the wallet of kai lung-第4部分
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falter in his purpose。 On the evening of the examination； when he was
sitting alone； reading by the aid of a single light； as his custom
was； a person arrived to see him； at the same time manifesting a
considerable appearance of secrecy and reserve。 Inwardly sighing at
the interruption； Ling nevertheless received him with distinguished
consideration and respect； setting tea before him； and performing
towards it many honourable actions with his own hands。 Not until some
hours had sped in conversation relating to the health of the Emperor；
the unexpected appearance of a fiery dragon outside the city； and the
insupportable price of opium； did the visitor allude to the object of
his presence。
〃It has been observed；〃 he remarked； 〃that the accomplished Ling； who
aspires to a satisfactory rank at the examinations； has never before
made the attempt。 Doubtless in this case a preternatural wisdom will
avail much； and its fortunate possessor will not go unrewarded。 Yet it
is as precious stones among ashes for one to triumph in such
circumstances。〃
〃The fact is known to this person；〃 replied Ling sadly； 〃and the
thought of the years he may have to wait before he shall have passed
even the first degree weighs down his soul with bitterness from time
to time。〃
〃It is no infrequent thing for men of accomplished perseverance； but
merely ordinary intellects； to grow venerable within the four walls of
the examination cell；〃 continued the other。 〃Some； again； become
afflicted with various malignant evils； while not a few； chiefly those
who are presenting themselves for the first time； are so overcome on
perceiving the examination paper； and understanding the inadequate
nature of their own accomplishments； that they become an easy prey to
the malicious spirits which are ever on the watch in those places；
and； after covering their leaves with unpresentable remarks and
drawings of men and women of distinguished rank； have at length to be
forcibly carried away by the attendants and secured with heavy
chains。〃
〃Such things undoubtedly exist；〃 agreed Ling； 〃yet by a due regard
paid to spirits； both good and bad； a proper esteem for one's
ancestors； and a sufficiency of charms about the head and body； it is
possible to be closeted with all manner of demons and yet to suffer no
evil。〃
〃It is undoubtedly possible to do so； according to the Immortal
Principles；〃 admitted the stranger； 〃but it is not an undertaking in
which a refined person would take intelligent pleasure； as the proverb
says； 'He is a wise and enlightened suppliant who seeks to discover an
honourable Mandarin； but he is a fool who cries out； 〃I have found
one。〃' However； it is obvious that the reason of my visit is
understood； and that your distinguished confidence in yourself is
merely a graceful endeavour to obtain my services for a less amount of
taels than I should otherwise have demanded。 For half the usual sum；
therefore； this person will take your place in the examination cell；
and enable your versatile name to appear in the winning lists； while
you pass your moments in irreproachable pleasures elsewhere。〃
Such a course had never presented itself to Ling。 As the person who
narrates this story has already marked； he had passed his life beyond
the influence of the ways and manners of towns； and at the same time
he had naturally been endowed with an unobtrusive highmindedness。 It
appeared to him； in consequence； that by accepting this engaging offer
he would be placing those who were competing with him at a
disadvantage。 This person clearly sees that it is a difficult matter
for him to explain how this could be； as Ling would undoubtedly reward
the services of the one who took his place； nor would the number of
the competitors be in any way increased； yet in such a way the thing
took shape before his eyes。 Knowing； however； that few persons would
be able to understand this action； and being desirous of not injuring
the estimable emotions of the obliging person who had come to him；
Ling made a number of polished excuses in declining； hiding the true
reason within himself。 In this way he earned the powerful malignity of
the person in question； who would not depart until he had effected a
number of very disagreeable prophecies connected with unpropitious
omens and internal torments； all of which undoubtedly had a great
influence on Ling's life beyond that time。
Each day of the examination found Ling alternately elated or
depressed； according to the length and style of the essay which he had
written while enclosed in his solitary examination cell。 The trials
each lasted a complete day； and long before the fifteen days which
composed the full examination were passed； Ling found himself half
regretting that he had not accepted his visitor's offer； or even
reviling the day on which he had abandoned the hereditary calling of
his ancestors。 However； when； after all was over； he came to
deliberate with himself on his chances of attaining a degree； he could
not disguise from his own mind that he had well…formed hopes； he was
not conscious of any undignified errors； and； in reply to several
questions； he had been able to introduce curious knowledge which he
possessed by means of his exceptional circumstancesknowledge which
it was unlikely that any other candidate would have been able to make
himself master of。
At length the day arrived on which the results were to be made public；
and Ling； together with all the other competitors and many
distinguished persons； attended at the great Hall of Intellectual
Coloured Lights to hear the reading of the lists。 Eight thousand
candidates had been examined； and from this number less than two
hundred were to be selected for appointments。 Amid a most
distinguished silence the winning names were read out。 Waves of most
undignified but inevitable emotion passed over those assembled as the
list neared its end； and the chances of success became less at each
spoken word； and then； finding that his was not among them； together
with the greater part of those present； he became a prey to very
inelegant thoughts； which were not lessened by the refined cries of
triumph of the successful persons。 Among this confusion the one who
had read the lists was observed to be endeavouring to make his voice
known； whereupon； in the expectation that he had omitted a name； the
tumult was quickly subdued by those who again had pleasurable visions。
〃There was among the candidates one of the name of Ling〃； said he；
when no…noise had been obtained。 〃The written leaves produced by this
person are of a most versatile and conflicting order； so that； indeed；
the accomplished examiners themselves are unable to decide whether
they are very good or very bad。 In this matter； therefore； it is
clearly impossible to place the expert and inimitable Ling among the
foremost； as his very uncertain success may have been brought about
with the assistance of evil spirits； nor would it be safe to pass over
his efforts without reward； as he may be under the protection of
powerful but exceedingly ill…advised deities。 The estimable Ling is
told to appear again at this place after the gong has been struck
three times； when the matter will have been looked at from all round。〃
At this announcement there arose another great tumult； several crying
out that assuredly their written leaves were either very good or very
bad； but no further proclamation was made； and very soon the hall was
cleared by force。
At the time stated Ling again presented himself at the Hall； and was
honourably received。
〃The unusual circumstances of the matter have already been put forth；〃
said an elderly Mandarin of engaging appearance； 〃so that nothing
remains to be made known except the end of our despicable efforts to
come to an agreeable conclusion。 In this we have been made successful；
and now desire to notify the result。 A very desirable and not
unremunerative office； rarely bestowed in this manner； is lately
vacant； and taking into our minds the circumstances of the event； and
the fact that Ling comes from a Province very esteemed for the warlike
instincts of its inhabitants； we have decided to appoint him commander
of the valiant and blood…thirsty band of archers now stationed at
Si…chow； in the Province of Hu…Nan。 We have spoken。 Let three guns go
off in honour of the noble and invincible Ling； now and henceforth a
commander in the ever…victorious Army of the Sublime Emperor； brother
of the Sun and Moon； and Upholder of the Four Corners of the World。〃
IV
MANY hours passed before Ling； now more downcast in mind than the most
unsuccessful student in Canton； returned to his room and sought his
couch of dried rushes。 All his efforts to have his distinguished
appointment set aside had been without avail； and he had been ordered
to reach Si…Chow within a week。 As he passed through the streets；
elegant processions in honour of the winners met him at every corner；
and drove him into the outskirts for the object of quietness。 There he
remained until the beating of paper drums and the sound of exulting
voices could be heard no more； but even when he returned lanterns
shone in many dwellings； for two hundred persons were composi
