the wallet of kai lung-第3节
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him back。
〃I am overwhelmed with confusion at the position in which I find
myself；〃 he remarked； after he had examined his mind for a short time。
〃I may meet with an ungraceful and objectionable death if I carry out
your estimable instructions； but I shall certainly merit and receive a
similar fate if I permit so renowned and versatile a person to leave
without a fitting reception。 In such matters a person can only trust
to the intervention of good spirits； if； therefore； you will permit
this unworthy individual to wear； while making the venture； the ring
which he perceives upon your finger； and which he recognizes as a very
powerful charm against evil； misunderstandings； and extortion； he will
go without fear。〃
Overjoyed at the amiable porter's efforts on his behalf； Ling did as
he was desired； and the other retired。 Presently the door of the Yamen
was opened by an attendant of the house； and Ling bidden to enter。 He
was covered with astonishment to find that this person was entirely
unacquainted with his name or purpose。
〃Alas！〃 said the attendant； when Ling had explained his object； 〃well
said the renowned and inspired Ting Fo； 'When struck by a thunderbolt
it is unnecessary to consult the Book of Dates as to the precise
meaning of the omen。' At this moment my noble…minded master is engaged
in conversation with all the most honourable and refined persons in
Canton； while singers and dancers of a very expert and nimble order
have been sent for。 The entertainment will undoubtedly last far into
the night； and to present myself even with the excuse of your graceful
and delicate inquiry would certainly result in very objectionable
consequences to this person。〃
〃It is indeed a day of unprepossessing circumstances；〃 replied Ling；
and after many honourable remarks concerning his own intellect and
appearance； and those of the person to whom he was speaking； he had
turned to leave when the other continued：
〃Ever since your dignified presence illumined this very ordinary
chamber； this person has been endeavouring to bring to his mind an
incident which occurred to him last night while he slept。 Now it has
come back to him with a diamond clearness； and he is satisfied that it
was as follows： While he floated in the Middle Air a benevolent spirit
in the form of an elderly and toothless vampire appeared； leading by
the hand a young man； of elegant personality。 Smiling encouragingly
upon this person； the spirit said； 'O Fou； recipient of many favours
from Mandarins and of innumerable taels from gratified persons whom
you have obliged； I am； even at this moment； guiding this exceptional
young man towards your presence； when he arrives do not hesitate； but
do as he desires； no matter how great the danger seems or how
inadequately you may appear to be rewarded on earth。' The vision then
melted； but I now clearly perceive that with the exception of the
embroidered cloak which you wear； you are the person thus indicated to
me。 Remove your cloak； therefore； in order to give the amiable spirit
no opportunity of denying the fact； and I will advance your wishes；
for； as the Book of Verses indicates； 'The person who patiently awaits
a sign from the clouds for many years； and yet fails to notice the
earthquake at his feet； is devoid of intellect。'〃
Convinced that he was assuredly under the especial protection of the
Deities； and that the end of his search was in view； Ling gave his
rich cloak 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 a
person whom Ling at first supposed to be the Mandarin。 Indeed； he was
addressing him by his titles when the other interrupted him。 〃Do not
distress your incomparable mind by searching for honourable names to
apply to so inferior a person as myself；〃 he said agreeably。 〃The
mistake is； nevertheless； very natural； for； however miraculous it may
appear； this unseemly individual； who is in reality merely a writer of
spoken words； is admitted to be exceedingly like the dignified
Mandarin himself； though somewhat stouter； clad in better garments；
and； it is said； less obtuse of intellect。 This last matter he very
much doubts； for he now finds himself unable to recognize by name one
who is undoubtedly entitled to wear the Royal Yellow。〃
With this encouragement Ling once more explained his position；
narrating the events which had enabled him to reach the second chamber
of the Yamen。 When he had finished the secretary was overpowered with
a high…minded indignation。
〃Assuredly those depraved and rapacious persons who have both misled
and robbed you shall suffer bow…stringing when the whole matter is
brought to light；〃 he exclaimed。 〃The noble Mandarin neither fasts nor
receives guests； for； indeed； he has slept since the sun went down。
This person would unhesitatingly break his slumber for so commendable
a purpose were it not for a circumstance of intolerable
unavoidableness。 It must not even be told in a low breath beyond the
walls of the Yamen； but my benevolent and high…born lord is in reality
a person of very miserly instinct； and nothing will call him from his
natural sleep but the sound of taels shaken beside his bed。 In an
unexpected manner it comes about that this person is quite unsupplied
with anything but thin printed papers of a thousand taels each； and
these are quite useless for the purpose。〃
〃It is unendurable that so obliging a person should be put to such
inconvenience on behalf of one who will certainly become a public
laughing…stock at the examinations；〃 said Ling； with deep feeling； and
taking from a concealed spot in his garments a few taels； he placed
them before the secretary for the use he had indicated。
Ling was again left alone for upwards of two strokes of the gong； and
was on the point of sleep when the secretary returned with an
expression of dignified satisfaction upon his countenance。 Concluding
that he had been successful in the manner of awakening the Mandarin；
Ling was opening his mouth for a polite speech； which should contain a
delicate allusion to the taels； when the secretary warned him； by
affecting a sudden look of terror； that silence was exceedingly
desirable； and at the same time opened another door and indicated to
Ling that he should pass through。
In the next room Ling was overjoyed to find himself in the presence of
the Mandarin； who received him graciously； and paid many estimable
compliments to the name he bore and the country from which he came。
When at length Ling tore himself from this enchanting conversation；
and explained the reason of his presence； the Mandarin at once became
a prey to the whitest and most melancholy emotions； even plucking two
hairs from his pigtail to prove the extent and conscientiousness of
his grief。
〃Behold；〃 he cried at length； 〃I am resolved that the extortionate and
many…handed persons at Peking who have control of the examination
rites and customs shall no longer grow round…bodied without remark。
This person will unhesitatingly proclaim the true facts of the case
without regarding the danger that the versatile Chancellor or even the
sublime Emperor himself may； while he speaks； be concealed in some
part of this unassuming room to hear his words； for； as it is wisely
said； 'When marked out by destiny； a person will assuredly be drowned；
even though he passes the whole of his existence among the highest
branches of a date tree。'〃
〃I am overwhelmed that I should be the cause of such an engaging
display of polished agitation；〃 said Ling； as the Mandarin paused。 〃If
it would make your own stomach less heavy； this person will willingly
follow your estimable example； either with or without knowing the
reason。〃
〃The matter is altogether on your account； O most unobtrusive young
man；〃 replied the Mandarin； when a voice without passion was restored
to him。 〃It tears me internally with hooks to reflect that you； whose
refined ancestors I might reasonably have known had I passed my youth
in another Province； should be victim to the cupidity of the ones in
authority at Peking。 A very short time before you arrived there came a
messenger in haste from those persons； clearly indicating that a legal
toll of sixteen taels was to be made on each printed paper setti
