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Page 43
"'The machinations of such an evilly-disposed person as Li Ting will
certainly be exceedingly subtle,' said Ti Hung to his son-in-law when
the traveller had departed. 'I must counteract his omens. Herewith I
wish to prophecy that henceforth I shall enjoy an unbroken run of good
fortune. I have spoken, and assuredly I shall not eat my words.'
"As the time went on, it seemed as though Ti Hung had indeed spoken
truly. The ease and celerity with which he transacted his business
brought him customers and dealers from more remote regions than ever,
for they could spend days on the journey and still save time. The army
of clay-gatherers and modellers grew larger and larger, and the work-
sheds stretched almost down to the river's edge. Only one thing
troubled Ti Hung, and that was the uncongenial disposition of his son-
in-law, for Yung took no further interest in the industry to which his
discovery had given so great an impetus, but resolutely set to work
again to pass his examination for the second degree.
"'It is an exceedingly distinguished and honourable thing to have
failed thirty-five times, and still to be undiscouraged,' admitted Ti
Hung; 'but I cannot cleanse my throat from bitterness when I consider
that my noble and lucrative business must pass into the hands of
strangers, perhaps even into the possession of the unendurable Li
Ting.'
"But it had been appointed that this degrading thing should not
happen, however, and it was indeed fortunate that Yung did not abandon
his literary pursuits; for after some time it became very apparent to
Ti Hung that there was something radically wrong with his business. It
was not that his custom was falling off in any way; indeed, it had
lately increased in a manner that was phenomenal, and when the
merchant came to look into the matter, he found to his astonishment
that the least order he had received in the past week had been for a
hundred idols. All the sales had been large, and yet Ti Hung found
himself most unaccountably deficient in taels. He was puzzled and
alarmed, and for the next few days he looked into the business
closely. Then it was that the reason was revealed, both for the
falling off in the receipts and for the increase in the orders. The
calculations of the unfortunate Yung Chang were correct up to a
hundred, but at that number he had made a gigantic error--which,
however, he was never able to detect and rectify--with the result that
all transactions above that point worked out at a considerable loss to
the seller. It was in vain that the panic-stricken Ti Hung goaded his
miserable son-in-law to correct the mistake; it was equally in vain
that he tried to stem the current of his enormous commercial
popularity. He had competed for public favour, and he had won it, and
every day his business increased till ruin grasped him by the pigtail.
Then came an order from one firm at Peking for five millions of the
ninety-nine cash idols, and at that Ti Hung put up his shutters, and
sat down in the dust.
"'Behold!' he exclaimed, 'in the course of a lifetime there are many
very disagreeable evils that may overtake a person. He may offend the
Sacred Dragon, and be in consequence reduced to a fine dry powder; or
he may incur the displeasure of the benevolent and pure-minded
Emperor, and be condemned to death by roasting; he may also be
troubled by demons or by the disturbed spirits of his ancestors, or be
struck by thunderbolts. Indeed, there are numerous annoyances, but
they become as Heaven-sent blessings in comparison to a self-
opinionated and more than ordinarily weak-minded son-in-law. Of what
avail is it that I have habitually sold one idol for the value of a
hundred? The very objectionable man in possession sits in my
delectable summer-house, and the unavoidable legal documents settle
around me like a flock of pigeons. It is indeed necessary that I
should declare myself to be in voluntary liquidation, and make an
assignment of my book debts for the benefit of my creditors. Having
accomplished this, I will proceed to the well-constructed tomb of my
illustrious ancestors, and having kow-towed at their incomparable
shrines, I will put an end to my distinguished troubles with this
exceedingly well-polished sword.'
"'The wise man can adapt himself to circumstances as water takes the
shape of the vase that contains it,' said the well-known voice of Li
Ting. 'Let not the lion and the tiger fight at the bidding of the
jackal. By combining our forces all may be well with you yet. Assist
me to dispose of the entirely superfluous Yung Chang and to marry the
elegant and symmetrical Ning, and in return I will allot to you a
portion of my not inconsiderable income.'
"'However high the tree, the leaves fall to the ground, and your hour
has come at last, O detestable Li Ting!' said Yung, who had heard the
speakers and crept upon them unperceived. 'As for my distinguished and
immaculate father-in-law, doubtless the heat has affected his
indefatigable brains, or he would not have listened to your
contemptible suggestion. For yourself, draw!'
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