the wallet of kai lung-第13节
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distress of mind the barbarous and slow…witted rebels who
infest those parts took this opportunity to destroy the town
and most of its inhabitants； the matter coming about as
follows：
The feeble and commonplace person named Ling who commands the
bowmen had but recently been elevated to that distinguished
position from a menial and degraded occupation （for which；
indeed； his stunted intellect more aptly fitted him）； and
being in consequence very greatly puffed out in
self…gratification； he became an easy prey to the cunning of
the rebels； and allowed himself to be beguiled into a trap；
paying for this contemptible stupidity with his life。 The town
of Si…chow was then attacked； and being in this manner left
defenceless through the weaknessor treacheryof the person
Ling； who had contrived to encompass the entire destruction of
his unyielding company； it fell after a determined and
irreproachable resistance； the Mandarin Li Keen being told；
as； covered with the blood of the foemen； he was dragged away
from the thickest part of the unequal conflict by his
followers； that he was the last person to leave the town。 On
his way to Peking with news of this valiant defence； the
Mandarin was joined by the Chief of Bowmen； who had understood
and avoided the very obvious snare into which the stagnant…
minded Commander had led his followers； in spite of
disinterested advice to the contrary。 For this intelligent
perception； and for general nobility of conduct when in
battle； the versatile Chief of Bowmen is by this written paper
strongly recommended to the dignity of receiving the small
metal Embellishment of Valour。
It has been suggested to the Mandarin Li Keen that the
bestowal of the Crystal Button would only be a fit and
graceful reward for his indefatigable efforts to uphold the
dignity of the sublime Emperor； but to all such persons the
Mandarin has sternly replied that such a proposal would more
fitly originate from the renowned and valuable Office of
Warlike Deeds and Arrangements； he well knowing that the wise
and engaging persons who conduct that indispensable and
well…regulated department are gracefully voracious in their
efforts to reward merit； even when it is displayed； as in the
case in question； by one who from his position will inevitably
soon be urgently petitioning in a like manner on their behalf。
When Ling had finished reading this elegantly arranged but exceedingly
misleading parchment； he looked up with eyes from which he vainly
endeavoured to restrain the signs of undignified emotion； and said to
the upper one：
〃It is difficult employment for a person to refrain from unendurable
thoughts when his unassuming and really conscientious efforts are
represented in a spirit of no satisfaction； yet in this matter the
very expert Li Keen appears to have gone beyond himself； the Commander
Ling； who is herein represented as being slain by the enemy； is；
indeed； the person who is standing before you； and all the other
statements are in a like exactness。〃
〃The short…sighted individual who for some hidden desire of his own is
endeavouring to present himself as the corrupt and degraded creature
Ling； has overlooked one important circumstance；〃 said the upper one；
smiling in a very intolerable manner； at the same time causing his
head to move slightly from side to side in the fashion of one who
rebukes with assumed geniality； and； turning over the written paper；
he displayed upon the under side the Imperial vermilion Sign。
〃Perhaps；〃 he continued； 〃the omniscient person will still continue in
his remarks； even with the evidence of the Emperor's unerring pencil
to refute him。〃
At these words and the undoubted testimony of the red mark； which
plainly declared the whole of the written matter to be composed of
truth； no matter what might afterwards transpire； Ling understood that
very little prosperity remained with him。
〃But the town of Si…chow；〃 he suggested； after examining his mind； 〃if
any person in authority visited the place； he would inevitably find it
standing and its inhabitants in agreeable health。〃
〃The persistent person who is so assiduously occupying my intellectual
moments with empty words seems to be unaccountably deficient in his
knowledge of the customs of refined society and of the meaning of the
Imperial Signet；〃 said the other； with an entire absence of benevolent
consideration。 〃That Si…chow has fallen and that Ling is dead are two
utterly uncontroversial matters truthfully recorded。 If a person
visited Si…chow； he might find it rebuilt or even inhabited by those
from the neighbouring villages or by evil spirits taking the forms of
the ones who formerly lived there； as in a like manner； Ling might be
restored to existence by magic； or his body might be found and
possessed by an outcast demon who desired to revisit the earth for a
period。 Such circumstances do not in any way disturb the announcement
that Si…chow has without question fallen； and that Ling has officially
ceased to live； of which events notifications have been sent to all
who are concerned in the matters。〃
As the upper one ceased speaking； four strokes sounded upon the gong；
and Ling immediately found himself carried into the street by the
current of both lesser and upper ones who poured forth at the signal。
The termination of this conversation left Ling in a more unenviable
state of dejection than any of the many preceding misfortunes had
done； for with enlarged inducements to possess himself of a competent
appointment he seemed to be even further removed from this attainment
than he had been at any time in his life。 He might； indeed； present
himself again for the public examinations； but in order to do even
that it would be necessary for him to wait almost a year； nor could he
assure himself that his efforts would again be likely to result in an
equal success。 Doubts also arose within his mind of the course which
he should follow in such a case； whether to adopt a new name；
involving as it would certain humiliation and perhaps disgrace if
detection overtook his footsteps； or still to possess the title of one
who was in a measure dead； and hazard the likelihood of having any
prosperity which he might obtain reduced to nothing if the fact should
become public。
As Ling reflected upon such details he found himself without intention
before the house of a wise person who had become very wealthy by
advising others on all matters； but chiefly on those connected with
strange occurrences and such events as could not be settled definitely
either one way or the other until a remote period had been reached。
Becoming assailed by a curious desire to know what manner of evils
particularly attached themselves to such as were officially dead but
who nevertheless had an ordinary existence； Ling placed himself before
this person； and after arranging the manner of reward related to him
so many of the circumstances as were necessary to enable a full
understanding to be reached； but at the same time in no way betraying
his own interest in the matter。
〃Such inflictions are to no degree frequent；〃 said the wise person
after he had consulted a polished sphere of the finest red jade for
some time； 〃and this is in a measure to be regretted； as the hair of
these personsprovided they die a violent death； which is invariably
the caseconstitutes a certain protection against being struck by
falling stars； or becoming involved in unsuccessful law cases。 The
persons in question can be recognized with certainty in the public
ways by the unnatural pallor of their faces and by the general
repulsiveness of their appearance； but as they soon take refuge in
suicide； unless they have the fortune to be removed previously by
accident； it is an infrequent matter that one is gratified by the
sight。 During their existence they are subject to many disorders from
which the generality of human beings are benevolently preserved； they
possess no rights of any kind； and if by any chance they are detected
in an act of a seemingly depraved nature； they are liable to judgement
at the hands of the passers…by without any form whatever； and to
punishment of a more severe order
