“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.”
THE STORY OF LING
Narrated by Kai Lung when a prisoner in the camp of Lin Yi.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
“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:
“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.’”
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.
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.”
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.
“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.”
“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.
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.
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.
“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.’”
“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.”
“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--”
“I am happily escaped from that,” exclaimed Ling with some satisfaction
as the Mandarin paused.
“--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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.