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Page 27
No doubt remained in Ling's mind that the process of frequently making
smooth his surfaces would yield an amount of gold enough to suffice
for his own needs, but a brief consideration of the matter convinced
him that this source would be inadequate to maintain an entire
household even if he continually denuded himself to an almost
ignominious extent. As he fully weighed these varying chances the
certainty became more clear to him with every thought that for the
virtuous enjoyment of Mian's society one great sacrifice was required
of him. This act, it seemed to be intimated, would without delay
provide for an affluent and lengthy future, and at the same time would
influence all the spirits--even those who had been hitherto evilly-
disposed towards him--in such a manner that his enemies would be
removed from his path by a process which would expose them to public
ridicule, and he would be assured in founding an illustrious and
enduring line. To accomplish this successfully necessitated the loss
of at least the greater part of one entire member, and for some time
the disadvantages of going through an existence with only a single leg
or arm seemed more than a sufficient price to pay even for the
definite advantages which would be made over to him in return. This
unworthy thought, however, could not long withstand the memory of
Mian's steadfast and high-minded affection, and the certainty of her
enlightened gladness at his return even in the imperfect condition
which he anticipated. Nor was there absent from his mind a dimly-
understood hope that the matter did not finally rest with him, but
that everything which he might be inspired to do was in reality only a
portion of the complete and arranged system into which he had been
drawn, and in which his part had been assigned to him from the
beginning without power for him to deviate, no matter how much to the
contrary the thing should appear.
As no advantage would be gained by making any delay, Ling at once
sought the most favourable means of putting his resolution into
practice, and after many skilful and insidious inquiries he learnt of
an accomplished person who made a consistent habit of cutting off
limbs which had become troublesome to their possessors either through
accident or disease. Furthermore, he was said to be of a sincere and
charitable disposition, and many persons declared that on no occasion
had he been known to make use of the helpless condition of those who
visited him in order to extort money from them.
Coming to the ill-considered conclusion that he would be able to
conceal within his own breast the true reason for the operation, Ling
placed himself before the person in question, and exhibited the matter
to him so that it would appear as though his desires were promoted by
the presence of a small but persistent sprite which had taken its
abode within his left thigh, and there resisted every effort of the
most experienced wise persons to induce it to come forth again.
Satisfied with this explanation of the necessity of the deed, the one
who undertook the matter proceeded, with Ling's assistance, to sharpen
his cutting instruments and to heat the hardening irons; but no sooner
had he made a shallow mark to indicate the lines which his knife
should take, than his subtle observation at once showed him that the
facts had been represented to him in a wrong sense, and that his
visitor, indeed, was composed of no common substance. Being of a
gentle and forbearing disposition, he did not manifest any indication
of rage at the discovery, but amiably and unassumingly pointed out
that such a course was not respectful towards himself, and that,
moreover, Ling might incur certain well-defined and highly undesirable
maladies as a punishment for the deception.
Overcome with remorse at deceiving so courteous and noble-minded a
person, Ling fully explained the circumstances to him, not even
concealing from him certain facts which related to the actions of
remote ancestors, but which, nevertheless, appeared to have influenced
the succession of events. When he had made an end of the narrative,
the other said:
"Behold now, it is truly remarked that every Mandarin has three hands
and every soldier a like number of feet, yet it is a saying which is
rather to be regarded as manifesting the deep wisdom and
discrimination of the speaker than as an actual fact which can be
taken advantage of when one is so minded--least of all by so valiant a
Commander as the one before me, who has clearly proved that in time of
battle he has exactly reversed the position."
"The loss would undoubtedly be of considerable inconvenience
occasionally," admitted Ling, "yet none the less the sage remark of
Huai Mei-shan, 'When actually in the embrace of a voracious and
powerful wild animal, the desirability of leaving a limb is not a
matter to be subjected to lengthy consideration,' is undoubtedly a
valuable guide for general conduct. This person has endured many
misfortunes and suffered many injustices; he has known the wolf-
gnawings of great hopes, which have withered and daily grown less when
the difficulties of maintaining an honourable and illustrious career
have unfolded themselves within his sight. Before him still lie the
attractions of a moderate competency to be shared with the one whose
absence would make even the Upper Region unendurable, and after having
this entrancing future once shattered by the tiger-like cupidity of a
depraved and incapable Mandarin, he is determined to welcome even the
sacrifice which you condemn rather than let the opportunity vanish
through indecision."
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