CHAPTER VIII
The Timely Disputation among Those of an Inner Chamber of Yu-ping
For the space of three days Ming-shu remained absent from Yu-ping, andthe affections of Kai Lung and Hwa-mei prospered. On the evening ofthe third day the maiden stood beneath the shutter with a moredefinite look, and Kai Lung understood that a further period ofunworthy trial was now at hand.
"Behold!" she explained, "at dawn the corrupt Ming-shu will passwithin our gates again, nor is it prudent to assume that his enmityhas lessened."
"On the contrary," replied Kai Lung, "like that unnatural reptile thatlives on air, his malice will have grown upon the voidness of itscause. As the wise Ling-kwang remarks: 'He who plants a vineyard withone hand--'"
"Assuredly, beloved," interposed Hwa-mei dexterously. "But ourimmediate need is less to describe Ming-shu's hate in terms ofclassical analogy than to find a potent means of baffling its venom."
"You are all-wise as usual," confessed Kai Lung, with due humility. "Iwill restrain my much too verbose tongue."
"The invading Banners from the north have for the moment failed andthose who drew swords in their cause are flying to the hills. InYu-ping, therefore, loyalty wears a fully round face and about theyamen of Shan Tien men speak almost in set terms. While theseconditions prevail, justice will continue to be administered preciselyas before. We have thus nothing to hope in that direction."
"Yet in the ideal state of purity aimed at by the illustrious foundersof our race--" began Kai Lung, and ceased abruptly, remembering.
"As it is, we are in the state of Tsin in the fourteenth of theheaven-sent Ching," retorted Hwa-mei capably. "The insatiable Ming-shuwill continue to seek your life, calling to his aid every degradedsubterfuge. When the nature of these can be learned somewhat inadvance, as the means within my power have hitherto enabled us to do,a trusty shield is raised in your defence."
Kai Lung would have spoken of the length and the breadth of hisindebtedness, but she who stood below did not encourage this.
"Ming-shu's absence makes this plan fruitless here to-day, and as aconsequence he may suddenly disclose a subtle snare to which your feetmust bend. In this emergency my strategy has been towards safeguardingyour irreplaceable life to-morrow at all hazard. Should this avail,Ming-shu's later schemes will present no baffling veil."
"Your virtuous little finger is as strong as Ming-shu's offensivethumb," remarked Kai Lung. "This person has no fear."
"Doubtless," acquiesced Hwa-mei. "But she who has spun the threadknows the weakness of the net. Heed well to the end that no ineptnessmay arise. Shan Tien of late extols your art, claiming that in everycircumstance you have a story fitted to the need."
"He measures with a golden rule," agreed Kai Lung. "Left to himself,Shan Tien is a just, if superficial, judge."
The knowledge of this boast, Hwa-mei continued to relate, had spreadto the inner chambers of the yamen, where the lesser ones vied witheach other in proclaiming the merit of the captive minstrel. Amid thiseulogy Hwa-mei moved craftily and played an insidious part, until shewho was their appointed head was committed to the claim. Then themaiden raised a contentious voice.
"Our lord's trout were ever salmon," she declared, "and lo! here isanother great and weighty fish! Assuredly no living man is thus andthus; or are the T'ang epicists returned to earth? Truly our noble oneis easily pleased--in many ways!" With these well-fitted words shefixed her eyes upon the countenance of Shan Tien's chief wife andwaited.
"The sun shines through his words and the moon adorns his utterances,"replied the chief wife, with unswerving loyalty, though she added, noless suitably: "That one should please him easily and another thereinfail, despite her ceaseless efforts, is as the Destinies provide."
"You are all-seeing," admitted Hwa-mei generously; "nor is a lockeddoor any obstacle to your discovering eye. Let this arisement besubmitted to a facile test. Dependent from my ill-formed ears arerings of priceless jade that have ever tinged your thoughts, whileabout your shapely neck is a crystal charm, to which an uncloudedbackground would doubtless give some lustre. I will set aside therings and thou shalt set aside the charm. Then, at a chosen time, thisvaunted one shall attend before us here, and I having disclosed thesubstance of a theme, he shall make good the claim. If he so does,capably and without delay, thou shalt possess the jewels. But if, inthe judgment of these around, he shall fail therein, then are bothjewels mine. Is it so agreed?"
"It is agreed!" cried those who were the least concerned, seeing someentertainment to themselves. "Shall the trial take place at once?"
"Not so," replied Hwa-mei. "A sufficient space must be allowed forthis one wherein to select the matter of the test. To-morrow let itbe, before the hour of evening rice. And thou?"
"Inasmuch as it will enlarge the prescience of our lord in minds thatare light and vaporous, I also do consent," replied the chief wife."Yet must he too be of our company, to be witness of the upholding ofhis word and, if need be, to cast a decisive voice."
"Thus," continued Hwa-mei, as she narrated these events, "Shan Tienis committed to the trial and thereby he must preserve you until thathour. Tell me now the answer to the test, that I may frame thequestion to agree."
Kai Lung thought a while, then said:
"There is the story of Chang Tao. It concerns one who, bidden to do animpossible task, succeeded though he failed, and shows how twoidentically similar beings may be essentially diverse. To this shouldbe subjoined the apophthegm that that which we are eager to obtain maybe that which we have striven to avoid."
"It suffices," agreed Hwa-mei. "Bear well your part."
"Still," suggested Kai Lung, hoping to detain her retiring footstepsfor yet another span, "were it not better that I should fall short atthe test, thus to enlarge your word before your fellows?"
"And in so doing demean yourself, darken the face of Shan Tien'spresent regard, and alienate all those who stand around! O most obtuseKai Lung!"
"I will then bare my throat," confessed Kai Lung. "The barbed thoughthad assailed my mind that perchance the rings of precious jade laycoiled around your heart. Thus and thus I spoke."
"Thus also will I speak," replied Hwa-mei, and her uplifted eyes heldKai Lung by the inner fibre of his being. "Did I value them as I do,and were they a single hair of my superfluous head, the whole headwere freely offered to a like result."
With these noticeable words, which plainly testified the strength ofher emotion, the maiden turned and hastened on her way, leaving KaiLung gazing from the shutter in a very complicated state ofdisquietude.
The Story of Chang Tao, Melodious Vision and the Dragon
After Chang Tao had reached the age of manhood his grandfather tookhim apart one day and spoke of a certain matter, speaking as aphilosopher whose mind has at length overflowed.
"Behold!" he said, when they were at a discreet distance aside, "youryears are now thus and thus, but there are still empty chairs wherethere should be occupied cradles in your inner chamber, and the onlyupraised voice heard in this spacious residence is that of youresteemed father repeating the Analects. The prolific portion of thetree of our illustrious House consists of its roots; its existenceonwards narrows down to a single branch which as yet has put forth noblossoms."
"The loftiest tower rises from the ground," remarked Chang Taoevasively, not wishing to implicate himself on either side as yet.
"Doubtless; and as an obedient son it is commendable that you shouldclose your ears, but as a discriminating father there is no reason whyI should not open my mouth," continued the venerable Chang in a voicefrom which every sympathetic modulation was withdrawn. "It isadmittedly a meritorious resolve to devote one's existence toexplaining the meaning of a single obscure passage of one of the Odes,but if the detachment necessary to the achievement results in ahitherto carefully-preserved line coming to an incapable end, it wouldhave been more satisfactory to the dependent shades of our reve
redancestors that the one in question should have collected streetgarbage rather than literary instances, or turned somersaults in placeof the pages of the Classics, had he but given his first care toproviding you with a wife and thereby safeguarding our unbrokencontinuity."
"My father is all-wise," ventured Chang Tao dutifully, but observingthe nature of the other's expression he hastened to add considerately,"but my father's father is even wiser."
"Inevitably," assented the one referred to; "not merely because he isthe more mature by a generation, but also in that he is thereby nearerto the inspired ancients in whom the Cardinal Principles reside."
"Yet, assuredly, there must be occasional exceptions to this rule ofprogressive deterioration?" suggested Chang Tao, feeling that theprocess was not without a definite application to himself.
"Not in our pure and orthodox line," replied the other person firmly."To suggest otherwise is to admit the possibility of a son being thesuperior of his own father, and to what a discordant state of thingswould that contention lead! However immaturely you may think atpresent, you will see the position at its true angle when you havesons of your own."
"The contingency is not an overhanging one," said Chang Tao. "On thelast occasion when I reminded my venerated father of my age andunmarried state, he remarked that, whether he looked backwards orforwards, extinction seemed to be the kindest destiny to which ourHouse could be subjected."
"Originality, carried to the length of eccentricity, is a censurableaccomplishment in one of official rank," remarked the elder Changcoldly. "Plainly it is time that I should lengthen the authority of myown arm very perceptibly. If a father is so neglectful of his duty, itis fitting that a grandfather should supply his place. This personwill himself procure a bride for you without delay."
"The function might perhaps seem an unusual one," suggested Chang Tao,who secretly feared the outcome of an enterprise conducted under theseauspices.
"So, admittedly, are the circumstances. What suitable maiden suggestsherself to your doubtless better-informed mind? Is there one of thehouse of Tung?"
"There are eleven," replied Chang Tao, with a gesture of despair, "allreputed to be untiring with their needle, skilled in the frugalmanipulation of cold rice, devout, discreet in the lines of theirattire, and so sombre of feature as to be collectively known to theavailable manhood of the city as the Terror that Lurks for the Unwary.Suffer not your discriminating footsteps to pause before that house, Ofather of my father! Now had you spoken of Golden Eyebrows, daughterof Kuo Wang--"
"It would be as well to open a paper umbrella in a thunderstorm as toseek profit from an alliance with Kuo Wang. Crafty and ambitious, heis already deep in questionable ventures, and high as he carries hishead at present, there will assuredly come a day when Kuo Wang willappear in public with his feet held even higher than his crown."
"The rod!" exclaimed Chang Tao in astonishment. "Can it really be thatone who is so invariably polite to me is not in every way immaculate?"
"Either bamboo will greet his feet or hemp adorn his neck," persistedthe other, with a significant movement of his hands in the proximityof his throat. "Walk backwards in the direction of that house, son ofmy son. Is there not one Ning of the worthy line of Lo, dwellingbeneath the emblem of a Sprouting Aloe?"
"Truly," agreed the youth, "but at an early age she came under themalign influence of a spectral vampire, and in order to deceive thecreature she was adopted to the navigable portion of the river here,and being announced as having Passed Above was henceforth regarded asa red mullet."
"Yet in what detail does that deter you?" inquired Chang, for thenature of his grandson's expression betrayed an acute absence ofenthusiasm towards the maiden thus concerned.
"Perchance the vampire was not deceived after all. In any case thisperson dislikes red mullet," replied the youth indifferently.
The venerable shook his head reprovingly.
"It is imprudent to be fanciful in matters of business," he remarked."Lo Chiu, her father, is certainly the possessor of many bars ofsilver, and, as it is truly written: 'With wealth one may commanddemons; without it one cannot summon even a slave.'"
"It is also said: 'When the tree is full the doubtful fruit remainsupon the branch,'" retorted Chang Tao. "Are not maidens in this cityas the sand upon a broad seashore? If one opens and closes one's handssuddenly out in the Ways on a dark night, the chances are that threeor four will be grasped. A stone cast at a venture--"
"Peace!" interrupted the elder. "Witless spoke thus even in the daysof this person's remote youth--only the virtuous did not then open andclose their hands suddenly in the Ways on dark nights. Is aughtreported of the inner affairs of Shen Yi, a rich philosopher whodwells somewhat remotely on the Stone Path, out beyond the SevenTerraced Bridge?"
Chang Tao looked up with a sharply awakening interest.
"It is well not to forget that one," he replied. "He is spoken of ascourteous but reserved, in that he drinks tea with few though hisposition is assured. Is not his house that which fronts on asummer-seat domed with red copper?"
"It is the same," agreed the other. "Speak on."
"What I recall is meagre and destitute of point. Nevertheless, it sochanced that some time ago this person was proceeding along thefurther Stone Path when an aged female mendicant, seated by thewayside, besought his charity. Struck by her destitute appearance hebestowed upon her a few unserviceable broken cash, such as one retainsfor the indigent, together with an appropriate blessing, when the hagchanged abruptly into the appearance of a young and alluring maiden,who smilingly extended to this one her staff, which had meanwhilebecome a graceful branch of flowering lotus. The manifestation was notsustained, however, for as he who is relating the incident would havereceived the proffered flower he found that his hand was closing onthe neck of an expectant serpent, which held in its mouth an agatecharm. The damsel had likewise altered, imperceptibly merging into theform of an overhanging fig-tree, among whose roots the serpent twineditself. When this person would have eaten one of the ripe fruit of thetree he found that the skin was filled with a bitter dust, whereuponhe withdrew, convinced that no ultimate profit was likely to resultfrom the encounter. His departure was accompanied by the sound oflaughter, mocking yet more melodious than a carillon of silver gongshung in a porcelain tower, which seemed to proceed from thesummer-seat domed with red copper."
"Some omen doubtless lay within the meeting," said the elder Chang."Had you but revealed the happening fully on your return, capablegeomancers might have been consulted. In this matter you have fallenshort."
"It is admittedly easier to rule a kingdom than to control one'sthoughts," confessed Chang Tao frankly. "A great storm of wind metthis person on his way back, and when he had passed through it, allrecollection of the incident had, for the time, been magically blownfrom his mind."
"It is now too late to question the augurs. But in the face of soinvolved a portent it would be well to avert all thought fromMelodious Vision, wealthy Shen Yi's incredibly attractive daughter."
"It is unwise to be captious in affairs of negotiation," remarked theyoung man thoughtfully. "Is the smile of the one referred to such thatat the vision of it the internal organs of an ordinary person begin toclash together, beyond the power of all control?"
"Not in the case of the one who is speaking," replied the grandfatherof Chang Tao, "but a very illustrious poet, whom Shen Yi charitablyemployed about his pig-yard, certainly described it as a ripple on thesurface of a dark lake of wine, when the moon reveals the hiddenpearls beneath; and after secretly observing the unstudied grace ofher movements, the most celebrated picture-maker of the provinceburned the implements of his craft, and began life anew as a trainerof performing elephants. But when maidens are as numerous as thegrains of sand--"
"Esteemed," interposed Chang Tao, with smooth determination, "wisdomlurks in the saying: 'He who considers everything decides nothing.'Already this person has spent an unprofitable score of years throughhaving no choice in th
e matter; at this rate he will spend yet anotherscore through having too much. Your timely word shall be his beacon.Neither the disadvantage of Shen Yi's oppressive wealth nor theinconvenience of Melodious Vision's excessive beauty shall deter himfrom striving to fulfil your delicately expressed wish."
"Yet," objected the elder Chang, by no means gladdened at having thedecision thus abruptly lifted from his mouth, "so far, only apartially formed project--"
"To a thoroughly dutiful grandson half a word from your benevolentlips carries further than a full-throated command does from a lessrevered authority."
"Perchance. This person's feet, however, are not liable to a similaracceleration, and a period of adequate consideration must intervenebefore they are definitely moving in the direction of Shen Yi'smansion. 'Where the road bends abruptly take short steps,' Chang Tao."
"The necessity will be lifted from your venerable shoulders, revered,"replied Chang Tao firmly. "Fortified by your approving choice, thisperson will himself confront Shen Yi's doubtful countenance, and thatsame bend in the road will be taken at a very sharp angle and upon asingle foot."
"In person! It is opposed to the Usages!" exclaimed the venerable; andat the contemplation of so undignified a course his voice prudentlywithdrew itself, though his mouth continued to open and close for afurther period.
"'As the mountains rise, so the river winds,'" replied Chang Tao, andwith unquenchable deference he added respectfully as he took hisleave, "Fear not, eminence; you will yet remain to see fivegenerations of stalwart he-children, all pressing forward to worshipyour imperishable memory."
In such a manner Chang Tao set forth to defy the Usages and--ifperchance it might be--to speak to Shen Yi face to face of MelodiousVision. Yet in this it may be that the youth was not so much hopefulof success by his own efforts as that he was certain of failure by theelder Chang's. And in the latter case the person in question mightthen irrevocably contract him to a maiden of the house of Tung, or toanother equally forbidding. Not inaptly is it written: "To escape fromfire men will plunge into boiling water."
Nevertheless, along the Stone Path many doubts and disturbances arosewithin Chang Tao's mind. It was not in this manner that men of weightand dignity sought wives. Even if Shen Yi graciously overlooked theabsence of polite formality, would not the romantic imagination ofMelodious Vision be distressed when she learned that she had beenapproached with so indelicate an absence of ceremony? "Here, again,"said Chang Tao's self-reproach accusingly, "you have, as usual, goneon in advance of both your feet and of your head. 'It is one thing toignore the Rites: it is quite another to expect the gods to ignore thePenalties.' Assuredly you will suffer for it."
It was at this point that Chang Tao was approached by one who hadnoted his coming from afar, and had awaited him, for passers-by weresparse and remote.
"Prosperity attend your opportune footsteps," said the strangerrespectfully. "A misbegotten goat-track enticed this person from hisappointed line by the elusive semblance of an avoided li. Is there,within your enlightened knowledge, the house of one Shen Yi, who makesa feast to-day, positioned about this inauspicious region? It isfurther described as fronting on a summer-seat domed with red copper."
"There is such a house as you describe, at no great distance to thewest," replied Chang Tao. "But that he marks the day with music hadnot reached these superficial ears."
"It is but among those of his inner chamber, this being the name-dayof one whom he would honour in a refined and at the same timeinexpensive manner. To that end am I bidden."
"Of what does your incomparable exhibition consist?" inquired ChangTao.
"Of a variety of quite commonplace efforts. It is entitled'Half-a-gong-stroke among the No-realities; or Gravity-removing devoidof Inelegance.' Thus, borrowing the neck-scarf of the mostdignified-looking among the lesser ones assembled I will at oncediscover among its folds the unsuspected presence of a family oftortoises; from all parts of the person of the roundest-bodiedmandarin available I will control the appearance of an inexhaustiblestream of copper cash, and beneath the scrutinizing eyes of all abunch of paper chrysanthemums will change into the similitude of acrystal bowl in whose clear depth a company of gold and silver carpglide from side to side."
"These things are well enough for the immature, and the sight of anunnaturally stout official having an interminable succession of whiterabbits produced from the various recesses of his waistclothadmittedly melts the austerity of the superficial of both sexes. Butcan you, beneath the undeceptive light of day, turn a sere andunattractive hag into the substantial image of a young and beguilingmaiden, and by a further complexity into a fruitful fig-tree; orinduce a serpent so far to forsake its natural instincts as to poiseon the extremity of its tail and hold a charm within its mouth?"
"None of these things lies within my admitted powers," confessed thestranger. "To what end does your gracious inquiry tend?"
"It is in the nature of a warning, for within the shadow of the houseyou seek manifestations such as I describe pass almost without remark.Indeed it is not unlikely that while in the act of displaying yourengaging but simple skill you may find yourself transformed into achameleon or saddled with the necessity of finishing yourgravity-removing entertainment under the outward form of a Manchurianape."
"Alas!" exclaimed the other. "The eleventh of the moon was ever thisperson's unlucky day, and he would have done well to be warned by adream in which he saw an unsuspecting kid walk into the mouth of avoracious tiger."
"Undoubtedly the tiger was an allusion to the dangers awaiting you,but it is not yet too late for you to prove that you are no kid,"counselled Chang Tao. "Take this piece of silver so that theenterprise of the day may not have been unfruitful and depart with allspeed on a homeward path. He who speaks is going westward, and at thelattice of Shen Yi he will not fail to leave a sufficient excuse foryour no-appearance."
"Your voice has the compelling ring of authority, beneficence,"replied the stranger gratefully. "The obscure name of the one whoprostrates himself is Wo, that of his degraded father being Weh. Forthis service he binds his ghost to attend your ghost through threecycles of time in the After."
"It is remitted," said Chang Tao generously, as he resumed his way."May the path be flattened before your weary feet."
Thus, unsought as it were, there was placed within Chang Tao's grasp astaff that might haply bear his weight into the very presence ofMelodious Vision herself. The exact strategy of the undertaking didnot clearly yet reveal itself, but "When fully ripe the fruit falls ofits own accord," and Chang Tao was content to leave such detail to theguiding spirits of his destinies. As he approached the outer door hesang cheerful ballads of heroic doings, partly because he was glad,but also to reassure himself.
"One whom he expects awaits," he announced to the keeper of the gate."The name of Wo, the son of Weh, should suffice."
"It does not," replied the keeper, swinging his roomy sleevespecifically. "So far it has an empty, short-stopping sound. It lackssparkle; it has no metallic ring. . . . He sleeps."
"Doubtless the sound of these may awaken him," said Chang Tao, shakingout a score of cash.
"Pass in munificence. Already his expectant eyes rebuke the unopendoor."
Although he had been in a measure prepared by Wo, Chang Tao wassurprised to find that three persons alone occupied the chamber towhich he was conducted. Two of these were Shen Yi and a trusted slave;at the sight of the third Chang Tao's face grew very red and thedeficiencies of his various attributes began to fill his mind withdark forebodings, for this was Melodious Vision and no man could lookupon her without her splendour engulfing his imagination. No record ofher pearly beauty is preserved beyond a scattered phrase or two; forthe poets and minstrels of the age all burned what they had written,in despair at the inadequacy of words. Yet it remains that whatever aman looked for, that he found, and the measure of his requirement wasnot stinted.
"Greeting," said Shen Yi, with easy-going courtesy. He was a moremeagre man than C
hang Tao had expected, his face not subtle, and hismanner restrained rather than oppressive. "You have come on a long andwinding path; have you taken your rice?"
"Nothing remains lacking," replied Chang Tao, his eyes againelsewhere. "Command your slave, Excellence."
"In what particular direction do your agreeable powers ofleisure-beguiling extend?"
So far Chang Tao had left the full consideration of this inevitabledetail to the inspiration of the moment, but when the moment came theprompting spirits did not disclose themselves. His hesitation becamemore elaborate under the expression of gathering enlightenment thatbegan to appear in Melodious Vision's eyes.
"An indifferent store of badly sung ballads," he was constrained toreply at length, "and--perchance--a threadbare assortment of involvedquestions and replies."
"Was it your harmonious voice that we were privileged to hear raisedbeneath our ill-fitting window a brief space ago?" inquired Shen Yi.
"Admittedly at the sight of this noble palace I was impelled to put mypresumptuous gladness into song."
"Then let it fain be the other thing," interposed the maiden, withdecision. "Your gladness came to a sad end, minstrel."
"Involved questions are by no means void of divertisement," remarkedShen Yi, with conciliatory mildness in his voice. "There was one,turning on the contradictory nature of a door which under favourableconditions was indistinguishable from an earthenware vessel, thatseldom failed to baffle the unalert in the days before the binding ofthis person's hair."
"That was the one which it had been my feeble intention to propound,"confessed Chang Tao.
"Doubtless there are many others equally enticing," suggested Shen Yihelpfully.
"Alas," admitted Chang Tao with conscious humiliation; "of all thosewherein I retain an adequate grasp of the solution, the complicationeludes me at the moment, and thus in a like but converse manner withthe others."
"Esteemed parent," remarked Melodious Vision, without emotion, "thisis neither a minstrel nor one in any way entertaining. It is merelyAnother."
"Another!" exclaimed Chang Tao in refined bitterness. "Is it possiblethat after taking so extreme and unorthodox a course as to ignore theUsages and advance myself in person I am to find that I have not eventhe mediocre originality of being the first, as a recommendation?"
"If the matter is thus and thus, so far from being the first, you areonly the last of a considerable line of worthy and enterprising youthswho have succeeded in gaining access to the inner part of this notreally attractive residence on one pretext or another," replied thetolerant Shen Yi. "In any case you are honourably welcome. From theposition of your various features I now judge you to be Tao, only sonof the virtuous house of Chang. May you prove more successful in yourenterprise than those who have preceded you."
"The adventure appears to be tending in unforeseen directions," saidChang Tao uneasily. "Your felicitation, benign, though doubtless goldat heart, is set in a doubtful frame."
"It is for your stalwart endeavour to assure a happy picture," repliedShen Yi, with undisturbed cordiality. "You bear a sword."
"What added involvement is this?" demanded Chang Tao. "This one'sthoughts and intention were not turned towards savagery and arms, butin the direction of a pacific union of two distinguished lines."
"In such cases my attitude has invariably been one of sympatheticunconcern," declared Shen Yi. "The weight of either side produces anatmosphere of absolute poise that cannot fail to give full play to thedecision of the destinies."
"But if this attitude is maintained on your part how can the proposalprogress to a definite issue?" inquired Chang Tao.
"So far, it never has so progressed," admitted Shen Yi. "None of theworthy and hard-striving young men--any of whom I should have beenoverjoyed to greet as a son-in-law had my inopportune sense ofimpartiality permitted it--has yet returned from the trial to claimthe reward."
"Even the Classics become obscure in the dark. Clear your throat ofall doubtfulness, O Shen Yi, and speak to a definite end."
"That duty devolves upon this person, O would-be propounder ofinvolved questions," interposed Melodious Vision. Her voice was moremusical than a stand of hanging jewels touched by a rod of jade, andeach word fell like a separate pearl. "He who ignores the Usages mustexpect to find the Usages ignored. Since the day when K'ung-tsz framedthe Ceremonies much water has passed beneath the Seven TerracedBridge, and that which has overflowed can never be picked up again. Itis no longer enough that you should come and thereby I must go; thatyou should speak and I be silent; that you should beckon and I meeklyobey. Inspired by the uprisen sisterhood of the outer barbarian lands,we of the inner chambers of the Illimitable Kingdom demand the rightto express ourselves freely on every occasion and on every subject,whether the matter involved is one that we understand or not."
"Your clear-cut words will carry far," said Chang Tao deferentially,and, indeed, Melodious Vision's voice had imperceptibly assumed apenetrating quality that justified the remark. "Yet is it fitting thatbeings so superior in every way should be swayed by the example ofthose who are necessarily uncivilized and rude?"
"Even a mole may instruct a philosopher in the art of digging,"replied the maiden, with graceful tolerance. "Thus among those uncouthtribes it is the custom, when a valiant youth would enlarge his facein the eyes of a maiden, that he should encounter forth and slaydragons, to the imperishable glory of her name. By this beneficenthabit not only are the feeble and inept automatically disposed of, butthe difficulty of choosing one from among a company of suitors, allapparently possessing the same superficial attributes, is materiallylightened."
"The system may be advantageous in those dark regions," admitted ChangTao reluctantly, "but it must prove unsatisfactory in our morefavoured land."
"In what detail?" demanded the maiden, pausing in her attitude ofassured superiority.
"By the essential drawback that whereas in those neglected outer partsthere really are no dragons, here there really are. Thus--"
"Doubtless there are barbarian maidens for those who prefer toencounter barbarian dragons, then," exclaimed Melodious Vision, with avery elaborately sustained air of no-concern.
"Doubtless," assented Chang Tao mildly. "Yet having set forth in thedirection of a specific Vision it is this person's intention to pursueit to an ultimate end."
"The quiet duck puts his foot on the unobservant worm," murmured ShenYi, with delicate encouragement, adding "This one casts a moredefinite shadow than those before."
"Yet," continued the maiden, "to all, my unbending word is this: hewho would return for approval must experience difficulties, overcomedangers and conquer dragons. Those who do not adventure on the questwill pass outward from this person's mind."
"And those who do will certainly Pass Upward from their own bodies,"ran the essence of the youth's inner thoughts. Yet the network of herunevadable power and presence was upon him; he acquiescently replied:
"It is accepted. On such an errand difficulties and dangers will notrequire any especial search. Yet how many dragons slain will sufficeto win approval?"
"Crocodile-eyed one!" exclaimed Melodious Vision, surprised intowrathfulness. "How many--" Here she withdrew in abrupt vehemence.
"Your progress has been rapid and profound," remarked Shen Yi, as,with flattering attention, he accompanied Chang Tao some part of theway towards the door. "Never before has that one been known to leave aremark unsaid; I do not altogether despair of seeing her married yet.As regards the encounter with the dragon--well, in the case of the onewhispering in your ear there was the revered mother of the one whom hesought. After all, a dragon is soon done with--one way or the other."
In such a manner Chang Tao set forth to encounter dragons, assuredthat difficulties and dangers would accompany him on either side. Inthis latter detail he was inspired, but as the great light faded andthe sky-lantern rose in interminable succession, while theunconquerable li ever stretched before his expectant feet, theessential part of the undertakin
g began to assume a dubious facet. Inthe valleys and fertile places he learned that creatures of this partnow chiefly inhabited the higher fastnesses, such regions being morecongenial to their wild and intractable natures. When, however, aftermany laborious marches he reached the upper peaks of pathlessmountains the scanty crag-dwellers did not vary in their assertionthat the dragons had for some time past forsaken those heights for themore settled profusion of the plains. Formerly, in both places theyhad been plentiful, and all those whom Chang Tao questioned spokeopenly of many encounters between their immediate forefathers and suchBeings.
It was in the downcast frame of mind to which the delays inaccomplishing his mission gave rise that Chang Tao found himselfwalking side by side with one who bore the appearance of an affluentmerchant. The northernward way was remote and solitary, but seeingthat the stranger carried no outward arms Chang Tao greeted himsuitably and presently spoke of the difficulty of meeting dragons, orof discovering their retreats from dwellers in that region.
"In such delicate matters those who know don't talk, and those whotalk don't know," replied the other sympathetically. "Yet for whatpurpose should one who would pass as a pacific student seek toencounter dragons?"
"For a sufficient private reason it is necessary that I should kill acertain number," replied Chang Tao freely. "Thus their absenceinvolves me in much ill-spared delay."
At this avowal the stranger's looks became more sombre, and hebreathed inwards several times between his formidable teeth before hemade reply.
"This is doubtless your angle, but there is another; nor is it well toignore the saying, 'Should you miss the tiger be assured that he willnot miss you,'" he remarked at length. "Have you sufficientlyconsidered the eventuality of a dragon killing you?"
"It is no less aptly said: 'To be born is in the course of nature, butto die is according to the decree of destiny.'"
"That is a two-edged weapon, and the dragon may be the first to applyit."
"In that case this person will fall back upon the point of the adage:'It is better to die two years too soon than to live one year toolong,'" replied Chang Tao. "Should he fail in the adventure and thuslose all hope of Melodious Vision, of the house of Shen, there will beno further object in prolonging a wearisome career."
"You speak of Melodious Vision, she being of the house of Shen," saidthe stranger, regarding his companion with an added scrutiny. "Is theunmentioned part of her father's honourable name Yi, and is hisagreeable house so positioned that it fronts upon a summer-seat domedwith red copper?"
"The description is exact," admitted Chang Tao. "Have you, then, inthe course of your many-sided travels, passed that way?"
"It is not unknown to me," replied the other briefly. "Learn now howincautious had been your speech, and how narrowly you have avoided theexact fate of which I warned you. The one speaking to you is inreality a powerful dragon, his name being Pe-lung, from thecircumstance that the northern limits are within his sway. Had it notbeen for a chance reference you would certainly have been struck deadat the parting of our ways."
"If this is so it admittedly puts a new face upon the matter," agreedChang Tao. "Yet how can reliance be spontaneously placed upon soincredible a claim? You are a man of moderate cast, neither diffidentnor austere, and with no unnatural attributes. All the dragons withwhich history is concerned possess a long body and a scaly skin, andhave, moreover, the power of breathing fire at will."
"That is easily put to the test." No sooner had Pe-lung uttered thesewords than he faded, and in his place appeared a formidable monsterpossessing all the terror-inspiring characteristics of his kind. Yetin spite of his tree-like eyebrows, fiercely-moving whiskers andfire-breathing jaws, his voice was mild and pacific as he continued:"What further proof can be required? Assuredly, the self-opinionatedspirit in which you conduct your quest will bring you no nearer to adesired end."
"Yet this will!" exclaimed Chang Tao, and suddenly drawing hisreliable sword he drove it through the middle part of the dragon'sbody. So expertly was the thrust weighted that the point of the weaponprotruded on the other side and scarred the earth. Instead of fallinglifeless to the ground, however, the Being continued to regard itsassailant with benignant composure, whereupon the youth withdrew theblade and drove it through again, five or six times more. As thisproduced no effect beyond rendering the edge of the weapon unfit forfurther use, and almost paralysing the sinews of his own right arm,Chang Tao threw away the sword and sat down on the road in order torecall his breath. When he raised his head again the dragon haddisappeared and Pe-lung stood there as before.
"Fortunately it is possible to take a broad-minded view of youruncourteous action, owing to your sense of the fitnesses being for thetime in abeyance through allegiance to so engaging a maiden asMelodious Vision," said Pe-lung in a voice not devoid of reproach."Had you but confided in me more fully I should certainly havecautioned you in time. As it is, you have ended by notching yourotherwise capable weapon beyond repair and seriously damaging thescanty cloak I wear"--indicating the numerous rents that marred hisdress of costly fur. "No wonder dejection sits upon your downcastbrow."
"Your priceless robe is a matter of profuse regret and my self-esteemcan only be restored by your accepting in its place this threadbareone of mine. My rust-eaten sword is unworthy of your second thought.But certainly neither of these two details is the real reason of mydark despair."
"Disclose yourself more openly," urged Pe-lung.
"I now plainly recognize the futility of my well-intentioned quest.Obviously it is impossible to kill a dragon, and I am thus the sporteither of Melodious Vision's deliberate ridicule or of my ownill-arranged presumption."
"Set your mind at rest upon that score: each blow was competentlystruck and convincingly fatal. You may quite fittingly claim to haveslain half a dozen dragons at the least--none of the legendarychampions of the past has done more."
"Yet how can so arrogant a claim be held, seeing that you stand beforeme in the unimpaired state of an ordinary existence?"
"The explanation is simple and assuring. It is, in reality, very easyto kill a dragon, but it is impossible to keep him dead. The reasonfor this is that the Five Essential Constituents of fire, water,earth, wood and metal are blended in our bodies in the Sublime orIndivisible proportion. Thus although it is not difficult by extremeviolence to disturb the harmonious balance of the Constituents, and sobring about the effect of no-existence, they at once re-tranquillizeagain, and all effect of the ill usage is spontaneously repaired."
"That is certainly a logical solution, but it stands in doubtful steadwhen applied to the familiar requirements of life; nor is it probablethat one so acute-witted as Melodious Vision would greet the claimwith an acquiescent face," replied Chang Tao. "Not unnaturally is itsaid: 'He who kills tigers does not wear rat-skin sleeves.' It wouldbe one thing to make a boast of having slain six dragons; it would bequite another to be bidden to bring in their tails."
"That is a difficulty which must be considered," admitted Pe-lung,"but a path round it will inevitably be found. In the meantime nightis beginning to encircle us, and many dark Powers will be freed andresort to these inaccessible slopes. Accompany me, therefore, to mybankrupt hovel, where you will be safe until you care to resume yourjourney."
To this agreeable proposal Chang Tao at once assented. The way waslong and laborious, "For," remarked Pe-lung, "in an ordinary course Ishould fly there in a single breath of time; but to seize an honouredguest by the body-cloth and thus transfer him over the side of amountain is toilsome to the one and humiliating to the other."
To beguile the time he spoke freely of the hardships of his lot.
"We dragons are frequently objects of envy at the hands of theundiscriminating, but the few superficial privileges we enjoy areheavily balanced by the exacting scope of our duties. Thus to-night itis my degraded task to divert the course of the river flowing belowus, so as to overwhelm the misguided town of Yang, wherein swells asordid outcast who has reviled the Sa
cred Claw. In order to do thisproperly it will be my distressing part to lie across the bed of thestream, my head resting upon one bank and my tail upon the other, andso remain throughout the rigour of the night."
As they approached the cloudy pinnacle whereon was situated thedragon's cave, one came forth at a distance to meet them. As she drewnear, alternating emotions from time to time swayed Chang Tao's mind.From beneath a well-ruled eyebrow Pe-lung continued to observe himclosely.
"Fuh-sang, the unattractive daughter of my dwindling line," remarkedthe former person, with refined indifference. "I have rendered youinvisible, and she, as her custom is, would advance to greet me."
"But this enchanting apparition is Melodious Vision!" exclaimed ChangTao. "What new bewilderment is here?"
"Since you have thus expressed yourself, I will now throw off the maskand reveal fully why I have hitherto spared your life, and for whatpurpose I have brought you to these barren heights," replied Pe-lung."In the past Shen Yi provoked the Deities, and to mark theirdispleasure it was decided to take away his she-child and tosubstitute for it one of demoniac birth. Accordingly Fuh-sang, beingof like age, was moulded to its counterpart, and an attendant gnomewas despatched with her secretly to make the change. Becomingoverwhelmed with the fumes of rice-spirit, until then unknown to hissimple taste, this clay-brained earth-pig left the two she-childrenalone for a space while he slept. Discovering each other to be thecreature of another part, they battled together and tore from oneanother the signs of recognition. When the untrustworthy gnomerecovered from his stupor he saw what he had done, but beingterror-driven he took up one of the she-children at a venture andreturned with a pliant tale. It was not until a few moons ago thatwhile in a close extremity he confessed his crime. Meanwhile Shen Yihad made his peace with those Above and the order being revoked theshe-children had been exchanged again. Thus the matter rests."
"Which, then, of the twain is she inherent of your house and whichMelodious Vision?" demanded Chang Tao in some concern. "The matter canassuredly not rest thus."
"That," replied Pe-lung affably, "it will be your engaging task tounravel, and to this end will be your opportunity of closely watchingFuh-sang's unsuspecting movements in my absence through the night."
"Yet how should I, to whom the way of either maiden is as yet no morethan the title-page of a many-volumed book, succeed where the fathernative to one has failed?"
"Because in your case the incentive will be deeper. Destined, as youdoubtless are, to espouse Melodious Vision, the Forces connected withmarriage and its Rites will certainly endeavour to inspire you. Thisperson admittedly has no desire to nurture one who should prove to beof merely human seed, but your objection to propagating a race ofdragonets turns on a keener edge. Added to all, a not unnaturaldisinclination to be dropped from so great a height as this into sodeep and rocky a valley as that will conceivably lend wings to yourusually nimble-footed mind."
While speaking to Chang Tao in this encouraging strain, Pe-lung wasalso conversing suitably with Fuh-sang, who had by this time joinedthem, warning her of his absence until the dawn, and the like. When hehad completed his instruction he stroked her face affectionately,greeting Chang Tao with a short but appropriate farewell, and changinghis form projected himself downwards into the darkness of the valleybelow. Recognizing that the situation into which he had been drawnpossessed no other outlet, Chang Tao followed Fuh-sang on her backwardpath, and with her passed unsuspected into the dragon's cave.
Early as was Pe-lung's return on the ensuing morning, Chang Tao stoodon a rocky eminence to greet him, and the outline of his face, thoughnot altogether free of doubt, was by no means hopeless. Pe-lung stillretained the impressive form of a gigantic dragon as he cleft theMiddle Air, shining and iridescent, each beat of his majestic wingsbeing as a roll of thunder and the skittering of sand and water fromhis crepitant scales leaving blights and rain-storms in his wake. Whenhe saw Chang Tao he drove an earthward angle and alighting near athand considerately changed into the semblance of an affluent merchantas he approached.
"Greeting," he remarked cheerfully. "Did you find your early rice?"
"It has sufficed," replied Chang Tao. "How is your own incomparablestomach?"
Pe-lung pointed to the empty bed of the deflected river and moved hishead from side to side as one who draws an analogy to his owncondition. "But of your more pressing enterprise," he continued, withsympathetic concern: "have you persevered to a fruitful end, or willit be necessary--?" And with tactful feeling he indicated the gestureof propelling an antagonist over the side of a precipice rather thanallude to the disagreeable contingency in spoken words.
"When the oil is exhausted the lamp goes out," admitted Chang Tao,"but my time is not yet come. During the visionary watches of thenight my poising mind was sustained by Forces as you so prescientlyforetold, and my groping hand was led to an inspired solution of thetruth."
"This points to a specific end. Proceed," urged Pe-lung, for Chang Taohad hesitated among his words as though their import might not besoothing to the other's mind.
"Thus it is given me to declare: she who is called Melodious Vision isrightly of the house of Shen, and Fuh-sang is no less innate of yourexalted tribe. The erring gnome, in spite of his misdeed, was but afinger of the larger hand of destiny, and as it is, it is."
"This assurance gladdens my face, no less for your sake than for myown," declared Pe-lung heartily. "For my part, I have found a way toenlarge you in the eyes of those whom you solicit. It is a custom withme that every thousand years I should discard my outer skin--not thatit requires it, but there are certain standards to which webetter-class dragons must conform. These sloughs are hidden beneath asecret stone, beyond the reach of the merely vain or curious. When youhave disclosed the signs by which I shall have securance of Fuh-sang'sidentity I will pronounce the word and the stone being thus releasedyou shall bear away six suits of scales in token of your prowess."
Then replied Chang Tao: "The signs, assuredly. Yet, omnipotence,without your express command the specific detail would be elusive tomy respectful tongue."
"You have the authority of my extended hand," conceded Pe-lungreadily, raising it as he spoke. "Speak freely."
"I claim the protection of its benignant shadow," said Chang Tao, withcontent. "You, O Pe-lung, are one who has mingled freely withcreatures of every kind in all the Nine Spaces. Yet have you not, outof your vast experience thus gained, perceived the essential whereinmen and dragons differ? Briefly and devoid of graceful metaphor, everydragon, esteemed, would seem to possess a tail; beings of my part havenone."
For a concise moment the nature of Pe-lung's reflection was clouded inambiguity, though the fact that he became entirely enveloped in adense purple vapour indicated feelings of more than usual vigour. Whenthis cleared away it left his outer form unchanged indeed, but theaffable condescension of his manner was merged into one of dignifiedaloofness.
"Certainly all members of our enlightened tribe have tails," hereplied, with distant precision, "nor does this one see how any otherstate is possible. Changing as we constantly do, both male and female,into Beings, Influences, Shadows and unclothed creatures of the lowerparts, it is essential for our mutual self-esteem that in everymanifestation we should be thus equipped. At this moment, though inthe guise of a substantial trader, I possess a tail--small butadequate. Is it possible that you and those of your insolvent race aredestitute?"
"In this particular, magnificence, I and those of my threadbarespecies are most lamentably deficient. To the proving of this endshall I display myself?"
"It is not necessary," said Pe-lung coldly. "It is inconceivable that,were it otherwise, you would admit the humiliating fact."
"Yet out of your millenaries of experience you must already--"
"It is well said that after passing a commonplace object a hundredtimes a day, at nightfall its size and colour are unknown to one,"replied Pe-lung. "In this matter, from motives which cannot have beenotherwise than delicate, I took to
o much for granted it wouldseem. . . . Then you--all--Shen Yi, Melodious Vision, the militarygovernor of this province, even the sublime Emperor--all--?"
"All tailless," admitted Chang Tao, with conscious humility."Nevertheless there is a tradition that in distant aeons--"
"Doubtless on some issue you roused the High Ones past forgiveness andwere thus deprived as the most signal mark of their displeasure."
"Doubtless," assented Chang Tao, with unquenchable politeness.
"Coming to the correct attitude that you have maintained throughout, itwould appear that during the silent gong-strokes of the night, by someobscure and indirect guidance it was revealed to you that Fuh--thatany Being of my superior race was, on the contrary--" The menace ofPe-lung's challenging eye, though less direct and assured thanformerly, had the manner of being uncertainly restrained by a singlemuch-frayed thread, but Chang Tao continued to meet it with respectfulself-possession.
"The inference is unflinching," he replied acquiescently. "I prostratemyself expectantly."
"You have competently performed your part," admitted Pe-lung, althoughan occasional jet of purple vapour clouded his upper person and thepassage of his breath among his teeth would have been distasteful toone of sensitive refinement. "Nothing remains but the fulfilling of myiron word."
Thereupon he pronounced a mystic sign and revealing the opening to acave he presently brought forth six sets of armoured skin. Bindingthese upon Chang Tao's back, he dismissed him, yet the manner of hisparting was as of one who is doubtful even to the end.
Thus equipped--
But who having made a distant journey into Outer Land speaks lengthilyof the level path of his return, or of the evening glow upon thegilded roof of his awaiting home? Thus, this limit being reached inthe essential story of Chang Tao, Melodious Vision and the Dragon, hewho relates their commonplace happenings bows submissively.
Nevertheless it is true that once again in a later time Chang Taoencountered in the throng one whom he recognized. Encouraged by thepresence of so many of his kind, he approached the other and salutedhim.
"Greeting, O Pe-lung," he said, with outward confidence. "What bendsyour footsteps to this busy place of men?"
"I come to buy an imitation pig-tail to pass for one," repliedPe-lung, with quiet composure. "Greeting, valorous champion! How faresMelodious Vision?"
"Agreeably so," admitted Chang Tao, and then, fearing that so far hisreply had been inadequate, he added: "Yet, despite the facts, thereare moments when this person almost doubts if he did not make a wrongdecision in the matter after all."
"That is a very common complaint," said Pe-lung, becoming mostoffensively amused.