Hao Qiu Zhuan/zh-en/Chapter 12

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第12回 — Chapter 12

中文原文（繁体） — Percy/Wilkinson (1761)

Other parallel views: 中文 ↔ Percy 1761 | 1761 ↔ 2026 | Modern EN only | Percy 1761 only | 中文 only

中文原文（繁体）

Percy/Wilkinson (1761)

EN · DE · 中文 · 正體 · FR · ES · RU Previous◀ zh Hao_Qiu_Zhuan Nextzh ▶ 第十二回 冷面孔翻得转一席成仇 Chinese original text of Chapter 12 Compare with the modern English translation, Wilkinson/Percy 1761 translation, and other language versions. 第十二回 冷面孔翻得转一席成仇 词曰： 犬子无知，要捋胡须称结契。且引鱼虾，上把蛟龙臂。 及至伤情，当面难回避。闲思议，非他恶意，是我寻淘气。 ——《点绛唇》 却说过公子听见水运说，又有甚算计，可以奈何铁公子，因忙忙问道：“老丈又有甚妙计？”水运道：“也无甚妙算，但想他既为舍侄女远远而来，原要在舍侄女身上弄出他破绽来。方才童子假的被他看破，故作此娇态。我如今撺掇我侄女，真使人去请他，看他反作何状，便可奈何他了。”过公子听了沉吟道：“此算好便好，只是他正没处通风，莫要转替他做了媒，便不妙了。”水运道：“媒人其实是个媒人，却又不是合亲的媒人，却是破亲的媒人。公子但请放心，我只管安排。” 因辞了回家，来见冰心小姐道：“贤侄女，你真果有些眼力，我如今方服煞你。”冰心小姐道：“叔叔有甚服我？”水运道：“前日那个铁公子，人人都传说是拐子，贤侄女独看定不是。后来细细访问，方知果然不是拐子，到是一个有情有义的好人。”冰心小姐道：“这是已往之事，叔叔为何又提起？”水运道：“因我今日撞见他，感他有情有义，故此又说起。”冰心小姐道：“叔叔偶然撞见，那路上便知他有情有义？”水运道：“我今日出门，刚走到你门前，忽撞见铁公子从门里出来，我想起他向日我为你婚姻，只说得一句，他就怫然变色而去，今日复来，疑他定怀不良之念，因上前相见，要捉他个破绽，抢白他一场。不期他竟是一个好人，此来到是好意。”冰心小姐道：“叔叔怎知他来却是好意？”水运道：“我问他到此何干，他说在京中听得人说，冯按院连出二牌，要强逼侄女与过公子成婚，知道非侄女所愿，他愤愤不平，故不惮道路之远，赶将来要与冯按院作对。因他不知起事根由，故走来要见侄女，问个明白。不期到了门内，看见冯按院出的告示，却是禁止强娶的，与他所闻大不相同，始知是传言之误，故连门也不敲，竟欢欢喜喜而去。我见他如此有情有义的举动，岂不是个好人？” 冰心小姐道：“据叔叔今日说来，再回想当日在县堂救我之事，乃知此生素抱热肠，不是一时轻举，侄女感佩敬之，不为过矣。”水运道：“他前日在县堂救你，你即接他养病，可谓义侠往来，两不相负矣，但他今日远来赴你之难，及见无事，竟欢然默默而去，绝不自矜，要你知感，则他独自一段义气，已包笼侄女于内矣，侄女受他如此护持之高谊，却漠然不知，即今知之，却又漠然不以为意，揆之于事，殊觉失礼，问之于心，未免抱惭。若以两个人之义侠相较，只觉侄女少逊一筹矣。”冰心小姐道：“叔叔教训侄女之言，字字金玉。但侄女一女子，举动有嫌，虽抱知感之心，亦只好独往独来于漠然之中，而冀知我者知耳。岂能剖而要示，以尊义侠之名？”水运道：“说便是这等说，但只觉他数百里奔走之劳，毫无着落，终不舒畅。莫若差人去请他来拜谢，使他知一片热肠消受有人，不更快乎？”此时冰心小姐因水用到京，被冯按院赶了转来，后来不上本事情正无由报知，今见水运要他差人去请铁公子来谢，正合了他的机会，虽明知水运是计，遂将计就计，答应道：“听叔叔说来，甚是合理，侄女只得遵叔叔之命而行，但请他的帖子，却要借叔叔出名。”水运道：“这个自然。”冰心小姐因取出一个请帖来，当面写了，请他明午小酌，叫水用去下。水用道：“不知铁相公下处在哪里？”水运因叫认得的小厮领了去。 水用到得下处，恰好铁公子正在下处踌躇要回去，又不知冯按院出告示的缘故；要访问，又不知谁人晓得。忽见水用走进来，满心欢喜，因问道：“你前日遇见时，你曾说要央我上本么？”水用道：“不期那日遇见相公之后，就被冯按院老爷的承差赶上，不由分说，赶了回来。路上细细问他，方知是家小姐当堂将本稿送与冯按院看，冯按院看见本内参得他厉害，也慌了，再三央求家小姐，许出告示，禁人强娶。家小姐方说明小的姓名、形象，叫他来赶。小人一时被他赶回，故失了铁相公之约，不期铁相公抱此云天高谊，放心不下，又远远跋涉而来。家小姐闻之，不胜感激，故差小人来，要请铁相公到家去拜谢。”因将请帖呈出。铁公子听见水用说出缘由，更加欢喜，道：“原来有许多委曲。我说冯瀛这贼坯为何就肯掉转脸来，你家小姐真可作用也。我早间到你门上看见告示，就要回去，因不知详细，故在此寻访，今你既说明了，我明早准行矣。本该到府拜谢小姐向日垂救深情，唯嫌疑之际，恐惹是非，故忍而不敢耳。这帖子你可带回，小姐的盛意已心领了，万万不能趋教。”水用道：“铁相公举动光明，家小姐持身正大，况奉屈铁相公，止不过家二老爷相陪，有何嫌？这里铁相公过去略略尽情。”铁公子道：“我与你家小姐往来，本义侠之中，原不在形骸之内，何必区区作此世情酬应？你可回去谢声，我断断不来。” 水用见铁公子说得斩截，知不可强，只得回家报知冰心小姐与水运。冰心小姐听说不来，反欢喜道：“此生情有为情，义有为义，侠有为侠，怎认得这等分明？真可敬也。” 唯水运所谋不遂，不胜踞蹴，只得又走来与过公子商量道：“这姓铁的，一个少年人，明明为贪色，却真真假假，百般哄诱他不动，口虽说去，却又下去，只怕他暗暗的还有图谋，公子不可不防。”过公子道：“我看此人如鬼如蜮，我一个直人，哪里防得他许多。我在历城县，也要算做一个豪杰，他明知我要娶你侄女儿，却偏偏要走到我县中来，与你侄女儿歪缠，岂不是明明与我做对头？你诱他落套，他又乖偏不落套；你哄他上当，他又偏巧不上当。我那有许多的功夫去防范他？莫若明日去拜他，只说是慕他豪杰之名，他没个不来回拜之礼。等他来回拜之时，拼着设一席酒请他，再邀了张公子、李公子、王公子一班贵人同饮。饮到半酣，将他灌醉，寻些事故与他争闹起来，再伏下几个有力气的闲汉，大家一齐上，打他一个半死，出出气，然后告到冯按院处。就是老冯晓得他是堂官之子，要护他，却也难为我们不得。弄到临时，做好做歹，放了他去，使他正眼也不敢视我历城县的人物，岂不快哉！” 水运听了，欢喜的打跌道：“此计痛快之极，只要公子做得出。”过公子道：“我怎的做不出？他老子是都堂，我父亲是将拜相的学士，哪些儿不如他？”水运道：“既公子主意定了，何不今日就去拜他，恐他明日正不知去了。” 过公子因叫人写了一个“眷小弟”的大红全柬，坐了一乘大轿，跟着几个家人，竟抬到下处来拜铁公子。铁公子见了名帖，知是过公子，因鄙其为人，连忙躲开，叫小丹只回不在，过公子下了轿，竟走进寓内，对小丹说了许多殷勤思慕之言，方才上轿而去，铁公子暗暗想道：“我是他的对头，他来拜我做甚么？莫非见屡屡算计我不倒，又要设法来害我？”又暗笑道：“他思量要害我，只怕还甚难。但我事已完了，明日要回去，那有闲工夫与他游戏，只是不见他罢了。”又想道：“他虽为人不端，却也是学士之子，既招招摇摇来拜一场，我若不去回拜，只道我傲物无礼了。我想他是个酒色公子，定然起得迟，我明日赶早投一帖子就行，拜犹不拜，使他无说，岂不礼智两全？” 算计定了，到了次日，日未出就起来，叫小丹收拾行李，打点起身，自却转央店上一个小厮拿了帖子，来拜过公子。不期过公子已伏下人在下处打听，一见铁公子来拜，早飞报与过公子。刚等到铁公子到门，过公子早衣冠齐楚，笑哈哈的迎将出来道：“小弟昨日晋谒，不过聊表仰慕之忱，怎敢又劳台兄赐顾？”因连连打恭，拱请进去。铁公子原打量只到门，投一名帖便走，忽见过公子直出门迎接，十分殷勤，一团和气，便放不下冷脸来，只得投了名帖，两相揖让。到了厅上，铁公子就要施礼，过公子止住道：“此间不便请教。”遂将铁公子直邀到后厅，方才施礼序坐，一面献上茶来，过公子因说道：“久闻台兄英雄之名，急思一会。前蒙辱临敝邑时，即谋晋谒，而又匆匆发驾，抱恨至今。今幸临，又承垂顾，诚为快事，敢攀作平原十日之饮，以慰饥渴之怀。” 铁公子茶罢，就立起身来道：“承长兄厚爱，本当领教，只是归心似箭，今日立刻就要行了。把臂之欢，留待异日可也。”说着往外就走。过公子拦住道：“相逢不饮，真令风月笑人。任是行急，也要屈留三日。”铁公子道：“小弟实实要行，不是故辞，乞长兄相谅。”说罢又往外走。过公子一手扯住道：“小弟虽不才，也忝为宦家子弟，台兄不要看得十分轻了。若果看轻，就不该来赐顾了；既蒙赐顾，便要算做宾主。小弟苦苦相留，不过欲少尽宾主之谊耳，非有所求也。不识台兄何见拒之甚也？”铁公子道：“蒙长兄殷勤雅爱，小弟亦不忍言去，但装已束，行色倥偬，势不容缓耳。”过公子道：“既是台兄不以朋友为情，决意要行，小弟强留，也自觉惶愧。但只是清晨枵腹而来，又令枵腹而去，弟心实有不安。今亦不敢久留，只求略停片时，少劝一餐，而即听驱驾就道，庶几人情两尽，难道台兄还不肯俯从？”铁公子本不欲留，因见过公子深情厚貌，恳恳款留，只得坐下道：“才进拜，怎便好相扰？”过公子道：“知己相逢，当忘你我，台兄快士，何故作此套言？” 正说不了，只见水运忽走了进来，看见铁公子，忙施过礼，满脸堆笑道：“昨日舍侄女感铁先生远来高谊，特托我学生具柬奉屈，少表微忱，不识铁先生何故见外，苦苦辞了。今幸有缘，又得相陪。”铁公子道：“我学生来殊草草，去复匆匆，于礼原无酬酢，故敬托使者辞谢。即日之来，不过愿一识荆也。而蒙过兄即谆谆投辖，欲留恐非礼，欲去恐非情，正在此费踌躇，幸老翁有以教之。”水运道：“古之好朋友，倾盖如故。铁先生与过舍亲，难道就不如古人，乃必拘拘于世文？如此甚非宜也。”水运说完，过公子大笑道：“还是老丈人说得痛快！” 铁公子见二人互相款留，竟不计前情，只认做好意，便笑一笑坐下，不复言去。不多时，备上酒来，过公子就逊坐。铁公子道：“原蒙怜朝饥而授餐，为何又劳赐酒？恐饮非其时也。”过公子笑道：“慢慢饮去，少不得遇着饮时。”三人俱各大笑，就坐而饮。原来三人与曲蘖生俱是好友，一拈上手，便津津有味，你一杯，我一盏，便不复推辞。 饮了半晌，铁公子正有个住手之意，忽左右报：“王兵部的三公子来了。”三人只得停杯接见，过公子就安坐道：“王兄来得甚妙。”因用手指着铁公子道：“此位铁兄，豪杰士也，不可不会。”王公子道：“莫非是打入大夬侯养闲堂的铁挺生兄么？”水运忙答道：“正是，正是。”王公子因复重举手打恭道：“久仰，久仰！失敬，失敬！”因满斟了一巨觞，送与铁公子道：“借过兄之酒，聊表小弟仰慕之私。”铁公子接了，也斟一觞，回敬道：“小弟粗豪何足道，台兄如金如玉，方得文品之正。”彼此交赞，一连就是三巨觞。 铁公子正要告止，忽左右又报：“李翰林的二公子来了。”四人正要起身相迎，那李公子已走到席前，止住道：“相熟兄弟不消动身，小弟竟就坐罢。”过公子道：“尚有远客在此。”铁公子听说，只得离席要作礼。那李公子且不作揖，先看着铁公子问道：“好英俊人物！且请教长兄尊姓台号？”铁公子道：“小弟乃大名铁中玉。”李公子道：“这等说，是铁都宪的长君了！”连连作揖道：“久闻大名，今日有缘幸会！”过公子就邀入座。 铁公子此时酒已半酣，又想着要行，因辞说道：“李兄才来，本不该就要去，只因来得早，叨饮过多，况行色倥偬，不能久住，只得要先别了。”李公子因作色道：“铁公子太欺人了，既要行，即早去，为何小弟刚到，即一刻也不能留？这是明明欺小弟不足与饮了！”水运道：“铁先生去是要去久了，实不为李先生起见。只是李先生才来，一杯也不共饮，未免恝然。方才王先生已有例，对饮过三巨觞，李先生也只照例对饮三觞，三觞饮后，去不去，留不留，听凭主人，却与客无干了。”李公子方回嗔作喜道：“水老丈此说还略略近情。”铁公子无奈，只得又复坐下，与李公子对饮了三巨觞。 饮才完，忽左右又报道：“张吏部的大公子来了。”众人还未及答应，史见那张公子歪戴着一顶方巾，乜斜着两只色眼，糟包着一个麻脸，早吃得醉醺醺，一路叫将进来道：“哪一位是铁兄，既要到我历城县来做豪杰，怎不会我一会？”铁公子正立起身来，打量与他施礼，见他言语不逊，便立住答应道：“小弟便是铁挺生，不知长兄要会小弟有何赐教？”张公子也不为礼，瞪着眼，对铁公子看了又看，忽大笑道：“我只道铁兄是七个头、八个胆的好汉子，却原来青青眉目，白白面孔，无异于女子。这且慢讲，且先较一较酒量，看是如何？”众人听了，俱赞美道：“张兄妙论，大得英雄本色。”铁公子道：“饮酒，饮情也，饮兴也，饮性也，各有所思，故张旭神圣之传，谨及三杯；淳于髡簪珥纵横，尽乎一夜。而此时之饮，妙态百出，实未尝较量多寡以为雄。”张公子道：“既是饮态百出，安知较量多寡以为雄，又非饮态中之妙态哉！”且用手扯了铁公子同坐下，叫左右斟起两巨觞来，将一觞送与铁公子，自取一觞在手，说道：“朋友饮酒，饮心也。我与兄初会面，知人知面不知心，且请一觞，看是如何。”因举起觞来，一饮而干。自干了，遂举空觞，要照干铁公子。铁公子见他干的爽快，无奈何，只得勉强吃干。张公子见铁公子吃干，方欢喜道：“这便算个朋友。”一面又叫左右斟起两觞。 铁公子因辞道：“小弟坐久，叨饮过多，适又陪王兄三觞，李兄三觞，方才又陪长兄一觞。贱量有限，实实不能再饮了。”张公子道：“既王、李二兄俱是三觞，何独小弟就要一觞而止？是欺小弟了。不瞒长兄说，小弟在历城县中，也要算一个人物，从不受人之欺，岂肯受吾兄之欺哉！”因举起觞来，又一饮而干，自干了，又要照干铁公子。铁公子因来得早，又不曾吃饭，空心酒吃了这半日，实实有八九分醉意，拿着酒杯，只是不吃。因被那张公子催的紧急，转放下酒杯，瞪着眼，靠着椅子，也不作声，但把头摇。 张公子看见铁公子光景不肯吃，便满脸含怒道：“讲明对饮，我吃了，你如何不吃？莫非你倚强欺我么？”铁公子一时醉的身体都软了，靠着椅子，只是摇头道：“吃得便吃，吃不得便不吃，有甚么强？有甚么欺？”张公子听了，忍不住发怒道：“这杯你敢不吃么？”铁公子道：“不吃便怎么？”张公子见说不吃，便勃然大怒道：“你这小畜生，只可在大名府使势，怎敢到我山东来装腔！你不吃我这杯酒，我偏要你吃了去！”因拿起那杯酒，照着铁公子夹头夹脸只一浇。 铁公子虽然醉了，心下却还明白，听见张公子骂他小畜生，又被浇了一头一脸酒，着这一急，急得火星乱迸，因将酒都急醒了，忙跳起身来，将张公子一把抓住，揉了两揉道：“好大胆的奴才，怎敢到虎头上来寻死！”张公子被揉急了，便大叫道：“你敢打我么？”铁公子便兜嘴一掌，道：“打你便怎的？”王、李二公子看见张公子被打，便一齐乱嚷道：“小畜生，这是甚么所在，怎敢打人！”过公子也发话道：“好意留饮，乃敢倚酒撒野！快关门，不要走了，且打他个酒醒，再送到按院去治罪！”暗暗把嘴一呶，两厢早走出七八个大汉，齐拥到面前。水运假劝道：“不要动粗。”因要上前来封铁公子的手。铁公子此时酒已急醒了，看见这些光景，已明知落局，转冷笑一笑道：“一群疯狗，怎敢来欺人！”因一手捉住张公子不放，一手将桌子一掀，那些肴馔碗盏打翻一地。水运刚走到身边，被铁公子只一推，道：“看水小姐分上，饶你打！”早推跌去有丈余远，竟跌倒地上，爬不起来。王、李二公子看见势头凶恶，不敢上前，只是乱嚷乱叫道：“反了！反了！”过公子连连挥众人齐上，众人刚就到来，早见铁公子将张公子就像提大夬候一般，提将起来，只一手，扫得众人东倒西歪。张公子原是个色厉内荏、花酒淘虚的人，哪里禁得，提起放倒，撴撴摔摔，只弄得头晕眼花，连吃的几杯酒都呕了出来，满口叫道：“大家不要动手，有话好讲！”铁公子道：“没甚话讲，只好好送我出去，便万事全休，若要圈留，要你人人都死！”张公子连连应承道：“我送你，我送你！”铁公子方将张公子放平站稳了，一手提着，自步了出来。众人眼睁睁看着，气得白挺，又不敢上前，只好大旁说硬话道：“禁城之内，怎敢如此胡为！且饶他去，少不得要见个高下！” 铁公子只作不听见，提着张公子，直同走出大门之外，方将手放开道：“烦张兄传语诸兄，我铁中玉若有寸铁在手，便是千军万马中，也可出入，何况三四个酒色之徒，十数个挑粪蠢汉，指望要捋猛虎之须，何其愚也。我若不念绅宦体面，一个个毛都搜光，腿都打折。我今饶了他们的性命，叫他须朝夕焚香顶礼，以报我大赦之恩，不可不知也！”说罢，将手一举道：“请了！”竟大踏步回下处来。 到得下处，只见小丹行李已打点的端端正正，又见水用牵着一匹马，也在那里侍候。铁公子不知就里，因问水用道：“你在此做甚？”水用道：“家小姐访知过公子留铁相公吃酒，不是好意，定有一场争斗；又料定过公子争斗铁相公不过，必然要吃些亏苦；又料他吃些亏苦，断不肯干休，定然起一场大是非。家小姐恐铁相公不在心，竟去了，让他们造成谤案，那时再辩就迟了。家小姐又访知按院出巡东昌府，离此不远，请铁相公一回来，即快去面见冯按院，先将过公子恶迹呈明，立了一案，到后任他怎生播弄，便不妨了。故叫小人备马在此伺候，服侍铁仃公去。”铁公子听了，满心欢喜道：“你家小姐，怎在铁中玉面上如此用情，真令人感激不尽。你家小姐料事怎如此快爽，用心如此精细，真令人叹服不了。既承小姐教诲，定然不差。”因进下处，吃了午饭，辞了主人，竟上马，带着水用、小丹，来到东昌府，去见冯按院。正是： 英俊多余勇，佳人有俏心。 愿为知己用，一用一番深。 铁公子到了东昌府，访知冯按院正在坐衙，忙写了一张呈子，将四公子与水运结党朋谋陷害之事，细细呈明，要他提疏拿问。走到衙门前，不等投文放告，竟击起鼓来。击了鼓，众衙役就不依衙规，竟扯扯曳曳拥了进去。到了丹墀，铁公子遵御史代天巡狩的规矩，只得跪一跪，将呈子送将上去。冯按院在公座上看见铁公子，已若认得，及接呈子一看，见果是铁中玉，也不等看完呈子，就走出公座来，一面叫掩门，一面就叫门子请铁相公起来相见。 铁中玉因上堂来，还要再跪，冯按院用手挽住，只以常礼相见，一面看坐待茶，一面就问道：“贤契几时到此？到此何干？本院并不知道。”铁公子道：“晚生到此，不过游学，原无甚事，本不该上渎。不料无意中忽遭群奸结党陷害，几至丧命。今幸逃脱，情实不甘，故匍匐台前，求老恩台代为伸雪。”冯按院听了道：“谁敢大胆陷害贤契，本院自当尽法。”使复取旦子细细看完，便蹙着眉头，只管沉吟道：“原来又是他几人！”铁公子道：“锄奸去恶，宪台事也。宪台镜宇清肃，无所畏避，何独踌躇，宽假于此辈？”冯按院道：“本院不是宽假他们，但因他们尊翁具当道于朝，处之未免伤筋伤骨，殊觉不便。况此辈不过在膏粱纨袴中作无赖，欲警戒之，又不知悛改；欲辱弹章，又实无强梁跋扈之雄，故本院未即剪除耳。今既得罪贤契，容本院细思所以治之者。”铁公子道：“事既难为，晚生怎敢要苦费老宪台之心？但晚生远人，今日之事，若不先呈明，一旦行后，恐他们如鬼如蜮，词转捏虚，以为毁谤，则无以解。既老宪台秦镜已烛其奸，则晚生安心行矣，此呈求老宪台立案可也。”冯按院听了大喜道：“深感贤契相谅，乞少留数日，容本院尽情。”铁公子立刻要行，冯按院知留不住，取了十二两程仪相送，铁公子辞谢而出，正是： 乌台有法何须执，白眼无情用转多。 不知铁公子别后又将何往，且听下回分解。

EN · DE · 中文 · 正體 · FR · ES · RU Previous◀ en-wilkinson Hao_Qiu_Zhuan Nexten-wilkinson ▶ Chapter 12: A Cold Face Can Turn: A Single Banquet Creates an Enemy 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. Page numbers preserved as [p. N]. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify. [Volume III, Book III, Chapters V-VIII] CHAP. V. Kwo-khe-tzu hearing Shuey-guwin say he was not unprovided of an occasion to plague Tieh-chung-u, was desirous to know what it was. He told him, that as his coming so long a journey was all for the sake of his Niece, it was not to be doubted but he would yet take an opportunity to speak with her; and therefore he must be watched. "Nay, said he, that he may not do it without our privity, I will go to my niece and make her send for him." "That, said his son-in-law, will be to do him a pleasure; nay will afford him an opportunity to bind the marriage contract with her, and then all my hopes are at an end, and I am utterly lost." "Fear not, replied the other, what I propose is the only means to prevent his doing it." Then taking his leave, he went to the young lady, whom he thus accosted; "Niece, you have certainly great penetration and discernment with regard to mankind: I shall henceforth pay great deference to your opinion. For sometime since, when there was a rumour that Tieh-chung-u had been guilty of a great misdemeanour, and was nothing less than an hypocrite and a cheat, you would not give the least credit to it, but believed as well of him as before. Future inquiries have confirmed your judgment, and I am now satisfied he is a man of great honour, sobriety, and justice." "That, she replied, is an old affair: why do you mention what is past?" He said, "I saw this stranger again to-day: and am therefore convinced he hath the good qualities I spoke of." "How can you know a man's good qualities, said she, by barely seeing him?" Shuey-guwin told her, that he had met him that morning coming out of her house; and had inquired his business: "For I was apprehensive, said he, that he had been doing something, which might bring a reflection upon you; and therefore thought it behoved me to call him to account: but he vindicated himself so handsomely, and appeared to have come hither with so good an intention, that I find him to be a very well-disposed, sincere, honest man." "Uncle, said the young lady, how could you know that he came hither with a good intention?" "He told me, replied he, that hearing at court that the Grand Visitor had issued out two orders to compel you to marry, and knowing how much it must be against your inclinations, he had come hither on purpose to prevent it. That with this view, and to make proper inquiries, he came to-day to your house, but finding upon the wall the Kao-she or declaration in your favour, he was satisfied, and about to return to court. From all this I cannot but conclude favourably of his character." "He acted just in this noble and upright manner, replied his niece, from the very first, when he saw me going to the Che-bien's. He is a youth of that justice and generous ardor, that I could not but do what I did, in recompence of so much merit." "Certainly, said her uncle, the assistance he afforded you at that time, and the kindness you shewed him afterwards, were both highly laudable. And now upon the bare report that you were likely to be injured, he hath come so far to your relief. But would it be right to let him return without any notice of, or thanks for his trouble?" "Your question, said she, is very proper: but what can I do? I am a young woman and single; and must avoid giving further occasion for scandal. What though he hath taken all this trouble, I know he expects no return from me: thoroughly convinced of my grateful temper, he requires no public proof of it." "That is very true, said Shuey-guwin; and yet it would be but right to invite him to come, that you might at least pay your compliments to him." Shuey-ping-sin had learnt from her old servant, that he had met with Tieh-chung-u near Pe-king, and there intreated his assistance; and that he had afterwards been fetched back again without ever explaining the reason of it to him. She therefore readily supposed, that the young gentleman having missed him, was come thither to know the truth of the matter: and imagining there could be no better occasion to inform him of what he must desire to know, consented to follow her uncle's advice. And yet she was not without suspicion, that the latter had some other design in view than he would acknowledge. She told him therefore she would be guided by him, and would prepare a Tieh-tse or paper of invitation, but it must run in his name." She accordingly dispatched Shuey-yeong with it; whom her uncle directed to the young gentleman's lodgings. Tieh-chung-u was reflecting on the oddness of the adventure, and on the inconsistency of the Grand Visitor's conduct, when he saw the old servant enter, who had occasioned him so much perplexity. He was very glad to see him, and eagerly inquired why he did not follow him to Pe-king. The old man informed him of all that happened from the time they parted; and accounted for the change in the Grand Visitor's conduct: at the same time he explained the reason of his abrupt return, and begged his pardon, as he supposed it had occasioned his journey thither. Then telling him that his lady was glad to hear of his arrival, he presented the billet of invitation. Tieh-chung-u was highly pleased with the account he gave him, but would not receive the Tieh-tse. "When I went this morning to her house, said he, I saw the declaration, which satisfied me of her safety; you have now cleared up all remaining doubts; why then should I stay? I will depart to-morrow." "Sir, replied the servant, will not you accept of the invitation, which I bring in the name of my second master?" "There are, said the youth, many reasons why it would be improper. And I must insist upon it that there be no feast or other public acknowledgment on account of my arrival. [Your lady's excellent judgment knows that it would be wrong in me to go, although her complaisance may have induced her to invite me.] Return therefore, and present to her my most respectful services." Shuey-yeong did not press him farther, but went and reported to his lady and her uncle what he had said. The latter was much disappointed; but his niece remained very well satisfied with his refusal, supposing it proceeded from a foresight of some mischief intended him. Shuey-guwin, greatly mortified with the disappointment, went to his son-in-law, and related to him what had happened, telling him he looked upon the other's shyness as only counterfeited in order to cover a design of seeing his niece in private. He therefore advised him still to keep a good look out. "This fellow, said Kwo-khe-tzu, is a demon. And as I am a plain man void of all art or cunning, how shall I be able to look out after him. Am not I the chief person of figure in this city? He knows too, how much I desire to marry your niece; yet he is always coming here and soliciting her: in which he opposes me, and declares himself my enemy. He hath already discovered our intentions to deceive him, and therefore will henceforth be distrustful. To what purpose then shall we wait for an occasion to catch him? No: to-morrow I will go myself and visit him in form: he cannot but return the compliment: when he comes I will receive him with great courtesy, and make a handsome entertainment; to which I will invite several young rakes of this city, sons of great Mandarines, and my particular acquaintance: at the same time we will plant some strong lusty fellows near at hand. When he comes we will ply him with wine, and when he is in liquor, provoke him to throw out some affronting expression; which will afford us a handle to fall upon him, and beat him so severely that he shall breathe his last. Then will we present a petition to the Grand Visitor, wherein the disturbance shall be made to appear the effect of his own quarrelsome disposition. Thus shall we get clear of this difficulty, and prevent any body of figure from ever venturing again to try their strength with the principal youths of this city: which we shall also render famous for men of bravery and valour." Shuey-guwin approved of this design, yet could not help expressing some apprehension about the consequence. "What, said the other, have I to fear? do you consider the exalted rank of my father?" "Go then, replied Shuey-guwin, set about it directly, he intends to be gone early in the morning." Upon which the other calling his people together, and preparing a billet of compliments, ordered his chair, and set out immediately with great attendance. When he arrived at the lodgings, he sent in the paper, and Siow-tan informed his master of the visit; who thereupon bade him to return for answer that he was not at home. Kwo-khe-tzu called to the boy, and getting out of his chair talked to him a good while: then got into it again and returned home. Tieh-chung-u learnt from his servant, that Kwo-khe-tzu had inquired after him with great courtesy, and had given him a very kind invitation to see him. "Wherefore is all this shew of kindness, said he to himself? He is certainly my enemy, and only means to deceive me. Besides, what time have I to spend in feasting and merriment? No! I am satisfied that Shuey-ping-sin is in safety, and will return to-morrow." But then he suddenly recollected that the other was the son of a Mandarine of the first rank. "Besides, said he, he came like a To-fang or Whirlwind; he raised the whole city as he came along, and every body is acquainted with the honour he did me. After this, if I do not go, I shall be universally condemned for rudeness and ill-manners; therefore I cannot avoid it. Upon second thoughts I will go early in the morning. He is a man of ease and luxury, and lies in bed late; I will therefore go before he is stirring. I will only leave my compliments for him and will return." Having formed this resolution, he ordered his servant to prepare his bed, and to call him up early. These precautions were however fruitless; for Kwo-khe-tzu had appointed one of his attendants to wait near the inn, and to pick up what information he could about the repayment of his visit. From a servant of the inn this man learnt the directions the young gentleman had given when he retired to rest; of which he did not fail to apprize his master: so that when Tieh-chung-u went in the morning, he found he had long been waiting to receive him. Kwo-khe-tzu gave him the most courteous reception, having even gone out into the street to meet him. "Why! said he, smiling with great appearance of joy, and saluting him in the most respectful manner; Why do you give yourself so much trouble in doing me this favour?" Tieh-chung-u seeing himself so highly caressed, imagined it was to cover some evil design. He would gladly have returned, but could not now without great incivility: he accordingly attended him into the great hall, and would there have made him the customary salute; but the other told him it was too ordinary a place for that honour, and therefore begged he might shew him farther within the house. He then carried him into the second hall, where the usual ceremonies past between them. This done, they sat down, and Kwo-khe-tzu called for tea. He afterwards took occasion to tell his guest, that he had long since heard of his high reputation, and had wished to have the honour of conversing with him. "When I was first informed of your coming here, said he, I sought for an occasion to see you: and to-day it is my good fortune to be favoured with a visit. I should be glad if you would extend it to eight or ten days." Tieh-chung-u having drunk his tea, set down his cup, and rising from his chair said, "Sir, your regard and friendship certainly demand that I should stay here longer. But I must be gone immediately: strong necessity requires it: could I fly as swift as an arrow from a bow it would not be amiss." This said, he was going away: but Kwo-khe-tzu embraced him saying, "You must then stay three days with me." "It is very certain, he replied, that I must be gone; I beg therefore you will not detain me." He then was going to force himself from him: but the other took hold of his hand, and said, "Although I am unworthy of this favour myself, you ought to shew some respect to my family and rank: you should not have visited me, if you esteemed us all so insignificant. No! now you are come, I must make you owner (or master) of this country by giving you an entertainment." "I would not willingly refuse the many favours you confer on me, said Tieh-chung-u: but I must be gone. Every thing is packed up ready for my departure: and it is impossible for me to stay here longer." "I cannot force you to stay, said the other; but I am ashamed that I am not able to persuade you. However, as you are come so early you must stay and breakfast with me: it shall not detain you long. You must not mortify me by a refusal of this. When breakfast is over you may prosecute your journey." "Would you leave me to my own inclinations, said Tieh-chung-u, I could wish to be excused: but if you will have it so, I must submit. Yet according to order and propriety, upon the first visit how can I stay and give you this trouble?" "Between friends, replied the other, you must not talk of trouble." CHAP. V. [cont.] These words were scarcely uttered when Shuey-guwin made his appearance. He saluted the young stranger, and smiling said, "Yesterday my niece hearing of the great favour you did her in coming so far on her account, sent to invite you to her house. I know not what we had done to disoblige you. But as I have now the good fortune to meet with you here, I hope you will let me wait on you to her." Tieh-chung-u replied, "I came hither in the greatest haste, and must return with equal dispatch. I brought nothing with me to present her with, and how can I presume to go to her house with empty hands. To-day I came to visit Kwo-khe-tzu only to pay my respects to him, and to know his door again: I intended to have returned immediately: but though I have been prevailed on to stay a moment, I cannot bear to receive so many favours, and should be glad of your directions how to return them." "Formerly, said Shuey-guwin, good friends would lay all ceremony aside: cannot you do the same by my son-in-law? I look upon you both as better than those of former ages; why then should you follow the corrupt practices of the present times?" Kwo-khe-tzu laughed and said, "My father, you say right: it ought to be so." By so many courteous and obliging speeches Tieh-chung-u was divested of all farther suspicion. He sat down, Kwo-khe-tzu making him take the first chair. Presently after wine was brought. "Because I came early, said the youth, you insisted on my staying to eat a little. Why then do you bring wine? it is not time to drink that yet." "Drink it by degrees, said Kwo-khe-tzu, and we shall not think time unsuitable." Then sitting all of them down, they were very chearful and drank about for a little while; after which Tieh-chung-u rose up to withdraw. At the same instant word was brought that the young Mandarine Whang was entering the doors. This young gentleman, who was son of the Ping-kho, or Mandarine of the third chair of the tribunal of arms, was respectfully saluted by all the company, who afterwards sat down. "Sir, said Kwo-khe-tzu, you come in good time to meet with that gentleman, who is a person of worth and of great reputation for his courage and gallantry." "What! said the other; is that Tieh-chung-u? the young gentleman who forced his way into Tah-quay's palace?" Shuey-guwin assured him it was. "Is it possible! said he. Oh, Sir! have I then the happiness to meet with you here! a happiness which I was prevented from enjoying at court much against my inclinations. Give me here a great goblet." Then offering it with wine to Tieh-chung-u, the latter drank it off and returned it full to him again: thus they continued till each had drunk off three goblets. Tieh-chung-u was now about to go, when he was again prevented by the arrival of the young Mandarine Lee, second son to the Grand President of the royal college. They were rising up to receive him, but he catched hold of a chair, and told them, as friends they must not do so. "Another time, said Kwo-khe-tzu, we may dispense with this ceremony; but to-day we have a stranger with us." With that Tieh-chung-u rose up and made his compliments to him. The other would have prevented it: "Excuse me, Sir, said he, your appearance doth not owe me so much respect! Pray how am I to call you?" Tieh-chung-u told him his name and city. "What! said he, the eldest son of the Supreme Viceroy!" then making him the most profound reverence, he congratulated his good fortune in having met with a person whom he had so often wished to see. Kwo-khe-tzu made them all sit down. By this time Tieh-chung-u perceived the wine began to affect him, and therefore resolved to stay no longer. "With your leave, Sir, said he to the young master of the house, I must now be gone. I know custom forbids that I should go so soon after the arrival of this young gentleman, but I came here early and have drunk a great deal: and therefore must go." The young Mandarine Lee hearing this, changed countenance, and said, "You put a great slight upon me, Sir. Why did not you go at first? What! can't you stay a little while longer? You think me not good enough to drink with you." "Truly, said Shuey-guwin, he hath a great while desired to be gone: and it is not upon your account that he would go now; but if he will not first drink a cup of wine with you, you have reason to accuse him of ill manners. Let him pay the same compliment to you, as he did to the young Mandarine Whang, then he may use his pleasure, and we will no longer consider him as a guest." The other hearing that, was extremely well pleased, and agreed it was right: upon which they sat down, and each of them drank three cups of wine. This was no sooner over but a servant came to tell of the arrival of the young Mandarine Chang, eldest son to the President of the tribunal of rites: he entered the hall as soon as the servant had spoke: and came staggering along, his cap on one side, with staring eyes and a red bloated face, crying "Which is this Tieh? this Mandarine's son? if he hath a mind to pass for a valiant fellow in the city of Tsie-nan, why doth he not come and encounter me?" The youth, who had risen up to pay him the usual respects, hearing these words stood still: "I, said he, am called Tieh-chung-u: have you any thing to say to me?" The other made him no answer nor compliment, but stood staring at him in a very discourteous manner, and then burst out into laughter: "I thought, said he, this young Tieh was a terrible fellow. From people's reports, I concluded he had seven heads, and eight galls in his stomach. But his eye-brows are fine and small: he is smock-faced and delicate; and hath all over the air of a dainty young lady. People talk of his being valiant. I fancy it must be a monkey changed into that shape. Come, let us have some wine, we shall presently see whether he is valiant or not." "Certainly, cried the others present, that is the way to try people's strength." "Wine, said Tieh-chung-u, is drunk upon several accounts; but there are only three on which it is proper; and for each of these, three cups are allowable: these are friendship, mirth, and to satisfy nature. As Whang-cong-tzu began with three cups, so will I drink three more, which will be sufficient." "Very well, said the other, sit down then:" and taking him by the sleeve pulled him into the chair. Then calling for two large cups of wine, he put the one into the hand of Tieh-chung-u, and took the other himself. "Wine, said he, discovers the heart. This is the first I shall drink with you." Then taking it off, he turned it up, crying khaen or clean! Tieh-chung-u thought he could hardly manage his wine, but finding no other remedy at length he drank it: at which Chang cried out, "That's something like, and as a friend should." Then he ordered two more to be filled. On which Tieh-chung-u would have retired, saying he had drunk a great deal. "I have drunk, said he, three cups with each of these gentlemen, and now one with you. I have had enough, you must therefore excuse me." Chang replied, "What then, will you cut me off two cups? you make me little: I cannot let that pass upon me, who am as considerable as any of this city: come, you must make up my full number." Then taking a second cup, he drank to his health. Tieh-chung-u was now almost overcome with wine, for he had been drinking from early in the morning till ten o'clock, without having eaten a morsel: when therefore Chang had drunk off the second cup he would not pledge him, but put the wine down again upon the table. Which the other seeing, cried out, "Is this handsome! will not you do me the same courtesy that you have done the rest?" "It is not possible for me, said Tieh-chung-u, to drink any more: if it was, I would not refuse you." "This cup, replied the other, you must and shall drink." "If I don't, said he, what then?" Upon which Chang began to roar: saying, "Who are you, you animal? If you thus take upon you, why did not you stay in your own city? What, do you come here to brave us? If you will not comply I shall make you [repent it]." And with that he threw it in his face. Tieh-chung-u was so provoked with this abuse, that his anger and resentment got the better of his wine: he looked a while stedfastly at him, then rising from his chair seized him by the stomach and shook him severely, saying, "What! dare you get upon the tyger's head and pull out his hairs?" Chang cried out, "What! have you a mind to beat me?" "Yes, replied the other, what of that?" and gave him a box of the ear. Which the other young Mandarines seeing, cried out, "What do you mean by this? we have treated you with good-will, and now you are drunk you abuse us for it. Come, come, shut the door, we will drub you till you are sober, and to-morrow carry you to the Grand Visitor." Then Kwo-khe-tzu made a signal, and immediately from a side chamber rushed out seven or eight lusty fellows: while Shuey-guwin pretending to compose the difference, endeavoured to lay hold of his hands. Tieh-chung-u, who was now become sober, perceived their designs against him, and found he was betrayed: nevertheless he cried out, "What! are you a parcel of dogs, that you thus set upon and worry me?" then taking up Chang he threw him headlong to the ground, and gave him two or three hearty kicks. This done he endeavoured to wrest a foot from one of the tables for a weapon, but could not get it loose: Shuey-guwin came up to prevent him, but he received him with a kick or two, that sent him eighteen or twenty covids before him: "Take that; said he. For the sake of your niece, I will give you no more." The two young Mandarines contented themselves with making an outcry, but durst not come near him: instead of which Kwo-khe-tzu ordered the fellows to fall upon him. Then seizing Chang he swung him round: crying out, "I will brain this fellow against the first that offers to approach me." Upon which Chang crying out, begged them to forbear and let him alone. "I desire nothing more, said Tieh-chung-u, than to be suffered to go out: but you shall accompany me to the door." "Ay, ay! with all my heart, said the other, I will go out with you." Which done Tieh-chung-u dismissed him; "Go, said he, and tell your fellows, if I had been provided with any weapon for my defence, I should not have been afraid of a thousand such as they. What signify four or five drunkards and gluttons, with the porters you have hired? Had it not been for your fathers, I had made some of you halted: but I have been very favourable, and you ought to thank me." This said, he hastened to his lodgings, where Siow-tan had prepared every thing for his departure: here he found Shuey-yeong with a horse ready saddled and waiting for him. Tieh-chung-u inquired the meaning of this: the old man told him that his mistress hearing of the invitation, had suspected it was with an ill design: that her suspicions were afterwards confirmed by the event, which she was also informed of; and though she never doubted but he would get the better, yet foreseeing that it might be followed by a great deal of trouble, she had sent him that horse, which she intreated him to mount immediately, and to go and acquaint the Grand Visitor with the affair. Tieh-chung-u was charmed with her discretion and discernment: "How kind and obliging, said he, is your mistress? I shall never be able to return these favours." He was going to set out, but the master of the house asking him to dine, he accepted his offer; and immediately after, mounting the horse, departed for Tong-chang-foo: to which city the Grand Visitor had removed his tribunal. As soon as he alighted he drew up a petition, wherein he related all that had happened: then hastening to the doors of the audience, he found them shut: but being impatient he went and struck upon the drum. In consequence of which he was bound and carried before the tribunal: where the Grand Visitor had seated himself upon hearing the drum. The youth observed the usual order of respect in offering his petition. The Grand Visitor imagined it was Tieh-chung-u before he opened it, and when he found he was right in his conjecture, he addressed him with great complaisance: "I knew nothing, Sir, of your coming into these parts. When did you arrive and what occasioned your journey?" He told him, that he travelled for his pleasure: but that yesterday coming to Tsie-nan-foo, he had met with people, who had used him very ill; insomuch that he had narrowly escaped with his life: and therefore he applied to his Excellency for justice. "Who dares abuse you, said the Mandarine? I will make an example of them." "Sir, replied he, you will find their names in my petition." He looked into it, and shaking his head, expressed great dislike of the affair. The youth asked him what he was displeased at. The Mandarine shewed a great unwillingness to proceed, saying, "I did not think these young men had been concerned: although they are four of the greatest brutes and libertines in the world." "Why, said Tieh-chung-u, should you make any demur in the matter? Although they be people of the first quality, why should you make a difficulty of chastising them?" "It is not out of fear, replied the other, but their fathers being of my acquaintance at court, complaints of this kind will be very disagreeable to them. They are a parcel of young unthinking rakes, that value themselves only upon their fathers grandeur. But as this affair is not of so very high a nature, as absolutely to require them to be brought to public trial in all the forms of law and justice; therefore I could wish you would let me find some other way of giving you redress, without making out a formal prosecution." "I am far from desiring to give your Excellency trouble, replied Tieh-chung-u; I am fully satisfied in having acquainted you with it; which I did only that you might set a mark upon them for their actions." The Grand Visitor was very well pleased, and told him, he did him a favour in quitting all farther prosecution. "Come, said he, you must stay a few days with me." The youth thanked him, but urged his desire not to be detained. When the Mandarine found he could not prevail with him, he made up a paper of twelve taels of silver, and gave it him, saying, "If you don't accept of it, I shall think you are angry with me." To prevent that suspicion he received it, and withdrew. Where he went will be found in the next chapter. CHAP. VI. Tieh-chung-u taking his leave of the Grand Visitor, went and told Shuey-yeong who had attended him there, all that had past at the tribunal: and concluded with desiring him to recommend him to his mistress, and to present his thanks for the advice she had given him. "It is not in my power, said he, to send any present as an acknowledgment of her goodness: neither could I presume to do it, a single man as I am, to a young unmarried lady." Then delivering his horse to the old servant, and hiring a mule, he departed for his own city; and Shuey-yeong returned to his mistress. Let us now return to Kwo-khe-tzu and his companions, whom we have seen disappointed in their designs on Tieh-chung-u. When they found he was got clear out of their hands, they were ready to burst with rage and madness. The first that broke silence was Shuey-guwin, who said, "Who would have suspected this young man to have been possessed of so much strength and courage?" "It was owing to neither of these that he escaped, said his son-in-law, but he had got Chang-cong-tzu at such disadvantage, that he could neither help himself, nor we conveniently assist him. But he must not go off so: let us muster up a proper company, and go find him out: let us still treat him as he deserves: and afterwards give in a petition to the Grand Visitor." This proposal was approved by them all: the young Mandarine Chang instantly promised to bring thirty people; each of the others likewise engaged to raise as many. These to the number of a hundred were soon assembled, and with their masters at their head, Shuey-guwin leading the way, drove along the streets like a swarm of bees. But when they came to the inn, where the young stranger had lodged, they were told that he went away almost as soon as he came home. They were quite disconcerted at this information. "However, said Kwo-khe-tzu to the rest, this shall not serve his turn; we will immediately apply to the Grand Visitor of the province, and he shall do us justice." Shuey-guwin told him, that their enemy was of the province of Pe-king, and therefore was not under that Mandarine's jurisdiction. "Well then, said Kwo-khe-tzu and his companions, we will all together draw up a petition, wherein we will accuse him of endeavouring to raise a rebellion; this will authorise the Mandarines of any province to lay hold of him. The Grand Visitor must give an account of this at court; where we will send to our fathers and friends to acquaint them of the affair; thus we shall quickly humble him, notwithstanding all his bravery and valour." They were exceedingly pleased with this proposal, and accordingly got their petition wrote, which Shuey-guwin signed as a witness: they then repaired to the city of Tong-chang; and finding the audience open for receiving petitions, presented themselves before the tribunal. The Grand Visitor received their petition, and ordered them all out of the hall, except Shuey-guwin. "This paper, said he, contains a strange story of a rebellion attempted in this country by Tieh-chung-u: if he was so dangerous a person, how came you to be so desirous of his company, and to invite him so earnestly to drink wine with you? Did he drop any hint of his intention to raise a tumult or rebellion in the city, in the midst of his cups, or afterwards in the quarrel?" Shuey-guwin finding the Grand Visitor so inquisitive, knew not what to answer, and therefore remained silent. "You are a very sorry fellow, said the Mandarine. I am well acquainted with the whole story: nevertheless if you do not relate it exactly from beginning to end, I will bring your fingers to the Kia-quen or Tormenting-sticks." Shuey-guwin's fear became excessive when he saw the other so angry, and found he should be forced to confess the truth. "Sir, said he, it is true, he was drinking with the others." "Very well, said the Mandarine, if you were drinking all together, I must suppose you all equally guilty: nay it is more likely that you five should form seditious designs upon the city, than he whom you accuse, who perhaps would not join in such an attempt, and so you have agreed to impeach him first." "My Lord, replied he, Kwo-khe-tzu invited this young man to his house out of civility and good-will, and when he was in his cups all the secret came out. Nothing would pacify him; he overset the table and fell to fighting, crying out to the young Mandarines, that if there were a thousand of them, he would not regard them: and that if he should come to be Emperor he would destroy the four houses to which they belong. The young gentlemen deeply concerned at these things, could not refrain from lodging a complaint with your Excellency: which they would not have presumed to do, had it been false." "A likely story, said the Grand Visitor, that one person should beat and abuse four or five of you. No! no! you must not think to impose on me at this rate." "Sir, said Shuey-guwin, the broken pieces of furniture are still to be seen: nothing is more certain." The Mandarine took him up short, "How should a stranger of another city come and raise such a disturbance, unless he had been provoked by some injury or insult? However if it be as you alledge, have you secured or brought him with you?" "No, he replied; he was like a tyger, there was no taking hold of him: he went away without any one's daring to oppose him." The Grand Visitor ordered all he had reported to be taken down in writing by the secretary of the tribunal: then said to him, "Are not you ashamed, an old fellow as you are, to come here with these stories: and to keep company with young rakes, drinking and embroiling yourself in their quarrels? This petition you have brought me is false and scandalous. Go home and tell the four Mandarines sons to be quiet: I know the whole story, better than they imagine. If it were not for the connections of these young men, I would throw you into prison, where you should die with hunger: however I must make you a present of twenty or thirty bastinadoes." At these words Shuey-guwin in great terror, cryed out that he was old, and begged he would pardon and not dishonour him so much. "Honour! said the Grand Visitor, what honour have you?" He said, "I am brother to the second Mandarine of the tribunal of arms." "Are you his brother, said the magistrate? why who keeps his house?" "My brother, he replied, hath no son: but only one daughter, who heretofore hath received great favour from your Excellency." "If it be so, replied the Grand Visitor, for her sake I will pardon you: but then tell me truly, who it is that bears such implacable enmity against this young stranger." "I am not his enemy, answered Shuey-guwin: but it is Kwo-khe-tzu, who being disappointed in his design of marrying my niece, by the other's interposal, hath ever since retained a secret malice and desire of revenge; and it was in order to gratify his revenge, that he now invited him to his house: but for my part I owe him no kind of ill will." The Grand Visitor ordered his secretary to make a memorandum of this; then giving him back the petition, bade him go tell those young men to mind their studies, and let him hear no more of them: "For this once, said he, I pardon them on account of their fathers: who would find a great deal of trouble, should such complaints be brought against them at court." Shuey-guwin having thus obtained leave to retire, was ready to leap out of his skin for joy: but when he was got without the audience where the others were waiting for him, he shrugged up his shoulders, and made signs to them to hold their tongues: at the sight of which, and of the petition which he held in his hand, they were alarmed; and being informed of all that had happened, sent in a Sho-poun or billet of thanks, to the Grand Visitor for his lenity, and afterwards returned home not a little ashamed. However Kwo-khe-tzu could not be prevailed on to lay aside his resentment, or to drop his pursuit. On the contrary, he was the more obstinately resolved to persist in both; and recollecting that Chun-kee had been gone some time, he dispatched a messenger to enquire after him. Now Chun-kee in performance of his promise had made the best of his way to the court: where as soon as he arrived, he delivered to the minister Kwo-sho-su the letter from his son. As soon as the Mandarine had read the letter, he withdrew with him into his library, and inviting him to sit down, inquired about his son's proposal of marriage with Shuey-ping-sin. "Her father, said he, is now in disgrace: this match cannot be for our credit, as we are advanced to such a degree in the state." "This young lady, replied the other, is endowed with wonderful perfections both of mind and person, and is of unexampled modesty: in short there is not her fellow to be found in the world. Wherefore your son hath sworn either by gentle or violent means to marry her." Kwo-sho-su laughed and said, "I am afraid my son is very weak and simple. If he had a mind to marry her, he needed not have sent to court, when the Che-foo and Che-hien, the fathers of the country, might easily have compleated the marriage for him. You have had a great deal of trouble in coming so far: and now he would give me still more, in requiring me to send without the wall into Tartary for her father's consent." "He hath not been wanting in application to the Che-foo and Che-hien, replied the other; he hath left no means to prevail with her unattempted; but she hath always by very gentle but artful methods found means to elude his pursuit. Your Lordship must not talk of the Che-foo and Che-hien, since the Grand Visitor of the province, who was your pupil, endeavoured to promote the suit of your son, but she so far baffled him, that he hath been glad to put forth a declaration, forbidding any one to molest her on the subject of marriage. Now if a Mandarine of his rank is afraid to meddle with her, who besides dares approach her gates? Kwo-khe-tzu therefore had no other remedy, but to apply to your Lordship." The Mandarine Kwo-sho-su was surprized at this account, and said, "Surely this is a young lady of fine understanding, and it is on that account my son so much admires her. But this Shuey-keu-ye, her father, is a very positive man: if he does not heartily approve of any measure, he is not to be moved to engage in it: besides I am not very intimate with him. He is a man of one word: when he held an audience, there was very little application made to him, because he was known to favour no body. He hath only this daughter; and I remember I once applied to him about her, but without success. However, as he is now in trouble, perhaps he will be more inclined to comply: there seems at present a good opportunity to ask his consent." "But in what manner, said Chun-kee, will your Lordship apply to him?" "It must be done, said the other, with all the usual ceremonies. A friend must first be employed to break the matter: afterwards we must send a present. But here lies the difficulty: as he is distant from us no less than two hundred leagues, I cannot ask any Mandarine of great quality to go so far. I believe I must write a letter and beg the favour of you to carry it, together with the present." Chun-kee replied, "Your Lordship may command my best services. Let me also carry letters to such of the great Mandarines there as are able to influence him." "You are right, said the Minister; and accordingly selecting a fortunate day, he wrote the letters and dispatched him with them. CHAP. VII. Now the case of the Mandarine Shuey-keu-ye [was as follows;] upon receiving notice that a war had broke out with the Tartars, and that there was not any valiant man to head the troops; [he had] made inquiry after such a person, and [had] found among the people of his audience a man called Hu-biau, son of the north-west country, who had offered himself for that service. Of this Shuey-keu-ye informed the Emperor, who consented to employ him, there being none other that cared to go against the enemy. He was accordingly constituted General, with orders to go and visit those parts that were the seat of war, and to act as he should think best for the public service. He executed these orders with such dispatch, that he would not stop to pay the usual visits of ceremony to any of the other Mandarines in command, but went immediately in search of the enemy. This gave so much disgust to those officers that they would not go to his assistance, nor unite their forces with his. Nevertheless he attacked the enemy, and had a sharp engagement for a whole day with equal advantage on both sides. Small as this success was, it was represented still less to the Emperor by the disaffected Mandarines, and both he and Shuey-keu-ye were suspended from their employments: the one being sent to prison, and the other an exile into Tartary. The latter had now remained about a year in banishment: where, although he still retained his dignity of Mandarine, there was taken little notice of him, and he had small hopes of returning home. One morning a servant belonging to his tribunal (for notwithstanding his disgrace he still had an hall of audience assigned him) came to tell him that there was a messenger arrived from Pe-king, with letters from one of the Ministers of state. Shuey-keu-ye, who had looked upon himself as intirely forgotten at court, was surprized at this news. Nevertheless he ordered the messenger to be admitted. Chun-kee was accordingly shewn in, attended by two servants whom he had brought with him. He performed his reverences, and presented a Tieh-tse or billet of compliments. The Mandarine perused it, and finding Chun-kee to be no servant, but a particular acquaintance of the person who sent him, desired him to sit down. "I am so unhappy, said he, as to be out of favour: and it is a long while since I have been taken notice of by any one. How happens it then, that you are come so far to me? Upon what account?" "I should not have taken this liberty, replied the other, had I not been sent by Kwo-sho-su, whose business abroad I sometimes transact: and it is on his account that I have now taken so long a journey." "When I was at court, said Shuey-keu-ye, I had very little acquaintance with that Mandarine. I suppose therefore my punishment is now going to be increased." Chun-kee replied, "It will not be long before your Lordship will return to Pe-king: I am only come at present in behalf of this nobleman's son, who desires your daughter in marriage: but as she hath not your permission or order, I am sent to intreat you to grant it." Then asking the servants for the letter, he presented it to Shuey-keu-ye: who opening it, and having read it, thought that the whole affair was not rightly conducted, according to the manner among people of quality; nor suitably to the dignity of his rank. At the same time being not unacquainted with the character of Kwo-khe-tzu, and having no great opinion of the Mandarine his father, he resolved not to consent to their request. This resolution he was the rather confirmed in, as he supposed if his daughter had approved of it, they would never have sent so far to him. After some pause, Chun-kee took the liberty to ask him if he had read the letter. He replied, "I have, and thank you for the great trouble you have been at in bringing it: I am obliged to Kwo-sho-su for the high honour he doth me: and should esteem it great good fortune that he is pleased to desire my daughter for his son: but only that I am now under his Majesty's displeasure, and removed above two hundred leagues from home, from whence I have been absent five years at court, and one in banishment. As I have no son, and only this daughter, who is unto me as a son, and as such hath the whole direction of my house, I shall therefore permit her to govern herself in this affair according to her own inclinations. If Kwo-khe-tzu had so great a desire to marry her, why did not he apply to the Che-foo and Che-hien, who are the public guardians of the people, and to my brother Shuey-guwin? What need had he to take so much trouble in sending so far?" "Sir, replied Chun-kee, you speak very well; and Kwo-khe-tzu did last year pursue the method you describe; but after she had many times put him off, she at length confessed, it was because she had not your permission, and therefore he hath got me to come for it." The Mandarine Shuey-keu-ye judged from his discourse, that his daughter was not inclined to marry Kwo-khe-tzu; and therefore he said, "As I am now in disgrace, I look upon it that I have nothing to do with my family, nor can I pretend to dispose of my daughter. I have been here a twelvemonth, and have not so much as sent home one letter: and it is because I am not yet acquitted. Now under these circumstances, should I pretend to give out an order about my daughter, it would aggravate my offence: I dare not therefore offer to do it." Chun-kee said, "Let me have but your word, and it will be sufficient." He was very importunate, insomuch that Shuey-keu-ye grew downright angry, and said, that it was not a thing of a slight or indifferent nature: and custom required that there should be more than two to concert so important an affair as marriage. Without any further satisfaction he dismissed him, but ordered him a lodging: from whence Chun-kee often paid him visits, but to no purpose: he therefore sent to all the neighbouring Mandarines, and got them to speak to him on the subject of the marriage. They were accordingly very urgent and pressing, which made Shuey-keu-ye so uneasy, that he sent for Chun-kee and said: "I never did any ill to the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su: why then doth he give me so much trouble, and is for taking my daughter by force? Go home, and tell him, I will never compel her to act against her inclinations. As for myself, I never expect to carry my bones home again: my life is to me of little value: [but I will not make my daughter miserable.] Nay should the Emperor himself order me to compel her, I would still leave her to her own choice: and should all the Mandarines here my superiors do their utmost to make me suffer, I regard it not. Therefore take your letter and your present back again." Chun-kee finding it would be in vain to persist, packed up his baggage and returned to the court. Where being arrived with no little shame for his ill success, he gave back to Kwo-sho-su his letter and present. At which the Minister was very much inraged, and resolved to resent it the first opportunity. It was not long before he found one; for there being a demand for more troops to go against the Tartars, on account of the havoc and loss which had been made of those who went before; that Mandarine, when he advised the Emperor of it, did not fail to lay the blame on the former mismanagement of Shuey-keu-ye, and on that of his general Hu-biau: representing to his Majesty, that if they were taken off by the punishment they deserved, warriors enow would offer themselves, and bring the war to a conclusion: but that this could not be expected till all suspicion was taken away of their ever returning into employment; in the discharge of which they had both rendered themselves extremely odious. The Emperor approved of this remonstrance, and referred it to the consideration of the San-fa-tseh, or tribunal of three: which was commanded to assemble and examine into the conduct of Hu-biau in order to bring that general to justice. CHAP. VIII. The 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 seated, the Supreme Vice-roy Tieh-ying being one of them, that unfortunate general was brought out of prison, and entered upon his trial. It happened that the same day Tieh-chung-u arrived at Pe-king, where he had never been since his return from Shan-tong. As soon as he alighted he inquired for his father. His mother told him he was gone upon an affair of great importance: that there was a great officer or valiant man to be brought to justice. He replied, "As there is a war, and valiant men are necessary at this critical juncture, why do they seek to destroy them? I will go and hear the trial: perhaps my father may be drawn over to the opinion of his colleagues, and not follow the dictates of his natural candour and justice." Then going to the audience, he was struck with the sight of Hu-biau already condemned, and bound, waiting for execution: having been sentenced to lose his head three quarters of an hour after noon.