CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER I.
Chen
Shih-yin, in a vision, apprehends perception and spirituality. Chia
Yü-ts'un, in the (windy and dusty) world, cherishes fond
thoughts of a beautiful
maiden.This
is the opening section; this the first chapter. Subsequent to the
visions of a dream which he had, on some previous occasion,
experienced, the writer personally relates, he designedly concealed
the true circumstances, and borrowed the attributes of perception and
spirituality to relate this story of the Record of the Stone. With
this purpose, he made use of such designations as Chen Shih-yin
(truth under the garb of fiction) and the like. What are, however,
the events recorded in this work? Who are the dramatis personae?Wearied
with the drudgery experienced of late in the world, the author
speaking for himself, goes on to explain, with the lack of success
which attended every single concern, I suddenly bethought myself of
the womankind of past ages. Passing one by one under a minute
scrutiny, I felt that in action and in lore, one and all were far
above me; that in spite of the majesty of my manliness, I could not,
in point of fact, compare with these characters of the gentle sex.
And my shame forsooth then knew no bounds; while regret, on the other
hand, was of no avail, as there was not even a remote possibility of
a day of remedy.On
this very day it was that I became desirous to compile, in a
connected form, for publication throughout the world, with a view to
(universal) information, how that I bear inexorable and manifold
retribution; inasmuch as what time, by the sustenance of the
benevolence of Heaven, and the virtue of my ancestors, my apparel was
rich and fine, and as what days my fare was savory and sumptuous, I
disregarded the bounty of education and nurture of father and mother,
and paid no heed to the virtue of precept and injunction of teachers
and friends, with the result that I incurred the punishment, of
failure recently in the least trifle, and the reckless waste of half
my lifetime. There have been meanwhile, generation after generation,
those in the inner chambers, the whole mass of whom could not, on any
account, be, through my influence, allowed to fall into extinction,
in order that I, unfilial as I have been, may have the means to
screen my own shortcomings.Hence
it is that the thatched shed, with bamboo mat windows, the bed of tow
and the stove of brick, which are at present my share, are not
sufficient to deter me from carrying out the fixed purpose of my
mind. And could I, furthermore, confront the morning breeze, the
evening moon, the willows by the steps and the flowers in the
courtyard, methinks these would moisten to a greater degree my mortal
pen with ink; but though I lack culture and erudition, what harm is
there, however, in employing fiction and unrecondite language to give
utterance to the merits of these characters? And were I also able to
induce the inmates of the inner chamber to understand and diffuse
them, could I besides break the weariness of even so much as a single
moment, or could I open the eyes of my contemporaries, will it not
forsooth prove a boon?This
consideration has led to the usage of such names as Chia Yü-ts'un
and other similar appellations.More
than any in these pages have been employed such words as dreams and
visions; but these dreams constitute the main argument of this work,
and combine, furthermore, the design of giving a word of warning to
my readers.Reader,
can you suggest whence the story begins?The
narration may border on the limits of incoherency and triviality, but
it possesses considerable zest. But to begin.The
Empress Nü Wo, (the goddess of works,) in fashioning blocks of
stones, for the repair of the heavens, prepared, at the Ta Huang
Hills and Wu Ch'i cave, 36,501 blocks of rough stone, each twelve
chang in height, and twenty-four chang square. Of these stones, the
Empress Wo only used 36,500; so that one single block remained over
and above, without being turned to any account. This was cast down
the Ch'ing Keng peak. This stone, strange to say, after having
undergone a process of refinement, attained a nature of efficiency,
and could, by its innate powers, set itself into motion and was able
to expand and to contract.When
it became aware that the whole number of blocks had been made use of
to repair the heavens, that it alone had been destitute of the
necessary properties and had been unfit to attain selection, it
forthwith felt within itself vexation and shame, and day and night,
it gave way to anguish and sorrow.One
day, while it lamented its lot, it suddenly caught sight, at a great
distance, of a Buddhist bonze and of a Taoist priest coming towards
that direction. Their appearance was uncommon, their easy manner
remarkable. When they drew near this Ch'ing Keng peak, they sat on
the ground to rest, and began to converse. But on noticing the block
newly-polished and brilliantly clear, which had moreover contracted
in dimensions, and become no larger than the pendant of a fan, they
were greatly filled with admiration. The Buddhist priest picked it
up, and laid it in the palm of his hand."Your
appearance," he said laughingly, "may well declare you to
be a supernatural object, but as you lack any inherent quality it is
necessary to inscribe a few characters on you, so that every one who
shall see you may at once recognise you to be a remarkable thing. And
subsequently, when you will be taken into a country where honour and
affluence will reign, into a family cultured in mind and of official
status, in a land where flowers and trees shall flourish with
luxuriance, in a town of refinement, renown and glory; when you once
will have been there…"The
stone listened with intense delight."What
characters may I ask," it consequently inquired, "will you
inscribe? and what place will I be taken to? pray, pray explain to me
in lucid terms." "You mustn't be inquisitive," the
bonze replied, with a smile, "in days to come you'll certainly
understand everything." Having concluded these words, he
forthwith put the stone in his sleeve, and proceeded leisurely on his
journey, in company with the Taoist priest. Whither, however, he took
the stone, is not divulged. Nor can it be known how many centuries
and ages elapsed, before a Taoist priest, K'ung K'ung by name,
passed, during his researches after the eternal reason and his quest
after immortality, by these Ta Huang Hills, Wu Ch'i cave and Ch'ing
Keng Peak. Suddenly perceiving a large block of stone, on the surface
of which the traces of characters giving, in a connected form, the
various incidents of its fate, could be clearly deciphered, K'ung
K'ung examined them from first to last. They, in fact, explained how
that this block of worthless stone had originally been devoid of the
properties essential for the repairs to the heavens, how it would be
transmuted into human form and introduced by Mang Mang the High Lord,
and Miao Miao, the Divine, into the world of mortals, and how it
would be led over the other bank (across the San Sara). On the
surface, the record of the spot where it would fall, the place of its
birth, as well as various family trifles and trivial love affairs of
young ladies, verses, odes, speeches and enigmas was still complete;
but the name of the dynasty and the year of the reign were
obliterated, and could not be ascertained.On
the obverse, were also the following enigmatical verses:Lacking
in virtues meet the azure skies to mend, In vain the
mortal world full many a year I wend, Of a former and
after life these facts that be, Who will for a
tradition strange record for me?K'ung
K'ung, the Taoist, having pondered over these lines for a while,
became aware that this stone had a history of some kind."Brother
stone," he forthwith said, addressing the stone, "the
concerns of past days recorded on you possess, according to your own
account, a considerable amount of interest, and have been for this
reason inscribed, with the intent of soliciting generations to hand
them down as remarkable occurrences. But in my own opinion, they
lack, in the first place, any data by means of which to establish the
name of the Emperor and the year of his reign; and, in the second
place, these constitute no record of any excellent policy, adopted by
any high worthies or high loyal statesmen, in the government of the
state, or in the rule of public morals. The contents simply treat of
a certain number of maidens, of exceptional character; either of
their love affairs or infatuations, or of their small deserts or
insignificant talents; and were I to transcribe the whole collection
of them, they would, nevertheless, not be estimated as a book of any
exceptional worth.""Sir
Priest," the stone replied with assurance, "why are you so
excessively dull? The dynasties recorded in the rustic histories,
which have been written from age to age, have, I am fain to think,
invariably assumed, under false pretences, the mere nomenclature of
the Han and T'ang dynasties. They differ from the events inscribed on
my block, which do not borrow this customary practice, but, being
based on my own experiences and natural feelings, present, on the
contrary, a novel and unique character. Besides, in the pages of
these rustic histories, either the aspersions upon sovereigns and
statesmen, or the strictures upon individuals, their wives, and their
daughters, or the deeds of licentiousness and violence are too
numerous to be computed. Indeed, there is one more kind of loose
literature, the wantonness and pollution in which work most easy
havoc upon youth."As
regards the works, in which the characters of scholars and beauties
is delineated their allusions are again repeatedly of Wen Chün,
their theme in every page of Tzu Chien; a thousand volumes present no
diversity; and a thousand characters are but a counterpart of each
other. What is more, these works, throughout all their pages, cannot
help bordering on extreme licence. The authors, however, had no other
object in view than to give utterance to a few sentimental odes and
elegant ballads of their own, and for this reason they have
fictitiously invented the names and surnames of both men and women,
and necessarily introduced, in addition, some low characters, who
should, like a buffoon in a play, create some excitement in the plot."Still
more loathsome is a kind of pedantic and profligate literature,
perfectly devoid of all natural sentiment, full of
self-contradictions; and, in fact, the contrast to those maidens in
my work, whom I have, during half my lifetime, seen with my own eyes
and heard with my own ears. And though I will not presume to estimate
them as superior to the heroes and heroines in the works of former
ages, yet the perusal of the motives and issues of their experiences,
may likewise afford matter sufficient to banish dulness, and to break
the spell of melancholy."As
regards the several stanzas of doggerel verse, they may too evoke
such laughter as to compel the reader to blurt out the rice, and to
spurt out the wine."In
these pages, the scenes depicting the anguish of separation, the
bliss of reunion, and the fortunes of prosperity and of adversity are
all, in every detail, true to human nature, and I have not taken upon
myself to make the slightest addition, or alteration, which might
lead to the perversion of the truth."My
only object has been that men may, after a drinking bout, or after
they wake from sleep or when in need of relaxation from the pressure
of business, take up this light literature, and not only expunge the
traces of antiquated books, and obtain a new kind of distraction, but
that they may also lay by a long life as well as energy and strength;
for it bears no point of similarity to those works, whose designs are
false, whose course is immoral. Now, Sir Priest, what are your views
on the subject?"K'ung
K'ung having pondered for a while over the words, to which he had
listened intently, re-perused, throughout, this record of the stone;
and finding that the general purport consisted of nought else than a
treatise on love, and likewise of an accurate transcription of facts,
without the least taint of profligacy injurious to the times, he
thereupon copied the contents, from beginning to end, to the intent
of charging the world to hand them down as a strange story.Hence
it was that K'ung K'ung, the Taoist, in consequence of his
perception, (in his state of) abstraction, of passion, the
generation, from this passion, of voluptuousness, the transmission of
this voluptuousness into passion, and the apprehension, by means of
passion, of its unreality, forthwith altered his name for that of
"Ch'ing Tseng" (the Voluptuous Bonze), and changed the
title of "the Memoir of a Stone" (Shih-t'ou-chi,) for that
of "Ch'ing Tseng Lu," The Record of the Voluptuous Bonze;
while K'ung Mei-chi of Tung Lu gave it the name of "Feng Yüeh
Pao Chien," "The Precious Mirror of Voluptuousness."
In later years, owing to the devotion by Tsao Hsüeh-ch'in in the Tao
Hung study, of ten years to the perusal and revision of the work, the
additions and modifications effected by him five times, the affix of
an index and the division into periods and chapters, the book was
again entitled "Chin Ling Shih Erh Ch'ai," "The Twelve
Maidens of Chin Ling." A stanza was furthermore composed for the
purpose. This then, and no other, is the origin of the Record of the
Stone. The poet says appositely:—Pages
full of silly litter, Tears a handful sour and
bitter; All a fool the author hold, But
their zest who can unfold?You
have now understood the causes which brought about the Record of the
Stone, but as you are not, as yet, aware what characters are
depicted, and what circumstances are related on the surface of the
block, reader, please lend an ear to the narrative on the stone,
which runs as follows:—In
old days, the land in the South East lay low. In this South-East part
of the world, was situated a walled town, Ku Su by name. Within the
walls a locality, called the Ch'ang Men, was more than all others
throughout the mortal world, the centre, which held the second, if
not the first place for fashion and life. Beyond this Ch'ang Men was
a street called Shih-li-chieh (Ten
Li
street); in this street a lane, the Jen Ch'ing lane (Humanity and
Purity); and in this lane stood an old temple, which on account of
its diminutive dimensions, was called, by general consent, the Gourd
temple. Next door to this temple lived the family of a district
official, Chen by surname, Fei by name, and Shih-yin by style. His
wife, née Feng, possessed a worthy and virtuous disposition, and had
a clear perception of moral propriety and good conduct. This family,
though not in actual possession of excessive affluence and honours,
was, nevertheless, in their district, conceded to be a clan of
well-to-do standing. As this Chen Shih-yin was of a contented and
unambitious frame of mind, and entertained no hankering after any
official distinction, but day after day of his life took delight in
gazing at flowers, planting bamboos, sipping his wine and conning
poetical works, he was in fact, in the indulgence of these pursuits,
as happy as a supernatural being.One
thing alone marred his happiness. He had lived over half a century
and had, as yet, no male offspring around his knees. He had one only
child, a daughter, whose infant name was Ying Lien. She was just
three years of age. On a long summer day, on which the heat had been
intense, Shih-yin sat leisurely in his library. Feeling his hand
tired, he dropped the book he held, leant his head on a teapoy, and
fell asleep.Of
a sudden, while in this state of unconsciousness, it seemed as if he
had betaken himself on foot to some spot or other whither he could
not discriminate. Unexpectedly he espied, in the opposite direction,
two priests coming towards him: the one a Buddhist, the other a
Taoist. As they advanced they kept up the conversation in which they
were engaged. "Whither do you purpose taking the object you have
brought away?" he heard the Taoist inquire. To this question the
Buddhist replied with a smile: "Set your mind at ease," he
said; "there's now in maturity a plot of a general character
involving mundane pleasures, which will presently come to a
denouement. The whole number of the votaries of voluptuousness have,
as yet, not been quickened or entered the world, and I mean to avail
myself of this occasion to introduce this object among their number,
so as to give it a chance to go through the span of human existence."
"The votaries of voluptuousness of these days will naturally
have again to endure the ills of life during their course through the
mortal world," the Taoist remarked; "but when, I wonder,
will they spring into existence? and in what place will they
descend?""The
account of these circumstances," the bonze ventured to reply,
"is enough to make you laugh! They amount to this: there existed
in the west, on the bank of the Ling (spiritual) river, by the side
of the San Sheng (thrice-born) stone, a blade of the Chiang Chu
(purple pearl) grass. At about the same time it was that the block of
stone was, consequent upon its rejection by the goddess of works,
also left to ramble and wander to its own gratification, and to roam
about at pleasure to every and any place. One day it came within the
precincts of the Ching Huan (Monitory Vision) Fairy; and this Fairy,
cognizant of the fact that this stone had a history, detained it,
therefore, to reside at the Ch'ih Hsia (purple clouds) palace, and
apportioned to it the duties of attendant on Shen Ying, a fairy of
the Ch'ih Hsia palace."This
stone would, however, often stroll along the banks of the Ling river,
and having at the sight of the blade of spiritual grass been filled
with admiration, it, day by day, moistened its roots with sweet dew.
This purple pearl grass, at the outset, tarried for months and years;
but being at a later period imbued with the essence and luxuriance of
heaven and earth, and having incessantly received the moisture and
nurture of the sweet dew, divested itself, in course of time, of the
form of a grass; assuming, in lieu, a human nature, which gradually
became perfected into the person of a girl."Every
day she was wont to wander beyond the confines of the Li Hen
(divested animosities) heavens. When hungry she fed on the Pi Ch'ing
(hidden love) fruit—when thirsty she drank the Kuan ch'ou
(discharged sorrows,) water. Having, however, up to this time, not
shewn her gratitude for the virtue of nurture lavished upon her, the
result was but natural that she should resolve in her heart upon a
constant and incessant purpose to make suitable acknowledgment."I
have been," she would often commune within herself, "the
recipient of the gracious bounty of rain and dew, but I possess no
such water as was lavished upon me to repay it! But should it ever
descend into the world in the form of a human being, I will also
betake myself thither, along with it; and if I can only have the
means of making restitution to it, with the tears of a whole
lifetime, I may be able to make adequate return.""This
resolution it is that will evolve the descent into the world of so
many pleasure-bound spirits of retribution and the experience of
fantastic destinies; and this crimson pearl blade will also be among
the number. The stone still lies in its original place, and why
should not you and I take it along before the tribunal of the
Monitory Vision Fairy, and place on its behalf its name on record, so
that it should descend into the world, in company with these spirits
of passion, and bring this plot to an issue?""It
is indeed ridiculous," interposed the Taoist. "Never before
have I heard even the very mention of restitution by means of tears!
Why should not you and I avail ourselves of this opportunity to
likewise go down into the world? and if successful in effecting the
salvation of a few of them, will it not be a work meritorious and
virtuous?""This
proposal," remarked the Buddhist, "is quite in harmony with
my own views. Come along then with me to the palace of the Monitory
Vision Fairy, and let us deliver up this good-for-nothing object, and
have done with it! And when the company of pleasure-bound spirits of
wrath descend into human existence, you and I can then enter the
world. Half of them have already fallen into the dusty universe, but
the whole number of them have not, as yet, come together.""Such
being the case," the Taoist acquiesced, "I am ready to
follow you, whenever you please to go."But
to return to Chen Shih-yin. Having heard every one of these words
distinctly, he could not refrain from forthwith stepping forward and
paying homage. "My spiritual lords," he said, as he smiled,
"accept my obeisance." The Buddhist and Taoist priests lost
no time in responding to the compliment, and they exchanged the usual
salutations. "My spiritual lords," Shih-yin continued; "I
have just heard the conversation that passed between you, on causes
and effects, a conversation the like of which few mortals have
forsooth listened to; but your younger brother is sluggish of
intellect, and cannot lucidly fathom the import! Yet could this
dulness and simplicity be graciously dispelled, your younger brother
may, by listening minutely, with undefiled ear and careful attention,
to a certain degree be aroused to a sense of understanding; and what
is more, possibly find the means of escaping the anguish of sinking
down into Hades."The
two spirits smiled, "The conversation," they added, "refers
to the primordial scheme and cannot be divulged before the proper
season; but, when the time comes, mind do not forget us two, and you
will readily be able to escape from the fiery furnace."Shih-yin,
after this reply, felt it difficult to make any further inquiries.
"The primordial scheme," he however remarked smiling,
"cannot, of course, be divulged; but what manner of thing, I
wonder, is the good-for-nothing object you alluded to a short while
back? May I not be allowed to judge for myself?""This
object about which you ask," the Buddhist Bonze responded, "is
intended, I may tell you, by fate to be just glanced at by you."
With these words he produced it, and handed it over to Shih-yin.Shih-yin
received it. On scrutiny he found it, in fact, to be a beautiful gem,
so lustrous and so clear that the traces of characters on the surface
were distinctly visible. The characters inscribed consisted of the
four "T'ung Ling Pao Yü," "Precious Gem of Spiritual
Perception." On the obverse, were also several columns of minute
words, which he was just in the act of looking at intently, when the
Buddhist at once expostulated."We
have already reached," he exclaimed, "the confines of
vision." Snatching it violently out of his hands, he walked away
with the Taoist, under a lofty stone portal, on the face of which
appeared in large type the four characters: "T'ai Hsü Huan
Ching," "The Visionary limits of the Great Void." On
each side was a scroll with the lines:When
falsehood stands for truth, truth likewise becomes false, Where
naught be made to aught, aught changes into naught.Shih-yin
meant also to follow them on the other side, but, as he was about to
make one step forward, he suddenly heard a crash, just as if the
mountains had fallen into ruins, and the earth sunk into destruction.
As Shih-yin uttered a loud shout, he looked with strained eye; but
all he could see was the fiery sun shining, with glowing rays, while
the banana leaves drooped their heads. By that time, half of the
circumstances connected with the dream he had had, had already
slipped from his memory.He
also noticed a nurse coming towards him with Ying Lien in her arms.
To Shih-yin's eyes his daughter appeared even more beautiful, such a
bright gem, so precious, and so lovable. Forthwith stretching out his
arms, he took her over, and, as he held her in his embrace, he coaxed
her to play with him for a while; after which he brought her up to
the street to see the great stir occasioned by the procession that
was going past.He
was about to come in, when he caught sight of two priests, one
aTaoist, the other a Buddhist, coming hither from the opposite
direction.The Buddhist had a head covered with mange, and went
barefooted. TheTaoist had a limping foot, and his hair was all
dishevelled.Like
maniacs, they jostled along, chattering and laughing as they drew
near.As
soon as they reached Shih-yin's door, and they perceived him
withYing Lien in his arms, the Bonze began to weep aloud.Turning
towards Shih-yin, he said to him: "My good Sir, why need you
carry in your embrace this living but luckless thing, which will
involve father and mother in trouble?"These
words did not escape Shih-yin's ear; but persuaded that they amounted
to raving talk, he paid no heed whatever to the bonze."Part
with her and give her to me," the Buddhist still went on to say.Shih-yin
could not restrain his annoyance; and hastily pressing his daughter
closer to him, he was intent upon going in, when the bonze pointed
his hand at him, and burst out in a loud fit of laughter.He
then gave utterance to the four lines that follow:You
indulge your tender daughter and are laughed at as inane; Vain
you face the snow, oh mirror! for it will evanescent wane, When
the festival of lanterns is gone by, guard 'gainst your doom, 'Tis
what time the flames will kindle, and the fire will consume.Shih-yin
understood distinctly the full import of what he heard; but his heart
was still full of conjectures. He was about to inquire who and what
they were, when he heard the Taoist remark,—"You and I cannot
speed together; let us now part company, and each of us will be then
able to go after his own business. After the lapse of three ages, I
shall be at the Pei Mang mount, waiting for you; and we can, after
our reunion, betake ourselves to the Visionary Confines of the Great
Void, there to cancel the name of the stone from the records.""Excellent!
first rate!" exclaimed the Bonze. And at the conclusion of these
words, the two men parted, each going his own way, and no trace was
again seen of them."These
two men," Shih-yin then pondered within his heart, "must
have had many experiences, and I ought really to have made more
inquiries of them; but at this juncture to indulge in regret is
anyhow too late."While
Shih-yin gave way to these foolish reflections, he suddenly noticed
the arrival of a penniless scholar, Chia by surname, Hua by name,
Shih-fei by style and Yü-ts'un by nickname, who had taken up his
quarters in the Gourd temple next door. This Chia Yü-ts'un was
originally a denizen of Hu-Chow, and was also of literary and
official parentage, but as he was born of the youngest stock, and the
possessions of his paternal and maternal ancestors were completely
exhausted, and his parents and relatives were dead, he remained the
sole and only survivor; and, as he found his residence in his native
place of no avail, he therefore entered the capital in search of that
reputation, which would enable him to put the family estate on a
proper standing. He had arrived at this place since the year before
last, and had, what is more, lived all along in very straitened
circumstances. He had made the temple his temporary quarters, and
earned a living by daily occupying himself in composing documents and
writing letters for customers. Thus it was that Shih-yin had been in
constant relations with him.As
soon as Yü-ts'un perceived Shih-yin, he lost no time in saluting
him. "My worthy Sir," he observed with a forced smile; "how
is it you are leaning against the door and looking out? Is there
perchance any news astir in the streets, or in the public places?""None
whatever," replied Shih-yin, as he returned the smile. "Just
a while back, my young daughter was in sobs, and I coaxed her out
here to amuse her. I am just now without anything whatever to attend
to, so that, dear brother Chia, you come just in the nick of time.
Please walk into my mean abode, and let us endeavour, in each other's
company, to while away this long summer day."After
he had made this remark, he bade a servant take his daughter in,
while he, hand-in-hand with Yü-ts'un, walked into the library, where
a young page served tea. They had hardly exchanged a few sentences,
when one of the household came in, in flying haste, to announce that
Mr. Yen had come to pay a visit.Shih-yin
at once stood up. "Pray excuse my rudeness," he remarked
apologetically, "but do sit down; I shall shortly rejoin you,
and enjoy the pleasure of your society." "My dear Sir,"
answered Yü-ts'un, as he got up, also in a conceding way, "suit
your own convenience. I've often had the honour of being your guest,
and what will it matter if I wait a little?" While these
apologies were yet being spoken, Shih-yin had already walked out into
the front parlour. During his absence, Yü-ts'un occupied himself in
turning over the pages of some poetical work to dispel ennui, when
suddenly he heard, outside the window, a woman's cough. Yü-ts'un
hurriedly got up and looked out. He saw at a glance that it was a
servant girl engaged in picking flowers. Her deportment was out of
the common; her eyes so bright, her eyebrows so well defined. Though
not a perfect beauty, she possessed nevertheless charms sufficient to
arouse the feelings. Yü-ts'un unwittingly gazed at her with fixed
eye. This waiting-maid, belonging to the Chen family, had done
picking flowers, and was on the point of going in, when she of a
sudden raised her eyes and became aware of the presence of some
person inside the window, whose head-gear consisted of a turban in
tatters, while his clothes were the worse for wear. But in spite of
his poverty, he was naturally endowed with a round waist, a broad
back, a fat face, a square mouth; added to this, his eyebrows were
swordlike, his eyes resembled stars, his nose was straight, his
cheeks square.This
servant girl turned away in a hurry and made her escape."This
man so burly and strong," she communed within herself, "yet
at the same time got up in such poor attire, must, I expect, be no
one else than the man, whose name is Chia Yü-ts'un or such like,
time after time referred to by my master, and to whom he has
repeatedly wished to give a helping hand, but has failed to find a
favourable opportunity. And as related to our family there is no
connexion or friend in such straits, I feel certain it cannot be any
other person than he. Strange to say, my master has further remarked
that this man will, for a certainty, not always continue in such a
state of destitution."As
she indulged in this train of thought, she could not restrain herself
from turning her head round once or twice.When
Yü-ts'un perceived that she had looked back, he readily interpreted
it as a sign that in her heart her thoughts had been of him, and he
was frantic with irrepressible joy."This
girl," he mused, "is, no doubt, keen-eyed and eminently
shrewd, and one in this world who has seen through me."The
servant youth, after a short time, came into the room; and when
Yü-ts'un made inquiries and found out from him that the guests in
the front parlour had been detained to dinner, he could not very well
wait any longer, and promptly walked away down a side passage and out
of a back door.When
the guests had taken their leave, Shih-yin did not go back to rejoin
Yü-ts'un, as he had come to know that he had already left.In
time the mid-autumn festivities drew near; and Shih-yin, after the
family banquet was over, had a separate table laid in the library,
and crossed over, in the moonlight, as far as the temple and invited
Yü-ts'un to come round.The
fact is that Yü-ts'un, ever since the day on which he had seen the
girl of the Chen family turn twice round to glance at him, flattered
himself that she was friendly disposed towards him, and incessantly
fostered fond thoughts of her in his heart. And on this day, which
happened to be the mid-autumn feast, he could not, as he gazed at the
moon, refrain from cherishing her remembrance. Hence it was that he
gave vent to these pentameter verses:Alas!
not yet divined my lifelong wish, And anguish
ceaseless comes upon anguish I came, and sad at heart,
my brow I frowned; She went, and oft her head to look
turned round. Facing the breeze, her shadow she doth
watch, Who's meet this moonlight night with her to
match? The lustrous rays if they my wish but
read Would soon alight upon her beauteous head!Yü-ts'un
having, after this recitation, recalled again to mind how that
throughout his lifetime his literary attainments had had an adverse
fate and not met with an opportunity (of reaping distinction), went
on to rub his brow, and as he raised his eyes to the skies, he heaved
a deep sigh and once more intoned a couplet aloud:The
gem in the cask a high price it seeks, The pin in the
case to take wing it waits.As
luck would have it, Shih-yin was at the moment approaching, and upon
hearing the lines, he said with a smile: "My dear Yü-ts'un,
really your attainments are of no ordinary capacity."Yü-ts'un
lost no time in smiling and replying. "It would be presumption
in my part to think so," he observed. "I was simply at
random humming a few verses composed by former writers, and what
reason is there to laud me to such an excessive degree? To what, my
dear Sir, do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" he went on to
inquire. "Tonight," replied Shih-yin, "is the
mid-autumn feast, generally known as the full-moon festival; and as I
could not help thinking that living, as you my worthy brother are, as
a mere stranger in this Buddhist temple, you could not but experience
the feeling of loneliness. I have, for the express purpose, prepared
a small entertainment, and will be pleased if you will come to my
mean abode to have a glass of wine. But I wonder whether you will
entertain favourably my modest invitation?" Yü-ts'un, after
listening to the proposal, put forward no refusal of any sort; but
remarked complacently: "Being the recipient of such marked
attention, how can I presume to repel your generous consideration?"As
he gave expression to these words, he walked off there and then, in
company with Shih-yin, and came over once again into the court in
front of the library. In a few minutes, tea was over.The
cups and dishes had been laid from an early hour, and needless to say
the wines were luscious; the fare sumptuous.The
two friends took their seats. At first they leisurely replenished
their glasses, and quietly sipped their wine; but as, little by
little, they entered into conversation, their good cheer grew more
genial, and unawares the glasses began to fly round, and the cups to
be exchanged.At
this very hour, in every house of the neighbourhood, sounded the fife
and lute, while the inmates indulged in music and singing. Above
head, the orb of the radiant moon shone with an all-pervading
splendour, and with a steady lustrous light, while the two friends,
as their exuberance increased, drained their cups dry so soon as they
reached their lips.Yü-ts'un,
at this stage of the collation, was considerably under the influence
of wine, and the vehemence of his high spirits was irrepressible. As
he gazed at the moon, he fostered thoughts, to which he gave vent by
the recital of a double couplet.'Tis
what time three meets five, Selene is a globe! Her
pure rays fill the court, the jadelike rails enrobe! Lo!
in the heavens her disk to view doth now arise, And in
the earth below to gaze men lift their eyes."Excellent!"
cried Shih-yin with a loud voice, after he had heard these lines; "I
have repeatedly maintained that it was impossible for you to remain
long inferior to any, and now the verses you have recited are a
prognostic of your rapid advancement. Already it is evident that,
before long, you will extend your footsteps far above the clouds! I
must congratulate you! I must congratulate you! Let me, with my own
hands, pour a glass of wine to pay you my compliments."Yü-ts'un
drained the cup. "What I am about to say," he explained as
he suddenly heaved a sigh, "is not the maudlin talk of a man
under the effects of wine. As far as the subjects at present set in
the examinations go, I could, perchance, also have well been able to
enter the list, and to send in my name as a candidate; but I have,
just now, no means whatever to make provision for luggage and for
travelling expenses. The distance too to Shen Ching is a long one,
and I could not depend upon the sale of papers or the composition of
essays to find the means of getting there."Shih-yin
gave him no time to conclude. "Why did you not speak about this
sooner?" he interposed with haste. "I have long entertained
this suspicion; but as, whenever I met you, this conversation was
never broached, I did not presume to make myself officious. But if
such be the state of affairs just now, I lack, I admit, literary
qualification, but on the two subjects of friendly spirit and
pecuniary means, I have, nevertheless, some experience. Moreover, I
rejoice that next year is just the season for the triennial
examinations, and you should start for the capital with all despatch;
and in the tripos next spring, you will, by carrying the prize, be
able to do justice to the proficiency you can boast of. As regards
the travelling expenses and the other items, the provision of
everything necessary for you by my own self will again not render
nugatory your mean acquaintance with me."Forthwith,
he directed a servant lad to go and pack up at once fifty taels of
pure silver and two suits of winter clothes."The
nineteenth," he continued, "is a propitious day, and you
should lose no time in hiring a boat and starting on your journey
westwards. And when, by your eminent talents, you shall have soared
high to a lofty position, and we meet again next winter, will not the
occasion be extremely felicitous?"Yü-ts'un
accepted the money and clothes with but scanty expression of
gratitude. In fact, he paid no thought whatever to the gifts, but
went on, again drinking his wine, as he chattered and laughed.It
was only when the third watch of that day had already struck that the
two friends parted company; and Shih-yin, after seeing Yü-ts'un off,
retired to his room and slept, with one sleep all through, never
waking until the sun was well up in the skies.Remembering
the occurrence of the previous night, he meant to write a couple of
letters of recommendation for Yü-ts'un to take along with him to the
capital, to enable him, after handing them over at the mansions of
certain officials, to find some place as a temporary home. He
accordingly despatched a servant to ask him to come round, but the
man returned and reported that from what the bonze said, "Mr.
Chia had started on his journey to the capital, at the fifth watch of
that very morning, that he had also left a message with the bonze to
deliver to you, Sir, to the effect that men of letters paid no heed
to lucky or unlucky days, that the sole consideration with them was
the nature of the matter in hand, and that he could find no time to
come round in person and bid good-bye."Shih-yin
after hearing this message had no alternative but to banish the
subject from his thoughts.In
comfortable circumstances, time indeed goes by with easy stride. Soon
drew near also the happy festival of the 15th of the 1st moon, and
Shih-yin told a servant Huo Ch'i to take Ying Lien to see the
sacrificial fires and flowery lanterns.About
the middle of the night, Huo Ch'i was hard pressed, and he forthwith
set Ying Lien down on the doorstep of a certain house. When he felt
relieved, he came back to take her up, but failed to find anywhere
any trace of Ying Lien. In a terrible plight, Huo Ch'i prosecuted his
search throughout half the night; but even by the dawn of day, he had
not discovered any clue of her whereabouts. Huo Ch'i, lacking, on the
other hand, the courage to go back and face his master, promptly made
his escape to his native village.Shih-yin—in
fact, the husband as well as the wife—seeing that their child had
not come home during the whole night, readily concluded that some
mishap must have befallen her. Hastily they despatched several
servants to go in search of her, but one and all returned to report
that there was neither vestige nor tidings of her.This
couple had only had this child, and this at the meridian of their
life, so that her sudden disappearance plunged them in such great
distress that day and night they mourned her loss to such a point as
to well nigh pay no heed to their very lives.A
month in no time went by. Shih-yin was the first to fall ill, and his
wife, Dame Feng, likewise, by dint of fretting for her daughter, was
also prostrated with sickness. The doctor was, day after day, sent
for, and the oracle consulted by means of divination.Little
did any one think that on this day, being the 15th of the 3rd moon,
while the sacrificial oblations were being prepared in the Hu Lu
temple, a pan with oil would have caught fire, through the want of
care on the part of the bonze, and that in a short time the flames
would have consumed the paper pasted on the windows.Among
the natives of this district bamboo fences and wooden partitions were
in general use, and these too proved a source of calamity so ordained
by fate (to consummate this decree).With
promptness (the fire) extended to two buildings, then enveloped
three, then dragged four (into ruin), and then spread to five houses,
until the whole street was in a blaze, resembling the flames of a
volcano. Though both the military and the people at once ran to the
rescue, the fire had already assumed a serious hold, so that it was
impossible for them to afford any effective assistance for its
suppression.It
blazed away straight through the night, before it was extinguished,
and consumed, there is in fact no saying how many dwelling houses.
Anyhow, pitiful to relate, the Chen house, situated as it was next
door to the temple, was, at an early part of the evening, reduced to
a heap of tiles and bricks; and nothing but the lives of that couple
and several inmates of the family did not sustain any injuries.Shih-yin
was in despair, but all he could do was to stamp his feet and heave
deep sighs. After consulting with his wife, they betook themselves to
a farm of theirs, where they took up their quarters temporarily. But
as it happened that water had of late years been scarce, and no crops
been reaped, robbers and thieves had sprung up like bees, and though
the Government troops were bent upon their capture, it was anyhow
difficult to settle down quietly on the farm. He therefore had no
other resource than to convert, at a loss, the whole of his property
into money, and to take his wife and two servant girls and come over
for shelter to the house of his father-in-law.His
father-in-law, Feng Su, by name, was a native of Ta Ju Chou. Although
only a labourer, he was nevertheless in easy circumstances at home.
When he on this occasion saw his son-in-law come to him in such
distress, he forthwith felt at heart considerable displeasure.
Fortunately Shih-yin had still in his possession the money derived
from the unprofitable realization of his property, so that he
produced and handed it to his father-in-law, commissioning him to
purchase, whenever a suitable opportunity presented itself, a house
and land as a provision for food and raiment against days to come.
This Feng Su, however, only expended the half of the sum, and
pocketed the other half, merely acquiring for him some fallow land
and a dilapidated house.Shih-yin
being, on the other hand, a man of books and with no experience in
matters connected with business and with sowing and reaping,
subsisted, by hook and by crook, for about a year or two, when he
became more impoverished.In
his presence, Feng Su would readily give vent to specious utterances,
while, with others, and behind his back, he on the contrary expressed
his indignation against his improvidence in his mode of living, and
against his sole delight of eating and playing the lazy.Shih-yin,
aware of the want of harmony with his father-in-law, could not help
giving way, in his own heart, to feelings of regret and pain. In
addition to this, the fright and vexation which he had undergone the
year before, the anguish and suffering (he had had to endure), had
already worked havoc (on his constitution); and being a man advanced
in years, and assailed by the joint attack of poverty and disease, he
at length gradually began to display symptoms of decline.Strange
coincidence, as he, on this day, came leaning on his staff and with
considerable strain, as far as the street for a little relaxation, he
suddenly caught sight, approaching from the off side, of a Taoist
priest with a crippled foot; his maniac appearance so repulsive, his
shoes of straw, his dress all in tatters, muttering several
sentiments to this effect:All
men spiritual life know to be good, But fame to
disregard they ne'er succeed! From old till now the
statesmen where are they? Waste lie their graves, a
heap of grass, extinct. All men spiritual life know to
be good, But to forget gold, silver, ill
succeed! Through life they grudge their hoardings to
be scant, And when plenty has come, their eyelids
close. All men spiritual life hold to be good, Yet
to forget wives, maids, they ne'er succeed! Who speak
of grateful love while lives their lord, And dead
their lord, another they pursue. All men spiritual
life know to be good, But sons and grandsons to forget
never succeed! From old till now of parents soft
many, But filial sons and grandsons who have seen?Shih-yin
upon hearing these words, hastily came up to the priest, "What
were you so glibly holding forth?" he inquired. "All I
could hear were a lot of hao liao (excellent, finality.")"You
may well have heard the two words 'hao liao,'" answered the
Taoist with a smile, "but can you be said to have fathomed their
meaning? You should know that all things in this world are excellent,
when they have attained finality; when they have attained finality,
they are excellent; but when they have not attained finality, they
are not excellent; if they would be excellent, they should attain
finality. My song is entitled Excellent-finality (hao liao)."Shih-yin
was gifted with a natural perspicacity that enabled him, as soon as
he heard these remarks, to grasp their spirit."Wait
a while," he therefore said smilingly; "let me unravel this
excellent-finality song of yours; do you mind?""Please
by all means go on with the interpretation," urged the Taoist;
whereupon Shih-yin proceeded in this strain:Sordid
rooms and vacant courts, Replete in years gone by with
beds where statesmen lay; Parched grass and withered
banian trees, Where once were halls for song and
dance! Spiders' webs the carved pillars
intertwine, The green gauze now is also pasted on the
straw windows! What about the cosmetic fresh concocted
or the powder just scented; Why has the hair too on
each temple become white like hoarfrost! Yesterday the
tumulus of yellow earth buried the bleached bones, To-night
under the red silk curtain reclines the couple! Gold
fills the coffers, silver fills the boxes, But in a
twinkle, the beggars will all abuse you! While you
deplore that the life of others is not long, You
forget that you yourself are approaching death! You
educate your sons with all propriety, But they may
some day, 'tis hard to say become thieves; Though you
choose (your fare and home) the fatted beam, You may,
who can say, fall into some place of easy virtue! Through
your dislike of the gauze hat as mean, You have come
to be locked in a cangue; Yesterday, poor fellow, you
felt cold in a tattered coat, To-day, you despise the
purple embroidered dress as long! Confusion reigns far
and wide! you have just sung your part, I come on the
boards, Instead of yours, you recognise another as
your native land; What utter perversion! In
one word, it comes to this we make wedding clothes for others! (We
sow for others to reap.)The
crazy limping Taoist clapped his hands. "Your interpretation is
explicit," he remarked with a hearty laugh, "your
interpretation is explicit!"Shih-yin
promptly said nothing more than,—"Walk on;" and seizing
the stole from the Taoist's shoulder, he flung it over his own. He
did not, however, return home, but leisurely walked away, in company
with the eccentric priest.The
report of his disappearance was at once bruited abroad, and plunged
the whole neighbourhood in commotion; and converted into a piece of
news, it was circulated from mouth to mouth.Dame
Feng, Shih-yin's wife, upon hearing the tidings, had such a fit of
weeping that she hung between life and death; but her only
alternative was to consult with her father, and to despatch servants
on all sides to institute inquiries. No news was however received of
him, and she had nothing else to do but to practise resignation, and
to remain dependent upon the support of her parents for her
subsistence. She had fortunately still by her side, to wait upon her,
two servant girls, who had been with her in days gone by; and the
three of them, mistress as well as servants, occupied themselves day
and night with needlework, to assist her father in his daily
expenses.This
Feng Su had after all, in spite of his daily murmurings against his
bad luck, no help but to submit to the inevitable.On
a certain day, the elder servant girl of the Chen family was at the
door purchasing thread, and while there, she of a sudden heard in the
street shouts of runners clearing the way, and every one explain that
the new magistrate had come to take up his office.The
girl, as she peeped out from inside the door, perceived the lictors
and policemen go by two by two; and when unexpectedly in a state
chair, was carried past an official, in black hat and red coat, she
was indeed quite taken aback."The
face of this officer would seem familiar," she argued within
herself; "just as if I had seen him somewhere or other ere
this."Shortly
she entered the house, and banishing at once the occurrence from her
mind, she did not give it a second thought. At night, however, while
she was waiting to go to bed, she suddenly heard a sound like a rap
at the door. A band of men boisterously cried out: "We are
messengers, deputed by the worthy magistrate of this district, and
come to summon one of you to an enquiry."Feng
Su, upon hearing these words, fell into such a terrible consternation
that his eyes stared wide and his mouth gaped.What
calamity was impending is not as yet ascertained, but, reader, listen
to the explanation contained in the next chapter.