by Cao Xueqin
“One was sitting like this, one standing like this,” began Xifeng, miming. “One turned away like this, one wheeled round like this. Then one....”
The Lady Dowager burst out laughing. “Tell us properly!” she scolded. “You’ve named no names yet, but already you have us in stitches.”
“Yes, just tell us straight out,” urged Aunt Xue. “No need to act it.”
Then Xifeng expatiated, “Just now I went to Cousin Bao’s place and heard laughter in his room. I wondered who was there and peeped through the window. Cousin Baochai was sitting on the edge of the kang, with Cousin Bao standing in front of her. He pulled her sleeve and pleaded, ‘Do talk to me, cousin! One word from you would cure me completely—I swear it!’ But Baochai turned her head away, refusing to meet his eyes. He bowed to her then and tugged at her jacket. When she wrenched away, of course his legs were so weak after his illness that he toppled over and fell on top of her. Then blushing scarlet she scolded, ‘You’re getting more and more undignified!’“ The old lady and Aunt Xue laughed.
“Baoyu got up then,” Xifeng went on. “He said with a grin, ‘It’s lucky I toppled over—that loosened your lips.’“
“How strange of Baochai,” remarked Aunt Xue. “What’s wrong with having a bit of fun now that they’re married? Hasn’t she seen how you and Lian carry on?”
“What way is that to talk?” protested Xifeng, flushing. “I was telling you a joke to cheer you up, aunt, but you make fun of me instead.”
The old lady chortled, “Quite right and proper too. Of course a husband and wife are fond of each other; still, they ought to keep within bounds. What I like about Baochai is her sense of dignity. I only worry because Baoyu is still such a simpleton; but judging by what you say, his mind is much clearer now. What other jokes can you tell us?”
“Soon Baoyu will have consummated his marriage, and then Aunt Xue will have a grandson to dandle—won’t that be a still better joke?”
“You monkey!” laughed the old lady. “It was all very well for you to cheer us up when we were grieving over your Cousin Lin, but now you’re getting cheeky. Do you want us to forget your Cousin Lin? You’ve no call to gloat, because she hated you; so don’t go to the Garden all alone or her ghost may pounce on you to have her revenge!”
“She bore me no grudge,” replied Xifeng. “It was Baoyu who made her grind her teeth with rage just before she died.”
Thinking she was still joking they paid no attention to this. “Stop talking nonsense,” the old lady said. “Go and get people outside to choose the most auspicious day for Baoyu to round off his marriage.”
Xifeng assented and after a little more chat went off on this errand. Then invitations were sent out to a feast with operas; but no more of this.
Now although Baoyu had recovered, when Baochai happened to discuss with him some books she had been reading, he remembered those with which he was most familiar but had quite lost his former intelligence, and he himself could not account for this. Baochai attributed it to the loss of his jade of “spiritual understanding.” Xiren, however, frequently reproached him.
“How come you’ve lost that ready wit you used to have?” she would ask. “If you’d forgotten your foolish ways that would be fine; but you’re just as bad as before—the only change is that you’ve grown more dim-witted.”
Baoyu never flared up at these strictures, simply grinned. If he carried on wilfully, Baochai reasoned with him and managed to restrain him to some extent. Thus Xiren did not have to scold him so often and could devote herself to serving him well. The other maids also admired Baochai for her goodness and gentleness, and out of respect for her they all behaved well.
Baoyu, by nature restless, hankered after a stroll in the Garden. However, his grandmother was afraid that he might get over-heated there or catch cold, and that the place might upset him; for though Daiyu’s coffin had been deposited in a nunnery outside town, the sight of Bamboo Lodge might bring back his earlier grief for its dead mistress. So they would not allow him to go. Besides, most of his girl cousins had left the place. Xue Baoqin had gone back to live with Aunt Xue. Shi Xiangyun had been fetched home after Marquis Shi’s return to the capital, and as a date for her marriage had been fixed she seldom paid them visits, coming only for Baoyu’s wedding and the later celebration, on both of which occasions she stayed with the old lady. And as Baoyu was now a married man and she would soon be married herself, she could not joke and laugh with him as before; so sometimes she just talked with Baochai, merely greeting Baoyu if they happened to meet. After Yingchun’s marriage, Xing Xiuyan had gone to live with Lady Xing. The Li sisters were also living outside at present, and when they came with their mother they simply called on Their Ladyships and their girl cousins, then stayed for a couple of days with Li Wan. Thus the only inmates of the Garden now were Li Wan, Tanchun and Xichun. The old lady had meant to move them out, but after Yuanchun’s death a succession of domestic troubles had left her no time to attend to this. Moreover, now that it was growing warmer, it was pleasant in the Garden and they decided not to move till autumn. We will return to this later.
Now Jia Zheng had set off from the capital with several secretaries. Travelling by day and resting at night, he finally reached his provincial post and presented himself to his superior. He then went to his office, and when the official seal had been ceremoniously made over to him he started checking up on the granaries in the districts and counties under his jurisdiction. Most of his previous posts had been in the capital, and he thought all official tasks the same, for even when appointed as examiner outside he had had no dealings with the local administration. And therefore, although he had heard of such abuses as appropriating a percentage of the grain collected and squeezing money out of the local people, he had no direct experience of such matters and was determined to be a good official. So in discussions with his secretaries he issued stern prohibitions, threatening to report in detail any instances of corruption that were discovered.
At the start, his subordinates were apprehensive and tried in all manner of ways to ingratiate themselves with him. However, Jia Zheng was inflexible. There had been no perquisites for his servants in the capital working for such a master, and when he was posted here they had borrowed money and made new clothes to put up a better appearance, sure that once in the provinces they would make their fortunes—the money would just roll in. But this master of theirs was so stubborn that he carried out serious investigations and refused all gifts sent by the local officials.
The yamen secretaries and scriveners made a mental calculation. “Another fortnight like this,” they said, “and we’ll have to pawn all our clothes. And when our creditors dun us, what shall we do? There’s all this glittering silver under our noses, but we can’t lay hands on it.”
The attendants and runners also complained, “You gentlemen at least didn’t sink any capital into landing your posts. We’re the ones who’ve been sold out: we spent pots of silver to get these jobs, but after more than a month here we haven’t made a single cent! If we stick to this master, we shall probably never recoup our capital. Tomorrow we’re going in a group to resign.”
The following day they did this. And Jia Zheng not knowing the reason said, “You wanted to work here; now you want to leave. Since you dislike these posts, do as you please.”
The runners went off then, complaining loudly, leaving only some family stewards who talked the matter over.
“Those able to leave have gone,” they said. “But as we can’t, we must think of some way out.”
One of them, a gateman called Li Shier, scoffed, “What a useless lot you are, getting so het-up! While those runners were around, I couldn’t be bothered to give them a tip-off. Now that they’ve been starved out, I’ll show you what I can do. Our master will have to listen to me! If we just work together to make some money, we can enjoy ourselves when we get home. If you won’t do as I say, I shall wash my hands of you— I can get the better of you any day.”
“The master trusts you, Mr. Li,” said the others. “If you won’t help, we’re done for.”
“Well, after I’ve shown the way and we’ve got money, don’t complain that I’ve taken the lion’s share; because if we fall out among ourselves it will go hard with us all.”
“Don’t worry,” the rest replied. “We’d never do that. However little we get, it will be better than dipping into our own pockets.”
Just then a clerk from the granary office arrived, asking for Zhou Rui. Li Shier sat down crossing his legs, his chest thrown out, and demanded:
“What do you want him for?”
Standing at respectful attention the clerk answered. “The Grain Commissioner has been here for over a month, and in view of his strict orders the local magistrates know they can’t ask for favours, so none of them has opened the granaries yet. But once the time is up for grain to be shipped out, what will you gentlemen have come here for?”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” retorted Li. “Our master is most systematic and always keeps his word. These last two days he has been meaning to expedite the delivery. He only put it off because I asked for a few days’ delay. What do you want Mr. Zhou for anyway?”
“Just to ask about the order to expedite the delivery—that’s all.”
“Stop talking rot! You made that up because of what I just said. Don’t try any hanky-panky, or I’ll get the commissioner to have you beaten and dismissed!”
“My family has worked in this yamen for three generations,” said the clerk. “We’re respected hereabouts and not badly off; so we can afford to serve this commissioner on the level until his promotion. We’re not like those waiting for rice to put in their pan.” This said, he added formally, “I’ll take my leave of you now, sir.”
Li Shier stood up then, smiling.
“Can’t you take a joke?” he chuckled. “Don’t be so thin-skinned.”
“It’s not that. But if I say any more, won’t I be damaging your good reputation?”
Li stepped over to take his hand and asked, “What’s your honourable name?”
“Zhan Hui, sir. In my young days I worked in the capital for a few years.”
“Mr. Zhan! I’ve long heard of you. We brothers here are in accord. If you have some proposal, come over this evening and we can talk it over.”
“We all know how sharp you are, Mr. Li. You had me scared stiff just now!”
They all laughed then and dispersed. But that evening Li had a long talk with the clerk.
The next morning Li Shier made some suggestions to sound out Jia Zheng, who reprimanded him sternly.
The day after, Jia Zheng gave orders for attendants to escort him out to pay calls, and the servants outside assented. Some time went by during which the gong sounded three times, but they had trouble finding a man to beat the drum in the hall, and when Jia Zheng stepped out of the vestibule, there was only one runner on duty to clear the way. Letting this pass, he mounted his sedan-chair in the porch; but again he had to wait quite a while for the bearers to assemble; and when they carried him out of the yamen gate the gun fired only one salute, moreover on the bandstand there were only one drummer and one trumpeter. At this Jia Zheng lost his temper.
“Things used to be orderly enough,” he exclaimed. “Why are there so many absentees today?”
He took a look at his retinue—the men were slouching and straggling. None the less he went through with his round of calls, on his return ordering the absentees to be summoned and given a beating. Some pleaded that they had mislaid their hats, pawned their uniforms, or were too weak to carry his chair because they had eaten nothing for three days. In anger he had one or two of them flogged, then let the matter drop.
A day later, when the steward in charge of the kitchen came with a request for money, Jia Zheng had to pay him out of his own pocket. But after that things went from bad to worse—compared with this, it had been plain sailing in the capital. In desperation he summoned Li Shier.
“What’s come over those servants who accompanied me here?” he asked. “It’s your job to discipline them. The silver we brought was spent days ago, and it’s not yet time to draw the allowance from the provincial treasury. We shall have to send to the capital for more.”
“Not a day has passed without my pulling them up,” replied Li. “But somehow or other they’re all so dispirited there’s nothing I can do about it, sir. How much money does Your Lordship want us to fetch from home? I’ve heard that the governor will be celebrating his birthday in a few days, and all the other officials are sending him thousands of taels. How much shall we send?”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“You know how it is, sir. We’re new here and haven’t had much to do with those other gentlemen; so why should they send us word? They’re only hoping you won’t call to congratulate him, sir; so that when you’re dismissed they can get your lucrative post.”
“Nonsense!” Jia Zheng retorted. “I was appointed by His Majesty. The governor can’t dismiss me just because I fail to congratulate him on his birthday.”
“You’re right, of course, sir,” replied Li with a smile. “But the capital is far away, and it’s the governor who reports on everything here. If he commends you, you are a good official; if he finds fault you’re likely to lose your job. By the time the court learns the truth, it is too late. Our old lady and the other mistresses are all longing for you to have a magnificent success here.”
Jia Zheng of course understood his drift.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” he repeated.
“I dared not, sir. Now that you ask me, it’s my duty to speak; but if I do, most likely you will be angry.”
“Not if what you say makes sense.”
“Those clerks and runners all bribed their way into this yamen; so of
course they all want to feather their nests,” Li explained. “They have families to support. Since you came to this post, sir, and before you’ve achieved anything for the state, there’s already been talk.”
“What are people saying?”
“The common folk say, ‘The stricter the orders a new official gives, the more grasping he will be. The more frightened the county officials, the bigger the bribes they’ll send in.’
“When the time comes to levy grain, your yamen officials say they have orders from the new commissioner not to accept any money, and this makes it difficult for those country people who’d rather grease their palms and be done with it. So instead of praising you, sir, they complain that you don’t understand the situation. But your close friend and kinsman has climbed to the top in just a few years, simply because he has the good sense to please both his superiors and his inferiors.”
Rubbish,” protested Jia Zheng. “Are you implying that I lack sense? As for pleasing both superiors and inferiors, do you want me to connive with rogues—to be ‘a cat sleeping with rats’?”
“I spoke frankly, sir, out of concern for you, not wanting to keep anything back,” Li answered. “If you were to go on like this till you had no achievements to your credit and your reputation was damaged, you could accuse me of disloyalty for not putting the facts before you.”
“What would you do in my place?”
“Just this, sir. While you’re in your prime, with friends at court and the old lady in good health, look after your own interests. Otherwise, in less than a year you’ll have spent all your family’s money and made those above and below resent you too. They’ll all assume that in this provincial post Your Lordship must be salting money away. So if some trouble crops up, who’s going to help you? By then it will be hard to clear yourself and too late to regret!”
“Are you advising me to become a corrupt official? Forfeiting my life would be of less consequence, but would you have my ancestors deprived of their noble titles?”
“A gentleman of your discernment, sir, must surely have noticed which officials have landed in trouble in recent years. All old friends of Your Lords
hip’s they were, and you often remarked on their probity; but now what has become of their good name? On the other hand, some relatives whom you have always run down have been promoted. It all depends on how well one handles things. You must understand the need, sir, to care for the local officials as well as for the people. Why, if you had your way, sir, and wouldn’t let the local magistrates make a cent, who would handle all the work in the provinces? All you need to do is keep up appearances, living up to your good name as an honest official, while in private we underlings get the job done and take whatever blame there may be without involving Your Lordship. We have been so long in your service, sir, you can surely rest assured of our loyalty.”
Jia Zheng did not know what rejoinder to make to this.
“I can’t risk my life!” he exclaimed. “If you get into trouble, I won’t be responsible.” He then retired to his room.
After that Li Shier assumed great airs, conniving with others inside and outside the yamen to handle affairs unbeknown to Jia Zheng, who felt so satisfied that all was going smoothly that, far from suspecting Li, he trusted him completely. Certain accusations were brought against his office, but in view of Jia Zheng’s austerity and honesty his superiors made no investigations. Only some of his secretaries who were well informed warned him what was happening; and when he did not believe them some resigned while those on good terms with him remained to help out. So the government grain was collected and shipped off without any scandal.
One day Jia Zheng was reading at leisure in his study when a clerk brought in a missive. It bore an official seal and the inscription: Urgent Despatch from the Garrison Command of Haimen to the Yamen of the Grain Commissioner of Jiangxi. Jia Zheng opened it and read:
Your old friend and fellow-provincial from Jinling, I was posted to the capital last year, delighted to be near you; and you did me the honour, for which I shall ever be grateful, to agree to link our families by marriage. But after my transfer to this coastal district I did not venture to pursue the matter, and with deep regret lamented my misfortune. Now that you have luckily travelled all this distance, my lifelong wish is fulfilled. I was about to send my congratulations when your gracious letter arrived, shedding lustre on Our camp and on me, a mere soldier; for though we are separated by the ocean I am still favoured by your protection. Trusting that you will not spurn my low position, I aspire to connect myself with your family; as you have looked upon my son with favour and we have always admired your refined daughter. If you condescend to honour your earlier promise, I shall send the go-between immediately. Though the journey is far, it can be made by boat; and though we cannot welcome the bride with a hundred chariots, we have a barque ready for the fairy maid. So I write this short letter to wish you further promotion and beg for your gracious consent. Eagerly awaiting your reply!
