Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-wilkinson/Chapter 14

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Chapter 14: Risking One's Life to Save Another: Recognizing a True Hero

From: Hau Kiou Choaan, or The Pleasing History. Translated by James Wilkinson, edited by Thomas Percy (London, 1761)

Note: This text was digitized via OCR from the original 1761 print. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify.

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[Volume III, Book III, Chapters VIII-X]

CH AP.

A CHINESE HISTORY. I 29 C H A P. VIII.• T HE tribunal of three having received the Emperor's commission; appointed a day to hear and determine the cause of Hu-biau. When that day came, as soon as the Mandarines were feated, theSuprerne Vice-roy CJ'ieb-ying being one of them, that unfor~ tunate general was brought out of prison, and entered upon his trial. , . : . 1 It happened that the fame day. 'Iiehchung- u arrived at .Pe-ki.ng, where .he had never been· since hi~ return from Shan-tong. As soon as he alighted he • CHAP. XIV. In the Tra.nOator's manufcript. VoL. III. ino; g; ;,ad by 130 HAU KIOU ,CHOAAiN: inquired for his father. His mother told him · he w.as gd>ne upon 1an affair of great importance : that there was a geat officer or valiant man t · tit> hi bre!>Ught to juilice. He replied, " As thert is a war, •and valiant men ari; ne:. cdfary atthis critical juncture, why do they feek to ·deftroy them ? I will go and hear the .trial: perhaps my. fa~her may be drawn over.,rn the opinion of hi& colleagues, and ·not .follow the dicl:ates of his natural candour and jufrice." Then going to the audience•, he was struck with ·the fighrof ,Hu-hiau already t:ondemned, and . bound, waiting· .for Ibis execution; having becnsentencea•to t Thefe seem to be fynonymous in the Chinr/t language. " Called Krmg-J11h-11111m. Tranf. M.S. lofc

4: CHJNE$E. Hi~TOJ,lY • .J3~ Ji~ his :head thrieie q1,11r~ers of an ,h_our ~ft~r nooQ. Th~r~ !N~ a gr~at Cf9Vf4 .Qf .fp.~~at;Or#,, thro;ugh -the ,mj~~ c;j .whQUl th_e yowtl} forc<;d his way μ:, g.qt ,11<ea,rer to the <.;oilder-Jlqeq pe;f 9n: l:I~ ~t<:i!i~d hiro t9,be very youpg, ~4 ia boJ.<t ~d daun~lefs ;if_ peql:: h,is loo~wilp. J\l.;}(il 6,erce as ~bat of a tyger :· l1is t~ ,fi&y : l1is thro_at J~rge., yet long like~

Cr;me's: his body {hong and well feet. ·

'Iieht What attention the Chinefl pay to th_cn:omplcxion and fraturcs of their _generals_, we tn~ learn from Dionys. Kao, a .n;itive of Chin11. Th 1, . hQnell: writer dcfcribing the innge of ffl..tfan-inchang [who may be ,considered as the Mat's of the Chinefl] teJ:s us, that ics face is painted of a a very deep blood colour. " Which fort .of " countenance, he adds, is highly elleemed ,by . " the Dlilitary men; nay, the whole Chinefjt " nation imagine him[1'athe1' itJ very prqpitious " to them, and fancy that foch a fiery flamiqg " facewiU infpirc them with valo11r, ;.nd cn;ibie K z " th'tm

·132 'Iieb-chung-u wondered what default of duty that man could be' guilty of who had fo promifing an appearance. He went up to him, " Sir, said he, of what can they have accufed you, who seem to be fo valiant a pcrson·? How is it, that you hive been beaten. in war ? At this. the other flew into a rage, and fternly said, " A man can die " them to acquit themselves well." Yid. pag. 126. But it is not merely from the opinion of its being propitious to themselves, but alfo with the politic view of frighting their enemies, that the Cbin,ji affea a fierce dreadful look in their • generals. Marti11i111 speaks of it as an ellablilhed c:uftom, handed down from very early times, for them to paint the general, (who gains the firft place in their triennial examinations) armed and of a gigantic tlature. and to fend this pitlure round to the neighbouring nations, in order to tlrike them with terror. Yid. Hijl.pag. 405. . That the Chinefi still aa upon the fame t"iewa, WC

A · CHINESE HISTORY. 133 die· . but once : and it matters not in what manner he dies~ But I thae have ftrength in my arms to carry the weight of ren peculs •, and am mafter of eighteen differc:Qt weapons t, how should we learn from the elegant writer of Lord Anson's ~yagt; for when the Eoglilh were to pafs by one of the Chintfl caftles, among other artifices to make them think more reverently of their military power, they had seta soldier of unufual tize, to flalk about on the parapet with a battleax in his hand. and dreffed in very fightly armour, which yet our people suspected was only made of glittering paper. Su pag. 540. Thefe ridiculous and childifh expedients arc fufficient to convince us of the unwarlike turn of the Chintfl, and at how low an ebb is their military prowefs. • The Pecul (called by the Portoguefe Pico, and by the Chintfl 'Tan,) conlifls of one hundred Catti'or Chintfl pounds, and of about one hundred and twenty-five rounds European weight. P. Semedo, p. 72. P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p. 576. Kempfer, p. 367.----Stti vitft Dampitr/up, Plem. pag. 132. + To give a fuort defcription of the military K 3 elbo,,, ,,,, ,, i# HAU KlOU . CHOAAN.: fhmtfd I be bea:teti by any one ?" What' Hav~ i loft ? 'Ti!t all falfely laid td iriy t:h:trge. This I foietnnly decrare: lldwever I mull: die: be it fo.•t "That is cen.ain~ replied the youth ; and yet if ~alllifhmertt a:nd difdpline of the Chiitrfi1 wt mat observe that as the Chinefe h<1ve different ~egre~~ for their literary Mandarines, fo thet have fhnilar degrees fot their Mandarines of wat: attd bave 1'llilitary .Bachelt!i-t, Licentiates ·artcl Dcclb/·j: in like martner as in France, they had formerly knights belonging to the law, as well as _t~e army. , · The 1nartner of their military examination~ ls tfot unlike thofe for the litetary degrees. [See t\ote, tol. t. p. 8.] The candidates have a th·eme or fobjea given them relating to the art of war, ert which they are to compote di{ft:rtations and difcourfes in writing. This done, they are re-: quired to !hew their !kill in !hooting, riding am\ managing their arms, and to_give various proof~ of th1!ir dexterity and firength. It is seldom that any are admitted into command without having ·taken one or other of thefe degrees. The Mand:irines are required often to exercife and i-eview the soldiery. · Wh:ch however conufts oo -~ , - 135 if y Qu had not been guilty of the charge laid :agafaft you, why {hou]d juftice be ex~r~-ed in fo extraordinary a maneirr ? But if you have any thing to aUedge in your vindication, you muill ~fts qnJy ip some ciford,rly zwir~hes, in mal<ing mock lights, and in rallying to the found of horns and trumpets. Not but they are taugh~ to draw the bow and handle the fabre with great addrefs : and efpeciall y are required to lceep their. arms and afmour bright and clean. As the milit,uy life in China is leldom attended either with toil Qr d<!nger, from the almoft con~ tinual peace and tranqqil!ity of t)1e empire, it is bellowed as a favour on such ;is ca,n make friend, with the Mandarines, their fcrvice being commonly confined to the places of their abode, and. is only to fupprefs robbers, &c. fo that they m.1y at proper times follow their own employJPCJ} O.-The military Mandarines are computed at 1$,opo, and the soldiery at above 700,oco. The pay of a foot soldier is about five pence

ind a pint of rice per day

and of the horfe iQ,

proportion. · P. D1,1 Halde, v. 1. p. 260. &c, P. Seme.qo, p. 96. &c. Mod. Univ, Hilt viii. r So· Lettres.edif. R. 5. p. 1;6. K 4 speak, og; ,oobyGooglc 136 • . speak, now is your time . ., Hu-biau setched a deep frgh and only said, " The present times are vile and corruptrd." " Well, said <J'ieb-chung-u, if you are unwilling to break through your referve, I will only afk you one thing ; fuppofing you fuould be releafcd, would you undertake to go now againft the enemy." " Why not? replied he; is it not my duty ? To do it a thoufand times, I fuould look upon as no .. thing." The youth said no more to him, but afked the people what o'clock it was, and was anfwered paft ten. Upon which he opened a way through the cro_wd, and got into the hall of audience, where were feated the three presidents of the tribunal. He cried out aloud, " Health to you all, my Lord,!

f3.7 Lords ! You are all great officers· under his Majefty: it- therefore behoves: you to do your beft for the public, weal. · At present there is great, want of men of valour ; and none can be got notwithstanding the proclamation for such to appear. The manner of your present proceedings tends not to the advantage, but the detriment of the empire. Pray is this man facrificed to public juftice, or any private consideration ?" The three Mandarines, who had not very willingly paffed sentence upon Hu-hiau, but had don~ it merely to gratify their fuperiors, were not dif pleafed to fee a person appear in his vindication: although they were dif~ gufted at the little respect he lhewed them. The

i38 Tht President of Crimes after fQmt: time, perceived he wils :the son of their colleague, the Supreme Viceroy : who alfo himself difcov.ered who he WM. Upon which he struck his hand .on tho table and said, "How dare you ,ome here in t~ impertinent and bQld inlUlner, w.here it is death to do it ? T akc hold of him and bind him. I acknow-, ledge no relation to him in this place." 'Ei1b-1hu,,g-u cried out," No, no: ~t is not juftice: hear me before. you or.,. der me to be feized. I only afk your Lordfhips, why. doth: the Emperor place the drum at the gate of his palace, but that the people may have rcdrc:fs there, when they can obtain it no where elfe ?" The Supreme Viceroy said, " Who are you ? and what acquaintr 3 ance

A . CHINESE HISTORY. 1,9 ance :have you with die condemned perfori ?;, He iinf were:d, " I .know him ilot, ·buc perceiving him ·io be a valiana: man; and one that may do his country and the Emperor iertice, [I came in his behatf1 )" His father replied, " What bufindfs ·i~ -it of your's what he is, ot what h(? tah• do ?" ihen he ordered tht officers attending the . tribunal to take and bind him. The two other Man .. rlarines defired his imprisonment might be deferred for a moment, and calling him to· the ,. table before the tribunal~ said, ·0 :You ;shew a goocfintention and 'found ptihoiple in what you fay, but ybu muft consider that things muft ·be carried <>n acconlitlg tb [the forms 'of] juft:ice, and not with fo mudi precipitation. llu-hitJU hath been .a year

140 · year i:n prison, and the Mandarine Shuey-1ceu-ye as long in banitbment ; and hitherto none have appeared in their behalf. The former ,of thefe hath today been brought to his trial, and been condemned : to acquit him now would be ridiculous, and cause a deal of confufion and anger from the Emperor. The Mandarine,Kwo:fhofu hath already informed his Majefty of the sontence of deat!l paft by us : how then is it possible to recall it?" '.lieh-chung-u hearing thefe words, setched a deep · figh; and said, " What you have done is all out of regard to your own interefts; and not to the good of your·country. Your Lordfhips cannot but know, that in former days it was· frequent for Mandarine_s to oppofe injuftice; or at leaft to refuse to

[p. 141] to do any thing in prejudice of their country, or againft their confcience, notwithft.anding it might be flrong1y preffed upon .them by the Emperor himfe1f *. Wherefore do you study law and jufrice, if thus you act fubfervient to higher powers ?" The • Among a people fo interefted as the Chinefl, it will not be wondered at that reason and jutlice are frequently given up en the fiightell intimation of the Emperor's pleasure : and yet the hitlory of China can produce some infiances of firmnefs and integrity in oppofing oppreffive . measures, that would do honour to the patriots of Greece and Rome. There have been minifiers, who have gone to make remonfirances to the Emperor with such firm expettation of death for their boldnefs, that they have carried . their coffins with them to the gate of the palace. [ Su P. Le Comptt, tot11. 2.p. 35 . P. D• Halde, 1.p. 250.] And with what delicacy and addrefs they can sometimes refirain the passions of their princes may be fecn in the following inftance. · " The.king of 'I.Ji, faith a Cbin1t author, h~d a horfe which he loved, and this horfe died thro' the

I¥. .f

iJ\{J . JqpU CHOA;t).N,.

'):he two ,Otijer jMandar~nes to ,WhQfll ,he addrelfed htm~Jf had (lorhing tp ,reply: bl.ltihi~ fatlM:r ,cried Ol.lt, u What! -are you maA ? 1 -~I yQμ ic;ntience is ·.the negletl of~i, groom. The Fri11ce in a .rage fnatched up a lance a.nd :was g.oing t.o difpatcJ1 him. The Mandarine r en-tfa who was present turned aside tke blow, .and infiaotly .addre1Iillg himselfto his mailer, said, "Sire, that man was . pn the point of lofing his life before he knew the heinoufnefs of hi, crime." " I consent, said the king, that you make him fenfible of it." Then the minifu:r taking up.the lance and aiming _it at the criminal : " Wretch, fu.id he:. ,attaod to .your ,crimes, wbich are 1aa .follows.; .in .the .fu:ft . place, you h~e caused the death .of a. horfe, . which yo.ur ·prince ·committed .to ,your -efpecial care, and thereby-have dcfencd death. Second • . ly ; you have caused my prince to fall into fuoh .:a .passion, that be would have :killed you .with his own hands : behold aoo1her crime more · grievo,w; than the -firft. Laftly ; you would have · caused all .the other princes and neighbouring states to have foen that my prince will take away a man's ·Jjfe for the death of .a har(e, and thus his reputation.wou' ~ have ,been ruined: . · and y.ou, wretch, are tile occ:afion of all ,this."" Let him go, said the prince; 'let him go : I .pardon ·his fault." P. Dullalde, ¥ol. 1. ,p. 600. paffed

A CHINESE lllSTORY. 14J pnffi:d, and he muft die." Thde words very much :grieved 'Iieb-chung-u. who said, " Will you then have no pity on fo brave and valiant a man as this ?" u Ht1-'hiau, replied the Supreme Viceroy, is condemned according to law, and his death muft be looked upon with no more remorfe than that of a

kid. Of what service would pity be,

.where it is out of our power to relieve bim ?" " This is no common person, said his son, you do not know his qualifications, he is not to be matched among all the great men, that guard .the wa:11 of ten thoufand furlongs t. Jc If' -Yim-Ii 'rehang 'Tcbing, i.e. " The wall of ten thoufand Lee, or 1ci,ooo Lee in length. It is thus the Chineji speak of that ftupendous wall, which 'separates their northern provinc~ from ., Tuwy. . Thi& 144 H.AU IGOU CHOAAN. It hath been cuftomary when such men have committed. a fault: not to put them to death, but to let them take it This prodigious work was undertaken two hun. dred and fifteen years before Ch rill, to fecure three great provinces from the irrupriom of the Tartars. In order to execute it, every third man was draughted out of each of the provinces. To lay the foundation on the fea coa!l:, several lhips were funk loaded with ftones and iron. The workmen were not to leave the lea!l: chink between the !l:ones on forfeiture of their liv~s : hence the work is almoft as intirc at present, as when it \\as firll built. It is about 6fceen hundred miles in length, and broad enough for fi.rc borsomen to ride a-breaft upon it. Thi, wall is admirable on two accounts. Firft that in its courfe from eafi to well:, it runs in several places with a gradual afcent over very high mountains, and is fortified with very large towers no more than two bow-lhots afunder. Thi: second is, that this wall does not run in a firaight line, but turns and wi0ds in several places, according to the difpofition of the mountains, fo that the north part of China may be said tQ be cncompaffed with three walls inll:ead of one. This work was but five years in building. P. Du Halde, vol. p. 20. 260. &c. Martin. Nlas. p. 15. &.:c. P. Le Compte, tom. 1. p. 115. off [p. 145] off [ attonc f{)r ii J by some service or other of great• importance co their. country; Why then should not this man be suffered to take off his_ crime: in the fame manner?" The two Mandarioes agreed it was reasonable: " But who, said they, will be fecurity for his performing filch actions, as £hall merit a pardon?" CJ'ieb-cbung-u said, "I will. reftorc him but co his former office, and if he does not anf wer your expectations, then take off my head.,. The two other Mandarines difcourfed the matter over with his father : " As your son, said they, hath offered himself fecurity for Hu-hiau here before all the world, we are thereby impowered codraw up a petition in his behalf, with- V OL, III. L out

146- HAU KIOU Cl-lOAAN. out the imputation of partiality, or of taking illegal steps to fave his lire.,. The Supreme Viceroy perceiving this was no more than reasonable, ordered the criminal to be sent back to prison, and commanded CJ'ieb-chung-u to draw up a writing of fecurity in his behalf. Which being done and properly signed. he ordered a chain to be fixed round his neck, and sent him to pri~m after the general. The three Mandarines after this drew up a petition, wherein they acquainted his Majefty with their proceed• ings. As it was a time of war, bufi nefs was not long btfore it was difpatched, fo that if a Mandarine gave in a petition one day, his Majeftt l would

[p. 147] would aofwer it himself the next. The Emperor anf wered their petition in the following manner. " Whereas there 1s a great want " of men of valour to ferve in the " wars without the wall ; and wherea!J ." 'l'ieh-chung-u, son of the Supreme " Viceroy, hath offrred himfdf as fe, curity for the good behaviour of " Hu-biau ; I therefore fulpend his exe" cution, and invell him with the " fame command he had heretofore. " I lrkewife give him a sword to put " to death any person that shall dif" obey comm·and, or neglect his du" ty : and wherever the war may be, " he hath full power to command there, ~ as I expect he will be no where [ im,. L 2 "properly]

[p. 148] " properly j absent. \\Therefore if he ., behaves well, and comes off with " success, my favour Jhall exalt him : otherwise he shall feel his punHh" ment the heavier. " Shuey-!ceu-yi firft recommended " and affifted him, and now 'Iieh" chu11g -u hath offered himself for his. " fecurity : after this if he doth ·not " behave well, I Jhall feverely call to " · account thofe two fCrsons, as much " deserving to be punifhed as himself. " Wherefore let him well consider " this, and forthwith depart to his " charge." This order was carried by a Mandarine properly attended to Hu-hiau~ whom together with 'licb-,hung-u. they took

[p. 149] took out of prison. Thefe two persons went to return thanks to the three Mandarines their judges : and after•. wards took up their abode in the house of the Supreme Viceroy; where they got every thing ready in order to re. pair to the wars. Two days after they departed for their charge properly * equipped, with a gallant i:etinue of soldiers and other attendants; and being arrived at the wall, the officers there . shewed them great ref pect, seeing Rubia" • As the limary Mandarines travel in great pomp to their governments, 1.arried in fed ans, &c. fo the military Mandarines, who travel commonly on horfeback, no lefs alfott an air of gran- , deur. Indeed their horLs are r.ot very beautiful, but their harnel:; is extremely fumptuous, the bits and ftirrups being either filver or gilt. '!'he Caddle is very rich : the reins of the bridk are m1dc of coarfe pinked fattin two lingers L 3 l:road •.

[p. 150] biatt return with the Emperor's f word. They had not been gone fix months, before this general had such signal foctefs, that he put an end to the war, and every where re eftablifhed peace and tranquillity.. Upon which the Emperor advanced him to a higher command, and refl:ored Shuey-A.e11-yi to his former office. His Majefty alfo applauded the wifdom and integrity of c_(ieh-chtmg-t1, and would have created him doctor of law: but the youth bro:id. From the upper part of the chcll: hang two great locks of fine red hair (such as their caps are covered with) fufpended by iron rings either gilt or lilvered. Their retinue confifis of ,a gre1t number of horfemen, p1rt going before and part behind them: without reckoning th~ir domcllics, who are clad either in black fattin or dyed calico, according to their mallcr·s qu:i.lity. P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p . .285. ref1.ifed

A CHINE$E HISTORY~ 151 tefqf~ to a<;c~pt of any such diftinction, . for he said unlefs he could arrive ~t, tha.t honour by his learning, he was. u.n~onhy of it. CH AP. IX. T H E Mandarine Kwo /ho {t, was . . . , fo mortified by this difappointmcnt that he was ashamed to appear in public, and begged to lay down his office μoder pretence of indifpofition. On the other h*nd, Sbuey-keu-ye had no sooner returned to court but he was made Shang-jhu, or President [ of the tribunal of arms.] The Manda- · .rines who had threatened him for refufing to liften to their rropofals in favour of Kwo Jho-fu and his son, were L 4 afraid

152 ~. afraid he would now remember · them. But he told them when ·they came to vifit him and a{k his pardon, that they could not be blamed for acting aa they did, and that the harm which might have accrued was owing to him., fdf. As soon as he had waited on the Emperor, he went immediately to vifit the Supreme Viceroy and his son. That Mandarine received him in person, but his son was absent: the other inquired after him, but was told he was gone into the country to study. " I am come, said Shue;y-keu-ye, to pay my acknowledgments to the young gcntlr111an for the benefit I have received from his wif<lom and courage; and nothing would rejoice me fo much · as to fee him." " To morrow, said his

15j · his father, I will fend him to vifit you." Upon which the other deparl .. ed with great satisfaction. The Mandarine Tieh did not ap .. prove of hls son's keeping a great dt.al of company, but could not avoid com. ' plying with the requeft of the Lord Presidenti he therefore sent to command his son to vifit him. 'l'ieb-cbung-u said, to the servant who brought ,the mef,. fage, 0 As that Mandaril}e only came to fee us out of compliment, it will be fufficient for my father to return it. It would but interrupt my ftudies to go to the city : where the public cero- . monies would take up mor<.! time than I can fpare ; and fo much company is but irksome." He th:reforc humbly intreated

s54 intreated his. fatlttr not to engage fur any return of vjfi.ts to be made by him. The servant reported his meff.ige tc» his mafter, who was fo well satisfied with it, that he went and returned the vifit alone. Sbuey-keu~Ja <li\.oo for his son : and the other apologiMd fof his abfence \lnder pretence tha.t he wa, indifpofcd. " Very well, replied he, it is the cuilom of people of sense and ingenuity not to be forward in mais.ing themselves public: as your son. is a youth of great wifdom, and chufci; tQ live fequeftered from pub!i<; company, l will go to his boufr, and fee him there." After a* little farth~r dii~our[e they parted. ·• In the original," After two wordsdVcourfe." The

A' CHINESE HISTORY. t5j The Mandarine Sbuey-keu-ye thought it a' great proof of the young gen"'I tleman's difcretion and . good sense., that "11e chofe tQ · be retired. It increafed his defire to fee him. H~ had formed in his_ mind fo favourable an opinion of him, that he thought he would be a very proper match for his daughter, whorn nQW he began to think of marrying, Ho accordingly ferit a servant to the village, where '.fieb-chlt!Zg-u at present resided, to fee if he were at home, and being informed that he was, he went to fee him on the morrow t : oi which he gave him the cuftomary notice. t In the original, "Two days after," or rather " on the second diy." The

l56 '

The natne of the village was Sii-jha11,

or Weft-mountain, where 'l'ieb-cbu11g-u lived retired ; -he had · juft dined when he received not:ice ·that the Mandarine Shuey-keu -ye intended him a vifit : the name brought to his mind his beauti: ui daughter Shuey-ping-Jin, which caused him to setch a deep ligh, and led him to reflect. on the wonderful manner in which tHings had happened. " I little thought, said he, of contri"." buting to the reft9ration of that young lady's father, when I became Jurety for Hu-hiau. I was not only the' happy . inftrument of faving a brave man from death, but of bringing back to honour a Mandarine of fo much merit, I might . r,ow afk him for his daught::r in marriage; if I had nut

[p. 157] not become acquainted with her at the Che-hien' s tribunal ; and if fhe had not received me afterwards into her house. But alas ! , after all this public intcrcourfe, our union is impoffi_ble, unlefs I would bring all the calumny in the world both upon her and myself; and confirm the suspicion of a private correfpondence." He considered with himself whether it was not possible to find out some means of getting over this difficulty : [but his delicacy raised fo many fcruples, and painted the censure of che world in fo terrible a lighr, as extending not only to himself, but his pofterity, that] at length he said~ "I shall be forced to refuse her, although her father should ·make me the offer." He was buried · in thefe dif• tratl:ing

t5~ c:racting reflections, when there was thewn into the room an old gentleman dreffed in the habit of a docl:or of law : who cried out, " lliong, or brother, why are you fo difficult of accefs •, that I could not fee you before to-day?" " Surely, ~ir, said the youth, you do not know me, or you would not fay this." Then he paid him the compliments due to his appearance. When thefe • It appears from what follows that this is Intended as a compliment. In a former note, [ ruol. 2 . p. 90.] it hath been hinted how reputable the charatler of a retired fludent ia among the Chi11eji, and what iotenfe application it commonly requires to obtain a competent knowledge of their ~terature. The Qpinion of the Chinefe themfclvcs on thi. head will be learnt from tl:e following litt!e moral tale, whica (Ontains a fine ldson for perfcverance. "Li-pE, who under the: dynafly of the Han, be. came one of the lidl do&rs of the court. addi£ ted himself to hi, fludics from hi, childhood. He

, A CHTNESE HISTORY. 159. thefe were o~er the old gentleman took hold of his h:and, at1d looking earneftly in his. face, said, " When I only heard of you, !,conceived a great esteem for you ; which after all might poffibly have been ill-grounded : but now I muit confefs the fight of you increafes . that eftecm, and gives me great fati-sfaction. Y dterday I went to pay yoQ He came one year to the general examinatlo11 of the province; but meeting with bad success, he dtfpaircd of ever obtaining a degree: he therefqre refolved to give up learning, and to turn his views to some other purfuit. While he was ruminating on this Cubjecl:, he met with an old woman, who was rubbing an iron pellle co and fr(>' upon a whet-fione. "To what purpose do you do that ?" said he t0 her. " I want, replied fhe, to grind it down 'till it be• comes fo lharp as to be fit for embroidering." · Li-pe took the hint, and returned to his fiudies, to which he a\)plicd with fach renewed ardour, that he at length attained to the highe!l employ~ ment,." P, Du Haide, vol. 1. pag. 386. a vifit,

[p. 160] a vifit, but only · faw your father: he 4 told me you did not care · to be feen in public : I therefore came hither privately to vifit you.,, CJ'ieb-cbung-u at thefe words fiarted, faying : " Ah ! Sir, you seem to be the Mandarine Sbuey-kettyc • :" then getting ready a CJ'ieb tfo, or billet of compliments, and presenting it to him, he said, " I hope, Sir, you will pardon me, that although you are a person of fo much honour1 I did not know you.,, " Why did I come here, replied the other, but to thank you for being the .cause of my return to court : as likewise to be ac• quainced with a youth of such uncom- • In the original it is, " Shuey-luu-ye Lau-Jttt• "fang." The three lall w.1rds signify a11 elder in lear11i11g. Tranf. mon

A_ CHINESE HIST(?RY. 16c mon endowments as fame reports you to be pofi'efi'ed of?" "Pray, Sir, excuse me, said Cf'ieb-cbung-u; it proceeded from my not being fufficiently acquainted with you, that I did not pay thanefpect to you I ought in waiting upon you: yefterday. I am now very fenfible of my error." After thefe compliments, he ordered an entertainment to be got ready. At the fight of that, Sbueykeu1l was very well pleafed, as it would afford them an opportunity for difcourfe.Accordingl y their converfation turned upon history, antiquity, poetry, law,_ and other fobjech proper for learned and ingenious men. After thefe topics. were exhaufted, the old Mandarine said, he hag._ one word to speak, which he_ hoped the other would not take amifs. " ·My Lord, said 'lieb-chrmg-u, as I am . V oL. III. M your

16z BAU KIOU CHOAAN. your son and difciple •, why do you 1bew me fo much conde(cenfion ?" " I have no son, rcpUed the other, but one only daughter, who hath juft attained her eighteenth year. If I am not partial to her, I never faw a young woman of such beautiful features, or of k> fine a person: and as to knowledge in books, I believe there are none able to converfe with her, except your( elf. This I mention, as I have a great value for you ; but if you don't believe me, • examine firft into the trijth of it yourself: if you find it to be true, you 1hall have her for. your wife." '.fiebclnmg- u was fo furprizcd, and confounded at thcfe words, that he could give no anfwer, but remained as it were • Thia is a uflllll compliment among the Cl,;- "ff, lit,rllli, Sec note, vol. a. pag. · dwno; g; ;,ad by A CHINE:SE HISTORY. 163 · thundcrstruck, and fighed deeplt with a great appearance of concern in his face. Sbuey-lceu-ye obferving his looks, said, "Perhaps you are already engaged." The Qther lhook his head, and anfwercd, "No!" "Perhaps then, replied he, you do not think all i$ true that I tell you." " Sir, said the youth, it is impossible for a man or woman to excell in understanding fo JDUCh as. fhe doth, but a whole kingdom muft be acquainted with it. You have spoke nothing but truth, and your offer would be exceedingly acceptable to any one, but myself: circumftanced as I am, I fbould be very blameable to accept of it!' The Mandarine hearing him speak fo obfcurely, said, " You· are a person of an open generous heart ; M 2 you

·164 HAU· KIOU CHOAAN. you muft tell me what ·you mean. "Sir, said he, when you get home you will understand every thing.,, J'he Lord President imagined there might be somethillg or other amifs, which had not yet reached his ears : ,this he thought the more probable, as he had been fo long from home, . and had not hearq any news from thence: he therefore <lropt the fubjecc, and after some littl~ difcourfe upon indifferent topics took his leave, and went home. As he went along he could not help reflecting on the engaging afpecc of '.lieh-chung-u, and what a proper huf-. band he would be for his daughter ; he therefore could not eafily refolve to part with him. Nay he thought he

[p. 165] he could difcern in his words and manner, as through a mift, that he had a secret inclination for her, although he seemed to have some great objection : what that was he could not poffibly divine, unlefs fhe had been guilty of any mifconduct : " But that, said he, cannot be; I know her to be of the moft fteady temper, and immoveable virtue. Perhaps this Kwi-kbe-tzu, out of revenge . for my refufing him my daughter, hath played her some trick, or reported ill of her, which hath occasioned this difguft in CJ'ieb-cbung-u : however all thefe objections will vanilh, if the offer prove but agreeable to the Mandarine his father." He therefore refolved to get an intimate acquaintance to go and talk over the affair M J yvith

[p. 166] with the latter; for from what he had heard of his daughter's cctrriage and ingenuity, he thought there was none but CJ'ieh-cbung-u worthy to obtain her. CH AP. X. SHUE r-m-yi having learnt from the friend he employed, that his propofals were exceedingly acceptable to the Supreme Viceroy, made a great ~ntertainmcnt for that Mandarine, who when he returned told his wife all that had paffed. Sheb-foo-jin, or my lady Sbeh, agreed that their son was of a proper age to be married ; and that Sbuey-pi11gji11 wM a very defirablc pcrson : for fhe had heard how Jhe had

167- had conducted herfclf while fhe was perfecuted by Kwo-lr.be-tz.u, and that fhe was a moft ingenious and agreeable yQung lady. She thought therefore that such another could not be found for their son, and that it would be a great happinefs to fix him fo well. " And yet, said the, if you afk his consent, you will not obtain it ; for he will be fo nice and curious that he muft examine. every thing to the bottom, and will be railing difficulties without occasion; and without end. As the reputation of Shuey-ping,fia is fo eftablifbed, and -her merits and accomplifhments fa -great, we may contract firft, and ac- . quaint him with it afterwards." The Mandarine· 'Iieh approved of her opinion, and told her it intirely agreed M_4 wi~ o,,""' ,, · [p. 168] with his own. Then choofing a fortunate day, he made the cuftomary present to the parent of the young lady. · At the fame time, he and his wife sent to their son, and wifhed him joy, informing him of the engagement they had entered into in his behalf. He was very much surprized, and imme.diately went to his father and mother. " Marriage, said he, is an affair of confequence, and should not be too precipitately managed. You have been wholly guided by report: but who can anf wer for the truth of reports ? You may have been deceived in the accounts of this lady : and there may be cause to repent it as long as one lives. His father afked him whether he fufpec\: ed Sbttt)•-.ping-fin to be ugly?" No! said

[p. 169] said he : I believe that her complet\ion is fair and clear · as the moft limpid ftream •." " Perhaps, replied the other, you are doubtful of her wit and sense ?" " Her understanding, he replied, furpa1fes even that of our fex : in whatever (he does there appears such difcretion; all her actions are conducted with such beautiful order, that it exceeds imagination." "Perhaps then, fa.id his father, . fhe hath been guilty of something wrong." " No, he anf wered, fue hath never done any thing the leaft amifs." With that the Supreme Viceroy and the lady Sbeb burft into laughter, that he fuould make a fcruple of marrying a young lady with • In the orig. " There is no water fairer than " 1he." . fo

170 HAU K.lOU CHOAAN. fo many perfccl:ions, and who had nor: one quality but what defervcd the greatest praise. " Nay,- proceeded the youth, I should willingly marry this young lady, even if it expofed me to fo great a misfortune as your difpleasure ; for · 1he is never absent from my thoughts: but alas! there is a difficulty, which I . can never get over, that fhuts me out from all thoughts of such an undertaking." This said, he immediately told them all that happened between.him and the young lady: and concluded · with : obfcrving, that his having fo lately beeo the means of reftoring her father, would add ftrength to the f uf pie ion of their criminal corref pondence. As therefore the loss of their good fame was to be the confc:- quencc

[p. 171] quence ·of their nuptials, he could not think of purchafing even that happinefs at fo dear a rate. His father commended his nice concern for his reputation : "But what hath happened, fai~ he, may be juftified and cleared up. You are but a young man, and not fo well able to judge as myself. However this union may be rendered more free from censure by your caution." Then his father and mother both observed to him, that they were advanced in years : and that any delay was fo much loss of their happinefs, as they could enjoy none equal to that of seeing him married. "You muft not, said they, yield to thefe fcruples : retire to your ftudies, and bani{h them from your thoughts. At a proper time we thall fend for you. It

17-1 It is too late now for you to objea to this marriage, for our contrafr cannot be fee aside." 'lieb-cbu11g-u, perceiving the anxious concern of his parents, thought it would not become him to contend with them farther: but imagined that if he himself should consent, the young lady could not eafily be prevailed on. · He therefore said no more, but taking his leave of them, returned to his ftudies. Sbuey-ktu-ye having concerted the marriage between 'Iieb-cbung-u and his daughter, remained very well satisfied ; and as he had been fo long abfenr, had a great deli re to fee his family. He accordinf1ly petitioned his Majell:y for leave to retire, as being old and infirm.

[p. 173] infirm. The Emperor, who was defi~ rous to make up to him the time he: had Joft in difgrace and banifhment,. would not consent that he should fo soon lay down his office. He neverthelefs petitioned three times. The Emperor at length seeing him fo determined, gave him leave to retire for, one year, ordering him after the expiration of it to return to court : at the fame time he iffued out a mandate, requiring the Mandarines every where to entertain him as he paffed along, .and to fupply him with whatever he might want. Highly pleafed with this, he immediately prepared every thing for his journey, and set out from Peking with a very fplendid retinue, attended by a long train of great Mandarines, who

~ i74 who accompanied him quite out of the city. But the Mandarine Kwo-jhofu was not of ·their number, having been ashamed to appear. · As soon as the news of what had happened arrived at 'Ifee-nan fco, all the Mandarines who resided in or near that city, put up chops or red papers with congratulatory infcriptions • : and every great officer and person of fafhion went to the house of Sbuey-keu-yi to compliment his daughter on the news. This ceremony they performed three times. The firft time, they congratulated her on her father's return from banifhment; the second time on his pro- • In the Tranflator's M.S. •• Red_ papers with great lcttt:rs of welcome writ upon them." motion; ...... .

A-CHINESE HISTORY. 175 motion ; and laftly on the permifiion he had obtained to retire from court. Shuey-ping-fin at firit gave no credit to the news : for having been fo oft deceived by Kwo-lcbe-tzu Jhe was afraid to appear: but afterwards when the faw the Mandarines of the city, the believed it was all true: yet could nQt comprehend how her father should have such good fortune, . as at once to be reftored and advanced to honour. Shuey-guwin was not Jong before he went to her : "Do you know~ said he, by what means it hath happened, that your father is thus of a fudden returned home with fo much honour and promotion ?" She replied, "I do not: but was thinking with some amazement how it could happen.,. " You are then to know, said

1;,6 Said he, that it is all through the mean, of 'l'ieh-,bung-u." .,t\t which fhe laughed, and said, .I cannot believe what you fay: it seems very fabulous." "Why not believe it, said he?" She replied, " Because 'l'ieb-,hung-u is not in any office or power ; but on the contrary is but a funple iludent, and out of the way of contributing to such an event.'• "It proceeded originally, said he, from Kwo-kbi-tzu, who finding no other way to obtain you for _his wife, got his father to fend a meffenger to my brother to folicit his consent. Which he refufing, that Mandarine renewed an accufation againft him, and alfo againft Hu• biau a general chofen by him, charging them with mifmanagement in the wars : upon which the Emperor appointed a 3 tribunal

A CflINESE HISTROY~ 177 Tribunal of Three in ·order to bring that general to his trial. He was therecon demned, and ready to be executed, when 'Iieb-,bung-u intcrpofed and l?ccame his surety : in confequence· of which, the. general was reftored to his command, and had such ·remarkab]esuccess that he acquired great honour,- not only to himself, but alfo to that young gentleman and your. father." · Shuey-ping/ in inquired of her ~ncle what authority he had for this report, and seemed to doubt whether it were true. " Not true, said he? why thould you queftion it ? Wherefore eJfe were the papers put up ? Did not the Mandarines themklves come hith~r to compliment you on the occasion ?" She f miled a~ his warmth, and said, " If this be true, -VoL. III. N then

17! RAU lttOU CHOAAN/ then (;loubtlef9 'l'ieh-cbung-a is a traitor,. that could b't fo lmpudenr and bold t,e .. fore · tfre Tribunal of Three. Why don'r you petition agaitift him, ·as one that is going to raise a rebellion ?ri Her uncle ~gged that nothing more n,ight be said on that fubjecl:,. affuring Iler that he was now reformed. " I go no more, said he, among thofc rakes : who abufed me very much in forcing rue· into whit I did." A's soon as he was withdrawn,. Sbu,y-ping-jln set herself co· reAecl: on the events that had happened. She- could not but admire, that fortune fheuld give that youth fo many occasions to affift her ; and all thrOligh their accidental meeting in the fheet~. " The ferv.ke he hath done me is great, fai<l {he, but nothing to what . '6co,,, '"d by [p. 179] he hath done my father. His virtue and generofity demand of me the moft grateful acknowledgments: miferable I am, that I cannot yield him my love." Shuey-ping-fin continued in daily expeB: ation of seeing her father : when at ~ a. (ervant cart1e t'o infotm be~

Of his approach. . All dw Mandari~

~tit cut of the city to mett him: ~ at ll()OD he came homo. She '1'1~ vanced _into the ~reat hatl' to recefv~ him, where nothing could equal the joy, of them both. What pafl: farther between them, the .next book will inform us, The End of Book the 'Third.

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End of Chapter 14