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Page 36
In this unenviable state Chang's mind continually returned to thoughts
of Ling, whose lifeless body would so opportunely serve to dispel the
embarrassing perplexities of existence which were settling thickly
about him. Urged forward by a variety of circumstances which placed
him in an entirely different spirit from the honourable bearing which
he had formerly maintained, he now closely examined all the papers
connected with the matter, to discover whether he might not be able to
effect his purpose with an outward exhibition of law forms. While
engaged in this degrading occupation, a detail came to his notice
which caused him to become very amiably disposed and confident of
success. Proceeding with the matter, he caused a well-supported report
to be spread about that Ling was suffering from a wasting sickness,
which, without in any measure shortening his life, would cause him to
return to the size and weight of a newly-born child, and being by
these means enabled to secure the entire matter of "The Ling (After
Death) Without Much Risk Assembly" at a very small outlay, he did so,
and then, calling together a company of those who hire themselves out
for purposes of violence, journeyed to Si-chow.
Ling and Mian were seated together at a table in the great room,
examining a vessel of some clear liquid, when Chang-ch'un entered with
his armed ones, in direct opposition to the general laws of ordinary
conduct and the rulings of hospitality. At the sight, which plainly
indicated a threatened display of violence, Ling seized his renowned
sword, which was never far distant from him, and prepared to carry out
his spoken vow, that any person overstepping a certain mark on the
floor would assuredly fall.
"Put away your undoubtedly competent weapon, O Ling," said Chang, who
was desirous that the matter should be arranged if possible without
any loss to himself, "for such a course can be honourably adopted when
it is taken into consideration that we are as twenty to one, and have,
moreover, the appearance of being inspired by law forms."
"There are certain matters of allowed justice which over-rule all
other law forms," replied Ling, taking a surer hold of his sword-
grasp. "Explain, for your part, O obviously double-dealing Chang-
ch'un, from whom this person only recently parted on terms of equality
and courtesy, why you come not with an agreeable face and a peaceful
following, but with a countenance which indicates both violence and
terror, and accompanied by many whom this person recognizes as the
most outcast and degraded from the narrow and evil-smelling ways of
Canton?"
"In spite of your blustering words," said Chang, with some attempt at
an exhibition of dignity, "this person is endowed by every right, and
comes only for the obtaining, by the help of this expert and
proficient gathering, should such a length become necessary, of his
just claims. Understand that in the time since the venture was
arranged this person has become possessed of all the property of 'The
Ling (After Death) Without Much Risk Assembly,' and thereby he is
competent to act fully in the matter. It has now come within his
attention that the one Ling to whom the particulars refer is
officially dead, and as the written and sealed document clearly
undertook that the person's body was to be delivered up for whatever
use the Assembly decided whenever death should possess it, this person
has now come for the honourable carrying out of the undertaking."
At these words the true nature of the hidden contrivance into which he
had fallen descended upon Ling like a heavy and unavoidable
thunderbolt. Nevertheless, being by nature and by reason of his late
exploits fearless of death, except for the sake of the loved one by
his side, he betrayed no sign of discreditable emotion at the
discovery.
"In such a case," he replied, with an appearance of entirely
disregarding the danger of the position, "the complete parchment must
be of necessity overthrown; for if this person is now officially dead,
he was equally so at the time of sealing, and arrangements entered
into by dead persons have no actual existence."
"That is a matter which has never been efficiently decided," admitted
Chang-ch'un, with no appearance of being thrown into a state of
confusion at the suggestion, "and doubtless the case in question can
by various means be brought in the end before the Court of Final
Settlement at Peking, where it may indeed be judged in the manner you
assert. But as such a process must infallibly consume the wealth of a
province and the years of an ordinary lifetime, and as it is this
person's unmoved intention to carry out his own view of the
undertaking without delay, such speculations are not matters of
profound interest."
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