The Wallet of Kai Lung Page 2
II
"The story which I have selected for this gratifying occasion," said KaiLung, when, an hour or so later, still pinioned, but released from thehalter, he sat surrounded by the brigands, "is entitled 'Good andEvil,' and it is concerned with the adventures of one Ling, who bore thehonourable name of Ho. The first, and indeed the greater, part ofthe narrative, as related by the venerable and accomplished writerof history Chow-Tan, is taken up by showing how Ling was assuredlydescended from an enlightened Emperor of the race of Tsin; but as theno less omniscient Ta-lin-hi proves beyond doubt that the person inquestion was in no way connected with any but a line of hereditaryape-worshippers, who entered China from an unknown country manycenturies ago, it would ill become this illiterate person to expressan opinion on either side, and he will in consequence omit the firstseventeen books of the story, and only deal with the three which referto the illustrious Ling himself."
THE STORY OF LING
Narrated by Kai Lung when a prisoner in the camp of Lin Yi.
Ling was the youngest of three sons, and from his youth upwards provedto be of a mild and studious disposition. Most of his time was spent inreading the sacred books, and at an early age he found the worship ofapes to be repulsive to his gentle nature, and resolved to break throughthe venerable traditions of his family by devoting his time to literarypursuits, and presenting himself for the public examinations at Canton.In this his resolution was strengthened by a rumour that an army ofbowmen was shortly to be raised from the Province in which he lived,so that if he remained he would inevitably be forced into an occupationwhich was even more distasteful to him than the one he was leaving.
Having arrived at Canton, Ling's first care was to obtain particulars ofthe examinations, which he clearly perceived, from the unusualactivity displayed on all sides, to be near at hand. On inquiring frompassers-by, he received very conflicting information; for the persons towhom he spoke were themselves entered for the competition, and thereforenaturally misled him in order to increase their own chances of success.Perceiving this, Ling determined to apply at once, although the lightwas past, to a Mandarin who was concerned in the examinations, lest bydelay he should lose his chance for the year.
"It is an unfortunate event that so distinguished a person should haveselected this day and hour on which to overwhelm us with his affablepoliteness!" exclaimed the porter at the gate of the Yamen, when Linghad explained his reason for going. "On such a day, in the reign of thevirtuous Emperor Hoo Chow, a very benevolent and unassuming ancestor ofmy good lord the Mandarin was destroyed by treachery, and ever since hisfamily has observed the occasion by fasting and no music. This personwould certainly be punished with death if he entered the inner room fromany cause."
At these words, Ling, who had been simply brought up, and chiefly in thesociety of apes, was going away with many expressions of self-reproachat selecting such a time, when the gate-keeper called him back.
"I am overwhelmed with confusion at the position in which I findmyself," he remarked, after he had examined his mind for a short time."I may meet with an ungraceful and objectionable death if I carry outyour estimable instructions, but I shall certainly merit and receivea similar fate if I permit so renowned and versatile a person to leavewithout a fitting reception. In such matters a person can only trust tothe intervention of good spirits; if, therefore, you will permit thisunworthy individual to wear, while making the venture, the ring which heperceives upon your finger, and which he recognizes as a very powerfulcharm against evil, misunderstandings, and extortion, he will go withoutfear."
Overjoyed at the amiable porter's efforts on his behalf, Ling did as hewas desired, and the other retired. Presently the door of the Yamen wasopened by an attendant of the house, and Ling bidden to enter. Hewas covered with astonishment to find that this person was entirelyunacquainted with his name or purpose.
"Alas!" said the attendant, when Ling had explained his object, "wellsaid the renowned and inspired Ting Fo, 'When struck by a thunderbolt itis unnecessary to consult the Book of Dates as to the precise meaningof the omen.' At this moment my noble-minded master is engaged inconversation with all the most honourable and refined persons in Canton,while singers and dancers of a very expert and nimble order have beensent for. The entertainment will undoubtedly last far into the night,and to present myself even with the excuse of your graceful and delicateinquiry would certainly result in very objectionable consequences tothis person."
"It is indeed a day of unprepossessing circumstances," replied Ling,and after many honourable remarks concerning his own intellect andappearance, and those of the person to whom he was speaking, he hadturned to leave when the other continued:
"Ever since your dignified presence illumined this very ordinarychamber, this person has been endeavouring to bring to his mind anincident which occurred to him last night while he slept. Now it hascome back to him with a diamond clearness, and he is satisfied that itwas as follows: While he floated in the Middle Air a benevolent spiritin the form of an elderly and toothless vampire appeared, leading bythe hand a young man, of elegant personality. Smiling encouragingly uponthis person, the spirit said, 'O Fou, recipient of many favours fromMandarins and of innumerable taels from gratified persons whom you haveobliged, I am, even at this moment, guiding this exceptional young mantowards your presence; when he arrives do not hesitate, but do as hedesires, no matter how great the danger seems or how inadequately youmay appear to be rewarded on earth.' The vision then melted, but I nowclearly perceive that with the exception of the embroidered cloak whichyou wear, you are the person thus indicated to me. Remove your cloak,therefore, in order to give the amiable spirit no opportunity of denyingthe fact, and I will advance your wishes; for, as the Book of Versesindicates, 'The person who patiently awaits a sign from the cloudsfor many years, and yet fails to notice the earthquake at his feet, isdevoid of intellect.'"
Convinced that he was assuredly under the especial protection of theDeities, and that the end of his search was in view, Ling gave his richcloak to the attendant, and was immediately shown into another room,where he was left alone.
After a considerable space of time the door opened and there entered aperson whom Ling at first supposed to be the Mandarin. Indeed, he wasaddressing him by his titles when the other interrupted him. "Do notdistress your incomparable mind by searching for honourable namesto apply to so inferior a person as myself," he said agreeably. "Themistake is, nevertheless, very natural; for, however miraculous it mayappear, this unseemly individual, who is in reality merely a writer ofspoken words, is admitted to be exceedingly like the dignified Mandarinhimself, though somewhat stouter, clad in better garments, and, it issaid, less obtuse of intellect. This last matter he very much doubts,for he now finds himself unable to recognize by name one who isundoubtedly entitled to wear the Royal Yellow."
With this encouragement Ling once more explained his position, narratingthe events which had enabled him to reach the second chamber of theYamen. When he had finished the secretary was overpowered with ahigh-minded indignation.
"Assuredly those depraved and rapacious persons who have both misled androbbed you shall suffer bow-stringing when the whole matter is broughtto light," he exclaimed. "The noble Mandarin neither fasts nor receivesguests, for, indeed, he has slept since the sun went down. This personwould unhesitatingly break his slumber for so commendable a purpose wereit not for a circumstance of intolerable unavoidableness. It must noteven be told in a low breath beyond the walls of the Yamen, but mybenevolent and high-born lord is in reality a person of very miserlyinstinct, and nothing will call him from his natural sleep but the soundof taels shaken beside his bed. In an unexpected manner it comes aboutthat this person is quite unsupplied with anything but thin printedpapers of a thousand taels each, and these are quite useless for thepurpose."
"It is unendurable that so obliging a person should be put to suchinconvenience on behalf of one who will certainly become a publiclaughing-stock at the examinations," said Ling,
with deep feeling; andtaking from a concealed spot in his garments a few taels, he placed thembefore the secretary for the use he had indicated.
Ling was again left alone for upwards of two strokes of the gong, andwas on the point of sleep when the secretary returned with an expressionof dignified satisfaction upon his countenance. Concluding that hehad been successful in the manner of awakening the Mandarin, Ling wasopening his mouth for a polite speech, which should contain a delicateallusion to the taels, when the secretary warned him, by affecting asudden look of terror, that silence was exceedingly desirable, and atthe same time opened another door and indicated to Ling that he shouldpass through.
In the next room Ling was overjoyed to find himself in the presenceof the Mandarin, who received him graciously, and paid many estimablecompliments to the name he bore and the country from which he came.When at length Ling tore himself from this enchanting conversation, andexplained the reason of his presence, the Mandarin at once became a preyto the whitest and most melancholy emotions, even plucking two hairsfrom his pigtail to prove the extent and conscientiousness of his grief.
"Behold," he cried at length, "I am resolved that the extortionate andmany-handed persons at Peking who have control of the examination ritesand customs shall no longer grow round-bodied without remark. Thisperson will unhesitatingly proclaim the true facts of the case withoutregarding the danger that the versatile Chancellor or even the sublimeEmperor himself may, while he speaks, be concealed in some part of thisunassuming room to hear his words; for, as it is wisely said, 'Whenmarked out by destiny, a person will assuredly be drowned, even thoughhe passes the whole of his existence among the highest branches of adate tree.'"
"I am overwhelmed that I should be the cause of such an engaging displayof polished agitation," said Ling, as the Mandarin paused. "If it wouldmake your own stomach less heavy, this person will willingly follow yourestimable example, either with or without knowing the reason."
"The matter is altogether on your account, O most unobtrusive youngman," replied the Mandarin, when a voice without passion was restoredto him. "It tears me internally with hooks to reflect that you, whoserefined ancestors I might reasonably have known had I passed my youthin another Province, should be victim to the cupidity of the ones inauthority at Peking. A very short time before you arrived there came amessenger in haste from those persons, clearly indicating that a legaltoll of sixteen taels was to be made on each printed paper setting forththe time and manner of the examinations, although, as you may see, thepaper is undoubtedly marked, 'Persons are given notice that they aredefrauded of any sum which they may be induced to exchange for thismatter.' Furthermore, there is a legal toll of nine taels on all personswho have previously been examined--"
"I am happily escaped from that," exclaimed Ling with some satisfactionas the Mandarin paused.
"--and twelve taels on all who present themselves for the first time.This is to be delivered over when the paper is purchased, so that you,by reason of this unworthy proceeding at Peking, are required to forwardto that place, through this person, no less than thirty-two taels."
"It is a circumstance of considerable regret," replied Ling; "for hadI only reached Canton a day earlier, I should, it appears, have avoidedthis evil."
"Undoubtedly it would have been so," replied the Mandarin, who hadbecome engrossed in exalted meditation. "However," he continued amoment later, as he bowed to Ling with an accomplished smile, "itwould certainly be a more pleasant thought for a person of your refinedintelligence that had you delayed until to-morrow the insatiable personsat Peking might be demanding twice the amount."
Pondering the deep wisdom of this remark, Ling took his departure; butin spite of the most assiduous watchfulness he was unable to discern anyof the three obliging persons to whose efforts his success had been due.