In spite of these evilly intentioned remarks, and of illustrations representing him as being bowstrung for treacherous17 killing18, being seized in the action of secretly conveying money from passers-by to himself and other similar annoying references to his private life, Chang-ch’un did not fail to prosper11, and his undertakings succeeded to such an extent that without inquiry19 into the detail many persons were content to describe as “gold-lined” anything to which he affixed21 his sign, and to hazard their savings22 for staking upon the ventures. In all other departments of life Chang was equally successful; his chief wife was the daughter of one who stood high in the Emperor’s favour; his repast table was never unsupplied with sea-snails, rats’ tongues, or delicacies23 of an equally expensive nature, and it was confidently maintained that there was no official in Canton, not even putting aside the Taotai, who dare neglect to fondle Chang’s hand if he publicly offered it to him for that purpose.
It was at the most illustrious point of his existence—at the time, indeed, when after purchasing without money the renowned24 and proficient25 charm-water Ho-Ko for a million taels, he had sold it again for ten—that Chang was informed by his brother of the circumstances connected with Ling. After becoming specially26 assured that the matter was indeed such as it was represented to be, Chang at once discerned that the venture was of too certain and profitable a nature to be put before those who entrusted27 their money to him in ordinary and doubtful cases. He accordingly called together certain persons whom he was desirous of obliging, and informing them privately28 and apart from business terms that the opportunity was one of exceptional attractiveness, he placed the facts before them. After displaying a number of diagrams bearing upon the mater, he proposed that they should form an enterprise to be called “The Ling (After Death) Without Much Risk Assembly.” The manner of conducting this undertaking he explained to be as follows: The body of Ling, whenever the spirit left it, should become as theirs to be used for profit. For this benefit they would pay Ling fifty thousand taels when the understanding was definitely arrived at, five thousand taels each year until the matter ended, and when that period arrived another fifty thousand taels to persons depending upon him during his life. Having stated the figure business, Chang-ch’un put down his written papers, and causing his face to assume the look of irrepressible but dignified29 satisfaction which it was his custom to wear on most occasions, and especially when he had what appeared at first sight to be evil news to communicate to public assemblages of those who had entrusted money to his ventures, he proceeded to disclose the advantages of such a system. At the extreme, he said, the amount which they would be required to pay would be two hundred and fifty thousand taels; but this was in reality a very misleading view of the circumstance, as he would endeavour to show them. For one detail, he had allotted30 to Ling thirty years of existence, which was the extreme amount according to the calculations of those skilled in such prophecies; but, as they were all undoubtedly31 aware, persons of very expert intellects were known to enjoy a much shorter period of life than the gross and ordinary, and as Ling was clearly one of the former, by the fact of his contriving32 so ingenious a method of enriching himself, they might with reasonable foresight33 rely upon his departing when half the period had been attained34; in that way seventy-five thousand taels would be restored to them, for every year represented a saving of five thousand. Another agreeable contemplation was that of the last sum, for by such a time they would have arrived at the most pleasurable part of the enterprise: a million taels’ worth of pure gold would be displayed before them, and the question of the final fifty thousand could be disposed of by cutting off an arm or half a leg. Whether they adopted that course, or decided35 to increase their fortunes by exposing so exceptional and symmetrical a wonder to the public gaze in all the principal cities of the Empire, was a circumstance which would have to be examined within their minds when the time approached. In such a way the detail of purchase stood revealed as only fifty thousand taels in reality, a sum so despicably insignificant36 that he had internal pains at mentioning it to so wealthy a group of Mandarins, and he had not yet made clear to them that each year they would receive gold to the amount of almost a thousand taels. This would be the result of Ling making smooth his surfaces, and it would enable them to know that the person in question actually existed, and to keep the circumstances before their intellects.
When Chang-Ch’un had made the various facts clear to this extent, those who were assembled expressed their feelings as favourably37 turned towards the project, provided the tests to which Ling was to be put should prove encouraging, and a secure and intelligent understanding of things to be done and not to be done could be arrived at between them. To this end Ling was brought into the chamber38, and fixing his thoughts steadfastly39 upon Mian, he permitted portions to be cut from various parts of his body without betraying any signs of ignoble40 agitation41. No sooner had the pieces been separated and the virtue10 of Ling’s existence passed from them than they changed colour and hardened, nor could the most delicate and searching trials to which they were exposed by a skilful42 worker in metals, who was obtained for the purpose, disclose any particular, however minute, in which they differed from the finest gold. The hair, the nails, and the teeth were similarly affected43, and even Ling’s blood dried into a fine gold powder. This detail of the trial being successfully completed, Ling subjected himself to intricate questioning on all matters connected with his religion and manner of conducting himself, both in public and privately, the history and behaviour of his ancestors, the various omens and remarkable45 sayings which had reference to his life and destiny, and the intentions which he then possessed46 regarding his future movements and habits of living. All the wise sayings and written and printed leaves which made any allusion47 to the existence of and possibility of discovery of the wonderful gold fluid were closely examined, and found to be in agreement, whereupon those present made no further delay in admitting that the facts were indeed as they had been described, and indulged in a dignified stroking of each other’s faces as an expression of pleasure and in proof of their satisfaction at taking part in so entrancing and remunerative48 an affair. At Chang’s command many rare and expensive wines were then brought in, and partaken of without restraint by all persons, the repast being lightened by numerous well-considered and gravity-removing jests having reference to Ling and the unusual composition of his person. So amiably49 were the hours occupied that it was past the time of no light when Chang rose and read at full length the statement of things to be done and things not to be done, which was to be sealed by Ling for his part and the other persons who were present for theirs. It so happened, however, that at that period Ling’s mind was filled with brilliant and versatile50 thoughts and images of Mian, and many-hued visions of the manner in which they would spend the entrancing future which was now before them, and in this way it chanced that he did not give any portion of his intellect to the reading, mistaking it, indeed, for a delicate and very ably-composed set of verses which Chang-ch’un was reciting as a formal blessing51 on parting. Nor was it until he was desired to affix20 his sign that Ling discovered his mistake, and being of too respectful and unobtrusive a disposition52 to require the matter to be repeated then, he carried out the obligation without in any particular understanding the written words to which he was agreeing.
As Ling walked through the streets to his chamber after leaving the house and company of Chang-Ch’un, holding firmly among his garments the thin printed papers to the amount of fifty thousand taels which he had received, and repeatedly speaking to himself in terms of general and specific encouragement at the fortunate events of the past few days, he became aware that a person of mean and rapacious53 appearance, whom he had some memory of having observed within the residence he had but just left, was continually by his side. Not at first doubting that the circumstance resulted from a benevolent54 desire on the part of Chang-ch’un that he should be protected on his passage through the city, Ling affected not to observe the incident; but upon reaching his own door the person in question persistently55 endeavoured to pass in also. Forming a fresh judgment56 about the matter, Ling, who was very powerfully constructed, and whose natural instincts were enhanced in every degree by the potent57 fluid of which he had lately partaken, repeatedly threw him across the street until he became weary of the diversion. At length, however, the thought arose that one who patiently submitted to continually striking the opposite houses with his head must have something of importance to communicate, whereupon he courteously58 invited him to enter the apartment and unweigh his mind.
“The facts of the case appear to have been somewhat inadequately59 represented,” said the stranger, bowing obsequiously60, “for this unornamental person was assured by the benignant Chang-ch’un that the one whose shadow he was to become was of a mild and forbearing nature.”
“Such words are as the conversation of birds to me,” replied Ling, not conjecturing61 how the matter had fallen about. “This person has just left the presence of the elegant and successful Chang-ch’un, and no word that he spoke62 gave indication of such a follower63 or such a service.”
“Then it is indeed certain that the various transactions have not been fully44 understood,” exclaimed the other, “for the exact communication to this unseemly one was, ‘The valuable and enlightened Ling has heard and agreed to the different things to be done and not to be done, one phrase of which arranges for your continual presence, so that he will anticipate your attentions.’”
At these words the truth became as daylight before Ling’s eyes, and he perceived that the written paper to which he had affixed his sign contained the detail of such an office as that of the person before him. When too late, more than ever did he regret that he had not formed some pretext64 for causing the document to be read a second time, as in view of his immediate65 intentions such an arrangement as the one to which he had agreed had every appearance of becoming of an irksome and perplexing nature. Desiring to know the length of the attendant’s commands, Ling asked him for a clear statement of his duties, feigning66 that he had missed that portion of the reading through a momentary67 attack of the giddy sickness. To this request the stranger, who explained that his name was Wang, instantly replied that his written and spoken orders were: never to permit more than an arm’s length of space to separate them; to prevent, by whatever force was necessary for the purpose, all attempts at evading68 the things to be done and not to be done, and to ignore as of no interest all other circumstances. It seemed to Ling, in consequence, that little seclusion69 would be enjoyed unless an arrangement could be effected between Wang and himself; so to this end, after noticing the evident poverty and covetousness70 of the person in question, he made him an honourable4 offer of frequent rewards, provided a greater distance was allowed to come between them as soon as Si-chow was reached. On his side, Ling undertook not to break through the wording of the things to be done and not to be done, and to notify to Wang any movements upon which he meditated71. In this reputable manner the obstacle was ingeniously removed, and the intelligent nature of the device was clearly proved by the fact that not only Ling but Wang also had in the future a much greater liberty of action than would have been possible if it had been necessary to observe the short-sighted and evidently hastily-thought-of condition which Chang-ch’un had endeavoured to impose.
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1
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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3
omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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4
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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5
honourableness
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entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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7
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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8
recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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9
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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10
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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11
prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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12
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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13
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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14
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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15
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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16
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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17
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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18
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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19
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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20
affix
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| n.附件，附录 vt.附贴，盖(章)，签署 | |
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21
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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22
savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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23
delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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24
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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25
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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26
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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27
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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29
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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30
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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32
contriving
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| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的现在分词 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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33
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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34
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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35
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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36
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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37
favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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38
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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39
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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40
ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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41
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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42
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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43
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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44
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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45
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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46
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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47
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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48
remunerative
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| adj.有报酬的 | |
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49
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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50
versatile
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| adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的 | |
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51
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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52
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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53
rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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54
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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55
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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56
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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57
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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58
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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59
inadequately
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| ad.不够地；不够好地 | |
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60
obsequiously
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61
conjecturing
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| v. & n. 推测，臆测 | |
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62
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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63
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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64
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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65
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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66
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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67
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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68
evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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69
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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70
covetousness
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71
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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