the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第2节
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bondage of those who have invoked it； through some incautious gesture or
heretical remark on their part； and then it never fails to use them
grievously； casting them to the ground wounded； consuming the chariot
with fire； and passing away in the midst of an exceedingly debased odour；
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by which it is always accompanied after the manner of our own earth
spirits。
This being； as this person has already set forth； an unlawful demon on
account of its power when once called up； and the admitted uncertainty of
its movements； those in authority maintain a stern and inexorable face
towards the practice。 To entrap the unwary certain persons （chosen on
account of their massive outlines； and further protected from evil
influences by their pure and consistent habits） keep an unceasing watch。
When one of them； himself lying concealed； detects the approach of such a
being； he closely observes the position of the sun； and signals to the other
a message of warning。 Then the second one； shielded by the sanctity of his
life and rendered inviolable by the nature of his garmentshis sandals
alone being capable of overturning any demon from his path should it
encounter themboldly steps forth into the road and holds out before him
certain sacred emblems。 So powerful are these that at the sight the
unlawful demon confesses itself vanquished； and although its whole body
trembles with ill…contained rage； and the air around is poisoned by its
discreditable exhalation； it is devoid of further resistance。 Those in the
chariot are thereupon commanded to dismiss it； and being bound in chains
they are led into the presence of certain lesser mandarins who administer
justice from a raised dais。
〃Behold！〃 exclaims the chief of the captors； when the prisoners have
been placed in obsequious attitudes before the lesser mandarins； 〃thus the
matter chanced： The honourable Wang； although disguised under the
semblance of an applewoman； had discreetly concealed himself by the
roadside； all but his head being underneath a stream of stagnant water；
when； at the eighth hour of the morning； he beheld these repulsive outcasts
approaching in their chariot； carried forward by the diabolical vigour of
the unlawful demon。 Although I had stationed myself several li distant
from the accomplished Wang； the chariot reached me in less than a
breathing space of time； those inside assuming their fiercest and most
aggressive attitudes； and as they came repeatedly urging the demon to
increased exertions。 Their speed exceeded that of the swallow in his
hymeneal flight； all shrubs and flowers by the wayside withered incapably
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at the demon's contaminating glance； running water ceased to flow； and
the road itself was scorched at their passage； the earth emitting a dull
bluish flame。 These facts； and the times and the distances； this person has
further inscribed in a book which thus disposes of all possible defence。
Therefore； O lesser mandarins； let justice be accomplished heavily and
without delay； for； as the proverb truly says； 'The fiercer the flame the
more useless the struggles of the victim。'〃
At this point the prisoners frequently endeavour to make themselves
heard； protesting that in the distance between the concealed Wang and the
one who stands accusing them they had thrice stopped to repair their
innermost details； had leisurely partaken of food and wine； and had also
been overtaken； struck； and delayed by a funeral procession。 But so great
is the execration in which these persons are held； that although murderers
by stealth； outlaws； snatchers from the body； and companies of men who
by strategy make a smaller sum of money appear to be larger； can all
freely testify their innocence； raisers of this unlawful demon must not do
so； and they are beaten on the head with chains until they desist。
Then the lesser mandarins； raising their voices in unison； exclaim；
‘The amiable Tsay…hi has reported the matter in a discreet and impartial
spirit。 Hear our pronouncement： These raisers of illegal spirits shall each
contribute ten taels of gold； which shall be expended in joss…sticks； in
purifying the road which they have scorched； and in alleviating the distress
of the poor and virtuous of both sexes。 The praiseworthy Tsay…hi；
moreover； shall embroider upon his sleeve an honourable sign in
remembrance of the event。 Let drums now be beat； and our verdict loudly
proclaimed throughout the province。〃
These things； O my illustrious father （although on account of my
contemptible deficiencies of style much may seem improbable to your all…
knowing mind）； these things I write with an unbending brush； for I set
down only that which I have myself seen； or read in their own printed
records。 Doubtless it will occur to one of your preternatural intelligence
that our own system of administering justice； whereby the person who can
hire the greater number of witnesses is reasonably held to be in the right；
although perhaps not absolutely infallible； is in every way more
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convenient； but； as it is well said； 〃To the blind； night is as acceptable as
day。〃
Henceforth you will have no hesitation in letting it be known
throughout Yuen…ping that these foreign barbarians do possess secret
demons； in spite of their denials。 Doubtless I shall presently discover
others no less powerful。
With honourable distinction this person has at length grasped the
essential details of the spoken language herenot sufficiently well； indeed；
to make himself understood on most occasions； or even to understand
others； but enough to perceive clearly when he fails to become intelligible
or when they experience a like difficulty with him。 Upon an earlier
occasion； before he had made so much progress； being one day left to his
own resources； and feeling an internal lack； he entered what appeared to
be a tea…shop of reputable demeanour； and； seating himself at one of the
little marble tables； he freely pronounced the carefully…learned word 〃rice〃
to the attending nymph。 To put aside all details of preparation （into which；
indeed； this person could not enter） he waved his hand gracefully； at the
same time smiling with an expression of tolerant acquiescence； as of one
who would say that what was good enough to be cooked and offered by so
entrancing a maiden was good enough to be eaten by him。 After remaining
in unruffled tranquillity for the full portion of an hour； and observing that
no other person around had to wait above half that period； this one began
to perceive that the enterprise was not likely to terminate in a manner
satisfactory to himself； so that； leaving this place with a few well…chosen
phrases of intolerable regret in his own tongue； he entered another； and
conducted himself in a like fashion。 。 。 。 Towards evening； with an
unperturbed exterior； but materially afflicted elsewhere； this person seated
himself within the eleventh tea…shop； and； pointing first towards his own
constituents of digestion； then at the fire； and lastly in an upward direction；
thereby signified to any not of stunted intellect that he had reached such a
condition of mind and body that he was ready to consume whatever the
ruling deities were willing to allot； whether boiled； baked； roast； or
suspended from a skewer。 In this resolve nothing would move him； until
after many maidens had approached with outstretched hands and
