The calm monotony of Tuen's life continued uninterrupted after the
episode with the sailor. She would talk with Wang for hours, of the kind
friends she had left in the Viceroy's yâmen, and again of that secluded
court to which she went, concerning which many marvellous stories were
told throughout the land; and at other times she would sit spellbound
for half a day, listening to the long-spun-out stories of blind Szu.
They were now in the Imperial Canal, that stupendous monument of man's
ingenuity, for on account of the work and the time required to complete
them, it and the Great Wall stand unrivalled by any effort of man in any
other part of the world. The waters of the canal were clearer than
those of the great river they had left, but there was the same press of
boats, their number greatly augmented by the many grain-junks that bear
the tribute of rice to Peking. It was also a thrilling experience to
Tuen to see the boats pass the sluices, where the waters raged as if
waiting for something to suck down into their turbulent depths. The
small boats darted through the openings without hindrance, but the
larger ones must get through by a tedious and somewhat dangerous
process, and often it would make Tuen shudder to watch them. The
cumbrous barges would first be dragged forward slowly, by means of ropes
attached to large windlasses and worked from the bank, while against the
sides of the pier were arranged cushions of rope to lighten any shock
received. Thus were the boats carefully let over, so that they could
proceed on their way. When they reached the temple of the Dragon King,
who is the special ruler of the waters, the loud firing of crackers came
from all the boats, while libations were poured out, and many strings of
gilt paper burned in honor of this terrible god of the waters. Tuen, who
was by nature most devout, and stood in wholesome fear of the gods, took
great pleasure in these ceremonies, and lit incense sticks until the
huge porcelain bowl she had selected for this purpose was filled with
ashes. Satisfied with her devotions, she made herself comfortable on
many cushions and sent for Szu to attend her at once. When he had seated
himself, and she waited for him to begin, he pursed up his mouth
reflectively, and then smiled. Perhaps because still somewhat offended
by her doubts of the truthfulness of the narrative of Woo How, or
perchance because he wished her to know that few women had been both
wise and good, he said in a half-scornful way:
"There is another female whose name is written in history. Would you
like to hear of her?"
"Very much," Tuen answered, quickly. "Wang, put him in that shady
corner, where the sun will not touch him, and Ta-ta, if you can remain
quiet, you too may stay and listen."
"No one else has any chance to talk when Szu is around," Ta-ta grumbled.
The old story-teller turned his face toward her, and asked, scornfully:
"Who would listen to the babble of a woman? None but a fool, if there
were others talking."
"I am waiting on you," Tuen interposed, knowing by experience that when
Szu and Ta-ta commenced an interchange of courtesies, the tongues of
both were loosed in a startling manner.
Szu cleared his throat impressively, and began his narrative by saying:
"There are no stories worth the telling save those found in the books
of the sages, for it is only the ancients who possessed all goodness and
learning. Therefore when we of this later day wish to know anything we
must turn to them. They have left us all that is necessary for us to
know, and their maxims are the perfect rule of life."
Having delivered himself of this preamble, he continued:
"To-day will I tell you the story of Ta-ke the wife of Chow, in proof
that one woman can ruin a nation. It is said that she was beautiful, and
certain it is that the Emperor loved her well, but it is, alas! true
that her heart was base. He built for her a palace, more beautiful than
any ever seen before. It was all of gold and silver and ivory, and the
roof was bright as the sun. He placed within it rich carvings, and
porcelains of queerest shapes, and the most wonderful flowers in all the
earth. And those who made the works of art to adorn her palace were
killed, that the secret might die with them. And women worked from moon
to moon, embroidering the hangings for this stately home erected to
please the fancy of Ta-ke, and the looms throughout the Empire were busy
weaving rich stuffs for her apparel. The choice fruits of the land were
brought to tempt her palate, the daintiest dishes served on golden
platters were put before her, and the sound of music was never hushed in
the palace. With all these things to give her happiness, this, the most
favored of females, was not satisfied, and her cruel nature would not be
lulled to sleep. She loved to see the torture applied to those who had
done no crime, and she laughed and turned away from the prayers that
were addressed to her by the poor and the oppressed of the kingdom. And
Chow, because he listened to her, was likewise cruel and vile. What can
the people hope when they have such rulers? They could only endure and
wait. At last the venerable uncle of this misguided Emperor spoke boldly
to him of his evil ways, that he, being warned, might not continue in
his baseness, and he told him how the subjects cried out in their just
anger against him. Very wroth was Chow with his aged relative, and,
going to Ta-ke, he repeated to her the words of reproof to which he had
been forced to listen. When he had finished she only laughed in a
mocking way.
"'True he is wondrous wise,' she cried. 'His heart must be made in a
different pattern from that of his countrymen, to hold so much
knowledge. Methinks I should like to have it cut from his body that I
might gaze upon it and see wherein the heart of a sage differs from that
of other men.'
"'And you shall see it before the sun sets,' the besotted sovereign
cried, and turning to an attendant he gave orders that at once the heart
of this good man should be brought to Ta-ke. These and many other wicked
things she did, until the people scarce could breathe, so full were they
of hate of her. Then a deliverer was found, and the brave Woo Wang came
to save the country. With the noise of drum, and amid the swift-falling
arrows that carried death where'er they fell, he marched on the
resplendent capital of Chow, and the down-trodden people ran forward to
welcome him and gladly followed him, until his hosts were far-extending
as the clouds. When Chow heard this he went out to marshal his armies
that he might repulse these valiant men, but not one was found to wield
the bow and arrow in behalf of his Emperor, for all were making ready to
greet the good Woo Wang. Already he heard the tramp of the oncoming
throng and the victorious shouting of the warriors, and knew his doom
had come, for none would strike a blow to save this tyrant. Quickly he
went to the inner room of his palace, arrayed himself in his most
magnificent apparel, and donned his tunic of golden brocade, as if to
give audience to some mighty prince, and making himself a throne of his
most costly possessions he mounted it, and with his own hand touched it
with a torch. So perished Chow, and thus was destroyed that most
magnificent palace, the wonder of the land. Ta-ke watched him calmly as
he made these final preparations, and she shed no tears, for her heart
was busy forming a plan where by she might save herself from the wrath
of Woo Wang. When she saw the flames burst forth, she ran with all the
haste that terror lends away from the fatal spot, and even as she ran
she met the great Woo Wang coming with his soldiers to take possession
of the palace, and she cast herself at his feet.
"'It is the hated Empress,' the people cried angrily, groaning as they
spoke, and when he heard this Woo Wang waited not, but with his own hand
severed the head of the base Ta-ke from her body, that she might not
longer live to curse the land; and all the multitude raised a loud shout
of joy."
"That's a very ugly tale," Ta-ta exclaimed, stifling a yawn as she
spoke. "It was nothing but kill--kill--kill."
"You gave us the best first," Wang said, as she rose to go, but Tuen
made no comment of any kind. Side by side she stored these two stories
in her mind, and never did she forget them.