“Undoubtedly,” thought Ling, as he observed this noble and prepossessing person, “here is one who will be able to assist me in whatever perplexities may arise. Never was there an individual who seemed more worthy6 to command and lead; assuredly to him the most intricate and prolonged military positions will be an enjoyment7; the most crafty8 stratagems9 of the enemy as the full moon rising from behind a screen of rushes. Without making any pretence10 of knowledge, this person will explain the facts of the case to him and place himself without limit in his hands.”
For this purpose he therefore detained the Chief of Bowmen when the others departed, and complimented him, with many expressive11 phrases, on the excellence12 of his appearance, as the thought occurred to him that by this means, without disclosing the full measure of his ignorance, the person in question might be encouraged to speak unrestrainedly of the nature of his exploits, and perchance thereby13 explain the use of the appliances employed and the meaning of the various words of order, in all of which details the Commander was as yet most disagreeably imperfect. In this, however, he was disappointed, for the Chief of Bowmen, greatly to Ling’s surprise, received all his polished sentences with somewhat foolish smiles of great self-satisfaction, merely replying from time to time as he displayed his pigtail to greater advantage or rearranged his gold-embroidered cloak:
“This person must really pray you to desist; the honour is indeed too great.”
Disappointed in his hope, and not desiring after this circumstance to expose his shortcomings to one who was obviously not of a highly-refined understanding, no matter how great his valour in war or his knowledge of military affairs might be, Ling endeavoured to lead him to converse14 of the bowmen under his charge. In this matter he was more successful, for the Chief spoke15 at great length and with evilly-inspired contempt of their inelegance, their undiscriminating and excessive appetites, and the frequent use which they made of low words and gestures. Desiring to become acquainted rather with their methods of warfare16 than with their domestic details, Ling inquired of him what formation they relied upon when receiving the foemen.
“It is a matter which has not engaged the attention of this one,” replied the Chief, with an excessive absence of interest. “There are so many affairs of intelligent dignity which cannot be put aside, and which occupy one from beginning to end. As an example, this person may describe how the accomplished17 Li-Lu, generally depicted18 as the Blue-eyed Dove of Virtuous19 and Serpent-like Attitudes, has been scattering20 glory upon the Si-chow Hall of Celestial21 Harmony for many days past. It is an enlightened display which the high-souled Ling should certainly endeavour to dignify22 with his presence, especially at the portion where the amiable23 Li-Lu becomes revealed in the appearance of a Peking sedan-chair bearer and describes the manner and likenesses of certain persons—chiefly high-priests of Buddha24, excessively round-bodied merchants who feign25 to be detained within Peking on affairs of commerce, maidens26 who attend at the tables of tea-houses, and those of both sexes who are within the city for the first time to behold27 its temples and open spaces—who are conveyed from place to place in the chair.”
“And the bowmen?” suggested Ling, with difficulty restraining an undignified emotion.
“Really, the elegant Ling will discover them to be persons of deficient28 manners, and quite unworthy of occupying his well-bred conversation,” replied the Chief. “As regards their methods—if the renowned29 Ling insists—they fight by means of their bows, with which they discharge arrows at the foemen, they themselves hiding behind trees and rocks. Should the enemy be undisconcerted by the cloud of arrows, and advance, the bowmen are instructed to make a last endeavour to frighten them back by uttering loud shouts and feigning30 the voices of savage31 beasts of the forest and deadly snakes.”
“And beyond that?” inquired Ling.
“Beyond that there are no instructions,” replied the Chief. “The bowmen would then naturally take to flight, or, if such a course became impossible, run to meet the enemy, protesting that they were convinced of the justice of their cause, and were determined32 to fight on their side in the future.”
“Would it not be of advantage to arm them with cutting weapons also?” inquired Ling; “so that when all their arrows were discharged they would still be able to take part in the fight, and not be lost to us?”
“They would not be lost to us, of course,” replied the Chief, “as we would still be with them. But such a course as the one you suggest could not fail to end in dismay. Being as well armed as ourselves, they would then turn upon us, and, having destroyed us, proceed to establish leaders of their own.”
As Ling and the Chief of Bowmen conversed33 in this enlightened manner, there arose a great outcry from among the tents, and presently there entered to them a spy who had discovered a strong force of the enemy not more than ten or twelve li away, who showed every indication of marching shortly in the direction of Si-chow. In numbers alone, he continued, they were greatly superior to the bowmen, and all were well armed. The spreading of this news threw the entire camp into great confusion, many protesting that the day was not a favourable34 one on which to fight, others crying that it was their duty to fall back on Si-chow and protect the women and children. In the midst of this tumult35 the Chief of Bowmen returned to Ling, bearing in his hand a written paper which he regarded in uncontrollable anguish36.
“Oh, illustrious Ling,” he cried, restraining his grief with difficulty, and leaning for support upon the shoulders of two bowmen, “how prosperous indeed are you! What greater misfortune can engulf37 a person who is both an ambitious soldier and an affectionate son, than to lose such a chance of glory and promotion38 as only occurs once within the lifetime, and an affectionate and venerable father upon the same day? Behold this mandate39 to attend, without a moment’s delay, at the funeral obsequies of one whom I left, only last week, in the fullness of health and power. The occasion being an unsuitable one, I will not call upon the courteous40 Ling to join me in sorrow; but his own devout41 filial piety42 is so well known that I can conscientiously43 rely upon an application for absence to be only a matter of official ceremony.”
“The application will certainly be regarded as merely official ceremony,” replied Ling, without resorting to any delicate pretence of meaning, “and the refined scruples44 of the person who is addressing me will be fully45 met by the official date of his venerated46 father’s death being fixed47 for a more convenient season. In the meantime, the unobtrusive Chief of Bowmen may take the opportunity of requesting that the family tomb be kept unsealed until he is heard from again.”
Ling turned away, as he finished this remark, with a dignified feeling of not inelegant resentment48. In this way he chanced to observe a large body of soldiers which was leaving the camp accompanied by their lesser49 captains, all crowned with garlands of flowers and creeping plants. In spite of his very inadequate50 attainments51 regarding words of order, the Commander made it understood by means of an exceedingly short sentence that he was desirous of the men returning without delay.
“Doubtless the accomplished Commander, being but newly arrived in this neighbourhood, is unacquainted with the significance of this display,” said one of the lesser captains pleasantly. “Know then, O wise and custom-respecting Ling, that on a similar day many years ago this valiant52 band of bowmen was engaged in a very honourable53 affair with certain of the enemy. Since then it has been the practice to commemorate54 the matter with music and other forms of delight within the large square at Si-chow.”
“Such customs are excellent,” said Ling affably. “On this occasion, however, the public square will be so insufferably thronged55 with the number of timorous56 and credulous57 villagers who have pressed into the town that insufficient58 justice would be paid to your entrancing display. In consequence of this, we will select for the purpose some convenient spot in the neighbourhood. The proceedings59 will be commenced by a display of arrow-shooting at moving objects, followed by racing60 and dancing, in which this person will lead. I have spoken.”
At these words many of the more courageous61 among the bowmen became destructively inspired, and raised shouts of defiance62 against the enemy, enumerating63 at great length the indignities64 which they would heap upon their prisoners. Cries of distinction were also given on behalf of Ling, even the more terrified exclaiming:
“The noble Commander Ling will lead us! He has promised, and assuredly he will not depart from his word. Shielded by his broad and sacred body, from which the bullets glance aside harmlessly, we will advance upon the enemy in the stealthy manner affected65 by ducks when crossing the swamp. How altogether superior a person our Commander is when likened unto the leaders of the foemen—they who go into battle completely surrounded by their archers66!”
Upon this, perceiving the clear direction in which matters were turning, the Chief of Bowmen again approached Ling.
“Doubtless the highly-favoured person whom I am now addressing has been endowed with exceptional authority direct from Peking,” he remarked with insidious67 politeness. “Otherwise this narrow-minded individual would suggest that such a decision does not come within the judgment68 of a Commander.”
In his ignorance of military matters it had not entered the mind of Ling that his authority did not give him the power to commence an attack without consulting other and more distinguished69 persons. At the suggestion, which he accepted as being composed of truth, he paused, the enlightened zeal70 with which he had been inspired dying out as he plainly understood the difficulties by which he was enclosed. There seemed a single expedient71 path for him in the matter; so, directing a person of exceptional trustworthiness to prepare himself for a journey, he inscribed72 a communication to the Mandarin73 Li Keen, in which he narrated74 the facts and asked for speedy directions, and then despatched it with great urgency to Si-chow.
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1
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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millet
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| n.小米，谷子 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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tenaciousness
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| 固执 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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stratagems
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| n.诡计，计谋( stratagem的名词复数 )；花招 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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19
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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20
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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dignify
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| vt.使有尊严；使崇高；给增光 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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Buddha
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| n.佛；佛像；佛陀 | |
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feign
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| vt.假装，佯作 | |
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maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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feigning
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| 假装，伪装( feign的现在分词 )； 捏造（借口、理由等） | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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engulf
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| vt.吞没，吞食 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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mandate
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| n.托管地；命令，指示 | |
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40
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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42
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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43
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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44
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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45
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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46
venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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48
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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49
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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50
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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51
attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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52
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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53
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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54
commemorate
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| vt.纪念，庆祝 | |
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55
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
timorous
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| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
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57
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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58
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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59
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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61
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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enumerating
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| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的现在分词 ) | |
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indignities
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| n.侮辱，轻蔑( indignity的名词复数 ) | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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67
insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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68
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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69
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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70
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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71
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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72
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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Mandarin
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| n.中国官话，国语，满清官吏；adj.华丽辞藻的 | |
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narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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