the wallet of kai lung-第6部分
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many hours endeavouring to obtain a chair of the requisite colour in
which to visit the Mandarin。 In this he was unsuccessful； until it was
at length suggested to him that an ordinary chair； such as stood for
hire in the streets of Si…chow； would be acceptable if covered with
blue paper。 Still in some doubt as to what the nature of his reception
would be； Ling had no choice but to take this course； and accordingly
he again reached the Yamen in such a manner； carried by two persons
whom he had obtained for the purpose。 While yet hardly at the
residence a salute was suddenly fired； all the gates and doors were；
without delay； thrown open with embarrassing and hospitable profusion；
and the Mandarin himself passed out； and would have assisted Ling to
step down from his chair had not that person； clearly perceiving that
such a course would be too great an honour； evaded him by an
unobtrusive display of versatile dexterity。 So numerous and profound
were the graceful remarks which each made concerning the habits and
accomplishments of the other that more than the space of an hour was
passed in traversing the small enclosed ground which let up to the
principal door of the Yamen。 There an almost greater time was
agreeably spent； both Ling and the Mandarin having determined that the
other should enter first。 Undoubtedly Ling； who was the more powerful
of the two； would have conferred this courteous distinction upon Li
Keen had not that person summoned to his side certain attendants who
succeeded in frustrating Ling in his high…minded intentions； and in
forcing him through the doorway in spite of his conscientious protests
against the unsurmountable obligation under which the circumstance
placed him。
Conversing in this intellectual and dignified manner； the strokes of
the gong passed unheeded； tea had been brought into their presence
many times； and night had fallen before the Mandarin allowed Ling to
refer to the matter which had brought him to the place； and to present
his written papers and seals。
〃It is a valuable privilege to have so intelligent a person as the
illustrious Ling occupying this position；〃 remarked the Mandarin； as
he returned the papers； 〃and not less so on account of the one who
preceded him proving himself to be a person of feeble attainments and
an unendurable deficiency of resource。〃
〃To one with the all…knowing Li Keen's mental acquisitions； such a
person must indeed have become excessively offensive；〃 replied Ling
delicately； 〃for； as it is truly said； 'Although there exist many
thousand subjects for elegant conversation； there are persons who
cannot meet a cripple without talking about feet。'〃
〃He to whom I have referred was such a one；〃 said Li Keen；
appreciating with an expression of countenance the fitness of Ling's
proverb。 〃He was totally inadequate to the requirements of his
position； for he possessed no military knowledge； and was placed in
command by those at Peking as a result of his taking a high place at
one of the examinations。 But more than this； although his three years
of service were almost completed； I was quite unsuccessful in
convincing him that an unseemly degradation probably awaited him
unless he could furnish me with the means with which to propitiate the
persons in authority at Peking。 This he neglected to do with obstinate
pertinacity； which compelled this person to inquire within himself
whether one of so little discernment could be trusted with an
important and arduous office。 After much deliberation； this person
came to the decision that the Commander in question was not a fit
person； and he therefore reported him to the Imperial Board of
Punishment at Peking as one subject to frequent and periodical
eccentricities； and possessed of less than ordinary intellect。 In
consequence of this act of justice； the Commander was degraded to the
rank of common bowman； and compelled to pay a heavy fine in addition。〃
〃It was a just and enlightened conclusion of the affair；〃 said Ling；
in spite of a deep feeling of no enthusiasm； 〃and one which
surprisingly bore out your own prophecy in the matter。〃
〃It was an inspired warning to persons who should chance to be in a
like position at any time；〃 replied Li Keen。 〃So grasping and corrupt
are those who control affairs in Peking that I have no doubt they
would scarcely hesitate in debasing even one so immaculate as the
exceptional Ling； and placing him in some laborious and ill…paid civil
department should he not accede to their extortionate demands。〃
This suggestion did not carry with it the unpleasurable emotions which
the Mandarin anticipated it would。 The fierce instincts which had been
aroused within Ling by the incident in the cypress wood had died out；
while his lamentable ignorance of military affairs was ever before his
mind。 These circumstances； together with his naturally gentle habits；
made him regard such a degradation rather favourably than otherwise。
He was meditating within himself whether he could arrange such a
course without delay when the Mandarin continued：
〃That； however； is a possibility which is remote to the extent of at
least two or three years； do not； therefore； let so unpleasing a
thought cast darkness upon our brows or remove the unparalleled
splendour of so refined an occasion 。 。 。 Doubtless the accomplished
Ling is a master of the art of chess…play； for many of our most
thoughtful philosophers have declared war to be nothing but such a
game； let this slow…witted and cumbersome person have an opportunity；
therefore； of polishing his declining facilities by a pleasant and
dignified encounter。〃
V
ON the next day； having completed his business at the Yamen； Ling left
the town； and without desiring any ceremony quietly betook himself to
his new residence within the camp； which was situated among the millet
fields some distance from Si…chow。 As soon as his presence became
known all those who occupied positions of command； and whose years of
service would shortly come to an end； hastened to present themselves
before him； bringing with them offerings according to the rank they
held； they themselves requiring a similar service from those beneath
them。 First among these； and next in command to Ling himself； was the
Chief of Bowmen； a person whom Ling observed with extreme satisfaction
to be very powerful in body and possessing a strong and dignified
countenance which showed unquestionable resolution and shone with a
tiger…like tenaciousness of purpose。
〃Undoubtedly；〃 thought Ling； as he observed this noble and
prepossessing person； 〃here is one who will be able to assist me in
whatever perplexities may arise。 Never was there an individual who
seemed more worthy to command and lead； assuredly to him the most
intricate and prolonged military positions will be an enjoyment； the
most crafty stratagems of the enemy as the full moon rising from
behind a screen of rushes。 Without making any pretence of knowledge；
this person will explain the facts of the case to him and place
himself without limit in his hands。〃
For this purpose he therefore detained the Chief of Bowmen when the
others departed； and complimented him； with many expressive phrases；
on the excellence of his appearance； as the thought occurred to him
that by this means； without disclosing the full measure of his
ignorance； the person in question might be encouraged to speak
unrestrainedly of the nature of his exploits； and perchance thereby
explain the use of the appliances employed and the meaning of the
various words of order； in all of which details the Commander was as
yet most disagreeably imperfect。 In this； however； he was
disappointed； for the Chief of Bowmen； greatly to Ling's surprise；
received all his polished sentences with somewhat foolish smiles of
great self…satisfaction； merely replying from time to time as he
displayed his pigtail to greater advantage or rearranged his
gold…embroidered cloak：
〃This person must really pray you to desist； the honour is indeed too
great。〃
Disappointed in his hope； and not desiring after this circumstance to
expose his shortcomings to one who was obviously not of a
highly…refined understanding； no matter how great his valour in war or
his knowledge of military affairs might be； Ling endeavoured to lead
him to converse of the bowmen under his charge。 In this matter he was
more successful； for the Chief spoke at great length and with
evilly…inspired contempt of their inelegance； their undiscriminating
and excessive appetites； and the frequent use which they made of low
words and gestures。 Desiring to become acquainted rather with their
methods of warfare than with their domestic details； Ling inquired of
him what formation they relied upon when receiving the foemen。
〃It is a matter which has not engaged the attention of this one；〃
replied the Chief； with an excessive absence of interest。 〃There are
so many affairs of intelligent dignity which cannot be put aside； and
which occupy one from beginning to end。 As an example； this person may
describe how the accomplished Li…Lu； generally depicted as the
Blue…eyed Dove of Virtuous and Serpent…like Attitudes； has been
scattering glory upon the Si…chow Hall of Cele
