Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-wilkinson/Chapter 17
Chapter 17: When Hidden Truths Are Revealed, True Chivalry Shines Forth
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.
[Volume IV, Book IV, Chapter VII]
The Ab-bang being set at large by the invitation the Emperor sent him to the banquet, took the first opportunity to advise with his father, concerning his situation with Shuey-ping-sin. The Mandarine Tieh-ying said, "Notwithstanding you both continue in separate chambers, I am of opinion that your marriage is valid, and for life. But why don't you bring your wife home to your own house, that the world may be thoroughly satisfied of your nuptials, and thus all occasion of scandal removed on account of his niece. Go and consult with your bride what course to take in this critical juncture." He accordingly went to the young lady, and told her what his father had said. "My lord, said she with her accustomed discretion, I am your servant and handmaid; and will do whatever you shall prescribe to me, in order to put an end to these clamours. All this disturbance springs from the malice of Kwo-sho-su and his son. Let us then with the greatest expedition perform whatever ceremonies remain unobserved, and thereby convince the world that our marriage is duly celebrated according to law." When Tieh-chung-u found his lovely bride approved of his father's advice of bringing her home to his own house, it filled his heart with extreme satisfaction: "You, said he, are a lady that always lend an ear to reason. I will not fail to acquaint my father and mother of our intentions: nor will I on this occasion forget my friend Ha-biau. I will then apply to the Tribunal of Mathematics,[1] in order to chuse a good day for our nuptials, and will invite all the Mandarines to the marriage feast. The truth is we have not complied with the custom which requires us to present wine to each other."[2]
Kwo-sho-su hearing that the young couple were preparing to celebrate their marriage afresh, was very much disturbed at it. He applied therefore to one of the Mandarines, whose business it is to accuse all that are guilty of enormities, and with many intreaties prevailed on him to accuse Tieh-chung-u and the young lady before the Emperor.
The accusation was drawn up in the following terms.
- "I Yang-yo, Censor[3] of the empire, with great respect and reverence present to your Majesty this paper of accusation concerning a scandalous marriage, which violates the law: and I do it in order that your Majesty may examine into the same, and find out the truth. Of the five duties that belong to human nature,[4] the first is marriage: it ought therefore to be observed with due care and attention, and with all those ceremonies, which the Emperors have enacted from the remotest antiquity. Now it is a thing unheard of that a young woman without father or mother should remain under the same roof with a young man equally removed from his own parents, and that without the interposal of any mediator or bridesman, or without the knowledge and privity of any. [All this hath happened, and] the parents of the offenders are the Mandarines Shuey-keu-ye and Tieh-ying, both great officers of your Majesty's council. Who at length, after the fact is become notorious to all the world, are preparing to patch up a marriage between the guilty pair; which they have the confidence to celebrate with great feasting and parade: mean while, as the nuptial procession marches along the streets, all the people are murmuring and laughing at a thing so unheard of among persons of quality. All these facts coming to the ears of me your Majesty's subject, I durst not but inform you of them, that the offenders might be chastized for an example to others."
The Mandarine Vang-yo having presented this paper, it was referred to the council named Ko-chung:[5] which consulted upon it, and made this report, "What affects the fame of a virgin ought to be very clear. Here is no testimony, only hearsay in the street; it ought diligently to be inquired what evidence there is to support this accusation."
The Eunuch Chou was every day importunate with them to pursue the inquiry with more rigour. Nevertheless it was not till after a considerable time that the accusation was sent to the Tribunal of Rites, for their farther inquiry. The Eunuch Chou vexed at this delay, applied to the Grand Eunuch, who is President of all the Eunuchs of the palace:[6] and immediately a petition was issued out for the Emperor's own inspection: who upon perusal of it said, "As Tieh-chung-u is a young man, the pretence of his going to be cured and nursed in his illness in the house of a young woman, is not to be suspected."
While the Tribunal of Rites was deliberating what answer to return to his Majesty, the news arrived to the Mandarine Tieh-ying, who greatly alarmed related to the young couple what he had heard. "The Mandarine Vang-yo, said he, out of enmity which he bears you, hath delivered in a petition against you to the Emperor; it behoves you therefore to consider well, what defence you are to make; and to draw up a petition in your own behalf." The young couple replied, "We have long been apprized that this would happen, and are accordingly prepared: let us see what answer his Majesty hath dispatched, and we shall draw up a suitable memorial."
The Emperor referred the petition abovementioned to the Tribunal of Rites. That tribunal dispatched it away to the province for the Viceroy to make inquiry. The Minister Kwo-sho-su upon the first notice of this, immediately sent instructions to his son to gain the Che-hien of the city over to their interest; with a view he desired him to spare no expence, and furnished him with a letter written to that Magistrate with his own hand. Kwo-khe-tzu greatly delighted with the prospect that seemed to open before him, immediately got ready a hundred pieces of gold,[7] in order to accompany his father's letter to the Che-hien. The name of the Mandarine who at this juncture possessed that office was Wey-phey; being the same person whom Tieh-chung-u had formerly befriended in rescuing and restoring to him his mistress. This gentleman was but newly promoted to his office when Kwo-khe-tzu presented to him the hundred pieces of gold together with his father's letter. The other had no sooner perused it, than he was greatly surprized to find not only the mischief intended against his benefactor, but that he himself was desired to be instrumental in it. Nevertheless he concealed his sentiments with seeming approbation; "Very well, said he; I accept your present; when the order arrives, I will not neglect it."
Kwo-khe-tzu was satisfied with this answer and withdrew. The Governour Wey-phey called together all the clerks belonging to the tribunal,[8] and ordered them to examine into the affair of Tieh-chung-u, and to inform him upon what pretence that youth was received into the house of Shuey-ping-sin. They all agreed that the young lady took him in, out of gratitude for having rescued her from Kwo-khe-tzu, who was carrying her off by force: and that this was notorious to all the world. The Mandarine Wey-phey inquired how far their behaviour together afterwards was decent and blameless. They replied, "We know not: but the Pao Che-hien your predecessor, having the same doubt of their virtue, employed a spy to pry into their conduct; who was accordingly concealed for some time[9] within the house: and this man gave such an account of their behaviour, that the Pao Che-hien conceived a great regard for the young stranger, and revered him as a saint." The governor Wey-phey ordered before him the spy abovementioned, as also the superior of the Pagoda, where Tieh-chung-u had lodged. He examined them both; and both agreed in establishing the purity of that gentleman's conduct. Highly satisfied and rejoiced with this result of his inquiries, Wey-phey only waited for the arrival of the dispatches from the Tribunal of Rites, and from the Viceroy, in order to make his report. After five days the dispatches arrived. He immediately returned back to the Viceroy a satisfactory answer. That Mandarine acknowledged the affair bore a very reputable aspect, and immediately transmitted the account to the court. The Tribunal of Rites expressed great satisfaction at the clear and unblemished conduct of Tieh-chung-u, whom they looked upon as a saint, and perceived the malice of Kwo-sho-su; nevertheless being obliged to observe all the due forms of law, they informed that Mandarine of the satisfactory account they had received of Tieh-chung-u's conduct, and invited him to come and peruse it himself. Kwo-sho-su was greatly inraged at the perusal, and threw out many reproaches on the governor Wey-phey, "He is but newly made a doctor, said he, and just come to his office, how can he know the truth of this affair? He is very hardy and rash to pretend to acquit this criminal upon such slight pretences: I cannot suffer this boldness to pass unnoticed." He therefore applied to the superior Mandarines to call Wey-phey to account for his presumption. With this view Yang-yo presented another petition to the Emperor: who accepted it, and gave orders for Wey-phey to be summoned to court, in order to justify his conduct. Wey-phey received this summons from the Viceroy: together with private notice to make the best preparations he could for his defence, for that he had powerful enemies to contend with. Wey-phey waited on the Viceroy to return him thanks for his advice, and withal assured him that he had nothing of which he could accuse himself, and therefore was under no apprehension of the event. Then taking with him the spy, who had been employed by his predecessor, as also the superior of the Bonzees,[10] together with the letter of Kwo-sho-su, and his present of the hundred pieces of gold, he set out for the court. As soon as he arrived there, he durst not presume to present himself before the Emperor, but went and demanded audience of the Hing-pu, or Tribunal of Crimes.[11] It was inquired of him at that tribunal; how it happened, that he who was but newly promoted to his office, could pretend to decide so positively upon the conduct of Tieh-chung-u, and the young lady? And whether he had not been bribed to acquit them? Wey-phey answered, "As I was promoted by his Majesty to the honourable Tribunal of Che-hien, it behoved me to examine clearly into all matters that came before it. It is true, my own personal knowledge of this affair cannot enable me to decide upon it: but I not only inquired of my clerks and officers all they knew about it themselves, but also what testimony they had to support their account: they referred me to a person, who was employed by the Pao Che-hien my predecessor expressly as a spy to observe the conduct of the young people, and from him I learnt a clear state of the case. Your Lordships have asked if I received no bribe from Tieh-chung-u. I have received nothing from that Mandarine. But from Kwo-sho-su I have received not only a letter written with his own hands, but also a hundred pieces of gold from those of his son. Here is the spy, who is witness to the truth of the account, and here is also the letter and the gold." The Mandarines at the sight of this, were astonished and confounded; and finding no cause to blame Wey-phey, dismissed him with orders to await the Emperor's farther pleasure, and to attend them again upon the first summons. Then Wey-phey performed the accustomed reverence, and withdrew.
[Volume IV, Book IV, Chapter VIII]
The Mandarines that composed the Tribunal of Crimes seeing there was no remedy, and that they could not favour the cause of Kwo-sho-su without danger to themselves, applied to the Tribunal of Rites to present a memorial to his Majesty, to acquaint him with what they had done. The Emperor perused it himself, and said, "This is a rare incident. If this report be true, we have in our realm a most excellent person." The Eunuch Chou, who stood in his Majesty's presence, said, "This report comes from a new governor, who could not know the affair of his own personal knowledge; if I might therefore presume so far, I would question the truth of this report: for if there was nothing wrong, why did not his father come to acquaint and consult your Majesty upon the case. The young people in the first place come together, and afterwards marry." The Emperor considered a little with himself, and then replied; "You are right. Order each of the parties concerned to draw up a petition for my perusal, I will afterwards examine into the affair myself." When this order came to the two young persons and their parents, they remained very joyful and well pleased: the Minister Kwo-sho-su was no less affected with concern and dread: he thought to have wrought the downfall of others, and saw the evil [ready to] fall upon himself. In the difficulty in which he found himself plunged, it occurred to him to represent in his petition the overtures of marriage that had been made by his son, and to assign reasons to favour his cause: he therefore gave in a petition to the following effect.
- "I your Majesty's vassal present this petition concerning the affair that hath so lately happened. The truth is, I was at first disposed to marry my son to the daughter of Shuey-keu-ye, and for that reason applied to her father in his behalf: but afterwards hearing many things prejudicial to the fame of the young lady, I laid aside my intention. How then could my son be supposed likely to make an attempt upon her by force?[12] I submit this to your Majesty's consideration."
Tieh-chung-u on his side likewise instantly presented another petition to the Emperor in answer to it.
- "I Tieh-chung-u in obedience to your Majesty's orders, make this my petition, speaking truth without guile. I did not presume to trouble your Majesty on this occasion, as the affair was trifling, and related only to a private family. I was travelling through the provinces, by permission of my father, when lo! in the city of Tsi-nan I was interrupted by a great tumult and disturbance in the streets: I inquired the cause; and learnt that the son of Kwo-sho-su was carrying away the daughter of Shuey-keu-ye, in order to marry her by force. Hearing of this outrage, though I was then but a stripling, I was filled with indignation, and said, in marriage the consent of both parties, and other solemn rites are necessary. The Che-hien yielding to my remonstrance, caused the lady to be carried back to her house. All this while I had no personal knowledge of the parties: nor had any other view but to promote peace and concord. The son of Kwo-sho-su finding that I had hindered his unlawful designs, entertained a violent hatred against me. I was lodged in a Pagoda or convent. He applied to the Bonzee of the convent to give me poison. It was accordingly administered to me in my victuals. I was seized with violent illness, and at the point of death. Shuey-ping-sin discovering that I was dangerously ill upon her account, was greatly concerned, and caused her people to convey me to her house. I was then too much disordered to know any thing of the matter: but she did it purely out of gratitude to repay the service I had done her. While I was in her house I observed the strictest modesty,[13] nor gave the least occasion for scandal. With regard to the marriage contracted with her afterwards, I did it in obedience to my father and mother; and this was owing to my having been surety[14] for the general Ha-biau, who by the victories he obtained, brought the young lady's father out of a long exile, which he had suffered at the instigation of Kwo-sho-su. The general observing that I was young and unmarried, in order to return the benefits I had done him, became mediator and bridesman in my behalf, and applied to Shuey-keu-ye to give me his daughter in marriage. All this they concerted among themselves without my knowledge. But notwithstanding the marriage hath been twice solemnized, it is not yet consummated: so careful have we been about our reputation and good fame. We have even lived together under the same roof with all the innocence of infants. This I here set forth in my petition conformably to truth."
The young lady in like manner presented her petition to the Emperor.
- "I Shuey-ping-sin in conformity to your Majesty's command, make this true memorial. I was left an orphan by the death of my mother, and by my father's banishment: I remained alone in my house, where I lived in the greatest reserve and retirement. In this solitude how could I make a marriage-contract? All the present disturbance springs from the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su. His son, who is of the same city with myself, held me in such contempt, as to form designs of marrying me by force: he got me into his power by a counterfeit order.[15] As he was carrying me away we were met by Tieh-chung-u: who seeing this outrage applied to the Che-hien in my behalf. That Magistrate ordered me to be carried back to my house. Kwo-khe-tzu, inraged at his disappointment, conceived violent hatred against my deliverer, and sought all means of revenge. The latter being lodged in a Convent, the other commanded the Bonzee to give him poison, which brought him to the point of death. Hearing of his danger, I resolved to run the risk of my reputation, rather than let my benefactor perish. I ordered him therefore to be conveyed to my house, that I might superintend his cure. I remained under the same roof with him, with the greatest[16] purity and modesty, without any bad thought. He is no less innocent. Whatever is represented as disorderly in our marriage is false. It was undertaken and conducted by my father. The General Ha-biau was bridesman or mediator, and gave himself the trouble of settling the contract. But although we are married, we have not yet cohabited. This being a private concern between man and wife, we thought it unnecessary to trouble your Majesty. The liberty I take now is in obedience to your Majesty's command, to whose wisdom I refer the decision of my cause."
The Mandarine Tieh-ying presented likewise his memorial to the Emperor.
- "I the President of the Tribunal of the Viceroys, Tieh-ying by name, with great respect and reverence present this memorial to your Majesty. The rites of marriage ought to be observed by the father and mother of each party. When a father wants to marry his son, it behoves him to seek out a woman of honour and virtue. My son, who is created one of the first doctors of the empire, cannot but understand all the ceremonies and customs: much less could he dare to violate the laws. We being your Majesty's servants and advanced to the honour of Mandarines, could not presume to take any steps that were not legal. The young lady Shuey-ping-sin hath too much virtue and good sense to consent to any step injurious to her reputation. Whatever therefore is represented as disorderly in their marriage, is contrary to truth. But all these troubles are brought upon me through the hatred and envy of certain persons. This memorial I make in obedience to your Majesty, whose wisdom will clearly discern the truth."
The father of the young lady presented his memorial likewise.
- "I the President of the Tribunal of Arms, named Shuey-keu-ye, with great reverence and respect present this memorial to your Majesty. In marriage, there ought to be the intire consent of both parties, free from all force and compulsion. With respect to my daughter, she would by no means be prevailed on to marry Kwo-khe-tzu; whose father being one of your Majesty's great councellors, and having charge of the whole empire, ought to know all the laws and customs. And yet hath he been guilty of the greatest outrage, and still persists in presenting memorials to your Majesty full of lies and falsehood, defaming the honour of ladies, principally that of my daughter; who hath already presented her memorial, which I beg leave to refer to."
- ↑ The Kin-tien-xien or Tribunal of Mathematics, consists of a president, two assessors, and many subordinate Mandarines: who apply themselves to astronomy and astrology; compose the imperial calendar, and distinguish the days, hours, &c. into fortunate and unlucky. It is an important branch of their office to predict all eclipses: of which they give schemes to the Emperor, who lays them before the Tribunal of Rites, and they disperse copies of the same through all the provinces, to the end that the ceremonies usual on that occasion may be every where observed. These consist in beating kettle-drums, &c. during the eclipse; the Mandarines kneeling and making prostrations all the while; the common people at the same time shouting, in order to fright away a supposed dragon, who they believe is about to devour the sun or moon. This tribunal also deputes five astronomers every night to take their stand on the imperial observatory, who every morning report whatever phenomena have occurred to them. P. Magal. p. 231. Mod. Un. Hist. viii, 186; P. Du Halde. P. Le Compte, &c.
- ↑ The custom is upon the wedding night, while the young couple are surrounded by all their friends, for the bride to offer a cup of wine to the bridegroom, which he drinks off; and then offers such another cup to her. Trans.
- ↑ The title of this officer as set down in the Portuguese version is FU-SU [or XU] acuzador e avixor do imperio: i. e. The Ju-su, the accuser, and the adviser of the empire. But as this title is mentioned in no other writer, and as the office seems to be the same with that of CENSOR described before, [See pag. 10. note] the Editor hath not scrupled to give that title.
- ↑ By these five things are probably meant those several Relations of social life, that gave birth to the relative duties; which the Chinese distribute into five heads, and to which they reduce all their morality. These five duties are, those of parents and children: prince and subjects: husband and wife: elder and younger brethren: and friends with regard one to another. See P. Du Halde, vol. 2. pag. 37. Now although the Chinese commonly look upon the relation between parents and children, as first in point of importance: yet in some respects the precedence may be also given to that of marriage, as it comes first in order of time, and as most of the other relations spring from it.
- ↑ None of the writers that the Editor hath been able to consult, give any account of this tribunal, which is elsewhere in the Portuguese MS. called Ko-chin. After all, the Portuguese, which is very much corrupted in this place, will bear to be rendered, "A councellor named Ko-chung who deliberated upon it, &c."
- ↑ The Eunuchs of the palace are under cognizance of various tribunals of their own; where all regulations relating to them are enacted, and to which alone they are accountable. P. Semedo, pag. 114.
- ↑ The Portuguese expression is, Paes de ouro, i. e. "Loaves of gold;" and this is the name which most nations have agreed to give to the uncoined pieces of gold which the Chinese use in traffic. These pieces are of two sizes, the greater are commonly worth more than 100l. sterling, and the smaller about half as much, or according to their weight: for neither gold nor silver coin is current in China, all their payments being made by weight. For this reason every Chinese merchant is always furnished with very fine steel-yards and a pair of shears for the more ready dividing their metal into the requisite sums, which they will do to any given value with the greatest exactness. This may seem an aukward method of proceeding, but the Chinese are such subtle and exquisite cheats, that were money to pass among them by tale, as in other countries, it would give birth to continual adulterations. For the same reason, when the Chinese transport these Paes de ouro into other countries, the merchants cut them through the middle, not daring to trust that crafty people, who have a method of stuffing these pieces, insomuch that withinside shall be sometimes found a third part of copper or silver. But except it be in large sums, gold is seldom used as a medium of traffic. N. B. The only coined money current in China, consists of some very small copper pieces, who have each a hole in the middle for the convenience of stringing many of them together. Ten of these are not worth above a half penny. See Tavernier part 2. pag. 8. P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p. 330.
- ↑ Annexed to every tribunal there are various Notaries, clerks, &c. who have small houses in the adjoining courts; they are maintained at the public expence, and enjoy their places for life: so that business goes on without interruption, notwithstanding that the Mandarines their masters are often changed. N. B. In each of the tribunals there are public registers, where every thing transacted before it is entered and recorded. P. Du Halde, vol. 1. pag. 284. Lettres edif.
- ↑ The MS. says "Three days;" but this is neither credible in itself, nor supported by the former part of the story. See Vol. 2. chap. 4.
- ↑ The Chinese author seems, in the following part of the story to have forgotten this circumstance: for this witness is never produced afterwards. It is also some imputation on the Author's justice, that this Bonzee is not punished along with the other criminals. See vol. 2. p. 127. note.
- ↑ See vol. 2. p. 127. note.
- ↑ The transition here is harsh and abrupt: it ought however to be observed, that the Emperor had been made acquainted with this circumstance from the petitions relating to Tieh-chung-u.
- ↑ Literally it is, "I was very clean."
- ↑ Protector. Port.
- ↑ The literal expression is, "By my gate being shut."
- ↑ Literally, "Very clean and pure."
End of Chapter 17