Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-davis/Chapter 13
Chapter 13: The Marriage Presents Are Rejected on Their First Proposal, in Hatred of Such Unprincipled Plots
From: The Fortunate Union, a Chinese Romance. Translated from the Chinese Original by John Francis Davis (London, 1829)
Note: This text was digitized via OCR from the original 1829 print. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MARRIAGE PRESENTS ARE REJECTED ON THEIR FIRST PROPOSAL, IN HATRED OF 8UCH UNPRIN- CIPLED PLOTS.
Stange, did the nuptial rite occasion yield
To pamper hatred—etrange, if two should wed, Where only one is willing! The rude toils
In which he would involve his prey deny Succese—to power alone he looks for aid !
But the stern sire unshaken maxims sway,
Nor will he lightly view his daughter’s welfare.— Rather than contact foul his gem disgrace,
A blow should shatter it !
Wuen he had left the commissioner, Teihchungyu related the whole substance of the conference to the old domestic, and desired him to report it to Shueypingsin. —“ Your lady,” added he, “ unequalled as she is for sense and firmness, in times past or present, inspires me with the highest esteem; and I only lament that cir- cumstances prevent a more intimate friendship between us: but this is both the will of heaven and the ordi- nance of man—there is no remedy.” So saying, he returned the horse to the steward, who bent his way homeward ; while the youth himself hired a good mule, and proceeded on his journey towards his native city.
He came,—nor heeded many a toilsome league ; He went,—with heart all tied up in affection : Deny
Deny not that a secret influence spreads
O’er kindred minds—there was a friend * did know
The latent sweetness of the silent lute.
We now turn to Kwoketsu, who, with his three proftigate friends and their gang of hired ruffians, had received such a severe discomfiture from Teihchungyu. When they saw him seize their companion, and walk him out at the door in that haughty and insulting manner, their rage and shame deprived them of utter- ance. After an interval of silence, Shueyun was the first to speak. “ We have miscalculated this busi- ness,” said he; “ but it is useless to be angry ;—who could suppose that the young brute would prove so formidable |”
- Formidable as he is,” replied Kwoketsu, “ we
should certainly have beat him, if he had not seized our friend, and thereby compelled us to refrain from falling on him. Our companion being safe, however, we must follow up this affair. Wait till I engage twenty or thirty men to go and cudgel him—that done, we will report him to the commissioner.”
s¢ Engage your men,” said his friend Chang, “ and I will provide some more to assist you.” The other two agreed to do the same, and when they had set to work they soon ollected upwards of a hundred
, fellows,
- This has reference to the story of one who destroyed his lute on the
death of a friend, complaining, ‘that he was gone to whom its notes
were known,’—and hence Cheyin, ‘be who knows my notes,’ is a poeti- cal phrase for ‘ friend.’ Thus slight are the allusions in Chinese poetry !
fellows, who with the four young men and Shueyun
went down in a swarm to Teihchungyu’s lodging, to
take revenge on him.
- On their arrival, however, they found that he was gone !—and great was their rage and disappointment. Shueyun proposed that they should keep themselves united for revenge; but Kwoketsu objected to this as useless. ‘* Let me report him to the commissioner,” said he; “ his lordship will certainly catch him.”
- But he belongs to another province,” observed
Shueyun, “ and is out of our commissioner’s juris- diction—he cannot seize him, therefore.”
“ IT will find a way to-seize him,” replied the other ;—* let us four combine in an accusation, de- claring that he boasted himself more than a match for an army, and that, evidently intent on rebellion, he betrayed his ferocious disposition and made an assault’ upon our whole party. We will rouse the ‘commis- sioner by the report that he has already taken mea- sures for revolt, and persuade his lordship to address the emperor. The address being sent, we four may despatch messengers to our respective fathers, and prevail on them to procure a secret warrant for his apprehension. Then let his prowess be what it may, he will find it of little use.”
The whole party declared that this was an excellent scheme. A person was employed to draw up their report, to which the four young men sct their names,
and
and Shueyun was adduced as witness. They then
proceeded in a body to Tongchangfoo, and sent in
their report in due order to the commissioner, who
read it carefully, and perceived that it alluded pre-
cisely to the occasion of Feihchungyu’s late com-
plaint. His lordship would have annulled it altoge-
ther, on the ground of that previous report,—but was
afraid lest they might accuse him of leaning to one
side of the question. He would then have summoned
the four young men into court,— but was fearful, again,
of affronting their rank. Perceiving, however, that
Shueyan was cited as witness, he issued a warrant
for his seizure and examination.
Now Shueyun, in venturing to offer himself as witness, had relied solely on the influence of his four powerful associates, to save him from unpleasant con- sequences ; but seeing the commissioner’s warrant for his single examination, and considering his own un- supported weakness, his spirits entirely forsook him, and he began to tremble all over. The emissaries of the commissioner treated him with no ceremony whatever, but were dragging him off, dead or alive,* when he .called out in tribulation to the four young men, “ Alas! how is this? Let me beg you, gentle- men, to go with me, for if I, a person of no consi-
deration,
- In Chinese courts, there is sometimes little difference between the
treatment of a witness, and that of a prisoner. They are both very roughly handled, and the witnesses occasionally put to the torture.
deration, am examined alone, I may be compelled
to say something that will prove the ruin of our
cause.” (ou
“* We ought to accompany him !”’ exclaimed they altogether, and would have gune in a body,—but they were prevented.
- His lordship ordered us to. ‘bring Shueyun by
himself,” said the officers ;—‘‘ who do you think will dare to take you all with him?” They were thus compelled to remain where they were, “and let their friend go by himself; and the officers, hur- rying him into court, knelt down and reported that they had brought the witness.
‘“‘ Hand him up here,” said the commissioner, and he was carried in front of the seat of justice, where they made him kneel down. Being interro- gated if he was Shueyun, the witness to the late transaction, he replied in a great fright, that he was. —“ And did you offer voluntarily to become evidence on this occasion,” inquired the commissioner, “ or did those four persons compel you ?””
‘* T was not compelled to become evidence,” re- plied Shueyun,—* nor did I wish it myself; but hav- ing heard the treasonable words of this Teihchungyu, I could not avoid it.”
“ It would appear, then, that he really intended rebellion?” said the commigsioner; to which the other very readily answered in the affirmative —“ Let
me
me hear you repeat the treasonable expressions,” de-
manded the judge.
“ He boasted, that with a sword in his hand, he would sustain the attack of a whole army.”
‘© And pray did you alone hear these words, or were there other persons present ?”
“ Had I alone heard him, it might look like a false charge,” replied Shueyun ; “ but the four young men were present, and when they had resolved to become his accusers, they fixed upon me as a witness.”
“ Then it is my belief that you were all plotting together !” exclaimed the judge‘ Where did this meeting take place ?”
Wholly unprepared for such an examination, Shue- yun was at a loss what to answer, and began at length to stammer,—which his judge instantly per- Ceiving, called for the torturing apparatus; and the executioners, answering like so many tigers or wolves with a fierce cry, threw down a set of ancle- squeezers before the prisoner’s face. His spirits now entirely forsook him, and his colour became of an earthen hue.
The commissioner struck the table with his fist, and exclaimed, “ I again demand of you where this happened? Why do you not answer ?”
Shrunk into a heap with terror, and deprived of the power of reflexion, Shueyun replied at once “ that it was in the house of Kwoketsu.”
‘“* But this Teihchungyu belongs to the city Ta-
ming,”
THE FORTUNATE UNION 59
”
ming, there >”
“ He heard that Kwoketsu was a person of high conuexions, and came to assail him in his house under the plea of a visit.”
“ And what were you doing there yourself ?”
“ Kwoketsu is my son-in-law, and as I am con- stantly at his house, I chanced to be present on this occasion.”
“ Were they drinking together when you met them—or talking—or quarrelling ?”
Thus abruptly interrogated, Shueyun knew not what to say, and would gladly have remained silent ;— but the commissioner burst upon him again. “I am acquainted with the whole of this business,”’ said he,
- and if you do not confess every circumstance, you
old villain, I will presently torture you to death.”
Shueyun’s terror obliged him to confess that the parties were drinking together.— And pray did you drink with them ?” demanded the judge. To which the other replied in the affirmative.
‘* In what manner did the three. young men join the party ?”
‘“ They came in, like me, separately, and without any previous intention.” .
‘* And did they take a part in the drinking ?”
“ They did,” said Shueyun.
‘* But if you were all drinking together in concert,
you
said the judge ;—‘* what could be be doing
you must have been taking part with him in bis
treason—how comes it that you appear as his accu-
sers then ?”
“ Kwoketsu had no bad motive in detaining the other to drink with him; but Teihchungyu, once intoxicated, betrayed himself altogether. He over- turned the table, seized one of the number, and knock- ed about the whole party. He then braved the four young men with those treasonable words ; and added, that he would exterminate their families, and convert their dwellings into acamp. Their fears led them to throw themselves under your lordship’s protection— if they had been leagued with him, they would never have dared to betray themselves.”
- I cannot believe this story of his seizing one,
and beating the rest,” said the judge. ‘ Do you persist in declaring that they had a fray?”
- To prove it,” replied Shueyun, “ your lordship
need only send somebody to inspect the broken cups _ and bowls, which were left on the floor.”
‘* But he was a. single and unfricnded stranger,’ observed the commissioner, ‘ and you, with all your crowd of dependants, must surcly have overpowered him—why then come and pretend that he was ex- citing rebellion ?”
- Though single,” answered the prisoner, “ his
strength was such, that the whole party were unequal to cope with him ; and Kwoketsu with his companions,
secing
seeing his extraordinary power, and hearing what he
said, thought it necessary to make their report.”
“ Has this Teihchungyu been seized?” inquired his lordship.
- His fierceness and strength made it quite im-
possible to stop him,” said Shueyun, “ and he has escaped.”
The commissioner charged his clerk to be careful in recording the whole evidence. ‘ You old slave !” exclaimed he to Shueyun—* this is nothing more, ac- cording to your own account, than a drunken quarrel ! —how dare you make up such a story about treason ? Teihchungyu, with all his strength, was but a sing!c person—what should he do with an attempt at rebel- lion? His speech was a mere unmeaning boast, without a shadow of guilt in it! You say he has escaped—but hear me: he has anticipated you, and complained to me of your plotting together for his ruin. It appears that you really did drink together, and had a fray—that he wus single and unfriended against you five, and all your followers, which alone proves that you were in league against him—and the charge of treason is altogether false. These four young men, however, are of good family, and could never have agreed to make this false report—it is yourself, you old slave, who owe a grudge to Teih- chungyu, and come here with your fine story to deceive me !—This is not to be endured!” So saying be took
out
out six tallies* and threw them on the floor as a signal
to his people, who instantly seized Shueyun, and laid
him at full length on the ground, where they stripped
him, and held him by the head and feet, ready to be
beaten. °
Half dead with terror, he roared out with all his might, “ Most excellent sir! consider the honour of my family, and spare me.”
“Who are your family, that I should consider them ?” said the commissioner.
“ T am own brother to Shueykeuyih,” replied the prisoner.
“ That being the case,” observed his lordship, “ you can tell me who has charge of his household in his absence ?”
“ My brother has no son,” replied the culprit; “ my niece alone takes care of his household in unprotected solitude. She had lately to thank your lordship’s good- ness in issuing a notice, prohibiting all persons from molesting her,—since which she has enjoyed perfect quiet, and her family are truly grateful.”
“ So far you have spoken truth,” said the commis- sioner, “ and if you wish to be spared, you will tell me what enmity you bear to Teihchungyu, to seek his ruin in this manner.”
Held down on the ground by the ministers of justice,
Shueyun
- Slips of wood, each of them representing five blows with the
bamboo.
Shueyun could do no better, in that deplorable condition,
than try to save himself by telling the whole truth. He
therefore confessed “that there was less ground of
enmity on his own part, than on that of Kwoketsu, who
regarded Teihchungyu as his rival in the pursuit of
Shueypingsin.”
“ Well,” cried the commissioner, “ in consideration of your family, and the respectable connexions of these four youths, I will spare you; but go quickly and tell them, that they had much better stop their prosecution and be quiet.” So saying, he desired one of his clerks to accompany Shueyun, and to take with him the two different reports which had been presented, together with a copy of Shueyun’s evidence, for the information of the young men.—“ Tell them,” added he, “ that the investigation of their case is quite indifferent to myself; but if I were to stir the matter farther, it would prove extremely inconvenient to all of them.—Now away with the prisoner !”
Shueyun ran out after the clerk, like one who had escaped from the custody of the infernal fiends. “ Ah !” said he, with a grimace, on seeing his four friends, “ this life of mine has been in some danger! The com- missioner discovers your faults like a mirror ;—there is no deceiving him! Let us be away with all speed.” |
They were seized with amazement on finding that Teihchungyu had anticipated them. ‘“‘ We thought,” cried they, “ that he would be too happy in making
his
his escape !—who could have guessed at his coming here
before us? We have miscalculated him.” Observing
the extreme fright of Shueyun, they became altogether
depressed, and were glad to send in a note of acknow-
‘ledgment to his lordship, and then separate quietly to
their homes.
The rest of the party gradually forgot their resent- ment; but Kwoketsu could not dismiss the subject from his thoughts. Wondering at the long silence of his ‘friend Chingkee, whom he had despatched to Peking, -he sent off a trusty domestic to urge him to write a report of his success.
Until the winged messenger arrives
_ Suspense prevails. With sidelong listening ear He waits th’ expected sound. Can aught prevent The flower propitiously t’unfold its leaves? All closely doth it guard its golden bell?
Now when Chingkee and his attendants had reached the capital, they waited on the minister, and presented the letter from his son. The letter being read, the bearer was called in, and permitted to sit down, while the minister inquired minutely into the reasons of his son’s wishing so eamestly to marry Shueypingsin—“ For,” said he, “ this young lady’s father is in exile, and the match cannot be considered as equal.”
“ Your lordship’s son,” replied the emissary, “ dis- covered that she was the most perfect of her sex; for unrivalled as she is in the graces of her person and the
- goodness
goodness of her disposition, her accomplishments sur
pass all that is known of even gifted persons. These
were his reasons for vowing that he would obtain her in
marriage.” . -
“ What a silly boy!” exclaimed the minister, smil- ing, “ to send you all the way hither, and try to per- suade me to take a journey to the frontier for the purpose of soliciting her father—when he might have engaged the intervention of the local magistrates, and espoused her at once.”
“* Most assuredly,” answered Chingkee, “ he did not neglect to solicit their assistance ; he made use besides of innumerable stratagems, and exhausted all his endeavours in the pursuit ; but this Shuepingsin eluded him with the utmost ease, and it ended in his losing her. The two local magistrates were not singular in failing to subdue this lady—the new commissioner himself, who is your lordship’s pupil, in vain exerted his friendly offices, and issued two peremptory orders limiting a month for the completion of the nuptials, Every one declared that now she seus¢ yield ; they little knew the resolution and talent of this Shueypingsin— she herself wrote an addregs to the emperor, recommend- ing the degradation and punishment of the commis- sioner, and sent one of her own people to Peking to strike on the drum and present it.”
“ What !” exclaimed the minister with astonishment, “ig it possible that a young girl should possess such
VOL. It. F temerity ?
temerity ?—was she not afraid that the commissioner
would destroy her ?”
_ “ Far from it,” replied the other, “ she waited untit her messenger had been gone three days, and then ventured to present a copy of her address to the com- missioner himself in his public court. Alarmed at ita centents, his lordship entreated the young lady to give him a description of her messenger, that he might pwssue and bring him back :—and having thus discovered that she was no ordinary female, nor one whom he might lightly provoke, he affixed an order to her gates, prohibiting all persons from molesting her. When your lordship’s son found that the commissioner himself was unable to subdue the lady, he became desperate, and had: no way left but to charge me with an eamest message, entreating you to obtain for him this excel- lent maiden in marriage, as an example of a per- feet union.”
The minister was both astonished and pleased by what he heard. “ I do not wonder,” said he, “ at my foolish son’s perseverance, after what you relate.of this young lady’s rare qualities; but her father is a very stubborn and unbending character, difficult of access, and one with whom, although a native of the same district, I have never had much intercourse. Moreover, he has no son—only this single daughter, and I am not aware of his entertaining any present wish for her marriage. Such a proposal from me, some time back,
would
TRB PORTUNATE UNION. 67
would certainly have bea ill-received ; but his present situation leaves a way open, and if I offer the alliance to him now, I do not fear his rejecting it.”
“ How will your lordship proceed in this matter ?” inquired Chingkee.
“ The proper method would be to despatch some relative as negociator,” replied the minister, “ and when he had given his consent, to send the presents; but he is exiled to the distance of between one and two hundred leagues, and whom can | send? To employ one of inferior rank would be disrespectful; yet how can any person of high station proceed to that distance 1—besides, there is nobody of this description on very friendly terms with him. I had better write a letter myself, and prepare some presents, all of which | will trouble you, sir, to take charge of.”
“ It is dowbtless the shortest way for your lordship,” said the other, “ to propose the match yourself in writing ; and if it contains a hint that you will assist him through his difficulties, the need in whieh he stands of your power and influence will naturally induce hiso to give his consent. But should he still remain obsti- nete, there are officers of authority at his place of exile, — you may charge me with coxamunications to these, and we shall no doubt either prevail on him, or foree him to comply.”
The minister approved of this counsel, and when all things had been prepared, a day was selected on which
Fr 2 our
our emissary, attended as before by two chosen do-
mestics, proceeded on his mission.
- Twixt kindred natures only may be sought
Fit union, compase’d oft with utmost toil : While the Three stars® deny their rays benign, All vainly is the distant suit preferr’d !
While Shueykeuyih officiated at the military tribunal, it happened that the frontier was invaded, and he undertook, on his own proper responsibility, to recom- mend a leader named Howheaou, who was accordingly despatched with troops to protect the border. This leader, being a native of the north-west, was impetuous, bold, and unceremonious in his deportment, and when he had received his commission, proceeded at once in search of the enemy, without waiting to consult any of the other commanders on the station. These were so much piqued at his conduct, that they seer’. withdrew
all assistance from him, an? * ou. s thas eft iene without anyans gi ee ay “ole a-- Doafeadant ot OW 8, fembunl
Pe eas Wien ,epresenting that he
‘ *.. eommand, and he was accordingly +» 4a and thrown into prison.
The effect of this disgrace of the general was to involve his patron Shueykeuyih, who was adjudged to have recommended an unfit person, and being put upon his trial, was forthwith condemned to distant exile. His independent disposition left him few or no friends in
power,
- See Note, vol. i. p. 251.
power, and none stepped forward to assist him in this
emergency. His sentence, therefore, was soon carried
into effect. More than a year had now elapsed since
his banishment, during which time his mind dwelt with
unceasing solicitude upon his daughter; while, close
prisoner as he was at several hundred leagues distance
from his home, he could take no measures whatever in
regard to her welfare.
He was sitting one day at leisure, when it was announced that an emissary froin the minister at Peking waited for an interview with him. Though exiled and out of favour, the rank and dignity of an officer of ‘state still remained; yet it did not befit him, under all cir- cumstances, to be too haughty and reserved. Ignorant, therefore, of the motives which could induce the minister to make this communication, he desired that the messenger might enter. Chingkee accordingly made his appearance, attended by his two servants, and first presented a ticket with his own name, stating that he was a friend of Kwoloongtung. The exile received him as a guest, and when they had taken their seats, and drank tea together, opened the conversation thus. “ Since it has pleased his gracious majesty to banish me, I cannot look on myself as the equal of a minister of the palace ; you too, sir, are wholly unknown to me—I am quite ignorant, therefore, what could lead you to brave the difficulties of so long a journey, and seek me in such a place as this ?”
The
. ! 70 TRE FORTUNATE UNION.
‘The messenger bowed low as he replied: “ I am en obscure individual, and should not have ventured to in- trade on your lordship: but being a friend and dependent of the minister, he despatched me on a subject which nearly concerns himeelf. { accordingly overlooked the length of the journey, and have the great presumption to wait upon your lordship.”
“ Tam a native of the same district with the mi- mister,” said Shueykeuyih; “ yet the difference of our respective duties has kept us very much asunder; and by my exile to this spot, he is removed from me as far as the clouds from the earth. [ am, therefore, perplexed to understand what commands he can have for me, that ehould bring you to such a distance. Perhaps the eouncil think that my offence was judged too lightly, end wish to make it capital ?”
“* On the contrary,” replied Chingkee, “‘ the minister declares that he shall presently clear up your lordship’s case entirely. The real subject of my mission is this: The minieter’s eldest son has reached the age of marniage, and no appropriate match presented itself, until he disco- vered the admirable character and accomplishments of " ¢he young fady your daughter, which made him wish to unite his mworthy son to this lofty branch of your lordship’s house. But it pleased heaven to place obste~ cles in the way, and your exile at this place made it difficult to despetch the proper negociators on the oc- casion, He might have waited until your lordship’s
restoration
restoration to office; but was fearful of pasemg the
" vernal season :* necessity, therefore, compelled him to
write this letter, and prepare a few poor presents, to
supply the place of a proper ‘ helve for the hatchet.*+
So saying be took the letter from his attendants, and
presented it with a low obeisance, adding, that he
trusted his londship would give his assent to the request
it contained.
Shueykeayih took the letter, and reading it carefully over, perceived that it agreed with what he hed heard from the bearer. “ This Kwoloongtung,” thought be to himself, “ owes his station at court entirely to supple flattery: he does not belong to my school Tas son Oe ny toes Das one oe being eee end worthless; he is no mateh for my daughter. Be- sides, they are very near neighbours; and the proposal must certainly have been made to hertelf, before they sent to me at this distance. But their sending hither proves that they have already failed in that quarter; end did I lightly yield my consent, in opposition to my daughter’s inclinations, it were a sad mistake.” So placing the letter in his sleeve, he addreseed Chingkee thus: “ It is very true that the father’s consent is the customary and approved regulator of madrriage ; but
every
© ‘ The seasos of peach-btossoms.’ See vol. i. p. 246.
+ Refers to a passage tu the Shocking, where negectsters ere cald to be as necessary to a marriage, as the helve to the hatchet.
.
every thing in the world that has a rule, has also an
exception ;—wherever there are general maxims, there are
likewise particular cases. That I, a person in disgrace,
should have to thank the minister for selecting my poor
daughter, on so distinguished an occasion, must be @
subject of great pride and satisfaction to myself. I was
for five years absent from my family at Peking, and
have been upwards of a year in exile ;—I was even then
a hundred leagues from home, and now I am as far
again from the capital. Without a son, and this my
only daughter so unlike the generality of her sex, I
have always viewed her in the light of a son, and placed
my whole household under her charge. With regard
to marriage, I have long since told her that she was
free to make her own choice; and this, though not in
exact conformity with custom, is suitable enough to the
| present case. If Kwoketsu thought my daughter not unworthy of him, there were the two local magistrates to supply the place of the parents, and my own brother to act the part of a relative. Why then did he not tie the silken knot, and effect the union ?—While all was favourable to him at hand, what should make him send to me at such a distance ?”
“ Your lordship’s view of the subject is very just,” said the messenger, ‘and Kwoketsu’s mind being set on this excellent union, while circumstances prevented the accomplishment of his wishes in the regular course, he
applied
applied to the local magistrates, as well as to the young
lady’s relative ; all of whom readily assented, and even
settled the preliminaries: but after much had passed on
both sides, your daughter was at length imperative in
making her father’s consent the necessary condition of
the union. The minister accordingly, with due prepa-
ration, sent me on this hasty journey to obtain your
lordship’s acquiescence.”
When he heard that his daughter had refused her consent, Shueykeuyih was persuaded that she must have a strong objection to the union, and therefore replied, “ My daughter’s determination to await her father’s consent, and the minister's application for the same, are in perfect accordance with established rule ; I, however, am here in the character of the emperor’s prisoner—a condemned criminal, and it would be im- proper for me to assume the respected guise of the father of a family. I am still uncertain of my fu- ture fate ;—how, then, shall I presume to controul my household? During this year, and more, I have not had a word of communication with my daughter; and while my offence is yet unexpiated, and his majesty’s sentence yet unrepealed, were I to be arranging her marriage at this distance, it would be a proof at once of disrespect to the emperor, and of forgetfulness to my own situation. Would not my offences be ag- gravated thereby ?—I dare have nothing to say to this
proposal.” “* What
- What your lordship observes,” answered the emis-
wary, “is quite conformable with your high station, and well-known integrity: the forms, however, attend- ing the conduct of the proposed match being neces- garily limited by your present situation, your private and verbal consent, once given, would effect the happy union: and, admitting that it reached his majesty’s knowledge, the imperial indulgence would not consider it harshly.” . “You seem, sir,” observed the exile, “ to think
that outward forms may be dispensed with, and to be
unaware thet there is something more* than mere forms which must be attended to. While I myself am in ad+ vetsity, aad my daughter alone, unprotected, and unable to offer any opposition, it would have been. naturel in her unfortunate situation had she submitted to the match,
however irregularly proposed: but if in the midst of her difficulties she remains undismayed, and still imsists on her father’s consent, this is the conduct of a strictly virtuous daughter—and I, as her father, cannot but return it by a corresponding example on my own part.
Did we discuss ali that propriety demands on this occa- sion, it would appear, too, that the circumstances of rank and dignity should be considered. Any undue usurpation in an inferior station is presumption; and ap attempt to degrade real dignity is contempt and dis- zespect. Now I myself, being in banishment and dis-
. Grace,
- Lit. * The substance of forms.’
grace, cannot presume, for fear of the former imputa-
tion, to accept this proposal. Had it been made with
the customary forms, while I possessed all my conse
quence at court near the emperor’s person, then well:
—but why take advantage of my: present situation, end
without any previous communication between us, send
a mere letter in this abrupt and unusual styte to obtain
my consent ? Is not this the height of contempt ?—com-
sider it yourself, sir.” hoa
Chingkee was struck dumb by this reasoning, but after an interval of silence resumed. “ I am toe ignorant and insignificant ah individual to judge of such high matters, and though ‘sent by the minister to obtain your lordship’s consent, am not worthy of influencing the result in any way; but if proper forms have been omitted, I trust yoa will excuse and teach me better—it will be well if the insufficiency of such a person as myself does not hinder so impor-
tant an alliance.”
‘‘ You have performed yoor part perfectly well, sir,” said Shueykeuyih, “ but in a carefal considera- tion of this proposal, I am led by several reasons to decline it as inexpedient.”
“ What is there to make your lordship think so?” asked the other.
‘6 My first reason is, that the minister is a person in full power and dignity, while I am in exile and disgrace—for me, therefore, it is a presumptuows
alliance
alliance—secondly, my daughter is living motherless
and orphaned in the south, while her father, a con-
demned criminal, is far banished in the north; our
communication is cut off, and she cannot ask my ad-
vice — thirdly, my destiny is unhappy, and I am
compelled to place my only daughter in the situa-
tion of ason. If I give her away in marriage, my
house remains solitary—if I receive a son-in-law at
home, the hall of my ancestors admits a foreign
surname. Besides, it is never allowable to leave the
contracting of the marriage union to the young
persons themselves, or to chuse a son-in-law whose
face one has never beheld. I beg, sir, that you
will oblige me by making a handsome excuse on my
behalf.”
In spite of all that the other could urge, Shueykeu- yih remained inflexible, but at the same time pro- vided his visitor with a lodging at a small monastery in the neighbourhood. After considering the matter for two or three days, Chingkee determined that nothing now remained but to present his credentials from the minister to the civil and military authorities of the frontier,—who accordingly came, some to per- suade, and others to threaten the exile into com- pliance. His anger was roused by this treatment, and he said to Chingkee, ‘‘ My offences have been against the empcror, not against Kwoloontung ;—why then does he persecute me in this manner? They
are
are confined, besides, to my own person, and do not
involve my secluded and innocent daughter ;—why is
she thus bitterly harassed? I will trouble you, sir,
to inform the minister plainly from me, that since my
exile I have been accustomed to view my remaining
existence as avery short one. His assistance I do
not wish for,—and though he endeavour to ruin me,
I fear him not ;—as for the presents and the letter, I
beg you will carry them back with you.” Our emissary
now knew that his cause was hopeless, and therefore
packed up immediately, and returned on his way to
Peking.
Hard task, to make imprint on steadfast rock, Or stubborn iron bend—hard task, to strive
- Gainst sternest natures! Rather than endure
Th’ oppressor’s wrong, e’en death the brave would welcome! When the minister had heard from his emissary a minute account of the unsuccessful attempt to bend the exile to their purpose, his anger was violently roused, and he meditated a hundred schemes to ruin his enemy. In the course of a few months, it luckily occurred for him that the border was again attacked, and those who had to guard it defeated and slain. The members of the military tribunal were at a loss whom to recommend, and the emperor accordingly commanded his great officers of state to select a pro- per leader. The minister seized this opportunity to present an address, in which he represented that the _ repeated
78 TRE FORFUNATE UNION,:
repeated defeats on the frontier had all arisen from the late member of the military board originally re- commending’ the unsuccessful general Howheaou : —that the mere exile af Shueykeuyih, therefore, was: inadequate to his offence ; and that while the fate of the imprisoned leader remained undecided, the offi-. cers on the border would not exert themselves. He accordingly entreated his majesty to issue a com- mission to.the Triple court of High criminal ap- peal,* first of all to take the leader out of prison, and pass judgment on him according to his deserts, and then to convey back Shueykeuyih from his place of banishment and condemn him to death likewise ; thus the different tribunals would be more cautious in future with regard-to whom they chose, and the newly appointed leaders having a motive to exert themselves, the border hostilities would be happily terminated. The imperial assent was in a short time received, and the Triple court summoned before them the im- prisoned general to receive judgment. But to learn the result—to see Letaepih once more, and Kwotszee* — again
- Sanfdsze, consisting of a member of the Criminal tribunal—a mem-
ber of the Censorate—and one of the Talesze, or Court of Equity,
—to whom, in their joint capacity, lie all appeals from the Criminal tri- bunal. |
+ The first of these was a well known poet, and sometime statesman under the dynasty Fang; and the second, a great leader of the same
- period.
again in the world, we must proceed to the following
chapter.
period. The latter being condemned to suffer death on account of a defeat, was already on his way to the place of execution, when he was saved fron punishment by Letaepih becoming personally apswerable for his future success. The leader was reprieved and restored to his cqm- mand, and having performed great achievements became promoted to the rule of a petty state. .