The Golden Lotus, Volume 1

by Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng

  Li Ping’er did not know what to do.

  Ximen Qing, after talking to Xia about the Censor’s report, was getting the presents ready to send off. He felt very depressed about things in general. Now the baby was ill too.

  Yueniang sent a boy for old woman Liu and also for a doctor who specialized in children’s ailments. The gate was opened, and there was much shouting and running about all night. Old woman Liu said that the baby had been frightened and that he must have met the General of the Road. “It is of no great importance,” she told them. “ Burn a few paper offerings and we shall get rid of the devil, sure enough.” She gave them two red pills, peppermint and lamp wick, and, when the baby had taken them, he quietened and went to sleep. He stopped crying and did not disgorge his milk any more. But the fever did not leave him. Li Ping’er gave old woman Liu a tael of silver for some papers. The old woman returned with her husband and another witch-woman. They burned the papers and danced the spirit dance in the arbor.

  At the fifth night watch, Ximen Qing got up to see Laibao and Xia Shou away on their errand. Then he went to Magistrate Xia’s, and together they went to Dongpingfu to Hu’s place to hear what news there was of Miao Qing.

  After Yueniang had been told that the baby had been frightened on the way home, she reproached Ruyi’er for not looking after the child properly. “He was frightened while he was in the sedan chair,” she said. “If not, why should he not have got better?”

  “I wrapped him up very carefully in the bedclothes,” Ruyi’er said, “and he was not frightened. You sent Huatong to follow my chair, and he was all right then. It was only when we came into the city that he suddenly began to shiver. We were quite close to home. It was then he began to refuse his milk and to cry.”

  Laibao and Xia Shou made all the haste they could and reached the capital in six days. They went at once to the Imperial Tutor’s palace, saw Comptroller Zhai, and handed over the presents to him. Zhai read Ximen Qing’s letter. “The Censor’s report has not yet reached the Capital,” he said. “You had better stay here for a few days. The Imperial Tutor has recently sent a memorial to his Majesty that contains seven suggestions. This has not yet been returned. By the time it does return, perhaps the Censor’s report will have arrived. I will warn his Eminence, and suggest that he should do no more than send the report to the Board of Military Affairs. Then I will send word to the Minister of War, Yu, and ask him to suppress it. Tell your master there is nothing to worry about. I can promise that nothing serious will come of the matter.”

  He entertained the two men. Then they went to their inn to rest and wait for further news.

  One day, the Memorial of the Imperial Tutor Cai came back from the Court. Laibao asked one of the officers of the Imperial Tutor’s household to copy it that he might take back a copy to Ximen Qing. Comptroller Zhai wrote a letter of thanks and gave Laibao five taels of silver. The two men went home again.

  When they reached Qinghe, Ximen was living in a state of extreme anxiety. While they were away Magistrate Xia had been calling every day in the hope of hearing some news of their mission. The two men went at once to the inner court and Laibao gave Ximen an account of everything that had happened. “Master Zhai,” he said, “read your letter, but he said there would be nothing very serious and certainly no need for you to be anxious. This Censor’s tour of duty is nearly at an end and he will be succeeded by somebody else. His report has not yet reached the Capital, and, when it does, Master Zhai will speak to the Imperial Tutor and see that, however serious it may be, his Eminence sends it to the Board of Military Affairs. Zhai himself will go there and persuade the Minister to register it but not to let it go any further. So, no matter how serious the report may be, you will suffer no harm from it.”

  This was a great relief to Ximen Qing. He asked how it was that the Censor’s report had not yet reached the Court. “When we went to the Capital,” Laibao said, “we traveled posthaste and got there in five days. On our way back we met the couriers with the report. At least, we saw post-horses with bells and riders with yellow wrappers. The pennants bore pheasants’ feathers.”

  “So long as the document reached the Capital after you did,” Ximen said, “all will be well, but if you had been too late...”

  “There is no need to worry,” Laibao said. “I have other good news for you.”

  “What is that?” Ximen Qing asked.

  “Recently, the Imperial Tutor sent a Memorial to the Emperor with seven suggestions that his Majesty will approve. The Imperial Tutor’s relative Han, the Vice President of the Board of Domestic Affairs, proposes to open the salt monopoly in Shaanxi, and, in every district, to set up official granaries for the sale of rice. Wealthy people will pay their contribution of rice to these granaries and get their official receipt from them. The government will issue salt certificates. The old grain certificates will rate at seventy percent and the new ones at thirty. Some time ago, we and your relative Qiao put in to the excise office of Gao Yang thirty thousand grain certificates and thirty thousand salt certificates. The Board of Domestic Affairs has now appointed Cai, the President of the Academy, to be Salt Commissioner for the Two Huais. He is to leave the Capital shortly. He will certainly make an excellent inspector.”

  Ximen asked if this was true.

  “If you do not believe me,” Laibao said, “here is a copy of the document.” He took a paper from a letter case and handed it to Ximen Qing. Ximen looked at it, and, as there were many unusual characters, sent for Chen Jingji to read it for him. Jingji read half of it, and then stopped. So many of the characters were strange to him. Then Shutong was sent for, and he read it with perfect ease from start to finish, for he had come from a wealthy household and had been well taught. The paper said:

  The humble memorial of Cai Jing, Great Scholar of the Hall of Supreme Authority, Prime Minister, and Duke of Lu Guo.

  These foolish suggestions are put forward that he may expend his futile energies upon the securing of men of capacity; that an efficient administration may be secured; the financial state of the country strengthened, and the welfare of the people fostered.

  Thus may the glory of the Imperial Wisdom be made manifest:

  First : the public examinations should be abolished and men should be given appointments direct from the colleges.

  Second : the hitherto existing Board of Finance should be abolished.

  Third : the present trade in salt should be done away with.

  Fourth : the promulgation of a law upon coining.

  Fifth : the buying and selling of cereals should be placed upon a sound footing.

  When Ximen Qing had heard this and had read Comptroller Zhai’s letter again, he knew that his present had been safely delivered, and that President Cai had been appointed Salt Commissioner, and would pass through Qinghe on his way to assume office. He was delighted. He sent Xia Shou home to give the news to Magistrate Xia, and gave Laibao five taels of silver, two jars of wine and a piece of meat. Then Laibao went to his place to rest.

  CHAPTER 49

  The Monk from India

  Xia Shou went home and told his master the news. Then Magistrate Xia came to Ximen Qing and thanked him. “You have saved my life,” he said. “Without your influence and your authority, I should have been in a very grave position.”

  Ximen Qing laughed. “Do not mention it. We did nothing wrong and, though the Censor spoke harshly about us, the Imperial Tutor will arrange everything.” He entertained his guest in the great hall. They laughed and talked, and it was evening before Xia went home. The next day they both went to their office and attended to their duties as before.

  Censor Ceng saw that, though his report had reached the Court, nothing happened. He understood that bribery had been at work, and was very indignant. He knew, moreover, that the five suggestions of the Imperial Tutor would lead to serious trouble. They would work to the detriment of the common people and the advantage of the officials. So he went himself to the Capital to put his case b
efore the Emperor, and presented a memorial suggesting that it was well for the country that money should circulate instead of being collected and hoarded in the Capital. The new method of dealing in foodstuffs he considered impracticable. The new coinage, in which each coin was worth ten pence, had many disadvantages, and free trade in salt ought not so frequently to be abolished. He pointed out that, when such raids are made upon the people’s resources, the safety of the realm is endangered.

  The Imperial Tutor was furious. He told the Emperor Huizong that the Censor was rebellious and undisciplined, that he was concerning himself unduly in matters of policy. He summoned Ceng to appear before the Board of Civil Service, which degraded him and made him Magistrate of Qingzhou in Shaanxi.

  The Censor and Commissioner of Shaanxi, Song Pan, was the Imperial Tutor’s brother-in-law. Cai Yu secretly ordered Song Pan to accuse Ceng. Ceng’s servants were arrested and persuaded to bring false accusations against their master. His name was cut out of the roll and he was banished to the Salt Mountain. So did the Imperial Tutor get his revenge.

  Ximen Qing told Han Daoguo and Cui Ben to go with Master Qiao’s nephew and take the grain certificates to the officer of the Board of Domestic Affairs at Gaoyangguan and register them. Laibao stayed at home to attend to the preparations for a great banquet. He also went to find out whether there was any word of the arrival of the Salt Commissioner’s boat.

  One day Laibao heard that Cai and Song had started together from the Capital and had now reached Dongchangfu. He brought the news to Ximen Qing, and Ximen invited Magistrate Xia to accompany him. Laibao had already visited the Commissioner on his boat and presented some gifts. Ximen Qing and Xia journeyed for fifty li to receive the notables at the new wharf at Bojiacun. They went on board the boat and told Cai that they would like to invite his colleague Song. Cai agreed and said that it was their intention to visit the office of the prefecture together.

  Hu, the magistrate of Dongpingfu, and all his officers, military and civil, from all the districts; the scholars, Buddhist and Daoist priests, and the Masters of the Yin Yang were present to welcome the notables. They sent in their cards. Major Zhou, General Jing, and Zhang, the Captain of Militia, with horses and men, attended in full state. People were sent in advance to spread the news, and even the chickens and ducks kept out of the way. There was music to welcome Song when he entered the prefectural office at Dongpingfu. The officers presented their credentials. Song spent the night resting and, the next day, the gatekeeper came to inform him that the Salt Commissioner had come to visit him.

  Censor Song immediately came out to receive him. They greeted one another and took the places proper to host and guest.

  “How long do you propose to stay here?” said Song.

  “I shall probably stay a day or two,” Cai said. “I have a friend at Qinghe, a certain Captain Ximen, a man of excellent character, wealthy but modest. He is under the protection of the Imperial Tutor, and that is how I know him. He was good enough to come a very long way to meet me and I am going to stay with him a while.”

  “What rank does this Ximen hold?” Song asked.

  “He is a junior magistrate,” Cai said. “One of those who came to pay their respects to you yesterday.”

  Song ordered a servant to bring him all the visiting cards. Among them he found the names of Ximen and Xia. “Is not this the man who is a friend of Zhai the Comptroller?” he said.

  “Yes,” Cai said. “As a matter of fact, he is outside now. He asked me to invite you to take dinner with him.”

  “As the Censor for this place,” said Song, “I am afraid it would be hardly becoming for me to accept.”

  “Why should you be afraid?” said Cai. “Our friend Zhai would like it. What harm is there in it?”

  They called for their sedan chairs and made ready to start together. As soon as their order for the sedan chairs came out, word was brought to Ximen Qing. He, Laibao and Ben the Fourth rode home in great haste to make everything ready for the banquet. Awnings had already been set up outside the gate, forming a gaily decorated reception room. Two bands of musicians had been engaged and actors and other performers were in attendance.

  Censor Song did not bring all his attendants, only a few men with blue pennants to clear the way, and a few officers. He and Cai seated themselves in two large sedan chairs; attendants carrying huge umbrellas accompanied them, and so they came to Ximen Qing’s house.

  Everybody in Dongpingfu knew of this visit, and it was especially remarked at Qinghe. Word went from mouth to mouth that the Censor was a friend of Ximen Qing and was coming to visit him at his house. The military officers, Zhou, Jing, and Zhang, were greatly excited, and sent soldiers, both horse and foot, to take post at each end of the street. Ximen Qing dressed in black robes, wearing his ceremonial girdle, went a considerable distance to meet his guests. Then the musicians began to play, the sedan chairs reached the gate. The two officers got down from their chairs. Both wore scarlet embroidered clothes, ceremonial hats and boots, and red girdles like a stork’s beak. Attendants followed them, bearing two large fans.

  The bamboo lattices were rolled high, and embroidered screens were placed in the great hall where the two guests were to be received. At the upper end two tables were set with delicacies and sweetmeats of the most delectable variety. The two officers bowed one to the other before they entered, and, when they went in, they made a reverence to Ximen Qing. Cai summoned his servant to offer the presents he had brought for Ximen. There were two rolls of silk, a case of collected works of literature, four parcels of tender tea shoots, and an ink slab of Duanxi stone. Song presented a red visiting card on which was written: “The respectful compliments of Song Qiaonian.”

  “The Lanxiang of your name has long been known to me,” Song said. “I have only just come to this place and I am ashamed to appear before you without some offering. My brother Cai urged me to come, however, and, but for him, I should not have had the pleasure of seeing your glorious countenance.”

  Ximen Qing fell upon his knees. “Your humble servant,” he said, “is but a plain soldier, one subject to your commands. It is an honor to receive from you a visit which brings enlightenment to this poor hovel.” He rose and bowed with the utmost politeness, and Censor Song returned his greeting.

  Then Cai invited his companion to take the place of honor and took the seat beside him. Ximen respectfully seated himself with them. When they had drunk their tea, the musicians played and the drums were beaten. Ximen Qing offered his guests wine, and set places before the table. Servants carried in the food. The banquet surpassed all powers of description. Music, songs, dances and splendor seemed to be crowded within the confines of a tiny space, and there was a marvelous abundance of refreshment. To the servants of the two censors, Ximen gave fifty bottles of wine, five hundred cakes and a hundred measures of cooked meat, and these were taken away. The subordinate officers were entertained in other rooms. That day Ximen Qing expended a thousand taels of silver.

  Censor Song was a native of Nanchang in Jiangxi, a volatile fellow. He did not stay long, and listened to but one act of the play. Then he stood up. Ximen Qing pressed him to stay, and Cai also tried to persuade him. “Brother,” he said, “unless you have business to attend to, why not stay a little longer? Why go away so soon?”

  “Brother,” said Song, “you stay. I must go to my office and see about various matters.”

  Ximen Qing had bidden his servants pack two complete services of gold and silver in food boxes. There were twenty such boxes. For Song there was a whole set for the table, two jars of wine, two sheep, two pairs of golden flowers, two rolls of red silk, a set of gold dishes, two silver wine pots, ten silver wine cups, two small silver jars and a pair of ivory chopsticks. There was an exactly similar set for Cai. Ximen Qing presented his list of gifts.

  “I dare not accept such a present,” Song said. He looked at Cai.

  “Brother,” said Cai, “this is your sphere of jurisdiction, and it is right
and proper that you should accept. But, for me, the case is different.’’’

  “They are but trifles,” Ximen Qing said, “so that you may drink a cup of wine. Why treat the matter as one of ceremony?”

  The two officers still hesitated, but the boxes were taken away and Song could only end by accepting them.

  “I have never had the pleasure of meeting you before,” he said, “yet you have entertained me nobly and given me this valuable present. I do not know how I can return such kindness, but I will endeavor to do so by degrees,” He said to Cai: “Brother, I must go now, but do you stay here.” Then he started. Ximen Qing would have taken him well on his way, but Song begged him not to do so, bowed, and got into his chair. Ximen Qing went back to Cai. They removed their robes of ceremony and went to sit under the arbor. The musicians were sent away and only the actors remained. Ximen called for food, and rare dishes and fruits were set before them. They settled down to enjoy their wine.

  “Brother Song and I have visited you today,” Cai said. “That was pleasure enough for us, but for all this excellent entertainment and the rest I don’t know how to thank you.”

  Ximen Qing smiled. “I only fear that everything has been too poor for you. All I could do was but a slight indication of my feelings.” Then he said: “What is his Lordship’s honorable title?”

  “His name is Songquan,” Cai said. “He would not have come today, but I told him you were under the protection of the Prime Minister and he decided to come. He knows that you and Zhai are connected.”

  “My relative Zhai must have spoken to him,” Ximen Qing said. “I must say his manner seems to me a little strange.”

  “He is from Jiangxi,” Cai said, “but I don’t think there is anything strange about him. Perhaps the first time he meets you he thinks he must stand on his dignity.” He smiled.

  “It is getting late,” Ximen said, “and you cannot return to your boat tonight.”