-
2. Pockmarked Liu's Storytelling
- Hong Kong University Press, HKU
- Chapter
- Additional Information
2 Pockmarked Liu's Storytellin g ^ The young apprentice was Little Dian, a distant nephew of Proprietor Cai. Panting and scare d t o death , h e stumble d i n an d cried , 'Unc-cle ! Th e lords . . . the soldiers .. . are beating . . . beating people!' Licentiate Wu leapt up and said, 'What? Beating people in broad daylight? I'll reason with them! ' Proprietor Cai hastened to stop him. 'Master Wu,' he said, 'there is a common saying, "If a scholar meets a soldier, no amount o f reasoning would make thing s clearer." It is better that I should go out and deal with it.' Three fellows who appeared to be soldiers stood in the shop front, each carrying a knife o n his waist. The on e who was short an d plump saw Proprietor Ca i an d said in rebuke, gesticulating as he did so, 'Tell your son of a bitch to come out. I shall cut off his head with one stroke of my knife!' Proprietor Cai bowed repeatedly and smiled, saying, 'It was I who was negligent in not coming out to greet the lord soldiers. I deserve to die, I deserve to die!' Another soldier, with a sickly face, and a sarcastic smile on his face, commented, 'The typical sly demeanour of a dishonest merchant! ' The short , plum p ma n said , ' I want t o bu y a few novels t o whil e awa y th e time. This son of a bitch kept rambling on about not touching this and not touching that. Not onl y do I want t o look at some of your books . . . i f I become angry , I might even demolish your house, and confiscate all your belongings, what are you going to do then?' Bowing Proprietor Cai said, 'Even if I had eaten the leopard's gall, I would not dare to offend yo u lords.' 11 The Peach Blossom Fan It was only after these words had been uttered that the soldiers' temper gradually subsided. The y too k ou t th e book s her e an d ther e an d selecte d a larg e pil e of them. Then the y asked for the price. Cai made some calculations and said it was two taels of silver. The short, plump fellow darkene d his countenance an d argued, 'Even rice is only seven mace a picul. How is that a few books would cost so much?' The on e wit h a sickly face joine d i n and bawled , 'W e ar e officers fro m th e Palace of the Governor-General o f Fengyang, and fighting wit h th e brigands a t the front! Are you blind?' Once Ca i hear d tha t the y wer e th e subordinate s o f Ma Shiying , he wa s so frightened tha t he almost shrank to half his own height. 'In that case, bestow whatever you wish!' he said repeatedly. The short , plump fellow thre w some loose silver pieces weighing abou t tw o mace and went out carrying a large pile of books. The ma n wit h th e sickl y face turne d aroun d fro m th e stree t an d stare d a t Proprietor Cai, saying in rebuke, 'Dishonest merchant! ' Cai made a quick calculation and found tha t he had lost as much as one tael of his capital i n the deal. Deeply hurt, an d finding n o way to vent his anger, h e happened t o see his employee Hu the Second coming back with a limp. Having returned from delivering the books to Qian Muzhai, Hu the Secon d called, 'The lord Qian complains that the books are not the original editions and only copies. He insisted on paying five mace less!' Cai said irritably, 'I always knew Qian was a miser!' At th e tim e Wu Ciwei, Chen Dingsheng , Huang Taichong and old man S u came out from inside . Huang was in a hurry to return to the Clear Cool Temple and was unwilling to tarry. Cai knew that every time Huang visited, he always purchased a large number of books. 'Master Huang, what books do you wish to buy today?' asked Cai. Seeing that Huang had selected five history books from the shelf, Chen teased him and said, 'Bookworm! You will become a specialist in history yet!' Huang argued , 'D o you the n thin k histor y i s unimportant? M y teacher Li u Zongzhou repeatedly says that after one has completed the study of the classics, he should seek facts from history. It is only then that he will understand the changing events of the world.' 'Do you still read every night until the cock crows and then go to sleep?' Wu asked. In reply Huang said, 'Yes, it is nothing when one gets used to it.' Sighing, Wu said, 'You are still young and full of energy, but I cannot do it. I get a headache i f I use my brain to o much!' Thus speaking, he strok e his whit e beard with a mournful loo k on his face. Proprietor Ca i was not concerned wit h all this. His total concentration wa s 12 [18.217.73.187] Project MUSE (2024-04-25 18:32 GMT) Pockmarked Lius Storytelling on making out what he should charge Huang for the books. Knowing that he was a bookworm who was not nearly as calculating as Qian Muzhai, and that he would never bargain about his purchases, Cai added a tael of silver onto the proper price in order to compensate for the loss suffered a t the hands of the soldiers who had half robbed and half bought the books. True enough, Huang did not mind at all, and simply paid what was asked. Cai Yisuo was at once pleased and ashamed, thinking to himself, 'I deserve to die! The account for red carrots is put into the entry for red candles!' Then he pondered, 'I can't sell my wife t o make good my loss! It is natural that I should work on th e customers instead! ' This reasonin g se t his heart a t ease, but he wa s particularly eage r t o pleas e Huang on this occasion, so he looked around everywhere for Little Dian to carry the books for Huang to the Clear Cool Temple. He was surprised to find Little Dian perched on the table in the parlour stealing the sausage s and duckbone s t o eat . He slappe d th e bo y heavily an d shoute d i n reproof, 'Yo u animal wh o deserve s t o die! You caused a calamity whe n lookin g after the shop, but when you are in here you take food on the sly.' Lifting the boy by the ear he dragged him to the shop and ordered, 'Be a good boy and accompany Master Huan g wit h th e book s back t o Clear Coo l Temple. And, d o not follo w other people's example by going away for half a day and listening to gossips in the streets!' Hu the Second knew that Proprietor Cai was 'pointing at the monk to scold the bald-headed thief. He grumbled a little and sat dejectedly by the side of the counter. After Proprieto r Ca i ha d see n Huang an d ol d man S u out, H u th e Secon d quickly spoke to Chen, 'Master Chen, let me tell you a piece of news. Pockmarked Liu gave a storytelling performance a t the Lon g Chant Pavilio n thi s afternoon. There were so many who went to listen to him that the railings of the river houses were almost broken.' 'Did he tell the story of Qin Shubao Meeting His AuntV aske d Chen . Hu th e Secon d shoo k hi s hea d an d replied , 'No , i t i s newl y composed . Everybody says it is even more interesting than Qin Shubao Meeting His Aunt' Chen turned to old Licentiate Wu and asked, 'How about it? I feel so bored, let us go and listen to Liu Jingting's story.' 'It is too tiring.' Wu hesitated, 'If I go and make another round, I shall have a headache tonight! ' With a squint and a smile, Chen replied, 'No harm! Old Liu's story is bound to cure you of your headache. When Pockmarked Liu is engaged in his storytelling, he charges a tael of silver for each chapter, and you have to reserve a seat ten days in advance. And even then he does not readily accept you!' 'What about noon tomorrow?' Wu pleaded. Chen burst out laughing and exclaimed, 'Old sir! It is a shame that you are the 13 The Peach Blossom Fan senior member of the Revival Club! Tomorrow i s the fifteenth da y of the Thir d Moon, the anniversary of the death of Confucius. We all have to go to the Imperial Academy o f Learning a t noon t o take part i n the sacrificia l rites . How can yo u forget?' Feeling embarrassed , W u blushe d an d sai d nothing. Che n hal f dragge d an d half pushed him out of the bookshop and made for the Long Chant Pavilion near the Peach Leaves Ferry Pier at Qinhuai River. Qinhuai River was described as a place paved with the gold dust accumulated over the past six dynasties. The most prosperous section was that which stretched from th e Treasur e Accumulation Gat e t o Tongji Gate . From Wuding Bridg e t o Long Plank Bridge, passing the Peach Leaves Ferry Pier, and onto the Grand Central Bridge, were the mos t magnificent an d elegant river houses along either sid e of the river : th e railing s painte d red , th e eave s trace d i n gold ; th e multicoloure d tassels and embroidere d banners glittered i n the sun; in particular the colours of the curtains were so many — splendoured that they were like clumps of flowers, with rose red, olive green, light grey, amber, aubergine, beige . .. al l reflected i n the water, so much so that the sharpness and brilliance 'snatched' the eye. Inside, there were a thousand different way s to decorate the house. Some were residents in the Old Quarters. There the interiors were concealed by rich and elegant curtains, only the mynah or the parrot was allowed to be shown outside. Others were places of entertainment, wit h playing of the flute , singin g of popular songs , playing of the guitar , an d beatin g o f foreign drums . These house s wer e alway s filled wit h people, an d suc h a din was created tha t th e Earth turne d ove r and th e Heave n collapsed. Yet others were villas of refined people. There one would find old books and paintings; ancient bronzes, tripods, lutes. Inside, the sun was allowed to shine on th e brigh t window s an d tid y desks , so quiet tha t no t eve n th e shado w o f a person could be detected. Almost al l the pleasur e craf t o n th e rive r boasted o f covered cabins . Ther e were lanterns made from horns, couches and tables and fences. The cabins were painted wit h brigh t colours , an d th e flowing curtain s wer e tha t o f silk gauze i n striking hues. There were on thes e vessels wine-sellers, songsters, actors . . . the Qinhuai River thus never knew any peace and quiet whether by day or by night. In particular, a t the Peach Leaves Ferry Pier, there were many teahouses an d restaurants, multitudes of passengers fighting to cross the river, numerous pleasure craft owners trying to attract customers. With everyone jostling and pushing, they caused quite a commotion. Of the river houses on the banks of the Peach Leaves Pier, the most famou s ones were the Ding Family's Water Kiosk, the Peach Leaves River House and the Long Chant Pavilion . From th e titl e o f th e Lon g Chan t Pavilion , on e coul d tel l tha t thi s wa s a meeting groun d fo r peopl e o f culture, ther e t o discuss poetry an d t o tal k abou t Buddhism. The frequent visitors were scholars of the Imperial Academy of Learning, 14 [18.217.73.187] Project MUSE (2024-04-25 18:32 GMT) Pockmarked Lius Storytelling and retired and cashiered officials such as Qian Muzhai and Yang Longyou. Today, Liu Jingting ha d bee n persuade d b y some scholar s o f the Imperia l Academ y t o come an d tel l hi s story . Whe n Che n an d W u arrived , th e other s ha d alread y dispersed, and they found only Liu and two or three persons of leisure there eating melon seeds. Not many people in Nanjing had heard of Liu Jingting, but when one spoke of Pockmarked Liu , eve n wome n an d childre n knew . Hi s surnam e wa s originall y Cao. Because of an offence he had committed he became a fugitive far away from his nativ e plac e an d h e change d hi s surname t o Liu. The leadin g storytelle r i n Nanjing, h e was dark and fat, an d his face was covered with pockmarks each as large as a yellow bean. He wore an ill-fitte d robe ; with blinking eye s and muc h sweet talk, all those who knew him well said what a likeable fellow he was. Even the girls in the Old Quarters were well acquainted with him, and teased him without mercy by calling him 'the Black Pockmarked', 'the Rotten Pockmarked', 'the Dead Pockmarked'. However , from th e momen t he ascende d th e dai s for storytelling , he becam e ver y serious and solemn . I f occasionally on e i n th e audienc e shoul d yawn, h e woul d giv e a cr y an d strik e th e platfor m wit h hi s woode n block , s o intimidating was he that the audience did not even dare let out a sneeze. When he narrated Wu Song Beating the Tiger at the fingyang Mound or Qin Shubao Meeting His Aunt, n o other person i n all the Provinces in the south could compare wit h the lively and colourful manne r in which he told his stories: it was as if the tiger and the dragon had come alive. When Liu saw Chen Dingsheng and Wu Ciwei enter, he hastily put down the melon seeds in his hand an d greeted them warmly, at the same time ordering his serving boys to bring out tea. Feeling disappointed , Che n said , 'W e wer e hopin g t o hea r th e ol d father' s story, we did not foresee tha t we were too late.' Piling smiles on his face, Liu replied, 'If the two masters permit me to display my shame, then let this be my glory. Which one among the scholars in the Imperial Academy of Learning fails to admire you two masters to the utmost? They all say that you are the outstanding members of the Revival Club!' Thus speaking, he took out his little drum, the wooden block, an d a pair of clapping boards. Placing th e clappin g boards between his fingers, h e struc k i t a few time s for effect , the n purse d his lips, blinked hi s eyes and, a t last , with th e black pockmarks on his face fully flushed , h e aske d hesitantly, 'Wha t abou t Qi n Shubao Meeting His AuntV Chen disagreed. And, after a few more 'tat-tat-tat' with the clapping boards, Chen urged , 'W e hav e com e especiall y t o liste n t o th e ne w stor y yo u hav e composed.' In modesty Liu declined repeatedly, 'This is nothing. I dare not show my defects in front of you. It is only a tale I made up when I saw the hardships of people in the battle areas. My intention is simply to alert people to the dangers we face. You two 15 The Peach Blossom Fan masters ar e familia r wit h th e Thirteen Classics an d Twenty-two Histories, an d yo u are particularl y wel l acquainte d wit h th e achievement s an d failure s o f th e government, an d the benefits an d th e damages done by the officials. And no w yo u want me to talk of current affairs, would people not laugh until their teeth fall off? ' This speec h please d ol d W u s o much tha t h e clappe d hi s hand s an d slappe d his thighs , crying , 'I t i s interesting! Interesting ! I did no t imagin e tha t yo u coul d be so concerned abou t national affairs!' Then, touching his white beard, he sighed , 'In this enormous city of Nanjing, how many are truly concerned about the nation' s fate?' Chen whispered int o Wu's ear and said, 'How is it? Did I not say? If you wante d to cur e you r headache, i t was best t o liste n t o old Liu's stories. ' When Pockmarke d Li u hear d thes e words , i t wa s a s i f h e ha d swallowe d a tonic o f ginsen g an d bird' s nes t soup . Hi s spirit s thu s becam e a hundre d time s more vigorous . Creating a din tha t shoo k th e skie s with th e 'dong-dong-dong ' o f his littl e dru m an d th e 'tat-tat-tat ' o f his clappin g boards , thos e outsid e hi s rive r house al l rushe d toward s it . Peopl e fro m nea r an d fa r hear d th e dru m an d th e clapping board s an d cause d a stir . I n th e commotio n tha t ensued , peopl e cried , 'Quickly g o and liste n to Pockmarke d Liu' s story!' 'Quick! Quick! ' 'Ho w i s it tha t Pockmarked Li u i s telling stor y again? ' I n les s than hal f a minute, th e hous e wa s already full y packe d wit h customers . Th e fe w me n wh o ha d bee n eatin g melo n seeds with Liu earlier were startled when they saw how big the audience was. They called, 'Quickl y shu t th e door . Do no t le t th e crowdin g break th e railings! ' When Li u saw that th e doo r was shut, an d th e audienc e wa s as still as carve d wooden figure s withou t makin g on e breath o f a noise, he too k a sip of tea, cleare d his nostril s and , fingerin g th e clappin g board s lightly , h e bega n th e curren t stor y of The Evil Magistrate Forced Li Yan to Rebel: - [Singing) Pressing messages stress the imminent conditions in the north. Th e bandit L i Zichen g havin g seize d a numbe r o f citie s i s no w marchin g o n Hanyang City. Then th e Yellow Prefecture i s attacked from tw o directions. The genera l defendin g th e Prefectur e ha s deserted the city and fled fo r hi s life. General Zu o Liangy u and his army are far away in Wuhu. I fear that i n this shor t perio d o f time , i t wil l b e difficul t fo r hi m t o rescu e th e thre e garrisons i n Wuhan ! [Striking the wooden block) Sirs, in a mighty wave of his troops, and with strengt h capable o f crushin g mountains , L i Zichen g conquer s Kaifeng , Luoyang , Nanyang and Xiangyang one after the other. And now he is investing Wuhan. If the thre e garrison s shoul d fall , huh ! huh! the affair s o f the natio n wil l b e impossible t o predict . I n fact , Bandi t L i has no t grow n thre e head s an d si x arms, and he is not a temple guardian god made of iron and steel. Five years ago, it was proclaimed that Governor Yan g Sichang had been promote d t o be Presiden t o f th e Boar d o f War , wit h th e specia l responsibilit y o f exterminating the roving brigands. General Yang resorted to the strategy of 16 [18.217.73.187] Project MUSE (2024-04-25 18:32 GMT) Pockmarked Liu's Storytelling 'Four Frontal Attacks and Six From the Flanks', and he surrounded the bandits from te n differen t directions . L i Zichen g eventuall y suffere d a disastrou s defeat at Zitong, but made good his escape to Shanglo Hill with just eighteen of his men. By indirect routes he reached Baxi and was again surrounded b y General Yang's grand army. It was as if he was a fish strande d in a waterless pond, o r a turtle imprisone d i n a jar. In a surprise move, however, h e brok e through th e besieging army and sneaked into Henan Province . Since then , matters have been allowe d to come to a sorry pass but the reason i s not fa r to seek . In Willow County there was a Provincial Graduate called Li Yan. He joined Li Zicheng and was appointed his Chief-of-Staff. No w this incident was of such crucial importanc e tha t i t affected th e whole nation . Why di d he join Bandit Li? It is a long story : It is said that fro m th e tenth year of Emperor Chongzhen , Hena n Provinc e suffered a continuou s serie s o f calamitie s fro m locust s an d drought . Everywhere one saw people starving to death, and corpses lined the highways. It was truly a tragic sight ! [Sounding the clapping boards) No w o n th e on e han d th e locust s an d drough t continued t o caus e grea t suffering , an d th e harvest s remaine d poor , s o th e price of rice rose countless times. Ordinary folks had no way to live and had to resort to eating barks and roots to fill their stomachs. Sons and daughter s looked a t eac h other , whinin g an d wailing. Dusts fille d th e pot s an d pans , and no kitchen fire s were to be seen. It was difficult t o secure even one meal of grue l i n severa l days . O n th e othe r hand , th e governmen t despatche d their tiger-like officer s t o collect levies . The ric h house s which presse d fo r repayment of debts were so fierce as to be comparable to wolves and jackals. Pity thos e wh o wer e barel y alive , their spirit s havin g alread y departe d fo r the nethe r world . Thei r skeleton s wer e pile d up lik e mound s everywhere . Such was the curse that peopl e were unable to pas s the gate s of starvation . How the n ca n I not she d stream s o f tear s — tear s whic h ar e transforme d into stains of blood ? [Sounding the wooden block.) Everywhere on e saw people starvin g to deat h an d corpses lin e the highways. But orders came flying lik e raindrops fo r peopl e to surrender their rice and provisions. The orders say,'. . . quickly transport the ric e an d provisions . These mus t be hande d ove r within th e tim e limit . Failure t o obe y thi s militar y orde r t o th e ful l i s a seriou s crime . H e wh o commits the slightes t erro r will be punished according to law. ' As a result all the magistrate s an d the assistan t magistrates, heads o f polic e and detective s panicked, - perspirin g heavily , the y al l tremble d wit h fea r [Sounding the clapping hoards). [Singing) The Magistrat e issue d a summons an d ordered the Commissione r of Provisions to go into the countryside and execute the levies, saying, 'D o n The Peach Blossom Fan not expec t m e t o spar e you r lif e i f yo u dela y eve n b y on e day. ' Th e Commissioner o f Provisions accordingly acted as if he had received a great sword of authority. Thus he and his runners an d horsemen se t off together . To levy rice and provisions was a profitable mission, and much manipulatio n was possible. Large measures of rice were collected but credit was given fo r smaller measures . Besides , 'respectfu l gifts ' coul d b e demanded . I f anyon e dared t o mak e eve n th e slightes t argument , th e charg e o f resistin g t o pa y the levy would be brought. As the Commissioner barked his command, th e unfortunate perso n would be seized at once and heavily beaten by rod, the n a cangue weighin g twent y cattie s an d secure d with meta l clasp s would b e placed upon him. Handcuffed an d fettered he would be taken to the count y yamen. Though th e storehous e migh t b e a s far a s a hundred li away, i t wa s nevertheless necessar y to deliver the provisions personally. A seventy-yearold man might have to carry a heavy load, accompanied by his ten-year-ol d grandson shoulderin g a loa d o f grain . Th e load s wer e heav y an d thei r stomachs were empty, - the ol d and the young could but loo k a t each othe r and cry. When they at last arrived at the storehouse and had their provisions weighed, a hundred cattie s were counted a s seventy. Complainin g tha t th e rice an d grain wer e soaked and damp , he shouted a t them t o g o hom e an d come bac k wit h more . I t was utterly useles s t o humbl y kowto w an d sadl y plead, unles s on e offere d a fee calle d 'recompens e fo r dryness' . Whe n th e Commissioner o f Provisions had received the 'bribe', he would mix the ric e and grai n wit h wate r an d san d before placin g the m i n th e storehouse . Fo r this reason, eve n fro m ancien t times , good qualit y rice never came out of a public storehouse. Instea d the rice was always half mould y an d half damp . [Sounding the clapping hoards) Sirs, Henan Province had suffered fou r consecutive years o f calamitie s fro m locust s an d drought . Ou t o f te n house s nin e wer e empty,- in each househol d th e wife waile d an d the childre n cried, - in ever y village there were but a few people left. They could not bear the ferocity of the count y officials , no r th e sufferin g o f bein g strun g u p an d beaten , o r having their fingers crushed and legs squeezed. So house owners demolishe d their houses, - landowners mortgage d thei r land, - heads o f famil y sol d thei r sons, daughter s an d wives . Those withou t famil y wer e imprisone d o r fel l into banditry . . . L i Yan was a well-known squir e in Willow County. Whe n he sa w th e unspeakabl e sufferin g o f th e villagers , h e wen t t o plea d wit h Magistrate Song , hopin g tha t th e levie s woul d b e suspended . Magistrat e Song, however, ignore d th e plea , so Li Yan donated tw o hundre d picul s of rice from hi s private storehouse to feed the starving population. These poo r villagers went befor e al l the othe r ric h house s an d aske d them t o follo w L i Yan's example by donating the rice they owned privately, coupled with th e threat of gang robbery if the demand was not met. Magistrate Song saw that the prospect s were no t good , s o he issue d an announcement , writte n o n a wooden board , i n thes e words , 'I t i s no t permitte d t o assembl e an d forc e people to give rice under the pretext of borrowing. Any person who disobey s [18.217.73.187] Project MUSE (2024-04-25 18:32 GMT) Pockmarked Liu's Storytelling this orde r i s deemed a s rebel, and shal l be arreste d an d severel y punished. ' Because of this incident, [sounding the clapping boards) [Singing) The starving people struck the order board into smithereens. Several thousand peopl e surrounde d th e yamen an d cried , 'Withou t ric e w e ar e eventually going to starve to death. In order to live, what harm is there to be "a rebel"! Magistrate you scoundrel! Come out at once. Let us see which on e of us you are going to arrest and severely punish?' Uncontrollably Magistrat e Song fle w int o a temper an d blame d L i Yan fo r courtin g favou r wit h th e villagers. Secretl y h e sen t a petitio n t o th e Governo r o f th e Prefecture , accusing L i Yan o f plottin g a rebellion. Th e petitio n claime d tha t L i Yan divided his personal wealth to 'buy peoples hearts', and accused him of beating up the police officers i n his endeavour to obstruct the levies. The Governo r heard fro m on e sid e only, the result of which wa s the arres t o f L i Yan wh o had to suffe r i n prison . [Sounding the wooden block) When th e ten s of thousands o f starving people i n Willow County heard the news, their fury could not be suppressed. They all said, 'The lord Li issued rice to help us thereby saving our lives. Because of this he is involved and now suffers. Ho w can this be tolerated?' [Sounding the clapping hoards) [Singing) They all said, 'Even if one lives for a hundred years he is still to die. Death ma y be as weighty as the Tai Mountain, o r as light as a bird's feather . First, we have t o distinguis h gratitud e fro m hatred , an d right fro m wrong . Second, we do no t want t o be humiliated an d humbled a s slaves. Let us all go t o th e count y yamen, break ope n th e priso n an d rescu e th e lor d Li , ou r great benefactor! ' Instantl y a commotion wa s created i n th e count y town . The storehous e was pillaged and the prison gate s were opened wide. It was now a catastrophe fo r which there was no remedy. In a crowd they all went to join L i Zicheng's troops. Pity the town o f Willow County! It was now so quiet an d deserte d tha t includin g thos e workin g i n the yamen, only tw o o r three hundred peopl e were left . [Sounding the wooden block) Li Yan led the starving people to join L i Zicheng's army,- h e als o recommende d Son g Xianc e an d Provincia l Licentiat e Ni u Jinxing. H e advise d Li , 'If you wish t o tak e ove r the nation , you mus t star t with people's hearts. Spare people's lives and you will win their hearts.' Bandit Li accepted the advice and issued an order prohibiting his soldiers to plunder. On reachin g a place, he would hand ou t money t o help th e poo r an d issu e grain to the starving. Li Yan also composed a rustic song, 'Let us eat what h e gives and wear what he gives. Open th e gates to welcome Princ e Li! When Prince Li comes he collects no levies!' The song was transmitted everywhere, so that a rabble force was turned into a mighty army of a million troops. The result wa s that h e becam e Min g Dynasty' s greates t headache . [Sounding the clapping boards) [Singing) A single false move in a game of chess and the whole game is lost. 19 The Peach Blossom Fan A tiger i n the dept h o f a mountain cause s deep calamity fo r some. Fightin g continues without a day's peace. It is lamentable that the evil officials caus e such sufferin g t o people ! Pockmarked Li u pu t dow n hi s clappin g boards , claspe d hi s hands i n fron t o f him i n a salute an d smiled , ' I have displaye d m y shortcomings! ' The audienc e al l clapped an d cheered , an d the n scattered . Seeing tha t th e peopl e ha d gone , Che n Dingshen g sai d teasingly , 'Ol d Liu , where hav e yo u heard al l this nonsense from ! Bewar e tha t somebod y wil l bring a charge agains t you i n the cit y yamen fo r slanderously discussing the government' s policies!' Old Li u mad e a face an d sai d i n retort , 'Firstly , I am no t a n officia l a t court . Secondly, I a m no t a loca l squire . Thirdly , I a m no t a maste r o f th e Imperia l Academy. A m I even qualifie d fo r suc h a charge?' Wu Ciwe i rejoine d heatedly , 'Le t u s talk frankly. O f al l th e official s a t court , high and low , there ar e but a very few who, like you, old father, hav e such wisdo m and vision , an d a dee p concer n fo r th e future . Thoug h ou r Reviva l Clu b boast s about integrit y an d loyalt y an d treat s lif e an d deat h lightly , an d w e sa y we stres s the nee d fo r propriet y o f conduc t an d distinctio n betwee n righ t an d wrong , ye t there ar e no t man y wh o ar e a s worrie d an d concerne d abou t nationa l affair s as old father! ' Feeling uneas y b y the compliments , Li u did not kno w ho w t o respond. Che n took ou t tw o tael s o f silve r an d said , 'I t wil l b e dar k soon , w e hav e t o retur n t o Three Hill s Street . Ol d Liu , thi s i s for yo u t o bu y tea . I f you refus e t o accep t it , beware tha t I might g o wild an d becom e abusive! ' Smiling, Liu replied, 'Maste r Chen, I am not afrai d o f the Jade Emperor up i n Heaven, no r th e Kin g of Hell dow n below, but when I meet you , I regret tha t m y mother di d no t giv e birt h t o m e wit h tw o tongues! ' Thu s speaking , h e accepte d the silver . Addressing W u Ciwei , h e said , 'Maste r Wu , yo u rarel y com e t o th e Peac h Leaves Pie r fo r amusement . Sta y awhil e longe r befor e going . I remember a Tan g Dynasty poem which says, 'Though th e setting sun is, Oh! so pretty, it's a pity tha t it'll soon be dark'. Let us go near the river and watch the sunset on Qinhuai River! ' Thus speaking , h e place d tw o chair s nea r th e railing s o f the rive r house . Pickin g up a tea table , he ordere d a serving bo y t o bring tw o cups o f hot tea . Deep i n thought , ol d Licentiat e W u leane d agains t th e railing s wit h a col d and solem n countenance . Suddenl y h e aske d Liu Jingting, 'Ol d father , accordin g to you who must come out to serve so that the nation's problems may be resolved?' Without hesitation, old Liu replied, 'The former Senior Censor Liu Zongzhou , and th e forme r Assistan t Superviso r a t th e Hanli n Academ y Huan g Shizhai . I f these tw o ol d gentlemen ar e willing to serve, then ther e i s a way. It i s a pity that , because of their courage i n speaking out, the y had annoye d Emperor Chongzhen . 20 [18.217.73.187] Project MUSE (2024-04-25 18:32 GMT) Pockmarked Lius Storytelling One was cashiered from office and is now living as an ordinary subject. The other one is now still in exile. Though the present Emperor has decreed an amnesty, it is a matter for regret that neither is prepared to come up to the capital!' 'Of thos e wh o remai n i n th e Subordinat e Capital , wh o d o yo u sa y has th e support of the people?' inquired Wu. 'Is i t eve n necessar y t o mentio n them ? The y ar e th e Governo r o f Wate r Transportation Shi Kefa and Supervisor of the Hanlin Academy Jiang Yueguang,' said Liu in reply. 'Any others?' Wu asked again. Pockmarked Liu gave a few more names as if he was reciting a book, 'Gao of the Board of Revenue and Population, Senior Censor Zhang, and Zhou Zhongyu the Secretary of the Board of Rites . . .' He could continue but old Licentiate Wu frowned an d stood up to return t o the bookshop i n Three Hill s Street. Liu too had to return, so they left th e Long Chant Pavilio n together . 21 ...