Hao Qiu Zhuan/en/Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Into the Tiger's Den to Retrieve the Pearl from the Clam
Modern English translation by Martin Woesler (2025)
A poem says:
In well-ruled times, all praise propriety and law; Yet who suspects that law itself may harbor flaw? Li Ying's broken pillar — that was counted wise; Zhang Jian's knocking at doors earned no such prize. When trees and grasses cling, the spirits lend their hand; When hawks seize sparrows, is that not heaven's command? Beyond the standing rules that govern every state, The master of expedience holds a separate mandate.
Now then: Censor Tie, following young Tie Zhongyu's counsel, had submitted a memorial requesting imperial permission to conduct the search himself. He had waited in prison barely two days when a secret edict arrived. Censor Tie received it, opened it in private, and found that his memorial had been approved: the emperor had authorized him to make the arrest personally. His heart brimmed with joy. He set up an incense table, performed the ritual obeisance before the imperial decree, then carefully sealed it again, permitting no one else to see its contents. He thought to himself: "Though the edict has been granted, I still worry about actually catching the culprit — what then?" He consulted with young Tie Zhongyu about leaving prison to make the arrest.
"Not so fast!" said Tie Zhongyu. "The moment you leave prison, Father, you will attract notice and alarm the Marquis of Dagua, putting him on his guard. Far better for you to remain here a while longer. Let me slip out quietly, break open the Hall of Leisured Ease, seize Han Yuan's wife and daughter, and send word back to you. Then you can ride over at speed to proclaim the edict and arrest the man — that would be the perfect plan."
Censor Tie nodded in agreement. He concealed the secret edict, admonished the prison warden to say nothing, and quietly instructed his son: "You must exercise the utmost caution on this mission!"
Tie Zhongyu accepted his orders and slipped back to their private quarters, where he informed his mother and asked her to bring out the bronze mace he had used as a boy. For Tie Zhongyu had possessed great physical strength from the age of eleven or twelve and delighted in weapons. He had once had a mace forged from tempered bronze, weighing more than twenty jin, which he practiced with constantly. When Censor Tie went to the capital to assume office, he feared the boy would cause trouble with it at home, so Madam Shi had confiscated the mace and brought it to the capital. Tie Zhongyu, not wishing to disobey his parents, had let the matter drop. Now, when Madam Shi heard him ask for it, she exclaimed in alarm: "Your father has always forbidden you to use that thing — why do you want it now?"
"I am venturing into a tiger's den," he replied. "I need it for protection."
Finding this reasonable, she did not oppose him and had the mace brought out and given to him, adding: "You may use it for defense, but do not go looking for trouble!"
Tie Zhongyu agreed. He then quietly summoned a score of capable constables, instructing them to follow at a distance, ready for orders. He called for wine and drank until his spirits rose. Then he changed into a suit of martial clothing, concealed the bronze mace on his person, and made himself look every inch a celestial warrior — though he threw his scholar's robes over the top. Mounting a horse and taking only Xiao Dan with him, he slipped out through the Qihua Gate without a single soul noticing.
Once outside the city walls, he gave the horse its head. In no time at all, a grand estate came into view on the left side of the road, with high tiled roofs and soaring ridgepoles — a place of imposing splendor. Tie Zhongyu knew at once this must be it, but he dismounted at a distance and told Xiao Dan to hold the horse. He then strolled slowly toward the entrance and examined it with care. On either side stood two commemorative archways, each bearing four characters: one read "Meritorious Service to the Northern Palace," the other "Martial Prestige over the Southern Skies." Between the archways rose three gate-towers set on tiger-shaped pedestals, and above the central one hung a plaque inscribed in large gold characters: "Imperially Bestowed Hall of Leisured Ease." The three doors beneath the towers were all tightly shut.
After surveying the scene and seeing no one entering or leaving, Tie Zhongyu thought: "The main gate does not open. There must be a side entrance for daily use." He followed the long high wall around a corner and, sure enough, found a small gate-tower halfway along, with a pair of vermilion doors — also closed. The doors were fastened with a great padlock and sealed crosswise with two strips of paper. On closer inspection, though the seal-strips remained in place, it was clear the door was regularly opened: the doors were shut but not bolted from within, a crack of light showing between them. On the whitewashed wall beside the gate was posted a proclamation in characters as large as rice bowls:
"By order of the Marquis of Dagua: This is an imperially bestowed restricted estate. No official or commoner may approach or peer within, on pain of punishment. Thus decreed."
On either side of the gate-tower were two guard-rooms, staffed by a good many watchmen.
Tie Zhongyu took all this in. Recognizing that something irregular was afoot, he decided not to alarm the guards rashly. He walked back to where Xiao Dan stood holding the horse, cast off his scholar's robes to reveal his martial garb, took up the bronze mace, and vaulted into the saddle. He gave Xiao Dan his orders: "Summon the constables and have them come at once. Stand ready. The moment we seize our man, ride like the wind and inform my father — tell him to come quickly!" Xiao Dan acknowledged the command. Then Tie Zhongyu spurred his horse to the gate-tower, leapt down, and with the mace in hand bellowed: "By imperial edict — I require an audience with the Marquis of Dagua! Go and announce me at once!"
The gatekeepers, caught utterly off guard, stammered in confusion: "His Lordship is at the main residence, not here."
Tie Zhongyu roared: "Nonsense! The household staff at the residence stated plainly that he is here. You pack of worthless slaves — how dare you conceal the truth and obstruct an imperial decree! Every last one of you deserves to lose his head!" The servants stared at one another in terror and hastily fell into line.
"Open this gate at once!" Tie Zhongyu bellowed. "Stop dawdling if you value your lives!"
One elderly servant, seeing how violently the young man was carrying on, steeled himself and said: "This is the estate of a marquis. His Lordship is not here, and who would dare open the gate without his orders? And even if we did open it, this is imperially granted restricted ground — you, sir, would not dare enter!"
Tie Zhongyu was furious. "I come on imperial orders to arrest a man — how dare I not enter? If you will not open, I shall open it myself!" He strode forward, raised the bronze mace, and brought it down on the padlock with a single thunderous blow. With a mighty crash the lock shattered and fell to the ground, and the two doors burst open of their own accord. Seeing the gate flung wide, Tie Zhongyu marched straight inside with great strides. The servants, witnessing his ferocious momentum, did not dare stand in his way. They merely shouted in panic: "Disaster! Disaster!" — and ran inside to raise the alarm.
Now, the Marquis of Dagua had seized Han Yuan's daughter on a whim, assuming that a poor scholar would have no recourse. He had not expected to run afoul of Censor Tie, who had submitted a memorial impeaching him. Still less had he expected the emperor to approve the memorial and order the Ministry of Justice to investigate. In a sudden panic, with no time to dissemble, he had kidnapped Han Yuan and his wife as well, hiding them all in the Hall of Leisured Ease to eliminate every trace. He had then submitted his own memorial full of lies. At first he had feared discovery and considered moving them, but when the Ministry of Justice proved sympathetic, making no real effort to pursue the matter, and had even thrown Censor Tie into prison, he grew thoroughly complacent and thought no more of danger. His only concern was that the Han girl might try to kill herself — her spirit was fierce and unyielding — and that Han Yuan and his wife might argue and refuse to submit. So every day he plied them with wine and delicacies, pressing his suit; but Han Yuan remained stubbornly resistant.
On this particular day, the Marquis had lost patience. He was in the Hall of Leisured Ease, having Han Yuan stripped, bound, and beaten to force his consent. "Though you are a scholar," the Marquis said, "now that you have been brought here, I can have you killed as easily as slaughtering a chicken or a dog. Where would you go to seek justice?"
Han Yuan replied: "A scholar may be killed, but I fear that Heaven's justice is not so easily deceived, nor the law of the land so easily evaded. When that time comes, Your Lordship's regret will be too late! I urge you to think three times before acting!"
"You tell me to think thrice?" said the Marquis. "Why do you not reflect upon your own position? You are the daughter's father — a poor scholar's daughter — and I offer her a place as concubine in a marquis's household. Is that any disgrace to you? If you consent, she will live in silks and satins, eating the finest delicacies, enjoying comforts without end. Is that not better than your plain rice and pickled greens?"
Han Yuan answered: "Though I am a poor scholar, the proverb says: 'Better to be a rooster's beak than a bull's backside.' How could a disciple of the Sage covet a nobleman's feasts and throw the moral order of the empire into chaos?"
The Marquis was livid. He was just ordering his men to apply the instruments more harshly when four or five gatekeepers came rushing in at once, shouting in confusion: "My lord! Disaster! A young warrior outside, carrying a bronze mace, claims he comes with an imperial edict to arrest someone! We tried to stop him, but he smashed the padlock off the door with one blow of his mace and forced his way in! We don't know who he is! He's nearly at the hall — Your Lordship must prepare at once!"
The Marquis, stunned and stupefied, was glancing east and west, trying to slip away to the inner hall, when Tie Zhongyu came striding up to the front of the hall. Seeing the Marquis standing above, he clasped his hands in greeting and said: "Your Excellency! I come bearing an imperial decree on a matter of some urgency. Why have you defied the decree and refused me entry?"
The Marquis, unable to escape, had no choice but to descend and meet him. "If you bear an imperial edict," he said, "why did you not send word in advance, so that I might set up an incense table to receive it properly? What is the meaning of this rude intrusion?"
"The imperial decree is secret and urgent," Tie Zhongyu replied. "How could I risk delay or disclosure?" He stepped forward, mace in his right hand, and with his left seized the Marquis's collar in a vise-like grip. "Pray tell, Your Excellency — this is an imperially bestowed restricted estate, not a magistrate's court. So who is that man down there in the courtyard, stripped and beaten?"
The Marquis, frantic with worry since his attempts to conceal Han Yuan had failed, had been thrown into a stupor the moment he heard someone invoking an imperial edict. He tried to break free, but the newcomer held him fast. He had no choice but to brazen it out: "I am merely disciplining my own household servants — what has that to do with the court's laws? If you have an edict to discuss—" He called to his men: "Take this fellow away!"
But Tie Zhongyu blocked them. Before he could press the Marquis further, Han Yuan shouted from down in the courtyard: "I am Han Yuan, a degree-holder — not a servant! I have been imprisoned here! General, I beg you to save my life!"
When Tie Zhongyu heard that this was indeed Han Yuan, his heart was set at ease. He feigned astonishment: "If you are the degree-holder Han Yuan, the court has ordered the Ministry of Justice to search for you everywhere! Why are you hiding here? Defying an imperial warrant and concealing yourself — that is a capital offense!"
By now Xiao Dan had caught up. Tie Zhongyu jerked his chin toward him, and Xiao Dan, understanding at once, rushed out through the gate — on one hand summoning the constables to pour in, on the other galloping off to inform Censor Tie.
When Tie Zhongyu saw the constables had arrived, he pointed the bronze mace at Han Yuan and said: "This man is wanted by imperial decree — take him into custody!" Then he turned to Han Yuan: "If you claim you were wronged, you should have gone straight to the Ministry of Justice to plead your case. Why did you hide here and enter into a private arrangement?"
At these words Han Yuan burst into tears: "Ever since my daughter was seized by the wicked marquis, I have knocked at Heaven's gate in vain, weeping my story to all who would listen, fearing none would heed me. When the Ministry of Justice issued its warrant, how could I have wished to hide? But I am a weak and solitary scholar, utterly without support. One day a mob of the marquis's thugs, dozens of them, drove me like a tiger drives sheep and carried my wife and me to this place. Here I have been buried alive, beaten day after day, forced to consent to the marriage, with death looming over me at every hour. What unspeakable fortune that I should encounter you, General, descending as if from Heaven to save what remains of my wretched life and restore to me the light of day! I was thrown into this pit against my will — who would willingly enter into kinship with that man?"
"From what you say," said Tie Zhongyu, "your wife and daughter are both here as well?"
"Indeed," said Han Yuan. "My wife, née Qu, is being held prisoner in a side chamber behind the main hall. As for my daughter Xiangxian, I hear she has been hidden in an upper room of the inner pavilion. She has tried to take her life morning and night — I no longer know whether she is alive or dead."
Enraged, Tie Zhongyu ordered the constables to escort Han Yuan inside to search for the women.
The Marquis, seeing that the game was up and that he could neither argue his way free nor stop the constables from going in, was driven to desperation. Pointing at Tie Zhongyu, he declared: "This is an imperially bestowed estate! I hold the rank of marquis! Even if there were some transgression, it would require an imperial decree to adjudicate. Who are you, that you dare come here with a bronze mace, smash open the locks, burst into a restricted imperial hall, and humiliate a nobleman? Your own crimes are quite enough to answer for — how dare you meddle in other people's affairs?" He tried to seize Tie Zhongyu in return, but lacked the strength, and shouted to his servants: "Seize this man at once!"
By now the household servants, learning that their master had been taken, had come swarming in from all directions and packed the hall. But seeing Tie Zhongyu wielding his bronze mace and holding the Marquis in an iron grip, fierce and fearless, none dared step forward. When the Marquis ordered them to seize the intruder, a few of the bolder ones moved to comply. Tie Zhongyu barked: "You wretched slaves — seize whom, exactly?" He shifted his grip, hoisted the Marquis up by the waist, and swept him through the crowd of servants. The blow landed with such force that every servant it touched was sent tumbling to the ground. The Marquis, a man past forty, weakened by wine and women and softened by a life of luxury, could scarcely endure being hoisted and swung about. When Tie Zhongyu set him down, he was already dizzy and gasping, doubled over and wheezing: "No more! No more!"
Now, the Marquis had a circle of friendly marquises and earls, and several of them, having received word of the disturbance, had rushed over to see what was happening. Finding the Marquis in a sorry state at Tie Zhongyu's hands, they stepped forward to mediate: "Sir, we beg you to calm your anger. Whatever the matter, let it be discussed civilly. There is no need for violence — you do injury to the dignity of a nobleman of the realm."
"He is a traitor who has deceived his sovereign," said Tie Zhongyu, "and a criminal against the moral order. Death would be too good for him. What dignity? What nobleman?"
The noblemen said: "Even if Lord Sha has been guilty of some impropriety, his crimes must be adjudicated through proper channels. There is no precedent under our dynasty for fists and feet to be applied to a peer of the realm."
Tie Zhongyu replied: "Gentlemen, you speak of propriety, but you must also recognize expediency. Rooting out evil from a tiger's den calls for different rules. A lone man braving danger cannot abide by ordinary conventions."
"We cannot fathom your heroic methods, sir," said the noblemen. "But pray tell us — is today's action a knight-errant's private vendetta? Or a champion of justice righting a wrong? There must be some purpose. Enlighten us, and perhaps we may find common ground."
"It is neither," said Tie Zhongyu. "I am simply carrying out His Majesty's secret edict to arrest a man."
"If you bear a secret edict, why not produce it and read it aloud, to put all doubts to rest?"
"That is easily done," said Tie Zhongyu. "Set up the incense table at once."
The noblemen gave orders for the preparations.
The Marquis, having recovered his breath and emboldened by the presence of so many noblemen, spoke again: "Gentlemen, do not listen to his nonsense! He is neither an official constable nor an imperial guard — how could he be carrying a decree? He is nothing but Han Yuan's confederate, waving a false edict and putting on a show of force to trick you into handing over the prisoner. But now that he has come, if he has no edict, then he has trespassed on restricted ground and assaulted a peer of the realm — those are no small crimes! I certainly cannot let him go. I count on your support! And have someone send word at once to the prefect and magistrate that an armed bandit has invaded in broad daylight. If they do not come to our aid, they shall answer for it tomorrow!"
The noblemen, hearing this, began to waver. They turned to Tie Zhongyu: "Bandits who seize people by force generally operate in remote places, under cover of darkness, preying on rural gentry — and even then they may succeed only by luck. This is the estate of a marquis, in the very shadow of the throne, in broad daylight — how could any bandit hope to succeed here? Your actions today do seem excessively high-handed. If you truly have an edict, produce it by all means. If it turns out to be a lie, the penalty will be severe. Better to tell the truth, give your real name, and bow your head in submission. Perhaps we can intercede for you and your life may yet be spared. But if you rely on brute force and bluster, hoping to escape — I fear you have entered a stronghold from which no wings can carry you!"
Tie Zhongyu said coolly: "If I wished to leave, what would stop me? But it is still early. Let me first read out the edict and take the prisoners into custody — then I shall depart at my leisure."
"If you have an edict, why not read it at once?" they pressed.
"I am here alone," said Tie Zhongyu, "and his faction is numerous. If I read the edict and he uses his superior force to resist, that will only make things harder. He has sent for the prefect and magistrate — let us wait until they arrive, and then I shall read it. That way there will be no untoward incident."
"That is a fair point," they conceded, and sent servants to hurry the officials along.
Before long, the magistrate of Daxing County arrived. Seeing the scene before him, he could not decide what to do. Shortly after, the circuit judge of Shuntian Prefecture arrived as well. The noblemen received him and explained the situation. The circuit judge said: "The truth or falsehood of the matter is hard to determine at a glance, but it all comes down to whether or not there is an imperial edict. That will settle it at once." He ordered the incense table to be prepared.
In no time, a fine incense burner was lit at the center of the hall, and a pair of bright candles were set burning. The circuit judge addressed Tie Zhongyu: "Sir, if you bear an imperial edict to arrest someone, you should read it aloud before all present so that the accused may submit. This unseemly grappling is hardly in accordance with the law."
Tie Zhongyu was about to reply when attendants rushed in to report: "Censor Tie has just dismounted at the front gate!"
The Marquis, hearing this out of nowhere, was struck with alarm: "He was in prison — when did he get out?" He had not finished speaking when Censor Tie walked in, bearing a yellow silk bundle in both hands, and ascended the hall with grave dignity. Just then the incense table was brought forward. He placed the bundle upon it, unwrapped it, and took out the imperial decree. Tie Zhongyu, seeing this, immediately forced the Marquis to kneel before the incense table. He also ordered the constables to bring Han Yuan forward and make him prostrate himself at the foot of the steps, then announced to all present: "The accused marquis Sha Li has defied the edict and refused to come forth. Let the decree be read, and the premises searched!"
Censor Tie, seeing the circuit judge and the magistrate present along with the noblemen, turned to the circuit judge and said: "Your Honor's arrival is most opportune. Please come up to the dais — His Majesty has issued a stern decree, and I would be obliged if you would read it."
The circuit judge dared not refuse. He hurried up, received the document, and Censor Tie went to kneel beside the Marquis before the incense table. The circuit judge then read the decree aloud:
"Whereas Censor Tie Ying has reported that the Marquis of Dagua, Sha Li, did seize the aggrieved party Han Yuan together with Han Yuan's wife and daughter: if these persons truly exist, why has the Ministry of Justice failed to locate them? Tie Ying is hereby authorized to conduct the search himself, without restriction as to any prohibited area. If the persons are found, the Ministry of Justice shall conduct a thorough investigation and report its findings. If within three days no one is found, Tie Ying shall be deemed to have deceived his sovereign and punished accordingly. So decreed."
When the circuit judge had finished reading, Censor Tie performed the ritual obeisance and rose to his feet, intending to greet the noblemen. But no sooner had the decree been read than the noblemen, realizing the Marquis's cause was lost, slipped away to a man. Most of the household servants gradually melted away as well. Only the circuit judge and the magistrate came forward to pay their respects. The Marquis, reduced to utter helplessness, could only stand up, bow deeply to Censor Tie, and say: "I have committed offenses, and I throw myself on your mercy."
Censor Tie said: "I have no desire to press matters to the extreme. I only wish to establish that no one has deceived the emperor. Now that Han Yuan has been found here, and he testifies that his wife and daughter are within, it would be difficult to conceal them any longer. Would it not be better to call them out, rather than force a search?"
"Han Yuan came here of his own accord," the Marquis insisted. "His wife and daughter are not here."
"If Your Lordship says they are not here," said Censor Tie, "then I dare not assert otherwise. But I am duty-bound to conduct a search as decreed, and the truth will become apparent." He ordered Tie Zhongyu to lead the constables and escort Han Yuan inside to search. The Marquis tried to block them, but it was hopeless.
Now, although this hall was a residential building, no family members actually lived there. When the searchers reached the inner hall, they could faintly hear the sound of weeping. Han Yuan called out in a loud voice: "My child, do not weep! An imperial decree has been issued, and justice will be done! Come out quickly!"
From a side chamber near the hall, Han Yuan's wife, Madam Qu, was heard answering: "I am here! Come and rescue me first!" The searchers rushed to the door, which was locked. Tie Zhongyu gave another blow of his mace, and the door burst open. Madam Qu emerged, her hair disheveled, and without a pause ran deeper inside, weeping: "I fear my daughter has been tormented to death!"
"She has not died," said Han Yuan. "She was still weeping just a moment ago."
Madam Qu hurried up to the pavilion chamber, where she found her daughter trying desperately to come downstairs, only to be held back by three or four maids and serving-women who would not let her pass. Madam Qu shouted: "The imperial decree has come! Who dares obstruct?" Only then did the maids and women stand aside. Madam Qu looked around the room, which was heaped with silks, satins, pearls, and jade; she pushed them all aside, took a plain white head-cloth, wrapped it around her daughter's head to cover her disheveled hair, and led her down. Han Yuan was there to receive them, and together with Tie Zhongyu and the constables, they all came down to the main hall. Before Censor Tie, Han Yuan knelt with his wife and daughter, kowtowing in tearful gratitude: "The three lives of my humble family have all been saved by Your Excellency's benevolence — truly an act of merit that will echo through ten thousand generations!"
Censor Tie said: "Do not thank me. This is the grace of the emperor. All matters rest with the Ministry of Justice. I myself do not yet know what lies ahead." Then, turning to the magistrate of Daxing County, he said: "These three are wanted persons under a special imperial warrant. Although constables will escort them, I fear there may yet be some mishap. I would trouble Your Honor to accompany them to the Ministry of Justice and deliver them safely, to prevent any further complications." The magistrate accepted the order and instructed the constables to take Han Yuan and his wife and daughter away.
Censor Tie then gestured toward the Marquis and addressed the circuit judge: "Lord Sha is a nobleman of high rank — I would not presume to treat him discourteously. May I trouble Your Honor to accompany him to the court of law? As for myself, I am still a prisoner under investigation and must return to my cell to await judgment." With that, he rose, collected Tie Zhongyu, and they departed on horseback. As the verse says:
Brave was the hero who dared enter the tiger's lair; Keen was the strategist who traced the hidden trail. The pearl retrieved, the clam restored to Hepu's shore — A deed to rival Xu and Yu through ages evermore.
After Censor Tie's departure, the Marquis prevailed upon the circuit judge and hastened to enlist his powerful friends and relatives, secretly distributing bribes at the Ministry of Justice and the Grand Secretariat, hoping to escape punishment. But of this we shall say no more.
Now, Censor Tie returned to prison and immediately wrote a detailed memorial describing how he had found Han Yuan, his wife, and his daughter at the Marquis's Hall of Leisured Ease, and how they had been sent to the court of justice for investigation. The memorial was submitted at once. The next morning, the imperial rescript came down:
"Since Tie Ying has recovered Han Yuan together with his wife and daughter from the restricted Hall of Leisured Ease, it is clear not only that his conduct has been irreproachable, but that his impeachment was well founded. He is hereby released from prison and restored to his former post, pending the outcome of the Ministry of Justice's investigation, after which further promotion and reward shall follow. So decreed."
Upon receiving this decree, Censor Tie performed the ritual of gratitude and left prison. He returned to his private quarters, where Tie Zhongyu met him, and husband and wife, father and son were reunited in joy. But of their happiness we shall say no more.
As for the Ministry of Justice, though it had received the Marquis's entreaties, the fact that it had failed to arrest anyone had exposed it to charges of partiality, and it dared not shield him any further. With Han Yuan and his wife and daughter all firmly attesting to the abduction, there was no avenue of escape. The Ministry had no choice but to submit a faithful report of the Marquis's crimes, though at the end of its memorial it added a few words of mitigation:
"We would note that Sha Li is past forty and without an heir, which explains the intensity of his desire for a virtuous maiden. Furthermore, after the abduction, he sought to win her through persuasion, and no violation of her person occurred. If His Majesty, in consideration of the meritorious service of his forebears, should find grounds for some measure of clemency, we submit the matter for the imperial decision, not presuming to take it upon ourselves."
Two days later, the imperial edict was issued:
"The Marquis of Dagua, Sha Li, enjoys a lofty title and high position. Instead of cultivating his virtue and governing his household, he tyrannically abducted the daughter of the scholar Han Yuan — a girl already betrothed to the scholar Wei Pei — to make her his concubine, in flagrant violation of propriety. When impeached by Censor Tie Ying, far from repenting and confessing his guilt, he kidnapped Han Yuan and his wife and concealed them in his imperially granted restricted estate, then accused Censor Tie of making false charges. His deception and villainy are crimes of the gravest order. According to the sentence proposed by the Ministry of Justice, he should rightfully be stripped of his title and put to death. However, in consideration of the illustrious merits of his forebears, We are loath to impose the extreme penalty. He is to be confined in the Hall of Leisured Ease for three years, in lieu of exile. One year's stipend shall be given to Han Yuan to compensate for the losses he suffered through the abduction. The maiden Han Xiangxian, having preserved her chastity undefiled, shall be married to Wei Pei, who shall choose an auspicious date for the wedding. Han Yuan, who steadfastly upheld the moral order and refused to yield even unto death, has shown himself a worthy Confucian scholar; he is hereby appointed to an instructorship by tribute examination, so that his learning shall not have been in vain. Censor Tie Ying, who reported the facts faithfully and did not flinch before the powerful, is to be commended for his integrity. Moreover, his daring penetration of the tiger's den demonstrates great resourcefulness and vigor; he is hereby promoted to Commissioner of the Censorate. The officials of the Ministry of Justice, who showed favoritism in their pursuit of the case, shall forfeit three months' salary. So decreed."
After the decree was issued, the whole city buzzed with the story of how young Tie Zhongyu had stormed the Hall of Leisured Ease and rescued Han Xiangxian. He was hailed as a man of extraordinary valor, a great knight-errant. People clamored to meet him; visitors seeking an audience or an introduction arrived at his door from morning to evening without cease. Han Yuan owed his appointment to the young man's efforts, and Wei Pei owed his marriage to the imperial command — both were so grateful to Tie Zhongyu that they revered him as a parent and worshipped him as a god.
Only Censor Tie was troubled. He said to his son: "Heaven's law abhors excess, and fortune and misfortune are ever intertwined. A few days ago I was falsely accused and thrown into prison — my life hung by a thread. Then, by the emperor's grace, I was not merely pardoned but promoted. One might call that miraculous good luck. Yet the Marquis has been confined because of us — how can he forget his resentment? And you seized him by the arm and chest, humiliating him grievously. He must be watching us like a tiger, biding his time for revenge. I am the emperor's servant; my life belongs to the court, and whatever fortune or calamity befalls me, I cannot shirk it. But you are free to go where you please in the four corners of the world — why remain in this dangerous place? Moreover, your fame is growing and your circle of acquaintances widening — all of which invites trouble. Better to use the pretext of traveling for study and put a great distance between yourself and this place. Be like the divine dragon that shows its head but never its tail, so that none can fathom your movements. To perceive the opportune moment — that is what it means to be truly wise."
Tie Zhongyu replied: "I had precisely this intention, for I am weary of social obligations. But I worry about you, Father. You hold an office on the path of remonstrance and are constantly making enemies. Standing alone here, I cannot be at ease."
Censor Tie said: "I conduct myself with integrity and walk the straight path. Now that His Majesty has been pleased to commend me and elevate me to this high position, even if there are petty slanders, no great calamity is likely. You need not concern yourself. But when you go, you must diligently pursue your Confucian studies and take the sages as your model. You must not rely on your hot blood and chivalrous impulses and fall into the ways of the wandering knight-errant."
Tie Zhongyu bowed deeply: "I shall heed your instructions, Father." After two or three more days, finding the stream of visitors ever increasing, he packed his belongings, took leave of his parents, and with only Xiao Dan in attendance, set out for home. As the verse says:
His coming seemed for filial love; His going looked like fleeing harm. If you would know the why and how — Old Heaven has not told its tale.
When Tie Zhongyu arrived home, he found that the whole region of Daming already knew how he had stormed the Hall of Leisured Ease and rescued Han Xiangxian, and that Censor Tie had been promoted to Commissioner of the Censorate. Not only were friends and relatives unusually attentive, but even the prefect and magistrate showed him the greatest respect. Tie Zhongyu thought to himself: "If things go on like this, I might as well have stayed in the capital, at least to be near my parents. Better to follow my father's advice: under the pretext of traveling for study, I can go far away." He entrusted the household affairs to the family steward, packed his belongings and travel money, and with only Xiao Dan for company, set off on his scholarly wanderings. And from this departure arose the following:
Chivalry and passion — wrongs not easily untangled; The moral order and desire — a torment to the soul.
As for what befell Tie Zhongyu when he set out on his journey, the reader must wait for the next chapter to learn.