🧚 A Chinese Tea-house Story

Chi Hsiao Tang1

One day the Emperor Chia Ching called his scribe, the great and crafty Yen Sung, and said, “I want four poems immediately, one on each of the seasons.”2

The word was sent out and within a few days poems were presented and accepted on Summer, Autumn, and Winter, but not one written on Spring pleased the Emperor.3 Again and again the literary men wrote on the subject, but only to fail of his approbation.4 At last he declared in a rage that unless a poem that could be set to music and sung by the ladies of the palace should immediately be produced there would soon be fewer literary men in the country, and commanded his minister to see that his wishes were at once carried out.5

Yen Sung, almost in despair, went to his steward and told him his dilemma.6 Now, Nien Chi, the steward, was as bold and bad a man as his master, shrewd and cunning withal.7 After a moment’s thought he said, “Rest your heart!8 I know a teacher of great ability, who lives at my inn; I will see what he can do.”9 He called his cart, went in great state to the inn, and asked for a man by the name of Chi Hsiao Tang.10 When Teacher Chi appeared Nien Chi with profound bows and his most pleasing manner said, “The fame of your literary ability has come to the ears of my master, Yen Sung, and he desires you to write immediately a poem on Spring.”11

Chi Hsiao Tang replied, “I am a man of mean ability, but that is indeed an easy subject which you give me.12 Return in a few hours’ time and my poor production shall be ready for you.”13

Nien Chi thanked him and took his leave.14 He returned later and the poem was awaiting him as promised.15 He read it with delight and said to the author, “The gods have indeed given you a great gift.16 One of them must have spoken to you from the Imperial heavens.17 My master will surely call and thank you in person.”18 He then withdrew and hastened to the palace of Yen Sung, who seized the manuscript and read it eagerly, exclaiming, as he finished its perusal, “Thank the gods, we are saved!19 This is simply perfect.”20

Then his face fell, for on the corner of the sheet were the name and seal of the writer.21 “This will never do,” said he.22 “I want to send it in as my own, and how can I?23 Alas!24 I must still delay to copy it to-night.”25

The next day he presented it to the Emperor as his own “mean effort,” and humbly begged for pardon that he could do no better for his great and mighty sovereign.26 The Emperor was much pleased and gave Yen Sung costly presents and high literary honours.27

Shortly after came the triennial examinations for the advanced degrees.28

Yen Sung was one of the judges of the essays.29 He knew that Chi Hsiao Tang would probably be promoted as he was a man of such ability, and he feared that the story of the poem would in some way reach the ears of the Emperor.30

After much thought as to how to avert such a calamity, he issued a proclamation that no one by the name of Chi be admitted to the examination.31

Chi Hsiao Tang presented himself at the hall on the opening day, but was refused a place among the aspirants for degrees, the only reason given being that an order barring all of his surname had been issued by the powerful minister and judge, Yen Sung.32 In great sorrow and disappointment the scholar returned to his inn and wrote to his wife, telling her to sell some of their land and come to Peking to await with him the next opportunity for examination, three years later.33 This she did.34 They rented a place and there, day by day, he studied, hoping to see the ban lifted.35

One day while out for a walk he saw a great crowd gathered.36 Drawing near he found that a man of eminence was to be executed.37 He asked, “Who is the prisoner?” and was told, “An official by the name of Pai.”38

“What has he done that he should be so degraded?” asked Chi Hsiao Tang of a man standing near.39 “How can you ask that?” replied the man, “when Yen Sung is the head of the Empire.40 He has but to nod and officials lose their heads.”41

As the already disappointed scholar turned away he said, “What can I hope for when such a man as that is executed?”42 Sadly musing, he continued, “I had hoped to become an official, serve my country, and receive honour, but I see the life of a minister is a most dangerous one.43 If he would be upright, he has not the rest and quiet of the common citizen.44 All is weakness and evil under the sun. I will no longer mingle with men, but will go apart and seek to prepare myself for a higher existence among those who by contemplation and renunciation have become fit for companionship with the gods.”45

He went home, told his wife what he had seen, and said, “I have given up my plan for an official life.46 At our home in the country are houses and land, all you can ever need.”47 “Why not return at once, care for our property, and live in quiet?” asked his wife.48 “No!49 There is no hope for me.50 I give all our possessions to you,” was his reply.51

“What is your purpose?” questioned the now anxious wife.52 “If you will not return to the home of your ancestors, what do you mean by giving the land to me?53 Are you going to enter the Eternal?”54

Chi Hsiao Tang looked thoughtful for a moment, and then said, “I will go to some quiet place in the mountains.55 There will I live and purify myself from this evil world.56 I care or hope no longer for earthly joy or position.57 It is all vanity—vanity.”58

“But what of me?” urged his wife.59 “Am I nothing more to you?60 Are you casting me off also?61 This you shall not do.62 We will go together to the country and there you will forget your disappointment, or I too will go with you to the purple hills by Buddha’s help.63 Possibly by long years of tears, prayers, and self-denial the great Buddha will have compassion on me, and I too may find Peace.64 I cannot hope to enter into your spirit life, I who am only a woman, but surely the effort I make will at least be seen by the god.65 Do you think, because I am a woman, my heart does not long for that which can give rest?66 Why do I sit every night, hour after hour, with my tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth, my hands and feet crossed, trying not to be conscious of any bodily sensation.67 Is it not that I too may come in touch with the great pure Holy Ones?68 Why do I repeat the name of the great Buddha hundreds of times each day, before anything to eat or drink crosses my lips?69 Why am I almost a cripple?70 Is it not because of the long hours of kneeling on the cold brick floor praying to the Goddess of Mercy?71 Have I not kept the fast days most faithfully since coming into your home?72 Have I eaten meat?73 When you were ill did I not promise the gods that if you recovered I would go to the highest temple on the mountains, crawling all the way on hands and knees, and when you were restored to health did I not fulfil my vow?74 Did I not wear single garments all one winter?75 Did I not take flesh from my own arm to make a broth which cured our mother when she was ill?76 Do none of these things appeal to the Holy Ones?77 Can I not hope that I too, a poor woman, may attain to the Eternal Rest?”78 The tears streamed down her cheeks as she added, “Have compassion upon me, your wife, and let me go with you.”79

Chi Hsiao Tang looked tenderly at her for a moment and then, with a great sigh, which showed that he too suffered at the parting, replied, “What I have said I have said!80 You would prevent me from seeing the Eternal Light.81 You would hold me still to the earthly.”82 He ordered dinner, and as he sat eating he saw a new bench drop down into his court.83

“This,” said he to himself, “must have come from the gods, whether to help me to leave the earth or to keep me on it I will test and see.”84 So he said to the bench, “If you are to help me leave the earth move up and down three times.”85 This the bench immediately did.86 His wife coming in at the moment, he called to her “to look at the magic bench.”87 She replied in astonishment, but with a sense of relief, “What is this, are you bereft of your senses?88 You a Teacher to talk of a magic bench.”89 He answered gravely, “You shall see me sit on the bench and rise in the air,” and before she realized what had befallen her, he was rising into space and was soon beyond her sight.90

“Ah!” said she as she wept; “he has gone to the purple mountains to attain the god-life.91 He has left me here; I will seek it in my home.”92 She called to him and a faint sound came from the distance, “The gods have had pity upon me and taken me from the evil of the world,” and here he was seen no more.93 The bench carried him to a mountain far from all with which he was familiar, and there came to rest.94 He rose to his feet and as he did so the bench disappeared.95 He looked north, south, east, and west, nothing but stones and hills, not a human being in sight.96

He said to himself, “What can I do here?97 I will walk until I find some living thing.”98 Far in the distance on a high mountain-top he saw what appeared to be a man.99 After hours of weary climbing, faint with hunger and thirst, he reached the spot.100 He found two men sitting on a stone; one had on a yellow robe, white stockings, and striped shoes.101 His face was very white and he wore a long beard.102 At his side was a cow’s tail, used to brush away flies.103 The other man was dressed in black, had a dark face, protruding eyes, and a long black beard.104 One was facing to the east, the other to the west, and they were playing chess.105 Above them was a beautiful spruce tree, by their side a dish of peaches and one of pears, two wine-cups and a bottle of wine.106 When Chi Hsiao Tang came up to them they did not lift their heads or look up, seemed only interested in their game.107 But he thought, “These are surely two gods in disguise,” and kneeling before them he said, “I prostrate myself to you, my Teachers.108 I wish to prepare myself to join the Immortals.”109

The man in yellow lifted his head and asked, “Where do you come from and why are you not going in for the examinations, for I see that you are a man of no mean ability?”110 Chi Hsiao Tang replied, “It is all vanity.”111

“You are rich; why are you not satisfied with the things which money will buy?” was the next question.112 “They also are vanity,” was his answer.113 “Name, honour, riches, luxury; at the end of all is death,” continued Chi Hsiao Tang.114 “I have looked at it all, tasted much of it, and it does not satisfy beyond the passing moment.115 I do not desire it, and I have come to you, my Teachers, for instruction as to the way of attaining purification and the true life.”116 “To attain that you must suffer much.117 Can you endure?” said the sage.118 “I can,” was the reply.119 “Difficulties are many.120 Can you meet them?”121 Still he answered, “I can.122 I am not afraid of difficulties.”123 “But,” urged the wise man, “if you desire to attain the true life you must be ready to save, not to destroy men.124 No one can wear fine clothes like yours and put away the world.125 You will have to put on coarse cloth garments.126 When your shoes are worn out can you go barefooted on these rocky hillsides?”127 “I can in time,” was the reply.128 “We have no dainty food to eat, only grain and wild roots without salt.129 Can you eat these?”130 “Yes, this also in time.”131 “At home you have wine, tea, and hot water to drink.132 Can you give up all these and drink from the holes by the roadside?”133 “Yes!134 In time I can do even this.”135 The sage added further, “You will have also to serve us, dig roots, and prepare our food, you who at home have always been served.136 Can you eat [1] all this bitterness, even to becoming a servant?”137 Chi Hsiao said earnestly, “All this I can and will do.”138 “One thing more,” said the man in yellow.139 “I have a dreadful sore on my foot.140 You will have to wash and dress that every day.141 I will show it to you!”142 It was indeed a shocking sight.143 For a moment Chi Hsiao Tang’s heart failed him, but he resolutely put down the disgust and nausea which the sickening sore produced, and answered as before, “I can dress it, Worthy Teacher.”144 “But you must press the poison out with your lips.145 Will you do that?”146 “Yes!”147 “Then try it now.”148 As he stooped and put his lips to what seemed a most loathsome sore, behold! it was a beautiful ripe and luscious peach, bound with invisible bands about the foot.149

When the two Worthies saw the settled purpose of the man they said, “You may remain with us.150 We will teach you how to become one of the Perfect Ones.”151 At the close of his novitiate they sent him among the mountain people to help those in distress, to cheer the sad and discouraged, and found him always ready to serve as a messenger of the gods.152 Thus in a life of unselfish service of man was he made pure, until he reached that perfection which is absorption into the Divine.153

[1] A common Chinese expression for discomfort, pain, or sorrow.154