the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第35节
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excellence being a curse against clouds； wind demons； thunderbolts and
the like； so that during the night a great storm raged； and by the morning
Shan's boat had been washed away。
This new calamity found the three brothers more obstinately perverse
than ever。 It cannot be denied that Hing would have withdrawn from the
guilty confederacy； but they were as two to one； and prevailed； pointing
out that the house still afforded shelter； the river yielded some of the
simpler and inferior fish which could be captured from the banks； and the
fruitfulness of the orange…tree was undiminished。
At the end of seven more days Kao became afflicted with doubt。
〃There is no such thing as a fixed proportion or a set reckoning between a
dutiful son and an embarrassed sire；〃 he confessed penitently。 〃How
incredibly profane has been this person's behaviour in not seeing the
obligation in its unswerving necessity before。〃 With this scrupulous
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resolve Kao took his last possession； and carrying it into the field he
consumed it with fire beneath Hing's orange…tree。 The fan； in turn； also
had hidden properties； its written sentence being a spell against drought；
hot winds； and the demons which suck the nourishment from all crops。 In
consequence of the act these forces were called into action； and before
another day Hing's tree had withered away。
It is said with reason； 〃During the earthquake men speak the truth。〃 At
this last disaster the impious fortitude of the three brothers suddenly gave
way； and cheerfully admitting their mistake； each committed suicide； Chu
disembowelling himself among the ashes of his couch； Shan sinking
beneath the waters of his river； and Hing hanging by a rope among the
branches of his own effete orange…tree。
When they had thus fittingly atoned for their faults the imprecation
was lifted from off their possessions。 The couch was restored by magic art
to its former condition； the boat was returned by a justice…loving person
into whose hands it had fallen lower down the river； and the orange…tree
put out new branches。 Kao therefore passed into an undiminished
inheritance。 He married three wives； to commemorate the number of his
brothers； and had three sons； whom he called Chu； Shan； and Hing； for a
like purpose。 These three all attained to high office in the State； and by
their enlightened morals succeeded in wiping all the discreditable
references to others bearing the same names from off the domestic tablets。
From this story it will be seen that by acting virtuously； yet with an
observing discretion； on all occasions； it is generally possible not only to
rise to an assured position； but at the same time unsuspectedly to involve
those who stand in our way in a just destruction。
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LETTER XIII
Concerning a state of necessity； the arisings engendered thereby； and
the turned…away face of those ruling the literary quarter of the city towards
one possessing a style。 This foreign manner of feigning representations；
and concerning my dignified portrayal of two。
VENERATED SIRE；It is now more than three thousand years ago
that the sublime moralist Tcheng How； on being condemned by a resentful
official to a lengthy imprisonment in a very inadequate oil jar；
imperturbably replied； 〃As the snail fits his impliant shell； so can the wise
adapt themselves to any necessity；〃 and at once coiled himself up in the
restricted space with unsuspected agility。 In times of adversity this
incomparable reply has often shone as a steadfast lantern before my feet；
but recently it struck my senses with a heavier force； for upon presenting
myself on the last occasion at the place of exchange frequented by those
who hitherto have carried out your spoken promise with obliging
exactitude； and at certain stated intervals freely granted to this person a
sufficiency of pieces of gold； merely requiring in return an inscribed and
signet…bearing record of the fact； I was received with no diminution of
sympathetic urbanity； indeed； but with hands quite devoid of outstretched
fulness。
In a small inner chamber； to which I was led upon uttering courteous
protests； one of solitary authority explained how the deficiency had arisen；
but owing to the skill with which he entwined the most intricate terms in
unbroken fluency； the only impression left upon my superficial mind was；
that the person before me was imputing the scheme for my despoilment
less to any mercenary instinct on the part of his confederates； than to a
want of timely precision maintained by one who seemed to bear an
agreeable…sounding name somewhat similar to your own； and who； from
the difficulty of reaching his immediate ear； might be regarded as dwelling
in a distant land。 Encouraged by this conciliatory profession （and seeing
no likelihood of gaining my end otherwise）； I thereupon declared my
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willingness that the difference lying between us should be submitted to the
pronouncement of dispassionate omens； either passing birds； flat and
round sticks； the seeds of two oranges； wood and fire； water poured out
upon the ground or any equally reliable sign as he himself might decide。
However； in spite of his honourable assurances； he was doubtless more
deeply implicated in the adventure than he would admit； for at this
scrupulous proposal the benignant mask of his expression receded
abruptly； and； striking a hidden bell； he waved his hands and stood up to
signify that further justice was denied me。
In this manner a state of destitution calling for the fullest acceptance of
Tcheng How's impassive philosophy was created； nor had many hours
faded before the first insidious temptation to depart from his
uncompromising acquiescence presented itself。
At that time there was no one in whom I reposed a larger…sized piece
of confidence （in no way involving sums of money；） than one officially
styled William Beveledge Greyson； although； profiting by our own custom；
it is unusual for those really intimate with his society to address him fully；
unless the occasion should be one of marked ceremony。 Forming a
resolution； I now approached this obliging person； and revealing to him
the cause of the emergency； I prayed that he would advise me； as one
abandoned on a strange Island； by what handicraft or exercise of skill I
might the readiest secure for the time a frugal competence。
〃Why； look here； aged man；〃 at once replied the lavish William
Greyson； 〃don't worry yourself about that。 I can easily let you have a few
pounds to tide you over。 You will probably hear from the bank in the
course of a few days or weeks； and it's hardly worth while doing anything
eccentric in the meantime。〃
At this delicately…worded proposal I was about to shake hands with
myself in agreement； when the memory of Tcheng How's resolute
submission again possessed me； and seeing that this would be an unworthy
betrayal of destiny I turned aside the action； and replying evasively that
the world was too small to hold himself and another equally magnanimous；
I again sought his advice。
〃Now what silly upside…down idea is it that you've got into that
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Chinese puzzle you call your head； Kong？〃 he replied； for this same
William was one who ha
