Hao Qiu Zhuan/en/Chapter 12
Chapter 12: A Cold Face Can Turn: A Single Banquet Creates an Enemy
Modern English translation by Martin Woesler (2025)
To the tune of "Rouged Lips":
The puppy knows no better — He wants to pull the tiger's whiskers and call it friendship. He dangles fish and shrimp To bait the dragon's arm.
But when feelings are wounded, There is no looking away. Consider at your leisure: It was not the other's ill will — It was my own mischief-making.
It was told how Young Master Guo, hearing Shui Yun claim yet another scheme to deal with Tie Zhongyu, asked eagerly: "What new plan do you have, old sir?"
Shui Yun said: "No great stratagem — only this. Since he came all this way for my niece's sake, we should work on his feelings for her. The page boy's trick failed because he saw through the deception and put on a show of outraged virtue. Now let me provoke my niece into sending a real invitation. When she truly invites him, let us see how he responds — and then we shall have him."
Young Master Guo hesitated: "That may be fine in theory, but what if it backfires and we end up playing matchmaker for them?"
Shui Yun said: "A matchmaker I may be — but not the kind that makes a match. The kind that breaks one. Rest assured and leave the arrangements to me."
Shui Yun went home and called on Miss Bingxin: "Dear niece, I must admit you have remarkable judgment — I am truly in awe."
Miss Bingxin said: "In awe of what?"
Shui Yun said: "The other day, when everyone was saying the Iron young gentleman was a kidnapper, you alone insisted he was not. When I inquired further, it turned out he was indeed no kidnapper — he is a truly good and honorable man."
Miss Bingxin said: "That is old news. Why bring it up again?"
Shui Yun said: "Because today I ran into him, and his conduct moved me — he is so full of feeling and honor."
Miss Bingxin said: "A chance encounter on the road — how does that tell you he is full of feeling and honor?"
Shui Yun said: "As I was passing your gate today, I ran straight into the Iron young gentleman coming out. Remembering how my talk of marriage had sent him off in a fury, I thought he must have returned with dishonorable intentions. I confronted him, meaning to catch him out and give him a piece of my mind. But he turned out to be entirely in the right — his coming was purely well-intentioned."
Miss Bingxin said: "How does my uncle know his intentions were good?"
Shui Yun said: "I asked him what brought him here. He said he had heard in the capital that Inspector Feng had issued one order after another to compel you to marry Young Master Guo, and that he knew this was not your wish. His sense of justice was outraged, and he had traveled a thousand li to lend his support. But when he arrived at the gate and saw the Inspector's proclamation prohibiting forced marriages — quite contrary to what he had heard — he realized the reports were mistaken. And so, without even knocking, he was leaving in quiet satisfaction. When I saw how he acted — with such feeling and honor — how could I not call him a good man?"
Miss Bingxin said: "Hearing what my uncle says today, and recalling how he rescued me in the magistrate's court — it is clear that this young man's warm heart is no passing impulse. My admiration and gratitude are not misplaced."
Shui Yun said: "When he rescued you in court, and you took him in to convalesce — that was chivalry repaid, and neither of you owes the other. But today, when he has traveled such a distance to help you in your distress, and upon finding you safe has simply departed in quiet contentment, without the slightest desire for recognition or gratitude — his devotion surpasses yours, dear niece. You have received such extraordinary generosity, yet you sat knowing nothing; and now that you do know, you show not the slightest concern. Measured against his conduct, you fall short by a good margin, I should say."
Miss Bingxin said: "My uncle's words are golden. But I am a woman alone — every move I make is fraught with impropriety. Though gratitude fills my heart, I can only come and go in silence, hoping that the one who knows me will understand. How can I lay my heart open to prove my devotion?"
Shui Yun said: "True enough. But it seems a shame that he should have traveled hundreds of li for nothing, with nothing to show for it. Why not send someone to invite him to call, so that he may know his warm heart has found a grateful recipient? Would that not be more satisfying?"
Now, as it happened, Miss Bingxin had been worried since Shui Yong's return from the capital, intercepted by the Inspector's officer before the memorial could be submitted. She had no way to inform Tie Zhongyu of how events had unfolded. When Shui Yun now proposed inviting Tie Zhongyu, it suited her purpose exactly. Though she saw through Shui Yun's scheming, she decided to turn his scheme to her own use. She agreed: "What my uncle says makes good sense. I shall do as he suggests. But the invitation card must be written in my uncle's name."
Shui Yun said: "Naturally." Miss Bingxin wrote out an invitation for a modest luncheon the following day, and sent Shui Yong to deliver it.
Shui Yong said: "I do not know where the Iron young gentleman is lodging." Shui Yun had his boy lead the way.
When Shui Yong arrived at the lodgings, Tie Zhongyu happened to be there, deliberating whether to leave or stay. He could not discover the reason behind the Inspector's proclamation and was reluctant to depart without understanding.
Shui Yong walked in, and Tie Zhongyu was delighted: "The other day when we met on the road — did you not say you wanted my help to submit the memorial?"
Shui Yong said: "After I met you, sir, the Inspector's officer overtook me and turned me back by force. On the way back I questioned him and learned the full story: my young lady had gone directly to the Inspector's court, shown him the memorial in person, and so alarmed him with its severity that he agreed to issue a proclamation prohibiting forced marriages. She then revealed my name and description, and he sent the officer racing after me. I was turned back before I could reach the city gates, and so I failed to keep my appointment with you. I never imagined you would feel such concern that you would travel all this way. My young lady is deeply grateful, and she has sent me to invite you to call and receive her thanks."
He presented the invitation. Tie Zhongyu, hearing the full account, was even more pleased: "So that is the explanation! I was wondering how that scoundrel Feng Ying could have had such a sudden change of heart — your young lady's stratagem was truly masterful. This morning I went to your gate, saw the proclamation, and was about to leave. But I could not rest without understanding the details — that is why I lingered. Now that you have explained everything, I shall depart first thing tomorrow. I ought to call and thank the young lady for her past kindness, but in this delicate situation — to avoid stirring up gossip — I have restrained myself. Please take back the invitation and convey my gratitude. I absolutely cannot come."
Shui Yong said: "You, sir, act in the open; my young lady acts in the light. And besides, the only other person at the table would be the Second Master Shui. What impropriety could there be? A brief visit, a word of thanks — that is all."
Tie Zhongyu said: "My dealings with your young lady have always been in the spirit of chivalry, beyond the realm of social niceties. Take the invitation back and give her my thanks — I absolutely shall not come."
Shui Yong, seeing that Tie Zhongyu was immovable, had no choice but to return and report to Miss Bingxin and Shui Yun. Miss Bingxin, hearing the refusal, was actually pleased: "This young man distinguishes perfectly between feeling, duty, and chivalry — how clear-sighted! Truly admirable."
Shui Yun, however, was thoroughly frustrated. He went back to Young Master Guo and reported: "That Tie fellow is a young man — plainly infatuated — yet through one trick after another I cannot lure him into a trap. He talks of leaving, but he does not leave. I suspect he is still plotting something in secret. You must be on your guard."
Young Master Guo said: "The man is a phantom! I, a straightforward person, have no way to guard against such a creature. He comes into my county, knowing full well I intend to marry the girl, and hovers around her — he is deliberately making himself my rival! You try to lure him and he will not be lured; you try to trick him and he will not be tricked. I have no time for all this maneuvering. Better to call on him tomorrow in person, posing as an admirer of his heroic reputation. He can hardly refuse to return the call. When he comes to return the visit, I shall ply him with wine, invite a few of the local gentry — Young Master Zhang, Young Master Li, Young Master Wang — and once he is drunk, pick a quarrel. With a few strong fellows hidden in reserve, we shall beat him senseless. Then I shall report it to the Inspector. Even if old Feng knows the boy is the Censor-in-Chief's son, he cannot very well punish us for it either. In the end they will smooth it over, send him on his way — and he will never dare show his face in Licheng County again!"
Shui Yun clapped his hands in glee: "Splendid! As long as you dare carry it through!"
Young Master Guo said: "Of course I dare! His father is a Censor-in-Chief; my father is about to be Grand Secretary. How am I inferior?"
Shui Yun said: "If you are decided, why not go today? By tomorrow he may be gone."
Young Master Guo had a large vermilion visiting card prepared, inscribed with the words "Your devoted younger brother," and rode in a grand sedan chair with a retinue of servants straight to the lodgings to call upon Tie Zhongyu. Tie Zhongyu saw the card, recognized the name, and — despising the man's character — slipped away, telling Xiao Dan to say he was not in. Young Master Guo stepped down from his sedan, strode inside, delivered a stream of warm and flattering words to Xiao Dan, and then departed.
Tie Zhongyu thought: "He is my adversary — why would he call on me? Perhaps, having failed to bring me down by scheming, he means to try another approach." He laughed to himself: "Even if he tries, I doubt he can outwit me. My business here is done — I should leave tomorrow. No time for games with the likes of him. I simply will not see him. But he is, after all, the son of a Grand Secretary. He came with all that pomp and ceremony — if I do not return the call, people will think me arrogant and uncivil. I know what I shall do: he is a dissolute young master, sure to sleep late. I shall go first thing in the morning and drop off a card at his gate, then leave at once. A return visit in name only — courteous and prudent at once."
The next morning, before sunrise, he rose, had Xiao Dan pack the luggage, and prepared to depart. He sent a boy from the inn ahead with his visiting card. But Young Master Guo had already posted a spy at the lodgings. The instant Tie Zhongyu stirred, word was sent flying to Young Master Guo. By the time Tie Zhongyu reached the gate, Young Master Guo was already dressed to the nines, beaming, and striding out to greet him: "Yesterday I had the honor of calling upon you — I meant only to express my long-standing admiration. How can you trouble yourself to return the visit?"
He bowed again and again, insisting Tie Zhongyu come inside. Tie Zhongyu had planned only to leave his card at the gate and ride off. But with Young Master Guo rushing out to receive him in person, all warmth and bonhomie, he could not very well put on a cold face. He handed over his card, and the two exchanged bows. In the main hall, Tie Zhongyu was about to perform the formal salutation when Young Master Guo stopped him: "Not here — let us go inside." He led Tie Zhongyu to the rear hall, where they exchanged bows, took their seats, and tea was served.
Young Master Guo said: "I have long admired your heroic reputation and have been eager for a meeting. When you last graced our humble county, I had hoped to call upon you, but you departed too suddenly, and I have regretted it ever since. Now that you are here again and have honored me with a visit — this is a happy occasion indeed! I beg you to stay ten days, so we may drink together as friends."
Tie Zhongyu, having finished his tea, rose at once: "I am deeply grateful for your kind attentions. But my heart is set on the road — I must leave at once today. The pleasure of your company must await another occasion." He turned to go.
Young Master Guo blocked his way: "Meeting without drinking — even the wind and moon would laugh at us. No matter how urgent your journey, I must insist on three days."
Tie Zhongyu said: "I truly must go. This is not mere politeness — I beg you to understand."
Young Master Guo seized his arm: "I may be without talent, but I am still the son of an official family. Please do not dismiss me so lightly. If you truly thought so little of me, you should not have come at all. Since you have come, you are my guest. My only wish is to fulfill the duties of a host — I ask for nothing more. Why do you refuse so adamantly?"
Tie Zhongyu said: "Your generous affection moves me, and I am reluctant to speak of leaving. But my bags are packed and my departure is pressing. I cannot delay."
Young Master Guo said: "Very well — since you will not stay out of friendship, since you are determined to leave, I shall not insist. But you have come at dawn on an empty stomach, and to let you leave on an empty stomach — my conscience will not allow it. I ask only that you pause for a brief meal, and then I shall see you off. Surely you can grant me that much?"
Tie Zhongyu had not intended to stay, but seeing Young Master Guo's apparently heartfelt entreaties, he sat down: "I have only just arrived — how can I impose upon your hospitality?"
Young Master Guo said: "Between friends, there is no 'yours' and 'mine.' You are a man of spirit — why stand on ceremony?"
No sooner had he spoken than Shui Yun walked in, spotted Tie Zhongyu, hurried over to bow, and said with a beaming smile: "Yesterday my niece, moved by your noble visit, asked me to write a card inviting you to a modest meal. But you refused so firmly! Now fortune has brought us together again — what a pleasure to sit with you."
Tie Zhongyu said: "My coming was hasty, my going equally so. There was no occasion for social pleasantries, and so I declined through your messenger. Today I came only to leave a card — I had no intention of staying. But Young Master Guo has been so insistent that I find it hard to leave without seeming rude. I am quite at a loss."
Shui Yun said: "In ancient times, the greatest friends became bosom companions after a single meeting under a canopy. Are you telling me that the Iron young gentleman and Young Master Guo cannot match the ancients?"
Young Master Guo laughed: "The old gentleman speaks with spirit!"
Tie Zhongyu, seeing the two men pressing him to stay, took them at face value and sat down. Before long the wine was brought out. Young Master Guo offered the seat of honor. Tie Zhongyu demurred: "I was invited to breakfast, not to a banquet. Why this elaborate feast?"
Young Master Guo laughed: "Drink slowly — the right moment will come."
All three laughed heartily and sat down to drink. As it happened, all three were good friends of the bottle. Once the cups were in their hands, the wine went down willingly — no need for urging.
They had been drinking for some time when Tie Zhongyu was on the point of calling a halt. Suddenly a servant announced: "The Third Young Master Wang, son of the War Minister, has arrived." The three rose to greet him. Young Master Guo invited him to sit: "Young Master Wang, your timing is perfect." He pointed to Tie Zhongyu: "This is the Iron young gentleman — a true hero. You must not miss this meeting."
Young Master Wang said: "Can this be the Tie Tingsheng who broke into the Marquis of Dagua's Hall of Leisured Ease?"
Shui Yun hastened to confirm: "The very same!"
Young Master Wang bowed again: "I have long admired your name! Forgive my neglect!" He filled a great goblet and presented it to Tie Zhongyu: "Borrowing Master Guo's wine, let me express my humble admiration."
Tie Zhongyu accepted the cup, filled one in return, and proposed a toast: "My rough deeds are hardly worth mentioning. You, sir, are a man of refinement — a true exemplar of the literary arts."
They exchanged compliments and drained three great goblets in succession.
Tie Zhongyu was about to excuse himself when yet another arrival was announced: "The Second Young Master Li, son of the Hanlin Academician." The four were just rising when Young Master Li strode to the table: "No need to get up — we are all friends. Let me just sit down."
Young Master Guo said: "There is a guest from afar you should meet."
Tie Zhongyu, hearing this, rose to make his bow. But Young Master Li, before bowing, looked him up and down and said: "What a handsome fellow! Pray tell me your name and style."
Tie Zhongyu said: "I am Tie Zhongyu, from Daming."
Young Master Li said: "Then you are the eldest son of Censor-in-Chief Tie!" He bowed repeatedly: "I have long heard your name — what a pleasure to meet at last!"
Young Master Guo seated him. By now Tie Zhongyu was well into his cups and thinking of departure. He said: "Young Master Li has just arrived — ordinarily I would not think of leaving so soon. But I came early and have drunk too much. I fear I must beg your pardon."
Young Master Li put on a stern face: "That is an insult, Master Tie! If you meant to leave, you should have left before I arrived. For me to arrive and you to bolt without sharing a single cup — that is saying plainly that I am not worth drinking with!"
Shui Yun intervened: "The Iron young gentleman has been meaning to leave for some time — it is not on your account, Master Li. But since you have just come, he ought at least to drink three goblets with you, as he did with Master Wang. After three goblets, stay or go, the host decides — and no one can blame the guest."
Young Master Li, mollified, agreed. Tie Zhongyu had no choice but to sit down and drink three more goblets.
Scarcely had the last drop been swallowed when yet another arrival was announced: "The Eldest Young Master Zhang, son of the Minister of Personnel!"
Before anyone could rise, Young Master Zhang came swaggering in — his scholar's cap askew, his eyes unfocused, his pockmarked face blotched with drink. He was already well drunk and bellowed as he entered: "Which one is Master Tie? If he wants to play the hero in Licheng County, how is it he has not paid me a visit?"
Tie Zhongyu was standing to greet him when he heard these insolent words. He stood his ground and replied coolly: "I am Tie Tingsheng. What instruction does the honorable sir wish to give?"
Young Master Zhang did not even bow. He stared at Tie Zhongyu, looked him up and down, then burst out laughing: "I thought Master Tie would be a man with seven heads and eight livers — a fearsome bruiser! But what I see is a pair of delicate eyebrows and a white face — no different from a girl! But let us leave that for now. First let us test your capacity for wine — and see what you are made of!"
The others all exclaimed: "Young Master Zhang speaks with the true spirit of a hero!"
Tie Zhongyu said: "Drinking is about feeling, about mood, about temperament — each man drinks to his own heart. Zhang Xu's divine reputation rests on barely three cups; Chunyu Kun's unbound revelry lasted a full night — a hundred forms of splendor, none involving any contest over who drank more or less."
Young Master Zhang said: "Since drinking takes a hundred forms, how do you know that a contest is not itself the finest form of all?" He pulled Tie Zhongyu down beside him and had two great goblets poured — one for Tie Zhongyu, one for himself. "Between friends," he declared, "drinking is drinking the heart. We meet today for the first time — I know your face but not your heart. Let us share a cup and see." He raised his goblet and drained it in one draught. Then, holding up the empty cup, he waited for Tie Zhongyu. Tie Zhongyu, seeing him drain it so cleanly, had no choice but to do the same. Young Master Zhang was pleased: "Now we are friends!" He called for two more goblets.
Tie Zhongyu protested: "I have been here since early morning. I have had a great many cups already — three with Young Master Wang, three with Young Master Li, and now one with you. My capacity is limited — I truly cannot drink any more."
Young Master Zhang said: "Both Wang and Li drank three goblets. Am I to stop at one? This is an insult! Let me be frank — in Licheng County, I consider myself a man of some standing. I have never been trifled with, and I do not intend to start now." He raised his goblet and drained it, then waited for Tie Zhongyu to follow.
Tie Zhongyu, having arrived early and drunk on an empty stomach all morning, was truly at eight or nine parts drunk. He held the cup but could not drink. Young Master Zhang pressed him harder and harder. Tie Zhongyu set the cup down, leaned back in his chair, stared straight ahead, and slowly shook his head without a word.
Young Master Zhang's face darkened with anger: "We agreed to drink together. I have drunk — why do you refuse? Are you trying to bully me?"
Tie Zhongyu, though drunk in body, was clear enough in mind. Leaning against the chair, he shook his head: "If I can drink, I drink. If I cannot, I do not. What is there to bully? What is there to trifle with?"
Young Master Zhang, past all patience, exploded: "You insolent puppy! You may lord it in Daming Prefecture, but do not presume to put on airs in my Shandong! If you will not drink my wine, I shall make you!" He snatched up the goblet and dashed the contents full in Tie Zhongyu's face.
Tie Zhongyu was drunk, but his mind was still sharp. Hearing himself called "insolent puppy" and then drenched with wine from head to face, a blaze of fury sent sparks flying before his eyes. The wine-fog burned away in an instant. He leaped to his feet, seized Young Master Zhang by the collar, and shook him: "You insolent dog — daring to pull a tiger's whiskers! Are you looking to die?"
Young Master Zhang, wrenched about, bellowed: "You dare hit me?"
Tie Zhongyu slapped him across the mouth: "Hit you? What of it?"
Young Masters Wang and Li, seeing Zhang struck, shouted in chorus: "Insolent wretch! Where do you think you are? How dare you strike a man here?"
Young Master Guo chimed in: "I invited you in good faith, and you repay me with drunken violence! Lock the doors — do not let him escape! Give him a beating to sober him up, and then deliver him to the Inspector for punishment!"
He gave a covert signal, and from both sides of the room seven or eight burly ruffians rushed forward. Shui Yun, pretending to mediate, said: "No violence!" and moved toward Tie Zhongyu as if to seize his arms.
By now Tie Zhongyu's wine was entirely burned off. Taking in the scene at a glance, he saw the trap for what it was. He gave a cold, thin smile: "A pack of mad dogs, daring to insult a man!"
With one hand he kept his grip on Young Master Zhang; with the other he upended the table. Plates, bowls, cups, and dishes crashed to the floor. Shui Yun, who had just sidled close, received a shove — "For Miss Shui's sake, I spare you a beating!" — and went sprawling a full zhang backward, hitting the ground hard and unable to get up.
Young Masters Wang and Li, seeing the ferocity of his attack, dared not come near. They could only shout: "This is rebellion! Rebellion!"
Young Master Guo waved the ruffians forward en masse. They were just closing in when Tie Zhongyu hoisted Young Master Zhang into the air — as he had once hoisted the Marquis of Dagua — and, holding him in one hand, swept the other arm through the crowd like a scythe, sending them tumbling east and west.
Young Master Zhang was by nature all bluster and no substance — a man hollowed out by wine and women. He could not endure the treatment. Lifted, dropped, slammed, and shaken, his head spun, his vision blurred, and every cup he had drunk came surging back up. He cried out: "Stop! Stop! Everyone stop fighting! Let us talk this over!"
Tie Zhongyu said: "There is nothing to talk over. Just see me safely to the gate, and all will be well. Try to keep me here, and every last one of you will die!"
Young Master Zhang agreed frantically: "I shall see you out! I shall see you out!"
Tie Zhongyu set him on his feet, but kept a firm grip on his collar. Holding him with one hand, he walked calmly out. The others stood rooted, white with impotent fury, not daring to approach. They could only call out hard words from the sidelines: "In the precincts of the city, how dare he carry on like this! Let him go for now — we shall settle accounts soon enough!"
Tie Zhongyu acted as if he heard nothing. Gripping Young Master Zhang, he walked him all the way through the main gate and out into the street. Only then did he release him.
"Kindly convey a message to the gentlemen, Young Master Zhang. I, Tie Zhongyu — had I held so much as an inch of steel, I could cut my way through an army of thousands, let alone three or four wine-soaked wastrels and a dozen manure-hauling oafs who thought they could pull a tiger's whiskers. How foolish! If I had not thought of your standing as gentlemen's sons, I would have stripped every one of you bare and broken every leg. I have spared your lives today — tell them they ought to burn incense morning and evening and offer thanks for my great amnesty. Let that be understood!"
He cupped his hands: "Good day to you!" And he strode back to his lodgings.
There he found Xiao Dan with the luggage all neatly packed, and Shui Yong standing by with a horse, waiting.
Tie Zhongyu, puzzled, asked: "What are you doing here?"
Shui Yong said: "My young lady learned that Young Master Guo had invited you to drink, and knew it was no friendly invitation — there would certainly be a fight. She also calculated that Young Master Guo could not possibly get the better of you, and that you would give him a beating. And she also calculated that, having beaten him, he would never let it rest — he would be sure to make a legal case of it. My young lady was afraid that you might not take it seriously and simply leave, giving them time to fabricate their complaint. She has learned that the Inspector is touring in Dongchang Prefecture, not far from here. She asks that you go at once to see Inspector Feng, present your account of Young Master Guo's villainy first, and put it on record. Then, no matter what they try afterward, it will be too late. She sent me here with a horse to attend you on the ride."
Tie Zhongyu was overjoyed: "How does your young lady contrive to show me such extraordinary consideration? I am moved beyond words. And how does she foresee events with such speed, and think of everything with such meticulous care? I am lost in admiration. Since this is the young lady's counsel, it cannot be wrong."
He went inside, ate a quick lunch, settled with his host, mounted the horse, and rode off with Shui Yong and Xiao Dan to Dongchang Prefecture to see Inspector Feng. As the verse says:
The hero has courage to spare; The beauty has the keenest mind. Glad to be of use to a kindred spirit — And with each use, the bond grows deeper still.
When Tie Zhongyu reached Dongchang Prefecture, he learned that Inspector Feng was in session. He quickly drafted a formal complaint, detailing how the four young masters and Shui Yun had conspired to entrap and assault him, and requesting that they be summoned and prosecuted. Without waiting for the regular petition hour, he strode up to the gate and struck the drum.
The drum resounded. The bailiffs, not following proper procedure, seized Tie Zhongyu and hustled him inside. At the courtyard he knelt, as protocol before a Provincial Inspector demanded, and presented his complaint. Inspector Feng, looking down from his seat, seemed to recognize him. When he read the opening lines of the complaint and saw the name Tie Zhongyu, he did not even finish reading. He left his seat, ordered the gates closed, and had a page invite the young gentleman to rise and come forward.
Tie Zhongyu, approaching the dais, was about to kneel again when Inspector Feng took his arm and greeted him with ordinary courtesy. He offered a seat and tea, then asked: "When did you arrive here, young sir? And on what business? I knew nothing of this."
Tie Zhongyu said: "I came for study and travel — nothing in particular. I would not have troubled Your Excellency. But unexpectedly I fell victim to a conspiracy — a gang of villains plotted to entrap me and nearly took my life. Having escaped, I could not let it rest, and so I have come to beg Your Excellency's redress."
Inspector Feng said: "Who dared to make an attempt on your life? I shall certainly enforce the law to the fullest." He took up the complaint and read it through, then furrowed his brow and said: "So it is them again!"
Tie Zhongyu said: "Rooting out evil and punishing crime is the duty of Your Excellency's office. Your authority is clear and stern, without fear or favor. Why do you hesitate over these men?"
Inspector Feng said: "I do not hesitate out of leniency. But their fathers all hold high positions at court. To prosecute them would cause considerable damage — an awkward situation. Besides, these men are merely the spoiled sons of wealthy families, behaving as hooligans. If I tried to discipline them, they would not reform; if I subjected them to the indignity of an impeachment, their offenses are frankly not serious enough to warrant it. That is why I have not yet acted. Now that they have offended you, allow me time to consider the best course."
Tie Zhongyu said: "Since the matter is delicate, I would not dream of taxing Your Excellency's resources. But as a stranger here, I feared that if I left without reporting the incident, these men — crafty as goblins — might fabricate charges and slander me in my absence. Since Your Excellency's discerning mirror has already illuminated their villainy, I may depart with an easy mind. I ask only that this complaint be placed on file."
Inspector Feng was greatly relieved: "I am deeply grateful for your understanding, young sir. Pray stay a few days and allow me to show you some courtesy."
Tie Zhongyu wished to leave at once. Inspector Feng, knowing he could not be detained, presented him with twelve taels as a travel gift. Tie Zhongyu thanked him and departed. As the verse says:
The censor's bench has laws — why insist on enforcing them? The cold eye's disdain finds far more use.
To learn where Tie Zhongyu went next, read on in the following chapter.