the wallet of kai lung-第7节
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Punishment at Peking as one subject to frequent and periodical
eccentricities； and possessed of less than ordinary intellect。 In
consequence of this act of justice； the Commander was degraded to the
rank of common bowman； and compelled to pay a heavy fine in addition。〃
〃It was a just and enlightened conclusion of the affair；〃 said Ling；
in spite of a deep feeling of no enthusiasm； 〃and one which
surprisingly bore out your own prophecy in the matter。〃
〃It was an inspired warning to persons who should chance to be in a
like position at any time；〃 replied Li Keen。 〃So grasping and corrupt
are those who control affairs in Peking that I have no doubt they
would scarcely hesitate in debasing even one so immaculate as the
exceptional Ling； and placing him in some laborious and ill…paid civil
department should he not accede to their extortionate demands。〃
This suggestion did not carry with it the unpleasurable emotions which
the Mandarin anticipated it would。 The fierce instincts which had been
aroused within Ling by the incident in the cypress wood had died out；
while his lamentable ignorance of military affairs was ever before his
mind。 These circumstances； together with his naturally gentle habits；
made him regard such a degradation rather favourably than otherwise。
He was meditating within himself whether he could arrange such a
course without delay when the Mandarin continued：
〃That； however； is a possibility which is remote to the extent of at
least two or three years； do not； therefore； let so unpleasing a
thought cast darkness upon our brows or remove the unparalleled
splendour of so refined an occasion 。 。 。 Doubtless the accomplished
Ling is a master of the art of chess…play； for many of our most
thoughtful philosophers have declared war to be nothing but such a
game； let this slow…witted and cumbersome person have an opportunity；
therefore； of polishing his declining facilities by a pleasant and
dignified encounter。〃
V
ON the next day； having completed his business at the Yamen； Ling left
the town； and without desiring any ceremony quietly betook himself to
his new residence within the camp； which was situated among the millet
fields some distance from Si…chow。 As soon as his presence became
known all those who occupied positions of command； and whose years of
service would shortly come to an end； hastened to present themselves
before him； bringing with them offerings according to the rank they
held； they themselves requiring a similar service from those beneath
them。 First among these； and next in command to Ling himself； was the
Chief of Bowmen； a person whom Ling observed with extreme satisfaction
to be very powerful in body and possessing a strong and dignified
countenance which showed unquestionable resolution and shone with a
tiger…like tenaciousness of purpose。
〃Undoubtedly；〃 thought Ling； as he observed this noble and
prepossessing person； 〃here is one who will be able to assist me in
whatever perplexities may arise。 Never was there an individual who
seemed more worthy to command and lead； assuredly to him the most
intricate and prolonged military positions will be an enjoyment； the
most crafty stratagems of the enemy as the full moon rising from
behind a screen of rushes。 Without making any pretence of knowledge；
this person will explain the facts of the case to him and place
himself without limit in his hands。〃
For this purpose he therefore detained the Chief of Bowmen when the
others departed； and complimented him； with many expressive phrases；
on the excellence of his appearance； as the thought occurred to him
that by this means； without disclosing the full measure of his
ignorance； the person in question might be encouraged to speak
unrestrainedly of the nature of his exploits； and perchance thereby
explain the use of the appliances employed and the meaning of the
various words of order； in all of which details the Commander was as
yet most disagreeably imperfect。 In this； however； he was
disappointed； for the Chief of Bowmen； greatly to Ling's surprise；
received all his polished sentences with somewhat foolish smiles of
great self…satisfaction； merely replying from time to time as he
displayed his pigtail to greater advantage or rearranged his
gold…embroidered cloak：
〃This person must really pray you to desist； the honour is indeed too
great。〃
Disappointed in his hope； and not desiring after this circumstance to
expose his shortcomings to one who was obviously not of a
highly…refined understanding； no matter how great his valour in war or
his knowledge of military affairs might be； Ling endeavoured to lead
him to converse of the bowmen under his charge。 In this matter he was
more successful； for the Chief spoke at great length and with
evilly…inspired contempt of their inelegance； their undiscriminating
and excessive appetites； and the frequent use which they made of low
words and gestures。 Desiring to become acquainted rather with their
methods of warfare than with their domestic details； Ling inquired of
him what formation they relied upon when receiving the foemen。
〃It is a matter which has not engaged the attention of this one；〃
replied the Chief； with an excessive absence of interest。 〃There are
so many affairs of intelligent dignity which cannot be put aside； and
which occupy one from beginning to end。 As an example； this person may
describe how the accomplished Li…Lu； generally depicted as the
Blue…eyed Dove of Virtuous and Serpent…like Attitudes； has been
scattering glory upon the Si…chow Hall of Celestial Harmony for many
days past。 It is an enlightened display which the high…souled Ling
should certainly endeavour to dignify with his presence； especially at
the portion where the amiable Li…Lu becomes revealed in the appearance
of a Peking sedan…chair bearer and describes the manner and likenesses
of certain personschiefly high…priests of Buddha； excessively
round…bodied merchants who feign to be detained within Peking on
affairs of commerce； maidens who attend at the tables of tea…houses；
and those of both sexes who are within the city for the first time to
behold its temples and open spaceswho are conveyed from place to
place in the chair。〃
〃And the bowmen？〃 suggested Ling； with difficulty restraining an
undignified emotion。
〃Really； the elegant Ling will discover them to be persons of
deficient manners； and quite unworthy of occupying his well…bred
conversation；〃 replied the Chief。 〃As regards their methodsif the
renowned Ling insiststhey fight by means of their bows； with which
they discharge arrows at the foemen； they themselves hiding behind
trees and rocks。 Should the enemy be undisconcerted by the cloud of
arrows； and advance； the bowmen are instructed to make a last
endeavour to frighten them back by uttering loud shouts and feigning
the voices of savage beasts of the forest and deadly snakes。〃
〃And beyond that？〃 inquired Ling。
〃Beyond that there are no instructions；〃 replied the Chief。 〃The
bowmen would then naturally take to flight； or； if such a course
became impossible； run to meet the enemy； protesting that they were
convinced of the justice of their cause； and were determined to fight
on their side in the future。〃
〃Would it not be of advantage to arm them with cutting weapons also？〃
inquired Ling； 〃so that when all their arrows were discharged they
would still be able to take part in the fight； and not be lost to us？〃
〃They would not be lost to us； of course；〃 replied the Chief； 〃as we
would still be with them。 But such a course as the one you suggest
could not fail to end in dismay。 Being as well armed as ourselves；
they would then turn upon us； and； having destroyed us； proceed to
establish leaders of their own。〃
As Ling and the Chief of Bowmen conversed in this enlightened manner；
there arose a great outcry from among the tents； and presently there
entered to them a spy who had discovered a strong force of the enemy
not more than ten or twelve li away； who showed every indication of
marching shortly in the direction of Si…chow。 In numbers alone； he
continued； they were greatly superior to the bowmen； and all were well
armed。 The spreading of this news threw the entire camp into great
confusion； many protesting that the day
