Hau Kiou choaan or, The pleasing history |
 | IV. |
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. | CHAP. IX. |
| X. |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
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| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| I. |
 | CHAP. IX. Hau Kiou choaan |  |
CHAP. IX.
THE next morning when all the
Mandarines were assembled in
the palace, together with Tieh-chung-u
and his bride, the Emperor himself
came amongst them. [When they had
performed the profound reverence[43]
due
to his presence,] his Majesty ordered
Tieh-chung-u to stand forth before him.
He obeyed; and the Emperor seeing
him to be a very graceful and well
made youth[44]
, was pleased with his
the person that broke open the gates
of Tah-quay, and rescued the old man
named Han-yuen, together with his
wife and daughter?" He answered
in the affirmative. "Was it you also
that was protector of the general Hû-hiau?"
He signified his assent. "These
two exploits, said his Majesty, indicate
a disposition highly to be applauded;
you must certainly have great courage.
When you went to the house
of Shuey-ping-sin in order to be nursed
in your illness, to remain under the
same roof with her five nights and days
pure and undefiled, is such conduct as
was never heard of from the earliest
ages until now: it is very extraordinary.
Is this also true?" Tieh-chung-u
and just man, said his Majesty, may
[sometimes] be met with, but one
like you it is difficult to find. But
you say in your petition you were
twice married; how happened that?"
Tieh-chung-u answered, "When I
was carried to the house of the young
lady to be nursed in my illness, there
went abroad many evil reports concerning
us; this occasioned us to be
married twice. For when our parents
agreed upon the marriage covenant,
if we had come together at first, our
integrity would always have remained
in doubt: for the same reason we have
hitherto resided in different apartments.
And since your Majesty hath called our
as the sun among clouds: now we
are in your Majesty's presence, we beseech
you to cause the sun to come
from behind that obscurity." The
Emperor listened to him with great
attention, and said, "According to
your account Shuey-ping-sin is yet a
virgin." He then ordered that young
lady to stand forth before him: and
when she appeared he thought her
beautiful as an angel. He asked if
her name was Shuey-ping-sin. She answered,
"Yes." "The Mandarine,
said he, that was Che-hien of your city
hath told me, that three times with
great ingenuity you delivered yourself
out of the hands of Kwo-khé-tzu. Was
it so or not?" Shuey-ping-sin replied,
found my father was banished into
Tartary, and therefore endeavoured
to marry me by compulsion. Finding
that I was unable to resist his
power, I was obliged to practise
some artifice to deliver myself out of
his hands." The Emperor hearing
this, laughed and said, "You that
were afraid of Kwo-khé-tzu, how durst
you take a young stranger into your
house to nurse him? Were not you afraid
that people would raise evil reports
of you?" She replied, "When I was
called upon to return benefits so great
as those I had received, I no longer
regarded fame or report." The Emperor
laughed again, and said, "In
the beginning when you hardly knew
regarding the murmurs and reproaches
of the world; afterwards when you
were commanded by your father to
marry him, why did you continue in separate
apartments?" She replied, "The
murmuring at first was but small, and
I knew would easily cease together
with my acquaintance with that gentleman.
But now that a more serious
connection was going to take place
between us by means of a regular marriage,
there was danger of our incurring
a disgrace and infamy that would
terminate only with our lives. But
your Majesty hath summoned me into
your presence, and with great shame
and trembling I am come to appear
before you." The Emperor was greatly
and diffidence with which she opened
her cause, and said, "Young lady, if
you have all along kept yourself pure
and spotless as at the first, there are
not to be found a pair equal to you
from the most remote antiquity unto
the present hour. You in particular
ought to be celebrated through all
parts of the world, as a saint. I now
order four Eunuchs to attend this
young lady to the Empress[45] : and let
her appoint her ladies to examine if she
be truly a virgin or not."
Four Eunuchs immediately came
forth, and conducted the young lady
to the Empress; who received her,
and ordered two of her attendants
to answer the Emperor's inquiry.
They returned, and said, "We have
performed your Majesty's command,
spotless virgin." Then the Empress
treated her with tea, and ordered their
report to be carried to the Emperor.
His Majesty with great pleasure communicated
it to the Mandarines of the
court: and said, "Although Shuey-ping-sin
hath been twice married to
Tieh-chung-u by express order of their
parents; and though he was before,
five days and nights with her in her
house; she hath nevertheless kept herself
pure and chaste. This hath been
proved beyond all dispute. I am rich,
proceeded he, in having so valuable
a jewel in my empire. This is a rare
incident that hath happened: and affords
a light to my people; an example
to all my subjects. Yet if I
so much rare merit had been buried
in disgrace: like a precious stone
that is irrecoverably lost[46] ." He then
asked the Mandarines, if this were true
or not. They all answered with one
mouth, "Your Majesty hath examined
and judged; and the decision is
very certain and compleat."
The Emperor commanded the Man-darine
Kwo-sho-su to stand forth, and
said to him, "You are a Minister of
state, and one of the first councellors
of the empire, why did not you
to force away a young lady of
quality, and was guilty of other outrages:
[in which he was not only countenanced
by you: but you endeavoured
yourself to defame the innocent.]
These are are crimes that cannot be
pardoned." Kwo-sho-su hearing these
words, was struck with great terror
and confusion, and falling on his knees,
prostrated himself on the ground:
"Tieh-chung-u and Shuey-ping-sin, said
he, both of them young persons, had
cohabited in the same house: finding
they had been upon this footing, I
could not help suspecting the worst.
Your Majesty therefore I hope will pardon
me." Then the Emperor commanded
Vang-yo to be called forth, and
of the empire; why did not you make
a more exact inquiry into this affair,
before you presumed to represent it
to me? It was great injustice to give
a false representation of a case, wherein
the fame and honour of so many persons
were concerned. If I had not
judged and examined it myself, but
had rested satisfied with your report,
the truth had been hid under reproach
and infamy." That Mandarine hearing
words at once so just and severe,
was struck with confusion and dismay,
and falling upon his knees, prostrated
himself on the ground, crying out,
"I deserve punishment, let your Majesty
do with me what seemeth good."
The Emperor then called forth the
before him. His Majesty said,
"As you, though lately made a doctor,
and newly promoted to your post, had
such regard to justice, and could resist
the temptation of so large a bribe:
and as you have been the instrument
of delivering Shuey-ping-sin from her
difficulties, and of restoring her to her
good fame; for so much care and pains
you deserve to be promoted higher.
Then his Majesty pronounced sentence
according to the following declaration.
"I the Emperor dispatch and
publish this my order to all my
officers throughout the empire.
of such rare merit that it deserves
to be magnified and applauded
throughout my dominions; and
affords an example of virtue and
integrity to all persons of both
sexes. Shuey-ping-sin is a young
maid of great virtue, and fortitude.
By her virtue she thrice
resisted the most pressing attacks,
in order to preserve herself chaste
and pure. By her fortitude she
returned the kindnesses of her benefactor,
though at the hazard
of her reputation: for she carried
to her house a man, a stranger,
to nurse him in his illness, notwithstanding
she was a lonely orphan.
All this virtue and ex- |
by the world, 'till I the Emperor
discovered it: I have found that
it is most pure and unblemished,
and deserves to be extolled
through all parts of my empire."
"With regard to Tieh-chung-u, he is
a most excellent young man, of
great virtue, justice, and courage.
He was not afraid to enter into
the palace of a man of the first
quality, breaking open his gates
in order to rescue from oppression
an old man, his wife, and daughter.
He was likewise protector
of the general Hû hiau, answering
for his conduct. He also
delivered Shuey-ping-sin out of the
to her twice, and yet preserved
her purity and chastity
together with his own: at the
same time that he suffered reproach
for his conduct. All
this was unknown, but I the
Emperor have myself examined
into it, and find it true. He is
worthy to be praised throughout
the empire, and ought to be advanced
above all captains. He
deserves to receive Shuey-ping-sin
for his wife, and she is worthy
of such a husband: they are both
of transcendant virtue. I the
Emperor am extremely satisfied
with them both, and applaud
them highly. I therefore advance |
of Ta-hio-tse[47] , or Magistrates of
approved capacity, and moreover
constitute him first Co-lau or Minister
of State. And as for Shuey-ping-sin,
I make her a Fu-gen or
dutchess[48] . I myself will be mediator
or bridesman between them;
on which account I make them
a present of a hundred pieces of
fine gold[49] , and a hundred * * *
to each of them ten royal
vests out of my own wardrobe,
and to each of them a crown.
Let them be accompanied with
my own music: let all the preparations
for their marriage be
furnished out from my own palace:
and let the bride be carried
with imperial splendor, accompanied
by all the councellors,
Mandarines and officers of the
court. I the Emperor appoint
this for the example and encouragement
of the just and good."
"With regard to the Mandarines Shuey-keu-yé
and Tieh-ying, I exalt them
three degrees[51]
higher in their
rank, as a reward for the good
daughter."
"As to the governor Wey-phey, I remand
him back to his post of
Che-hien for three years, afterwards
he shall be exalted to a higher
office, for his great justice."
"As to the former governor the Pao
Che-hien, who gave so just an account
of the affair, he is hereby
exalted one degree higher."
"As to the Minister Kwo-sho-su, who
in so bad a manner bred up his
son, and hath defamed the reputation
of worthy persons, he hath
deserved death; nevertheless as he
hath served me a long time, let
him be carried to the Tribunal of
Crimes, let him there be divested
of his office, and receive fifty
strokes or bastinadoes[52]
.
"As to the Censor Vang-yo, who gave
in a false accusation, let him be
degraded of his rank three degrees,
and amerced three years
income of his salary."
"As to the young man Kwo-khé-tzu,
who thrice attempted to carry
off Shuey-ping-sin, and gave poison
that it did not take effect, he is
guilty of a heinous offence. Let
him be delivered therefore to the
governor of his city, in order to
receive a hundred strokes or bastinadoes[54]
, and afterwards to be banished
twenty leagues from the
place for life."
"I the Emperor pronounce this sentence
upon every one according to
his deserts. Those that do well
shall be rewarded: those that do
evil shall be punished. Let this
sentence be published throughout
the empire."
This is done by prostrating themselves nine
times before his throne, each time hitting their
forehead against the ground.
See P. Du Halde, &c.
It should seem from hence that he was not
before personally known to the Emperor, notwithstanding
he was appointed tutor to his son.
Which is very credible.
As polygamy is allowed in China, the Emperor
hath commonly a good number of wives;
tho' but one, to whom he gives the title of Empress,
or select consort; who alone is allowed to
sit at table with him. Among those of the next
order are reckoned nine of a second, and thirty
of a third rank, and all of them styled wives.
Next to them are those styled Queens, but who
are in reality rather concubines: and of these he
takes as great a number as he pleases, and keeps
them in different apartments from the former,
except he should take a particular fancy to any
one of them, and bring her into the inward
court. But in general he shews the most respect
and favour to those who bring him most children,
especially to the mother of the first son, tho'
they are all inferior to her, whom he hath chosen
to be the imperial consort, and are obliged
to wait on her, while she sits at table with him.
Mod. Univ. Hist. viii. 164—Sed vide P.
Magal. pag. 290. 308. &c. P. Semedo,
pag. 113. &c. P. Du Halde, vol. 1. p. 293.
N. B. The Mandarines take care in the several
provinces to chuse out the most beautiful
virgins for the Emperor's use.
His Majesty's own words contain a more
indelicate, but at the same time a more exact
image. The literal Portuguese version is, Como
ha pedra precioza caida no estrco. "Like a
precious stone fallen into dung."
The titles of honour bestowed on women
in China, are independent of, and bear no affinity
to those of men. See various kinds of female
titles in P. Du Halde, vol. p. 633, 4, 5, 6.
The title given in the text seems to be originally
the same with that mentioned in vol.
1. pag. 23. The Editor could find no account
of it in any other book.
In the Portuguese, Cem Paōs de ouro.—It
should have been observed in the former note,
pag. 109. that what the Portuguese and several
other nations call Loaves of Gold, are by the English
called Shoes of Gold, and by the Dutch
Goltschut or Boats of Gold from their oblong curved
form resembling a Shoe or Boat. A hundred
of these are worth more than 10,000l.
stirling. They are of the very finest and purest
gold. Tavernier, part 2. pag. 8.
The Portuguese version of this passage is,
E cem pessarios de ouro de prata e de totas maneiras:
the Editor confesses he knows not what to make
of the word pessarios, which he hath not found
explained in any dictionary. It seems derived
from pesar to weigh.
These degrees are a kind of honorary distinctions;
and where a Mandarine's conduct deserves
either slight reward or punishment, his
superiors are content with raising or lowering his
rank three or four degrees: what renders these
distinctions important, is the Mandarine's being
obliged to put at the top of whatever orders he
issues out, the number of degrees he hath been
advanced or degraded. For instance, A. B. raised
three degrees, or turned back three degrees, doth
give notice, &c. By this means his reward or
punishment is known to the common people.
When a person hath been raised ten degrees,
he may expect to be advanced to a superior
Mandarinate: on the contrary, if he has been
depressed ten degrees, he is in danger of losing
his employment.
P. Du Halde, vol. 1. pag. 258.
In China the greatest ministers are not beyond
the reach of punishment; upon detection
of their guilt the Emperor treats them with as
little ceremony as the meanest of his subjects.—
Instances of this kind often occur in the court
of Pe-king, and ocasion very little noise or
disturbance.
P. Le Compte tells us, that when he was in China
three Mandarines of the rank of Co-lau[53]
or Prime
Minister had taken bribes. The Emperor who
was informed of it, deprived them upon the spot
of all their employments. "I know not, says
he, what became of the other two; but the
third, an ancient magistrate, venerable for
his age, and esteemed for his capacity, was
condemned to guard one of the gates of the
palace, with a company of common soldiers
among whom he was enrolled.—I saw him
myself one day in this state of humiliation,
he was upon duty as a private centinel; but
in passing by him, I shewed him the same
respect that every one else did, in bowing the
knee to him: for all the Chinese still retained
a respect for the shadow of that dignity
with which he had been so lately invested." Voi tom. 2. pag. 6.
| CHAP. IX. Hau Kiou choaan | |