the wallet of kai lung-第21节
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expedition would largely depend。
As the sun reached the highest point in the open sky the sound of an
approaching company could be plainly heard； but at the moment when the
chair of the Mandarin appeared within the sight of those who waited；
the great luminary； upon which all portents depend directly or
indirectly； changed to the colour of new…drawn blood and began to sink
towards the earth。 Without any misgivings； therefore； Ling disposed
his two attendants in the wood； with instructions to step forth and
aid him if he should be attacked by overwhelming numbers； while he
himself remained in the way。 As the chair approached； the Mandarin
observed a person standing alone； and thinking that it was one who；
hearing of his return； had come out of the town to honour him； he
commanded the bearers to pause。 Thereupon； stepping up to the opening；
Ling struck the deceptive and incapable Li Keen on the cheek； at the
same time crying in a full voice； 〃Come forth； O traitorous and
two…stomached Mandarin！ for this person is very desirous of assisting
you in the fulfilment of your boastful words。 Here is a most
irreproachable sword which will serve excellently to cut off this
person's undignified head； here is a waistcord which can be tightened
around his breast； thereby producing excruciating pains over the
entire body。〃
At the knowledge of who the one before him was； and when he heard the
words which unhesitatingly announced Ling's fixed purpose； Li Keen
first urged the carriers to fall upon Ling and slay him； and then；
perceiving that such a course was exceedingly distasteful to their
natural tendencies； to take up the chair and save him by flight。 But
Ling in the meantime engaged their attention； and fully explained to
them the treacherous and unworthy conduct of Li Keen； showing them how
his death would be a just retribution for his ill…spent life； and
promising them each a considerable reward in addition to their
arranged payment when the matter in question had been accomplished。
Becoming convinced of the justice of Ling's cause； they turned upon Li
Keen； insisting that he should at once attempt to carry out the
ill…judged threats against Ling； of which they were consistent
witnesses； and announcing that； if he failed to do so； they would
certainly bear him themselves to a not far distant well of stagnant
water； and there gain the approbation of the good spirits by freeing
the land of so unnatural a monster。
Seeing only a dishonourable death on either side； Li Keen drew his
sword； and made use of every artifice of which he had knowledge in
order to disarm Ling or to take him at a disadvantage。 In this he was
unsuccessful； for Ling； who was by nature a very expert sword…user；
struck him repeatedly； until he at length fell in an expiring
condition； remarking with his last words that he had indeed been a
narrow…minded and extortionate person during his life； and that his
death was an enlightened act of celestial accuracy。
Directing Wang and his four hired persons； who had in the meantime
arrived； to give the body of the Mandarin an honourable burial in the
deep of the wood； Ling rewarded and dismissed the chairbearers； and
without delay proceeded to Si…chow； where he charitably distributed
the goods and possessions of Li Keen among the poor of the town。
Having in this able and conscientious manner completely proved the
misleading nature of the disgraceful statements which the Mandarin had
spread abroad concerning him； Ling turned his footsteps towards Mian；
whose entrancing joy at his safe return was judged by both persons to
be a sufficient reward for the mental distress with which their
separation had been accompanied。
XV
AFTER the departure of Ling from Canton； the commercial affairs of
Chang…ch'un began； from a secret and undetectable cause； to assume an
ill…regulated condition。 No venture which he undertook maintained a
profitable attitude； so that many persons who in former times had been
content to display the printed papers setting forth his name and
virtues in an easily…seen position in their receiving…rooms； now
placed themselves daily before his house in order to accuse him of
using their taels in ways which they themselves had not sufficiently
understood； and for the purpose of warning passers…by against his
inducements。 It was in vain that Chang proposed new undertakings； each
of an infallibly more prosperous nature than those before； the persons
who had hitherto supported him were all entrusting their money to one
named Pung Soo； who required millions where Chang had been content
with thousands； and who persistently insisted on greeting the sacred
Emperor as an equal。
In this unenviable state Chang's mind continually returned to thoughts
of Ling； whose lifeless body would so opportunely serve to dispel the
embarrassing perplexities of existence which were settling thickly
about him。 Urged forward by a variety of circumstances which placed
him in an entirely different spirit from the honourable bearing which
he had formerly maintained； he now closely examined all the papers
connected with the matter； to discover whether he might not be able to
effect his purpose with an outward exhibition of law forms。 While
engaged in this degrading occupation； a detail came to his notice
which caused him to become very amiably disposed and confident of
success。 Proceeding with the matter； he caused a well…supported report
to be spread about that Ling was suffering from a wasting sickness；
which； without in any measure shortening his life； would cause him to
return to the size and weight of a newly…born child； and being by
these means enabled to secure the entire matter of 〃The Ling （After
Death） Without Much Risk Assembly〃 at a very small outlay； he did so；
and then； calling together a company of those who hire themselves out
for purposes of violence； journeyed to Si…chow。
Ling and Mian were seated together at a table in the great room；
examining a vessel of some clear liquid； when Chang…ch'un entered with
his armed ones； in direct opposition to the general laws of ordinary
conduct and the rulings of hospitality。 At the sight； which plainly
indicated a threatened display of violence； Ling seized his renowned
sword； which was never far distant from him； and prepared to carry out
his spoken vow； that any person overstepping a certain mark on the
floor would assuredly fall。
〃Put away your undoubtedly competent weapon； O Ling；〃 said Chang； who
was desirous that the matter should be arranged if possible without
any loss to himself； 〃for such a course can be honourably adopted when
it is taken into consideration that we are as twenty to one； and have；
moreover； the appearance of being inspired by law forms。〃
〃There are certain matters of allowed justice which over…rule all
other law forms；〃 replied Ling； taking a surer hold of his
sword…grasp。 〃Explain； for your part； O obviously double…dealing
Chang…ch'un； from whom this person only recently parted on terms of
equality and courtesy； why you come not with an agreeable face and a
peaceful following； but with a countenance which indicates both
violence and terror； and accompanied by many whom this person
recognizes as the most outcast and degraded from the narrow and
evil…smelling ways of Canton？〃
〃In spite of your blustering words；〃 said Chang； with some attempt at
an exhibition of dignity； 〃this person is endowed by every right； and
comes only for the obtaining； by the help of this expert and
proficient gathering； should such a length become necessary； of his
just claims。 Understand that in the time since the venture was
arranged this person has become possessed of all the property of 'The
Ling （After Death） Without Much Risk Assembly'； and thereby he is
competent to act fully in the matter。 It has now come within his
attention that the one Ling to whom the particulars refer is
officially dead； and as the written and sealed document clearly
undertook that the person's body was to be delivered up for whatever
use the Assembly decided whenever death should possess it； this person
has now come for the honourable carrying out of the undertaking。〃
At these words the true nature of the hidden contrivance into which he
had fallen descended upon Ling like a heavy and unavoidable
thunderbolt。 Nev
