s shriek, three times uttered, rang forth, and immediately a +cloud of arrows, directed from all sides, poured in among those who feasted. +Seeing their foemen defenceless before them, the archers neglected the orders +they had received, and throwing away their bows they rushed in with uplifted +clubs, uttering loud shouts of triumph. The next moment a shot was fired in the +wood, drums beat, and in an unbelievably short space of time a small but +well-armed band of the enemy was among them. Now that all need of caution was +at an end, Ling rushed forward with raised sword, calling to his men that +victory was certainly theirs, and dealing discriminating and inspiriting blows +whenever he met a foeman. Three times he formed the bowmen into a figure +emblematic of triumph, and led them against the line of matchlocks. Twice they +fell back, leaving mingled dead under the feet of the enemy. The third time +they stood firm, and Ling threw himself against the waving rank in a noble and +inspired endeavour to lead the way through. At that moment, when a very +distinguished victory seemed within his hand, his elegant and well-constructed +sword broke upon an iron shield, leaving him defenceless and surrounded by the +enemy. +</p> + +<p> +“Chief among the sublime virtues enjoined by the divine Confucius,” +began Ling, folding his arms and speaking in an unmoved voice, “is an +intelligent submission—” but at that word he fell beneath a rain of +heavy and unquestionably well-aimed blows. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<p> +Between Si-chow and the village of Ki, in a house completely hidden from +travellers by the tall and black trees which surrounded it, lived an aged and +very wise person whose ways and manner of living had become so distasteful to +his neighbours that they at length agreed to regard him as a powerful and +ill-disposed magician. In this way it became a custom that all very unseemly +deeds committed by those who, in the ordinary course, would not be guilty of +such behaviour, should be attributed to his influence, so that justice might be +effected without persons of assured respectability being put to any +inconvenience. Apart from the feeling which resulted from this just decision, +the uncongenial person in question had become exceedingly unpopular on account +of certain definite actions of his own, as that of causing the greater part of +Si-chow to be burned down by secretly breathing upon the seven sacred +water-jugs to which the town owed its prosperity and freedom from fire. +Furthermore, although possessed of many taels, and able to afford such food as +is to be found upon the tables of Mandarins, he selected from choice dishes of +an objectionable nature; he had been observed to eat eggs of unbecoming +freshness, and the Si-chow Official Printed Leaf made it public that he had, on +an excessively hot occasion, openly partaken of cow’s milk. It is not a +matter for wonder, therefore, that when unnaturally loud thunder was heard in +the neighbourhood of Si-chow the more ignorant and credulous persons refused to +continue in any description of work until certain ceremonies connected with +rice spirit, and the adherence to a reclining position for some hours, had been +conscientiously observed as a protection against evil. +</p> + +<p> +Not even the most venerable person in Si-chow could remember the time when the +magician had not lived there, and as there existed no written record narrating +the incident, it was with well-founded probability that he was said to be +incapable of death. Contrary to the most general practice, although quite +unmarried, he had adopted no son to found a line which would worship his memory +in future years, but had instead brought up and caused to be educated in the +most difficult varieties of embroidery a young girl, to whom he referred, for +want of a more suitable description, as the daughter of his sister, although he +would admit without hesitation, when closely questioned, that he had never +possessed a sister, at the same time, however, alluding with some pride to many +illustrious brothers, who had all obtained distinction in various employments. +</p> + +<p> +Few persons of any high position penetrated into the house of the magician, and +most of these retired with inelegant haste on perceiving that no domestic altar +embellished the great hall. Indeed, not to make concealment of the fact, the +magician was a person who had entirely neglected the higher virtues in an +avaricious pursuit of wealth. In that way all his time and a very large number +of taels had been expended, testing results by means of the four elements, and +putting together things which had been inadequately arrived at by others. It +was confidently asserted in Si-chow that he possessed every manner of printed +leaf which had been composed in whatsoever language, and all the most precious +charms, including many snake-skins of more than ordinary rarity, and the fang +of a black wolf which had been stung by seven scorpions. +</p> + +<p> +On the death of his father the magician had become possessed of great wealth, +yet he contributed little to the funeral obsequies nor did any suggestion of a +durable and expensive nature conveying his enlightened name and virtues down to +future times cause his face to become gladdened. In order to preserve greater +secrecy about the enchantments which he certainly performed, he employed only +two persons within the house, one of whom was blind and the other deaf. In this +ingenious manner he hoped to receive attention and yet be unobserved, the blind +one being unable to see the nature of the incantations which he undertook, and +the deaf one being unable to hear the words. In this, however, he was +unsuccessful, as the two persons always contrived to be present together, and +to explain to one another the nature of the various matters afterwards; but as +they were of somewhat deficient understanding, the circumstance was +unimportant. +</p> + +<p> +It was with more uneasiness that the magician perceived one day that the maiden +whom he had adopted was no longer a child. As he desired secrecy above all +things until he should have completed the one important matter for which he had +laboured all his life, he decided with extreme unwillingness to put into +operation a powerful charm towards her, which would have the effect of +diminishing all her attributes until such time as he might release her again. +Owing to his reluctance in the matter, however, the magic did not act fully, +but only in such a way that her feet became naturally and without binding the +most perfect and beautiful in the entire province of Hu Nan, so that ever +afterwards she was called Pan Fei Mian, in delicate reference to that Empress +whose feet were so symmetrical that a golden lily sprang up wherever she trod. +Afterwards the magician made no further essay in the matter, chiefly because he +was ever convinced that the accomplishment of his desire was within his grasp. +</p> + +<p> +The rumours of armed men in the neighbourhood of Si-chow threw the magician +into an unendurable condition of despair. To lose all, as would most assuredly +happen if he had to leave his arranged rooms and secret preparations and take +to flight, was the more bitter because he felt surer than ever that success was +even standing by his side. The very subtle liquid, which would mix itself into +the component parts of the living creature which drank it, and by an insidious +and harmless process so work that, when the spirit departed, the flesh would +become resolved into a figure of pure and solid gold of the finest quality, had +engaged the refined minds of many of the most expert individuals of remote +ages. With most of these inspired persons, however, the search had been +undertaken in pure-minded benevolence, their chief aim being an honourable +desire to discover a method by which one’s ancestors might be permanently +and effectively preserved in a fit and becoming manner to receive the worship +and veneration of posterity. Yet, in spite of these amiable motives, and of the +fact that the magician merely desired the possession of the secret to enable +him to become excessively wealthy, the affair had been so arranged that it +should come into his possession. +</p> + +<p> +The matter which concerned Mian in the dark wood, when she was only saved by +the appearance of the person who is already known as Ling, entirely removed all +pleasurable emotions from the magician’s mind, and on many occasions he +stated in a definite and systematic manner that he would shortly end an ignoble +career which seemed to be destined only to gloom and disappointment. In this +way an important misunderstanding arose, for when, two days later, during the +sound of matchlock firing, the magician suddenly approached the presence of +Mian with an uncontrollable haste and an entire absence of dignified demeanour, +and fell dead at her feet without expressing himself on any subject whatever, +she deliberately judged that in this manner he had carried his remark into +effect, nor did the closed vessel of yellow liquid which he held in his hand +seem to lead away from this decision. In reality, the magician had fallen owing +to the heavy and conflicting emotions which success had engendered in an +intellect already greatly weakened by his continual disregard of the higher +virtues; for the bottle, indeed, contained the perfection of his entire +life’s study, the very expensive and three-times purified gold liquid. +</p> + +<p> +On perceiving the magician’s condition, Mian at once called for the two +attendants, and directed them to bring from an inner chamber all the most +effective curing substances, whether in the form of powder or liquid. When +these proved useless, no matter in what way they were applied, it became +evident that there could be very little hope of restoring the magician, yet so +courageous and grateful for the benefits which she had received from the person +in question was Mian, that, in spite of the uninviting dangers of the +enterprise, she determined to journey to Ki to invoke the assistance of a +certain person who was known to be very successful in casting out malicious +demons from the bodies of animals, and from casks and barrels, in which they +frequently took refuge, to the great detriment of the quality of the liquid +placed therein. +</p> + +<p> +Not without many hidden fears, Mian set out on her journey, greatly desiring +not to be subjected to an encounter of a nature similar to the one already +recorded; for in such a case she could hardly again hope for the inspired +arrival of the one whom she now often thought of in secret as the well-formed +and symmetrical young sword-user. Nevertheless, an event of equal significance +was destined to prove the wisdom of the well-known remark concerning thoughts +which are occupying one’s intellect and the unexpected appearance of a +very formidable evil spirit; for as she passed along, quickly yet with so +dignified a motion that the moss received no impression beneath her footsteps, +she became aware of a circumstance which caused her to stop by imparting to her +mind two definite and greatly dissimilar emotions. +</p> + +<p> +In a grassy and open space, on the verge of which she stood, lay the dead +bodies of seventeen rebels, all disposed in very degraded attitudes, which +contrasted strongly with the easy and becoming position adopted by the +eighteenth—one who bore the unmistakable emblems of the Imperial army. In +this brave and noble-looking personage Mian at once saw her preserver, and not +doubting that an inopportune and treacherous death had overtaken him, she ran +forward and raised him in her arms, being well assured that however indiscreet +such an action might appear in the case of an ordinary person, the most select +maiden need not hesitate to perform so honourable a service in regard to one +whose virtues had by that time undoubtedly placed him among the Three Thousand +Pure Ones. Being disturbed in this providential manner, Ling opened his eyes, +and faintly murmuring, “Oh, sainted and adorable Koon Yam, Goddess of +Charity, intercede for me with Buddha!” he again lost possession of +himself in the Middle Air. At this remark, which plainly proved Ling to be +still alive, in spite of the fact that both the maiden and the person himself +had thoughts to the contrary, Mian found herself surrounded by a variety of +embarrassing circumstances, among which occurred a remembrance of the dead +magician and the wise person at Ki whom she had set out to summon; but on +considering the various natural and sublime laws which bore directly on the +alternative before her, she discovered that her plain destiny was to endeavour +to restore the breath in the person who was still alive rather than engage on +the very unsatisfactory chance of attempting to call it back to the body from +which it had so long been absent. +</p> + +<p> +Having been inspired to this conclusion—which, when she later examined +her mind, she found not to be repulsive to her own inner feelings—Mian +returned to the house with dexterous speed, and calling together the two +attendants, she endeavoured by means of signs and drawings to explain to them +what she desired to accomplish. Succeeding in this after some delay (for the +persons in question, being very illiterate and narrow-minded, were unable at +first to understand the existence of any recumbent male person other than the +dead magician, whom they thereupon commenced to bury in the garden with +expressions of great satisfaction at their own intelligence in comprehending +Mian’s meaning so readily) they all journeyed to the wood, and bearing +Ling between them, they carried him to the house without further adventure. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<p> +It was in the month of Hot Dragon Breaths, many weeks after the fight in the +woods of Ki, that Ling again opened his eyes to find himself in an unknown +chamber, and to recognize in the one who visited him from time to time the +incomparable maiden whose life he had saved in the cypress glade. Not a day had +passed in the meanwhile on which Mian had neglected to offer sacrifices to +Chang-Chung, the deity interested in drugs and healing substances, nor had she +wavered in her firm resolve to bring Ling back to an ordinary existence even +when the attendants had protested that the person in question might without +impropriety be sent to the Restoring Establishment of the Last Chance, so +little did his hope of recovering rest upon the efforts of living beings. +</p> + +<p> +After he had beheld Mian’s face and understood the circumstances of his +escape and recovery, Ling quickly shook off the evil vapours which had held him +down so long, and presently he was able to walk slowly in the courtyard and in +the shady paths of the wood beyond, leaning upon Mian for the support he still +required. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, graceful one,” he said on such an occasion, when little stood +between him and the full powers which he had known before the battle, +“there is a matter which has been pressing upon this person’s mind +for some time past. It is as dark after light to let the thoughts dwell around +it, yet the thing itself must inevitably soon be regarded, for in this life +one’s actions are for ever regulated by conditions which are neither of +one’s own seeking nor within one’s power of controlling.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words all brightness left Mian’s manner, for she at once +understood that Ling referred to his departure, of which she herself had lately +come to think with unrestrained agitation. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Ling,” she exclaimed at length, “most expert of +sword-users and most noble of men, surely never was a maiden more inelegantly +placed than the one who is now by your side. To you she owes her life, yet it +is unseemly for her even to speak of the incident; to you she must look for +protection, yet she cannot ask you to stay by her side. She is indeed alone. +The magician is dead, Ki has fallen, Ling is going, and Mian is undoubtedly the +most unhappy and solitary person between the Wall and the Nan Hai.” +</p> + +<p> +“Beloved Mian,” exclaimed Ling, with inspiring vehemence, +“and is not the utterly unworthy person before you indebted to you in a +double measure that life is still within him? Is not the strength which now +promotes him to such exceptional audacity as to aspire to your lovely hand, of +your own creating? Only encourage Ling to entertain a well-founded hope that on +his return he shall not find you partaking of the wedding feast of some wealthy +and exceptionally round-bodied Mandarin, and this person will accomplish the +journey to Canton and back as it were in four strides.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Ling, reflexion of my ideal, holder of my soul, it would indeed be +very disagreeable to my own feelings to make any reply save one,” replied +Mian, scarcely above a breath-voice. “Gratitude alone would direct me, +were it not that the great love which fills me leaves no resting-place for any +other emotion than itself. Go if you must, but return quickly, for your absence +will weigh upon Mian like a dragon-dream.” +</p> + +<p> +“Violet light of my eyes,” exclaimed Ling, “even in +surroundings which with the exception of the matter before us are uninspiring +in the extreme, your virtuous and retiring encouragement yet raises me to such +a commanding eminence of demonstrative happiness that I fear I shall become +intolerably self-opinionated towards my fellow-men in consequence.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such a thing is impossible with my Ling,” said Mian, with +conviction. “But must you indeed journey to Canton?” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” replied Ling, “gladly would this person decide +against such a course did the matter rest with him, for as the Verses say, +‘It is needless to apply the ram’s head to the unlocked +door.’ But Ki is demolished, the unassuming Mandarin Li Keen has retired +to Peking, and of the fortunes of his bowmen this person is entirely +ignorant.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such as survived returned to their homes,” replied Mian, +“and Si-chow is safe, for the scattered and broken rebels fled to the +mountains again; so much this person has learned.” +</p> + +<p> +“In that case Si-chow is undoubtedly safe for the time, and can be left +with prudence,” said Ling. “It is an unfortunate circumstance that +there is no Mandarin of authority between here and Canton who can receive from +this person a statement of past facts and give him instructions for the +future.” +</p> + +<p> +“And what will be the nature of such instructions as will be given at +Canton?” demanded Mian. +</p> + +<p> +“By chance they may take the form of raising another company of +bowmen,” said Ling, with a sigh, “but, indeed, if this person can +obtain any weight by means of his past service, they will tend towards a +pleasant and unambitious civil appointment.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, my artless and noble-minded lover!” exclaimed Mian, +“assuredly a veil has been before your eyes during your residence in +Canton, and your naturally benevolent mind has turned all things into good, or +you would not thus hopefully refer to your brilliant exploits in the past. Of +what commercial benefit have they been to the sordid and miserly persons in +authority, or in what way have they diverted a stream of taels into their +insatiable pockets? Far greater is the chance that had Si-chow fallen many of +its household goods would have found their way into the Yamens of Canton. +Assuredly in Li Keen you will have a friend who will make many delicate +allusions to your ancestors when you meet, and yet one who will float many +barbed whispers to follow you when you have passed; for you have planted shame +before him in the eyes of those who would otherwise neither have eyes to see +nor tongues to discuss the matter. It is for such a reason that this person +distrusts all things connected with the journey, except your constancy, oh, my +true and strong one.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such faithfulness would alone be sufficient to assure my safe return if +the matter were properly represented to the supreme Deities,” said Ling. +“Let not the thin curtain of bitter water stand before your lustrous eyes +any longer, then, the events which have followed one another in the past few +days in a fashion that can only be likened to thunder following lightning are +indeed sufficient to distress one with so refined and swan-like an +organization, but they are now assuredly at an end.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is a hope of daily recurrence to this person,” replied Mian, +honourably endeavouring to restrain the emotion which openly exhibited itself +in her eyes; “for what maiden would not rather make successful offerings +to the Great Mother Kum-Fa than have the most imposing and verbose Triumphal +Arch erected to commemorate an empty and unsatisfying constancy?” +</p> + +<p> +In this amiable manner the matter was arranged between Ling and Mian, as they +sat together in the magician’s garden drinking peach-tea, which the two +attendants—not without discriminating and significant expressions between +themselves—brought to them from time to time. Here Ling made clear the +whole manner of his life from his earliest memory to the time when he fell in +dignified combat, nor did Mian withhold anything, explaining in particular such +charms and spells of the magician as she had knowledge of, and in this graceful +manner materially assisting her lover in the many disagreeable encounters and +conflicts which he was shortly to experience. +</p> + +<p> +It was with even more objectionable feelings than before that Ling now +contemplated his journey to Canton, involving as it did the separation from one +who had become as the shadow of his existence, and by whose side he had an +undoubted claim to stand. Yet the necessity of the undertaking was no less than +before, and the full possession of all his natural powers took away his only +excuse for delaying in the matter. Without any pleasurable anticipations, +therefore, he consulted the Sacred Flat and Round Sticks, and learning that the +following day would be propitious for the journey, he arranged to set out in +accordance with the omen. +</p> + +<p> +When the final moment arrived at which the invisible threads of constantly +passing emotions from one to the other must be broken, and when Mian perceived +that her lover’s horse was restrained at the door by the two attendants, +who with unsuspected delicacy of feeling had taken this opportunity of +withdrawing, the noble endurance which had hitherto upheld her melted away, and +she became involved in very melancholy and obscure meditations until she +observed that Ling also was quickly becoming affected by a similar gloom. +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” she exclaimed, “how unworthy a person I am thus to +impose upon my lord a greater burden than that which already weighs him down! +Rather ought this one to dwell upon the happiness of that day, when, after +successfully evading or overthrowing the numerous bands of assassins which +infest the road from here to Canton, and after escaping or recovering from the +many deadly pestilences which invariably reduce that city at this season of the +year, he shall triumphantly return. Assuredly there is a highly-polished +surface united to every action in life, no matter how funereal it may at first +appear. Indeed, there are many incidents compared with which death itself is +welcome, and to this end Mian has reserved a farewell gift.” +</p> + +<p> +Speaking in this manner the devoted and magnanimous maiden placed in +Ling’s hands the transparent vessel of liquid which the magician had +grasped when he fell. “This person,” she continued, speaking with +difficulty, “places her lover’s welfare incomparably before her own +happiness, and should he ever find himself in a situation which is unendurably +oppressive, and from which death is the only escape—such as inevitable +tortures, the infliction of violent madness, or the subjection by magic to the +will of some designing woman—she begs him to accept this means of freeing +himself without regarding her anguish beyond expressing a clearly defined last +wish that the two persons in question may be in the end happily reunited in +another existence.” +</p> + +<p> +Assured by this last evidence of affection, Ling felt that he had no longer any +reason for internal heaviness; his spirits were immeasurably raised by the +fragrant incense of Mian’s great devotion, and under its influence he was +even able to breathe towards her a few words of similar comfort as he left the +spot and began his journey. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<p> +On entering Canton, which he successfully accomplished without any unpleasant +adventure, the marked absence of any dignified ostentation which had been +accountable for many of Ling’s misfortunes in the past, impelled him +again to reside in the same insignificant apartment that he had occupied when +he first visited the city as an unknown and unimportant candidate. In +consequence of this, when Ling was communicating to any person the signs by +which messengers might find him, he was compelled to add, “the +neighbourhood in which this contemptible person resides is that officially +known as ‘the mean quarter favoured by the lower class of those who +murder by treachery,’” and for this reason he was not always +treated with the regard to which his attainments entitled him, or which he +would have unquestionably received had he been able to describe himself as of +“the partly-drained and uninfected area reserved to Mandarins and their +friends.” +</p> + +<p> +It was with an ignoble feeling of mental distress that Ling exhibited himself +at the Chief Office of Warlike Deeds and Arrangements on the following day; for +the many disadvantageous incidents of his past life had repeated themselves +before his eyes while he slept, and the not unhopeful emotions which he had +felt when in the inspiring presence of Mian were now altogether absent. In +spite of the fact that he reached the office during the early gong strokes of +the morning, it was not until the withdrawal of light that he reached any +person who was in a position to speak with him on the matter, so numerous were +the lesser ones through whose chambers he had to pass in the process. At length +he found himself in the presence of an upper one who had the appearance of +being acquainted with the circumstances, and who received him with dignity, +though not with any embarrassing exhibition of respect or servility. +</p> + +<p> +“‘The hero of the illustrious encounter beyond the walls of +Si-chow,’” exclaimed that official, reading the words from the +tablet of introduction which Ling had caused to be carried into him, and at the +same time examining the person in question closely. “Indeed, no such one +is known to those within this office, unless the words chance to point to the +courteous and unassuming Mandarin Li Keen, who, however, is at this moment +recovering his health at Peking, as set forth in the amiable and impartial +report which we have lately received from him.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words Ling plainly understood that there was little hope of the last +events becoming profitable on his account. +</p> + +<p> +“Did not the report to which allusion has been made bear reference to one +Ling, Commander of the Archers, who thrice led on the fighting men, and who was +finally successful in causing the rebels to disperse towards the +mountains?” he asked, in a voice which somewhat trembled. +</p> + +<p> +“There is certainly reference to one of the name you mention,” said +the other; “but regarding the terms—perhaps this person would +better protect his own estimable time by displaying the report within your +sight.” +</p> + +<p> +With these words the upper one struck a gong several times, and after receiving +from an inner chamber the parchment in question, he placed it before Ling, at +the same time directing a lesser one to interpose between it and the one who +read it a large sheet of transparent substance, so that destruction might not +come to it, no matter in what way its contents affected the reader. Thereon +Ling perceived the following facts, very skilfully inscribed with the evident +purpose of inducing persons to believe, without question, that words so +elegantly traced must of necessity be truthful also. +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +“<i>A Benevolent Example of the Intelligent Arrangement by which the most +Worthy Persons outlive those who are Incapable.</i><br/> +<br/> +    The circumstances connected with the office of the valuable and +accomplished Mandarin of Warlike Deeds and Arrangements at Si-chow have, in +recent times, been of anything but a prepossessing order. Owing to the very +inadequate methods adopted by those who earn a livelihood by conveying +necessities from the more enlightened portions of the Empire to that place, it +so came about that for a period of five days the Yamen was entirely unsupplied +with the fins of sharks or even with goats’ eyes. To add to the polished +Mandarin’s distress of mind the barbarous and slow-witted rebels who +infest those parts took this opportunity to destroy the town and most of its +inhabitants, the matter coming about as follows:<br/> +    “The feeble and commonplace person named Ling who commands the bowmen +had but recently been elevated to that distinguished position from a menial and +degraded occupation (for which, indeed, his stunted intellect more aptly fitted +him); and being in consequence very greatly puffed out in self-gratification, +he became an easy prey to the cunning of the rebels, and allowed himself to be +beguiled into a trap, paying for this contemptible stupidity with his life. The +town of Si-chow was then attacked, and being in this manner left defenceless +through the weakness—or treachery—of the person Ling, who had +contrived to encompass the entire destruction of his unyielding company, it +fell after a determined and irreproachable resistance; the Mandarin Li Keen +being told, as, covered with the blood of the foemen, he was dragged away from +the thickest part of the unequal conflict by his followers, that he was the +last person to leave the town. On his way to Peking with news of this valiant +defence, the Mandarin was joined by the Chief of Bowmen, who had understood and +avoided the very obvious snare into which the stagnant-minded Commander had led +his followers, in spite of disinterested advice to the contrary. For this +intelligent perception, and for general nobility of conduct when in battle, the +versatile Chief of Bowmen is by this written paper strongly recommended to the +dignity of receiving the small metal Embellishment of Valour.<br/> +    “It has been suggested to the Mandarin Li Keen that the bestowal of +the Crystal Button would only be a fit and graceful reward for his +indefatigable efforts to uphold the dignity of the sublime Emperor; but to all +such persons the Mandarin has sternly replied that such a proposal would more +fitly originate from the renowned and valuable Office of Warlike Deeds and +Arrangements, he well knowing that the wise and engaging persons who conduct +that indispensable and well-regulated department are gracefully voracious in +their efforts to reward merit, even when it is displayed, as in the case in +question, by one who from his position will inevitably soon be urgently +petitioning in a like manner on their behalf.” +</p> + +<p> +When Ling had finished reading this elegantly arranged but exceedingly +misleading parchment, he looked up with eyes from which he vainly endeavoured +to restrain the signs of undignified emotion, and said to the upper one: +</p> + +<p> +“It is difficult employment for a person to refrain from unendurable +thoughts when his unassuming and really conscientious efforts are represented +in a spirit of no satisfaction, yet in this matter the very expert Li Keen +appears to have gone beyond himself; the Commander Ling, who is herein +represented as being slain by the enemy, is, indeed, the person who is standing +before you, and all the other statements are in a like exactness.” +</p> + +<p> +“The short-sighted individual who for some hidden desire of his own is +endeavouring to present himself as the corrupt and degraded creature Ling, has +overlooked one important circumstance,” said the upper one, smiling in a +very intolerable manner, at the same time causing his head to move slightly +from side to side in the fashion of one who rebukes with assumed geniality; +and, turning over the written paper, he displayed upon the under side the +Imperial vermilion Sign. “Perhaps,” he continued, “the +omniscient person will still continue in his remarks, even with the evidence of +the Emperor’s unerring pencil to refute him.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words and the undoubted testimony of the red mark, which plainly +declared the whole of the written matter to be composed of truth, no matter +what might afterwards transpire, Ling understood that very little prosperity +remained with him. +</p> + +<p> +“But the town of Si-chow,” he suggested, after examining his mind; +“if any person in authority visited the place, he would inevitably find +it standing and its inhabitants in agreeable health.” +</p> + +<p> +“The persistent person who is so assiduously occupying my intellectual +moments with empty words seems to be unaccountably deficient in his knowledge +of the customs of refined society and of the meaning of the Imperial +Signet,” said the other, with an entire absence of benevolent +consideration. “That Si-chow has fallen and that Ling is dead are two +utterly uncontroversial matters truthfully recorded. If a person visited +Si-chow, he might find it rebuilt or even inhabited by those from the +neighbouring villages or by evil spirits taking the forms of the ones who +formerly lived there; as in a like manner, Ling might be restored to existence +by magic, or his body might be found and possessed by an outcast demon who +desired to revisit the earth for a period. Such circumstances do not in any way +disturb the announcement that Si-chow has without question fallen, and that +Ling has officially ceased to live, of which events notifications have been +sent to all who are concerned in the matters.” +</p> + +<p> +As the upper one ceased speaking, four strokes sounded upon the gong, and Ling +immediately found himself carried into the street by the current of both lesser +and upper ones who poured forth at the signal. The termination of this +conversation left Ling in a more unenviable state of dejection than any of the +many preceding misfortunes had done, for with enlarged inducements to possess +himself of a competent appointment he seemed to be even further removed from +this attainment than he had been at any time in his life. He might, indeed, +present himself again for the public examinations; but in order to do even that +it would be necessary for him to wait almost a year, nor could he assure +himself that his efforts would again be likely to result in an equal success. +Doubts also arose within his mind of the course which he should follow in such +a case; whether to adopt a new name, involving as it would certain humiliation +and perhaps disgrace if detection overtook his footsteps, or still to possess +the title of one who was in a measure dead, and hazard the likelihood of having +any prosperity which he might obtain reduced to nothing if the fact should +become public. +</p> + +<p> +As Ling reflected upon such details he found himself without intention before +the house of a wise person who had become very wealthy by advising others on +all matters, but chiefly on those connected with strange occurrences and such +events as could not be settled definitely either one way or the other until a +remote period had been reached. Becoming assailed by a curious desire to know +what manner of evils particularly attached themselves to such as were +officially dead but who nevertheless had an ordinary existence, Ling placed +himself before this person, and after arranging the manner of reward related to +him so many of the circumstances as were necessary to enable a full +understanding to be reached, but at the same time in no way betraying his own +interest in the matter. +</p> + +<p> +“Such inflictions are to no degree frequent,” said the wise person +after he had consulted a polished sphere of the finest red jade for some time; +“and this is in a measure to be regretted, as the hair of these +persons—provided they die a violent death, which is invariably the +case—constitutes a certain protection against being struck by falling +stars, or becoming involved in unsuccessful law cases. The persons in question +can be recognized with certainty in the public ways by the unnatural pallor of +their faces and by the general repulsiveness of their appearance, but as they +soon take refuge in suicide, unless they have the fortune to be removed +previously by accident, it is an infrequent matter that one is gratified by the +sight. During their existence they are subject to many disorders from which the +generality of human beings are benevolently preserved; they possess no rights +of any kind, and if by any chance they are detected in an act of a seemingly +depraved nature, they are liable to judgment at the hands of the passers-by +without any form whatever, and to punishment of a more severe order than that +administered to commonplace criminals. There are many other disadvantages +affecting such persons when they reach the Middle Air, of which the +chief—” +</p> + +<p> +“This person is immeasurably indebted for such a clear explanation of the +position,” interrupted Ling, who had a feeling of not desiring to +penetrate further into the detail; “but as he perceives a line of anxious +ones eagerly waiting at the door to obtain advice and consolation from so +expert and amiable a wizard, he will not make himself uncongenial any longer +with his very feeble topics of conversation.” +</p> + +<p> +By this time Ling plainly comprehended that he had been marked out from the +beginning—perhaps for all the knowledge which he had to the opposite +effect, from a period in the life of a far-removed ancestor—to be an +object of marked derision and the victim of all manner of malevolent demons in +whatever actions he undertook. In this condition of understanding his mind +turned gratefully to the parting gift of Mian whom he had now no hope of +possessing; for the intolerable thought of uniting her to so objectionable a +being as himself would have been dismissed as utterly inelegant even had he +been in a manner of living to provide for her adequately, which itself seemed +clearly impossible. Disregarding all similar emotions, therefore, he walked +without pausing to his abode, and stretching his body upon the rushes, drank +the entire liquid unhesitatingly, and prepared to pass beyond with a tranquil +mind entirely given up to thoughts and images of Mian. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<p> +Upon a certain occasion, the particulars of which have already been recorded, +Ling had judged himself to have passed into the form of a spirit on beholding +the ethereal form of Mian bending over him. After swallowing the entire liquid, +which had cost the dead magician so much to distil and make perfect, it was +with a well-assured determination of never again awakening that he lost the +outward senses and floated in the Middle Air, so that when his eyes next opened +upon what seemed to be the bare walls of his own chamber, his first thought was +a natural conviction that the matter had been so arranged either out of a +charitable desire that he should not be overcome by a too sudden transition to +unparalleled splendour, or that such a reception was the outcome of some +dignified jest on the part of certain lesser and more cheerful spirits. After +waiting in one position for several hours, however, and receiving no summons or +manifestation of a celestial nature, he began to doubt the qualities of the +liquid, and applying certain tests, he soon ascertained that he was still in +the lower world and unharmed. Nevertheless, this circumstance did not tend in +any way to depress his mind, for, doubtless owing to some hidden virtue of the +fluid, he felt an enjoyable emotion that he still lived; all his attributes +appeared to be purified, and he experienced an inspired certainty of feeling +that an illustrious and highly-remunerative future lay before one who still had +an ordinary existence after being both officially killed and self-poisoned. +</p> + +<p> +In this intelligent disposition thoughts of Mian recurred to him with +unreproved persistence, and in order to convey to her an account of the various +matters which had engaged him since his arrival at the city, and a +well-considered declaration of the unchanged state of his own feelings towards +her, he composed and despatched with impetuous haste the following delicate +verses: +</p> + +<p class="center"> +CONSTANCY +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +About the walls and gates of Canton<br/> +Are many pleasing and entertaining maidens;<br/> +Indeed, in the eyes of their friends and of the passers-by<br/> +Some of them are exceptionally adorable.<br/> +The person who is inscribing these lines, however,<br/> +Sees before him, as it were, an assemblage of deformed and un-prepossessing +hags,<br/> +Venerable in age and inconsiderable in appearance;<br/> +For the dignified and majestic image of Mian is ever before him,<br/> +Making all others very inferior.<br/> +<br/> +Within the houses and streets of Canton<br/> +Hang many bright lanterns.<br/> +The ordinary person who has occasion to walk by night<br/> +Professes to find them highly lustrous.<br/> +But there is one who thinks contrary facts,<br/> +And when he goes forth he carries two long curved poles<br/> +To prevent him from stumbling among the dark and hidden places;<br/> +For he has gazed into the brilliant and pellucid orbs of Mian,<br/> +And all other lights are dull and practically opaque.<br/> +<br/> +In various parts of the literary quarter of Canton<br/> +Reside such as spend their time in inward contemplation.<br/> +In spite of their generally uninviting exteriors<br/> +Their reflexions are often of a very profound order.<br/> +Yet the unpopular and persistently-abused Ling<br/> +Would unhesitatingly prefer his own thoughts to theirs,<br/> +For what makes this person’s thoughts far more pleasing<br/> +Is that they are invariably connected with the virtuous and ornamental Mian. +</p> + +<p> +Becoming very amiably disposed after this agreeable occupation, Ling surveyed +himself at the disc of polished metal, and observed with surprise and shame the +rough and uninviting condition of his person. He had, indeed, although it was +not until some time later that he became aware of the circumstance, slept for +five days without interruption, and it need not therefore be a matter of wonder +or of reproach to him that his smooth surfaces had become covered with short +hair. Reviling himself bitterly for the appearance which he conceived he must +have exhibited when he conducted his business, and to which he now in part +attributed his ill-success, Ling went forth without delay, and quickly +discovering one of those who remove hair publicly for a very small sum, he +placed himself in the chair, and directed that his face, arms, and legs should +be denuded after the manner affected by the ones who make a practice of +observing the most recent customs. +</p> + +<p> +“Did the illustrious individual who is now conferring distinction on this +really worn-out chair by occupying it express himself in favour of having the +face entirely denuded?” demanded the one who conducted the operation; for +these persons have become famous for their elegant and persistent ability to +discourse, and frequently assume ignorance in order that they themselves may +make reply, and not for the purpose of gaining knowledge. “Now, in the +objectionable opinion of this unintelligent person, who has a presumptuous +habit of offering his very undesirable advice, a slight covering on the upper +lip, delicately arranged and somewhat fiercely pointed at the extremities, +would bestow an appearance of—how shall this illiterate person explain +himself?—dignity?—matured reflexion?—doubtless the +accomplished nobleman before me will understand what is intended with a more +knife-like accuracy than this person can describe it—but confer that +highly desirable effect upon the face of which at present it is entirely +destitute... ‘Entirely denuded?’ Then without fail it shall +certainly be so, O incomparable personage... Does the versatile Mandarin now +present profess any concern as to the condition of the rice plants?... Indeed, +the remark is an inspired one; the subject is totally devoid of interest to a +person of intelligence ... A remarkable and gravity-removing event transpired +within the notice of this unassuming person recently. A discriminating +individual had purchased from him a portion of his justly renowned +Thrice-extracted Essence of Celestial Herb Oil—a preparation which in +this experienced person’s opinion, indeed, would greatly relieve the +undoubted afflictions from which the one before him is evidently +suffering—when after once anointing himself—” +</p> + +<p> +A lengthy period containing no words caused Ling, who had in the meantime +closed his eyes and lost Canton and all else in delicate thoughts of Mian, to +look up. That which met his attention on doing so filled him with an +intelligent wonder, for the person before him held in his hand what had the +appearance of a tuft of bright yellow hair, which shone in the light of the sun +with a most engaging splendour, but which he nevertheless regarded with a most +undignified expression of confusion and awe. +</p> + +<p> +“Illustrious demon,” he cried at length, kow-towing very +respectfully, “have the extreme amiableness to be of a benevolent +disposition, and do not take an unworthy and entirely unremunerative revenge +upon this very unimportant person for failing to detect and honour you from the +beginning.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such words indicate nothing beyond an excess of hemp spirit,” +answered Ling, with signs of displeasure. “To gain my explicit esteem, +make me smooth without delay, and do not exhibit before me the lock of hair +which, from its colour and appearance, has evidently adorned the head of one of +those maidens whose duty it is to quench the thirst of travellers in the long +narrow rooms of this city.” +</p> + +<p> +“Majestic and anonymous spirit,” said the other, with extreme +reverence, and an entire absence of the appearance of one who had gazed into +too many vessels, “if such be your plainly-expressed desire, this +superficial person will at once proceed to make smooth your peach-like skin, +and with a carefulness inspired by the certainty that the most unimportant +wound would give forth liquid fire, in which he would undoubtedly perish. +Nevertheless, he desires to make it evident that this hair is from the head of +no maiden, being, indeed, the uneven termination of your own sacred pigtail, +which this excessively self-confident slave took the inexcusable liberty of +removing, and which changed in this manner within his hand in order to +administer a fit reproof for his intolerable presumption.” +</p> + +<p> +Impressed by the mien and unquestionable earnestness of the remover of hair, +Ling took the matter which had occasioned these various emotions in his hand +and examined it. His amazement was still greater when he perceived +that—in spite of the fact that it presented every appearance of having +been cut from his own person—none of the qualities of hair remained in +it; it was hard and wire-like, possessing, indeed, both the nature and the +appearance of a metal. +</p> + +<p> +As he gazed fixedly and with astonishment, there came back into the remembrance +of Ling certain obscure and little-understood facts connected with the +limitless wealth possessed by the Yellow Emperor—of which the great gold +life-like image in the Temple of Internal Symmetry at Peking alone bears +witness now—and of his lost secret. Many very forcible prophecies and +omens in his own earlier life, of which the rendering and accomplishment had +hitherto seemed to be dark and incomplete, passed before him, and various +matters which Mian had related to him concerning the habits and speech of the +magician took definite form within his mind. Deeply impressed by the exact +manner in which all these circumstances fitted together, one into another, Ling +rewarded the person before him greatly beyond his expectation, and hurried +without delay to his own chamber. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<p> +For many hours Ling remained in his room, examining in his mind all passages, +either in his own life or in the lives of others, which might by any chance +have influence on the event before him. In this thorough way he became assured +that the competition and its results, his journey to Si-chow with the encounter +in the cypress wood, the flight of the incapable and treacherous Mandarin, and +the battle of Ki, were all, down to the matter of the smallest detail, parts of +a symmetrical and complete scheme, tending to his present condition. Cheered +and upheld by this proof of the fact that very able deities were at work on his +behalf, he turned his intellect from the entrancing subject to a contemplation +of the manner in which his condition would enable him to frustrate the +uninventive villainies of the obstinate person Li Keen, and to provide a +suitable house and mode of living to which he would be justified in introducing +Mian, after adequate marriage ceremonies had been observed between them. In +this endeavour he was less successful than he had imagined would be the case, +for when he had first fully understood that his body was of such a substance +that nothing was wanting to transmute it into fine gold but the absence of the +living spirit, he had naturally, and without deeply examining the detail, +assumed that so much gold might be considered to be in his possession. Now, +however, a very definite thought arose within him that his own wishes and +interests would have been better secured had the benevolent spirits who +undertook the matter placed the secret within his knowledge in such a way as to +enable him to administer the fluid to some very heavy and inexpensive animal, +so that the issue which seemed inevitable before the enjoyment of the riches +could be entered upon should not have touched his own comfort so closely. To a +person of Ling’s refined imagination it could not fail to be a subject of +internal reproach that while he would become the most precious dead body in the +world, his value in life might not be very honourably placed even by the most +complimentary one who should require his services. Then came the thought, +which, however degraded, he found himself unable to put quite beyond him, that +if in the meantime he were able to gain a sufficiency for Mian and himself, +even her pure and delicate love might not be able to bear so offensive a test +as that of seeing him grow old and remain intolerably healthy—perhaps +with advancing years actually becoming lighter day by day, and thereby +lessening in value before her eyes—when the natural infirmities of age +and the presence of an ever-increasing posterity would make even a moderate +amount of taels of inestimable value. +</p> + +<p> +No doubt remained in Ling’s mind that the process of frequently making +smooth his surfaces would yield an amount of gold enough to suffice for his own +needs, but a brief consideration of the matter convinced him that this source +would be inadequate to maintain an entire household even if he continually +denuded himself to an almost ignominious extent. As he fully weighed these +varying chances the certainty became more clear to him with every thought that +for the virtuous enjoyment of Mian’s society one great sacrifice was +required of him. This act, it seemed to be intimated, would without delay +provide for an affluent and lengthy future, and at the same time would +influence all the spirits—even those who had been hitherto +evilly-disposed towards him—in such a manner that his enemies would be +removed from his path by a process which would expose them to public ridicule, +and he would be assured in founding an illustrious and enduring line. To +accomplish this successfully necessitated the loss of at least the greater part +of one entire member, and for some time the disadvantages of going through an +existence with only a single leg or arm seemed more than a sufficient price to +pay even for the definite advantages which would be made over to him in return. +This unworthy thought, however, could not long withstand the memory of +Mian’s steadfast and high-minded affection, and the certainty of her +enlightened gladness at his return even in the imperfect condition which he +anticipated. Nor was there absent from his mind a dimly-understood hope that +the matter did not finally rest with him, but that everything which he might be +inspired to do was in reality only a portion of the complete and arranged +system into which he had been drawn, and in which his part had been assigned to +him from the beginning without power for him to deviate, no matter how much to +the contrary the thing should appear. +</p> + +<p> +As no advantage would be gained by making any delay, Ling at once sought the +most favourable means of putting his resolution into practice, and after many +skilful and insidious inquiries he learnt of an accomplished person who made a +consistent habit of cutting off limbs which had become troublesome to their +possessors either through accident or disease. Furthermore, he was said to be +of a sincere and charitable disposition, and many persons declared that on no +occasion had he been known to make use of the helpless condition of those who +visited him in order to extort money from them. +</p> + +<p> +Coming to the ill-considered conclusion that he would be able to conceal within +his own breast the true reason for the operation, Ling placed himself before +the person in question, and exhibited the matter to him so that it would appear +as though his desires were promoted by the presence of a small but persistent +sprite which had taken its abode within his left thigh, and there resisted +every effort of the most experienced wise persons to induce it to come forth +again. Satisfied with this explanation of the necessity of the deed, the one +who undertook the matter proceeded, with Ling’s assistance, to sharpen +his cutting instruments and to heat the hardening irons; but no sooner had he +made a shallow mark to indicate the lines which his knife should take, than his +subtle observation at once showed him that the facts had been represented to +him in a wrong sense, and that his visitor, indeed, was composed of no common +substance. Being of a gentle and forbearing disposition, he did not manifest +any indication of rage at the discovery, but amiably and unassumingly pointed +out that such a course was not respectful towards himself, and that, moreover, +Ling might incur certain well-defined and highly undesirable maladies as a +punishment for the deception. +</p> + +<p> +Overcome with remorse at deceiving so courteous and noble-minded a person, Ling +fully explained the circumstances to him, not even concealing from him certain +facts which related to the actions of remote ancestors, but which, +nevertheless, appeared to have influenced the succession of events. When he had +made an end of the narrative, the other said: +</p> + +<p> +“Behold now, it is truly remarked that every Mandarin has three hands and +every soldier a like number of feet, yet it is a saying which is rather to be +regarded as manifesting the deep wisdom and discrimination of the speaker than +as an actual fact which can be taken advantage of when one is so +minded—least of all by so valiant a Commander as the one before me, who +has clearly proved that in time of battle he has exactly reversed the +position.” +</p> + +<p> +“The loss would undoubtedly be of considerable inconvenience +occasionally,” admitted Ling, “yet none the less the sage remark of +Huai Mei-shan, ‘When actually in the embrace of a voracious and powerful +wild animal, the desirability of leaving a limb is not a matter to be subjected +to lengthy consideration,’ is undoubtedly a valuable guide for general +conduct. This person has endured many misfortunes and suffered many injustices; +he has known the wolf-gnawings of great hopes, which have withered and daily +grown less when the difficulties of maintaining an honourable and illustrious +career have unfolded themselves within his sight. Before him still lie the +attractions of a moderate competency to be shared with the one whose absence +would make even the Upper Region unendurable, and after having this entrancing +future once shattered by the tiger-like cupidity of a depraved and incapable +Mandarin, he is determined to welcome even the sacrifice which you condemn +rather than let the opportunity vanish through indecision.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is not an unworthy or abandoned decision,” said the one whose +aid Ling had invoked, “nor a matter in which this person would refrain +from taking part, were there no other and more agreeable means by which the +same results may be attained. A circumstance has occurred within this +superficial person’s mind, however: A brother of the one who is +addressing you is by profession one of those who purchase large undertakings +for which they have not the money to pay, and who thereupon by various +expedients gain the ear of the thrifty, enticing them by fair offers of return +to entrust their savings for the purpose of paying off the debt. These persons +are ever on the watch for transactions by which they inevitably prosper without +incurring any obligation, and doubtless my brother will be able to gather a +just share of the value of your highly-remunerative body without submitting you +to the insufferable annoyance of losing a great part of it prematurely.” +</p> + +<p> +Without clearly understanding how so inviting an arrangement could be effected, +the manner of speaking was exceedingly alluring to Ling’s mind, perplexed +as he had become through weighing and considering the various attitudes of the +entire matter. To receive a certain and sufficient sum of money without his +person being in any way mutilated would be a satisfactory, but as far as he had +been able to observe an unapproachable, solution to the difficulty. In the mind +of the amiable person with whom he was conversing, however, the accomplishment +did not appear to be surrounded by unnatural obstacles, so that Ling was +content to leave the entire design in his hands, after stating that he would +again present himself on a certain occasion when it was asserted that the +brother in question would be present. +</p> + +<p> +So internally lightened did Ling feel after this inspiring conversation, and so +confident of a speedy success had the obliging person’s words made him +become, that for the first time since his return to Canton he was able to take +an intellectual interest in the pleasures of the city. Becoming aware that the +celebrated play entitled “The Precious Lamp of Spotted Butterfly +Temple” was in process of being shown at the Tea Garden of Rainbow Lights +and Voices, he purchased an entrance, and after passing several hours in this +conscientious enjoyment, returned to his chamber, and passed a night untroubled +by any manifestations of an unpleasant nature. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER XII</h3> + +<p> +Chang-ch’un, the brother of the one to whom Ling had applied in his +determination, was confidently stated to be one of the richest persons in +Canton. So great was the number of enterprises in which he had possessions, +that he himself was unable to keep an account of them, and it was asserted that +upon occasions he had run through the streets, crying aloud that such an +undertaking had been the subject of most inferior and uninviting dreams and +omens (a custom observed by those who wish a venture ill), whereas upon +returning and consulting his written parchments, it became plain to him that he +had indulged in a very objectionable exhibition, as he himself was the person +most interested in the success of the matter. Far from discouraging him, +however, such incidents tended to his advantage, as he could consistently point +to them in proof of his unquestionable commercial honourableness, and in this +way many persons of all classes, not only in Canton, or in the Province, but +all over the Empire, would unhesitatingly entrust money to be placed in +undertakings which he had purchased and was willing to describe as “of +much good.” A certain class of printed leaves—those in which +Chang-ch’un did not insert purchased mentions of his forthcoming ventures +or verses recording his virtues (in return for buying many examples of the +printed leaf containing them)—took frequent occasion of reminding persons +that Chang-ch’un owed the beginning of his prosperity to finding a +written parchment connected with a Mandarin of exalted rank and a low caste +attendant at the Ti-i tea-house among the paper heaps, which it was at that +time his occupation to assort into various departments according to their +quality and commercial value. Such printed leaves freely and unhesitatingly +predicted that the day on which he would publicly lose face was incomparably +nearer than that on which the Imperial army would receive its back pay, and in +a quaint and gravity-removing manner advised him to protect himself against an +obscure but inevitable poverty by learning the accomplishment of +chair-carrying—an occupation for which his talents and achievements +fitted him in a high degree, they remarked. +</p> + +<p> +In spite of these evilly intentioned remarks, and of illustrations representing +him as being bowstrung for treacherous killing, being seized in the action of +secretly conveying money from passers-by to himself and other similar annoying +references to his private life, Chang-ch’un did not fail to prosper, and +his undertakings succeeded to such an extent that without inquiry into the +detail many persons were content to describe as “gold-lined” +anything to which he affixed his sign, and to hazard their savings for staking +upon the ventures. In all other departments of life Chang was equally +successful; his chief wife was the daughter of one who stood high in the +Emperor’s favour; his repast table was never unsupplied with sea-snails, +rats’ tongues, or delicacies of an equally expensive nature, and it was +confidently maintained that there was no official in Canton, not even putting +aside the Taotai, who dare neglect to fondle Chang’s hand if he publicly +offered it to him for that purpose. +</p> + +<p> +It was at the most illustrious point of his existence—at the time, +indeed, when after purchasing without money the renowned and proficient +charm-water Ho-Ko for a million taels, he had sold it again for ten—that +Chang was informed by his brother of the circumstances connected with Ling. +After becoming specially assured that the matter was indeed such as it was +represented to be, Chang at once discerned that the venture was of too certain +and profitable a nature to be put before those who entrusted their money to him +in ordinary and doubtful cases. He accordingly called together certain persons +whom he was desirous of obliging, and informing them privately and apart from +business terms that the opportunity was one of exceptional attractiveness, he +placed the facts before them. After displaying a number of diagrams bearing +upon the matter, he proposed that they should form an enterprise to be called +“The Ling (After Death) Without Much Risk Assembly.” The manner of +conducting this undertaking he explained to be as follows: The body of Ling, +whenever the spirit left it, should become as theirs to be used for profit. For +this benefit they would pay Ling fifty thousand taels when the understanding +was definitely arrived at, five thousand taels each year until the matter +ended, and when that period arrived another fifty thousand taels to persons +depending upon him during his life. Having stated the figure business, +Chang-ch’un put down his written papers, and causing his face to assume +the look of irrepressible but dignified satisfaction which it was his custom to +wear on most occasions, and especially when he had what appeared at first sight +to be evil news to communicate to public assemblages of those who had entrusted +money to his ventures, he proceeded to disclose the advantages of such a +system. At the extreme, he said, the amount which they would be required to pay +would be two hundred and fifty thousand taels; but this was in reality a very +misleading view of the circumstance, as he would endeavour to show them. For +one detail, he had allotted to Ling thirty years of existence, which was the +extreme amount according to the calculations of those skilled in such +prophecies; but, as they were all undoubtedly aware, persons of very expert +intellects were known to enjoy a much shorter period of life than the gross and +ordinary, and as Ling was clearly one of the former, by the fact of his +contriving so ingenious a method of enriching himself, they might with +reasonable foresight rely upon his departing when half the period had been +attained; in that way seventy-five thousand taels would be restored to them, +for every year represented a saving of five thousand. Another agreeable +contemplation was that of the last sum, for by such a time they would have +arrived at the most pleasurable part of the enterprise: a million taels’ +worth of pure gold would be displayed before them, and the question of the +final fifty thousand could be disposed of by cutting off an arm or half a leg. +Whether they adopted that course, or decided to increase their fortunes by +exposing so exceptional and symmetrical a wonder to the public gaze in all the +principal cities of the Empire, was a circumstance which would have to be +examined within their minds when the time approached. In such a way the detail +of purchase stood revealed as only fifty thousand taels in reality, a sum so +despicably insignificant that he had internal pains at mentioning it to so +wealthy a group of Mandarins, and he had not yet made clear to them that each +year they would receive gold to the amount of almost a thousand taels. This +would be the result of Ling making smooth his surfaces, and it would enable +them to know that the person in question actually existed, and to keep the +circumstances before their intellects. +</p> + +<p> +When Chang-Ch’un had made the various facts clear to this extent, those +who were assembled expressed their feelings as favourably turned towards the +project, provided the tests to which Ling was to be put should prove +encouraging, and a secure and intelligent understanding of things to be done +and not to be done could be arrived at between them. To this end Ling was +brought into the chamber, and fixing his thoughts steadfastly upon Mian, he +permitted portions to be cut from various parts of his body without betraying +any signs of ignoble agitation. No sooner had the pieces been separated and the +virtue of Ling’s existence passed from them than they changed colour and +hardened, nor could the most delicate and searching trials to which they were +exposed by a skilful worker in metals, who was obtained for the purpose, +disclose any particular, however minute, in which they differed from the finest +gold. The hair, the nails, and the teeth were similarly affected, and even +Ling’s blood dried into a fine gold powder. This detail of the trial +being successfully completed, Ling subjected himself to intricate questioning +on all matters connected with his religion and manner of conducting himself, +both in public and privately, the history and behaviour of his ancestors, the +various omens and remarkable sayings which had reference to his life and +destiny, and the intentions which he then possessed regarding his future +movements and habits of living. All the wise sayings and written and printed +leaves which made any allusion to the existence of and possibility of discovery +of the wonderful gold fluid were closely examined, and found to be in +agreement, whereupon those present made no further delay in admitting that the +facts were indeed as they had been described, and indulged in a dignified +stroking of each other’s faces as an expression of pleasure and in proof +of their satisfaction at taking part in so entrancing and remunerative an +affair. At Chang’s command many rare and expensive wines were then +brought in, and partaken of without restraint by all persons, the repast being +lightened by numerous well-considered and gravity-removing jests having +reference to Ling and the unusual composition of his person. So amiably were +the hours occupied that it was past the time of no light when Chang rose and +read at full length the statement of things to be done and things not to be +done, which was to be sealed by Ling for his part and the other persons who +were present for theirs. It so happened, however, that at that period +Ling’s mind was filled with brilliant and versatile thoughts and images +of Mian, and many-hued visions of the manner in which they would spend the +entrancing future which was now before them, and in this way it chanced that he +did not give any portion of his intellect to the reading, mistaking it, indeed, +for a delicate and very ably-composed set of verses which Chang-ch’un was +reciting as a formal blessing on parting. Nor was it until he was desired to +affix his sign that Ling discovered his mistake, and being of too respectful +and unobtrusive a disposition to require the matter to be repeated then, he +carried out the obligation without in any particular understanding the written +words to which he was agreeing. +</p> + +<p> +As Ling walked through the streets to his chamber after leaving the house and +company of Chang-Ch’un, holding firmly among his garments the thin +printed papers to the amount of fifty thousand taels which he had received, and +repeatedly speaking to himself in terms of general and specific encouragement +at the fortunate events of the past few days, he became aware that a person of +mean and rapacious appearance, whom he had some memory of having observed +within the residence he had but just left, was continually by his side. Not at +first doubting that the circumstance resulted from a benevolent desire on the +part of Chang-ch’un that he should be protected on his passage through +the city, Ling affected not to observe the incident; but upon reaching his own +door the person in question persistently endeavoured to pass in also. Forming a +fresh judgment about the matter, Ling, who was very powerfully constructed, and +whose natural instincts were enhanced in every degree by the potent fluid of +which he had lately partaken, repeatedly threw him across the street until he +became weary of the diversion. At length, however, the thought arose that one +who patiently submitted to continually striking the opposite houses with his +head must have something of importance to communicate, whereupon he courteously +invited him to enter the apartment and unweigh his mind. +</p> + +<p> +“The facts of the case appear to have been somewhat inadequately +represented,” said the stranger, bowing obsequiously, “for this +unornamental person was assured by the benignant Chang-ch’un that the one +whose shadow he was to become was of a mild and forbearing nature.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such words are as the conversation of birds to me,” replied Ling, +not conjecturing how the matter had fallen about. “This person has just +left the presence of the elegant and successful Chang-ch’un, and no word +that he spoke gave indication of such a follower or such a service.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then it is indeed certain that the various transactions have not been +fully understood,” exclaimed the other, “for the exact +communication to this unseemly one was, ‘The valuable and enlightened +Ling has heard and agreed to the different things to be done and not to be +done, one phrase of which arranges for your continual presence, so that he will +anticipate your attentions.’” +</p> + +<p> +At these words the truth became as daylight before Ling’s eyes, and he +perceived that the written paper to which he had affixed his sign contained the +detail of such an office as that of the person before him. When too late, more +than ever did he regret that he had not formed some pretext for causing the +document to be read a second time, as in view of his immediate intentions such +an arrangement as the one to which he had agreed had every appearance of +becoming of an irksome and perplexing nature. Desiring to know the length of +the attendant’s commands, Ling asked him for a clear statement of his +duties, feigning that he had missed that portion of the reading through a +momentary attack of the giddy sickness. To this request the stranger, who +explained that his name was Wang, instantly replied that his written and spoken +orders were: never to permit more than an arm’s length of space to +separate them; to prevent, by whatever force was necessary for the purpose, all +attempts at evading the things to be done and not to be done, and to ignore as +of no interest all other circumstances. It seemed to Ling, in consequence, that +little seclusion would be enjoyed unless an arrangement could be effected +between Wang and himself; so to this end, after noticing the evident poverty +and covetousness of the person in question, he made him an honourable offer of +frequent rewards, provided a greater distance was allowed to come between them +as soon as Si-chow was reached. On his side, Ling undertook not to break +through the wording of the things to be done and not to be done, and to notify +to Wang any movements upon which he meditated. In this reputable manner the +obstacle was ingeniously removed, and the intelligent nature of the device was +clearly proved by the fact that not only Ling but Wang also had in the future a +much greater liberty of action than would have been possible if it had been +necessary to observe the short-sighted and evidently hastily-thought-of +condition which Chang-ch’un had endeavoured to impose. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER XIII</h3> + +<p> +In spite of his natural desire to return to Mian as quickly as possible, Ling +judged it expedient to give several days to the occupation of purchasing +apparel of the richest kinds, weapons and armour in large quantities, jewels +and ornaments of worked metals and other objects to indicate his changed +position. Nor did he neglect actions of a pious and charitable nature, for +almost his first care was to arrange with the chief ones at the Temple of +Benevolent Intentions that each year, on the day corresponding to that on which +he drank the gold fluid, a sumptuous and well-constructed coffin should be +presented to the most deserving poor and aged person within that quarter of the +city in which he had resided. When these preparations were completed, Ling set +out with an extensive train of attendants; but riding on before, accompanied +only by Wang, he quickly reached Si-chow without adventure. +</p> + +<p> +The meeting between Ling and Mian was affecting to such an extent that the +blind and deaf attendants wept openly without reproach, notwithstanding the +fact that neither could become possessed of more than a half of the occurrence. +Eagerly the two reunited ones examined each other’s features to discover +whether the separation had brought about any change in the beloved and +well-remembered lines. Ling discovered upon Mian the shadow of an anxious care +at his absence, while the disappointments and trials which Ling had experienced +in Canton had left traces which were plainly visible to Mian’s +penetrating gaze. In such an entrancing occupation the time was to them without +hours until a feeling of hunger recalled them to lesser matters, when a variety +of very select foods and liquids was placed before them without delay. After +this elegant repast had been partaken of, Mian, supporting herself upon +Ling’s shoulder, made a request that he would disclose to her all the +matters which had come under his observation both within the city and during +his journey to and from that place. Upon this encouragement, Ling proceeded to +unfold his mind, not withholding anything which appeared to be of interest, no +matter how slight. When he had reached Canton without any perilous adventure, +Mian breathed more freely; as he recorded the interview at the Office of +Warlike Deeds and Arrangements, she trembled at the insidious malignity of the +evil person Li Keen. The conversation with the wise reader of the future +concerning the various states of such as be officially dead almost threw her +into the rigid sickness, from which, however, the wonderful circumstance of the +discovered properties of the gold fluid quickly recalled her. But to +Ling’s great astonishment no sooner had he made plain the exceptional +advantages which he had derived from the circumstances, and the nature of the +undertaking at which he had arrived with Chang-ch’un, than she became a +prey to the most intolerable and unrestrained anguish. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, my devoted but excessively ill-advised lover,” she exclaimed +wildly, and in tones which clearly indicated that she was inspired by every +variety of affectionate emotion, “has the unendurable position in which +you and all your household will be placed by the degrading commercial schemes +and instincts of the mercenary-souled person Chang-ch’un occupied no +place in your generally well-regulated intellect? Inevitably will those who +drink our almond tea, in order to have an opportunity of judging the value of +the appointments of the house, pass the jesting remark that while the Lings +assuredly have ‘a dead person’s bones in the secret chamber,’ +at the present they will not have one in the family graveyard by reason of the +death of Ling himself. Better to lose a thousand limbs during life than the +entire person after death; nor would your adoring Mian hesitate to clasp +proudly to her organ of affection the veriest trunk that had parted with all +its attributes in a noble and sacrificing endeavour to preserve at least some +dignified proportions to embellish the Ancestral Temple and to receive the +worship of posterity.” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” replied Ling, with extravagant humiliation, “it is +indeed true; and this person is degraded beyond the common lot of those who +break images and commit thefts from sacred places. The side of the transaction +which is at present engaging our attention never occurred to this superficial +individual until now.” +</p> + +<p> +“Wise and incomparable one,” said Mian, in no degree able to +restrain the fountains of bitter water which clouded her delicate and +expressive eyes, “in spite of this person’s biting and ungracious +words do not, she makes a formal petition, doubt the deathless strength of her +affection. Cheerfully, in order to avert the matter in question, or even to +save her lover the anguish of unavailing and soul-eating remorse, would she +consign herself to a badly-constructed and slow-consuming fire or expose her +body to various undignified tortures. Happy are those even to whom is left a +little ash to be placed in a precious urn and diligently guarded, for it, in +any event, truly represents all that is left of the once living person, whereas +after an honourable and spotless existence my illustrious but unthinking lord +will be blended with a variety of baser substances and passed from hand to +hand, his immaculate organs serving to reward murderers for their deeds and to +tempt the weak and vicious to all manner of unmentionable crimes.” +</p> + +<p> +So overcome was Ling by the distressing nature of the oversight he had +permitted that he could find no words with which to comfort Mian, who, after +some moments, continued: +</p> + +<p> +“There are even worse visions of degradation which occur to this person. +By chance, that which was once the noble-minded Ling may be disposed of, not to +the Imperial Treasury for converting into pieces of exchange, but to some +undiscriminating worker in metals who will fashion out of his beautiful and +symmetrical stomach an elegant food-dish, so that from the ultimate +developments of the circumstance may arise the fact that his own descendants, +instead of worshipping him, use his internal organs for this doubtful if not +absolutely unclean purpose, and thereby suffer numerous well-merited +afflictions, to the end that the finally-despised Ling and this discredited +person, instead of founding a vigorous and prolific generation, become the +parents of a line of feeble-minded and physically-depressed lepers.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, my peacock-eyed one!” exclaimed Ling, in immeasurable +distress, “so proficient an exhibition of virtuous grief crushes this +misguided person completely to the ground. Rather would he uncomplainingly lose +his pigtail than—” +</p> + +<p> +“Such a course,” said a discordant voice, as the unpresentable +person Wang stepped forth from behind a hanging curtain, where, indeed, he had +stood concealed during the entire conversation, “is especially forbidden +by the twenty-third detail of the things to be done and not to be done.” +</p> + +<p> +“What new adversity is this?” cried Mian, pressing to Ling with a +still closer embrace. “Having disposed of your incomparable body after +death, surely an adequate amount of liberty and seclusion remains to us during +life.” +</p> + +<p> +“Nevertheless,” interposed the dog-like Wang, “the refined +person in question must not attempt to lose or to dispose of his striking and +invaluable pigtail; for by such an action he would be breaking through his +spoken and written word whereby he undertook to be ruled by the things to be +done and not to be done; and he would also be robbing the ingenious-minded +Chang-ch’un.” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” lamented the unhappy Ling, “that which appeared to be +the end of all this person’s troubles is obviously simply the +commencement of a new and more extensive variety. Understand, O conscientious +but exceedingly inopportune Wang, that the words which passed from this +person’s mouth did not indicate a fixed determination, but merely served +to show the unfeigned depth of his emotion. Be content that he has no intention +of evading the definite principles of the things to be done and not to be done, +and in the meantime honour this commonplace establishment by retiring to the +hot and ill-ventilated chamber, and there partaking of a suitable repast which +shall be prepared without delay.” +</p> + +<p> +When Wang had departed, which he did with somewhat unseemly haste, Ling made an +end of recording his narrative, which Mian’s grief had interrupted. In +this way he explained to her the reason of Wang’s presence, and assured +her that by reason of the arrangement he had made with that person, his near +existence would not be so unsupportable to them as might at first appear to be +the case. +</p> + +<p> +While they were still conversing together, and endeavouring to divert their +minds from the objectionable facts which had recently come within their notice, +an attendant entered and disclosed that the train of servants and merchandise +which Ling had preceded on the journey was arriving. At this fresh example of +her lover’s consistent thought for her, Mian almost forgot her recent +agitation, and eagerly lending herself to the entrancing occupation of +unfolding and displaying the various objects, her brow finally lost the last +trace of sadness. Greatly beyond the imaginings of anticipation were the +expensive articles with which Ling proudly surrounded her; and in examining and +learning the cost of the set jewels and worked metals, the ornamental garments +for both persons, the wood and paper appointments for the house—even +incenses, perfumes, spices and rare viands had not been forgotten—the day +was quickly and profitably spent. +</p> + +<p> +When the hour of sunset arrived, Ling, having learned that certain preparations +which he had commanded were fully carried out, took Mian by the hand and led +her into the chief apartment of the house, where were assembled all the +followers and attendants, even down to the illiterate and superfluous Wang. In +the centre of the room upon a table of the finest ebony stood a vessel of +burning incense, some dishes of the most highly-esteemed fruit, and an +abundance of old and very sweet wine. Before these emblems Ling and Mian placed +themselves in an attitude of deep humiliation, and formally expressed their +gratitude to the Chief Deity for having called them into existence, to the +cultivated earth for supplying them with the means of sustaining life, to the +Emperor for providing the numerous safeguards by which their persons were +protected at all times, and to their parents for educating them. This adequate +ceremony being completed, Ling explicitly desired all those present to observe +the fact that the two persons in question were, by that fact and from that +time, made as one being, and the bond between them, incapable of severance. +</p> + +<p> +When the ruling night-lantern came out from among the clouds, Ling and Mian +became possessed of a great desire to go forth with pressed hands and look +again on the forest paths and glades in which they had spent many hours of +exceptional happiness before Ling’s journey to Canton. Leaving the +attendants to continue the feasting and drum-beating in a completely +unrestrained manner, they therefore passed out unperceived, and wandering among +the trees, presently stood on the banks of the Heng-Kiang. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, my beloved!” exclaimed Mian, gazing at the brilliant and +unruffled water, “greatly would this person esteem a short river journey, +such as we often enjoyed together in the days when you were recovering.” +</p> + +<p> +Ling, to whom the expressed desires of Mian were as the word of the Emperor, +instantly prepared the small and ornamental junk which was fastened near for +this purpose, and was about to step in, when a presumptuous and highly +objectionable hand restrained him. +</p> + +<p> +“Behold,” remarked a voice which Ling had some difficulty in +ascribing to any known person, so greatly had it changed from its usual tone, +“behold how the immature and altogether too-inferior Ling observes his +spoken and written assertions!” +</p> + +<p> +At this low-conditioned speech, Ling drew his well-tempered sword without +further thought, in spite of the restraining arms of Mian, but at the sight of +the utterly incapable person Wang, who stood near smiling meaninglessly and +waving his arms with a continuous and backward motion, he again replaced it. +</p> + +<p> +“Such remarks can be left to fall unheeded from the lips of one who bears +every indication of being steeped in rice spirit,” he said with +unprovoked dignity. +</p> + +<p> +“It will be the plain duty of this expert and uncorruptible person to +furnish the unnecessary, but, nevertheless, very severe and self-opinionated +Chang-ch’un with a written account of how the traitorous and deceptive +Ling has endeavoured to break through the thirty-fourth vessel of the liquids +to be consumed and not to be consumed,” continued Wang with increased +deliberation and an entire absence of attention to Ling’s action and +speech, “and how by this refined person’s unfailing civility and +resourceful strategy he has been frustrated.” +</p> + +<p> +“Perchance,” said Ling, after examining his thoughts for a short +space, and reflecting that the list of things to be done and not to be done was +to him as a blank leaf, “there may even be some small portion of that +which is accurate in his statement. In what manner,” he continued, +addressing the really unendurable person, who was by this time preparing to +pass the night in the cool swamp by the river’s edge, “does this +one endanger any detail of the written and sealed parchment by such an +action?” +</p> + +<p> +“Inasmuch,” replied Wang, pausing in the process of removing his +outer garments, “as the seventy-ninth—the intricate name given to +it escapes this person’s tongue at the moment—but the +ninety-seventh—experLingknowswhamean—provides that any person, with +or without, attempting or not avoiding to travel by sea, lake, or river, or to +place himself in such a position as he may reasonably and intelligently be +drowned in salt water, fresh water, or—or honourable rice spirit, shall +be guilty of, and suffer—complete loss of memory.” With these words +the immoderate and contemptible person sank down in a very profound slumber. +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” said Ling, turning to Mian, who stood near, unable to +retire even had she desired, by reason of the extreme agitation into which the +incident had thrown her delicate mind and body, “how intensely +aggravating a circumstance that we are compelled to entertain so dissolute a +one by reason of this person’s preoccupation when the matter was read. +Nevertheless, it is not unlikely that the detail he spoke of was such as he +insisted, to the extent of making it a thing not to be done to journey in any +manner by water. It shall be an early endeavour of this person to get these +restraining details equitably amended; but in the meantime we will retrace our +footsteps through the wood, and the enraptured Ling will make a +well-thought-out attempt to lighten the passage by a recital of his +recently-composed verses on the subject of ‘Exile from the Loved One; or, +Farewell and Return.’” +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER XIV</h3> + +<p> +“My beloved lord!” said Mian sadly, on a morning after many days +had passed since the return of Ling, “have you not every possession for +which the heart of a wise person searches? Yet the dark mark is scarcely ever +absent from your symmetrical brow. If she who stands before you, and is +henceforth an integral part of your organization, has failed you in any +particular, no matter how unimportant, explain the matter to her, and the +amendment will be a speedy and a joyful task.” +</p> + +<p> +It was indeed true that Ling’s mind was troubled, but the fault did not +lie with Mian, as the person in question was fully aware, for before her eyes +as before those of Ling the unevadable compact which had been entered into with +Chang-ch’un was ever present, insidiously planting bitterness within even +the most select and accomplished delights. Nor with increasing time did the +obstinate and intrusive person Wang become more dignified in his behaviour; on +the contrary, he freely made use of his position to indulge in every variety of +abandonment, and almost each day he prevented, by reason of his knowledge of +the things to be done and not to be done, some refined and permissible +entertainment upon which Ling and Mian had determined. Ling had despatched many +communications upon this subject to Chang-ch’un, praying also that some +expert way out of the annoyance of the lesser and more unimportant things not +to be done should be arrived at, but the time when he might reasonably expect +an answer to these written papers had not yet arrived. +</p> + +<p> +It was about this period that intelligence was brought to Ling from the +villages on the road to Peking, how Li Keen, having secretly ascertained that +his Yamen was standing and his goods uninjured, had determined to return, and +was indeed at that hour within a hundred li of Si-chow. Furthermore, he had +repeatedly been understood to pronounce clearly that he considered Ling to be +the head and beginning of all his inconveniences, and to declare that the first +act of justice which he should accomplish on his return would be to submit the +person in question to the most unbearable tortures, and then cause him to lose +his head publicly as an outrager of the settled state of things and an enemy of +those who loved tranquillity. Not doubting that Li Keen would endeavour to gain +an advantage by treachery if the chance presented itself, Ling determined to go +forth to meet him, and without delay settle the entire disturbance in one +well-chosen and fatally-destructive encounter. To this end, rather than disturb +the placid mind of Mian, to whom the thought of the engagement would be +weighted with many disquieting fears, he gave out that he was going upon an +expedition to surprise and capture certain fish of a very delicate flavour, and +attended by only two persons, he set forth in the early part of the day. +</p> + +<p> +Some hours later, owing to an ill-considered remark on the part of the deaf +attendant, to whom the matter had been explained in an imperfect light, Mian +became possessed of the true facts of the case, and immediately all the +pleasure of existence went from her. She despaired of ever again beholding Ling +in an ordinary state, and mournfully reproached herself for the bitter words +which had risen to her lips when the circumstance of his condition and the +arrangement with Chang-ch’un first became known to her. After spending an +interval in a polished lament at the manner in which things were inevitably +tending, the thought occurred to Mian whether by any means in her power she +could influence the course and settled method of affairs. In this situation the +memory of the person Wang, and the fact that on several occasions he had made +himself objectionable when Ling had proposed to place himself in such a +position that he incurred some very remote chance of death by drowning or by +fire, recurred to her. Subduing the natural and pure-minded repulsion which she +invariably experienced at the mere thought of so debased an individual, she +sought for him, and discovering him in the act of constructing cardboard +figures of men and animals, which it was his custom to dispose skilfully in +little-frequented paths for the purpose of enjoying the sudden terror of those +who passed by, she quickly put the matter before him, urging him, by some +means, to prevent the encounter, which must assuredly cost the life of the one +whom he had so often previously obstructed from incurring the slightest risk. +</p> + +<p> +“By no means,” exclaimed Wang, when he at length understood the +full meaning of the project; “it would be a most unpresentable action for +this commonplace person to interfere in so honourable an undertaking. Had the +priceless body of the intrepid Ling been in any danger of disappearing, as, for +example, by drowning or being consumed in fire, the nature of the circumstance +would have been different. As the matter exists, however, there is every +appearance that the far-seeing Chang-ch’un will soon reap the deserved +reward of his somewhat speculative enterprise, and to that end this person will +immediately procure a wooden barrier and the services of four robust carriers, +and proceed to the scene of the conflict.” +</p> + +<p> +Deprived of even this hope of preventing the encounter, Mian betook herself in +extreme dejection to the secret room of the magician, which had been unopened +since the day when the two attendants had searched for substances to apply to +their master, and there she diligently examined every object in the remote +chance of discovering something which might prove of value in averting the +matter in question. +</p> + +<p> +Not anticipating that the true reason of his journey would become known to +Mian, Ling continued on his way without haste, and passing through Si-chow +before the sun had risen, entered upon the great road to Peking. At a +convenient distance from the town he came to a favourable piece of ground where +he decided to await the arrival of Li Keen, spending the time profitably in +polishing his already brilliant sword, and making observations upon the nature +of the spot and the condition of the surrounding omens, on which the success of +his expedition would largely depend. +</p> + +<p> +As the sun reached the highest point in the open sky the sound of an +approaching company could be plainly heard; but at the moment when the chair of +the Mandarin appeared within the sight of those who waited, the great luminary, +upon which all portents depend directly or indirectly, changed to the colour of +new-drawn blood and began to sink towards the earth. Without any misgivings, +therefore, Ling disposed his two attendants in the wood, with instructions to +step forth and aid him if he should be attacked by overwhelming numbers, while +he himself remained in the way. As the chair approached, the Mandarin observed +a person standing alone, and thinking that it was one who, hearing of his +return, had come out of the town to honour him, he commanded the bearers to +pause. Thereupon, stepping up to the opening, Ling struck the deceptive and +incapable Li Keen on the cheek, at the same time crying in a full voice, +“Come forth, O traitorous and two-stomached Mandarin! for this person is +very desirous of assisting you in the fulfilment of your boastful words. Here +is a most irreproachable sword which will serve excellently to cut off this +person’s undignified head; here is a waistcord which can be tightened +around his breast, thereby producing excruciating pains over the entire +body.” +</p> + +<p> +At the knowledge of who the one before him was, and when he heard the words +which unhesitatingly announced Ling’s fixed purpose, Li Keen first urged +the carriers to fall upon Ling and slay him, and then, perceiving that such a +course was exceedingly distasteful to their natural tendencies, to take up the +chair and save him by flight. But Ling in the meantime engaged their attention, +and fully explained to them the treacherous and unworthy conduct of Li Keen, +showing them how his death would be a just retribution for his ill-spent life, +and promising them each a considerable reward in addition to their arranged +payment when the matter in question had been accomplished. Becoming convinced +of the justice of Ling’s cause, they turned upon Li Keen, insisting that +he should at once attempt to carry out the ill-judged threats against Ling, of +which they were consistent witnesses, and announcing that, if he failed to do +so, they would certainly bear him themselves to a not far distant well of +stagnant water, and there gain the approbation of the good spirits by freeing +the land of so unnatural a monster. +</p> + +<p> +Seeing only a dishonourable death on either side, Li Keen drew his sword, and +made use of every artifice of which he had knowledge in order to disarm Ling or +to take him at a disadvantage. In this he was unsuccessful, for Ling, who was +by nature a very expert sword-user, struck him repeatedly, until he at length +fell in an expiring condition, remarking with his last words that he had indeed +been a narrow-minded and extortionate person during his life, and that his +death was an enlightened act of celestial accuracy. +</p> + +<p> +Directing Wang and his four hired persons, who had in the meantime arrived, to +give the body of the Mandarin an honourable burial in the deep of the wood, +Ling rewarded and dismissed the chairbearers, and without delay proceeded to +Si-chow, where he charitably distributed the goods and possessions of Li Keen +among the poor of the town. Having in this able and conscientious manner +completely proved the misleading nature of the disgraceful statements which the +Mandarin had spread abroad concerning him, Ling turned his footsteps towards +Mian, whose entrancing joy at his safe return was judged by both persons to be +a sufficient reward for the mental distress with which their separation had +been accompanied. +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER XV</h3> + +<p> +After the departure of Ling from Canton, the commercial affairs of +Chang-ch’un began, from a secret and undetectable cause, to assume an +ill-regulated condition. No venture which he undertook maintained a profitable +attitude, so that many persons who in former times had been content to display +the printed papers setting forth his name and virtues in an easily-seen +position in their receiving-rooms, now placed themselves daily before his house +in order to accuse him of using their taels in ways which they themselves had +not sufficiently understood, and for the purpose of warning passers-by against +his inducements. It was in vain that Chang proposed new undertakings, each of +an infallibly more prosperous nature than those before; the persons who had +hitherto supported him were all entrusting their money to one named Pung Soo, +who required millions where Chang had been content with thousands, and who +persistently insisted on greeting the sacred Emperor as an equal. +</p> + +<p> +In this unenviable state Chang’s mind continually returned to thoughts of +Ling, whose lifeless body would so opportunely serve to dispel the embarrassing +perplexities of existence which were settling thickly about him. Urged forward +by a variety of circumstances which placed him in an entirely different spirit +from the honourable bearing which he had formerly maintained, he now closely +examined all the papers connected with the matter, to discover whether he might +not be able to effect his purpose with an outward exhibition of law forms. +While engaged in this degrading occupation, a detail came to his notice which +caused him to become very amiably disposed and confident of success. Proceeding +with the matter, he caused a well-supported report to be spread about that Ling +was suffering from a wasting sickness, which, without in any measure shortening +his life, would cause him to return to the size and weight of a newly-born +child, and being by these means enabled to secure the entire matter of +“The Ling (After Death) Without Much Risk Assembly” at a very small +outlay, he did so, and then, calling together a company of those who hire +themselves out for purposes of violence, journeyed to Si-chow. +</p> + +<p> +Ling and Mian were seated together at a table in the great room, examining a +vessel of some clear liquid, when Chang-ch’un entered with his armed +ones, in direct opposition to the general laws of ordinary conduct and the +rulings of hospitality. At the sight, which plainly indicated a threatened +display of violence, Ling seized his renowned sword, which was never far +distant from him, and prepared to carry out his spoken vow, that any person +overstepping a certain mark on the floor would assuredly fall. +</p> + +<p> +“Put away your undoubtedly competent weapon, O Ling,” said Chang, +who was desirous that the matter should be arranged if possible without any +loss to himself, “for such a course can be honourably adopted when it is +taken into consideration that we are as twenty to one, and have, moreover, the +appearance of being inspired by law forms.” +</p> + +<p> +“There are certain matters of allowed justice which over-rule all other +law forms,” replied Ling, taking a surer hold of his sword-grasp. +“Explain, for your part, O obviously double-dealing Chang-ch’un, +from whom this person only recently parted on terms of equality and courtesy, +why you come not with an agreeable face and a peaceful following, but with a +countenance which indicates both violence and terror, and accompanied by many +whom this person recognizes as the most outcast and degraded from the narrow +and evil-smelling ways of Canton?” +</p> + +<p> +“In spite of your blustering words,” said Chang, with some attempt +at an exhibition of dignity, “this person is endowed by every right, and +comes only for the obtaining, by the help of this expert and proficient +gathering, should such a length become necessary, of his just claims. +Understand that in the time since the venture was arranged this person has +become possessed of all the property of ‘The Ling (After Death) Without +Much Risk Assembly,’ and thereby he is competent to act fully in the +matter. It has now come within his attention that the one Ling to whom the +particulars refer is officially dead, and as the written and sealed document +clearly undertook that the person’s body was to be delivered up for +whatever use the Assembly decided whenever death should possess it, this person +has now come for the honourable carrying out of the undertaking.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words the true nature of the hidden contrivance into which he had +fallen descended upon Ling like a heavy and unavoidable thunderbolt. +Nevertheless, being by nature and by reason of his late exploits fearless of +death, except for the sake of the loved one by his side, he betrayed no sign of +discreditable emotion at the discovery. +</p> + +<p> +“In such a case,” he replied, with an appearance of entirely +disregarding the danger of the position, “the complete parchment must be +of necessity overthrown; for if this person is now officially dead, he was +equally so at the time of sealing, and arrangements entered into by dead +persons have no actual existence.” +</p> + +<p> +“That is a matter which has never been efficiently decided,” +admitted Chang-ch’un, with no appearance of being thrown into a state of +confusion at the suggestion, “and doubtless the case in question can by +various means be brought in the end before the Court of Final Settlement at +Peking, where it may indeed be judged in the manner you assert. But as such a +process must infallibly consume the wealth of a province and the years of an +ordinary lifetime, and as it is this person’s unmoved intention to carry +out his own view of the undertaking without delay, such speculations are not +matters of profound interest.” +</p> + +<p> +Upon this Chang gave certain instructions to his followers, who thereupon +prepared to advance. Perceiving that the last detail of the affair had been +arrived at, Ling threw back his hanging garment, and was on the point of +rushing forward to meet them, when Mian, who had maintained a possessed and +reliant attitude throughout, pushed towards him the vessel of pure and +sparkling liquid with which they had been engaged when so presumptuously broken +in upon, at the same time speaking to him certain words in an outside language. +A new and Heaven-sent confidence immediately took possession of Ling, and +striking his sword against the wall with such irresistible force that the +entire chamber trembled and the feeble-minded assassins shrank back in +unrestrained terror, he leapt upon the table, grasping in one hand the open +vessel. +</p> + +<p> +“Behold the end, O most uninventive and slow-witted +Chang-ch’un!” he cried in a dreadful and awe-compelling voice. +“As a reward for your faithless and traitorous behaviour, learn how such +avaricious-minded incompetence turns and fastens itself upon the vitals of +those who beget it. In spite of many things which were not of a graceful nature +towards him, this person has unassumingly maintained his part of the +undertaking, and would have followed such a course conscientiously to the last. +As it is, when he has made an end of speaking, the body which you are already +covetously estimating in taels will in no way be distinguishable from that of +the meanest and most ordinary maker of commercial ventures in Canton. For, +behold! the fluid which he holds in his hand, and which it is his fixed +intention to drain to the last drop, is in truth nothing but a secret and +exceedingly powerful counteractor against the virtues of the gold drug; and +though but a single particle passed his lips, and the swords of your brilliant +and versatile murderers met the next moment in his breast, the body which fell +at your feet would be meet for worms rather than for the melting-pot.” +</p> + +<p> +It was indeed such a substance as Ling represented it to be, Mian having +discovered it during her very systematic examination of the dead +magician’s inner room. Its composition and distillation had involved that +self-opinionated person in many years of arduous toil, for with a somewhat +unintelligent lack of foresight he had obstinately determined to perfect the +antidote before he turned his attention to the drug itself. Had the matter been +more ingeniously arranged, he would undoubtedly have enjoyed an earlier triumph +and an affluent and respected old age. +</p> + +<p> +At Ling’s earnest words and prepared attitude an instant conviction of +the truth of his assertions took possession of Chang. Therefore, seeing nothing +but immediate and unevadable ruin at the next step, he called out in a loud and +imploring voice that he should desist, and no harm would come upon him. To this +Ling consented, first insisting that the followers should be dismissed without +delay, and Chang alone remain to have conversation on the matter. By this just +act the lower parts of Canton were greatly purified, for the persons in +question being driven forth into the woods, mostly perished by encounters with +wild animals, or at the hands of the enraged villagers, to whom Ling had by +this time become greatly endeared. +</p> + +<p> +When the usual state had been restored, Ling made clear to Chang the altered +nature of the conditions to which he would alone agree. “It is a +noble-minded and magnanimous proposal on your part, and one to which this +misguided person had no claim,” admitted Chang, as he affixed his seal to +the written undertaking and committed the former parchment to be consumed by +fire. By this arrangement it was agreed that Ling should receive only one-half +of the yearly payment which had formerly been promised, and that no sum of +taels should become due to those depending on him at his death. In return for +these valuable allowances, there were to exist no details of things to be done +and not to be done, Ling merely giving an honourable promise to observe the +matter in a just spirit, while—most esteemed of all—only a portion +of his body was to pass to Chang when the end arrived, the upper part remaining +to embellish the family altar and receive the veneration of posterity. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +As the great sky-lantern rose above the trees and the time of no-noise fell +upon the woods, a flower-laden pleasure-junk moved away from its restraining +cords, and, without any sense of motion, gently bore Ling and Mian between the +sweet-smelling banks of the Heng-Kiang. Presently Mian drew from beneath her +flowing garment an instrument of stringed wood, and touching it with a quick +but delicate stroke, like the flight and pausing of a butterfly, told in +well-balanced words a refined narrative of two illustrious and noble-looking +persons, and how, after many disagreeable evils and unendurable separations, +they entered upon a destined state of earthly prosperity and celestial favour. +When she made an end of the verses, Ling turned the junk’s head by one +well-directed stroke of the paddle, and prepared by using similar means to +return to the place of mooring. +</p> + +<p> +“Indeed,” he remarked, ceasing for a moment to continue this +skilful occupation, “the words which you have just spoken might, without +injustice, be applied to the two persons who are now conversing together. For +after suffering misfortunes and wrongs beyond an appropriate portion, they have +now reached that period of existence when a tranquil and contemplative future +is assured to them. In this manner is the sage and matured utterance of the +inspired philosopher Nien-tsu again proved: that the life of every person is +largely composed of two varieties of circumstances which together build up his +existence—the Good and the Evil.” +</p> + +<p class="center"> +THE END OF THE STORY OF LING +</p> + +<h3>CHAPTER XVI</h3> + +<p> +When Kai Lung, the story-teller, made an end of speaking, he was immediately +greeted with a variety of delicate and pleasing remarks, all persons who had +witnessed the matter, down even to the lowest type of Miaotze, who by reason of +their obscure circumstances had been unable to understand the meaning of a word +that had been spoken, maintaining that Kai Lung’s accomplishment of +continuing for upwards of three hours without a pause had afforded an +entertainment of a very high and refined order. While these polished sayings +were being composed, together with many others of a similar nature, Lin Yi +suddenly leapt to his feet with a variety of highly objectionable remarks +concerning the ancestors of all those who were present, and declaring that the +story of Ling was merely a well-considered stratagem to cause them to forget +the expedition which they had determined upon, for by that time it should have +been completely carried out. It was undoubtedly a fact that the hour spoken of +for the undertaking had long passed, Lin Yi having completely overlooked the +speed of time in his benevolent anxiety that the polite and valorous Ling +should in the end attain to a high and remunerative destiny. +</p> + +<p> +In spite of Kai Lung’s consistent denials of any treachery, he could not +but be aware that the incident tended greatly to his disadvantage in the eyes +of those whom he had fixed a desire to conciliate, nor did his well-intentioned +offer that he would without hesitation repeat the display for a like number of +hours effect his amiable purpose. How the complication would finally have been +determined without interruption is a matter merely of imagination, for at that +moment an outpost, who had been engaged in guarding the secrecy of the +expedition, threw himself into the enclosure in a torn and breathless +condition, having run through the forest many li in a winding direction for the +explicit purpose of warning Lin Yi that his intentions had become known, and +that he and his followers would undoubtedly be surprised and overcome if they +left the camp. +</p> + +<p> +At this intimation of the eminent service which Kai Lung had rendered them, the +nature of their faces towards him at once changed completely, those who only a +moment before had been demanding his death particularly hailing him as their +inspired and unobtrusive protector, and in all probability, indeed, a virtuous +and benignant spirit in disguise. +</p> + +<p> +Bending under the weight of offerings which Lin Yi and his followers pressed +upon him, together with many clearly set out desires for his future prosperity, +and assured of their unalterable protection on all future occasions, Kai Lung +again turned his face towards the lanterns of Knei Yang. Far down the side of +the mountain they followed his footsteps, now by a rolling stone, now by a +snapping branch of yellow pine. Once again they heard his voice, cheerfully +repeating to himself; “Among the highest virtues of a pure +existence—” But beyond that point the gentle forest breath bore him +away. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"></a> +II.<br /> +THE STORY OF YUNG CHANG</h2> + +<p class="center"> +Narrated by Kai Lung, in the open space of the tea-shop of The Celestial +Principles, at Wu-whei. +</p> + +<p> +“Ho, illustrious passers-by!” said Kai Lung, the story-teller, as +he spread out his embroidered mat under the mulberry-tree. “It is indeed +unlikely that you would condescend to stop and listen to the foolish words of +such an insignificant and altogether deformed person as myself. Nevertheless, +if you will but retard your elegant footsteps for a few moments, this +exceedingly unprepossessing individual will endeavour to entertain you with the +recital of the adventures of the noble Yung Chang, as recorded by the +celebrated Pe-ku-hi.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus adjured, the more leisurely-minded drew near to hear the history of Yung +Chang. There was Sing You the fruit-seller, and Li Ton-ti the wood-carver; Hi +Seng left his clients to cry in vain for water; and Wang Yu, the idle +pipe-maker, closed his shop of “The Fountain of Beauty,” and hung +on the shutter the gilt dragon to keep away customers in his absence. These, +together with a few more shopkeepers and a dozen or so loafers, constituted a +respectable audience by the time Kai Lung was ready. +</p> + +<p> +“It would be more seemly if this ill-conditioned person who is now +addressing such a distinguished assembly were to reward his fine and +noble-looking hearers for their trouble,” apologized the story-teller. +“But, as the Book of Verses says, ‘The meaner the slave, the +greater the lord’; and it is, therefore, not unlikely that this majestic +concourse will reward the despicable efforts of their servant by handfuls of +coins till the air appears as though filled with swarms of locusts in the +season of much heat. In particular, there is among this august crowd of +Mandarins one Wang Yu, who has departed on three previous occasions without +bestowing the reward of a single cash. If the feeble and covetous-minded Wang +Yu will place within this very ordinary bowl the price of one of his +exceedingly ill-made pipes, this unworthy person will proceed.” +</p> + +<p> +“Vast chasms can be filled, but the heart of man never,” quoted the +pipe-maker in retort. “Oh, most incapable of story-tellers, have you not +on two separate occasions slept beneath my utterly inadequate roof without +payment?” +</p> + +<p> +But he, nevertheless, deposited three cash in the bowl, and drew nearer among +the front row of the listeners. +</p> + +<p> +“It was during the reign of the enlightened Emperor Tsing Nung,” +began Kai Lung, without further introduction, “that there lived at a +village near Honan a wealthy and avaricious maker of idols, named Ti Hung. So +skilful had he become in the making of clay idols that his fame had spread for +many li round, and idol-sellers from all the neighbouring villages, and even +from the towns, came to him for their stock. No other idol-maker between Honan +and Nanking employed so many clay-gatherers or so many modellers; yet, with all +his riches, his avarice increased till at length he employed men whom he called +‘agents’ and ‘travellers,’ who went from house to house +selling his idols and extolling his virtues in verses composed by the most +illustrious poets of the day. He did this in order that he might turn into his +own pocket the full price of the idols, grudging those who would otherwise have +sold them the few cash which they would make. Owing to this he had many +enemies, and his army of travellers made him still more; for they were more +rapacious than the scorpion, and more obstinate than the ox. Indeed, there is +still the proverb, ‘With honey it is possible to soften the heart of the +he-goat; but a blow from an iron cleaver is taken as a mark of welcome by an +agent of Ti Hung.’ So that people barred the doors at their approach, and +even hung out signs of death and mourning. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, among all his travellers there was none more successful, more +abandoned, and more valuable to Ti Hung than Li Ting. So depraved was Li Ting +that he was never known to visit the tombs of his ancestors; indeed, it was +said that he had been heard to mock their venerable memories, and that he had +jestingly offered to sell them to anyone who should chance to be without +ancestors of his own. This objectionable person would call at the houses of the +most illustrious Mandarins, and would command the slaves to carry to their +masters his tablets, on which were inscribed his name and his virtues. Reaching +their presence, he would salute them with the greeting of an equal, ‘How +is your stomach?’ and then proceed to exhibit samples of his wares, +greatly overrating their value. ‘Behold!’ he would exclaim, +‘is not this elegantly-moulded idol worthy of the place of honour in this +sumptuous mansion which my presence defiles to such an extent that twelve +basins of rose-water will not remove the stain? Are not its eyes more delicate +than the most select of almonds? and is not its stomach rounder than the +cupolas upon the high temple at Peking? Yet, in spite of its perfections, it is +not worthy of the acceptance of so distinguished a Mandarin, and therefore I +will accept in return the quarter-tael, which, indeed, is less than my +illustrious master gives for the clay alone.’ +</p> + +<p> +“In this manner Li Ting disposed of many idols at high rates, and thereby +endeared himself so much to the avaricious heart of Ti Hung that he promised +him his beautiful daughter Ning in marriage. +</p> + +<p> +“Ning was indeed very lovely. Her eyelashes were like the finest willow +twigs that grow in the marshes by the Yang-tse-Kiang; her cheeks were fairer +than poppies; and when she bathed in the Hoang Ho, her body seemed transparent. +Her brow was finer than the most polished jade; while she seemed to walk, like +a winged bird, without weight, her hair floating in a cloud. Indeed, she was +the most beautiful creature that has ever existed.” +</p> + +<p> +“Now may you grow thin and shrivel up like a fallen lemon; but it is +false!” cried Wang Yu, starting up suddenly and unexpectedly. “At +Chee Chou, at the shop of ‘The Heaven-sent Sugar-cane,’ there lives +a beautiful and virtuous girl who is more than all that. Her eyes are like the +inside circles on the peacock’s feathers; her teeth are finer than the +scales on the Sacred Dragon; her—” +</p> + +<p> +“If it is the wish of this illustriously-endowed gathering that this +exceedingly illiterate paper tiger should occupy their august moments with a +description of the deformities of the very ordinary young person at Chee +Chou,” said Kai Lung imperturbably, “then the remainder of the +history of the noble-minded Yung Chang can remain until an evil fate has +overtaken Wang Yu, as it assuredly will shortly.” +</p> + +<p> +“A fair wind raises no storm,” said Wang Yu sulkily; and Kai Lung +continued: +</p> + +<p> +“Such loveliness could not escape the evil eye of Li Ting, and +accordingly, as he grew in favour with Ti Hung, he obtained his consent to the +drawing up of the marriage contracts. More than this, he had already sent to +Ning two bracelets of the finest gold, tied together with a scarlet thread, as +a betrothal present. But, as the proverb says, ‘The good bee will not +touch the faded flower,’ and Ning, although compelled by the second of +the Five Great Principles to respect her father, was unable to regard the +marriage with anything but abhorrence. Perhaps this was not altogether the +fault of Li Ting, for on the evening of the day on which she had received his +present, she walked in the rice fields, and sitting down at the foot of a +funereal cypress, whose highest branches pierced the Middle Air, she cried +aloud: +</p> + +<p> +“‘I cannot control my bitterness. Of what use is it that I should +be called the “White Pigeon among Golden Lilies,” if my beauty is +but for the hog-like eyes of the exceedingly objectionable Li Ting? Ah, Yung +Chang, my unfortunate lover! what evil spirit pursues you that you cannot pass +your examination for the second degree? My noble-minded but ambitious boy, why +were you not content with an agricultural or even a manufacturing career and +happiness? By aspiring to a literary degree, you have placed a barrier wider +than the Whang Hai between us.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘As the earth seems small to the soaring swallow, so shall +insuperable obstacles be overcome by the heart worn smooth with a fixed +purpose,’ said a voice beside her, and Yung Chang stepped from behind the +cypress tree, where he had been waiting for Ning. ‘O one more symmetrical +than the chrysanthemum,’ he continued, ‘I shall yet, with the aid +of my ancestors, pass the second degree, and even obtain a position of high +trust in the public office at Peking.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘And in the meantime,’ pouted Ning, ‘I shall have +partaken of the wedding-cake of the utterly unpresentable Li Ting.’ And +she exhibited the bracelets which she had that day received. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Alas!’ said Yung Chang, ‘there are times when one is +tempted to doubt even the most efficacious and violent means. I had hoped that +by this time Li Ting would have come to a sudden and most unseemly end; for I +have drawn up and affixed in the most conspicuous places notifications of his +character, similar to the one here.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Ning turned, and beheld fastened to the trunk of the cypress an +exceedingly elegantly written and composed notice, which Yung read to her as +follows: +</p> + +<p class="center"> +“‘BEWARE OF INCURRING DEATH FROM STARVATION +</p> + +<p> +“‘Let the distinguished inhabitants of this district observe the +exceedingly ungraceful walk and bearing of the low person who calls himself Li +Ting. Truthfully, it is that of a dog in the act of being dragged to the river +because his sores and diseases render him objectionable in the house of his +master. So will this hunchbacked person be dragged to the place of execution, +and be bowstrung, to the great relief of all who respect the five senses; A +Respectful Physiognomy, Passionless Reflexion, Soft Speech, Acute Hearing, +Piercing Sight. +</p> + +<p> +“‘He hopes to attain to the Red Button and the Peacock’s +Feather; but the right hand of the Deity itches, and Li Ting will assuredly be +removed suddenly.’ +</p> + +<p class="p2"> +“‘Li Ting must certainly be in league with the evil forces if he +can withstand so powerful a weapon,’ said Ning admiringly, when her lover +had finished reading. ‘Even now he is starting on a journey, nor will he +return till the first day of the month when the sparrows go to the sea and are +changed into oysters. Perhaps the fate will overtake him while he is away. If +not—’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘If not,’ said Yung, taking up her words as she paused, +‘then I have yet another hope. A moment ago you were regretting my choice +of a literary career. Learn, then, the value of knowledge. By its aid +(assisted, indeed, by the spirits of my ancestors) I have discovered a new and +strange thing, for which I can find no word. By using this new system of +reckoning, your illustrious but exceedingly narrow-minded and miserly father +would be able to make five taels where he now makes one. Would he not, in +consideration for this, consent to receive me as a son-in-law, and dismiss the +inelegant and unworthy Li Ting?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘In the unlikely event of your being able to convince my +illustrious parent of what you say, it would assuredly be so,’ replied +Ning. ‘But in what way could you do so? My sublime and charitable father +already employs all the means in his power to reap the full reward of his +sacred industry. His “solid house-hold gods” are in reality mere +shells of clay; higher-priced images are correspondingly constructed, and his +clay gatherers and modellers are all paid on a “profit-sharing +system.” Nay, further, it is beyond likelihood that he should wish for +more purchasers, for so great is his fame that those who come to buy have +sometimes to wait for days in consequence of those before them; for my +exceedingly methodical sire entrusts none with the receiving of money, and the +exchanges are therefore made slowly. Frequently an unnaturally devout person +will require as many as a hundred idols, and so the greater part of the day +will be passed.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘In what way?’ inquired Yung tremulously. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Why, in order that the countings may not get mixed, of course; it +is necessary that when he has paid for one idol he should carry it to a place +aside, and then return and pay for the second, carrying it to the first, and in +such a manner to the end. In this way the sun sinks behind the +mountains.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘But,’ said Yung, his voice thick with his great discovery, +‘if he could pay for the entire quantity at once, then it would take but +a hundredth part of the time, and so more idols could be sold.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘How could this be done?’ inquired Ning wonderingly. +‘Surely it is impossible to conjecture the value of so many idols.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘To the unlearned it would indeed be impossible,’ replied +Yung proudly, ‘but by the aid of my literary researches I have been +enabled to discover a process by which such results would be not a matter of +conjecture, but of certainty. These figures I have committed to tablets, which +I am prepared to give to your mercenary and slow-witted father in return for +your incomparable hand, a share of the profits, and the dismissal of the +uninventive and morally threadbare Li Ting.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘When the earth-worm boasts of his elegant wings, the eagle can +afford to be silent,’ said a harsh voice behind them; and turning hastily +they beheld Li Ting, who had come upon them unawares. ‘Oh, most +insignificant of table-spoilers,’ he continued, ‘it is very evident +that much over-study has softened your usually well-educated brains. Were it +not that you are obviously mentally afflicted, I should unhesitatingly persuade +my beautiful and refined sword to introduce you to the spirits of your ignoble +ancestors. As it is, I will merely cut off your nose and your left ear, so that +people may not say that the Dragon of the Earth sleeps and wickedness goes +unpunished.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Both had already drawn their swords, and very soon the blows were so +hard and swift that, in the dusk of the evening, it seemed as though the air +were filled with innumerable and many-coloured fireworks. Each was a practised +swordsman, and there was no advantage gained on either side, when Ning, who had +fled on the appearance of Li Ting, reappeared, urging on her father, whose +usually leisurely footsteps were quickened by the dread that the duel must +surely result in certain loss to himself, either of a valuable servant, or of +the discovery which Ning had briefly explained to him, and of which he at once +saw the value. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Oh, most distinguished and expert persons,’ he exclaimed +breathlessly, as soon as he was within hearing distance, ‘do not trouble +to give so marvellous an exhibition for the benefit of this unworthy +individual, who is the only observer of your illustrious dexterity! Indeed, +your honourable condescension so fills this illiterate person with shame that +his hearing is thereby preternaturally sharpened, and he can plainly +distinguish many voices from beyond the Hoang Ho, crying for the Heaven-sent +representative of the degraded Ti Hung to bring them more idols. Bend, +therefore, your refined footsteps in the direction of Poo Chow, O Li Ting, and +leave me to make myself objectionable to this exceptional young man with my +intolerable commonplaces.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘The shadow falls in such a direction as the sun wills,’ +said Li Ting, as he replaced his sword and departed. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Yung Chang,’ said the merchant, ‘I am informed that +you have made a discovery that would be of great value to me, as it undoubtedly +would if it is all that you say. Let us discuss the matter without ceremony. +Can you prove to me that your system possesses the merit you claim for it? If +so, then the matter of arrangement will be easy.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘I am convinced of the absolute certainty and accuracy of the +discovery,’ replied Yung Chang. ‘It is not as though it were an +ordinary matter of human intelligence, for this was discovered to me as I was +worshipping at the tomb of my ancestors. The method is regulated by a system of +squares, triangles, and cubes. But as the practical proof might be long, and as +I hesitate to keep your adorable daughter out in the damp night air, may I not +call at your inimitable dwelling in the morning, when we can go into the matter +thoroughly?’ +</p> + +<p> +“I will not weary this intelligent gathering, each member of which +doubtless knows all the books on mathematics off by heart, with a recital of +the means by which Yung Chang proved to Ti Hung the accuracy of his tables and +the value of his discovery of the multiplication table, which till then had +been undreamt of,” continued the story-teller. “It is sufficient to +know that he did so, and that Ti Hung agreed to his terms, only stipulating +that Li Ting should not be made aware of his dismissal until he had returned +and given in his accounts. The share of the profits that Yung was to receive +was cut down very low by Ti Hung, but the young man did not mind that, as he +would live with his father-in-law for the future. +</p> + +<p> +“With the introduction of this new system, the business increased like a +river at flood-time. All rivals were left far behind, and Ti Hung put out this +sign: +</p> + +<p class="center"> +“NO WAITING HERE! +</p> + +<p> +“Good-morning! Have you worshipped one of Ti Hung’s refined +ninety-nine cash idols? +</p> + +<p> +“Let the purchasers of ill-constructed idols at other establishments, +where they have grown old and venerable while waiting for the all-thumb +proprietors to count up to ten, come to the shop of Ti Hung and regain their +lost youth. Our ninety-nine cash idols are worth a tael a set. We do not, +however, claim that they will do everything. The ninety-nine cash idols of Ti +Hung will not, for example, purify linen, but even the most contented and +frozen-brained person cannot be happy until he possesses one. What is +happiness? The exceedingly well-educated Philosopher defines it as the +accomplishment of all our desires. Everyone desires one of the Ti Hung’s +ninety-nine cash idols, therefore get one; but be sure that it is Ti +Hung’s. +</p> + +<p> +“Have you a bad idol? If so, dismiss it, and get one of Ti Hung’s +ninety-nine cash specimens. +</p> + +<p> +“Why does your idol look old sooner than your neighbours? Because yours +is not one of Ti Hung’s ninety-nine cash marvels. +</p> + +<p> +“They bring all delights to the old and the young, The elegant idols +supplied by Ti Hung. +</p> + +<p> +“N.B.—The ‘Great Sacrifice’ idol, forty-five cash; +delivered, carriage free, in quantities of not less than twelve, at any temple, +on the evening before the sacrifice. +</p> + +<p class="p2"> +“It was about this time that Li Ting returned. His journey had been more +than usually successful, and he was well satisfied in consequence. It was not +until he had made out his accounts and handed in his money that Ti Hung +informed him of his agreement with Yung Chang. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Oh, most treacherous and excessively unpopular Ti Hung,’ +exclaimed Li Ting, in a terrible voice, ‘this is the return you make for +all my entrancing efforts in your services, then? It is in this way that you +reward my exceedingly unconscientious recommendations of your very inferior and +unendurable clay idols, with their goggle eyes and concave stomachs! Before I +go, however, I request to be inspired to make the following remark—that I +confidently predict your ruin. And now this low and undignified person will +finally shake the elegant dust of your distinguished house from his thoroughly +inadequate feet, and proceed to offer his incapable services to the rival +establishment over the way.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘The machinations of such an evilly-disposed person as Li Ting +will certainly be exceedingly subtle,’ said Ti Hung to his son-in-law +when the traveller had departed. ‘I must counteract his omens. Herewith I +wish to prophecy that henceforth I shall enjoy an unbroken run of good fortune. +I have spoken, and assuredly I shall not eat my words.’ +</p> + +<p> +“As the time went on, it seemed as though Ti Hung had indeed spoken +truly. The ease and celerity with which he transacted his business brought him +customers and dealers from more remote regions than ever, for they could spend +days on the journey and still save time. The army of clay-gatherers and +modellers grew larger and larger, and the work-sheds stretched almost down to +the river’s edge. Only one thing troubled Ti Hung, and that was the +uncongenial disposition of his son-in-law, for Yung took no further interest in +the industry to which his discovery had given so great an impetus, but +resolutely set to work again to pass his examination for the second degree. +</p> + +<p> +“‘It is an exceedingly distinguished and honourable thing to have +failed thirty-five times, and still to be undiscouraged,’ admitted Ti +Hung; ‘but I cannot cleanse my throat from bitterness when I consider +that my noble and lucrative business must pass into the hands of strangers, +perhaps even into the possession of the unendurable Li Ting.’ +</p> + +<p> +“But it had been appointed that this degrading thing should not happen, +however, and it was indeed fortunate that Yung did not abandon his literary +pursuits; for after some time it became very apparent to Ti Hung that there was +something radically wrong with his business. It was not that his custom was +falling off in any way; indeed, it had lately increased in a manner that was +phenomenal, and when the merchant came to look into the matter, he found to his +astonishment that the least order he had received in the past week had been for +a hundred idols. All the sales had been large, and yet Ti Hung found himself +most unaccountably deficient in taels. He was puzzled and alarmed, and for the +next few days he looked into the business closely. Then it was that the reason +was revealed, both for the falling off in the receipts and for the increase in +the orders. The calculations of the unfortunate Yung Chang were correct up to a +hundred, but at that number he had made a gigantic error—which, however, +he was never able to detect and rectify—with the result that all +transactions above that point worked out at a considerable loss to the seller. +It was in vain that the panic-stricken Ti Hung goaded his miserable son-in-law +to correct the mistake; it was equally in vain that he tried to stem the +current of his enormous commercial popularity. He had competed for public +favour, and he had won it, and every day his business increased till ruin +grasped him by the pigtail. Then came an order from one firm at Peking for five +millions of the ninety-nine cash idols, and at that Ti Hung put up his +shutters, and sat down in the dust. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Behold!’ he exclaimed, ‘in the course of a lifetime +there are many very disagreeable evils that may overtake a person. He may +offend the Sacred Dragon, and be in consequence reduced to a fine dry powder; +or he may incur the displeasure of the benevolent and pure-minded Emperor, and +be condemned to death by roasting; he may also be troubled by demons or by the +disturbed spirits of his ancestors, or be struck by thunderbolts. Indeed, there +are numerous annoyances, but they become as Heaven-sent blessings in comparison +to a self-opinionated and more than ordinarily weak-minded son-in-law. Of what +avail is it that I have habitually sold one idol for the value of a hundred? +The very objectionable man in possession sits in my delectable summer-house, +and the unavoidable legal documents settle around me like a flock of pigeons. +It is indeed necessary that I should declare myself to be in voluntary +liquidation, and make an assignment of my book debts for the benefit of my +creditors. Having accomplished this, I will proceed to the well-constructed +tomb of my illustrious ancestors, and having kow-towed at their incomparable +shrines, I will put an end to my distinguished troubles with this exceedingly +well-polished sword.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘The wise man can adapt himself to circumstances as water takes +the shape of the vase that contains it,’ said the well-known voice of Li +Ting. ‘Let not the lion and the tiger fight at the bidding of the jackal. +By combining our forces all may be well with you yet. Assist me to dispose of +the entirely superfluous Yung Chang and to marry the elegant and symmetrical +Ning, and in return I will allot to you a portion of my not inconsiderable +income.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘However high the tree, the leaves fall to the ground, and your +hour has come at last, O detestable Li Ting!’ said Yung, who had heard +the speakers and crept upon them unperceived. ‘As for my distinguished +and immaculate father-in-law, doubtless the heat has affected his indefatigable +brains, or he would not have listened to your contemptible suggestion. For +yourself, draw!’ +</p> + +<p> +“Both swords flashed, but before a blow could be struck the spirits of +his ancestors hurled Li Ting lifeless to the ground, to avenge the memories +that their unworthy descendant had so often reviled. +</p> + +<p> +“‘So perish all the enemies of Yung Chang,’ said the victor. +‘And now, my venerated but exceedingly short-sighted father-in-law, learn +how narrowly you have escaped making yourself exceedingly objectionable to +yourself. I have just received intelligence from Peking that I have passed the +second degree, and have in consequence been appointed to a remunerative +position under the Government. This will enable us to live in comfort, if not +in affluence, and the rest of your engaging days can be peacefully spent in +flying kites.’” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"></a> +III.<br /> +THE PROBATION OF SEN HENG</h2> + +<p class="center"> +Related by Kai Lung, at Wu-whei, as a rebuke to Wang Yu and certain others who +had questioned the practical value of his stories. +</p> + +<p> +“It is an undoubted fact that this person has not realized the direct +remunerative advantage which he confidently anticipated,” remarked the +idle and discontented pipe-maker Wang Yu, as, with a few other persons of +similar inclination, he sat in the shade of the great mulberry tree at Wu-whei, +waiting for the evil influence of certain very mysterious sounds, which had +lately been heard, to pass away before he resumed his occupation. “When +the seemingly proficient and trustworthy Kai Lung first made it his practice to +journey to Wu-whei, and narrate to us the doings of persons of all classes of +life,” he continued, “it seemed to this one that by closely +following the recital of how Mandarins obtained their high position, and +exceptionally rich persons their wealth, he must, in the end, inevitably be +rendered competent to follow in their illustrious footsteps. Yet in how +entirely contrary a direction has the whole course of events tended! In spite +of the honourable intention which involved a frequent absence from his place of +commerce, those who journeyed thither with the set purpose of possessing one of +his justly-famed opium pipes so perversely regarded the matter that, after two +or three fruitless visits, they deliberately turned their footsteps towards the +workshop of the inelegant Ming-yo, whose pipes are confessedly greatly inferior +to those produced by the person who is now speaking. Nevertheless, the +rapacious Kai Lung, to whose influence the falling off in custom was thus +directly attributable, persistently declined to bear any share whatever in the +loss which his profession caused, and, indeed, regarded the circumstance from +so grasping and narrow-minded a point of observation that he would not even go +to the length of suffering this much-persecuted one to join the circle of his +hearers without on every occasion making the customary offering. In this manner +a well-intentioned pursuit of riches has insidiously led this person within +measurable distance of the bolted dungeon for those who do not meet their just +debts, while the only distinction likely to result from his assiduous study of +the customs and methods of those high in power is that of being publicly +bowstrung as a warning to others. Manifestedly the pointed finger of the +unreliable Kai Lung is a very treacherous guide.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is related,” said a dispassionate voice behind them, +“that a person of limited intelligence, on being assured that he would +certainly one day enjoy an adequate competence if he closely followed the +industrious habits of the thrifty bee, spent the greater part of his life in +anointing his thighs with the yellow powder which he laboriously collected from +the flowers of the field. It is not so recorded; but doubtless the nameless one +in question was by profession a maker of opium pipes, for this person has +observed from time to time how that occupation, above all others, tends to +degrade the mental faculties, and to debase its followers to a lower position +than that of the beasts of labour. Learn therefrom, O superficial Wang Yu, that +wisdom lies in an intelligent perception of great principles, and not in a +slavish imitation of details which are, for the most part, beyond your simple +and insufficient understanding.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such may, indeed, be the case, Kai Lung,” replied Wang Yu +sullenly—for it was the story-teller in question who had approached +unperceived, and who now stood before them—“but it is none the less +a fact that, on the last occasion when this misguided person joined the +attending circle at your uplifted voice, a Mandarin of the third degree chanced +to pass through Wu-whei, and halted at the door-step of ‘The Fountain of +Beauty,’ fully intending to entrust this one with the designing and +fashioning of a pipe of exceptional elaborateness. This matter, by his absence, +has now passed from him, and to-day, through listening to the narrative of how +the accomplished Yuin-Pel doubled his fortune, he is the poorer by many +taels.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yet to-morrow, when the name of the Mandarin of the third degree appears +in the list of persons who have transferred their entire property to those who +are nearly related to them in order to avoid it being seized to satisfy the +just claims made against them,” replied Kai Lung, “you will be able +to regard yourself the richer by so many taels.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words, which recalled to the minds of all who were present the not +uncommon manner of behaving observed by those of exalted rank, who freely +engaged persons to supply them with costly articles without in any way +regarding the price to be paid, Wang Yu was silent. +</p> + +<p> +“Nevertheless,” exclaimed a thin voice from the edge of the group +which surrounded Kai Lung, “it in nowise follows that the stories are in +themselves excellent, or of such a nature that the hearing of their recital +will profit a person. Wang Yu may be satisfied with empty words, but there are +others present who were studying deep matters when Wang Yu was learning the art +of walking. If Kai Lung’s stories are of such remunerative benefit as the +person in question claims, how does it chance that Kai Lung himself who is +assuredly the best acquainted with them, stands before us in mean apparel, and +on all occasions confessing an unassuming poverty?” +</p> + +<p> +“It is Yan-hi Pung,” went from mouth to mouth among the +bystanders—“Yan-hi Pung, who traces on paper the words of chants +and historical tales, and sells them to such as can afford to buy. And although +his motive in exposing the emptiness of Kai Lung’s stories may not be +Heaven-sent—inasmuch as Kai Lung provides us with such matter as he +himself purveys, only at a much more moderate price—yet his words are +well considered, and must therefore be regarded.” +</p> + +<p> +“O Yan-hi Pung,” replied Kai Lung, hearing the name from those who +stood about him, and moving towards the aged person, who stood meanwhile +leaning upon his staff, and looking from side to side with quickly moving +eyelids in a manner very offensive towards the story-teller, “your just +remark shows you to be a person of exceptional wisdom, even as your well-bowed +legs prove you to be one of great bodily strength; for justice is ever obvious +and wisdom hidden, and they who build structures for endurance discard the +straight and upright and insist upon such an arch as you so symmetrically +exemplify.” +</p> + +<p> +Speaking in this conciliatory manner, Kai Lung came up to Yan-hi Pung, and +taking between his fingers a disc of thick polished crystal, which the aged and +short-sighted chant-writer used for the purpose of magnifying and bringing +nearer the letters upon which he was engaged, and which hung around his neck by +an embroidered cord, the story-teller held it aloft, crying aloud: +</p> + +<p> +“Observe closely, and presently it will be revealed and made clear how +the apparently very conflicting words of the wise Yan-hi Pung, and those of +this unassuming but nevertheless conscientious person who is now addressing +you, are, in reality, as one great truth.” +</p> + +<p> +With this assurance Kai Lung moved the crystal somewhat, so that it engaged the +sun’s rays, and concentrated them upon the uncovered crown of the +unsuspecting and still objectionably-engaged person before him. Without a +moment’s pause, Yan-hi Pung leapt high into the air, repeatedly pressing +his hand to the spot thus selected and crying aloud: +</p> + +<p> +“Evil dragons and thunderbolts! but the touch was as hot as a scar left +by the uncut nail of the sublime Buddha!” +</p> + +<p> +“Yet the crystal—” remarked Kai Lung composedly, passing it +into the hands of those who stood near. +</p> + +<p> +“Is as cool as the innermost leaves of the riverside sycamore,” +they declared. +</p> + +<p> +Kai Lung said nothing further, but raised both his hands above his head, as if +demanding their judgment. Thereupon a loud shout went up on his behalf, for the +greater part of them loved to see the manner in which he brushed aside those +who would oppose him; and the sight of the aged person Yan-hi Pung leaping far +into the air had caused them to become exceptionally amused, and, in +consequence, very amiably disposed towards the one who had afforded them the +entertainment. +</p> + +<p> +“The story of Sen Heng,” began Kai Lung, when the discussion had +terminated in the manner already recorded, “concerns itself with one who +possessed an unsuspecting and ingenious nature, which ill-fitted him to take an +ordinary part in the everyday affairs of life, no matter how engaging such a +character rendered him among his friends and relations. Having at an early age +been entrusted with a burden of rice and other produce from his father’s +fields to dispose of in the best possible manner at a neighbouring mart, and +having completed the transaction in a manner extremely advantageous to those +with whom he trafficked but very intolerable to the one who had sent him, it at +once became apparent that some other means of gaining a livelihood must be +discovered for him. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Beyond all doubt,’ said his father, after considering the +matter for a period, ‘it is a case in which one should be governed by the +wise advice and example of the Mandarin Poo-chow.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Illustrious sire,’ exclaimed Sen Heng, who chanced to be +present, ‘the illiterate person who stands before you is entirely +unacquainted with the one to whom you have referred; nevertheless, he will, as +you suggest, at once set forth, and journeying with all speed to the abode of +the estimable Poo-chow, solicit his experience and advice.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Unless a more serious loss should be occasioned,’ replied +the father coldly, ‘there is no necessity to adopt so extreme a course. +The benevolent Mandarin in question existed at a remote period of the Thang +dynasty, and the incident to which an allusion has been made arose in the +following way: To the public court of the enlightened Poo-chow there came one +day a youth of very inferior appearance and hesitating manner, who besought his +explicit advice, saying: “The degraded and unprepossessing being before +you, O select and venerable Mandarin, is by nature and attainments a person of +the utmost timidity and fearfulness. From this cause life itself has become a +detestable observance in his eyes, for those who should be his companions of +both sexes hold him in undisguised contempt, making various unendurable +allusions to the colour and nature of his internal organs whenever he would +endeavour to join them. Instruct him, therefore, the manner in which this +cowardice may be removed, and no service in return will be esteemed too +great.” “There is a remedy,” replied the benevolent Mandarin, +without any hesitation whatever, “which if properly carried out is +efficacious beyond the possibility of failure. Certain component parts of your +body are lacking, and before the desired result can be obtained these must be +supplied from without. Of all courageous things the tiger is the most fearless, +and in consequence it combines all those ingredients which you require; +furthermore, as the teeth of the tiger are the instruments with which it +accomplishes its vengeful purpose, there reside the essential principles of its +inimitable courage. Let the person who seeks instruction in the matter, +therefore, do as follows: taking the teeth of a full-grown tiger as soon as it +is slain, and before the essences have time to return into the body, he shall +grind them to a powder, and mixing the powder with a portion of rice, consume +it. After seven days he must repeat the observance, and yet again a third time, +after another similar lapse. Let him, then, return for further guidance; for +the present the matter interests this person no further.” At these words +the youth departed, filled with a new and inspired hope; for the wisdom of the +sagacious Poo-chow was a matter which did not admit of any doubt whatever, and +he had spoken with well-defined certainty of the success of the experiment. +Nevertheless, after several days industriously spent in endeavouring to obtain +by purchase the teeth of a newly-slain tiger, the details of the undertaking +began to assume a new and entirely unforeseen aspect; for those whom he +approached as being the most likely to possess what he required either became +very immoderately and disagreeably amused at the nature of the request, or +regarded it as a new and ill-judged form of ridicule, which they prepared to +avenge by blows and by base remarks of the most personal variety. At length it +became unavoidably obvious to the youth that if he was to obtain the articles +in question it would first be necessary that he should become adept in the art +of slaying tigers, for in no other way were the required conditions likely to +be present. Although the prospect was one which did not greatly tend to allure +him, yet he did not regard it with the utterly incapable emotions which would +have been present on an earlier occasion; for the habit of continually guarding +himself from the onslaughts of those who received his inquiry in an attitude of +narrow-minded distrust had inspired him with a new-found valour, while his +amiable and unrestrained manner of life increased his bodily vigour in every +degree. First perfecting himself in the use of the bow and arrow, therefore, he +betook himself to a wild and very extensive forest, and there concealed himself +among the upper foliage of a tall tree standing by the side of a pool of water. +On the second night of his watch, the youth perceived a large but somewhat +ill-conditioned tiger approaching the pool for the purpose of quenching its +thirst, whereupon he tremblingly fitted an arrow to his bowstring, and +profiting by the instruction he had received, succeeded in piercing the +creature to the heart. After fulfilling the observance laid upon him by the +discriminating Poo-chow, the youth determined to remain in the forest, and +sustain himself upon such food as fell to his weapons, until the time arrived +when he should carry out the rite for the last time. At the end of seven days, +so subtle had he become in all kinds of hunting, and so strengthened by the +meat and herbs upon which he existed, that he disdained to avail himself of the +shelter of a tree, but standing openly by the side of the water, he engaged the +attention of the first tiger which came to drink, and discharged arrow after +arrow into its body with unfailing power and precision. So entrancing, indeed, +had the pursuit become that the next seven days lengthened out into the +apparent period of as many moons, in such a leisurely manner did they rise and +fall. On the appointed day, without waiting for the evening to arrive, the +youth set out with the first appearance of light, and penetrated into the most +inaccessible jungles, crying aloud words of taunt-laden challenge to all the +beasts therein, and accusing the ancestors of their race of every imaginable +variety of evil behaviour. Yet so great had become the renown of the one who +stood forth, and so widely had the warning voice been passed from tree to tree, +preparing all who dwelt in the forest against his anger, that not even the +fiercest replied openly, though low growls and mutterings proceeded from every +cave within a bow-shot’s distance around. Wearying quickly of such feeble +and timorous demonstrations, the youth rushed into the cave from which the +loudest murmurs proceeded, and there discovered a tiger of unnatural size, +surrounded by the bones of innumerable ones whom it had devoured; for from time +to time its ravages became so great and unbearable, that armies were raised in +the neighbouring villages and sent to destroy it, but more than a few +stragglers never returned. Plainly recognizing that a just and inevitable +vengeance had overtaken it, the tiger made only a very inferior exhibition of +resistance, and the youth, having first stunned it with a blow of his closed +hand, seized it by the middle, and repeatedly dashed its head against the rocky +sides of its retreat. He then performed for the third time the ceremony +enjoined by the Mandarin, and having cast upon the cringing and despicable +forms concealed in the surrounding woods and caves a look of dignified and +ineffable contempt, set out upon his homeward journey, and in the space of +three days’ time reached the town of the versatile Poo-chow. +“Behold,” exclaimed that person, when, lifting up his eyes, he saw +the youth approaching laden with the skins of the tigers and other spoils, +“now at least the youths and maidens of your native village will no +longer withdraw themselves from the company of so undoubtedly heroic a +person.” “Illustrious Mandarin,” replied the other, casting +both his weapons and his trophies before his inspired adviser’s feet, +“what has this person to do with the little ones of either sex? Give him +rather the foremost place in your ever-victorious company of bowmen, so that he +may repay in part the undoubted debt under which he henceforth exists.” +This proposal found favour with the pure-minded Poo-chow, so that in course of +time the unassuming youth who had come supplicating his advice became the +valiant commander of his army, and the one eventually chosen to present +plighting gifts to his only daughter.’ +</p> + +<p> +“When the father had completed the narrative of how the faint-hearted +youth became in the end a courageous and resourceful leader of bowmen, Sen +looked up, and not in any degree understanding the purpose of the story, or why +it had been set forth before him, exclaimed: +</p> + +<p> +“‘Undoubtedly the counsel of the graceful and intelligent Mandarin +Poo-chow was of inestimable service in the case recorded, and this person would +gladly adopt it as his guide for the future, on the chance of it leading to a +similar honourable career; but alas! there are no tigers to be found throughout +this Province.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘It is a loss which those who are engaged in commerce in the city +of Hankow strive to supply adequately,’ replied his father, who had an +assured feeling that it would be of no avail to endeavour to show Sen that the +story which he had just related was one setting forth a definite precept rather +than fixing an exact manner of behaviour. ‘For that reason,’ he +continued, ‘this person has concluded an arrangement by which you will +journey to that place, and there enter into the house of commerce of an expert +and conscientious vendor of moving contrivances. Among so rapacious and +keen-witted a class of persons as they of Hankow, it is exceedingly unlikely +that your amiable disposition will involve any individual one in an unavoidably +serious loss, and even should such an unforeseen event come to pass, there +will, at least, be the undeniable satisfaction of the thought that the +unfortunate occurrence will in no way affect the prosperity of those to whom +you are bound by the natural ties of affection.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Benevolent and virtuous-minded father,’ replied Sen gently, +but speaking with an inspired conviction; ‘from his earliest infancy this +unassuming one has been instructed in an inviolable regard for the Five General +Principles of Fidelity to the Emperor, Respect for Parents, Harmony between +Husband and Wife, Agreement among Brothers, and Constancy in Friendship. It +will be entirely unnecessary to inform so pious-minded a person as the one now +being addressed that no evil can attend the footsteps of an individual who +courteously observes these enactments.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Without doubt it is so arranged by the protecting Deities,’ +replied the father; ‘yet it is an exceedingly desirable thing for those +who are responsible in the matter that the footsteps to which reference has +been made should not linger in the neighbourhood of the village, but should, +with all possible speed, turn in the direction of Hankow.’ +</p> + +<p> +“In this manner it came to pass that Sen Heng set forth on the following +day, and coming without delay to the great and powerful city of Hankow, sought +out the house of commerce known as ‘The Pure Gilt Dragon of Exceptional +Symmetry,’ where the versatile King-y-Yang engaged in the entrancing +occupation of contriving moving figures, and other devices of an ingenious and +mirth-provoking character, which he entrusted into the hands of numerous +persons to sell throughout the Province. From this cause, although enjoying a +very agreeable recompense from the sale of the objects, the greatly perturbed +King-y-Yang suffered continual internal misgivings; for the habit of behaving +of those whom he appointed to go forth in the manner described was such that he +could not entirely dismiss from his mind an assured conviction that the details +were not invariably as they were represented to be. Frequently would one return +in a very deficient and unpresentable condition of garment, asserting that on +his return, while passing through a lonely and unprotected district, he had +been assailed by an armed band of robbers, and despoiled of all he possessed. +Another would claim to have been made the sport of evil spirits, who led him +astray by means of false signs in the forest, and finally destroyed his entire +burden of commodities, accompanying the unworthy act by loud cries of triumph +and remarks of an insulting nature concerning King-y-Yang; for the honourable +character and charitable actions of the person in question had made him very +objectionable to that class of beings. Others continually accounted for the +absence of the required number of taels by declaring that at a certain point of +their journey they were made the object of marks of amiable condescension on +the part of a high and dignified public official, who, on learning in whose +service they were, immediately professed an intimate personal friendship with +the estimable King-y-Yang, and, out of a feeling of gratified respect for him, +took away all such contrivances as remained undisposed of, promising to arrange +the payment with the refined King-y-Yang himself when they should next meet. +For these reasons King-y-Yang was especially desirous of obtaining one whose +spoken word could be received, upon all points, as an assured fact, and it was, +therefore, with an emotion of internal lightness that he confidently heard from +those who were acquainted with the person that Sen Heng was, by nature and +endowments, utterly incapable of representing matters of even the most +insignificant degree to be otherwise than what they really were. +</p> + +<p> +Filled with an acute anxiety to discover what amount of success would be +accorded to his latest contrivance, King-y-Yang led Sen Heng to a secluded +chamber, and there instructed him in the method of selling certain apparently +very ingeniously constructed ducks, which would have the appearance of swimming +about on the surface of an open vessel of water, at the same time uttering loud +and ever-increasing cries, after the manner of their kind. With ill-restrained +admiration at the skilful nature of the deception, King-y-Yang pointed out that +the ducks which were to be disposed of, and upon which a seemingly very low +price was fixed, did not, in reality, possess any of these accomplishments, but +would, on the contrary, if placed in water, at once sink to the bottom in a +most incapable manner; it being part of Sen’s duty to exhibit only a +specially prepared creature which was restrained upon the surface by means of +hidden cords, and, while bending over it, to simulate the cries as agreed upon. +After satisfying himself that Sen could perform these movements competently, +King-y-Yang sent him forth, particularly charging him that he should not return +without a sum of money which fully represented the entire number of ducks +entrusted to him, or an adequate number of unsold ducks to compensate for the +deficiency. +</p> + +<p> +“At the end of seven days Sen returned to King-y-Yang, and although +entirely without money, even to the extent of being unable to provide himself +with the merest necessities of a frugal existence, he honourably returned the +full number of ducks with which he had set out. It then became evident that +although Sen had diligently perfected himself in the sounds and movements which +King-y-Yang had contrived, he had not fully understood that they were to be +executed stealthily, but had, in consequence, manifested the accomplishment +openly, not unreasonably supposing that such an exhibition would be an +additional inducement to those who appeared to be well-disposed towards the +purchase. From this cause it came about that although large crowds were +attracted by Sen’s manner of conducting the enterprise, none actually +engaged to purchase even the least expensively-valued of the ducks, although +several publicly complimented Sen on his exceptional proficiency, and +repeatedly urged him to louder and more frequent cries, suggesting that by such +means possible buyers might be attracted to the spot from remote and +inaccessible villages in the neighbourhood. +</p> + +<p> +“When King-y-Yang learned how the venture had been carried out, he became +most intolerably self-opinionated in his expressions towards Sen’s mental +attainments and the manner of his bringing up. It was entirely in vain that the +one referred to pointed out in a tone of persuasive and courteous restraint +that he had not, down to the most minute particulars, transgressed either the +general or the specific obligations of the Five General Principles, and that, +therefore, he was blameless, and even worthy of commendation for the manner in +which he had acted. With an inelegant absence of all refined feeling, +King-y-Yang most incapably declined to discuss the various aspects of the +controversy in an amiable manner, asserting, indeed, that for the consideration +of as many brass cash as Sen had mentioned principles he would cause him to be +thrown into prison as a person of unnatural ineptitude. Then, without rewarding +Sen for the time spent in his service, or even inviting him to partake of food +and wine, the insufferable deviser of very indifferent animated contrivances +again sent him out, this time into the streets of Hankow with a number of +delicately inlaid boxes, remarking in a tone of voice which plainly indicated +an exactly contrary desire that he would be filled with an overwhelming +satisfaction if Sen could discover any excuse for returning a second time +without disposing of anything. This remark Sen’s ingenuous nature led him +to regard as a definite fact, so that when a passer-by, who tarried to examine +the boxes chanced to remark that the colours might have been arranged to +greater advantage, in which case he would certainly have purchased at least one +of the articles, Sen hastened back, although in a distant part of the city, to +inform King-y-Yang of the suggestion, adding that he himself had been +favourably impressed with the improvement which could be effected by such an +alteration. +</p> + +<p> +“The nature of King-y-Yang’s emotion when Sen again presented +himself before him—and when by repeatedly applied tests on various parts +of his body he understood that he was neither the victim of malicious demons, +nor wandering in an insensible condition in the Middle Air, but that the cause +of the return was such as had been plainly stated—was of so mixed and +benumbing a variety, that for a considerable space of time he was quite unable +to express himself in any way, either by words or by signs. By the time these +attributes returned there had formed itself within King-y-Yang’s mind a +design of most contemptible malignity, which seemed to present to his enfeebled +intellect a scheme by which Sen would be adequately punished, and finally +disposed of, without causing him any further trouble in the matter. For this +purpose he concealed the real condition of his sentiments towards Sen, and +warmly expressed himself in terms of delicate flattery regarding that +one’s sumptuous and unfailing taste in the matter of the blending of the +colours. Without doubt, he continued, such an alteration as the one proposed +would greatly increase the attractiveness of the inlaid boxes, and the matter +should be engaged upon without delay. In the meantime, however, not to waste +the immediate services of so discriminating and persevering a servant, he would +entrust Sen with a mission of exceptional importance, which would certainly +tend greatly to his remunerative benefit. In the district of Yun, in the +north-western part of the Province, said the crafty and treacherous +King-y-Yang, a particular kind of insect was greatly esteemed on account of the +beneficent influence which it exercised over the rice plants, causing them to +mature earlier, and to attain a greater size than ever happened in its absence. +In recent years this creature had rarely been seen in the neighbourhood of Yun, +and, in consequence, the earth-tillers throughout that country had been brought +into a most disconcerting state of poverty, and would, inevitably, be prepared +to exchange whatever they still possessed for even a few of the insects, in +order that they might liberate them to increase, and so entirely reverse the +objectionable state of things. Speaking in this manner, King-y-Yang entrusted +to Sen a carefully prepared box containing a score of the insects, obtained at +a great cost from a country beyond the Bitter Water, and after giving him +further directions concerning the journey, and enjoining the utmost secrecy +about the valuable contents of the box, he sent him forth. +</p> + +<p> +“The discreet and sagacious will already have understood the nature of +King-y-Yang’s intolerable artifice; but, for the benefit of the amiable +and unsuspecting, it is necessary to make it clear that the words which he had +spoken bore no sort of resemblance to affairs as they really existed. The +district around Yun was indeed involved in a most unprepossessing destitution, +but this had been caused, not by the absence of any rare and auspicious insect, +but by the presence of vast hordes of locusts, which had overwhelmed and +devoured the entire face the country. It so chanced that among the recently +constructed devices at ‘The Pure Gilt Dragon of Exceptional +Symmetry’ were a number of elegant representations of rice fields and +fruit gardens so skilfully fashioned that they deceived even the creatures, and +attracted, among other living things, all the locusts in Hankow into that place +of commerce. It was a number of these insects that King-y-Yang vindictively +placed in the box which he instructed Sen to carry to Yun, well knowing that +the reception which would be accorded to anyone who appeared there on such a +mission would be of so fatally destructive a kind that the consideration of his +return need not engage a single conjecture. +</p> + +<p> +“Entirely tranquil in intellect—for the possibility of +King-y-Yang’s intention being in any way other than what he had +represented it to be did not arise within Sen’s ingenuous mind—the +person in question cheerfully set forth on his long but unavoidable march +towards the region of Yun. As he journeyed along the way, the nature of his +meditation brought up before him the events which had taken place since his +arrival at Hankow; and, for the first time, it was brought within his +understanding that the story of the youth and the three tigers, which his +father had related to him, was in the likeness of a proverb, by which counsel +and warning is conveyed in a graceful and inoffensive manner. Readily applying +the fable to his own condition, he could not doubt but that the first two +animals to be overthrown were represented by the two undertakings which he had +already conscientiously performed in the matter of the mechanical ducks and the +inlaid boxes, and the conviction that he was even then engaged on the third and +last trial filled him with an intelligent gladness so unobtrusive and refined +that he could express his entrancing emotions in no other way than by lifting +up his voice and uttering the far-reaching cries which he had used on the first +of the occasions just referred to. +</p> + +<p> +“In this manner the first part of the journey passed away with engaging +celerity. Anxious as Sen undoubtedly was to complete the third task, and +approach the details which, in his own case, would correspond with the command +of the bowmen and the marriage with the Mandarin’s daughter of the person +in the story, the noontide heat compelled him to rest in the shade by the +wayside for a lengthy period each day. During one of these pauses it occurred +to his versatile mind that the time which was otherwise uselessly expended +might be well disposed of in endeavouring to increase the value and condition +of the creatures under his care by instructing them in the performance of some +simple accomplishments, such as might not be too laborious for their feeble and +immature understanding. In this he was more successful than he had imagined +could possibly be the case, for the discriminating insects, from the first, had +every appearance of recognizing that Sen was inspired by a sincere regard for +their ultimate benefit, and was not merely using them for his own advancement. +So assiduously did they devote themselves to their allotted tasks, that in a +very short space of time there was no detail in connexion with their own simple +domestic arrangements that was not understood and daily carried out by an +appointed band. Entranced at this intelligent manner of conducting themselves, +Sen industriously applied his time to the more congenial task of instructing +them in the refined arts, and presently he had the enchanting satisfaction of +witnessing a number of the most cultivated faultlessly and unhesitatingly +perform a portion of the well-known gravity-removing play entitled “The +Benevolent Omen of White Dragon Tea Garden; or, Three Times a Mandarin.” +Not even content with this elevating display, Sen ingeniously contrived, from +various objects which he discovered at different points by the wayside, an +effective and life-like representation of a war-junk, for which he trained a +crew, who, at an agreed signal, would take up their appointed places and go +through the required movements, both of sailing, and of discharging the guns, +in a reliable and efficient manner. +</p> + +<p> +“As Sen was one day educating the least competent of the insects in the +simpler parts of banner-carriers, gong-beaters, and the like, to their more +graceful and versatile companions, he lifted up his eyes and beheld, standing +by his side, a person of very elaborately embroidered apparel and commanding +personality, who had all the appearance of one who had been observing his +movements for some space of time. Calling up within his remembrance the warning +which he had received from King-y-Yang, Sen was preparing to restore the +creatures to their closed box, when the stranger, in a loud and dignified +voice, commanded him to refrain, adding: +</p> + +<p> +“‘There is, resting at a spot within the immediate neighbourhood, a +person of illustrious name and ancestry, who would doubtless be gratified to +witness the diverting actions of which this one has recently been a spectator. +As the reward of a tael cannot be unwelcome to a person of your inferior +appearance and unpresentable garments, take up your box without delay, and +follow the one who is now before you.’ +</p> + +<p> +“With these words the richly-clad stranger led the way through a narrow +woodland path, closely followed by Sen, to whom the attraction of the promised +reward—a larger sum, indeed, than he had ever possessed—was +sufficiently alluring to make him determined that the other should not, for the +briefest possible moment, pass beyond his sight. +</p> + +<p> +“Not to withhold that which Sen was entirely ignorant of until a later +period, it is now revealed that the person in question was the official +Provider of Diversions and Pleasurable Occupations to the sacred and +illimitable Emperor, who was then engaged in making an unusually extensive +march through the eight Provinces surrounding his Capital—for the acute +and well-educated will not need to be reminded that Nanking occupied that +position at the time now engaged with. Until his providential discovery of Sen, +the distinguished Provider had been immersed in a most unenviable condition of +despair, for his enlightened but exceedingly perverse-minded master had, of +late, declined to be in any way amused, or even interested, by the simple and +unpretentious entertainment which could be obtained in so inaccessible a +region. The well-intentioned efforts of the followers of the Court, who +engagingly endeavoured to divert the Imperial mind by performing certain feats +which they remembered to have witnessed on previous occasions, but which, until +the necessity arose, they had never essayed, were entirely without result of a +beneficial order. Even the accomplished Provider’s one +attainment—that of striking together both the hands and the feet thrice +simultaneously, while leaping into the air, and at the same time producing a +sound not unlike that emitted by a large and vigorous bee when held captive in +the fold of a robe, an action which never failed to throw the illustrious +Emperor into a most uncontrollable state of amusement when performed within the +Imperial Palace—now only drew from him the unsympathetic, if not actually +offensive, remark that the attitude and the noise bore a marked resemblance to +those produced by a person when being bowstrung, adding, with unprepossessing +significance, that of the two entertainments he had an unevadable conviction +that the bowstringing would be the more acceptable and gravity-removing. +</p> + +<p> +“When Sen beheld the size and the silk-hung magnificence of the camp into +which his guide led him, he was filled with astonishment, and at the same time +recognized that he had acted in an injudicious and hasty manner by so readily +accepting the offer of a tael; whereas, if he had been in possession of the +true facts of the case, as they now appeared, he would certainly have +endeavoured to obtain double that amount before consenting. As he was +hesitating within himself whether the matter might not even yet be arranged in +a more advantageous manner, he was suddenly led forward into the most striking +and ornamental of the tents, and commanded to engage the attention of the one +in whose presence he found himself, without delay. +</p> + +<p> +“From the first moment when the inimitable creatures began, at +Sen’s spoken word, to go through the ordinary details of their domestic +affairs, there was no sort of doubt as to the nature of the success with which +their well-trained exertions would be received. The dark shadows instantly +forsook the enraptured Emperor’s select brow, and from time to time he +expressed himself in words of most unrestrained and intimate encouragement. So +exuberant became the overjoyed Provider’s emotion at having at length +succeeded in obtaining the services of one who was able to recall his Imperial +master’s unclouded countenance, that he came forward in a most +unpresentable state of haste, and rose into the air uncommanded, for the +display of his usually not unwelcome acquirement. This he would doubtless have +executed competently had not Sen, who stood immediately behind him, suddenly +and unexpectedly raised his voice in a very vigorous and proficient duck cry, +thereby causing the one before him to endeavour to turn around in alarm, while +yet in the air—an intermingled state of movements of both the body and +the mind that caused him to abandon his original intention in a manner which +removed the gravity of the Emperor to an even more pronounced degree than had +been effected by the diverting attitudes of the insects. +</p> + +<p> +“When the gratified Emperor had beheld every portion of the tasks which +Sen had instilled into the minds of the insects, down even to the minutest +detail, he called the well-satisfied Provider before him, and addressing him in +a voice which might be designed to betray either sternness or an amiable +indulgence, said: +</p> + +<p> +“‘You, O Shan-se, are reported to be a person of no particular +intellect or discernment, and, for this reason, these ones who are speaking +have a desire to know how the matter will present itself in your eyes. Which is +it the more commendable and honourable for a person to train to a condition of +unfailing excellence, human beings of confessed intelligence or insects of a +low and degraded standard?’ +</p> + +<p> +“To this remark the discriminating Shan-se made no reply, being, indeed, +undecided in his mind whether such a course was expected of him. On several +previous occasions the somewhat introspective Emperor had addressed himself to +persons in what they judged to be the form of a question, as one might say, +‘How blue is the unapproachable air canopy, and how delicately imagined +the colour of the clouds!’ yet when they had expressed their deliberate +opinion on the subjects referred to, stating the exact degree of blueness, and +the like, the nature of their reception ever afterwards was such that, for the +future, persons endeavoured to determine exactly the intention of the +Emperor’s mind before declaring themselves in words. Being exceedingly +doubtful on this occasion, therefore, the very cautious Shan-se adopted the +more prudent and uncompromising attitude, and smiling acquiescently, he raised +both his hands with a self-deprecatory movement. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Alas!’ exclaimed the Emperor, in a tone which plainly +indicated that the evasive Shan-se had adopted a course which did not commend +itself, ‘how unendurable a condition of affairs is it for a person of +acute mental perception to be annoyed by the inopportune behaviour of one who +is only fit to mix on terms of equality with beggars, and low-caste street +cleaners—’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Such a condition of affairs is indeed most offensively +unbearable, illustrious Being,’ remarked Shan-se, who clearly perceived +that his former silence had not been productive of a delicate state of feeling +towards himself. +</p> + +<p> +“‘It has frequently been said,’ continued the courteous and +pure-minded Emperor, only signifying his refined displeasure at Shan-se’s +really ill-considered observation by so arranging his position that the person +in question on longer enjoyed the sublime distinction of gazing upon his +benevolent face, ‘that titles and offices have been accorded, from time +to time, without any regard for the fitting qualifications of those to whom +they were presented. The truth that such a state of things does occasionally +exist has been brought before our eyes during the past few days by the +abandoned and inefficient behaviour of one who will henceforth be a marked +official; yet it has always been our endeavour to reward expert and unassuming +merit, whenever it is discovered. As we were setting forth, when we were +interrupted in a most obstinate and superfluous manner, the one who can guide +and cultivate the minds of unthinking, and not infrequently obstinate and +rapacious, insects would certainly enjoy an even greater measure of success if +entrusted with the discriminating intellects of human beings. For this reason +it appears that no more fitting person could be found to occupy the important +and well-rewarded position of Chief Arranger of the Competitive Examinations +than the one before us—provided his opinions and manner of expressing +himself are such as commend themselves to us. To satisfy us on this point let +Sen Heng now stand forth and declare his beliefs.’ +</p> + +<p> +“On this invitation Sen advanced the requisite number of paces, and not +in any degree understanding what was required of him, determined that the +occasion was one when he might fittingly declare the Five General Principles +which were ever present in his mind. ‘Unquestioning Fidelity to the +Sacred Emperor—’ he began, when the person in question signified +that the trial was over. +</p> + +<p> +“‘After so competent and inspired an expression as that which has +just been uttered, which, if rightly considered, includes all lesser things, it +is unnecessary to say more,’ he declared affably. ‘The appointment +which has already been specified is now declared to be legally conferred. The +evening will be devoted to a repetition of the entrancing manoeuvres performed +by the insects, to be followed by a feast and music in honour of the recognized +worth and position of the accomplished Sen Heng. There is really no necessity +for the apparently over-fatigued Shan-se to attend the festival.’ +</p> + +<p> +“In such a manner was the foundation of Sen’s ultimate prosperity +established, by which he came in the process of time to occupy a very high +place in public esteem. Yet, being a person of honourably-minded +conscientiousness, he did not hesitate, when questioned by those who made +pilgrimages to him for the purpose of learning by what means he had risen to so +remunerative a position, to ascribe his success, not entirely to his own +intelligent perception of persons and events, but, in part, also to a +never-failing regard for the dictates of the Five General Principles, and a +discriminating subservience to the inspired wisdom of the venerable Poo-chow, +as conveyed to him in the story of the faint-hearted youth and the three +tigers. This story Sen furthermore caused to be inscribed in letters of gold, +and displayed in a prominent position in his native village, where it has since +doubtless been the means of instructing and advancing countless observant ones +who have not been too insufferable to be guided by the experience of those who +have gone before.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"></a> +IV.<br /> +THE EXPERIMENT OF THE MANDARIN CHAN HUNG</h2> + +<p class="center"> +Related by Kai Lung at Shan Tzu, on the occasion of his receiving a very +unexpected reward. +</p> + +<p> +“There are certainly many occasions when the principles of the Mandarin +Chan Hung appear to find practical favour in the eyes of those who form this +usually uncomplaining person’s audiences at Shan Tzu,” remarked Kai +Lung, with patient resignation, as he took up his collecting-bowl and +transferred the few brass coins which it held to a concealed place among his +garments. “Has the village lately suffered from a visit of one of those +persons who come armed with authority to remove by force or stratagem such +goods as bear names other than those possessed by their holders? or is it, +indeed—as they of Wu-whei confidently assert—that when the Day of +Vows arrives the people of Shan Tzu, with one accord, undertake to deny +themselves in the matter of gifts and free offerings, in spite of every +conflicting impulse?” +</p> + +<p> +“They of Wu-whei!” exclaimed a self-opinionated bystander, who had +by some means obtained an inferior public office, and who was, in consequence, +enabled to be present on all occasions without contributing any offering. +“Well is that village named ‘The Refuge of Unworthiness,’ for +its dwellers do little but rob and illtreat strangers, and spread evil and +lying reports concerning better endowed ones than themselves.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such a condition of affairs may exist,” replied Kai Lung, without +any indication of concern either one way or the other; “yet it is an +undeniable fact that they reward this commonplace story-teller’s too +often underestimated efforts in a manner which betrays them either to be of +noble birth, or very desirous of putting to shame their less prosperous +neighbouring places.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such exhibitions of uncalled-for lavishness are merely the signs of an +ill-regulated and inordinate vanity,” remarked a Mandarin of the eighth +grade, who chanced to be passing, and who stopped to listen to Kai Lung’s +words. “Nevertheless, it is not fitting that a collection of decaying +hovels, which Wu-whei assuredly is, should, in however small a detail, appear +to rise above Shan Tzu, so that if the versatile and unassuming Kai Lung will +again honour this assembly by allowing his well-constructed bowl to pass freely +to and fro, this obscure and otherwise entirely superfluous individual will +make it his especial care that the brass of Wu-whei shall be answered with +solid copper, and its debased pewter with doubly refined silver.” +</p> + +<p> +With these encouraging words the very opportune Mandarin of the eighth grade +himself followed the story-teller’s collecting-bowl, observing closely +what each person contributed, so that, although he gave nothing from his own +store, Kai Lung had never before received so honourable an amount. +</p> + +<p> +“O illustrious Kai Lung,” exclaimed a very industrious and ill-clad +herb-gatherer, who, in spite of his poverty, could not refrain from mingling +with listeners whenever the story-teller appeared in Shan Tzu, “a single +piece of brass money is to this person more than a block of solid gold to many +of Wu-whei; yet he has twice made the customary offering, once freely, once +because a courteous and pure-minded individual who possesses certain written +papers of his connected with the repayment of some few taels walked behind the +bowl and engaged his eyes with an unmistakable and very significant glance. +This fact emboldens him to make the following petition: that in place of the +not altogether unknown story of Yung Chang which had been announced the +proficient and nimble-minded Kai Lung will entice our attention with the +history of the Mandarin Chan Hung, to which reference has already been +made.” +</p> + +<p> +“The occasion is undoubtedly one which calls for recognition to an +unusual degree,” replied Kai Lung with extreme affability. “To that +end this person will accordingly narrate the story which has been suggested, +notwithstanding the fact that it has been specially prepared for the ears of +the sublime Emperor, who is at this moment awaiting this unseemly one’s +arrival in Peking with every mark of ill-restrained impatience, tempered only +by his expectation of being the first to hear the story of the well-meaning but +somewhat premature Chan Hung. +</p> + +<p> +“The Mandarin in question lived during the reign of the accomplished +Emperor Tsint-Sin, his Yamen being at Fow Hou, in the Province of Shan-Tung, of +which place he was consequently the chief official. In his conscientious desire +to administer a pure and beneficent rule, he not infrequently made himself a +very prominent object for public disregard, especially by his attempts to +introduce untried things, when from time to time such matters arose within his +mind and seemed to promise agreeable and remunerative results. In this manner +it came about that the streets of Fow Hou were covered with large flat stones, +to the great inconvenience of those persons who had, from a very remote period, +been in the habit of passing the night on the soft clay which at all seasons of +the year afforded a pleasant and efficient resting-place. Nevertheless, in +certain matters his engaging efforts were attended by an obvious success. +Having noticed that misfortunes and losses are much less keenly felt when they +immediately follow in the steps of an earlier evil, the benevolent and +humane-minded Chan Hung devised an ingenious method of lightening the burden of +a necessary taxation by arranging that those persons who were the most heavily +involved should be made the victims of an attack and robbery on the night +before the matter became due. By this thoughtful expedient the unpleasant duty +of parting from so many taels was almost imperceptibly led up to, and when, +after the lapse of some slight period, the first sums of money were secretly +returned, with a written proverb appropriate to the occasion, the public +rejoicing of those who, had the matter been left to its natural course, would +still have been filling the air with bitter and unendurable lamentations, +plainly testified to the inspired wisdom of the enlightened Mandarin. +</p> + +<p> +“The well-merited success of this amiable expedient caused the Mandarin +Chan Hung every variety of intelligent emotion, and no day passed without him +devoting a portion of his time to the labour of discovering other advantages of +a similar nature. Engrossed in deep and very sublime thought of this order, he +chanced upon a certain day to be journeying through Fow Hou, when he met a +person of irregular intellect, who made an uncertain livelihood by following +the unassuming and charitably-disposed from place to place, chanting in a loud +voice set verses recording their virtues, which he composed in their honour. On +account of his undoubted infirmities this person was permitted a greater +freedom of speech with those above him than would have been the case had his +condition been merely ordinary; so that when Chan Hung observed him becoming +very grossly amused on his approach, to such an extent indeed, that he +neglected to perform any of the fitting acts of obeisance, the wise and +noble-minded Mandarin did not in any degree suffer his complacency to be +affected, but, drawing near, addressed him in a calm and dignified manner. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Why, O Ming-hi,’ he said, ‘do you permit your gravity +to be removed to such an exaggerated degree at the sight of this in no way +striking or exceptional person? and why, indeed, do you stand in so unbecoming +an attitude in the presence of one who, in spite of his depraved inferiority, +is unquestionably your official superior, and could, without any hesitation, +condemn you to the tortures or even to bowstringing on the spot?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Mandarin,’ exclaimed Ming-hi, stepping up to Chan Hung, +and, without any hesitation, pressing the gilt button which adorned the +official’s body garment, accompanying the action by a continuous muffled +noise which suggested the repeated striking of a hidden bell, ‘you wonder +that this person stands erect on your approach, neither rolling his lowered +head repeatedly from side to side, nor tracing circles in the dust of Fow Hou +with his submissive stomach? Know then, the meaning of the proverb, +“Distrust an inordinate appearance of servility. The estimable person who +retires from your presence walking backwards may adopt that deferential manner +in order to keep concealed the long double-edged knife with which he had hoped +to slay you.” The excessive amusement that seized this offensive person +when he beheld your well-defined figure in the distance arose from his +perception of your internal satisfaction, which is, indeed, unmistakably +reflected in your symmetrical countenance. For, O Mandarin, in spite of your +honourable endeavours to turn things which are devious into a straight line, +the matters upon which you engage your versatile intellect—little as you +suspect the fact—are as grains of the finest Foo-chow sand in comparison +with that which escapes your attention.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Strange are your words, O Ming-hi, and dark to this person your +meaning,’ replied Chan Hung, whose feelings were evenly balanced between +a desire to know what thing he had neglected and a fear that his dignity might +suffer if he were observed to remain long conversing with a person of +Ming-hi’s low mental attainments. ‘Without delay, and with an +entire absence of lengthy and ornamental forms of speech, express the omission +to which you have made reference; for this person has an uneasy inside emotion +that you are merely endeavouring to engage his attention to the end that you +may make an unseemly and irrelevant reply, and thereby involve him in an +undeserved ridicule.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Such a device would be the pastime of one of immature years, and +could have no place in this person’s habit of conduct,’ replied +Ming-hi, with every appearance of a fixed sincerity. ‘Moreover, the +matter is one which touches his own welfare closely, and, expressed in the +fashion which the proficient Mandarin has commanded, may be set forth as +follows: By a wise and all-knowing divine system, it is arranged that certain +honourable occupations, which by their nature cannot become remunerative to any +marked degree, shall be singled out for special marks of reverence, so that +those who engage therein may be compensated in dignity for what they must +inevitably lack in taels. By this refined dispensation the literary +occupations, which are in general the highroads to the Establishment of Public +Support and Uniform Apparel, are held in the highest veneration. Agriculture, +from which it is possible to wrest a competency, follows in esteem; while the +various branches of commerce, leading as they do to vast possessions and the +attendant luxury, are very justly deprived of all the attributes of dignity and +respect. Yet observe, O justice-loving Mandarin, how unbecomingly this +ingenious system of universal compensation has been debased at the instance of +grasping and avaricious ones. Dignity, riches and ease now go hand in hand, and +the highest rewarded in all matters are also the most esteemed, whereas, if the +discriminating provision of those who have gone before and so arranged it was +observed, the direct contrary would be the case.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘It is a state of things which is somewhat difficult to imagine in +general matters of life, in spite of the fair-seemingness of your words,’ +said the Mandarin thoughtfully; ‘nor can this rather obtuse and +slow-witted person fully grasp the practical application of the system on the +edge of the moment. In what manner would it operate in the case of ordinary +persons, for example?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘There should be a fixed and settled arrangement that the +low-minded and degrading occupations—such as that of following charitable +persons from place to place, chanting verses composed in their honour, that of +misleading travellers who inquire the way, so that they fall into the hands of +robbers, and the like callings—should be the most highly rewarded to the +end that those who are engaged therein may obtain some solace for the loss of +dignity they experience, and the mean intellectual position which they are +compelled to maintain. By this device they would be enabled to possess certain +advantages and degrees of comfort which at present are utterly beyond their +grasp, so that in the end they would escape being entirely debased. To turn to +the other foot, those who are now high in position, and engaged in professions +which enjoy the confidence of all persons, have that which in itself is +sufficient to insure contentment. Furthermore, the most proficient and engaging +in every department, mean or high-minded, have certain attributes of respect +among those beneath them, so that they might justly be content with the lowest +reward in whatever calling they professed, the least skilful and most +left-handed being compensated for the mental anguish which they must +undoubtedly suffer by receiving the greatest number of taels.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Such a scheme would, as far as the matter has been expressed, +appear to possess all the claims of respect, and to be, indeed, what was +originally intended by those who framed the essentials of existence,’ +said Chan Hung, when he had for some space of time considered the details. +‘In one point, however, this person fails to perceive how the arrangement +could be amiably conducted in Fow Hou. The one who is addressing you maintains, +as a matter of right, a position of exceptional respect, nor, if he must +express himself upon such a detail, are his excessively fatiguing duties +entirely unremunerative...’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘In the case of the distinguished and unalterable Mandarin,’ +exclaimed Ming-hi, with no appearance of hesitation, ‘the matter would of +necessity be arranged otherwise. Being from that time, as it were, the +controller of the destinies and remunerations of all those in Fow Hou, he +would, manifestly, be outside the working of the scheme; standing apart and +regulating, like the person who turns the handle of the corn-mill, but does not +suffer himself to be drawn between the stones, he could still maintain both his +respect and his remuneration unaltered.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘If the detail could honourably be regarded in such a +light,’ said Chan Hung, ‘this person would, without delay, so +rearrange matters in Fow Hou, and thereby create universal justice and an +unceasing contentment within the minds of all.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Undoubtedly such a course could be justly followed,’ +assented Ming-hi, ‘for in precisely that manner of working was the +complete scheme revealed to this highly-favoured person.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Entirely wrapped up in thoughts concerning the inception and manner of +operation of this project Chan Hung began to retrace his steps towards the +Yamen, failing to observe in his benevolent abstraction of mind, that the +unaffectedly depraved person Ming-hi was stretching out his feet towards him +and indulging in every other form of low-minded and undignified contempt. +</p> + +<p> +“Before he reached the door of his residence the Mandarin overtook one +who occupied a high position of confidence and remuneration in the Department +of Public Fireworks and Coloured Lights. Fully assured of this versatile +person’s enthusiasm on behalf of so humane and charitable a device, Chan +Hung explained the entire matter to him without delay, and expressly desired +that if there were any details which appeared capable of improvement, he would +declare himself clearly regarding them. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Alas!’ exclaimed the person with whom the Mandarin was +conversing, speaking in so unfeignedly disturbed and terrified a voice that +several who were passing by stopped in order to learn the full circumstance, +‘have this person’s ears been made the object of some unnaturally +light-minded demon’s ill-disposed pastime, or does the usually +well-balanced Chan Hung in reality contemplate so violent and un-Chinese an +action? What but evil could arise from a single word of the change which he +proposes to the extent of a full written book? The entire fixed nature of +events would become reversed; persons would no longer be fully accountable to +one another; and Fow Hou being thus thrown into a most unendurable state of +confusion, the protecting Deities would doubtless withdraw their influence, and +the entire region would soon be given over to the malicious guardianship of +rapacious and evilly-disposed spirits. Let this person entreat the almost +invariably clear-sighted Chan Hung to return at once to his adequately equipped +and sumptuous Yamen, and barring well the door of his inner chamber, so that it +can only be opened from the outside, partake of several sleeping essences of +unusual strength, after which he will awake in an undoubtedly refreshed state +of mind, and in a condition to observe matters with his accustomed diamond-like +penetration.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘By no means!’ cried one of those who had stopped to learn +the occasion of the incident—a very inferior maker of unserviceable +imitation pigtails—‘the devout and conscientious-minded Mandarin +Chan Hung speaks as the inspired mouth-piece of the omnipotent Buddha, and +must, for that reason, be obeyed in every detail. This person would +unhesitatingly counsel the now invaluable Mandarin to proceed to his +well-constructed residence without delay, and there calling together his entire +staff of those who set down his spoken words, put the complete Heaven-sent plan +into operation, and beyond recall, before he retires to his inner +chamber.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Upon this there arose a most inelegant display of undignified emotions +on the part of the assembly which had by this time gathered together. While +those who occupied honourable and remunerative positions very earnestly +entreated the Mandarin to act in the manner which had been suggested by the +first speaker, others—who had, in the meantime, made use of imagined +figures, and thereby discovered that the proposed change would be greatly to +their advantage—raised shouts of encouragement towards the proposal of +the pigtail-maker, urging the noble Mandarin not to become small in the face +towards the insignificant few who were ever opposed to enlightened reform, but +to maintain an unflaccid upper lip, and carry the entire matter through to its +destined end. In the course of this very unseemly tumult, which soon involved +all persons present in hostile demonstrations towards each other, both the +Mandarin and the official from the Fireworks and Coloured Lights Department +found an opportunity to pass away secretly, the former to consider well the +various sides of the matter, towards which he became better disposed with every +thought, the latter to find a purchaser of his appointment and leave Fow Hou +before the likelihood of Chan Hung’s scheme became generally known. +</p> + +<p> +“At this point an earlier circumstance, which affected the future +unrolling of events to no insignificant degree, must be made known, concerning +as it does Lila, the fair and very accomplished daughter of Chan Hung. +Possessing no son or heir to succeed him, the Mandarin exhibited towards Lila a +very unusual depth of affection, so marked, indeed, that when certain +evil-minded ones endeavoured to encompass his degradation, on the plea of +eccentricity of character, the written papers which they dispatched to the high +ones at Peking contained no other accusation in support of the contention than +that the individual in question regarded his daughter with an obvious pride and +pleasure which no person of well-balanced intellect lavished on any but a son. +</p> + +<p> +“It was his really conscientious desire to establish Lila’s welfare +above all things that had caused Chan Hung to become in some degree undecided +when conversing with Ming-hi on the detail of the scheme; for, unaffected as +the Mandarin himself would have been at the prospect of an honourable poverty, +it was no part of his intention that the adorable and exceptionally-refined +Lila should be drawn into such an existence. That, indeed, had been the +essential of his reply on a certain and not far removed occasion, when two +persons of widely differing positions had each made a formal request that he +might be allowed to present marriage-pledging gifts to the very desirable Lila. +Maintaining an enlightened openness of mind upon the subject, the Mandarin had +replied that nothing but the merit of undoubted suitableness of a person would +affect him in such a decision. As it was ordained by the wise and unchanging +Deities that merit should always be fittingly rewarded, he went on to express +himself, and as the most suitable person was obviously the one who could the +most agreeably provide for her, the two circumstances inevitably tended to the +decision that the one chosen should be the person who could amass the greatest +number of taels. To this end he instructed them both to present themselves at +the end of a year, bringing with them the entire profits of their undertakings +between the two periods. +</p> + +<p> +“This deliberate pronouncement affected the two persons in question in an +entirely opposite manner, for one of them was little removed from a condition +of incessant and most uninviting poverty, while the other was the very +highly-rewarded picture-maker Pe-tsing. Both to this latter person, and to the +other one, Lee Sing, the ultimate conclusion of the matter did not seem to be a +question of any conjecture therefore, and, in consequence, the one became most +offensively self-confident, and the other leaden-minded to an equal degree, +neither remembering the unswerving wisdom of the proverb, ‘Wait! all men +are but as the black, horn-cased beetles which overrun the inferior +cooking-rooms of the city, and even at this moment the heavily-shod and +unerring foot of Buddha may be lifted.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Lee Sing was, by profession, one of those who hunt and ensnare the +brilliantly-coloured winged insects which are to be found in various parts of +the Empire in great variety and abundance, it being his duty to send a certain +number every year to Peking to contribute to the amusement of the dignified +Emperor. In spite of the not too intelligent nature of the occupation, Lee Sing +took an honourable pride in all matters connected with it. He disdained, with +well-expressed contempt, to avail himself of the stealthy and somewhat +deceptive methods employed by others engaged in a similar manner of life. In +this way he had, from necessity, acquired agility to an exceptional degree, so +that he could leap far into the air, and while in that position select from a +passing band of insects any which he might desire. This useful accomplishment +was, in a measure, the direct means of bringing together the person in question +and the engaging Lila; for, on a certain occasion, when Lee Sing was passing +through the streets of Fow Hou, he heard a great outcry, and beheld persons of +all ranks running towards him, pointing at the same time in an upward +direction. Turning his gaze in the manner indicated, Lee beheld, with every +variety of astonishment, a powerful and unnaturally large bird of prey, +carrying in its talons the lovely and now insensible Lila, to whom it had been +attracted by the magnificence of her raiment. The rapacious and evilly-inspired +creature was already above the highest dwelling-houses when Lee first beheld +it, and was plainly directing its course towards the inaccessible mountain +crags beyond the city walls. Nevertheless, Lee resolved upon an inspired +effort, and without any hesitation bounded towards it with such well-directed +proficiency, that if he had not stretched forth his hand on passing he would +inevitably have been carried far above the desired object. In this manner he +succeeded in dragging the repulsive and completely disconcerted monster to the +ground, where its graceful and unassuming prisoner was released, and the +presumptuous bird itself torn to pieces amid continuous shouts of a most +respectful and engaging description in honour of Lee and of his versatile +attainment. +</p> + +<p> +“In consequence of this incident the grateful Lila would often +deliberately leave the society of the rich and well-endowed in order to +accompany Lee on his journeys in pursuit of exceptionally-precious winged +insects. Regarding his unusual ability as the undoubted cause of her existence +at that moment, she took an all-absorbing pride in such displays, and would +utter loud and frequent exclamations of triumph when Lee leaped out from behind +some rock, where he had lain concealed, and with unfailing regularity secured +the object of his adroit movement. In this manner a state of feeling which was +by no means favourable to the aspiring picture-maker Pe-tsing had long existed +between the two persons; but when Lee Sing put the matter in the form of an +explicit petition before Chan Hung (to which adequate reference has already +been made), the nature of the decision then arrived at seemed to clothe the +realization of their virtuous and estimable desires with an air of extreme +improbability. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Oh, Lee,’ exclaimed the greatly-disappointed maiden when +her lover had explained to her the nature of the arrangement—for in her +unassuming admiration of the noble qualities of Lee she had anticipated that +Chan Hung would at once have received him with ceremonious embraces and +assurances of his permanent affection—‘how unendurable a state of +things is this in which we have become involved! Far removed from this +one’s anticipations was the thought of becoming inalienably associated +with that outrageous person Pe-tsing, or of entering upon an existence which +will necessitate a feigned admiration of his really unpresentable efforts. Yet +in such a manner must the entire circumstance complete its course unless some +ingenious method of evading it can be discovered in the meantime. Alas, my +beloved one! the occupation of ensnaring winged insects is indeed an alluring +one, but as far as this person has observed, it is also exceedingly +unproductive of taels. Could not some more expeditious means of enriching +yourself be discovered? Frequently has the unnoticed but nevertheless very +attentive Lila heard her father and the round-bodied ones who visit him speak +of exploits which seem to consist of assuming the shapes of certain wild +animals, and in that guise appearing from time to time at the place of exchange +within the city walls. As this form of entertainment is undoubtedly very +remunerative in its results, could not the versatile and ready-witted Lee +conceal himself within the skin of a bear, or some other untamed beast, and in +this garb, joining them unperceived, play an appointed part and receive a just +share of the reward?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘The result of such an enterprise might, if the matter chanced to +take an unforeseen development, prove of a very doubtful nature,’ replied +Lee Sing, to whom, indeed, the proposed venture appeared in a somewhat +undignified light, although, with refined consideration, he withheld such a +thought from Lila, who had proposed it for him, and also confessed that her +usually immaculate father had taken part in such an exhibition. +‘Nevertheless, do not permit the dark shadow of an inward cloud to +reflect itself upon your almost invariably amiable countenance, for this person +has become possessed of a valuable internal suggestion which, although he has +hitherto neglected, being content with a small but assured competency, would +doubtless bring together a serviceable number of taels if rightly +utilized.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Greatly does this person fear that the valuable internal +suggestion of Lee Sing will weigh but lightly in the commercial balance against +the very rapidly executed pictures of Pe-tsing,’ said Lila, who had not +fully recalled from her mind a disturbing emotion that Lee would have been well +advised to have availed himself of her ingenious and well-thought-out +suggestion. ‘But of what does the matter consist?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘It is the best explained by a recital of the circumstances +leading up to it,’ said Lee. ‘Upon an occasion when this person was +passing through the streets of Fow Hou, there gathered around him a company of +those who had, on previous occasions, beheld his exceptional powers of hurtling +himself through the air in an upward direction, praying that he would again +delight their senses by a similar spectacle. Not being unwilling to afford +those estimable persons of the amusement they desired, this one, without any +elaborate show of affected hesitancy, put himself into the necessary position, +and would without doubt have risen uninterruptedly almost into the Middle Air, +had he not, in making the preparatory movements, placed his left foot upon an +over-ripe wampee which lay unperceived on the ground. In consequence of this +really blameworthy want of caution the entire manner and direction of this +short-sighted individual’s movements underwent a sudden and complete +change, so that to those who stood around it appeared as though he were making +a well-directed endeavour to penetrate through the upper surface of the earth. +This unexpected display had the effect of removing the gravity of even the most +aged and severe-minded persons present, and for the space of some moments the +behaviour and positions of those who stood around were such that they were +quite unable to render any assistance, greatly as they doubtless wished to do +so. Being in this manner allowed a period for inward reflexion of a very +concentrated order, it arose within this one’s mind that at every similar +occurrence which he had witnessed, those who observed the event had been seized +in a like fashion, being very excessively amused. The fact was made even more +undoubted by the manner of behaving of an exceedingly stout and round-faced +person, who had not been present from the beginning, but who was affected to a +most incredible extent when the details, as they had occurred, were made plain +to him, he declaring, with many references to the Sacred Dragon and the Seven +Walled Temple at Peking, that he would willingly have contributed a specified +number of taels rather than have missed the diversion. When at length this +person reached his own chamber, he diligently applied himself to the task of +carrying into practical effect the suggestion which had arisen in his mind. By +an arrangement of transparent glasses and reflecting surfaces—which, were +it not for a well-defined natural modesty, he would certainly be tempted to +describe as highly ingenious—he ultimately succeeded in bringing about +the effect he desired.’ +</p> + +<p> +“With these words Lee put into Lila’s hands an object which closely +resembled the contrivances by which those who are not sufficiently powerful to +obtain positions near the raised platform, in the Halls of Celestial Harmony, +are nevertheless enabled to observe the complexions and attire of all around +them. Regulating it by means of a hidden spring, he requested her to follow +closely the actions of a heavily-burdened passerby who was at that moment some +little distance beyond them. Scarcely had Lila raised the glass to her eyes +than she became irresistibly amused to a most infectious degree, greatly to the +satisfaction of Lee, who therein beheld the realization of his hopes. Not for +the briefest space of time would she permit the object to pass from her, but +directed it at every person who came within her sight, with frequent and +unfeigned exclamations of wonder and delight. +</p> + +<p> +“‘How pleasant and fascinating a device is this!’ exclaimed +Lila at length. ‘By what means is so diverting and gravity-removing a +result obtained?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Further than that it is the concentration of much labour of +continually trying with glasses and reflecting surfaces, this person is totally +unable to explain it,’ replied Lee. ‘The chief thing, however, is +that at whatever moving object it is directed—no matter whether a person +so observed is being carried in a chair, riding upon an animal, or merely +walking—at a certain point he has every appearance of being unexpectedly +hurled to the ground in a most violent and mirth-provoking manner. Would not +the stout and round-faced one, who would cheerfully have contributed a certain +number of taels to see this person manifest a similar exhibition, +unhesitatingly lay out that sum to secure the means of so gratifying his +emotions whenever he felt the desire, even with the revered persons of the most +dignified ones in the Empire? Is there, indeed, a single person between the +Wall and the Bitter Waters on the South who is so devoid of ambition that he +would miss the opportunity of subjecting, as it were, perhaps even the sacred +Emperor himself to the exceptional feat?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘The temptation to possess one would inevitably prove overwhelming +to any person of ordinary intelligence,’ admitted Lila. ‘Yet, in +spite of this one’s unassumed admiration for the contrivance, internal +doubts regarding the ultimate happiness of the two persons who are now +discussing the matter again attack her. She recollects, somewhat dimly, an +almost forgotten, but nevertheless, very unassailable proverb, which declares +that more contentment of mind can assuredly be obtained from the unexpected +discovery of a tael among the folds of a discarded garment than could, in the +most favourable circumstances, ensue from the well-thought-out construction of +a new and hitherto unknown device. Furthermore, although the span of a year may +seem unaccountably protracted when persons who reciprocate engaging sentiments +are parted, yet when the acceptance or refusal of Pe-tsing’s undesirable +pledging-gifts hangs upon the accomplishment of a remote and not very probable +object within that period, it becomes as a breath of wind passing through an +autumn forest.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Since the day when Lila and Lee had sat together side by side, and +conversed in this unrestrained and irreproachable manner, the great sky-lantern +had many times been obscured for a period. Only an insignificant portion of the +year remained, yet the affairs of Lee Sing were in no more prosperous a +condition than before, nor had he found an opportunity to set aside any store +of taels. Each day the unsupportable Pe-tsing became more and more obtrusive +and self-conceited, even to the extent of throwing far into the air coins of +insignificant value whenever he chanced to pass Lee in the street, at the same +time urging him to leap after them and thereby secure at least one or two +pieces of money against the day of calculating. In a similar but entirely +opposite fashion, Lila and Lee experienced the acutest pangs of an ever-growing +despair, until their only form of greeting consisted in gazing into each +other’s eyes with a soul-benumbing expression of self-reproach. +</p> + +<p> +“Yet at this very time, when even the natural and unalterable powers +seemed to be conspiring against the success of Lee’s modest and +inoffensive hopes, an event was taking place which was shortly to reverse the +entire settled arrangement of persons and affairs, and involved Fow Hou in a +very inextricable state of uncertainty. For, not to make a pretence of +concealing a matter which has been already in part revealed, the Mandarin Chan +Hung had by this time determined to act in the manner which Ming-hi had +suggested; so that on a certain morning Lee Sing was visited by two persons, +bearing between them a very weighty sack of taels, who also conveyed to him the +fact that a like amount would be deposited within his door at the end of each +succeeding seven days. Although Lee’s occupation had in the past been +very meagrely rewarded, either by taels or by honour, the circumstance which +resulted in his now receiving so excessively large a sum is not made clear +until the detail of Ming-hi’s scheme is closely examined. The matter then +becomes plain, for it had been suggested by that person that the most +proficient in any occupation should be rewarded to a certain extent, and the +least proficient to another stated extent, the original amounts being reversed. +When those engaged by Chang Hung to draw up the various rates came to the +profession of ensnaring winged insects, however, they discovered that Lee Sing +was the only one of that description in Fow Hou, so that it became necessary in +consequence to allot him a double portion, one amount as the most proficient, +and a much larger amount as the least proficient. +</p> + +<p> +“It is unnecessary now to follow the not altogether satisfactory +condition of affairs which began to exist in Fow Hou as soon as the scheme was +put into operation. The full written papers dealing with the matter are in the +Hall of Public Reference at Peking, and can be seen by any person on the +payment of a few taels to everyone connected with the establishment. Those who +found their possessions reduced thereby completely overlooked the obvious +justice of the arrangement, and immediately began to take most severe measures +to have the order put aside; while those who suddenly and unexpectedly found +themselves raised to positions of affluence tended to the same end by +conducting themselves in a most incapable and undiscriminating manner. And +during the entire period that this state of things existed in Fow Hou the +really contemptible Ming-hi continually followed Chan Hung about from place to +place, spreading out his feet towards him, and allowing himself to become +openly amused to a most unseemly extent. +</p> + +<p> +“Chief among those who sought to have the original manner of rewarding +persons again established was the picture-maker, Pe-tsing, who now found +himself in a condition of most abject poverty, so unbearable, indeed, that he +frequently went by night, carrying a lantern, in the hope that he might +discover some of the small pieces of money which he had been accustomed to +throw into the air on meeting Lee Sing. To his pangs of hunger was added the +fear that he would certainly lose Lila, so that from day to day he redoubled +his efforts, and in the end, by using false statements and other artifices of a +questionable nature, the party which he led was successful in obtaining the +degradation of Chan Hung and his dismissal from office, together with an entire +reversal of all his plans and enactments. +</p> + +<p> +“On the last day of the year which Chan Hung had appointed as the period +of test for his daughter’s suitors, the person in question was seated in +a chamber of his new abode—a residence of unassuming appearance but +undoubted comfort—surrounded by Lila and Lee, when the hanging curtains +were suddenly flung aside, and Pe-tsing, followed by two persons of low rank +bearing sacks of money, appeared among them. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Chan Hung,’ he said at length, ‘in the past events +arose which compelled this person to place himself against you in your official +position. Nevertheless, he has always maintained towards you personally an +unchanging affection, and understanding full well that you are one of those who +maintain their spoken word in spite of all happenings, he has now come to +exhibit the taels which he has collected together, and to claim the fulfilment +of your deliberate promise.’ +</p> + +<p> +“With these words the commonplace picture-maker poured forth the contents +of the sacks, and stood looking at Lila in a most confident and unprepossessing +manner. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Pe-tsing,’ replied Chan Hung, rising from his couch and +speaking in so severe and impressive a voice that the two servants of Pe-tsing +at once fled in great apprehension, ‘this person has also found it +necessary, in his official position, to oppose you; but here the similarity +ends, for, on his part, he has never felt towards you the remotest degree of +affection. Nevertheless, he is always desirous, as you say, that persons should +regard their spoken word, and as you seem to hold a promise from the Chief +Mandarin of Fow Hou regarding marriage-gifts towards his daughter, he would +advise you to go at once to that person. A misunderstanding has evidently +arisen, for the one whom you are addressing is merely Chan Hung, and the words +spoken by the Mandarin have no sort of interest for him—indeed, he +understands that all that person’s acts have been reversed, so that he +fails to see how anyone at all can regard you and your claim in other than a +gravity-removing light. Furthermore, the maiden in question is now definitely +and irretrievably pledged to this faithful and successful one by my side, who, +as you will doubtless be gracefully overjoyed to learn, has recently disposed +of a most ingenious and diverting contrivance for an enormous number of taels, +so many, indeed, that both the immediate and the far-distant future of all the +persons who are here before you are now in no sort of doubt whatever.’ +</p> + +<p> +“At these words the three persons whom he had interrupted again turned +their attention to the matter before them; but as Pe-tsing walked away, he +observed, though he failed to understand the meaning, that they all raised +certain objects to their eyes, and at once became amused to a most striking and +uncontrollable degree.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"></a> +V.<br /> +THE CONFESSION OF KAI LUNG</h2> + +<p class="center"> +Related by himself at Wu-whei when other matter failed him. +</p> + +<p> +As Kai Lung, the story-teller, unrolled his mat and selected, with grave +deliberation, the spot under the mulberry-tree which would the longest remain +sheltered from the sun’s rays, his impassive eye wandered round the thin +circle of listeners who had been drawn together by his uplifted voice, with a +glance which, had it expressed his actual thoughts, would have betrayed a keen +desire that the assembly should be composed of strangers rather than of his +most consistent patrons, to whom his stock of tales was indeed becoming +embarrassingly familiar. Nevertheless, when he began there was nothing in his +voice but a trace of insufficiently restrained triumph, such as might be fitly +assumed by one who has discovered and makes known for the first time a story by +the renowned historian Lo Châ. +</p> + +<p> +“The adventures of the enlightened and nobly-born Yuin-Pel—” +</p> + +<p> +“Have already thrice been narrated within Wu-whei by the versatile but +exceedingly uninventive Kai Lung,” remarked Wang Yu placidly. +“Indeed, has there not come to be a saying by which an exceptionally +frugal host’s rice, having undoubtedly seen the inside of the pot many +times, is now known in this town as Kai-Pel?” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” exclaimed Kai Lung, “well was this person warned of +Wu-whei in the previous village, as a place of desolation and excessively bad +taste, whose inhabitants, led by an evil-minded maker of very commonplace +pipes, named Wang Yu, are unable to discriminate in all matters not connected +with the cooking of food and the evasion of just debts. They at Shan Tzu hung +on to my cloak as I strove to leave them, praying that I would again entrance +their ears with what they termed the melodious word-music of this +person’s inimitable version of the inspired story of Yuin-Pel.” +</p> + +<p> +“Truly the story of Yuin-Pel is in itself excellent,” interposed +the conciliatory Hi Seng; “and Kai Lung’s accomplishment of having +three times repeated it here without deviating in the particular of a single +word from the first recital stamps him as a story-teller of no ordinary degree. +Yet the saying ‘Although it is desirable to lose persistently when +playing at squares and circles with the broad-minded and sagacious Emperor, it +is none the less a fact that the observance of this etiquette deprives the +intellectual diversion of much of its interest for both players,’ is no +less true today than when the all knowing H’sou uttered it.” +</p> + +<p> +“They well said—they of Shan Tzu—that the people of Wu-whei +were intolerably ignorant and of low descent,” continued Kai Lung, +without heeding the interruption; “that although invariably of a timorous +nature, even to the extent of retiring to the woods on the approach of those +who select bowmen for the Imperial army, all they require in a story is that it +shall be garnished with deeds of bloodshed and violence to the exclusion of the +higher qualities of well-imagined metaphors and literary style which alone +constitute true excellence.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yet it has been said,” suggested Hi Seng, “that the +inimitable Kai Lung can so mould a narrative in the telling that all the +emotions are conveyed therein without unduly disturbing the intellects of the +hearers.” +</p> + +<p> +“O amiable Hi Seng,” replied Kai Lung with extreme affability, +“doubtless you are the most expert of water-carriers, and on a hot and +dusty day, when the insatiable desire of all persons is towards a draught of +unusual length without much regard to its composition, the sight of your +goat-skins is indeed a welcome omen; yet when in the season of Cold White Rains +you chance to meet the belated chair-carrier who has been reluctantly persuaded +into conveying persons beyond the limit of the city, the solitary official +watchman who knows that his chief is not at hand, or a returning band of those +who make a practise of remaining in the long narrow rooms until they are driven +forth at a certain gong-stroke, can you supply them with the smallest portion +of that invigorating rice spirit for which alone they crave? From this simple +and homely illustration, specially conceived to meet the requirements of your +stunted and meagre understanding, learn not to expect both grace and thorns +from the willow-tree. Nevertheless, your very immature remarks on the art of +story-telling are in no degree more foolish than those frequently uttered by +persons who make a living by such a practice; in proof of which this person +will relate to the select and discriminating company now assembled an entirely +new and unrecorded story—that, indeed, of the unworthy, but frequently +highly-rewarded Kai Lung himself.” +</p> + +<p> +“The story of Kai Lung!” exclaimed Wang Yu. “Why not the +story of Ting, the sightless beggar, who has sat all his life outside the +Temple of Miraculous Cures? Who is Kai Lung, that he should have a story? Is he +not known to us all here? Is not his speech that of this Province, his food +mean, his arms and legs unshaven? Does he carry a sword or wear silk raiment? +Frequently have we seen him fatigued with journeying; many times has he arrived +destitute of money; nor, on those occasions when a newly-appointed and +unnecessarily officious Mandarin has commanded him to betake himself elsewhere +and struck him with a rod has Kai Lung caused the stick to turn into a deadly +serpent and destroy its master, as did the just and dignified Lu Fei. How, +then, can Kai Lung have a story that is not also the story of Wang Yu and Hi +Seng, and all others here?” +</p> + +<p> +“Indeed, if the refined and enlightened Wang Yu so decides, it must +assuredly be true,” said Kai Lung patiently; “yet (since even +trifles serve to dispel the darker thoughts of existence) would not the history +of so small a matter as an opium pipe chain his intelligent consideration? such +a pipe, for example, as this person beheld only today exposed for sale, the +bowl composed of the finest red clay, delicately baked and fashioned, the long +bamboo stem smoother than the sacred tooth of the divine Buddha, the spreading +support patiently and cunningly carved with scenes representing the Seven Joys, +and the Tenth Hell of unbelievers.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah!” exclaimed Wang Yu eagerly, “it is indeed as you say, a +Mandarin among masterpieces. That pipe, O most unobserving Kai Lung, is the +work of this retiring and superficial person who is now addressing you, and, +though the fact evidently escaped your all-seeing glance, the place where it is +exposed is none other than his shop of ‘The Fountain of Beauty,’ +which you have on many occasions endowed with your honourable presence.” +</p> + +<p> +“Doubtless the carving is the work of the accomplished Wang Yu, and the +fitting together,” replied Kai Lung; “but the materials for so +refined and ornamental a production must of necessity have been brought many +thousand li; the clay perhaps from the renowned beds of Honan, the wood from +Peking, and the bamboo from one of the great forests of the North.” +</p> + +<p> +“For what reason?” said Wang Yu proudly. “At this +person’s very door is a pit of red clay, purer and infinitely more +regular than any to be found at Honan; the hard wood of Wu-whei is extolled +among carvers throughout the Empire, while no bamboo is straighter or more +smooth than that which grows in the neighbouring woods.” +</p> + +<p> +“O most inconsistent Wang Yu!” cried the story-teller, +“assuredly a very commendable local pride has dimmed your usually +penetrating eyesight. Is not the clay pit of which you speak that in which you +fashioned exceedingly unsymmetrical imitations of rat-pies in your childhood? +How, then, can it be equal to those of Honan, which you have never seen? In the +dark glades of these woods have you not chased the gorgeous butterfly, and, in +later years, the no less gaily attired maidens of Wu-whei in the entrancing +game of Kiss in the Circle? Have not the bamboo-trees to which you have +referred provided you with the ideal material wherewith to roof over those +cunningly-constructed pits into which it has ever been the chief delight of the +young and audacious to lure dignified and unnaturally stout Mandarins? All +these things you have seen and used ever since your mother made a successful +offering to the Goddess Kum-Fa. How, then, can they be even equal to the +products of remote Honan and fabulous Peking? Assuredly the generally veracious +Wang Yu speaks this time with closed eyes and will, upon mature reflexion, eat +his words.” +</p> + +<p> +The silence was broken by a very aged man who arose from among the bystanders. +</p> + +<p> +“Behold the length of this person’s pigtail,” he exclaimed, +“the whiteness of his moustaches and the venerable appearance of his +beard! There is no more aged person present—if, indeed, there be such a +one in all the Province. It accordingly devolves upon him to speak in this +matter, which shall be as follows: The noble-minded and proficient Kai Lung +shall relate the story as he has proposed, and the garrulous Wang Yu shall +twice contribute to Kai Lung’s bowl when it is passed round, once for +himself and once for this person, in order that he may learn either to be more +discreet or more proficient in the art of aptly replying.” +</p> + +<p> +“The events which it is this person’s presumptuous intention to +describe to this large-hearted and providentially indulgent gathering,” +began Kai Lung, when his audience had become settled, and the wooden bowl had +passed to and fro among them, “did not occupy many years, although they +were of a nature which made them of far more importance than all the remainder +of his existence, thereby supporting the sage discernment of the philosopher +Wen-weng, who first made the observation that man is greatly inferior to the +meanest fly, inasmuch as that creature, although granted only a day’s +span of life, contrives during that period to fulfil all the allotted functions +of existence. +</p> + +<p> +“Unutterably to the astonishment and dismay of this person and all those +connected with him (for several of the most expensive readers of the future to +be found in the Empire had declared that his life would be marked by great +events, his career a source of continual wonder, and his death a misfortune to +those who had dealings with him) his efforts to take a degree at the public +literary competitions were not attended with any adequate success. In view of +the plainly expressed advice of his father it therefore became desirable that +this person should turn his attention to some other method of regaining the +esteem of those upon whom he was dependent for all the necessaries of +existence. Not having the means wherewith to engage in any form of commerce, +and being entirely ignorant of all matters save the now useless details of +attempting to pass public examinations, he reluctantly decided that he was +destined to become one of those who imagine and write out stories and similar +devices for printed leaves and books. +</p> + +<p> +“This determination was favourably received, and upon learning it, this +person’s dignified father took him aside, and with many assurances of +regard presented to him a written sentence, which, he said, would be of +incomparable value to one engaged in a literary career, and should in fact, +without any particular qualifications, insure an honourable competency. He +himself, he added, with what at the time appeared to this one as an unnecessary +regard for detail, having taken a very high degree, and being in consequence +appointed to a distinguished and remunerative position under the Board of Fines +and Tortures, had never made any use of it. +</p> + +<p> +“The written sentence, indeed, was all that it had been pronounced. It +had been composed by a remote ancestor, who had spent his entire life in +crystallizing all his knowledge and experience into a few written lines, which +as a result became correspondingly precious. It defined in a very original and +profound manner several undisputable principles, and was so engagingly subtle +in its manner of expression that the most superficial person was irresistibly +thrown into a deep inward contemplation upon reading it. When it was complete, +the person who had contrived this ingenious masterpiece, discovering by means +of omens that he still had ten years to live, devoted each remaining year to +the task of reducing the sentence by one word without in any way altering its +meaning. This unapproachable example of conciseness found such favour in the +eyes of those who issue printed leaves that as fast as this person could +inscribe stories containing it they were eagerly purchased; and had it not been +for a very incapable want of foresight on this narrow-minded individual’s +part, doubtless it would still be affording him an agreeable and permanent +means of living. +</p> + +<p> +“Unquestionably the enlightened Wen-weng was well acquainted with the +subject when he exclaimed, ‘Better a frugal dish of olives flavoured with +honey than the most sumptuously devised puppy-pie of which the greater portion +is sent forth in silver-lined boxes and partaken of by others.’ At that +time, however, this versatile saying—which so gracefully conveys the +truth of the undeniable fact that what a person possesses is sufficient if he +restrain his mind from desiring aught else—would have been lightly +treated by this self-conceited story-teller even if his immature faculties had +enabled him fully to understand the import of so profound and well-digested a +remark. +</p> + +<p> +“At that time Tiao Ts’un was undoubtedly the most beautiful maiden +in all Peking. So frequently were the verses describing her habits and +appearances affixed in the most prominent places of the city, that many persons +obtained an honourable livelihood by frequenting those spots and disposing of +the sacks of written papers which they collected to merchants who engaged in +that commerce. Owing to the fame attained by his written sentence, this really +very much inferior being had many opportunities of meeting the incomparable +maiden Tiao at flower-feasts, melon-seed assemblies, and those gatherings where +persons of both sexes exhibit themselves in revolving attitudes, and are +permitted to embrace openly without reproach; whereupon he became so +subservient to her charms and virtues that he lost no opportunity of making +himself utterly unendurable to any who might chance to speak to, or even gaze +upon, this Heaven-sent creature. +</p> + +<p> +“So successful was this person in his endeavour to meet the sublime Tiao +and to gain her conscientious esteem that all emotions of prudence forsook him, +or it would soon have become apparent even to his enfeebled understanding that +such consistent good fortune could only be the work of unforgiving and +malignant spirits whose ill-will he had in some way earned, and who were luring +him on in order that they might accomplish his destruction. That object was +achieved on a certain evening when this person stood alone with Tiao upon an +eminence overlooking the city and watched the great sky-lantern rise from +behind the hills. Under these delicate and ennobling influences he gave speech +to many very ornamental and refined thoughts which arose within his mind +concerning the graceful brilliance of the light which was cast all around, yet +notwithstanding which a still more exceptional and brilliant light was shining +in his own internal organs by reason of the nearness of an even purer and more +engaging orb. There was no need, this person felt, to hide even his most inside +thoughts from the dignified and sympathetic being at his side, so without +hesitation he spoke—in what he believes even now must have been a very +decorative manner—of the many thousand persons who were then wrapped in +sleep, of the constantly changing lights which appeared in the city beneath, +and of the vastness which everywhere lay around. +</p> + +<p> +“‘O Kai Lung,’ exclaimed the lovely Tiao, when this person +had made an end of speaking, ‘how expertly and in what a proficient +manner do you express yourself, uttering even the sentiments which this person +has felt inwardly, but for which she has no words. Why, indeed, do you not +inscribe them in a book?’ +</p> + +<p> +“Under her elevating influence it had already occurred to this illiterate +individual that it would be a more dignified and, perhaps, even a more +profitable course for him to write out and dispose of, to those who print such +matters, the versatile and high-minded expressions which now continually formed +his thoughts, rather than be dependent upon the concise sentence for which, +indeed, he was indebted to the wisdom of a remote ancestor. Tiao’s spoken +word fully settled his determination, so that without delay he set himself to +the task of composing a story which should omit the usual sentence, but should +contain instead a large number of his most graceful and diamond-like thoughts. +So engrossed did this near-sighted and superficial person become in the task +(which daily seemed to increase rather than lessen as new and still more +sublime images arose within his mind) that many months passed before the matter +was complete. In the end, instead of a story, it had assumed the proportions of +an important and many-volumed book; while Tiao had in the meantime accepted the +wedding gifts of an objectionable and excessively round-bodied individual, who +had amassed an inconceivable number of taels by inducing persons to take part +in what at first sight appeared to be an ingenious but very easy competition +connected with the order in which certain horses should arrive at a given and +clearly defined spot. By that time, however, this unduly sanguine story-teller +had become completely entranced in his work, and merely regarded +Tiao-Ts’un as a Heaven-sent but no longer necessary incentive to his +success. With every hope, therefore, he went forth to dispose of his written +leaves, confident of finding some very wealthy person who would be in a +condition to pay him the correct value of the work. +</p> + +<p> +“At the end of two years this somewhat disillusionized but still +undaunted person chanced to hear of a benevolent and unassuming body of men who +made a habit of issuing works in which they discerned merit, but which, +nevertheless, others were unanimous in describing as ‘of no good.’ +Here this person was received with gracious effusion, and being in a position +to impress those with whom he was dealing with his undoubted knowledge of the +subject, he finally succeeded in making a very advantageous arrangement by +which he was to pay one-half of the number of taels expended in producing the +work, and to receive in return all the profits which should result from the +undertaking. Those who were concerned in the matter were so engagingly +impressed with the incomparable literary merit displayed in the production that +they counselled a great number of copies being made ready in order, as they +said, that this person should not lose by there being any delay when once the +accomplishment became the one topic of conversation in tea-houses and yamens. +From this cause it came about that the matter of taels to be expended was much +greater than had been anticipated at the beginning, so that when the day +arrived on which the volumes were to be sent forth this person found that +almost his last piece of money had disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +“Alas! how small a share has a person in the work of controlling his own +destiny. Had only the necessarily penurious and now almost degraded Kai Lung +been born a brief span before the great writer Lo Kuan Chang, his name would +have been received with every mark of esteem from one end of the Empire to the +other, while taels and honourable decorations would have been showered upon +him. For the truth, which could no longer be concealed, revealed the fact that +this inopportune individual possessed a mind framed in such a manner that his +thoughts had already been the thoughts of the inspired Lo Kuan, who, as this +person would not be so presumptuous as to inform this ornamental and +well-informed gathering, was the most ingenious and versatile-minded composer +of written words that this Empire—and therefore the entire +world—has seen, as, indeed, his honourable title of ‘The Many-hued +Mandarin Duck of the Yang-tse’ plainly indicates. +</p> + +<p> +“Although this self-opinionated person had frequently been greatly +surprised himself during the writing of his long work by the brilliance and +manysidedness of the thoughts and metaphors which arose in his mind without +conscious effort, it was not until the appearance of the printed leaves which +make a custom of warning persons against being persuaded into buying certain +books that he definitely understood how all these things had been fully +expressed many dynasties ago by the all-knowing Lo Kuan Chang, and formed, +indeed, the great national standard of unapproachable excellence. +Unfortunately, this person had been so deeply engrossed all his life in +literary pursuits that he had never found an opportunity to glance at the works +in question, or he would have escaped the embarrassing position in which he now +found himself. +</p> + +<p> +“It was with a hopeless sense of illness of ease that this unhappy one +reached the day on which the printed leaves already alluded to would make known +their deliberate opinion of his writing, the extremity of his hope being that +some would at least credit him with honourable motives, and perhaps a knowledge +that if the inspired Lo Kuan Chan had never been born the entire matter might +have been brought to a very different conclusion. Alas! only one among the many +printed leaves which made reference to the venture contained any words of +friendship or encouragement. This benevolent exception was sent forth from a +city in the extreme Northern Province of the Empire, and contained many +inspiring though delicately guarded messages of hope for the one to whom they +gracefully alluded as ‘this undoubtedly youthful, but nevertheless, +distinctly promising writer of books.’ While admitting that altogether +they found the production undeniably tedious, they claimed to have discovered +indications of an obvious talent, and therefore they unhesitatingly counselled +the person in question to take courage at the prospect of a moderate competency +which was certainly within his grasp if he restrained his somewhat +over-ambitious impulses and closely observed the simple subjects and manner of +expression of their own Chang Chow, whose ‘Lines to a Wayside +Chrysanthemum,’ ‘Mongolians who Have,’ and several other +composed pieces, they then set forth. Although it became plain that the writer +of this amiably devised notice was, like this incapable person, entirely +unacquainted with the masterpieces of Lo Kuan Chang, yet the indisputable fact +remained that, entirely on its merit, the work had been greeted with undoubted +enthusiasm, so that after purchasing many examples of the refined printed leaf +containing it, this person sat far into the night continually reading over the +one unprejudiced and discriminating expression. +</p> + +<p> +“All the other printed leaves displayed a complete absence of good taste +in dealing with the matter. One boldly asserted that the entire circumstance +was the outcome of a foolish jest or wager on the part of a person who +possessed a million taels; another predicted that it was a cunning and +elaborately thought-out method of obtaining the attention of the people on the +part of certain persons who claimed to vend a reliable and fragrantly-scented +cleansing substance. The <i>Valley of Hoang Rose Leaves and Sweetness</i> +hoped, in a spirit of no sincerity, that the ingenious Kai Lung would not rest +on his tea-leaves, but would soon send forth an equally entertaining amended +example of the <i>Sayings of Confucious</i> and other sacred works, while the +<i>Pure Essence of the Seven Days’ Happenings</i> merely printed side by +side portions from the two books under the large inscription, ‘I<small>S +THERE REALLY ANY</small> N<small>EED FOR</small> U<small>S TO EXPRESS</small> +O<small>URSELVES MORE CLEARLY</small>?’ +</p> + +<p> +“The disappointment both as regards public esteem and taels—for, +after the manner in which the work had been received by those who advise on +such productions, not a single example was purchased—threw this +ill-destined individual into a condition of most unendurable depression, from +which he was only aroused by a remarkable example of the unfailing wisdom of +the proverb which says ‘Before hastening to secure a possible reward of +five taels by dragging an unobservant person away from a falling building, +examine well his features lest you find, when too late, that it is one to whom +you are indebted for double that amount.’ Disappointed in the hope of +securing large gains from the sale of his great work, this person now turned +his attention again to his former means of living, only to find, however, that +the discredit in which he had become involved even attached itself to his +concise sentence; for in place of the remunerative and honourable manner in +which it was formerly received, it was now regarded on all hands with open +suspicion. Instead of meekly kow-towing to an evidently pre-arranged doom, the +last misfortune aroused this usually resigned story-teller to an ungovernable +frenzy. Regarding the accomplished but at the same time exceedingly +over-productive Lo Kuan Chang as the beginning of all his evils, he took a +solemn oath as a mark of disapproval that he had not been content to inscribe +on paper only half of his brilliant thoughts, leaving the other half for the +benefit of this hard-striving and equally well-endowed individual, in which +case there would have been a sufficiency of taels and of fame for both. +</p> + +<p> +“For a very considerable space of time this person could conceive no +method by which he might attain his object. At length, however, as a result of +very keen and subtle intellectual searching, and many well-selected sacrifices, +it was conveyed by means of a dream that one very ingenious yet simple way was +possible. The renowned and universally-admired writings of the distinguished Lo +Kuan for the most part take their action within a few dynasties of their +creator’s own time: all that remained for this inventive person to +accomplish, therefore, was to trace out the entire matter, making the words and +speeches to proceed from the mouths of those who existed in still earlier +periods. By this crafty method it would at once appear as though the +not-too-original Lo Kuan had been indebted to one who came before him for all +his most subtle thoughts, and, in consequence, his tomb would become +dishonoured and his memory execrated. Without any delay this person cheerfully +set himself to the somewhat laborious task before him. Lo Kuan’s +well-known exclamation of the Emperor Tsing on the battlefield of Shih-ho, +‘A sedan-chair! a sedan-chair! This person will unhesitatingly exchange +his entire and well-regulated Empire for such an article,’ was attributed +to an Emperor who lived several thousand years before the treacherous and +unpopular Tsing. The new matter of a no less frequently quoted portion ran: +‘O nobly intentioned but nevertheless exceedingly morose Tung-shin, the +object before you is your distinguished and evilly-disposed-of father’s +honourably-inspired demon,’ the change of a name effecting whatever +alteration was necessary; while the delicately-imagined speech beginning +‘The person who becomes amused at matters resulting from double-edged +knives has assuredly never felt the effect of a well-directed blow +himself’ was taken from the mouth of one person and placed in that of one +of his remote ancestors. In such a manner, without in any great degree altering +the matter of Lo Kuan’s works, all the scenes and persons introduced were +transferred to much earlier dynasties than those affected by the incomparable +writer himself, the final effect being to give an air of extreme unoriginality +to his really undoubtedly genuine conceptions. +</p> + +<p> +“Satisfied with his accomplishment, and followed by a hired person of low +class bearing the writings, which, by nature of the research necessary in +fixing the various dates and places so that even the wary should be deceived, +had occupied the greater part of a year, this now fully confident +story-teller—unmindful of the well-tried excellence of the inspired +saying, ‘Money is hundred-footed; upon perceiving a tael lying apparently +unobserved upon the floor, do not lose the time necessary in stooping, but +quickly place your foot upon it, for one fails nothing in dignity thereby; but +should it be a gold piece, distrust all things, and valuing dignity but as an +empty name, cast your entire body upon it’—went forth to complete +his great task of finally erasing from the mind and records of the Empire the +hitherto venerated name of Lo Kuan Chang. Entering the place of commerce of the +one who seemed the most favourable for the purpose, he placed the facts as they +would in future be represented before him, explained the undoubtedly +remunerative fame that would ensue to all concerned in the enterprise of +sending forth the printed books in their new form, and, opening at a venture +the written leaves which he had brought with him, read out the following words +as an indication of the similarity of the entire work: +</p> + +<p> +“‘<i>Whai-Keng</i>. Friends, Chinamen, labourers who are engaged in +agricultural pursuits, entrust to this person your acute and well-educated +ears; +</p> + +<p> +“‘He has merely come to assist in depositing the body of +Ko’ung in the Family Temple, not for the purpose of making remarks about +him of a graceful and highly complimentary nature; +</p> + +<p> +“‘The unremunerative actions of which persons may have been guilty +possess an exceedingly undesirable amount of endurance; +</p> + +<p> +“‘The successful and well-considered almost invariably are involved +in a directly contrary course; +</p> + +<p> +“‘This person desires nothing more than a like fate to await +Ko’ung.’ +</p> + +<p> +“When this one had read so far, he paused in order to give the other an +opportunity of breaking in and offering half his possessions to be allowed to +share in the undertaking. As he remained unaccountably silent, however, an +inelegant pause occurred which this person at length broke by desiring an +expressed opinion on the matter. +</p> + +<p> +“‘O exceedingly painstaking, but nevertheless highly inopportune +Kai Lung,’ he replied at length, while in his countenance this person +read an expression of no-encouragement towards his venture, ‘all your +entrancing efforts do undoubtedly appear to attract the undesirable attention +of some spiteful and tyrannical demon. This closely-written and elaborately +devised work is in reality not worth the labour of a single stroke, nor is +there in all Peking a sender forth of printed leaves who would encourage any +project connected with its issue.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘But the importance of such a fact as that which would clearly +show the hitherto venerated Lo Kuan Chang to be a person who passed off as his +own the work of an earlier one!’ cried this person in despair, well +knowing that the deliberately expressed opinion of the one before him was a +matter that would rule all others. ‘Consider the interest of the +discovery.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘The interest would not demand more than a few lines in the +ordinary printed leaves,’ replied the other calmly. ‘Indeed, in a +manner of speaking, it is entirely a detail of no consequence whether or not +the sublime Lo Kuan ever existed. In reality his very commonplace name may have +been simply Lung; his inspired work may have been written a score of dynasties +before him by some other person, or they may have been composed by the +enlightened Emperor of the period, who desired to conceal the fact, yet these +matters would not for a moment engage the interest of any ordinary passer-by. +Lo Kuan Chang is not a person in the ordinary expression; he is an embodiment +of a distinguished and utterly unassailable national institution. The +Heaven-sent works with which he is, by general consent, connected form the +necessary unchangeable standard of literary excellence, and remain for ever +above rivalry and above mistrust. For this reason the matter is plainly one +which does not interest this person.’ +</p> + +<p> +“In the course of a not uneventful existence this self-deprecatory person +has suffered many reverses and disappointments. During his youth the +high-minded Empress on one occasion stopped and openly complimented him on the +dignified outline presented by his body in profile, and when he was relying +upon this incident to secure him a very remunerative public office, a jealous +and powerful Mandarin substituted a somewhat similar, though really very much +inferior, person for him at the interview which the Empress had commanded. +Frequently in matters of commerce which have appeared to promise very +satisfactorily at the beginning this person has been induced to entrust sums of +money to others, when he had hoped from the indications and the manner of +speaking that the exact contrary would be the case; and in one instance he was +released at a vast price from the torture dungeon in Canton—where he had +been thrown by the subtle and unconscientious plots of one who could not relate +stories in so accurate and unvarying a manner as himself—on the day +before that on which all persons were freely set at liberty on account of +exceptional public rejoicing. Yet in spite of these and many other very +unendurable incidents, this impetuous and ill-starred being never felt so great +a desire to retire to a solitary place and there disfigure himself permanently +as a mark of his unfeigned internal displeasure, as on the occasion when he +endured extreme poverty and great personal inconvenience for an entire year in +order that he might take away face from the memory of a person who was so +placed that no one expressed any interest in the matter. +</p> + +<p> +“Since then this very ill-clad and really necessitous person has devoted +himself to the honourable but exceedingly arduous and in general unremunerative +occupation of story-telling. To this he would add nothing save that not +infrequently a nobly-born and highly-cultured audience is so entranced with his +commonplace efforts to hold the attention, especially when a story not hitherto +known has been related, that in order to afford it an opportunity of expressing +its gratification, he has been requested to allow another offering to be made +by all persons present at the conclusion of the entertainment.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"></a> +VI.<br /> +THE VENGEANCE OF TUNG FEL</h2> + +<p> +For a period not to be measured by days or weeks the air of Ching-fow had been +as unrestful as that of the locust plains beyond the Great Wall, for every +speech which passed bore two faces, one fair to hear, as a greeting, but the +other insidiously speaking behind a screen, of rebellion, violence, and the +hope of overturning the fixed order of events. With those whom they did not +mistrust of treachery persons spoke in low voices of definite plans, while at +all times there might appear in prominent places of the city skilfully composed +notices setting forth great wrongs and injustices towards which resignation and +a lowly bearing were outwardly counselled, yet with the same words cunningly +inflaming the minds, even of the patient, as no pouring out of passionate +thoughts and undignified threatenings could have done. Among the people, +unknown, unseen, and unsuspected, except to the proved ones to whom they +desired to reveal themselves, moved the agents of the Three Societies. While to +the many of Ching-fow nothing was desired or even thought of behind the +downfall of their own officials, and, chief of all, the execution of the +evil-minded and depraved Mandarin Ping Siang, whose cruelties and extortions +had made his name an object of wide and deserved loathing, the agents only +regarded the city as a bright spot in the line of blood and fire which they +were fanning into life from Peking to Canton, and which would presumably burst +forth and involve the entire Empire. +</p> + +<p> +Although it had of late become a plain fact, by reason of the manner of +behaving of the people, that events of a sudden and turbulent nature could not +long be restrained, yet outwardly there was no exhibition of violence, not even +to the length of resisting those whom Ping Siang sent to enforce his unjust +demands, chiefly because a well-founded whisper had been sent round that +nothing was to be done until Tung Fel should arrive, which would not be until +the seventh day in the month of Winged Dragons. To this all persons agreed, for +the more aged among them, who, by virtue of their years, were also the formers +of opinion in all matters, called up within their memories certain events +connected with the two persons in question which appeared to give to Tung Fel +the privilege of expressing himself clearly when the matter of finally dealing +with the malicious and self-willed Mandarin should be engaged upon. +</p> + +<p> +Among the mountains which enclose Ching-fow on the southern side dwelt a +jade-seeker, who also kept goats. Although a young man and entirely without +relations, he had, by patient industry, contrived to collect together a large +flock of the best-formed and most prolific goats to be found in the +neighbourhood, all the money which he received in exchange for jade being +quickly bartered again for the finest animals which he could obtain. He was +dauntless in penetrating to the most inaccessible parts of the mountains in +search of the stone, unfailing in his skilful care of the flock, in which he +took much honourable pride, and on all occasions discreet and unassumingly +restrained in his discourse and manner of life. Knowing this to be his +invariable practice, it was with emotions of an agreeable curiosity that on the +seventh day of the month of Winged Dragons those persons who were passing from +place to place in the city beheld this young man, Yang Hu, descending the +mountain path with unmistakable signs of profound agitation, and an entire +absence of prudent care. Following him closely to the inner square of the city, +on the continually expressed plea that they themselves had business in that +quarter, these persons observed Yang Hu take up a position of unendurable +dejection as he gazed reproachfully at the figure of the all-knowing Buddha +which surmounted the Temple where it was his custom to sacrifice. +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” he exclaimed, lifting up his voice, when it became plain +that a large number of people was assembled awaiting his words, “to what +end does a person strive in this excessively evilly-regulated district? Or is +it that this obscure and ill-destined one alone is marked out as with a deep +white cross for humiliation and ruin? Father, and Sacred Temple of Ancestral +Virtues, wherein the meanest can repose their trust, he has none; while now, +being more destitute than the beggar at the gate, the hope of honourable +marriage and a robust family of sons is more remote than the chance of finding +the miracle-working Crystal Image which marks the last footstep of the Pure +One. Yesterday this person possessed no secret store of silver or gold, nor had +he knowledge of any special amount of jade hidden among the mountains, but to +his call there responded four score goats, the most select and majestic to be +found in all the Province, of which, nevertheless, it was his yearly custom to +sacrifice one, as those here can testify, and to offer another as a duty to the +Yamen of Ping Siang, in neither case opening his eyes widely when the hour for +selecting arrived. Yet in what an unseemly manner is his respectful piety and +courteous loyalty rewarded! To-day, before this person went forth on his usual +quest, there came those bearing written papers by which they claimed, on the +authority of Ping Siang, the whole of this person’s flock, as a +punishment and fine for his not contributing without warning to the Celebration +of Kissing the Emperor’s Face—the very obligation of such a matter +being entirely unknown to him. Nevertheless, those who came drove off this +person’s entire wealth, the desperately won increase of a life full of +great toil and uncomplainingly endured hardship, leaving him only his cave in +the rocks, which even the most grasping of many-handed Mandarins cannot remove, +his cloak of skins, which no beggar would gratefully receive, and a bright and +increasing light of deep hate scorching within his mind which nothing but the +blood of the obdurate extortioner can efficiently quench. No protection of +charms or heavily-mailed bowmen shall avail him, for in his craving for just +revenge this person will meet witchcraft with a Heaven-sent cause and oppose an +unsleeping subtlety against strength. Therefore let not the innocent suffer +through an insufficient understanding, O Divine One, but direct the hand of +your faithful worshipper towards the heart that is proud in tyranny, and holds +as empty words the clearly defined promise of an all-seeing justice.” +</p> + +<p> +Scarcely had Yang Hu made an end of speaking before there happened an event +which could be regarded in no other light than as a direct answer to his +plainly expressed request for a definite sign. Upon the clear air, which had +become unnaturally still at Yang Hu’s words, as though to remove any +chance of doubt that this indeed was the requested answer, came the loud +beating of many very powerful brass gongs, indicating the approach of some +person of undoubted importance. In a very brief period the procession reached +the square, the gong-beaters being followed by persons carrying banners, bowmen +in armour, others bearing various weapons and instruments of torture, slaves +displaying innumerable changes of raiment to prove the rank and consequence of +their master, umbrella carriers and fan wavers, and finally, preceded by +incense burners and surrounded by servants who cleared away all obstructions by +means of their formidable and heavily knotted lashes, the unworthy and +deceitful Mandarin Ping Siang, who sat in a silk-hung and elaborately wrought +chair, looking from side to side with gestures and expressions of contempt and +ill-restrained cupidity. +</p> + +<p> +At the sign of this powerful but unscrupulous person all those who were present +fell upon their faces, leaving a broad space in their midst, except Yang Hu, +who stepped back into the shadow of a doorway, being resolved that he would not +prostrate himself before one whom Heaven had pointed out as the proper object +of his just vengeance. +</p> + +<p> +When the chair of Ping Siang could no longer be observed in the distance, and +the sound of his many gongs had died away, all the persons who had knelt at his +approach rose to their feet, meeting each other’s eyes with glances of +assured and profound significance. At length there stepped forth an exceedingly +aged man, who was generally believed to have the power of reading omens and +forecasting futures, so that at his upraised hand all persons became silent. +</p> + +<p> +“Behold!” he exclaimed, “none can turn aside in doubt from +the deliberately pointed finger of Buddha. Henceforth, in spite of the +well-intentioned suggestions of those who would shield him under the plea of +exacting orders from high ones at Peking or extortions practised by slaves +under him of which he is ignorant, there can no longer be any two voices +concerning the guilty one. Yet what does the knowledge of the cormorant’s +cry avail the golden carp in the shallow waters of the Yuen-Kiang? A prickly +mormosa is an adequate protection against a naked man armed only with a just +cause, and a company of bowmen has been known to quench an entire city’s +Heaven-felt desire for retribution. This person, and doubtless others also, +would have experienced a more heartfelt enthusiasm in the matter if the sublime +and omnipotent Buddha had gone a step further, and pointed out not only the one +to be punished, but also the instrument by which the destiny could be prudently +and effectively accomplished.” +</p> + +<p> +From the mountain path which led to Yang Hu’s cave came a voice, like an +expressly devised reply to this speech. It was that of some person uttering the +“Chant of Rewards and Penalties”: +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +“How strong is the mountain sycamore!<br/> +    “Its branches reach the Middle Air, and the eye of none can pierce +its foliage;<br/> +    “It draws power and nourishment from all around, so that weeds alone +may flourish under its shadow.<br/> +    “Robbers find safety within the hollow of its trunk; its branches +hide vampires and all manner of evil things which prey upon the innocent;<br/> +    “The wild boar of the forest sharpen their tusks against the bark, +for it is harder than flint, and the axe of the woodsman turns back upon the +striker.<br/> +    “Then cries the sycamore, ‘Hail and rain have no power against +me, nor can the fiercest sun penetrate beyond my outside fringe;<br/> +    “‘The man who impiously raises his hand against me falls by his +own stroke and weapon.<br/> +    “‘Can there be a greater or a more powerful than this one? +Assuredly, <i>I</i> am Buddha; let all things obey me.’<br/> +    “Whereupon the weeds bow their heads, whispering among themselves, +‘The voice of the Tall One we hear, but not that of Buddha. Indeed, it is +doubtless as he says.’<br/> +    “In his musk-scented Heaven Buddha laughs, and not deigning to raise +his head from the lap of the PhÅ“nix Goddess, he thrusts forth a stone which +lies by his foot.<br/> +    “Saying, ‘A god’s present for a god. Take it carefully, O +presumptuous Little One, for it is hot to the touch.’<br/> +    “The thunderbolt falls and the mighty tree is rent in twain. +‘They asked for my messenger,’ said the Pure One, turning again to +repose.<br/> +    “<i>Lo, he comes</i>!” +</p> + +<p> +With the last spoken word there came into the sight of those who were collected +together a person of stern yet engaging appearance. His hands and face were the +colour of mulberry stain by long exposure to the sun, while his eyes looked +forth like two watch-fires outside a wolf-haunted camp. His long pigtail was +tangled with the binding tendrils of the forest, and damp with the dew of an +open couch. His apparel was in no way striking or brilliant, yet he strode with +the dignity and air of a high official, pushing before him a covered box upon +wheels. +</p> + +<p> +“It is Tung Fel!” cried many who stood there watching his approach, +in tones which showed those who spoke to be inspired by a variety of impressive +emotions. “Undoubtedly this is the seventh day of the month of Winged +Dragons, and, as he specifically stated would be the case, lo! he has +come.” +</p> + +<p> +Few were the words of greeting which Tung Fel accorded even to the most +venerable of those who awaited him. +</p> + +<p> +“This person has slept, partaken of fruit and herbs, and devoted an +allotted time to inward contemplation,” he said briefly. “Other and +more weighty matters than the exchange of dignified compliments and the +admiration of each other’s profiles remain to be accomplished. What, for +example, is the significance of the written parchment which is displayed in so +obtrusive a manner before our eyes? Bring it to this person without +delay.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words all those present followed Tung Fel’s gaze with +astonishment, for conspicuously displayed upon the wall of the Temple was a +written notice which all joined in asserting had not been there the moment +before, though no man had approached the spot. Nevertheless it was quickly +brought to Tung Fel, who took it without any fear or hesitation and read aloud +the words which it contained. +</p> + +<p class="center"> +“TO THE CUSTOM-RESPECTING PERSONS OF CHING-FOW. +</p> + +<p> +“Truly the span of existence of any upon this earth is brief and not to +be considered; therefore, O unfortunate dwellers of Ching-fow, let it not +affect your digestion that your bodies are in peril of sudden and most +excruciating tortures and your Family Temples in danger of humiliating +disregard. +</p> + +<p> +“Why do your thoughts follow the actions of the noble Mandarin Ping Siang +so insidiously, and why after each unjust exaction do your eyes look redly +towards the Yamen? +</p> + +<p> +“Is he not the little finger of those at Peking, obeying their commands +and only carrying out the taxation which others have devised? Indeed, he +himself has stated such to be the fact. If, therefore, a terrible and +unforeseen fate overtook the usually cautious and well-armed Ping Siang, +doubtless—perhaps after the lapse of some considerable time—another +would be sent from Peking for a like purpose, and in this way, after a +too-brief period of heaven-sent rest and prosperity, affairs would regulate +themselves into almost as unendurable a condition as before. +</p> + +<p> +“Therefore ponder these things well, O passer-by. Yesterday the only +man-child of Huang the wood-carver was taken away to be sold into slavery by +the emissaries of the most just Ping Siang (who would not have acted thus, we +are assured, were it not for the insatiable ones at Peking), as it had become +plain that the very necessitous Huang had no other possession to contribute to +the amount to be expended in coloured lights as a mark of public rejoicing on +the occasion of the moonday of the sublime Emperor. The illiterate and +prosaic-minded Huang, having in a most unseemly manner reviled and even +assailed those who acted in the matter, has been effectively disposed of, and +his wife now alternately laughs and shrieks in the Establishment of Irregular +Intellects. +</p> + +<p> +“For this reason, gazer, and because the matter touches you more closely +than, in your self-imagined security, you are prone to think, deal expediently +with the time at your disposal. Look twice and lingeringly to-night upon the +face of your first-born, and clasp the form of your favourite one in a closer +embrace, for he by whose hand the blow is directed may already have cast +devouring eyes upon their fairness, and to-morrow he may say to his armed men: +‘The time is come; bring her to me.’” +</p> + +<p> +“From the last sentence of the well-intentioned and undoubtedly +moderately-framed notice this person will take two phrases,” remarked +Tung Fel, folding the written paper and placing it among his garments, +“which shall serve him as the title of the lifelike and +accurately-represented play which it is his self-conceited intention now to +disclose to this select and unprejudiced gathering. The scene represents an +enlightened and well-merited justice overtaking an arrogant and intolerable +being who—need this person add?—existed many dynasties ago, and the +title is: +</p> + +<p class="center"> +“THE TIME IS COME!<br /> +BY WHOSE HAND?” +</p> + +<p> +Delivering himself in this manner, Tung Fel drew back the hanging drapery which +concealed the front of his large box, and disclosed to those who were gathered +round, not, as they had expected, a passage from the Record of the Three +Kingdoms, or some other dramatic work of undoubted merit, but an ingeniously +constructed representation of a scene outside the walls of their own Ching-fow. +On one side was a small but minutely accurate copy of a wood-burner’s +hut, which was known to all present, while behind stood out the distant but +nevertheless unmistakable walls of the city. But it was the nearest part of the +spectacle that first held the attention of the entranced beholders, for there +disported themselves, in every variety of guileless and attractive attitude, a +number of young and entirely unconcerned doves. Scarcely had the delighted +onlookers fully observed the pleasing and effective scene, or uttered their +expressions of polished satisfaction at the graceful and unassuming behaviour +of the pretty creatures before them, than the view entirely changed, and, as if +by magic, the massive and inelegant building of Ping Siang’s Yamen was +presented before them. As all gazed, astonished, the great door of the Yamen +opened stealthily, and without a moment’s pause a lean and +ill-conditioned rat, of unnatural size and rapacity, dashed out and seized the +most select and engaging of the unsuspecting prey in its hungry jaws. With the +expiring cry of the innocent victim the entire box was immediately, and in the +most unexpected manner, involved in a profound darkness, which cleared away as +suddenly and revealed the forms of the despoiler and the victim lying dead by +each other’s side. +</p> + +<p> +Tung Fel came forward to receive the well-selected compliments of all who had +witnessed the entertainment. +</p> + +<p> +“It may be objected,” he remarked, “that the play is, in a +manner of expressing one’s self, incomplete; for it is unrevealed by +whose hand the act of justice was accomplished. Yet in this detail is the +accuracy of the representation justified, for though the time has come, the +hand by which retribution is accorded shall never be observed.” +</p> + +<p> +In such a manner did Tung Fel come to Ching-fow on the seventh day of the month +of Winged Dragons, throwing aside all restraint, and no longer urging prudence +or delay. Of all the throng which stood before him scarcely one was without a +deep offence against Ping Siang, while those who had not as yet suffered feared +what the morrow might display. +</p> + +<p> +A wandering monk from the Island of Irredeemable Plagues was the first to step +forth in response to Tung Fel’s plainly understood suggestion. +</p> + +<p> +“There is no necessity for this person to undertake further acts of +benevolence,” he remarked, dropping the cloak from his shoulder and +displaying the hundred and eight scars of extreme virtue; “nor,” he +continued, holding up his left hand, from which three fingers were burnt away, +“have greater endurances been neglected. Yet the matter before this +distinguished gathering is one which merits the favourable consideration of all +persons, and this one will in no manner turn away, recounting former actions, +while he allows others to press forward towards the accomplishment of the just +and divinely-inspired act.” +</p> + +<p> +With these words the devout and unassuming person in question inscribed his +name upon a square piece of rice-paper, attesting his sincerity to the fixed +purpose for which it was designed by dipping his thumb into the mixed blood of +the slain animals and impressing this unalterable seal upon the paper also. He +was followed by a seller of drugs and subtle medicines, whose entire stock had +been seized and destroyed by order of Ping Siang, so that no one in Ching-fow +might obtain poison for his destruction. Then came an overwhelming stream of +persons, all of whom had received some severe and well-remembered injury at the +hands of the malicious and vindictive Mandarin. All these followed a similar +observance, inscribing their names and binding themselves by the Blood Oath. +Last of all Yang Hu stepped up, partly from a natural modesty which restrained +him from offering himself when so many more versatile persons of proved +excellence were willing to engage in the matter, and partly because an +ill-advised conflict was taking place within his mind as to whether the extreme +course which was contemplated was the most expedient to pursue. At last, +however, he plainly perceived that he could not honourably withhold himself +from an affair that was in a measure the direct outcome of his own unendurable +loss, so that without further hesitation he added his obscure name to the many +illustrious ones already in Tung Fel’s keeping. +</p> + +<p> +When at length dark fell upon the city and the cries of the watchmen, warning +all prudent ones to bar well their doors against robbers, as they themselves +were withdrawing until the morrow, no longer rang through the narrow ways of +Ching-fow, all those persons who had pledged themselves by name and seal went +forth silently, and came together at the place whereof Tung Fel had secretly +conveyed them knowledge. There Tung Fel, standing somewhat apart, placed all +the folded papers in the form of a circle, and having performed over them +certain observances designed to insure a just decision and to keep away evil +influences, submitted the selection to the discriminating choice of the Sacred +Flat and Round Sticks. Having in this manner secured the name of the appointed +person who should carry out the act of justice and retribution, Tung Fel +unfolded the paper, inscribed certain words upon it, and replaced it among the +others. +</p> + +<p> +“The moment before great deeds,” began Tung Fel, stepping forward +and addressing himself to the expectant ones who were gathered round, “is +not the time for light speech, nor, indeed, for sentences of dignified length, +no matter how pleasantly turned to the ear they may be. Before this person +stand many who are undoubtedly illustrious in various arts and virtues, yet one +among them is pre-eminently marked out for distinction in that his name shall +be handed down in imperishable history as that of a patriot of a pure-minded +and uncompromising degree. With him there is no need of further speech, and to +this end I have inscribed certain words upon his namepaper. To everyone this +person will now return the paper which has been entrusted to him, folded so +that the nature of its contents shall be an unwritten leaf to all others. Nor +shall the papers be unfolded by any until he is within his own chamber, with +barred doors, where all, save the one who shall find the message, shall remain, +not venturing forth until daybreak. I, Tung Fel, have spoken, and assuredly I +shall not eat my word, which is that a certain and most degrading death awaits +any who transgress these commands.” +</p> + +<p> +It was with the short and sudden breath of the cowering antelope when the +stealthy tread of the pitiless tiger approaches its lair, that Yang Hu opened +his paper in the seclusion of his own cave; for his mind was darkened with an +inspired inside emotion that he, the one doubting among the eagerly proffering +and destructively inclined multitude, would be chosen to accomplish the high +aim for which, indeed, he felt exceptionally unworthy. The written sentence +which he perceived immediately upon unfolding the paper, instructing him to +appear again before Tung Fel at the hour of midnight, was, therefore, nothing +but the echo and fulfilment of his own thoughts, and served in reality to +impress his mind with calmer feelings of dignified unconcern than would have +been the case had he not been chosen. Having neither possessions nor relations, +the occupation of disposing of his goods and making ceremonious and +affectionate leavetakings of his family, against the occurrence of any +unforeseen disaster, engrossed no portion of Yang Hu’s time. Yet there +was one matter to which no reference has yet been made, but which now forces +itself obtrusively upon the attention, which was in a large measure responsible +for many of the most prominent actions of Yang Hu’s life, and, indeed, in +no small degree influenced his hesitation in offering himself before Tung Fel. +</p> + +<p> +Not a bowshot distance from the place where the mountain path entered the +outskirts of the city lived Hiya-ai-Shao with her parents, who were persons of +assured position, though of no particular wealth. For a period not confined to +a single year it had been the custom of Yang Hu to offer to this elegant and +refined maiden all the rarest pieces of jade which he could discover, while the +most symmetrical and remunerative she-goat in his flock enjoyed the honourable +distinction of bearing her incomparable name. Towards the almond garden of +Hiya’s abode Yang Hu turned his footsteps upon leaving his cave, and +standing there, concealed from all sides by the white and abundant flower-laden +foliage, he uttered a sound which had long been an agreed signal between them. +Presently a faint perfume of choo-lan spoke of her near approach, and without +delay Hiya herself stood by his side. +</p> + +<p> +“Well-endowed one,” said Yang Hu, when at length they had gazed +upon each other’s features and made renewals of their protestations of +mutual regard, “the fixed intentions of a person have often been fitly +likened to the seed of the tree-peony, so ineffectual are their efforts among +the winds of constantly changing circumstance. The definite hope of this person +had long pointed towards a small but adequate habitation, surrounded by +sweet-smelling olive-trees and not far distant from the jade cliffs and +pastures which would afford a sufficient remuneration and a means of living. +This entrancing picture has been blotted out for the time, and in its place +this person finds himself face to face with an arduous and dangerous +undertaking, followed, perhaps, by hasty and immediate flight. Yet if the +adorable Hiya will prove the unchanging depths of her constantly expressed +intention by accompanying him as far as the village of Hing where suitable +marriage ceremonies can be observed without delay, the exile will in reality be +in the nature of a triumphal procession, and the emotions with which this +person has hitherto regarded the entire circumstance will undergo a complete +and highly accomplished change.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Yang!” exclaimed the maiden, whose feelings at hearing these +words were in no way different from those of her lover when he was on the point +of opening the folded paper upon which Tung Fel had written; “what is the +nature of the mission upon which you are so impetuously resolved? and why will +it be followed by flight?” +</p> + +<p> +“The nature of the undertaking cannot be revealed by reason of a +deliberately taken oath,” replied Yang Hu; “and the reason of its +possible consequence is a less important question to the two persons who are +here conversing together than of whether the amiable and graceful Hiya is +willing to carry out her often-expressed desire for an opportunity of +displaying the true depths of her emotions towards this one.” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” said Hiya, “the sentiments which this person +expressed with irreproachable honourableness when the sun was high in the +heavens and the probability of secretly leaving an undoubtedly well-appointed +home was engagingly remote, seem to have an entirely different significance +when recalled by night in a damp orchard, and on the eve of their fulfilment. +To deceive one’s parents is an ignoble prospect; furthermore, it is often +an exceedingly difficult undertaking. Let the matter be arranged in this way: +that Yang leaves the ultimate details of the scheme to Hiya’s expedient +care, he proceeding without delay to Hing, or, even more desirable, to the +further town of Liyunnan, and there awaiting her coming. By such means the risk +of discovery and pursuit will be lessened, Yang will be able to set forth on +his journey with greater speed, and this one will have an opportunity of +getting together certain articles without which, indeed, she would be very +inadequately equipped.” +</p> + +<p> +In spite of his conscientious desire that Hiya should be by his side on the +journey, together with an unendurable certainty that evil would arise from the +course she proposed, Yang was compelled by an innate feeling of respect to +agree to her wishes, and in this manner the arrangement was definitely +concluded. Thereupon Hiya, without delay, returned to the dwelling, remarking +that otherwise her absence might be detected and the entire circumstance +thereby discovered, leaving Yang Hu to continue his journey and again present +himself before Tung Fel, as he had been instructed. +</p> + +<p> +Tung Fel was engaged with brush and ink when Yang Hu entered. Round him were +many written parchments, some venerable with age, and a variety of other +matters, among which might be clearly perceived weapons, and devices for +reading the future. He greeted Yang with many tokens of dignified respect, and +with an evidently restrained emotion led him towards the light of a hanging +lantern, where he gazed into his face for a considerable period with every +indication of exceptional concern. +</p> + +<p> +“Yang Hu,” he said at length, “at such a moment many dark and +searching thoughts may naturally arise in the mind concerning objects and +reasons, omens, and the moving cycle of events. Yet in all these, out of a +wisdom gained by deep endurance and a hardly-won experience beyond the common +lot, this person would say, Be content. The hand of destiny, though it may at +times appear to move in a devious manner, is ever approaching its appointed +aim. To this end were you chosen.” +</p> + +<p> +“The choice was openly made by wise and proficient omens,” replied +Yang Hu, without any display of uncertainty of purpose, “and this person +is content.” +</p> + +<p> +Tung Fel then administered to Yang the Oath of Buddha’s Face and the One +called the Unutterable (which may not be further described in written words) +thereby binding his body and soul, and the souls and repose of all who had gone +before him in direct line and all who should in a like manner follow after, to +the accomplishment of the design. All spoken matter being thus complete between +them, he gave him a mask with which he should pass unknown through the streets +and into the presence of Ping Siang, a variety of weapons to use as the +occasion arose, and a sign by which the attendants at the Yamen would admit him +without further questioning. +</p> + +<p> +As Yang Hu passed through the streets of Ching-fow, which were in a great +measure deserted owing to the command of Tung Fel, he was aware of many +mournful and foreboding sounds which accompanied him on all sides, while +shadowy faces, bearing signs of intolerable anguish and despair, continually +formed themselves out of the wind. By the time he reached the Yamen a tempest +of exceptional violence was in progress, nor were other omens absent which +tended to indicate that matters of a very unpropitious nature were about to +take place. +</p> + +<p> +At each successive door of the Yamen the attendant stepped back and covered his +face, so that he should by no chance perceive who had come upon so destructive +a mission, the instant Yang Hu uttered the sign with which Tung Fel had +provided him. In this manner Yang quickly reached the door of the inner chamber +upon which was inscribed: “Let the person who comes with a doubtful +countenance, unbidden, or meditating treachery, remember the curse and manner +of death which attended Lai Kuen, who slew the one over him; so shall he turn +and go forth in safety.” This unworthy safeguard at the hands of a person +who passed his entire life in altering the fixed nature of justice, and who +never went beyond his outer gate without an armed company of bowmen, inspired +Yang Hu with so incautious a contempt, that without any hesitation he drew +forth his brush and ink, and in a spirit of bitter signification added the +words, “‘Come, let us eat together,’ said the wolf to the +she-goat.” +</p> + +<p> +Being now within a step of Ping Siang and the completion of his undertaking, +Yang Hu drew tighter the cords of his mask, tested and proved his weapons, and +then, without further delay, threw open the door before him and stepped into +the chamber, barring the door quickly so that no person might leave or enter +without his consent. +</p> + +<p> +At this interruption and manner of behaving, which clearly indicated the nature +of the errand upon which the person before him had come, Ping Siang rose from +his couch and stretched out his hand towards a gong which lay beside him. +</p> + +<p> +“All summonses for aid are now unavailing, Ping Siang,” exclaimed +Yang, without in any measure using delicate or set phrases of speech; +“for, as you have doubtless informed yourself, the slaves of tyrants are +the first to welcome the downfall of their lord.” +</p> + +<p> +“The matter of your speech is as emptiness to this person,” replied +the Mandarin, affecting with extreme difficulty an appearance of no-concern. +“In what manner has he fallen? And how will the depraved and self-willed +person before him avoid the well-deserved tortures which certainly await him in +the public square on the morrow, as the reward of his intolerable +presumptions?” +</p> + +<p> +“O Mandarin,” cried Yang Hu, “the fitness and occasion for +such speeches as the one to which you have just given utterance lie as far +behind you as the smoke of yesterday’s sacrifice. With what manner of +eyes have you frequently journeyed through Ching-fow of late, if the signs and +omens there have not already warned you to prepare a coffin adequately designed +to receive your well-proportioned body? Has not the pungent vapour of burning +houses assailed your senses at every turn, or the salt tears from the eyes of +forlorn ones dashed your peach-tea and spiced foods with bitterness?” +</p> + +<p> +“Alas!” exclaimed Ping Siang, “this person now certainly +begins to perceive that many things which he has unthinkingly allowed would +present a very unendurable face to others.” +</p> + +<p> +“In such a manner has it appeared to all Ching-fow,” said Yang Hu; +“and the justice of your death has been universally admitted. Even should +this one fail there would be an innumerable company eager to take his place. +Therefore, O Ping Siang, as the only favour which it is within this +person’s power to accord, select that which in your opinion is the most +agreeable manner and weapon for your end.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is truly said that at the Final Gate of the Two Ways the necessity +for elegant and well-chosen sentences ends,” remarked Ping Siang with a +sigh, “otherwise the manner of your address would be open to reproach. By +your side this person perceives a long and apparently highly-tempered sword, +which, in his opinion, will serve the purpose efficiently. Having no remarks of +an improving but nevertheless exceedingly tedious nature with which to imprint +the occasion for the benefit of those who come after, his only request is that +the blow shall be an unhesitating and sufficiently well-directed one.” +</p> + +<p> +At these words Yang Hu threw back his cloak to grasp the sword-handle, when the +Mandarin, with his eyes fixed on the naked arm, and evidently inspired by every +manner of conflicting emotions, uttered a cry of unspeakable wonder and +incomparable surprise. +</p> + +<p> +“The Serpent!” he cried, in a voice from which all evenness and +control were absent. “The Sacred Serpent of our Race! O mysterious one, +who and whence are you?” +</p> + +<p> +Engulfed in an all-absorbing doubt at the nature of events, Yang could only +gaze at the form of the serpent which had been clearly impressed upon his arm +from the earliest time of his remembrance, while Ping Siang, tearing the silk +garment from his own arm and displaying thereon a similar form, continued: +</p> + +<p> +“Behold the inevitable and unvarying birthmark of our race! So it was +with this person’s father and the ones before him; so it was with his +treacherously-stolen son; so it will be to the end of all time.” +</p> + +<p> +Trembling beyond all power of restraint, Yang removed the mask which had +hitherto concealed his face. +</p> + +<p> +“Father or race has this person none,” he said, looking into Ping +Siang’s features with an all-engaging hope, tempered in a measure by a +soul-benumbing dread; “nor memory or tradition of an earlier state than +when he herded goats and sought for jade in the southern mountains.” +</p> + +<p> +“Nevertheless,” exclaimed the Mandarin, whose countenance was +lightened with an interest and a benevolent emotion which had never been seen +there before, “beyond all possibility of doubting, you are this +person’s lost and greatly-desired son, stolen away many years ago by the +treacherous conduct of an unworthy woman, yet now happily and miraculously +restored to cherish his declining years and perpetuate an honourable name and +race.” +</p> + +<p> +“Happily!” exclaimed Yang, with fervent indications of +uncontrollable bitterness. “Oh, my illustrious sire, at whose venerated +feet this unworthy person now prostrates himself with well-merited marks of +reverence and self-abasement, has the errand upon which an ignoble son +entered—the every memory of which now causes him the acutest agony of the +lost, but which nevertheless he is pledged to Tung Fel by the Unutterable Oath +to perform—has this unnatural and eternally cursed thing escaped your +versatile mind?” +</p> + +<p> +“Tung Fel!” cried Ping Siang. “Is, then, this blow also by +the hand of that malicious and vindictive person? Oh, what a cycle of events +and interchanging lines of destiny do your words disclose!” +</p> + +<p> +“Who, then, is Tung Fel, my revered Father?” demanded Yang. +</p> + +<p> +“It is a matter which must be made clear from the beginning,” +replied Ping Siang. “At one time this person and Tung Fel were, by nature +and endowments, united in the most amiable bonds of an inseparable friendship. +Presently Tung Fel signed the preliminary contract of a marriage with one who +seemed to be endowed with every variety of enchanting and virtuous grace, but +who was, nevertheless, as the unrolling of future events irresistibly +discovered, a person of irregular character and undignified habits. On the eve +of the marriage ceremony this person was made known to her by the undoubtedly +enraptured Tung Fel, whereupon he too fell into the snare of her engaging +personality, and putting aside all thoughts of prudent restraint, made her more +remunerative offers of marriage than Tung Fel could by any possible chance +overbid. In such a manner—for after the nature of her kind riches were +exceptionally attractive to her degraded imagination—she became this +person’s wife, and the mother of his only son. In spite of these great +honours, however, the undoubted perversity of her nature made her an easy +accomplice to the duplicity of Tung Fel, who, by means of various disguises, +found frequent opportunity of uttering in her presence numerous +well-thought-out suggestions specially designed to lead her imagination towards +an existence in which this person had no adequate representation. Becoming at +length terrified at the possibility of these unworthy emotions, obtruding +themselves upon this person’s notice, the two in question fled together, +taking with them the one who without any doubt is now before me. Despite the +most assiduous search and very tempting and profitable offers of reward, no +information of a reliable nature could be obtained, and at length this +dispirited and completely changed person gave up the pursuit as unavailing. +With his son and heir, upon whose future he had greatly hoped, all emotions of +a generous and high-minded nature left him, and in a very short space of time +he became the avaricious and deservedly unpopular individual against whose +extortions the amiable and long-suffering ones of Ching-fow have for so many +years protested mildly. The sudden and not altogether unexpected fate which is +now on the point of reaching him is altogether too lenient to be entirely +adequate.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, my distinguished and really immaculate sire!” cried Yang Hu, +in a voice which expressed the deepest feelings of contrition. “No oaths +or vows, however sacred, can induce this person to stretch forth his hand +against the one who stands before him.” +</p> + +<p> +“Nevertheless,” replied Ping Siang, speaking of the matter as +though it were one which did not closely concern his own existence, “to +neglect the Unutterable Oath would inevitably involve not only the two persons +who are now conversing together, but also those before and those who are to +come after in direct line, in a much worse condition of affairs. That is a fate +which this person would by no means permit to exist, for one of his chief +desires has ever been to establish a strong and vigorous line, to which end, +indeed, he was even now concluding a marriage arrangement with the beautiful +and refined Hiya-ai-Shao, whom he had at length persuaded into accepting his +betrothal tokens without reluctance.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hiya-ai-Shao!” exclaimed Yang; “she has accepted your +silk-bound gifts?” +</p> + +<p> +“The matter need not concern us now,” replied the Mandarin, not +observing in his complicated emotions the manner in which the name of Hiya had +affected Yang, revealing as it undoubtedly did the treachery of his beloved +one. “There only appears to be one honourable way in which the full +circumstances can be arranged, and this person will in no measure endeavour to +avoid it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Such an end is neither ignoble nor painful,” he said, in an +unchanging voice; “nor will this one in any way shrink from so easy and +honourable a solution.” +</p> + +<p> +“The affairs of the future do not exhibit themselves in delicately +coloured hues to this person,” said Yang Hu; “and he would, if the +thing could be so arranged, cheerfully submit to a similar fate in order that a +longer period of existence should be assured to one who has every variety of +claim upon his affection.” +</p> + +<p> +“The proposal is a graceful and conscientious one,” said Ping +Siang, “and is, moreover, a gratifying omen of the future of our race, +which must of necessity be left in your hands. But, for that reason itself, +such a course cannot be pursued. Nevertheless, the events of the past few hours +have been of so exceedingly prosperous and agreeable a nature that this +short-sighted and frequently desponding person can now pass beyond with a +tranquil countenance and every assurance of divine favour.” +</p> + +<p> +With these words Ping Siang indicated that he was desirous of setting forth the +Final Expression, and arranging the necessary matters upon the table beside +him, he stretched forth his hands over Yang Hu, who placed himself in a +suitable attitude of reverence and abasement. +</p> + +<p> +“Yang Hu,” began the Mandarin, “undoubted son, and, after the +accomplishment of the intention which it is our fixed purpose to carry out, +fitting representative of the person who is here before you, engrave well +within your mind the various details upon which he now gives utterance. Regard +the virtues; endeavour to pass an amiable and at the same time not +unremunerative existence; and on all occasions sacrifice freely, to the end +that the torments of those who have gone before may be made lighter, and that +others may be induced in turn to perform a like benevolent charity for +yourself. Having expressed himself upon these general subjects, this person now +makes a last and respectfully-considered desire, which it is his deliberate +wish should be carried to the proper deities as his final expression of +opinion: That Yang Hu may grow as supple as the dried juice of the +bending-palm, and as straight as the most vigorous bamboo from the forests of +the North. That he may increase beyond the prolificness of the white-necked +crow and cover the ground after the fashion of the binding grass. That in +battle his sword may be as a vividly-coloured and many-forked lightning flash, +accompanied by thunderbolts as irresistible as Buddha’s divine wrath; in +peace his voice as resounding as the rolling of many powerful drums among the +Khingan Mountains. That when the kindled fire of his existence returns to the +great Mountain of Pure Flame the earth shall accept again its component parts, +and in no way restrain the divine essence from journeying to its destined +happiness. These words are Ping Siang’s last expression of opinion before +he passes beyond, given in the unvarying assurance that so sacred and important +a petition will in no way be neglected.” +</p> + +<p> +Having in this manner completed all the affairs which seemed to be of a +necessary and urgent nature, and fixing his last glance upon Yang Hu with every +variety of affectionate and estimable emotion, the Mandarin drank a sufficient +quantity of the liquid, and placing himself upon a couch in an attitude of +repose, passed in this dignified and unassuming manner into the Upper Air. +</p> + +<p> +After the space of a few moments spent in arranging certain objects and in +inward contemplation, Yang Hu crossed the chamber, still holding the +half-filled vessel of gold-leaf in his hand, and drawing back the hanging silk, +gazed over the silent streets of Ching-fow and towards the great sky-lantern +above. +</p> + +<p> +“Hiya is faithless,” he said at length in an unspeaking voice; +“this person’s mother a bitter-tasting memory, his father a swiftly +passing shadow that is now for ever lost.” His eyes rested upon the +closed vessel in his hand. “Gladly would—” his thoughts +began, but with this unworthy image a new impression formed itself within his +mind. “A clearly-expressed wish was uttered,” he concluded, +“and Tung Fel still remains.” With this resolution he stepped back +into the chamber and struck the gong loudly. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"></a> +VII.<br /> +THE CAREER OF THE CHARITABLE QUEN-KI-TONG</h2> + +<h3>FIRST PERIOD:<br /> +THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL</h3> + +<p> +“The motives which inspired the actions of the devout Quen-Ki-Tong have +long been ill-reported,” said Kai Lung the story-teller, upon a certain +occasion at Wu-whei, “and, as a consequence, his illustrious memory has +suffered somewhat. Even as the insignificant earth-worm may bring the precious +and many coloured jewel to the surface, so has it been permitted to this +obscure and superficially educated one to discover the truth of the entire +matter among the badly-arranged and frequently really illegible documents +preserved at the Hall of Public Reference at Peking. Without fear of +contradiction, therefore, he now sets forth the credible version. +</p> + +<p> +“Quen-Ki-Tong was one who throughout his life had been compelled by the +opposing force of circumstances to be content with what was offered rather than +attain to that which he desired. Having been allowed to wander over the edge of +an exceedingly steep crag, while still a child, by the aged and untrustworthy +person who had the care of him, and yet suffering little hurt, he was carried +back to the city in triumph, by the one in question, who, to cover her neglect, +declared amid many chants of exultation that as he slept a majestic winged form +had snatched him from her arms and traced magical figures with his body on the +ground in token of the distinguished sacred existence for which he was +undoubtedly set apart. In such a manner he became famed at a very early age for +an unassuming mildness of character and an almost inspired piety of life, so +that on every side frequent opportunity was given him for the display of these +amiable qualities. Should it chance that an insufficient quantity of puppy-pie +had been prepared for the family repast, the undesirable but necessary portion +of cold dried rat would inevitably be allotted to the uncomplaining Quen, +doubtless accompanied by the engaging but unnecessary remark that he alone had +a Heaven-sent intellect which was fixed upon more sublime images than even the +best constructed puppy-pie. Should the number of sedan-chairs not be sufficient +to bear to the Exhibition of Kites all who were desirous of becoming +entertained in such a fashion, inevitably would Quen be the one left behind, in +order that he might have adequate leisure for dignified and pure-minded +internal reflexion. +</p> + +<p> +“In this manner it came about that when a very wealthy but unnaturally +avaricious and evil-tempered person who was connected with Quen’s father +in matters of commerce expressed his fixed determination that the most +deserving and enlightened of his friend’s sons should enter into a +marriage agreement with his daughter, there was no manner of hesitation among +those concerned, who admitted without any questioning between themselves that +Quen was undeniably the one referred to. +</p> + +<p> +“Though naturally not possessing an insignificant intellect, a continuous +habit, together with a most irreproachable sense of filial duty, subdued within +Quen’s internal organs whatever reluctance he might have otherwise +displayed in the matter, so that as courteously as was necessary he presented +to the undoubtedly very ordinary and slow-witted maiden in question the gifts +of irretrievable intention, and honourably carried out his spoken and written +words towards her. +</p> + +<p> +“For a period of years the circumstances of the various persons did not +in any degree change, Quen in the meantime becoming more pure-souled and +inward-seeing with each moon-change, after the manner of the sublime Lien-ti, +who studied to maintain an unmoved endurance in all varieties of events by +placing his body to a greater extent each day in a vessel of boiling liquid. +Nevertheless, the good and charitable deities to whom Quen unceasingly +sacrificed were not altogether unmindful of his virtues; for a son was born, +and an evil disease which arose from a most undignified display of +uncontrollable emotion on her part ended in his wife being deposited with +becoming ceremony in the Family Temple. +</p> + +<p> +“Upon a certain evening, when Quen sat in his inner chamber deliberating +upon the really beneficent yet somewhat inexplicable arrangement of the +all-seeing ones to whom he was very amiably disposed in consequence of the +unwonted tranquillity which he now enjoyed, yet who, it appeared to him, could +have set out the entire matter in a much more satisfactory way from the +beginning, he was made aware by the unexpected beating of many gongs, and by +other signs of refined and deferential welcome, that a person of exalted rank +was approaching his residence. While he was still hesitating in his uncertainty +regarding the most courteous and delicate form of self-abasement with which to +honour so important a visitor—whether to rush forth and allow the +chair-carriers to pass over his prostrate form, to make a pretence of being a +low-caste slave, and in that guise doing menial service, or to conceal himself +beneath a massive and overhanging table until his guest should have availed +himself of the opportunity to examine at his leisure whatever the room +contained—the person in question stood before him. In every detail of +dress and appointment he had the undoubted appearance of being one to whom no +door might be safely closed. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Alas!’ exclaimed Quen, ‘how inferior and +ill-contrived is the mind of a person of my feeble intellectual attainments. +Even at this moment, when the near approach of one who obviously commands every +engaging accomplishment might reasonably be expected to call up within it an +adequate amount of commonplace resource, its ill-destined possessor finds +himself entirely incapable of conducting himself with the fitting outward marks +of his great internal respect. This residence is certainly unprepossessing in +the extreme, yet it contains many objects of some value and of great rarity; +illiterate as this person is, he would not be so presumptuous as to offer any +for your acceptance, but if you will confer upon him the favour of selecting +that which appears to be the most priceless and unreplaceable, he will +immediately, and with every manifestation of extreme delight, break it +irredeemably in your honour, to prove the unaffected depth of his gratified +emotions.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Quen-Ki-Tong,’ replied the person before him, speaking with +an evident sincerity of purpose, ‘pleasant to this one’s ears are +your words, breathing as they do an obvious hospitality and a due regard for +the forms of etiquette. But if, indeed, you are desirous of gaining this +person’s explicit regard, break no articles of fine porcelain or rare +inlaid wood in proof of it, but immediately dismiss to a very distant spot the +three-score gong-beaters who have enclosed him within two solid rings, and who +are now carrying out their duties in so diligent a manner that he greatly +doubts if the unimpaired faculties of hearing will ever be fully restored. +Furthermore, if your exceedingly amiable intentions desire fuller expression, +cause an unstinted number of vessels of some uninflammable liquid to be +conveyed into your chrysanthemum garden and there poured over the numerous +fireworks and coloured lights which still appear to be in progress. Doubtless +they are well-intentioned marks of respect, but they caused this person +considerable apprehension as he passed among them, and, indeed, give to this +unusually pleasant and unassuming spot the by no means inviting atmosphere of a +low-class tea-house garden during the festivities attending the birthday of the +sacred Emperor.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘This person is overwhelmed with a most unendurable confusion that +the matters referred to should have been regarded in such a light,’ +replied Quen humbly. ‘Although he himself had no knowledge of them until +this moment, he is confident that they in no wise differ from the usual +honourable manifestations with which it is customary in this Province to +welcome strangers of exceptional rank and titles.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘The welcome was of a most dignified and impressive nature,’ +replied the stranger, with every appearance of not desiring to cause Quen any +uneasy internal doubts; ‘yet the fact is none the less true that at the +moment this person’s head seems to contain an exceedingly powerful and +well-equipped band; and also, that as he passed through the courtyard an +ingeniously constructed but somewhat unmanageable figure of gigantic size, +composed entirely of jets of many-coloured flame, leaped out suddenly from +behind a dark wall and made an almost successful attempt to embrace him in its +ever-revolving arms. Lo Yuen greatly fears that the time when he would have +rejoiced in the necessary display of agility to which the incident gave rise +has for ever passed away.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Lo Yuen!’ exclaimed Quen, with an unaffected mingling of +the emotions of reverential awe and pleasureable anticipation. ‘Can it +indeed be an uncontroversial fact that so learned and ornamental a person as +the renowned Controller of Unsolicited Degrees stands beneath this inelegant +person’s utterly unpresentable roof! Now, indeed, he plainly understands +why this ill-conditioned chamber has the appearance of being filled with a +Heaven-sent brilliance, and why at the first spoken words of the one before him +a melodious sound, like the rushing waters of the sacred Tien-Kiang, seemed to +fill his ears.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Undoubtedly the chamber is pervaded by a very exceptional +splendour,’ replied Lo Yuen, who, in spite of his high position, regarded +graceful talk and well-imagined compliments in a spirit of no-satisfaction; +‘yet this commonplace-minded one has a fixed conviction that it is caused +by the crimson-eyed and pink-fire-breathing dragon which, despite your +slave’s most assiduous efforts, is now endeavouring to climb through the +aperture behind you. The noise which still fills his ears, also, resembles +rather the despairing cries of the Ten Thousand Lost Ones at the first sight of +the Pit of Liquid and Red-hot Malachite, yet without question both proceed from +the same cause. Laying aside further ceremony, therefore, permit this greatly +over-estimated person to disclose the object of his inopportune visit. Long +have your amiable virtues been observed and appreciated by the high ones at +Peking, O Quen-Ki-Tong. Too long have they been unrewarded and passed over in +silence. Nevertheless, the moment of acknowledgement and advancement has at +length arrived; for, as the Book of Verses clearly says, “Even the +three-legged mule may contrive to reach the agreed spot in advance of the +others, provided a circular running space has been selected and the number of +rounds be sufficiently ample.” It is this otherwise uninteresting and +obtrusive person’s graceful duty to convey to you the agreeable +intelligence that the honourable and not ill-rewarded office of Guarder of the +Imperial Silkworms has been conferred upon you, and to require you to proceed +without delay to Peking, so that fitting ceremonies of admittance may be +performed before the fifteenth day of the month of Feathered Insects.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Alas! how frequently does the purchaser of seemingly vigorous and +exceptionally low-priced flower-seeds discover, when too late, that they are, +in reality, fashioned from the root of the prolific and valueless tzu-ka, +skilfully covered with a disguising varnish! Instead of presenting himself at +the place of commerce frequented by those who entrust money to others on the +promise of an increased repayment when certain very probable events have come +to pass (so that if all else failed he would still possess a serviceable number +of taels), Quen-Ki-Tong entirely neglected the demands of a most ordinary +prudence, nor could he be induced to set out on his journey until he had passed +seven days in public feasting to mark his good fortune, and then devoted +fourteen more days to fasting and various acts of penance, in order to make +known the regret with which he acknowledged his entire unworthiness for the +honour before him. Owing to this very conscientious, but nevertheless somewhat +short-sighted manner of behaving, Quen found himself unable to reach Peking +before the day preceding that to which Lo Yuen had made special reference. From +this cause it came about that only sufficient time remained to perform the +various ceremonies of admission, without in any degree counselling Quen as to +his duties and procedure in the fulfilment of his really important office. +</p> + +<p> +“Among the many necessary and venerable ceremonies observed during the +changing periods of the year, none occupy a more important place than those for +which the fifteenth day of the month of Feathered Insects is reserved, +conveying as they do a respectful and delicately-fashioned petition that the +various affairs upon which persons in every condition of life are engaged may +arrive at a pleasant and remunerative conclusion. At the earliest stroke of the +gong the versatile Emperor, accompanied by many persons of irreproachable +ancestry and certain others, very elaborately attired, proceeds to an open +space set apart for the occasion. With unassuming dexterity the benevolent +Emperor for a brief span of time engages in the menial occupation of a person +of low class, and with his own hands ploughs an assigned portion of land in +order that the enlightened spirits under whose direct guardianship the earth is +placed may not become lax in their disinterested efforts to promote its +fruitfulness. In this charitable exertion he is followed by various other +persons of recognized position, the first being, by custom, the Guarder of the +Imperial Silkworms, while at the same time the amiably-disposed Empress plants +an allotted number of mulberry trees, and deposits upon their leaves the +carefully reared insects which she receives from the hands of their Guarder. In +the case of the accomplished Emperor an ingenious contrivance is resorted to by +which the soil is drawn aside by means of hidden strings as the plough passes +by, the implement in question being itself constructed from paper of the +highest quality, while the oxen which draw it are, in reality, ordinary persons +cunningly concealed within masks of cardboard. In this thoughtful manner the +actual labours of the sublime Emperor are greatly lessened, while no chance is +afforded for an inauspicious omen to be created by the rebellious behaviour of +a maliciously-inclined ox, or by any other event of an unforeseen nature. All +the other persons, however, are required to make themselves proficient in the +art of ploughing, before the ceremony, so that the chances of the attendant +spirits discovering the deception which has been practised upon them in the +case of the Emperor may not be increased by its needless repetition. It was +chiefly for this reason that Lo Yuen had urged Quen to journey to Peking as +speedily as possible, but owing to the very short time which remained between +his arrival and the ceremony of ploughing, not only had the person in question +neglected to profit by instruction, but he was not even aware of the obligation +which awaited him. When, therefore, in spite of every respectful protest on his +part, he was led up to a massively-constructed implement drawn by two powerful +and undeniably evilly-intentioned-looking animals, it was with every sign of +great internal misgivings, and an entire absence of enthusiasm in the +entertainment, that he commenced his not too well understood task. In this +matter he was by no means mistaken, for it soon became plain to all +observers—of whom an immense concourse was assembled—that the +usually self-possessed Guarder of the Imperial Silkworms was conducting himself +in a most undignified manner; for though he still clung to the plough-handles +with an inspired tenacity, his body assumed every variety of base and +uninviting attitude. Encouraged by this inelegant state of affairs, the evil +spirits which are ever on the watch to turn into derision the charitable +intentions of the pure-minded entered into the bodies of the oxen and provoked +within their minds a sudden and malignant confidence that the time had arrived +when they might with safety break into revolt and throw off the outward signs +of their dependent condition. From these various causes it came about that Quen +was, without warning, borne with irresistible certainty against the majestic +person of the sacred Emperor, the inlaid box of Imperial silkworms, which up to +that time had remained safely among the folds of his silk garment, alone +serving to avert an even more violent and ill-destined blow. +</p> + +<p> +“Well said the wise and deep-thinking Ye-te, in his book entitled +<i>Proverbs of Everyday Happenings</i>, ‘Should a person on returning +from the city discover his house to be in flames, let him examine well the +change which he has received from the chair-carrier before it is too late; for +evil never travels alone.’ Scarcely had the unfortunate Quen recovered +his natural attributes from the effect of the disgraceful occurrence which has +been recorded (which, indeed, furnished the matter of a song and many +unpresentable jests among the low-class persons of the city), than the +magnanimous Empress reached that detail of the tree-planting ceremony when it +was requisite that she should deposit the living emblems of the desired +increase and prosperity upon the leaves. Stretching forth her +delicately-proportioned hand to Quen for this purpose, she received from the +still greatly confused person in question the Imperial silkworms in so unseemly +a condition that her eyes had scarcely rested upon them before she was seized +with the rigid sickness, and in that state fell to the ground. At this new and +entirely unforeseen calamity a very disagreeable certainty of approaching evil +began to take possession of all those who stood around, many crying aloud that +every omen of good was wanting, and declaring that unless something of a +markedly propitiatory nature was quickly accomplished, the agriculture of the +entire Empire would cease to flourish, and the various departments of the +commerce in silk would undoubtedly be thrown into a state of most inextricable +confusion. Indeed, in spite of all things designed to have a contrary effect, +the matter came about in the way predicted, for the Hoang-Ho seven times +overcame its restraining barriers, and poured its waters over the surrounding +country, thereby gaining for the first time its well-deserved title of +‘The Sorrow of China,’ by which dishonourable but exceedingly +appropriate designation it is known to this day. +</p> + +<p> +“The manner of greeting which would have been accorded to Quen had he +returned to the official quarter of the city, or the nature of his treatment by +the baser class of the ordinary people if they succeeded in enticing him to +come among them, formed a topic of such uninviting conjecture that the +humane-minded Lo Yuen, who had observed the entire course of events from an +elevated spot, determined to make a well-directed effort towards his safety. To +this end he quickly purchased the esteem of several of those who make a +profession of their strength, holding out the hope of still further reward if +they conducted the venture to a successful termination. Uttering loud cries of +an impending vengeance, as Lo Yuen had instructed them in the matter, and +displaying their exceptional proportions to the astonishment and misgivings of +all beholders, these persons tore open the opium-tent in which Quen had +concealed himself, and, thrusting aside all opposition, quickly dragged him +forth. Holding him high upon their shoulders, in spite of his frequent and +ill-advised endeavours to cast himself to the ground, some surrounded those who +bore him—after the manner of disposing his troops affected by a skilful +leader when the enemy begin to waver—and crying aloud that it was their +unchanging purpose to submit him to the test of burning splinters and +afterwards to torture him, they succeeded by this stratagem in bringing him +through the crowd; and hurling back or outstripping those who endeavoured to +follow, conveyed him secretly and unperceived to a deserted and appointed spot. +Here Quen was obliged to remain until other events caused the recollection of +the many to become clouded and unconcerned towards him, suffering frequent +inconveniences in spite of the powerful protection of Lo Yuen, and not at all +times being able to regard the most necessary repast as an appointment of +undoubted certainty. At length, in the guise of a wandering conjurer who was +unable to display his accomplishments owing to an entire loss of the power of +movement in his arms, Quen passed undetected from the city, and safely reaching +the distant and unimportant town of Lu-Kwo, gave himself up to a protracted +period of lamentation and self-reproach at the unprepossessing manner in which +he had conducted his otherwise very inviting affairs. +</p> + +<h3>SECOND PERIOD<br/> +THE TEMPLE BUILDER</h3> + +<p> +Two hand-counts of years passed away and Quen still remained at Lu-kwo, all +desire of returning either to Peking or to the place of his birth having by +this time faded into nothingness. Accepting the inevitable fact that he was not +destined ever to become a person with whom taels were plentiful, and yet being +unwilling to forego the charitable manner of life which he had always been +accustomed to observe, it came about that he spent the greater part of his time +in collecting together such sums of money as he could procure from the amiable +and well-disposed, and with them building temples and engaging in other +benevolent works. From this cause it arose the Quen obtained around Lu-kwo a +reputation for high-minded piety, in no degree less than that which had been +conferred upon him in earlier times, so that pilgrims from far distant places +would purposely contrive their journey so as to pass through the town +containing so unassuming and virtuous a person. +</p> + +<p> +“During this entire period Quen had been accompanied by his only son, a +youth of respectful personality, in whose entertaining society he took an +intelligent interest. Even when deeply engaged in what he justly regarded as +the crowning work of his existence—the planning and erecting of an +exceptionally well-endowed marble temple, which was to be entirely covered on +the outside with silver paper, and on the inside with gold-leaf—he did +not fail to observe the various conditions of Liao’s existence, and the +changing emotions which from time to time possessed him. Therefore, when the +person in question, without displaying any signs of internal sickness, and +likewise persistently denying that he had lost any considerable sum of money, +disclosed a continuous habit of turning aside with an unaffected expression of +distaste from all manner of food, and passed the entire night in observing the +course of the great sky-lantern rather than in sleep, the sage and +discriminating Quen took him one day aside, and asked him, as one who might aid +him in the matter, who the maiden was, and what class and position her father +occupied. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Alas!’ exclaimed Liao, with many unfeigned manifestations +of an unbearable fate, ‘to what degree do the class and position of her +entirely unnecessary parents affect the question? or how little hope can this +sacrilegious one reasonably have of ever progressing as far as earthly details +of a pecuniary character in the case of so adorable and far-removed a Being? +The uttermost extent of this wildly-hoping person’s ambition is that when +the incomparably symmetrical Ts’ain learns of the steadfast light of his +devotion, she may be inspired to deposit an emblematic chrysanthemum upon his +tomb in the Family Temple. For such a reward he will cheerfully devote the +unswerving fidelity of a lifetime to her service, not distressing her gentle +and retiring nature by the expression of what must inevitably be a hopeless +passion, but patiently and uncomplainingly guarding her footsteps as from a +distance.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Being in this manner made aware of the reason of Liao’s frequent +and unrestrained exclamations of intolerable despair, and of his fixed +determination with regard to the maiden Ts’ain (which seemed, above all +else, to indicate a resolution to shun her presence) Quen could not regard the +immediately-following actions of his son with anything but an emotion of +confusion. For when his eyes next rested upon the exceedingly contradictory +Liao, he was seated in the open space before the house in which Ts’ain +dwelt, playing upon an instrument of stringed woods, and chanting verses into +which the names of the two persons in question had been skilfully introduced +without restraint, his whole manner of behaving being with the evident purpose +of attracting the maiden’s favourable attention. After an absence of many +days, spent in this graceful and complimentary manner, Liao returned suddenly +to the house of his father, and, prostrating his body before him, made a +specific request for his assistance. +</p> + +<p> +“‘As regards Ts’ain and myself,’ he continued, +‘all things are arranged, and but for the unfortunate coincidence of this +person’s poverty and of her father’s cupidity, the details of the +wedding ceremony would undoubtedly now be in a very advanced condition. Upon +these entrancing and well-discussed plans, however, the shadow of the grasping +and commonplace Ah-Ping has fallen like the inopportune opium-pipe from the +mouth of a person examining substances of an explosive nature; for the one +referred to demands a large and utterly unobtainable amount of taels before he +will suffer his greatly-sought-after daughter to accept the gifts of +irretrievable intention.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Grievous indeed is your plight,’ replied Quen, when he thus +understood the manner of obstacle which impeded his son’s hopes; +‘for in the nature of taels the most diverse men are to be measured +through the same mesh. As the proverb says, “‘All money is +evil,’ exclaimed the philosopher with extreme weariness, as he gathered +up the gold pieces in exchange, but presently discovering that one among them +was such indeed as he had described, he rushed forth without tarrying to take +up a street garment; and with an entire absence of dignity traversed all the +ways of the city in the hope of finding the one who had defrauded him.” +Well does this person know the mercenary Ah-Ping, and the unyielding nature of +his closed hand; for often, but always fruitlessly, he has entered his presence +on affairs connected with the erecting of certain temples. Nevertheless, the +matter is one which does not admit of any incapable faltering, to which end +this one will seek out the obdurate Ah-Ping without delay, and endeavour to +entrap him by some means in the course of argument.’ +</p> + +<p> +“From the time of his earliest youth Ah-Ping had unceasingly devoted +himself to the object of getting together an overwhelming number of taels, +using for this purpose various means which, without being really degrading or +contrary to the written law, were not such as might have been cheerfully +engaged in by a person of high-minded honourableness. In consequence of this, +as he grew more feeble in body, and more venerable in appearance, he began to +express frequent and bitter doubts as to whether his manner of life had been +really well arranged; for, in spite of his great wealth, he had grown to adopt +a most inexpensive habit on all occasions, having no desire to spend; and an +ever-increasing apprehension began to possess him that after he had passed +beyond, his sons would be very disinclined to sacrifice and burn money +sufficient to keep him in an affluent condition in the Upper Air. In such a +state of mind was Ah-Ping when Quen-Ki-Tong appeared before him, for it had +just been revealed to him that his eldest and favourite son had, by flattery +and by openly praising the dexterity with which he used his brush and ink, +entrapped him into inscribing his entire name upon certain unwritten sheets of +parchment, which the one in question immediately sold to such as were heavily +indebted to Ah-Ping. +</p> + +<p> +“‘If a person can be guilty of this really unfilial behaviour +during the lifetime of his father,’ exclaimed Ah-Ping, in a tone of +unrestrained vexation, ‘can it be prudently relied upon that he will +carry out his wishes after death, when they involve the remitting to him of +several thousand taels each year? O estimable Quen-Ki-Tong, how immeasurably +superior is the celestial outlook upon which you may safely rely as your +portion! When you are enjoying every variety of sumptuous profusion, as the +reward of your untiring charitable exertions here on earth, the spirit of this +short-sighted person will be engaged in doing menial servitude for the inferior +deities, and perhaps scarcely able, even by those means, to clothe himself +according to the changing nature of the seasons.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Yet,’ replied Quen, ‘the necessity for so laborious +and unremunerative an existence may even now be averted by taking efficient +precautions before you pass to the Upper Air.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘In what way?’ demanded Ah-Ping, with an awakening hope that +the matter might not be entirely destitute of cheerfulness, yet at the same +time preparing to examine with even unbecoming intrusiveness any expedient +which Quen might lay before him. ‘Is it not explicitly stated that +sacrifices and acts of a like nature, when performed at the end of one’s +existence by a person who to that time has professed no sort of interest in +such matters, shall in no degree be entered as to his good, but rather regarded +as examples of deliberate presumptuousness, and made the excuse for subjecting +him to more severe tortures and acts of penance than would be his portion if he +neglected the custom altogether?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Undoubtedly such is the case,’ replied Quen; ‘and on +that account it would indicate a most regrettable want of foresight for you to +conduct your affairs in the manner indicated. The only undeniably safe course +is for you to entrust the amount you will require to a person of exceptional +piety, receiving in return his written word to repay the full sum whenever you +shall claim it from him in the Upper Air. By this crafty method the amount will +be placed at the disposal of the person in question as soon as he has passed +beyond, and he will be held by his written word to return it to you whenever +you shall demand it.’ +</p> + +<p> +“So amiably impressed with this ingenious scheme was Ah-Ping that he +would at once have entered more fully into the detail had the thought not +arisen in his mind that the person before him was the father of Liao, who +urgently required a certain large sum, and that for this reason he might with +prudence inquire more fully into the matter elsewhere, in case Quen himself +should have been imperceptibly led aside, even though he possessed intentions +of a most unswerving honourableness. To this end, therefore, he desired to +converse again with Quen on the matter, pleading that at that moment a +gathering of those who direct enterprises of a commercial nature required his +presence. Nevertheless, he would not permit the person referred to to depart +until he had complimented him, in both general and specific terms, on the high +character of his life and actions, and the intelligent nature of his +understanding, which had enabled him with so little mental exertion to discover +an efficient plan. +</p> + +<p> +“Without delay Ah-Ping sought out those most skilled in all varieties of +law-forms, in extorting money by devices capable of very different meanings, +and in expedients for evading just debts; but all agreed that such an +arrangement as the one he put before them would be unavoidably binding, +provided the person who received the money alluded to spent it in the exercise +of his charitable desires, and provided also that the written agreement bore +the duty seal of the high ones at Peking, and was deposited in the coffin of +the lender. Fully satisfied, and rejoicing greatly that he could in this way +adequately provide for his future and entrap the avaricious ones of his house, +Ah-Ping collected together the greater part of his possessions, and converting +it into pieces of gold, entrusted them to Quen on the exact understanding that +has already been described, he receiving in turn Quen’s written and +thumb-signed paper of repayment, and his assurance that the whole amount should +be expended upon the silver-paper and gold-leaf Temple with which he was still +engaged. +</p> + +<p> +“It is owing to this circumstance that Quen-Ki-Tong’s +irreproachable name has come to be lightly regarded by many who may be fitly +likened to the latter person in the subtle and experienced proverb, ‘The +wise man’s eyes fell before the gaze of the fool, fearing that if he +looked he must cry aloud, “Thou hopeless one!” “There,” +said the fool to himself, “behold this person’s +power!”’ These badly educated and undiscriminating persons, being +entirely unable to explain the ensuing train of events, unhesitatingly declare +that Quen-Ki-Tong applied a portion of the money which he had received from +Ah-Ping in the manner described to the object of acquiring Ts’ain for his +son Liao. In this feeble and incapable fashion they endeavour to stigmatize the +pure-minded Quen as one who acted directly contrary to his deliberately spoken +word, whereas the desired result was brought about in a much more artful +manner; they describe the commercially successful Ah-Ping as a person of very +inferior prudence, and one easily imposed upon; while they entirely pass over, +as a detail outside the true facts, the written paper preserved among the +sacred relics in the Temple, which announces, among other gifts of a small and +uninviting character, ‘Thirty thousand taels from an elderly ginseng +merchant of Lu-kwo, who desires to remain nameless, through the hand of +Quen-Ki-Tong.’ The full happening in its real and harmless face is now +set forth for the first time. +</p> + +<p> +“Some weeks after the recorded arrangement had been arrived at by Ah-Ping +and Quen, when the taels in question had been expended upon the Temple and +were, therefore, infallibly beyond recall, the former person chanced to be +passing through the public garden in Lu-kwo when he heard a voice lifted up in +the expression of every unendurable feeling of dejection to which one can give +utterance. Stepping aside to learn the cause of so unprepossessing a display of +unrestrained agitation, and in the hope that perhaps he might be able to use +the incident in a remunerative manner, Ah-Ping quickly discovered the unhappy +being who, entirely regardless of the embroidered silk robe which he wore, +reclined upon a raised bank of uninviting earth, and waved his hands from side +to side as his internal emotions urged him. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Quen-Ki-Tong!’ exclaimed Ah-Ping, not fully convinced that +the fact was as he stated it in spite of the image clearly impressed upon his +imagination; ‘to what unpropitious occurrence is so unlooked-for an +exhibition due? Are those who traffic in gold-leaf demanding a high and +prohibitive price for that commodity, or has some evil and vindicative spirit +taken up its abode within the completed portion of the Temple, and by its +offensive but nevertheless diverting remarks and actions removed all semblance +of gravity from the countenances of those who daily come to admire the +construction?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘O thrice unfortunate Ah-Ping,’ replied Quen when he +observed the distinguishing marks of the person before him, ‘scarcely can +this greatly overwhelmed one raise his eyes to your open and intelligent +countenance; for through him you are on the point of experiencing a very severe +financial blow, and it is, indeed, on your account more than on his own that he +is now indulging in these outward signs of a grief too far down to be expressed +in spoken words.’ And at the memory of his former occupation, Quen again +waved his arms from side to side with untiring assiduousness. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Strange indeed to this person’s ears are your words,’ +said Ah-Ping, outwardly unmoved, but with an apprehensive internal pain that he +would have regarded Quen’s display of emotion with an easier stomach if +his own taels were safely concealed under the floor of his inner chamber. +‘The sum which this one entrusted to you has, without any pretence been +expended upon the Temple, while the written paper concerning the repayment +bears the duty seal of the high ones at Peking. How, then, can Ah-Ping suffer a +loss at the hands of Quen-Ki-Tong?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘Ah-Ping,’ said Quen, with every appearance of desiring that +both persons should regard the matter in a conciliatory spirit, ‘do not +permit the awaiting demons, which are ever on the alert to enter into a +person’s mind when he becomes distressed out of the common order of +events, to take possession of your usually discriminating faculties until you +have fully understood how this affair has come about. It is no unknown thing +for a person of even exceptional intelligence to reverse his entire manner of +living towards the end of a long and consistent existence; the far-seeing and +not lightly-moved Ah-Ping himself has already done so. In a similar, but +entirely contrary manner, the person who is now before you finds himself +impelled towards that which will certainly bear a very unpresentable face when +the circumstances become known; yet by no other means is he capable of +attaining his greatly-desired object.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘And to what end does that trend?’ demanded Ah-Ping, in no +degree understanding how the matter affected him. +</p> + +<p> +“‘While occupied with enterprises which those of an engaging and +complimentary nature are accustomed to refer to as charitable, this person has +almost entirely neglected a duty of scarcely less importance—that of +establishing an unending line, through which his name and actions shall be kept +alive to all time,’ replied Quen. ‘Having now inquired into the +matter, he finds that his only son, through whom alone the desired result can +be obtained, has become unbearably attached to a maiden for whom a very large +sum is demanded in exchange. The thought of obtaining no advantage from an +entire life of self-denial is certainly unprepossessing in the extreme, but so, +even to a more advanced degree, is the certainty that otherwise the family +monuments will be untended, and the temple of domestic virtues become an early +ruin. This person has submitted the dilemma to the test of omens, and after +considering well the reply, he has decided to obtain the price of the maiden in +a not very honourable manner, which now presents itself, so that Liao may send +out his silk-bound gifts without delay.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘It is an unalluring alternative,’ said Ah-Ping, whose only +inside thought was one of gratification that the exchange money for +Ts’ain would so soon be in his possession, ‘yet this person fails +to perceive how you could act otherwise after the decision of the omens. He now +understands, moreover, that the loss you referred to on his part was in the +nature of a figure of speech, as one makes use of thunderbolts and +delicately-scented flowers to convey ideas of harsh and amiable passions, and +alluded in reality to the forthcoming departure of his daughter, who is, as you +so versatilely suggested, the comfort and riches of his old age.’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘O venerable, but at this moment somewhat obtuse, Ah-Ping,’ +cried Quen, with a recurrence to his former method of expressing his unfeigned +agitation, ‘is your evenly-balanced mind unable to grasp the essential +fact of how this person’s contemplated action will affect your own +celestial condition? It is a distressing but entirely unavoidable fact, that if +this person acts in the manner which he has determined upon, he will be +condemned to the lowest place of torment reserved for those who fail at the end +of an otherwise pure existence, and in this he will never have an opportunity +of meeting the very much higher placed Ah-Ping, and of restoring to him the +thirty-thousand taels as agreed upon.’ +</p> + +<p> +“At these ill-destined words, all power of rigidness departed from +Ah-Ping’s limbs, and he sank down upon the forbidding earth by +Quen’s side. +</p> + +<p> +“‘O most unfortunate one who is now speaking,’ he exclaimed, +when at length his guarding spirit deemed it prudent to restore his power of +expressing himself in words, ‘happy indeed would have been your lot had +you been content to traffic in ginseng and other commodities of which you have +actual knowledge. O amiable Quen, this matter must be in some way arranged +without causing you to deviate from the entrancing paths of your habitual +virtue. Could not the very reasonable Liao be induced to look favourably upon +the attractions of some low-priced maiden, in which case this not really +hard-stomached person would be willing to advance the necessary amount, until +such time as it could be restored, at a very low and unremunerative rate of +interest?’ +</p> + +<p> +“‘This person has observed every variety of practical humility in +the course of his life,’ replied Quen with commendable dignity, +‘yet he now finds himself totally unable to overcome an inward repugnance +to the thought of perpetuating his honoured name and race through the medium of +any low-priced maiden. To this end has he decided.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Those who were well acquainted with Ah-Ping in matters of commerce did +not hesitate to declare that his great wealth had been acquired by his +consistent habit of forming an opinion quickly while others hesitated. On the +occasion in question he only engaged his mind with the opposing circumstances +for a few moments before he definitely fixed upon the course which he should +pursue. +</p> + +<p> +“‘Quen-Ki-Tong,’ he said, with an evident intermingling of +many very conflicting emotions, ‘retain to the end this well-merited +reputation for unaffected honourableness which you have so fittingly earned. +Few in the entire Empire, with powers so versatilely pointing to an eminent +position in any chosen direction, would have been content to pass their lives +in an unremunerative existence devoted to actions of charity. Had you selected +an entirely different manner of living, this person has every confidence that +he, and many others in Lu-kwo, would by this time be experiencing a very +ignoble poverty. For this reason he will make it his most prominent ambition to +hasten the realization of the amiable hopes expressed both by Liao and by +Ts’ain, concerning their future relationship. In this, indeed, he himself +will be more than exceptionally fortunate should the former one prove to +possess even a portion of the clear-sighted sagaciousness exhibited by his +engaging father.’ +</p> + +<p class="center"> +“VERSES COMPOSED BY A MUSICIAN OF LU-KWO, ON THE OCCASION OF THE WEDDING +CEREMONY OF LIAO AND TS’AIN +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +“Bright hued is the morning, the dark clouds have fallen;<br/> +At the mere waving of Quen’s virtuous hands they melted away.<br/> +Happy is Liao in the possession of so accomplished a parent,<br/> +Happy also is Quen to have so discriminating a son.<br/> +<br/> +“The two persons in question sit, side by side, upon an embroidered +couch,<br/> +Listening to the well-expressed compliments of those who pass to and fro.<br/> +From time to time their eyes meet, and glances of a very significant amusement +pass between them;<br/> +Can it be that on so ceremonious an occasion they are recalling events of a +gravity-removing nature?<br/> +<br/> +“The gentle and rainbow-like Ts’ain has already arrived,<br/> +With the graceful motion of a silver carp gliding through a screen of rushes, +she moves among those who are assembled.<br/> +On the brow of her somewhat contentious father there rests the shadow of an +ill-repressed sorrow;<br/> +Doubtless the frequently-misjudged Ah-Ping is thinking of his lonely hearth, +now that he is for ever parted from that which he holds most precious.<br/> +<br/> +“In the most commodious chamber of the house the elegant wedding-gifts +are conspicuously displayed; let us stand beside the one which we have +contributed, and point out its excellence to those who pass by.<br/> +Surely the time cannot be far distant when the sound of many gongs will +announce that the very desirable repast is at length to be partaken +of.”<br/> +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"></a> +VIII.<br /> +THE VISION OF YIN, THE SON OF YAT HUANG</h2> + +<p> +When Yin, the son of Yat Huang, had passed beyond the years assigned to the +pursuit of boyhood, he was placed in the care of the hunchback Quang, so that +he might be fully instructed in the management of the various weapons used in +warfare, and also in the art of stratagem, by which a skilful leader is often +enabled to conquer when opposed to an otherwise overwhelming multitude. In all +these accomplishments Quang excelled to an exceptional degree; for although +unprepossessing in appearance he united matchless strength to an untiring +subtlety. No other person in the entire Province of Kiang-si could hurl a +javelin so unerringly while uttering sounds of terrifying menace, or could +cause his sword to revolve around him so rapidly, while his face looked out +from the glittering circles with an expression of ill-intentioned malignity +that never failed to inspire his adversary with irrepressible emotions of +alarm. No other person could so successfully feign to be devoid of life for +almost any length of time, or by his manner of behaving create the fixed +impression that he was one of insufficient understanding, and therefore +harmless. It was for these reasons that Quang was chosen as the instructor of +Yin by Yat Huang, who, without possessing any official degree, was a person to +whom marks of obeisance were paid not only within his own town, but for a +distance of many li around it. +</p> + +<p> +At length the time arrived when Yin would in the ordinary course of events pass +from the instructorship of Quang in order to devote himself to the commerce in +which his father was engaged, and from time to time the unavoidable thought +arose persistently within his mind that although Yat Huang doubtless knew +better than he did what the circumstances of the future required, yet his +manner of life for the past years was not such that he could contemplate +engaging in the occupation of buying and selling porcelain clay with feelings +of an overwhelming interest. Quang, however, maintained with every +manifestation of inspired assurance that Yat Huang was to be commended down to +the smallest detail, inasmuch as proficiency in the use of both blunt and +sharp-edged weapons, and a faculty for passing undetected through the midst of +an encamped body of foemen, fitted a person for the every-day affairs of life +above all other accomplishments. +</p> + +<p> +“Without doubt the very accomplished Yat Huan is well advised on this +point,” continued Quang, “for even this mentally short-sighted +person can call up within his understanding numerous specific incidents in the +ordinary career of one engaged in the commerce of porcelain clay when such +attainments would be of great remunerative benefit. Does the well-endowed Yin +think, for example, that even the most depraved person would endeavour to gain +an advantage over him in the matter of buying or selling porcelain clay if he +fully understood the fact that the one with whom he was trafficking could +unhesitatingly transfix four persons with one arrow at the distance of a +hundred paces? Or to what advantage would it be that a body of unscrupulous +outcasts who owned a field of inferior clay should surround it with drawn +swords by day and night, endeavouring meanwhile to dispose of it as material of +the finest quality, if the one whom they endeavoured to ensnare in this manner +possessed the power of being able to pass through their ranks unseen and +examine the clay at his leisure?” +</p> + +<p> +“In the cases to which reference has been made, the possession of those +qualities would undoubtedly be of considerable use,” admitted Yin; +“yet, in spite of his entire ignorance of commercial matters, this one +has a confident feeling that it would be more profitable to avoid such very +doubtful forms of barter altogether rather than spend eight years in acquiring +the arts by which to defeat them. That, however, is a question which concerns +this person’s virtuous and engaging father more than his unworthy self, +and his only regret is that no opportunity has offered by which he might prove +that he has applied himself diligently to your instruction and example, O +amiable Quang.” +</p> + +<p> +It had long been a regret to Quang also that no incident of a disturbing nature +had arisen whereby Yin could have shown himself proficient in the methods of +defence and attack which he had taught him. This deficiency he had endeavoured +to overcome, as far as possible, by constructing life-like models of all the +most powerful and ferocious types of warriors and the fiercest and most +relentless animals of the forest, so that Yin might become familiar with their +appearance and discover in what manner each could be the most expeditiously +engaged. +</p> + +<p> +“Nevertheless,” remarked Quang, on an occasion when Yin appeared to +be covered with honourable pride at having approached an unusually large and +repulsive-looking tiger so stealthily that had the animal been really alive it +would certainly have failed to perceive him, “such accomplishments are by +no means to be regarded as conclusive in themselves. To steal insidiously upon +a destructively-included wild beast and transfix it with one well-directed blow +of a spear is attended by difficulties and emotions which are entirely absent +in the case of a wickerwork animal covered with canvas-cloth, no matter how +deceptive in appearance the latter may be.” +</p> + +<p> +To afford Yin a more trustworthy example of how he should engage with an +adversary of formidable proportions, Quang resolved upon an ingenious plan. +Procuring the skin of a grey wolf, he concealed himself within it, and in the +early morning, while the mist-damp was still upon the ground, he set forth to +meet Yin, who had on a previous occasion spoken to him of his intention to be +at a certain spot at such an hour. In this conscientious enterprise, the +painstaking Quang would doubtless have been successful, and Yin gained an +assured proficiency and experience, had it not chanced that on the journey +Quang encountered a labourer of low caste who was crossing the enclosed ground +on his way to the rice field in which he worked. This contemptible and +inopportune person, not having at any period of his existence perfected himself +in the recognized and elegant methods of attack and defence, did not act in the +manner which would assuredly have been adopted by Yin in similar circumstances, +and for which Quang would have been fully prepared. On the contrary, without +the least indication of what his intention was, he suddenly struck Quang, who +was hesitating for a moment what action to take, a most intolerable blow with a +formidable staff which he carried. The stroke in question inflicted itself upon +Quang upon that part of the body where the head becomes connected with the +neck, and would certainly have been followed by others of equal force and +precision had not Quang in the meantime decided that the most dignified course +for him to adopt would be to disclose his name and titles without delay. Upon +learning these facts, the one who stood before him became very grossly and +offensively amused, and having taken from Quang everything of value which he +carried among his garments, went on his way, leaving Yin’s instructor to +retrace his steps in unendurable dejection, as he then found that he possessed +no further interest whatever in the undertaking. +</p> + +<p> +When Yat Huang was satisfied that his son was sufficiently skilled in the +various arts of warfare, he called him to his inner chamber, and having barred +the door securely, he placed Yin under a very binding oath not to reveal, until +an appointed period, the matter which he was going to put before him. +</p> + +<p> +“From father to son, in unbroken line for ten generations, has such a +custom been observed,” he said, “for the course of events is not to +be lightly entered upon. At the commencement of that cycle, which period is now +fully fifteen score years ago, a very wise person chanced to incur the +displeasure of the Emperor of that time, and being in consequence driven out of +the capital, he fled to the mountains. There his subtle discernment and the +pure and solitary existence which he led resulted in his becoming endowed with +faculties beyond those possessed by ordinary beings. When he felt the end of +his earthly career to be at hand he descended into the plain, where, in a state +of great destitution and bodily anguish, he was discovered by the one whom this +person has referred to as the first of the line of ancestors. In return for the +care and hospitality with which he was unhesitatingly received, the admittedly +inspired hermit spent the remainder of his days in determining the destinies of +his rescuer’s family and posterity. It is an undoubted fact that he +predicted how one would, by well-directed enterprise and adventure, rise to a +position of such eminence in the land that he counselled the details to be kept +secret, lest the envy and hostility of the ambitious and unworthy should be +raised. From this cause it has been customary to reveal the matter fully from +father to son, at stated periods, and the setting out of the particulars in +written words has been severely discouraged. Wise as this precaution certainly +was, it has resulted in a very inconvenient state of things; for a remote +ancestor—the fifth in line from the beginning—experienced such +vicissitudes that he returned from his travels in a state of most abandoned +idiocy, and when the time arrived that he should, in turn, communicate to his +son, he was only able to repeat over and over again the name of the pious +hermit to whom the family was so greatly indebted, coupling it each time with a +new and markedly offensive epithet. The essential details of the undertaking +having in this manner passed beyond recall, succeeding generations, which were +merely acquainted with the fact that a very prosperous future awaited the one +who fulfilled the conditions, have in vain attempted to conform to them. It is +not an alluring undertaking, inasmuch as nothing of the method to be pursued +can be learned, except that it was the custom of the early ones, who held the +full knowledge, to set out from home and return after a period of years. Yet so +clearly expressed was the prophecy, and so great the reward of the successful, +that all have eagerly journeyed forth when the time came, knowing nothing +beyond that which this person has now unfolded to you.” +</p> + +<p> +When Yat Huang reached the end of the matter which it was his duty to disclose, +Yin for some time pondered the circumstances before replying. In spite of a +most engaging reverence for everything of a sacred nature, he could not +consider the inspired remark of the well-intentioned hermit without feelings of +a most persistent doubt, for it occurred to him that if the person in question +had really been as wise as he was represented to be, he might reasonably have +been expected to avoid the unaccountable error of offending the enlightened and +powerful Emperor under whom he lived. Nevertheless, the prospect of engaging in +the trade of porcelain clay was less attractive in his eyes than that of +setting forth upon a journey of adventure, so that at length he expressed his +willingness to act after the manner of those who had gone before him. +</p> + +<p> +This decision was received by Yat Huang with an equal intermingling of the +feelings of delight and concern, for although he would have by no means +pleasurably contemplated Yin breaking through a venerable and esteemed custom, +he was unable to put entirely from him the thought of the degrading fate which +had overtaken the fifth in line who made the venture. It was, indeed, to guard +Yin as much as possible against the dangers to which he would become exposed, +if he determined on the expedition, that the entire course of his training had +been selected. In order that no precaution of a propitious nature should be +neglected, Yat Huang at once despatched written words of welcome to all with +whom he was acquainted, bidding them partake of a great banquet which he was +preparing to mark the occasion of his son’s leave-taking. Every variety +of sacrifice was offered up to the controlling deities, both good and bad; the +ten ancestors were continuously exhorted to take Yin under their special +protection, and sets of verses recording his virtues and ambitions were freely +distributed among the necessitous and low-caste who could not be received at +the feast. +</p> + +<p> +The dinner itself exceeded in magnificence any similar event that had ever +taken place in Ching-toi. So great was the polished ceremony observed on the +occasion, that each guest had half a score of cups of the finest apricot-tea +successively placed before him and taken away untasted, while Yat Huang went to +each in turn protesting vehemently that the honour of covering such pure-minded +and distinguished persons was more than his badly designed roof could +reasonably bear, and wittingly giving an entrancing air of reality to the +spoken compliment by begging them to move somewhat to one side so that they +might escape the heavy central beam if the event which he alluded to chanced to +take place. After several hours had been spent in this congenial occupation, +Yat Huang proceeded to read aloud several of the sixteen discourses on +education which, taken together, form the discriminating and infallible example +of conduct known as the Holy Edict. As each detail was dwelt upon Yin arose +from his couch and gave his deliberate testimony that all the required tests +and rites had been observed in his own case. The first part of the repast was +then partaken of, the nature of the ingredients and the manner of preparing +them being fully explained, and in a like manner through each succeeding one of +the four-and-forty courses. At the conclusion Yin again arose, being encouraged +by the repeated uttering of his name by those present, and with extreme modesty +and brilliance set forth his manner of thinking concerning all subjects with +which he was acquainted. +</p> + +<p> +Early on the morning of the following day Yin set out on his travels, entirely +unaccompanied, and carrying with him nothing beyond a sum of money, a silk +robe, and a well-tried and reliable spear. For many days he journeyed in a +northerly direction, without encountering anything sufficiently unusual to +engage his attention. This, however, was doubtless part of a pre-arranged +scheme so that he should not be drawn from a destined path, for at a small +village lying on the southern shore of a large lake, called by those around +Silent Water, he heard of the existence of a certain sacred island, distant a +full day’s sailing, which was barren of all forms of living things, and +contained only a single gigantic rock of divine origin and majestic appearance. +Many persons, the villagers asserted, had sailed to the island in the hope of +learning the portent of the rock, but none ever returned, and they themselves +avoided coming even within sight of it; for the sacred stone, they declared, +exercised an evil influence over their ships, and would, if permitted, draw +them out of their course and towards itself. For this reason Yin could find no +guide, whatever reward he offered, who would accompany him; but having with +difficulty succeeded in hiring a small boat of inconsiderable value, he +embarked with food, incense, and materials for building fires, and after rowing +consistently for nearly the whole of the day, came within sight of the island +at evening. Thereafter the necessity of further exertion ceased, for, as they +of the village had declared would be the case, the vessel moved gently forward, +in an unswerving line, without being in any way propelled, and reaching its +destination in a marvellously short space of time, passed behind a protecting +spur of land and came to rest. It then being night, Yin did no more than carry +his stores to a place of safety, and after lighting a sacrificial fire and +prostrating himself before the rock, passed into the Middle Air. +</p> + +<p> +In the morning Yin’s spirit came back to the earth amid the sound of +music of a celestial origin, which ceased immediately he recovered full +consciousness. Accepting this manifestation as an omen of Divine favour, Yin +journeyed towards the centre of the island where the rock stood, at every step +passing the bones of innumerable ones who had come on a similar quest to his, +and perished. Many of these had left behind them inscriptions on wood or bone +testifying their deliberate opinion of the sacred rock, the island, their +protecting deities, and the entire train of circumstances, which had resulted +in their being in such a condition. These were for the most part of a +maledictory and unencouraging nature, so that after reading a few, Yin +endeavoured to pass without being in any degree influenced by such ill-judged +outbursts. +</p> + +<p> +“Accursed be the ancestors of this tormented one to four generations +back!” was prominently traced upon an unusually large shoulder-blade. +“May they at this moment be simmering in a vat of unrefined +dragon’s blood, as a reward for having so undiscriminatingly reared the +person who inscribes these words only to attain this end!” “Be +warned, O later one, by the signs around!” Another and more +practical-minded person had written: “Retreat with all haste to your +vessel, and escape while there is yet time. Should you, by chance, again reach +land through this warning, do not neglect, out of an emotion of gratitude, to +burn an appropriate amount of sacrifice paper for the lessening of the torments +of the spirit of Li-Kao,” to which an unscrupulous one, who was plainly +desirous of sharing in the benefit of the requested sacrifice, without +suffering the exertion of inscribing a warning after the amiable manner of +Li-Kao, had added the words, “and that of Huan Sin.” +</p> + +<p> +Halting at a convenient distance from one side of the rock which, without being +carved by any person’s hand, naturally resembled the symmetrical +countenance of a recumbent dragon (which he therefore conjectured to be the +chief point of the entire mass), Yin built his fire and began an unremitting +course of sacrifice and respectful ceremony. This manner of conduct he observed +conscientiously for the space of seven days. Towards the end of that period a +feeling of unendurable dejection began to possess him, for his stores of all +kinds were beginning to fail, and he could not entirely put behind him the +memory of the various well-intentioned warnings which he had received, or the +sight of the fleshless ones who had lined his path. On the eighth day, being +weak with hunger and, by reason of an intolerable thirst, unable to restrain +his body any longer in the spot where he had hitherto continuously prostrated +himself nine-and-ninety times each hour without ceasing, he rose to his feet +and retraced his steps to the boat in order that he might fill his water-skins +and procure a further supply of food. +</p> + +<p> +With a complicated emotion, in which was present every abandoned and +disagreeable thought to which a person becomes a prey in moments of exceptional +mental and bodily anguish, he perceived as soon as he reached the edge of the +water that the boat, upon which he was confidently relying to carry him back +when all else failed, had disappeared as entirely as the smoke from an +extinguished opium pipe. At this sight Yin clearly understood the meaning of +Li-Kao’s unregarded warning, and recognized that nothing could now save +him from adding his incorruptible parts to those of the unfortunate ones whose +unhappy fate had, seven days ago, engaged his refined pity. Unaccountably +strengthened in body by the indignation which possessed him, and inspired with +a virtuous repulsion at the treacherous manner of behaving on the part of those +who guided his destinies, he hastened back to his place of obeisance, and +perceiving that the habitually placid and introspective expression on the +dragon face had imperceptibly changed into one of offensive cunning and +unconcealed contempt, he snatched up his spear and, without the consideration +of a moment, hurled it at a score of paces distance full into the sacred but +nevertheless very unprepossessing face before him. +</p> + +<p> +At the instant when the presumptuous weapon touched the holy stone the entire +intervening space between the earth and the sky was filled with innumerable +flashes of forked and many-tongued lightning, so that the island had the +appearance of being the scene of a very extensive but somewhat badly-arranged +display of costly fireworks. At the same time the thunder rolled among the +clouds and beneath the sea in an exceedingly disconcerting manner. At the first +indication of these celestial movements a sudden blindness came upon Yin, and +all power of thought or movement forsook him; nevertheless, he experienced an +emotion of flight through the air, as though borne upwards upon the back of a +winged creature. When this emotion ceased, the blindness went from him as +suddenly and entirely as if a cloth had been pulled away from his eyes, and he +perceived that he was held in the midst of a boundless space, with no other +object in view than the sacred rock, which had opened, as it were, revealing a +mighty throng within, at the sight of whom Yin’s internal organs trembled +as they would never have moved at ordinary danger, for it was put into his +spirit that these in whose presence he stood were the sacred Emperors of his +country from the earliest time until the usurpation of the Chinese throne by +the devouring Tartar hordes from the North. +</p> + +<p> +As Yin gazed in fear-stricken amazement, a knowledge of the various Pure Ones +who composed the assembly came upon him. He understood that the three unclad +and commanding figures which stood together were the Emperors of the Heaven, +Earth, and Man, whose reigns covered a space of more than eighty thousand +years, commencing from the time when the world began its span of existence. +Next to them stood one wearing a robe of leopard-skin, his hand resting upon a +staff of a massive club, while on his face the expression of tranquillity which +marked his predecessors had changed into one of alert wakefulness; it was the +Emperor of Houses, whose reign marked the opening of the never-ending strife +between man and all other creatures. By his side stood his successor, the +Emperor of Fire, holding in his right hand the emblem of the knotted cord, by +which he taught man to cultivate his mental faculties, while from his mouth +issued smoke and flame, signifying that by the introduction of fire he had +raised his subjects to a state of civilized life. +</p> + +<p> +On the other side of the boundless chamber which seemed to be contained within +the rocks were Fou-Hy, Tchang-Ki, Tcheng-Nung, and Huang, standing or reclining +together. The first of these framed the calendar, organized property, thought +out the eight Essential Diagrams, encouraged the various branches of hunting, +and the rearing of domestic animals, and instituted marriage. From his couch +floated melodious sounds in remembrance of his discovery of the property of +stringed woods. Tchang-Ki, who manifested the property of herbs and growing +plants, wore a robe signifying his attainments by means of embroidered symbols. +His hand rested on the head of the dragon, while at his feet flowed a +bottomless canal of the purest water. The discovery of written letters by +Tcheng-Nung, and his ingenious plan of grouping them after the manner of the +constellations of stars, was emblemized in a similar manner, while Huang, or +the Yellow Emperor, was surrounded by ores of the useful and precious metals, +weapons of warfare, written books, silks and articles of attire, coined money, +and a variety of objects, all testifying to his ingenuity and inspired energy. +</p> + +<p> +These illustrious ones, being the greatest, were the first to take Yin’s +attention, but beyond them he beheld an innumerable concourse of Emperors who +not infrequently outshone their majestic predecessors in the richness of their +apparel and the magnificence of the jewels which they wore. There Yin perceived +Hung-Hoang, who first caused the chants to be collected, and other rulers of +the Tcheon dynasty; Yong-Tching, who compiled the Holy Edict; Thang rulers +whose line is rightly called “the golden,” from the unsurpassed +excellence of the composed verses which it produced; renowned Emperors of the +versatile Han dynasty; and, standing apart, and shunned by all, the malignant +and narrow-minded Tsing-Su-Hoang, who caused the Sacred Books to be burned. +</p> + +<p> +Even while Yin looked and wondered, in great fear, a rolling voice, coming from +one who sat in the midst of all, holding in his right hand the sun, and in his +left the moon, sounded forth, like the music of many brass instruments playing +in unison. It was the First Man who spoke. +</p> + +<p> +“Yin, son of Yat Huang, and creature of the Lower Part,” he said, +“listen well to the words I speak, for brief is the span of your tarrying +in the Upper Air, nor will the utterance I now give forth ever come unto your +ears again, either on the earth, or when, blindly groping in the Middle +Distance, your spirit takes its nightly flight. They who are gathered around, +and whose voices I speak, bid me say this: Although immeasurably above you in +all matters, both of knowledge and of power, yet we greet you as one who is +well-intentioned, and inspired with honourable ambition. Had you been content +to entreat and despair, as did all the feeble and incapable ones whose white +bones formed your pathway, your ultimate fate would have in no wise differed +from theirs. But inasmuch as you held yourself valiantly, and, being taken, +raised an instinctive hand in return, you have been chosen; for the day to mute +submission has, for the time or for ever, passed away, and the hour is when +China shall be saved, not by supplication, but by the spear.” +</p> + +<p> +“A state of things which would have been highly unnecessary if I had been +permitted to carry out my intention fully, and restore man to his prehistoric +simplicity,” interrupted Tsin-Su-Hoang. “For that reason, when the +voice of the assemblage expresses itself, it must be understood that it +represents in no measure the views of Tsin-Su-Hoang.” +</p> + +<p> +“In the matter of what has gone before, and that which will follow +hereafter,” continued the Voice dispassionately, “Yin, the son of +Yat-Huang, must concede that it is in no part the utterance of +Tsin-Su-Hoang—Tsin-Su-Hoang who burned the Sacred Books.” +</p> + +<p> +At the mention of the name and offence of this degraded being a great sound +went up from the entire multitude—a universal cry of execration, not +greatly dissimilar from that which may be frequently heard in the crowded +Temple of Impartiality when the one whose duty it is to take up, at a venture, +the folded papers, announces that the sublime Emperor, or some mandarin of +exalted rank, has been so fortunate as to hold the winning number in the Annual +State Lottery. So vengeance-laden and mournful was the combined and evidently +preconcerted wail, that Yin was compelled to shield his ears against it; yet +the inconsiderable Tsin-Su-Hoang, on whose account it was raised, seemed in no +degree to be affected by it, he, doubtless, having become hardened by hearing a +similar outburst, at fixed hours, throughout interminable cycles of time. +</p> + +<p> +When the last echo of the cry had passed away the Voice continued to speak. +</p> + +<p> +“Soon the earth will again receive you, Yin,” it said, “for +it is not respectful that a lower one should be long permitted to gaze upon our +exalted faces. Yet when you go forth and stand once more among men this is laid +on you: that henceforth you are as a being devoted to a fixed and unchanging +end, and whatever moves towards the restoring of the throne of the Central +Empire the outcast but unalterably sacred line of its true sovereigns shall +have your arm and mind. By what combination of force and stratagem this can be +accomplished may not be honourably revealed by us, the all-knowing. +Nevertheless, omens and guidance shall not be lacking from time to time, and +from the beginning the weapon by which you have attained to this distinction +shall be as a sign of our favour and protection over you.” +</p> + +<p> +When the Voice made an end of speaking the sudden blindness came upon Yin, as +it had done before, and from the sense of motion which he experienced, he +conjectured that he was being conveyed back to the island. Undoubtedly this was +the case, for presently there came upon him the feeling that he was awakening +from a deep and refreshing sleep, and opening his eyes, which he now found +himself able to do without any difficulty, he immediately discovered that he +was reclining at full length on the ground, and at a distance of about a score +of paces from the dragon head. His first thought was to engage in a lengthy +course of self-abasement before it, but remembering the words which had been +spoken to him while in the Upper Air, he refrained, and even ventured to go +forward with a confident but somewhat self-deprecatory air, to regain the +spear, which he perceived lying at the foot of the rock. With feelings of a +reassuring nature he then saw that the very undesirable expression which he had +last beheld upon the dragon face had melted into one of encouraging urbanity +and benignant esteem. +</p> + +<p> +Close by the place where he had landed he discovered his boat, newly furnished +with wine and food of a much more attractive profusion than that which he had +purchased in the village. Embarking in it, he made as though he would have +returned to the south, but the spear which he held turned within his grasp, and +pointed in an exactly opposite direction. Regarding this fact as an express +command on the part of the Deities, Yin turned his boat to the north, and in +the space of two days’ time—being continually guided by the fixed +indication of the spear—he reached the shore and prepared to continue his +travels in the same direction, upheld and inspired by the knowledge that +henceforth he moved under the direct influence of very powerful spirits. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"></a> +IX.<br /> +THE ILL-REGULATED DESTINY OF KIN YEN, THE PICTURE-MAKER</h2> + +<p class="center"> +As recorded by himself before his sudden departure from Peking, owing to +circumstances which are made plain in the following narrative. +</p> + +<p> +There are moments in the life of a person when the saying of the wise Ni-Hyu +that “Misfortune comes to all men and to most women” is endowed +with double force. At such times the faithful child of the Sun is a prey to the +whitest and most funereal thoughts, and even the inspired wisdom of his +illustrious ancestors seems more than doubtful, while the continued inactivity +of the Sacred Dragon appears for the time to give colour to the scoffs of the +Western barbarian. A little while ago these misgivings would have found no +resting-place in the bosom of the writer. Now, however—but the matter +must be made clear from the beginning. +</p> + +<p> +The name of the despicable person who here sets forth his immature story is Kin +Yen, and he is a native of Kia-Lu in the Province of Che-Kiang. Having +purchased from a very aged man the position of Hereditary Instructor in the Art +of Drawing Birds and Flowers, he gave lessons in these accomplishments until he +had saved sufficient money to journey to Peking. Here it was his presumptuous +intention to learn the art of drawing figures in order that he might illustrate +printed leaves of a more distinguished class than those which would accept what +true politeness compels him to call his exceedingly unsymmetrical pictures of +birds and flowers. Accordingly, when the time arrived, he disposed of his +Hereditary Instructorship, having first ascertained in the interests of his +pupils that his successor was a person of refined morals and great filial +piety. +</p> + +<p> +Alas! it is well written, “The road to eminence lies through the cheap +and exceedingly uninviting eating-houses.” In spite of this +person’s great economy, and of his having begged his way from Kia-Lu to +Peking in the guise of a pilgrim, journeying to burn incense in the sacred +Temple of Truth near that city, when once within the latter place his taels +melted away like the smile of a person of low class when he discovers that the +mandarin’s stern words were not intended as a jest. Moreover, he found +that the story-makers of Peking, receiving higher rewards than those at Kia-Lu, +considered themselves bound to introduce living characters into all their +tales, and in consequence the very ornamental drawings of birds and flowers +which he had entwined into a legend entitled “The Last Fight of the +Heaven-sent Tcheng”—a story which had been entrusted to him for +illustration as a test of his skill—was returned to him with a +communication in which the writer revealed his real meaning by stating contrary +facts. It therefore became necessary that he should become competent in the art +of drawing figures without delay, and with this object he called at the +picture-room of Tieng Lin, a person whose experience was so great that he +could, without discomfort to himself, draw men and women of all classes, both +good and bad. When the person who is setting forth this narrative revealed to +Tieng Lin the utmost amount of money he could afford to give for instruction in +the art of drawing living figures, Tieng Lin’s face became as overcast as +the sky immediately before the Great Rains, for in his ignorance of this +incapable person’s poverty he had treated him with equality and courtesy, +nor had he kept him waiting in the mean room on the plea that he was at that +moment closeted with the Sacred Emperor. However, upon receiving an assurance +that a rumour would be spread in which the number of taels should be multiplied +by ten, and that the sum itself should be brought in advance, Tieng Lin +promised to instruct this person in the art of drawing five characters, which, +he said, would be sufficient to illustrate all stories except those by the most +expensive and highly-rewarded story-tellers—men who have become so +proficient that they not infrequently introduce a score or more of living +persons into their tales without confusion. +</p> + +<p> +After considerable deliberation, this unassuming person selected the following +characters, judging them to be the most useful, and the most readily applicable +to all phases and situations of life: +</p> + +<p> +1. A bad person, wearing a long dark pigtail and smoking an opium pipe. His +arms to be folded, and his clothes new and very expensive. +</p> + +<p> +2. A woman of low class. One who removes dust and useless things from the rooms +of the over-fastidious and of those who have long nails; she to be carrying her +trade-signs. +</p> + +<p> +3. A person from Pe-ling, endowed with qualities which cause the beholder to be +amused. This character to be especially designed to go with the short sayings +which remove gravity. +</p> + +<p> +4. One who, having incurred the displeasure of the sublime Emperor, has been +decapitated in consequence. +</p> + +<p> +5. An ordinary person of no striking or distinguished appearance. One who can +be safely introduced in all places and circumstances without great fear of +detection. +</p> + +<p> +After many months spent in constant practice and in taking measurements, this +unenviable person attained a very high degree of proficiency, and could draw +any of the five characters without hesitation. With renewed hope, therefore, he +again approached those who sit in easy-chairs, and concealing his identity (for +they are stiff at bending, and when once a picture-maker is classed as +“of no good” he remains so to the end, in spite of change), he +succeeded in getting entrusted with a story by the elegant and refined Kyen +Tal. This writer, as he remembered with distrust, confines his distinguished +efforts entirely to the doings of sailors and of those connected with the sea, +and this tale, indeed, he found upon reading to be the narrative of how a +Hang-Chow junk and its crew, consisting mostly of aged persons, were beguiled +out of their course by an exceedingly ill-disposed dragon, and wrecked upon an +island of naked barbarians. It was, therefore, with a somewhat heavy stomach +that this person set himself the task of arranging his five characters as so to +illustrate the words of the story. +</p> + +<p> +The sayings of the ancient philosopher Tai Loo are indeed very subtle, and the +truth of his remark, “After being disturbed in one’s dignity by a +mandarin’s foot it is no unusual occurrence to fall flat on the face in +crossing a muddy street,” was now apparent. Great as was the disadvantage +owing to the nature of the five characters, this became as nothing when it +presently appeared that the avaricious and clay-souled Tieng Lin, taking +advantage of the blindness of this person’s enthusiasm, had taught him +the figures so that they all gazed in the same direction. In consequence of +this it would have been impossible that two should be placed as in the act of +conversing together had not the noble Kyen Tal been inspired to write that +“his companions turned from him in horror.” This incident the +ingenious person who is recording these facts made the subject of three +separate drawings, and having in one or two other places effected skilful +changes in the writing, so similar in style to the strokes of the illustrious +Kyen Tal as to be undetectable, he found little difficulty in making use of all +his characters. The risks of the future, however, were too great to be run with +impunity; therefore it was arranged, by means of money—for this person +was fast becoming acquainted with the ways of Peking—that an emissary +from one who sat in an easy-chair should call upon him for a conference, the +narrative of which appeared in this form in the <i>Peking Printed Leaves of +Thrice-distilled Truth:</i> +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +The brilliant and amiable young picture-maker Kin Yen, in spite of the +immediate and universal success of his accomplished efforts, is still quite +rotund in intellect, nor is he, if we may use a form of speaking affected by +our friends across the Hoang Hai, “suffering from swollen feet.” A +person with no recognized position, but one who occasionally does inferior work +of this nature for us, recently surprised Kin Yen without warning, and found +him in his sumptuously appointed picture-room, busy with compasses and +tracing-paper. About the place were scattered in elegant confusion several of +his recent masterpieces. From the subsequent conversation we are in a position +to make it known that in future this refined and versatile person will confine +himself entirely to illustrations of processions, funerals, armies on the +march, persons pursued by others, and kindred subjects which appeal strongly to +his imagination. Kin Yen has severe emotions on the subject of individuality in +art, and does not hesitate to express himself forcibly with reference to those +who are content to degrade the names of their ancestors by turning out what he +wittily describes as “so much of varied mediocrity.” +</p> + +<p> +The prominence obtained by this pleasantly-composed notice—for it was +copied by others who were unaware of the circumstance of its origin—had +the desired effect. In future, when one of those who sit in easy-chairs wished +for a picture after the kind mentioned, he would say to his lesser one: +“Oh, send to the graceful and versatile Kin Yen; he becomes inspired on +the subject of funerals,” or persons escaping from prison, or families +walking to the temple, or whatever it might be. In that way this narrow-minded +and illiterate person was soon both looked at and rich, so that it was his +daily practice to be carried, in silk garments, past the houses of those who +had known him in poverty, and on these occasions he would puff out his cheeks +and pull his moustaches, looking fiercely from side to side. +</p> + +<p> +True are the words written in the elegant and distinguished Book of Verses: +“Beware lest when being kissed by the all-seeing Emperor, you step upon +the elusive banana-peel.” It was at the height of eminence in this +altogether degraded person’s career that he encountered the being who led +him on to his present altogether too lamentable condition. +</p> + +<p> +Tien Nung is the earthly name by which is known she who combines all the most +illustrious attributes which have been possessed of women since the days of the +divine Fou-Hy. Her father is a person of very gross habits, and lives by +selling inferior merchandise covered with some of good quality. Upon past +occasions, when under the direct influence of Tien, and in the hope of gaining +some money benefit, this person may have spoken of him in terms of praise, and +may even have recommended friends to entrust articles of value to him, or to +procure goods on his advice. Now, however, he records it as his unalterable +decision that the father of Tien Nung is by profession a person who obtains +goods by stratagem, and that, moreover, it is impossible to gain an advantage +over him on matters of exchange. +</p> + +<p> +The events that have happened prove the deep wisdom of Li Pen when he exclaimed +“The whitest of pigeons, no matter how excellent in the silk-hung +chamber, is not to be followed on the field of battle.” Tien herself was +all that the most exacting of persons could demand, but her opinions on the +subject of picture-making were not formed by heavy thought, and it would have +been well if this had been borne in mind by this person. One morning he chanced +to meet her while carrying open in his hands four sets of printed leaves +containing his pictures. +</p> + +<p> +“I have observed,” said Tien, after the usual personal inquiries +had been exchanged, “that the renowned Kin Yen, who is the object of the +keenest envy among his brother picture-makers, so little regards the sacredness +of his accomplished art that never by any chance does he depict persons of the +very highest excellence. Let not the words of an impetuous maiden disarrange +his digestive organs if they should seem too bold to the high-souled Kin Yen, +but this matter has, since she has known him, troubled the eyelids of Tien. +Here,” she continued, taking from this person’s hand one of the +printed leaves which he was carrying, “in this illustration of persons +returning from extinguishing a fire, is there one who appears to possess those +qualities which appeal to all that is intellectual and competitive within one? +Can it be that the immaculate Kin Yen is unacquainted with the subtle +distinction between the really select and the vastly ordinary? Ah, +undiscriminating Kin Yen! are not the eyelashes of the person who is addressing +you as threads of fine gold to junk’s cables when compared with those of +the extremely commonplace female who is here pictured in the art of carrying a +bucket? Can the most refined lack of vanity hide from you the fact that your +own person is infinitely rounder than this of the evilly-intentioned-looking +individual with the opium pipe? O blind Kin Yen!” +</p> + +<p> +Here she fled in honourable confusion, leaving this person standing in the +street, astounded, and a prey to the most distinguished emotions of a +complicated nature. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Tien,” he cried at length, “inspired by those bright +eyes, narrower than the most select of the three thousand and one possessed by +the sublime Buddha, the almost fallen Kin Yen will yet prove himself worthy of +your esteemed consideration. He will, without delay, learn to draw two new +living persons, and will incorporate in them the likenesses which you have +suggested.” +</p> + +<p> +Returning swiftly to his abode, he therefore inscribed and despatched this +letter, in proof of his resolve: +</p> + +<p> +“To the Heaven-sent human chrysanthemum, in whose body reside the +Celestial Principles and the imprisoned colours of the rainbow. +</p> + +<p> +“From the very offensive and self-opinionated picture-maker. +</p> + +<p> +“Henceforth this person will take no rest, nor eat any but the commonest +food, until he shall have carried out the wishes of his one Jade Star, she +whose teeth he is not worthy to blacken. +</p> + +<p> +“When Kin Yen has been entrusted with a story which contains a being in +some degree reflecting the character of Tien, he will embellish it with her +irreproachable profile and come to hear her words. Till then he bids her +farewell.” +</p> + +<p> +From that moment most of this person’s time was necessarily spent in +learning to draw the two new characters, and in consequence of this he lost +much work, and, indeed, the greater part of the connexion which he had been at +such pains to form gradually slipped away from him. Many months passed before +he was competent to reproduce persons resembling Tien and himself, for in this +he was unassisted by Tieng Lin, and his progress was slow. +</p> + +<p> +At length, being satisfied, he called upon the least fierce of those who sit in +easy-chairs, and requested that he might be entrusted with a story for +picture-making. +</p> + +<p> +“We should have been covered with honourable joy to set in operation the +brush of the inspired Kin Yen,” replied the other with agreeable +condescension; “only at the moment, it does not chance that we have +before us any stories in which funerals, or beggars being driven from the city, +form the chief incidents. Perhaps if the polished Kin Yen should happen to be +passing this ill-constructed office in about six months’ +time—” +</p> + +<p> +“The brush of Kin Yen will never again depict funerals, or labourers +arranging themselves to receive pay or similar subjects,” exclaimed this +person impetuously, “for, as it is well said, ‘The lightning +discovers objects which the paper-lantern fails to reveal.’ In future +none but tales dealing with the most distinguished persons shall have his +attention.” +</p> + +<p> +“If this be the true word of the dignified Kin Yen, it is possible that +we may be able to animate his inspired faculties,” was the response. +“But in that case, as a new style must be in the nature of an experiment, +and as our public has come to regard Kin Yen as the great exponent of Art +Facing in One Direction, we cannot continue the exceedingly liberal payment +with which we have been accustomed to reward his elegant exertions.” +</p> + +<p> +“Provided the story be suitable, that is a matter of less +importance,” replied this person. +</p> + +<p> +“The story,” said the one in the easy-chair, “is by the +refined Tong-king, and it treats of the high-minded and conscientious doubts of +one who would become a priest of Fo. When preparing for this distinguished +office he discovers within himself leanings towards the religion of Lao-Tse. +His illustrious scruples are enhanced by his affection for Wu Ping, who now +appears in the story.” +</p> + +<p> +“And the ending?” inquired this person, for it was desirable that +the two should marry happily. +</p> + +<p> +“The inimitable stories of Tong-king never have any real ending, and this +one, being in his most elevated style, has even less end than most of them. But +the whole narrative is permeated with the odour of joss-sticks and honourable +high-mindedness, and the two characters are both of noble birth.” +</p> + +<p> +As it might be some time before another story so suitable should be offered, or +one which would afford so good an opportunity of wafting incense to Tien, and +of displaying her incomparable outline in dignified and magnanimous attitudes, +this was eagerly accepted, and for the next week this obscure person spent all +his days and nights in picturing the lovely Tien and his debased self in the +characters of the nobly-born young priest of Fo and Wu Ping. The pictures +finished, he caused them to be carefully conveyed to the office, and then, +sitting down, spent many hours in composing the following letter, to be sent to +Tien, accompanying a copy of the printed leaves wherein the story and his +drawing should appear: +</p> + +<p> +“When the light has for a period been hidden from a person, it is no +uncommon thing for him to be struck blind on gazing at the sun; therefore, if +the sublime Tien values the eyes of Kin Yen, let her hide herself behind a +gauze screen on his approach. +</p> + +<p> +“The trembling words of Tien have sunk deep into the inside of Kin Yen +and become part of his being. Never again can he depict persons of the quality +and in the position he was wont to do. +</p> + +<p> +“With this he sends his latest efforts. In each case he conceives his +drawings to be the pictures of the written words; in the noble Tien’s +case it is undoubtedly so, in his own he aspires to it. Doubtless the +unobtrusive Tien would make no claim to the character and manner of behaving of +the one in the story, yet Kin Yen confidently asserts that she is to the other +as the glove is to the hand, and he is filled with the most intelligent delight +at being able to exhibit her in her true robes, by which she will be known to +all who see her, in spite of her dignified protests. Kin Yen hopes; he will +come this evening after sunset.” +</p> + +<p> +The week which passed between the finishing of the pictures and the appearance +of the eminent printed leaves containing them was the longest in this +near-sighted person’s ill-spent life. But at length the day arrived, and +going with exceedingly mean haste to the place of sale, he purchased a copy and +sent it, together with the letter of his honourable intention, on which he had +bestowed so much care, to Tien. +</p> + +<p> +Not till then did it occur to this inconsiderable one that the impetuousness of +his action was ill-judged; for might it not be that the pictures were +evilly-printed, or that the delicate and fragrant words painting the character +of the one who now bore the features of Tien had undergone some change? +</p> + +<p> +To satisfy himself, scarce as taels had become with him, he purchased another +copy. +</p> + +<p> +There are many exalted sayings of the wise and venerable Confucious constructed +so as to be of service and consolation in moments of strong mental distress. +These for the greater part recommend tranquillity of mind, a complete +abnegation of the human passions and the like behaviour. The person who is here +endeavouring to bring this badly-constructed account of his dishonourable +career to a close pondered these for some moments after twice glancing through +the matter in the printed leaves, and then, finding the faculties of speech and +movement restored to him, procured a two-edged knife of distinguished +brilliance and went forth to call upon the one who sits in an easy-chair. +</p> + +<p> +“Behold,” said the lesser one, insidiously stepping in between this +person an the inner door, “my intellectual and all-knowing chief is not +here to-day. May his entirely insufficient substitute offer words of +congratulation to the inspired Kin Yen on his effective and striking pictures +in this week’s issue?” +</p> + +<p> +“His altogether insufficient substitute,” answered this person, +with difficulty mastering his great rage, “may and shall offer words of +explanation to the inspired Kin Yen, setting forth the reason of his pictures +being used, not with the high-minded story of the elegant Tong-king for which +they were executed, but accompanying exceedingly base, foolish, and +ungrammatical words written by Klan-hi, the Peking remover of +gravity—words which will evermore brand the dew-like Tien as a person of +light speech and no refinement”; and in his agony this person struck the +lacquered table several times with his elegant knife. +</p> + +<p> +“O Kin Yen,” exclaimed the lesser one, “this matter rests not +here. It is a thing beyond the sphere of the individual who is addressing you. +All he can tell is that the graceful Tong-king withdrew his exceedingly tedious +story for some reason at the final moment, and as your eminent drawings had +been paid for, my chief of the inner office decided to use them with this story +of Klan-hi. But surely it cannot be that there is aught in the story to +displease your illustrious personality?” +</p> + +<p> +“Judge for yourself,” this person said, “first understanding +that the two immaculate characters figuring as the personages of the narrative +are exact copies of this dishonoured person himself and of the willowy Tien, +daughter of the vastly rich Pe-li-Chen, whom he was hopeful of marrying.” +</p> + +<p> +Selecting one of the least offensive of the passages in the work, this unhappy +person read the following immature and inelegant words: +</p> + +<p> +“This well-satisfied writer of printed leaves had a highly-distinguished +time last night. After Chow had departed to see about food, and the junk had +been fastened up at the lock of Kilung, on the Yang-tse-Kiang, he and the +round-bodied Shang were journeying along the narrow path by the river-side when +the right leg of the graceful and popular person who is narrating these events +disappeared into the river. Suffering no apprehension in the dark, but that the +vanishing limb was the left leg of Shang, this intelligent writer allowed his +impassiveness to melt away to an exaggerated degree; but at that moment the +circumstance became plain to the round-bodied Shang, who was in consequence +very grossly amused at the mishap and misapprehension of your good lord, the +writer, at the same time pointing out the matter as it really was. Then it +chanced that there came by one of the maidens who carry tea and jest for small +sums of money to the sitters at the little tables with round white tops, at +which this remarkable person, the confidant of many mandarins, ever desirous of +displaying his priceless power of removing gravity, said to her: +</p> + +<p> +“‘How much of gladness, Ning-Ning? By the Sacred Serpent this is +plainly your night out.’ +</p> + +<p> +“Perceiving the true facts of the predicament of this commendable writer, +she replied: +</p> + +<p> +“‘Suffer not your illustrious pigtail to be removed, venerable +Wang; for in this maiden’s estimation it is indeed your night in.’ +</p> + +<p> +“There are times when this valued person wonders whether his method of +removing gravity be in reality very antique or quite new. On such occasions the +world, with all its schools, and those who interfere in the concerns of others, +continues to revolve around him. The wondrous sky-lanterns come out silently +two by two like to the crystallized music of stringed woods. Then, in the +mystery of no-noise, his head becomes greatly enlarged with celestial and +highly-profound thoughts; his groping hand seems to touch matter which may be +written out in his impressive style and sold to those who print leaves, and he +goes home to write out such.” +</p> + +<p> +When this person looked up after reading, with tears of shame in his eyes, he +perceived that the lesser one had cautiously disappeared. Therefore, being +unable to gain admittance to the inner office, he returned to his home. +</p> + +<p> +Here the remark of the omniscient Tai Loo again fixes itself upon the +attention. No sooner had this incapable person reached his house than he became +aware that a parcel had arrived for him from the still adorable Tien. Retiring +to a distance from it, he opened the accompanying letter and read: +</p> + +<p> +“When a virtuous maiden has been made the victim of a heartless jest or a +piece of coarse stupidity at a person’s hands, it is no uncommon thing +for him to be struck blind on meeting her father. Therefore, if the degraded +and evil-minded Kin Yen values his eyes, ears, nose, pigtail, even his +dishonourable breath, let him hide himself behind a fortified wall at +Pe-li-Chen’s approach. +</p> + +<p> +“With this Tien returns everything she has ever accepted from Kin Yen. +She even includes the brace of puppies which she received anonymously about a +month ago, and which she did not eat, but kept for reasons of her +own—reasons entirely unconnected with the vapid and exceedingly conceited +Kin Yen.” +</p> + +<p> +As though this letter, and the puppies of which this person now heard for the +first time, making him aware of the existence of a rival lover, were not +enough, there almost immediately arrived a letter from Tien’s father: +</p> + +<p> +“This person has taken the advice of those skilled in extorting money by +means of law forms, and he finds that Kin Yen has been guilty of a grave and +highly expensive act. This is increased by the fact that Tien had conveyed his +seemingly distinguished intentions to all her friends, before whom she now +stands in an exceedingly ungraceful attitude. The machinery for depriving Kin +Yen of all the necessaries of existence shall be put into operation at +once.” +</p> + +<p> +At this point, the person who is now concluding his obscure and commonplace +history, having spent his last piece of money on joss-sticks and incense-paper, +and being convinced of the presence of the spirits of his ancestors, is +inspired to make the following prophecies: That Tieng Lin, who imposed upon him +in the matter of picture-making, shall come to a sudden end, accompanied by +great internal pains, after suffering extreme poverty; that the one who sits in +an easy-chair, together with his lesser one and all who make stories for them, +shall, while sailing to a rice feast during the Festival of Flowers, be +precipitated into the water and slowly devoured by sea monsters, Klan-hi in +particular being tortured in the process; that Pel-li-Chen, the father of Tien, +shall be seized with the dancing sickness when in the presence of the august +Emperor, and being in consequence suspected of treachery, shall, to prove the +truth of his denials, be submitted to the tests of boiling tar, red-hot swords, +and of being dropped from a great height on to the Sacred Stone of Goodness and +Badness, in each of which he shall fail to convince his judges or to establish +his innocence, to the amusement of all beholders. +</p> + +<p> +These are the true words of Kin Yen, the picture-maker, who, having unweighed +his mind and exposed the avaricious villainy of certain persons, is now +retiring by night to a very select and hidden spot in the Khingan Mountains. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1076 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/1076-h/images/cover.jpg b/1076-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bed7339 --- /dev/null +++ b/1076-h/images/cover.jpg |
