the wallet of kai lung-第31节
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countenance； that he came forward in a most unpresentable state of
haste； and rose into the air uncommanded； for the display of his
usually not unwelcome acquirement。 This he would doubtless have
executed competently had not Sen； who stood immediately behind him；
suddenly and unexpectedly raised his voice in a very vigorous and
proficient duck cry； thereby causing the one before him to endeavour
to turn around in alarm； while yet in the airan intermingled state
of movements of both the body and the mind that caused him to abandon
his original intention in a manner which removed the gravity of the
Emperor to an even more pronounced degree than had been effected by
the diverting attitudes of the insects。
〃When the gratified Emperor had beheld every portion of the tasks
which Sen had instilled into the minds of the insects； down even to
the minutest detail； he called the well…satisfied Provider before him；
and addressing him in a voice which might be designed to betray either
sternness or an amiable indulgence； said：
〃'You； O Shan…se； are reported to be a person of no particular
intellect or discernment； and； for this reason； these ones who are
speaking have a desire to know how the matter will present itself in
your eyes。 Which is it the more commendable and honourable for a
person to train to a condition of unfailing excellence； human beings
of confessed intelligence or insects of a low and degraded standard？'
〃To this remark the discriminating Shan…se made no reply； being；
indeed； undecided in his mind whether such a course was expected of
him。 On several previous occasions the somewhat introspective Emperor
had addressed himself to persons in what they judged to be the form of
a question； as one might say； 'How blue is the unapproachable air
canopy； and how delicately imagined the colour of the clouds！' yet
when they had expressed their deliberate opinion on the subjects
referred to； stating the exact degree of blueness； and the like； the
nature of their reception ever afterwards was such that； for the
future； persons endeavoured to determine exactly the intention of the
Emperor's mind before declaring themselves in words。 Being exceedingly
doubtful on this occasion； therefore； the very cautious Shan…se
adopted the more prudent and uncompromising attitude； and smiling
acquiescently； he raised both his hands with a self…deprecatory
movement。
〃'Alas！' exclaimed the Emperor； in a tone which plainly indicated that
the evasive Shan…se had adopted a course which did not commend itself；
'how unendurable a condition of affairs is it for a person of acute
mental perception to be annoyed by the inopportune behaviour of one
who is only fit to mix on terms of equality with beggars； and
low…caste street cleaners'
〃'Such a condition of affairs is indeed most offensively unbearable；
illustrious Being；' remarked Shan…se； who clearly perceived that his
former silence had not been productive of a delicate state of feeling
towards himself。
〃'It has frequently been said；' continued the courteous and
pure…minded Emperor； only signifying his refined displeasure at
Shan…se's really ill…considered observation by so arranging his
position that the person in question on longer enjoyed the sublime
distinction of gazing upon his benevolent face； 'that titles and
offices have been accorded； from time to time； without any regard for
the fitting qualifications of those to whom they were presented。 The
truth that such a state of things does occasionally exist has been
brought before our eyes during the past few days by the abandoned and
inefficient behaviour of one who will henceforth be a marked official；
yet it has always been our endeavour to reward expert and unassuming
merit； whenever it is discovered。 As we were setting forth； when we
were interrupted in a most obstinate and superfluous manner； the one
who can guide and cultivate the minds of unthinking； and not
infrequently obstinate and rapacious； insects would certainly enjoy an
even greater measure of success if entrusted with the discriminating
intellects of human beings。 For this reason it appears that no more
fitting person could be found to occupy the important and
well…rewarded position of Chief Arranger of the Competitive
Examinations than the one before usprovided his opinions and manner
of expressing himself are such as commend themselves to us。 To satisfy
us on this point let Sen Heng now stand forth and declare his
beliefs。'
〃On this invitation Sen advanced the requisite number of paces； and
not in any degree understanding what was required of him； determined
that the occasion was one when he might fittingly declare the Five
General Principles which were ever present in his mind。 'Unquestioning
Fidelity to the Sacred Emperor' he began； when the person in
question signified that the trial was over。
〃'After so competent and inspired an expression as that which has just
been uttered； which； if rightly considered； includes all lesser
things； it is unnecessary to say more；' he declared affably。 'The
appointment which has already been specified is now declared to be
legally conferred。 The evening will be devoted to a repetition of the
entrancing manoeuvres performed by the insects； to be followed by a
feast and music in honour of the recognized worth and position of the
accomplished Sen Heng。 There is really no necessity for the apparently
over…fatigued Shan…se to attend the festival。'
〃In such a manner was the foundation of Sen's ultimate prosperity
established； by which he came in the process of time to occupy a very
high place in public esteem。 Yet； being a person of honourably…minded
conscientiousness； he did not hesitate； when questioned by those who
made pilgrimages to him for the purpose of learning by what means he
had risen to so remunerative a position； to ascribe his success； not
entirely to his own intelligent perception of persons and events； but；
in part； also to a never…failing regard for the dictates of the Five
General Principles； and a discriminating subservience to the inspired
wisdom of the venerable Poo…chow； as conveyed to him in the story of
the faint…hearted youth and the three tigers。 This story Sen
furthermore caused to be inscribed in letters of gold； and displayed
in a prominent position in his native village； where it has since
doubtless been the means of instructing and advancing countless
observant ones who have not been too insufferable to be guided by the
experience of those who have gone before。〃
CHAPTER IV
THE EXPERIMENT OF THE MANDARIN CHAN HUNG
Related by Kai Lung at Shan Tzu； on the occasion of his
receiving a very unexpected reward。
〃There are certainly many occasions when the principles of the
Mandarin Chan Hung appear to find practical favour in the eyes of
those who form this usually uncomplaining person's audiences at Shan
Tzu；〃 remarked Kai Lung； with patient resignation； as he took up his
collecting…bowl and transferred the few brass coins which it held to a
concealed place among his garments。 〃Has the village lately suffered
from a visit of one of those persons who come armed with authority to
remove by force or stratagem such goods as bear names other than those
possessed by their holders？ or is it； indeedas they of Wu…whei
confidently assertthat when the Day of Vows arrives the people of
Shan Tzu； with one accord； undertake to deny themselves in the matter
of gifts and free offerings； in spite of every conflicting impulse？〃
〃They of Wu…whei！〃 exclaimed a self…opinionated bystander； who had by
some means obtained an inferior public office； and who was； in
consequence； enabled to be present on all occasions without
contributing any offering。 〃Well is that village named 'The Refuge of
Unworthiness'； for its dwellers do little but rob and illtreat
strangers； and spread evil and lying reports concerning better endowed
ones than themselves。〃
〃Such a condition of affairs may exist；〃 replied Kai Lung； without any
indication of concern either one way or the other； 〃yet it is an
undeniable fact that they reward this commonplace story…teller's too
often underestimated efforts in a manner which betrays them either to
be of noble birth； or very desirous of putting to shame their less
prosperous neighbouring places。〃
〃Such e
