Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-wilkinson/Chapter 1

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Chapter 1: In the Phoenix City, a Chivalrous Heart Pities a Pair of Lovebirds

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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CHAP. I. IN the city of Tah-ming, formerly lived a student named Tieh-chung-u, of great endowments of body and mind: for the beauty of his person, which equaled that of the finest woman, he was called the handsome Tieh: yet was his temper no less rough and impetuous than his form was elegant and pleasing: bold and resolute in resenting affronts, without any regard or awe of his superiors; yet strictly just, humane, generous, and noble, never so happy as when employed in assisting and relieving the distressed. His father, whose name was Tieh-ying, was a Mandarine of justice: his mother's name was Sheh sheh: his father belonged to one of the tribunals in the palace, but because of the violent temper of his son, confined him at his house in another city, lest he should involve him in any trouble at court. There he lived and kept house, pursuing his studies, and at proper intervals unbending his mind with company. When he had at- tained his sixteenth year, his father and mother began to think of marrying their son. They acquainted him with it; but he was no way disposed to con- cur with their intentions: on the con- trary, he urged that marriage was not like an acquaintance or friendship, which could not be quitted on any dislike or disagreement: that whenever he should incline to marry, he would take more than common care in his choice but should hardly think of it 'till he could meet with a lady possessed of every perfection of mind and person. These arguments weighed so deeply with his parents, that they left him to himself. When he had arrived at his twentieth year, one day as he was amusing himself with reading an ancient history, and drinking between whiles, he met with the story of an Emperor, who sent to one of his Mandarines, named Pé-kan, for his heart to make a medical potion for his queen, who was sick. Pé-kan immediately suffered himself to be opened, and his heart to be taken out in obedience to the Emperor's order. Here the young Tieh-chung-u saw how much the great were exposed to the fatal caprice of Princes, and how far more desirable was a life of obscurity. But more par- ticularly struck with the great resignation of Pé-kan, he was led to reflect on that duty and obedience he had been wanting in to his parents. So deeply was he stung with remorse, that he passed the night without sleep. At length he resolved to go and throw himself at their feet; and to implore their pardon for that stubbornness of temper, which had kept him so long apart from them. Full of these resolutions he arose in the morning, and taking with him only one servant named Siow-tan, left his house and set out for the court. He had been now two days on the road, and so impatient to see his father, as to neglect almost all repose and re- freshment, when he found himself on the approach of night far from any house of reception for travellers. At length he came where at some distance was a large village, but near were only a few scattered cottages of very poor people: at one of these he alighted, and calling, an old woman came to him: who see- ing him drest in his student's habit, said to him, "Siang-coon, or young gentle- man, I suppose you are come from court hither to visit Wey-fiang-coon, or our young student of this village." He said he knew no such person. She enquired what then could bring him thither. He told her he had lost his road, and intreated her to give him room in some part of her house to pass the night. She said he was wel- come, and that she was only sorry she could not entertain him as he deserved. His servant Siow-tan brought in his bed and other travelling furniture : and the old woman shewed him a place for his horse, furnished out a room for him with clean straw, and brought him tea. Tieh-chung-u having refreshed him- self a little, asked why she was so in- quisitive at his arrival, and who the young student was whom she had men- tioned. "You don't know perhaps, said she, that this village was not former- ly called as it is at present, Wey- tswün, but received that name from a family that lives here, who were once great people at court, but are now re- duced to the meanest condition. But thank heaven, there is one of the fa- mily, who altho' poor, understands letters: he went to court to undergo his examination: there he met with a friend, a learned man, named Han-yuen, who conceived a great fondness for him; and having one only daughter would give her to him in marriage: for which purpose he caused him to take a pledge. 'Tis now four years since he was betrothed, without ever fetching home his wife, not having wherewithal to maintain her. Some time since she happened to be seen by a great Mandarine, who fell in love with her, and would have her for a fe- cond wife, or concubine, which the fa- ther and mother would by no means consent to. This enraged the noble- man, who contrived many ways to get her, and at last carryed her off by force. Wey-fiang-coon was advised of his loss, and repaired to the court to make his complaint: but not knowing how to apply for relief, and unable to learn news of his wife or her relations, all whom the Mandarine had secured, he returned home in despair. Since that time, his mother, fearing he might make himself away, hath desired the assistance of her neighbours to prevent such a misfortune." While she was yet talking, they heard a great noise and disturbance in the freet: they looked out and saw a crowd of people, and in the midst of them a young man clad in blue, who wept and lamented. In the crowd the old woman saw her husband, whom she called to her, and informed of their gueft: he blamed her for having de- layed to provide a supper for the ftran- ger, and commanded her to hasten it. Of this man Tieh-chung-u enquired whether the student's wife was carried off by night or by day? He told him, in the day time. He then asked if there were none that saw it. He was answered there were several, but none that durft open their lips: for who would be forward to appear against so great and powerful a Mandarine? Here the old woman interrupted, beg- ging them to talk no more of it, for that now there was no remedy. Tieh- chung-u smiled and said, "You peo- ple of the villages are so faint- hearted and doubtful! but perhaps you know not the truth of the story, and all you have been telling me is a fiction." "By no means, she replied, nettled at his affected incredulity; I know it to be true: a cousin of mine who fells straw at the court, by great chance was pre- sent, and saw both the young woman and also her father and mother carried in- to the Mandarine's house, which is a palace of retirement given him by the Emperor, who hath made it sacred to every every body but himself and to whom he pleafes." "Why did not you advise the young man of this?" said Tiek- chung-u. "To what purpose? said the other it is in vain for him to con- tend." He then enquired where this palace stood: she told, him without the city: but though he should find it, no one durft look into it. Supper being ready they ended talking: after which he called his servant Siow-tan to lay his bed, being fatigued and sleepy. In the morning when he had break- fasted, he ordered his servant to weigh out five mace to pay the old woman: he then took leave of her with many thanks for her kind treatment: she in return asked him pardon for any thing that was amifs; but particularly in- treated him not to open his lips about what she had told him, as well for his own safety as hers." What is that af- fair to me? he replied: your kind en- tertainment of me is all I have to remember: fear nothing." The old woman waited on him to the great road, and there took her leave of him. Tieh-chung-u mounted his horse, and was got two or three lee on his way, when he perceived at some distance before him Wey-fiang-coon stamping and raving by himself, calling out to hea- ven and complaining of his fate. Tieh- chung-u no sooner discovered who he was, but he made all hafte to come up to him: when dismounting from his horse, he ran to him and clapped him on the shoulder: "Brother, said he, yield not up to despair: your cause of grief may be removed: I'll use my endeavours, and doubt not but to get your fair mistress restored to you." Surprised at being accosted in this manner, the student lifted up his eyes and looked stedfastly at him; when seeing him to be a person of good and genteel aspect, but utterly unknown to him, he was the more more astonished: nevertheless he said, "Sir, you seem to be a man of rank and consideration: I am a poor and mean person. Till this moment I never had the honour to see you. I am plunged in the deepest sorrow and affliction : but I cannot account for your know- ledge of it. The words you spoke just now have so rejoiced me, that I think they could only come from Heaven. But, alas! 'tis all in vain! my mif- fortune is so great that it is not possible for you, tho' you were an angel, to afford me relief." Tieh-chung-u laughed, and said, "This is no more than the sting of a bee: if I can't untie this knot, let the world laugh at me. In former times there were heroes who could per- form great atchievements: and why not now?" Wey-fiang-coon thought there was something in this more than ordinary: "Sir, said he, I perceive you are a per- son of uncommon merit: I ask your pardon: pray, how am I to call you?" "That, replied Tieh-chung-u, it is not necessary for you to know at present : but I must beg to be informed of your own original name, and where you would betake yourself, for I have some- thing to say to you farther." "My name, said he, is Wey-phey, and I should go find out some way to end my life, but for my mother, who is a widow, and de- pends on me alone for her support. For her fake I endure my misfortunes, and have sought all means of relief : none offers now but to write a petition and carry it to court, there to present myself with it to some Mandarine: if he refuses to accept it I will go to another; and so on 'till I find one that will: if none will do me justice, I can then but dye: I shall dye in the face of the world, and not meanly in secret." And taking out his petition, he gave it to Tieh-chung-u; who read it, and found the wife's father to be a Doctor of law, of the second degree. The Mandarine alfo, who had committed the violence, was not unknown to him. "Very well, said he, this petition is right, and must be presented to the Emperor; he has power to apply to any other audi- ence beside will be to no purpose: nor would it avail to carry it to the Em- peror yourself. Intruft it to my care, perhaps I may have an opportunity to serve you." Wey-phey bowed down and embraced his feet. "Sir, said he, the joy your compassion excites in my heart is like the springing forth of tender leaves from the withered branches of a tree. If you do me this favour in procuring my petition to be seen, 'tis not sitting I stay here: let me rather follow your horse's feet and wait on you to court." "Should you go with me, answered Tieh-chung-u, it might alarm the world: it is much better for you to return to your village: within ten days ex- pect to hear from me." "Sir and brother, said Wey-phey, this favour you do me is as great as the heaven and the earth." He then shed some tears, and made him a profound reverence. Tieh-chung-u exhorting him to be com- forted, took the petition and put it in his sleeve; then bidding him adieu, mounted his horfe and put forward. Wey-phey stood amazed and motionless, with his eyes fixed on Tieh-chung-u 'till he was out of sight, not knowing whether what had happened was real or a dream. CHAP. II. The village of Wey-tswün was distant fifty lee from the court, where Tieh-chung-u arrived in two hours: he hastened to his father's house: he found every thing still and quiet before the doors; not a person to be seen. He alighted off his horse, and went into the hall of audience; but neither was one of the clerks, or any one else, to be met with there: he would have proceeded farther, but he found the doors fast shut. He knocked and called; the servants within knew his voice: they unlocked the door, and meeting their young master cryed out! "Bad news! things go very ill!" He asked them, why? "Our master, replied they, is cast into prison by the Emperor's order: you are now arrived in good time: pray go immediately to our lady your mother's apartment, and advise with her." Tieh-chung-u was struck speechless with surprize and grief, and suffered himself to be led to the door of her apartment. His mother, who was called She-fu-jen, or my Lady Sheh, perceiving him, went and caught hold of his sleeve, crying, "My son, you are arrived in good time. Your father has discharged the part of a good man, with the most unwearied perseverance: eager to redress grievances, he would be presenting petitions, from morning to night: there has happened an affair of great consequence; I know not whether he is dead or alive: he is in prison." Tieh-chung-u fell into a violent transport of grief: but observing, how deeply his mother was affected, he fell upon his knees before her and said: "Mother, be not cast down, you must not give yourself up to affliction: though the affair be as great as the heavens are high, we must not yield to despair: we must consult together: you must tell me plainly all that has happened." She bade him rise and take a chair, then told him as follows: "Some days ago, as your father was returning from the Emperor's palace, he was stopped in his way home by an old man and his wife, who had their hair loose and disordered, their faces bruised and bloody, and their cloaths rent: they threw themselves before his horse's feet, crying out for justice. Your father asked them who they were, and by whom they were injured. 'I am a Doctor of law, said the old man, of the second degree, my name is Han-yuen: I have a daughter, whom I have long promised in marriage: but a great Mandarine, named Tab-quay, hearing of her, and that she was something handsome, ordered people to come, and propose terms of marriage, for her to be a second wife, or concubine to him: I answered, that it was impossible for me to consent, for I had already engaged her to another: if he has a mind to take my life, I am content; but I can never yield to give him my daughter. Tab-quay was much enraged: "What! said he, have I made so reasonable a proposal, and am to see it rejected! I'll try whether force can be more successful." Accordingly he sent people to carry her off; which endeavouring to prevent, they abused both of us, in the manner you see.' Your father was much affected with his tale, and passionately moved to procure them redress: hurrying home therefore, he instantly drew up a petition to present to the Emperor. But alas, proceeded the Lady Sheh, your father, notwithstanding his great judgement, was at that time overseen, not to secure the two old people for witnesses: for the Emperor, when he had read his petition, demanded what evidence he had to support it. Upon which he went to seek them, but in vain: for Tab-quay had immediate advice of the affair, and instantly secreted them. The awe of his power drew almost all the Mandarines of the court over to his party. And he in his turn delivered in a petition, wherein he charged your father, with abusing the Emperor's confidence, and possessing him with falsehoods against his faithful servants. Upon this your father's office was taken away, and he was sent to prison. And though some of the Mandarines expressed an inclination to assist him, it was to no purpose, as he had no witnesses to produce in his favour: and if he can procure none, he must suffer death." When she had finished her relation, the countenance of Tieh-chung-u cleared up: "And is Han-yuen, said he, the occasion of all this? this is an affair of trifling consequence; Han-yuen and his daughter every body knows, and the seizing them in their house is known to many. Be no longer dejected, Madam, but take comfort; they cannot be lost. Robbers and thieves, though they be fled into other provinces, are to be found, and why not those that are about the court: fear not then but we shall find these people: nay I myself know where they are concealed." "How! said Sheh-fu-jen, is it possible? do you speak certainly true?" "Can a son, said Tieh-chung-u, speak untruths before his mother? that can never be." The Lady Sheh at this was greatly rejoiced, and said, "If this news is true, rest a little and refresh yourself: then hasten to see your father in prison, and take away his sorrow." Upon this she ordered a table to be spread for him to eat; which having done, and changed his cloaths, she called for a servant to attend him. "Madam, said Tieh-chung-u, there is no occasion for such haste; I will first draw up a petition for my father to shew the Emperor." When he had finished it, he asked his mother for his father's chop or seal: and taking that, together with the petition of Wey-phey, he put them both in his sleeve, and bade the servant shew him the way to his father. The Mandarine, that was governor of the prison, knew Tieh-chung-u, and received him with great courtesy: "Sir, said he, the Mandarine your father is within; pray be pleased to go to him; pardon me that I don't wait on you: you have doubtless something to impart to him in private." Tieh-chung-u returned his civilities in a proper manner, and went in. He found his father sitting, without irons, in great composure. He immediately ran and bowed down four times at his feet; asking pardon for not coming sooner to assist him in his troubles: that he deserved not the name of a son, for being absent when he might have performed him services, or at least have known his commands. Tieh-u-sheh raised himself from his chair: "I am, said he, in the place where my duty requires me to be: why are you not at home minding your studies and doing your duty." "Sir, said Tieh-chung-u, if it is your duty to be here, it is mine also to be here to wait upon you." His father paused: at length he answered, "You are in the right: you do your duty: but we live in times, when the Mandarines of the court are corrupted, and duty has no longer any regard paid to it: from a just sense of mine, I presented my petition, putting to the hazard whether it would be heard or not: and now, whether I shall live or die, is in the hand of the Emperor: your coming here will avail me nothing." "Sir, replied Tieh-chung-u, I am made acquainted with the cause of your confinement: but why do you sit down quietly under it: why do not you continue to seek out the old man and his wife; and without trusting to others, petition for leave to do it in your own person." "That, said Tieh-u-sheh, it would not be difficult to obtain: but I fear, if I should apply for such licence, and be still unsuccessful, it will only aggravate my crime, and increase my disgrace." "I have notice of these three people, said the son, but without an express order from the Emperor, they cannot be apprehended." "His order was issued out at the first, replied the father, but they could not be found: my friends inquired, but could learn no news of them. And that you, who are but just arrived, should know any thing of them, is very unlikely. 'Tis all a jest! you are but a boy, and having heard something of it, from people's discourse, only love to hear yourself talk. Go! you are a simpleton." "Sir, answered Tieh-chung-u, this is a matter which regards your life: is it possible for a son to jest upon such an occasion?" Then looking round to see, that nobody was within hearing, he related all that had happened on his journey, both the discourse he had had with the old woman, and with Wey-phey, whose petition he shewed him. At this Tieh-u-sheh became joyful, and said, "If it be so, the Emperor will see that I am blameless: there will then be no danger of my suffering death. But is it not to be feared, that this Tab-quay has poisoned, or otherwise made away with these people?" Tieh-chung-u answered, "The palace where he resides, is the Emperor's gift, which no one can enter: your adversary is a wicked man, and of very mean understanding; wholly addicted to pleasure, and immersed in luxury, he thinks of nothing farther: imagining himself secure, he neither suspects any danger, nor has contrivance enough to prevent it: be not therefore, Sir, cast down or sorrowful." "Son, said the Mandarine Tieh, you say well: go home now, and fetch some paper and my seal, that I may draw up a petition to the Emperor." "That is already done, said his son, I have here brought it with me: if you like it, let it go: if not, please to draw it up afresh with greater elegance and accuracy." He read it, and pronounced it was very well, and required no alteration: then putting his seal to it, he folded it up, and gave it to the governor of the prison, desiring it might be delivered to a Mandarine of the Emperor's audience chamber, called Tong-ching-fu, whose business it is to receive petitions. CHAP. III. The Mandarine Tieh-u-sheh, was not two days longer in prison, before the Emperor sent him a private answer to his petition. When every body was retired, he opened it, and found an order to go, and apprehend the persons in question: at this he greatly rejoiced, and making an offering of fire, prayed for the Emperor. Then he took the letter, and folded it up again and proposed to his son, to set out both of them upon the search. "Pardon me, Sir, said Tieh-chung-u, that must not be. It will excite suspicion: somebody will acquaint Tab-quay of your being abroad, and we shall be disappointed. Let me rather go privately, and when I have broke open the gates, and found the three persons, do you be ready, mount your horse, and bring with you the Emperor's order, openly proclaiming it to be a power to apprehend them." To this his father assented. By this time the Mandarine of the prison came, and inquired what news? for he saw, that they had been making an offering of fire. Tieh-u-sheh enjoining him secrecy, informed him of the private order he had received. He then said to his son, "Now go, but be very careful." The youth accordingly withdrew, and went to tell his mother all that had happened. He then asked her for his brazen mace, weighing twenty catty: which although so heavy, he had been able to manage at eleven or twelve years old, but his parents had taken it from him, lest he should do mischief with it. His mother was surprized at his demand, and said, "Your father ordered me to lay it up, and never give it you: why do you ask for it?" "I am going, replied Tieh-chung-u, to the den of a tiger: if I have not that with me, how shall I defend myself?" When he had received it, he asked for wine, and drank till he made his heart glad: after which, he put on his soldier's habit, and his other dress over it; then ordered a white horse to be got ready, which he mounted, commanding twenty servants of the house to come after him at a distance, but Siow-tan to follow him near. This done, he rode softly on, 'till he was got without the gate of the city: then he set out full speed, till he came to a splendid palace. Here he stopped and alighted. Walking about a little, he came to a court, with three gates, very strong and lofty, and curiously wrought: over the middlemost of these, were inscribed the three characters, Yang-bien-tang, or the name of the palace. These gates he perceived to be too strong, and too closely shut, for him possibly to open them: but he imagined there must be another entrance besides this to so magnificent a building: and looking round, in an alley he discovered a little gate painted red; over which was this inscription: BY THE EMPEROR'S ORDER, NO ONE CAN SO MUCH AS LOOK IN HERE, UNDER PAIN OF SEVERE PUNISHMENT. Tieh-chung-u finding a crack in the door, peeped through, and saw a great many servants waiting within, and whispering to one another. He then withdrew as softly as he could to his servant and taking off his upper coat, which covered his soldier's dress, and grasping at the same time his arms, mounted his horse; appearing with all the glory of an hero, or rather an angel, in the beauty and gracefulness of his person, and brightness of his arms. "Go now, said he to Siow-tan, and acquaint the servants that are behind to come up: afterwards you shall go to the great Mandarine your master in the prison, and desire him to come presently." Then riding up to the red gate, and there dismounting, he knocked, and called out, saying, "I come here by the Emperor's order, and must speak with the Mandarine Tab-quay; acquaint him with it immediately." The servants answered roughly, "Our master is not here, he is at his palace in the city." "'Tis false, said he, he is here in the house: ye slaves, do ye mean to oppose the commands of the Emperor?" They stood silent. "Open the door, proceeded he, without delay." One of the servants answered, "As our master is not here, who dares open the door? And if it were open, who dares enter, in defiance of the Emperor's order to the contrary?" Tieh-chung-u in a rage answered, "I have the Emperor's order; if you don't open the door, I shall open it myself." Then lifting up his foot against the gate, and striking the lock with his brazen mace, at one blow he burst it open; this done, he entered, notwithstanding all the resistance of the Mandarine's people. Upon this, some of them ran to acquaint their master, who was employed in examining and punishing the old people, each of them apart, for refusing him their daughter: remonstrating, that it was in his power to make them amends; and that as they were poor, it was foolish obstinacy not to comply with his desires. Poor as they were, they replied, they could not consent to things so unreasonable. "I am a Doctor of the law, said the old man, though of the second degree, and of no mean extraction; and had rather live in indigence, than act so unworthily: your riches will have no effect upon me." Tab-quay grew outrageous at this, and commanded him to be stripped naked, and bound, in order to be whipped. At this instant four or five of his people came running in, who cried out, "Bad news! a very bad affair has happened!" He inquired what. They told him, a very bold young man had forced open the door, under pretence of the Emperor's order. By this time, Tieh-chung-u was advanced as far as the great hall: at which Tab-quay was greatly surprized, and was going to hide himself: but the other came too suddenly upon him. "Ching-leao, your servant Sir, said the youth as he came forward: I am come here by the Emperor's order, to speak with you: why are you denied to me?" "If you have such an order, said the other, why did not you advise me of it before-hand, instead of forcing your way in, with so much noise, impertinence, and insult?" Tieh-chung-u answered, that his order was private, and admitted of no previous notice. Then advancing, with one hand he seized him, and with the other his sword: asking him at the same time, if the Emperor did not give this, for a house of retirement and pleasure, and not for a place to administer public justice: and if so, why was that person stripped naked, and bound? "That man, said he, is my servant, and neither public justice, nor the Emperor, are concerned in what I do to him." "I am not his servant, cry'd the old man, I am a Doctor of law, and independent of him." "If you are a Doctor, said Tieh-chung-u, how came you to be chastised here in this manner? what is your name?" He replied, "Han-yuen." "If your name is Han-yuen, when the Emperor's order came out for your appearance, why did you conceal yourself?" Then looking back, he gave a signal to Siow-tan to call in his servants: "Here, said he to them, take that old man into custody, he is a person under cognizance of the Emperor's tribunal." Tieh-chung-u then renewed his question, why he came there? "I was forced here, answered he, on account of my daughter: and had no more power to resist, than a kid has to withstand a tiger. If you had not come as you did, I know not whether I should have been alive by this time." He then asked him, "Is your daughter here, or your wife?" he answered, "My wife is in an adjoining room; my daughter also is within: she every day persists in her refusal of Tab-quay, and would rather die by her own hands than submit: so that I know not, whether she be dead or alive." Tieh-chung-u at this was deeply affected, and sent his people instantly to secure the mother and daughter. This alarmed Tab-quay, who began to bluster: "How dare you, said he, violate this place, by breaking open the doors, and laying hands on the owner. If I have done amiss, you ought to produce the Emperor's order: without it, you are guilty of an unpardonable outrage." This said, he endeavoured, but in vain, to force away his hand. He then called out to his people, to come and assist him: but Tieh-chung-u bade them do it at their peril: "Who will dare to offer violence to me, who act under the Emperor's authority? who will lay hands on me?" So saying, he took their master by the girdle, and swung him round, beating down the people, that came to his assistance: until he cried out, "Forbear, forbear; dispute with him no longer." CHAP. IV. It happened, that at this juncture arrived several great Mandarines of Tab-quay's acquaintance, and seeing him in this situation, trembling like a mouse in the paws of a cat, they said to Tieh-chung-u, "This Mandarine is of great rank, and if he has offended, you must not treat him so as to violate his dignity and honour: but let others, or some of us, know the cause of this difference, that matters may be composed between you." "This man, replied the youth, has deceived the Emperor with false testimony, and is guilty of the greatest crimes: what dignity then, what honour is to be regarded?" "If it be so, replied the Mandarines, the Emperor ought to be informed of it; that he may punish them, as he shall think proper: but it becomes not you to treat him thus." "You say well, said Tieh-chung-u, but being all alone, when I entered the house, if I had not secured him, I should have met with ill treatment." "You are very brave and valiant, said the Mandarines; pray did you come hither to-day, in order to revenge any former quarrel; or to assist these old people?" "For neither of these reasons, answered he, but by a private order of the Emperor, to apprehend them as persons concealed in this house." "Why does not that order appear? said they, read it to us." He replied, "You shall see it presently." Tab-quay perceiving so many of his acquaintance near him, began to resume courage; "Do not regard him, he cried out; there is no truth in what he says: he is no officer under the Emperor: he is no way impowered to execute his orders: he is no Mandarine of justice. He is only come with these pretences, to carry off Han-yuen his friend in a lawless manner, together with his wife, and daughter." "If you have not the Emperor's order, said the others turning to Tieh-chung-u, your coming hither to affront this great Mandarine, and thus to violate his honour and dignity, is a crime of the deepest dye. Feats of this kind might have been more safely performed in some distant village: there you might have appeared a valiant fellow. But here, so nigh the city, and limits of the court, to affront a Nobleman, and thus to disgrace his family and rank, is an unpardonable offence: although you had wings, you could not escape. But we must send to the city, for the Mandarines of justice." "That is right, said Tieh-chung-u, let them be called." They were accordingly sent for. Presently arrived the Che-foo, and soon after him, the Che-bien. The Mandarines related to them, what had happened. "We know not, said those Magistrates, on which side lies the truth: if there is the Emperor's order, it must be read." Then the Che-bien commanded a place for a tribunal to be prepared, and when it was ready, the order to be produced. Before answer could be made, notice was given that Tieh-u-sheh was arrived. Tab-quay and all the company were amazed: "This man, said they, is under close confinement: how came he here?" Here Tieh-u-sheh entered, holding before him the Emperor's order rolled in yellow. His son cried out, "Shew respect to the Emperor's order." On this, they all knelt down. Tieh-u-sheh seeing so many Mandarines present, said, "This order I am commissioned to read; but my eyes being weak, Sir, said he, addressing himself to the Che-foo, be pleased to read it." The Che-foo took the order, and read as follows. "This order requires Tieh-u-sheh to go to the house of Tab-quay, and to take into custody, Han-yuen, his wife, and his daughter: which three persons, wheresoever concealed, Tieh-u-sheh is hereby impowered to make search after, and to secure." "This order shall continue in force for three days." When he had done, Tieh-u-sheh, and all the company, made their profound reverence, and rose up. The great Mandarines of Tab-quay's acquaintance departed in silence: leaving only the two Mandarines of the city with them. "These three persons, said Tieh-u-sheh to the Che-bien, are the Emperor's prisoners: to your custody commit them, while I go to acquaint his Majesty of it, and know his farther pleasure." Han-yuen paid the most profound respect to Tieh-u-sheh, and acknowledged that himself, his wife, and daughter, owed their lives to his great piety and justice: but he told them, they must thank the Emperor alone, for their preservation and safety; then turning to the Che-foo, he said, "I have committed these persons to the care of the Che-bien, in order to carry them to a superior tribunal: but as Tab-quay is a great Mandarine, and of grave and respectable character, you, Sir, are desired to attend him alone to the same audience." Then Tieh-u-sheh, attended by his son, returned back to prison, to await the Emperor's further order. He then drew up a petition, to acquaint his Majesty of their whole proceedings: which he graciously received, and returned for answer, "You have done well, and have conducted yourself through this whole business like a true Mandarine of justice: when the affair is ended you shall be promoted to a higher dignity." Orders were then issued out to release him from prison. Tab-quay in the mean time was not idle: he offered presents to the Mandarines of the tribunal: but none of them durst accept any. The depositions of the injured parties lay too strongly against him; and proved beyond all doubt, the forcible seizure they had undergone, and all the other ill usage they had received. The supreme Mandarine of the audience, seeing no other way to bring off his friend, pronounced judgment as follows. "Tab-quay is advanced in years, and is without issue: this induced him to carry away the young woman: but though he brought her home to his house, it does not appear that he ever offered her any dishonour. He is descended from an illustrious family: several of his ancestors have served the Emperor in the capacity of Generals, and have made extensive conquests: he himself hath also had his share, and given signal proofs of his ability and courage. All this considered, as the carrying off this young woman was from the motives above recited, and was not followed by any violence, he is neither guilty of a great offence, nor deserving of very severe punishment: but this must be left to the determination of his Majesty." The Emperor issued out this answer to the proceedings of the audience. "Tab-quay is of an illustrious family; and of a respectable rank; but both these he hath forfeited; he hath made a tyrannical use of his power in forcing away these people: the daughter was already engaged to another; his attempt was therefore the highest injustice: when Tieh-u-sheh delivered in his petition, to secrete them in his house was a contempt of our authority: and to lodge a false accusation against that Mandarine, a great abuse of our confidence. To do justice therefore, 'tis necessary to take away his office: let him also be confined to his house for three years, paying to Han-yuen one year's income of his place: and for the sake of his ancestors, let him be excused any farther punishment. The young woman, let Wey-phey marry. Let Han-yuen be advanced to a higher degree. Let Tieh-u-sheh be promoted to the office of Tu-cha-yuen, or Superior of the Vice-roys. And lastly, for the Mandarine of the audience, who was judge in this cause, let him be amerced three months of his salary." The determination of the Emperor being made public, every body admired Tieh-chung-u, for his wisdom and courage. His fame spread abroad, and he was the general topic of conversation. Mandarines from all parts came to make him visits of congratulation; from morning to night, some or other came to pay him their compliments.