the mirror of kong ho-第17节
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philosopher Wei Chung； when commanded by the broad…minded emperor of
his time to reveal the hidden sources of his illimitable knowledge； so
that all might freely acquire； and the race thereby become raised to a
position of unparalleled excellence。 Taking the well…disposed
sovereign familiarly by the arm； Wei Chung led him to the mouth of his
cave in the forest； and； standing by his side； bade him reflect with
open eyes for a short space of time； and then express aloud what he
had seen。 〃Nothing of grave import；〃 declared the emperor when the
period was accomplished； 〃only the trees shaken by the breeze。〃 〃It is
enough；〃 replied Wei Chung。 〃What； to the adroitly…balanced mind； does
such a sight reveal？〃 〃That it is certainly a windy day；〃 exclaimed
the omnipotent triumphantly； for although admittedly divine； he yet
lacked the philosopher's discrimination。 〃On the contrary；〃 replied
the sage coldly； 〃that is the natural pronouncement of the rankly
superficial。 To the highly…trained intellect it conveys the more
subtle truth that the wind affects the trees； and not the trees affect
the wind。 For upwards of seventy years this one has daily stood at the
door of his cave for a brief period； and regularly garnering a single
detail of like brilliance； has made it the well…spring for a day's
reflection。 As the result he now has by heart upwards of twenty…five
thousand useful facts； all serviceable for original proverbs； and an
encyclopaedic mind which would enable him to take a high place in a
popular competition unassisted by a single work of reference。〃 Much
impressed by the adventure the charitably…inclined emperor presented
Wei Chung with an onyx crown （which the philosopher at once threw into
an adjacent well）； and returning to his capital published a decree
that each day at sunrise every person should stand at the door of his
dwelling； and after observing for a period； compare among themselves
the details of their thoughts。 By this means he hoped to achieve his
imperial purpose； but although the literal part of the enactment is
scrupulously maintained； especially by the slothful and defamatory；
who may be seen standing at their doors and conversing together even
to this day； from some unforeseen imperfection the intellectual
capacity of the race has remained exactly as it was before。
Nevertheless it is not to be questioned that the system of the
versatile Wei Chung was； in itself； grounded upon a far…seeing
accuracy； and as the need of such a rational observation is deepened
among the inconsistencies and fantastic customs of a barbarian race； I
have made it a useful habit to accept as a guide for the day's
behaviour the reflections engendered by the first noteworthy incident
of the morning。
Upon the day with which this letter concerns itself I had set forth；
in accordance with an ever…present desire； to explore some of the
hidden places of the city。 At the time a tempest of great ferocity was
raging； and bending my head before it I had the distinction of coming
into contact with a person of ill…endowed exterior at an angle where
two reads met。 This amiable wayfarer exchanged civilities with me
after the politeness characteristic of the labouring classes towards
those who differ from them in speech； dress； or colour： that is to
say； he filled his pipe from my proffered store； and after lighting it
threw the match into my face； and passed on with an appropriate
remark。
Doubtless this insignificant occurrence would have faded without
internal comment if the penetrating Wei Chung had never existed； but
now； guided by his sublime precedent； I arranged the incident for the
day's conduct under three reflective heads。
It was while I was meditating on the second of these that an
exclamation caused me to turn； when I observed a prosperously…outlined
person in the act of picking up a scrip which had the appearance of
being lavishly distended with pieces of gold。
〃If I had not seen you pass it； I should have opined that this hyer
wallet belonged to you；〃 remarked the justice…loving stranger （for the
incident had irresistibly retarded my own footsteps）； speaking the
language of this land； but with an accent of penetrating harmony
hitherto unknown to my ears。 With these auspicious words he turned
over the object upon his hand doubtfully。
〃So entrancing a possibility is； as you gracefully suggest； of
unavoidable denial；〃 I replied。 〃Nevertheless； this person will not
hesitate to join his acclamation with yours； for； as the Book of
Verses wisely says； 'Even the blind； if truly polite； will extol the
prospect from your house…top。'〃
〃That's so；〃 admitted the one by my side。 〃But I don't know that there
is any call for a special thanksgiving。 As I happen to have more money
of my own than I can reasonably spend I shall drop this in at a
convenient police station。 I dare say some poor critter is pining away
for it now。〃
Pleasantly impressed by the resolute benevolence of the one who had a
greater store of wealth than he could； by his own unaided efforts；
dispose of； I arranged myself unobtrusively at his side； and
maintaining an exhibition of my most polished and genial conversation；
I sought to penetrate deeply into his esteem。
〃Gaze in this direction； Kong；〃 he said at length； calling me by name
with auspicious familiarity； 〃I am a benighted stranger in this hyer
city； and so are you； I rek'n。 Suppose we liquor up； and then take a
few of the side shows together。〃
〃The suggestion is one against which I will erect no ill…disposed
barrier；〃 I at once replied； so inflexibly determined not to lose
sight of a person possessing such engaging attributes as to be
cheerfully prepared even to consume my rice spirit in the inverted
position which his words implied if the display was persisted in。
〃Nevertheless；〃 I added； with a resourceful prudence； 〃although by no
means undistinguished among the highest literary and competitive
circles of his native Yuen…ping； the one before you is incapable of
walking in the footsteps of a person whose accumulations are greater
than he himself can appreciably diminish。〃
〃That's all right； Kong；〃 exclaimed the one whom my last words
fittingly described； striking the recess of his lower garment with a
gesture of graceful significance。 〃When I take a fancy to any one it
isn't a matter of dollars。 I usually carry a trifle of five hundred
or a thousand pounds in my pocket…book； and if we can get through
thatwhy； there's plenty more waiting at the bank。 Say； though； I
hope you don't keep much about you； it isn't really safe。〃
〃The temptation to do so is one which this person has hitherto
successfully evaded；〃 I replied。 〃The contents of this reptile…skin
case〃and not to be outshone in mutual confidence I here displayed it
openly〃do not exceed nine or ten pieces of gold and a like number of
printed obligations promising to pay five pieces each。〃
〃Put it away； Kong；〃 he said resolutely。 〃You won't need that so long
as you're with me。 Well； now； what sort of a saloon have we here？〃
As far as the opinion might be superficially expressed it had every
indication of being one of noteworthy antiquity； and to the innately
modest mind its unassuming diffidence might have lent an added charm。
Nevertheless； on most occasions this person would have maintained an
unshaken dexterity in avoiding its open door； but as the choice
admittedly lay in the hands of one who carried five hundred or a
thousand pieces of gold we went in together and passed through to a
compartment of retiring seclusion。
In our own land； O my orthodox…minded father； where the unfailing
resources of innumerable bands of dragons； spirits； vampires； ghouls；
shadows； omens； and thunderstorms are daily enlisted to carry into
effect the pronouncements of an appointed destiny； we have many
historical examples of the inexorably converging legs of coincidence；
but none； I think； more impressively arranged than the one now
descending this person's brush。
We had scarcely reposed ourselves； and taken from the hands of an
awaiting slave the vessels of thrice…potent liquid which in this Island
is regarded as the indispensable accompaniment to every movement of
existence； when a third person entered the room； and seating himself
at a table some slightly removed distance away； lowered his hea
