CHAPTER XVI

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.

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.

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.

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.

II.

THE STORY OF YUNG CHANG

Narrated by Kai Lung, in the open space of the tea-shop of The

Celestial Principles, at Wu-whei.

“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.”

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.

“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.”

“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?”

But he, nevertheless, deposited three cash in the bowl, and drew nearer

among the front row of the listeners.

“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.

“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.’

“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.

“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.”

“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--”

“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.”

“A fair wind raises no storm,” said Wang Yu sulkily; and Kai Lung

continued:

“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:

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘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.

“‘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.’

“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:

“‘BEWARE OF INCURRING DEATH FROM STARVATION

“‘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.

“‘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.’

“‘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--’

“‘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?’

“‘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.’

“‘In what way?’ inquired Yung tremulously.

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘How could this be done?’ inquired Ning wonderingly. ‘Surely it is

impossible to conjecture the value of so many idols.’

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“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.

“‘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.’

“‘The shadow falls in such a direction as the sun wills,’ said Li Ting,

as he replaced his sword and departed.

“‘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.’

“‘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?’

“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.

“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:

“NO WAITING HERE!

“Good-morning! Have you worshipped one of Ti Hung’s refined

ninety-nine cash idols?

“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.

“Have you a bad idol? If so, dismiss it, and get one of Ti Hung’s

ninety-nine cash specimens.

“Why does your idol look old sooner than your neighbours? Because

yours is not one of Ti Hung’s ninety-nine cash marvels.

“They bring all delights to the old and the young,

The elegant idols supplied by Ti Hung.

“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.

“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.

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“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.

“‘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.’

“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.

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘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!’

“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.

“‘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.’”

III.

THE PROBATION OF SEN HENG

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.

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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.

“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?”

“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.”

“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.”

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:

“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.”

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:

“Evil dragons and thunderbolts! but the touch was as hot as a scar left

by the uncut nail of the sublime Buddha!”

“Yet the crystal--” remarked Kai Lung composedly, passing it into the

hands of those who stood near.

“Is as cool as the innermost leaves of the riverside sycamore,” they

declared.

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.

“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.

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“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:

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“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.

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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:

“‘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.’

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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:

“‘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?’

“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.

“‘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--’

“‘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.

“‘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.’

“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.

“‘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.’

“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.”

IV.

THE EXPERIMENT OF THE MANDARIN CHAN HUNG

Related by Kai Lung at Shan Tzu, on the occasion of his receiving

a very unexpected reward.

“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?”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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.

“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.”

“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.

“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.

“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.

“‘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?’

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘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?’

“‘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.’

“‘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...’

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“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.

“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.

“‘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.’

“‘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.’

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.’

“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.

“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.