🧚 A Story of Old China, part 4 · page 2

“What does this mean?” and turning to the officials he had created he said, “You stand there and see me reviled; you make no motion to help me; life and death are in my hands and you will suffer.”72 With that he attempted to get into his chair, when Ting Lang and all his student friends set upon him.73 They tore off his audience cap, his royal robes, beat him, reviled him, and were in the midst of a free fight with him and his chair-bearers, when Hai Jui came from the audience hall.74 In a few words quiet was restored, and the great Yen Sung, torn and tattered, beaten, and raging like a lion, rushed into the audience hall and, bending before the Emperor, cried out for revenge.75 The Emperor had heard the commotion outside and had asked who and what it was.76 They had told him that the three hundred and sixty literary men who had been at the feast had set upon and were beating Yen Kë Lao.77 When the Emperor heard this he said:78

“For literary men, men of high degree, to do such a thing means, can but mean, that they have a good clear reason, otherwise they would not act like beasts,” so he waited, and was waiting when Yen Sung rushed in.79

“Great Emperor,” said he, “I have been beaten by the students, and without cause.80 There is going to be a rebellion, have a care, your Majesty.”81 When he was through the Emperor said:82

“How could so many people attack one man unless there was a good reason?83 We will examine into this thing.84 Call the new ‘Chuang Yuan,’ I will ask him.”85 Ting Lang came and knocked his head and said:86

“My lord, live ten thousand years; I have sinned, I have beaten a ‘Kë Lao.’87 I ought to die.”88 The Emperor said:89

“You are a new and very young Chuang Yuan.90 How can you have a death sin?”91 Then, turning to another official he said, “Call Hai Jui, I will have his witness.”92 Hai Jui knelt and said:93

“I dare not look on thy face, great Lord; for a Chuang Yuan to beat a Kë Lao, there must always be a reason.”94 The Emperor replied:95

“That is right and fair; to attack just outside of my door, there must be a clear reason and a great one,” then he turned and commanded Ting Lang to tell at once.96 Ting Lang said:97

“Most mighty one, one word would not explain; I have it all in a document which I have here and would beg your Majesty to read.98 It will explain all.”99 He held out his document and, at a bow from the Emperor, a eunuch came forward, took it, and placed it on the table by the Emperor’s side.100 The latter took it up and read it: the sad story of the three generations.101 He read as in a dream the entire paper; he saw, as one thing after another came before his mind, how for years he had been a tool of his minister, Yen Sung.102 Saw how he had kept back and brought to death many a good, worthy official.103 At last, lifting his head, he looked at the trembling Yen Sung and said:104

“Ai, ya!105 This is true, all of it.106 I know it; you are the greatest traitor under the heavens.107 I give to Hai Jui power to strip you of all rank, and hand you over to the Board of Punishments.108 You shall be tried and punished for your evil deeds.”109 Then, turning to Hai Jui, he commanded him to call soldiers, to then and there take him to prison; to see that a day was appointed for trial.110 Then he commanded that a palace be found and put in order for the new Chuang Yuan and his brother; that in the third day all officials were to call on him and make his acquaintance.111

With great luxury was the palace prepared, for all rejoiced at the downfall of the great Yen Sung, and all desired to do homage to the great son of the old official house of Tu.112

During these days in the city, Ting Lang had not dared to seek out his mother, as he wanted first to expose their enemy; he came to the city under the name of Hu, and while Lady Yü had heard of the very wonderful young man, she did not dare to even hope that it might be her son; she asked no questions and no one mentioned the downfall of Yen Sung.113 The next day a steward came and told her he suspected the young man was her son; but she said:114

“No, that cannot be; no such glory awaits our house.115 I have heard a little of the two brothers, but you have made a mistake.”116 The day after the downfall she was busy at home when a neighbour came in and said:117

“Some great men have just entered our street and are coming this way.”118 Just then a servant rushed in and said:119

“They have come to get the Great Lady.”120

The neighbours laughed and said, “What great lady?121 There is no great lady in this street.”122

But the horsemen drew near the gate and awaited the chairs.123 The servant came and said:124

“The great man, the new Chuang Yuan, has come for his honoured mother, the Lady Yü.”125 Then came the other servants one after another.126 Yü Yüch Ying put up her hand and protested:127

“I am but a poor lone woman, living my life quietly.128 You have made a mistake, there is no great Lady Yü here.”129 Then in came Ting Lang, followed by his brother.130 In beautiful robes and special official cap, that told of his high rank, with all the glory of his position, she knew him; knew her boy who left her a little lad, returning to her with glory honestly won.131 As the sages truly say, “The son, though he goes thousands of miles from home, never leaves his mother’s heart; the son, though separated from his mother years, never forgets her, but carries her in his heart.”132 He now sprang forward and knelt before her, saying:133

“Honoured mother, don’t come a step, I am unworthy.”134 To test his heart she said:135

“And who are you that call me mother?”136

“Only your own small son, Ting Lang, my mother.”137

Kan Lang came and knelt beside him and said, “Great mother, I do you reverence.138 I also am your son.”139 Yü Yüch Ying came to put both hands on her son’s shoulders and said:140

“Ah, son! son!141 I have longed for you to the death; did you not think, while you were away, of my sadness and loneliness?”142 Thus she put out her hand and took the hand of the younger boy, and together they wept.143

“My mother, if you weep to your illness, of what joy is my promotion?144 Word has already gone to the southern home, and they will come to us.145 Our sorrows, yours are over; I shall never leave you or you me.146 The bitterness is over and the sweet has come, be comforted and we will all rejoice together.”147 Yü Yüch Ying lifted her hands and said:148

“I thank Heaven and the gods that the mother and son are united again.149 I thank Heaven that I also have a younger son.150 I thank Heaven and Earth for giving such an honour to poor sightless me.”151