Chapter One: Wise Parents Join Talent with Beauty in Marriage; A Clever Child Stirs Both Temperament and Feeling

A poem reads:

The green-stalked beauty springs from Heaven's grace,

The writing brush of red holds talent not by chance.

The vulgar-minded must grow old to learn,

While fragrant brilliance blooms in childhood's dance.1

If white snow soars aloft once dragons rise,

The bright spring song shall sound before the bamboo horse.

Do not marvel that this meeting came so neat —

Three lifetimes' fate has made this bond a blessed course.

It is told that in the former dynasty, in Huating County of Songjiang Prefecture, South Zhili, there lived a scholar by the name of Chang Quan, styled Tianyou. His ancestors had originally been registered as military households in Jizhou, but after his father was nominated as a filial and incorrupt man, the family came to be registered in Songjiang. Chang Quan had entered the prefectural school from a young age. Later, when both his parents died, the family fortune gradually dwindled, leaving behind only a few acres of thin farmland, all managed by a household servant named Chang Jian, whose collected rents supplied the modest expenses of study. Chang Quan's wife, née Du, was a woman of great virtue and propriety, and the couple lived together in harmonious contentment. It was only when they had both reached the age of forty or thereabouts that they at last produced a son. The child was named Chang Gu, styled Ruoxu. This Chang Gu had a face white as spring snow and a frame graceful as autumn hills. Even in his swaddling clothes he showed remarkable cleverness, and at the age of six, fearing that some mediocre village teacher might lead him astray, Chang Quan kept the boy at his side and taught him himself. Chang Gu was by nature brilliant: whatever he was taught he understood at once, and what he understood he could do, retaining everything he memorized. By the age of seven he had read through all four of the Confucian classics. Seeing that his son's gifts were extraordinary, Chang Quan began instructing him in the art of composition. As for poetry, songs, and rhapsodies, he had not yet taught him any — and yet the boy could produce polished verse the moment he opened his mouth.

One day, word spread outside that there was a grand festival procession that day in Jinxiang Lane west of the city gates, and many people had gone to watch. When Chang Gu heard this, he wanted to have Chang Jian take him to see it. Mrs. Du said: "There will be a great crowd there. You are still a little child — how could Chang Jian alone keep watch over you? Besides, Chang Jian has other work to do and has no time to take you." Chang Gu could think of nothing else, desperate to go. Hearing that his mother would not let him, tears filled his eyes and his little face fell into grief. His father, seeing him this way, could not bear to refuse, and said: "My son, do not cry. Wait until after breakfast, and I will take you myself." Chang Gu, hearing that his father would bring him, was overcome with joy and at once urged his mother to hurry up and serve the meal. Mrs. Du then brought out two fresh garments and dressed him in them, making him look like a little jade figure. He followed his father out of the gate and headed straight toward Jinxiang Lane.

Along the way, men and women, old and young, could be seen crowding together, all coming to watch the festival. Chang Quan led his son along slowly with the crowd. They had not gone more than three to five arrow-flights when a voice behind them called out: "Brother Tianyou, wait for me!" Chang Quan turned and saw it was his close classmate and friend, Zhu Tianjue. He said: "What has brought you out with such enthusiasm, dear friend?" Zhu Tianjue laughed: "Good cheer is meant to be shared — why should I alone be left out?" He then pointed to Chang Gu and asked: "This must be your esteemed son?" Chang Quan replied: "That is right. The boy wished to watch, so I brought him along." He then called Chang Gu over to bow in greeting to Uncle Zhu. Chang Gu promptly stepped forward and made a deep bow. Zhu Tianjue, seeing the child's graceful manner and refined features, said: "My friend, having a son such as this, the young man will surely surpass his father one day." The two men chatted and laughed as they walked leisurely along until, from far off, they heard the clamour of gongs and drums, and they turned into the marketplace of Jinxiang Lane.

Every house had hung coloured banners; every door had lowered its curtain. Countless women old and young, dressed in reds and greens, stood at their gates watching the procession. Some had invited relatives in to watch from inside; others had come with their own family connections to see the show. Thus at every gate there were women, and the scene was lively and full of noise. There were also many idle young men drifting back and forth without end, some stealing glances through gaps in the curtains, others gazing from the heights of upper floors. The two friends, having Chang Gu with them, could not conveniently push through the thickest of the crowds, so they looked for an open space to stand — but at each house they tried, the space was already packed. Only one house had a slightly wider eave at its gate, and so they took their stand outside the bamboo curtain of that house.

Before long, the street surged with people pressing forward, all crying: "It's coming! It's coming!" After a short wait, wave after wave and company after company of bright, colourful banners appeared. The ward headman's performance troupes had all dressed up to act out famous scenes and came dancing through. Behind them came many elaborate float-stages: some depicting Su Dongpo's excursion to Red Cliff, others depicting Tao Yuanming enjoying chrysanthemums, others depicting Zhang Sheng wandering through a Buddhist temple. The crowds pressed close to watch. Zhu Tianjue watched for a while, then suddenly let out a loud laugh and said: "Su Dongpo? Tao Yuanming? Can they truly look like this?" On a whim, he recited a couplet-opener aloud:

Sages of ages past — faces swapped and changed to common men.

No sooner had Zhu Tianjue spoken than Chang Gu, standing beside him, heard the line and spontaneously supplied the matching couplet:

A rabble of young louts — hunching up and huddling together, aping men of letters.

Zhu Tianjue was completely unprepared and was startled to hear Chang Gu match the couplet off the top of his head. He could not help exclaiming to Chang Quan: "To think your young son, at such a tender age, should possess such quick and brilliant wit! The match is precise and well-wrought — even a learned elder scholar could not have produced such a line so swiftly. He is truly a remarkable child!" Just as Zhu Tianjue was gazing at Chang Gu in admiration, a voice came from behind them: "Matching that couplet would not be so difficult." Zhu Tianjue turned quickly to look. It was not an adult, but an old family servant holding a little girl, who had come out from behind the curtain to watch the procession. Looking more closely at the little girl, she appeared to be only six or seven years old, with a face as lovely as a flower. Zhu Tianjue, catching sight of her, was both startled and delighted, and asked her: "Little miss, you say this couplet is not hard to match — why do you not try a line yourself?" The little girl, without any fuss or fluster, calmly offered her own matching line:

A rustic village oaf — painting eyebrows and powdering a face to pretend a beauty.

Chang Quan and Zhu Tianjue were both astonished to hear the little girl in the servant's arms also come out with a remarkable matching line. They were eager to ask whose daughter she was, but by then the procession had passed on, and the servant had already carried the girl back behind the curtain. They wished to go to the curtain and ask, but inside were all women of the household — how could they speak up? They stood hesitating at the edge of the curtain when a man stepped out from within, cupped his hands in greeting, and said: "So the two of you are here after all!"

Now who was this? It turned out to be a classmate friend of both men — a man surnamed Duan, given name Ju, styled Wujuan, who lived outside the city walls. This was the home of his brother-in-law. His elder sister had invited him to watch the procession, so he had come with his wife and daughter. He had already seen the two men from inside for some time, but as it was inconvenient to invite them in, he pretended not to notice. Then, hearing the boy match the couplet so swiftly and skillfully, he had been thinking of coming out to ask who the child was — when, unexpectedly, his daughter Rongu had also offered a matching line of equal quality. He was even more pleased. Then he heard Zhu Tianjue praising them without cease, saying: "What a thing — to encounter, in a single moment, such a perfectly matched pair of talented children! This is truly remarkable." Duan Ju's joy was so great he could contain it no longer, and so he lifted the curtain and stepped outside.

Zhu Tianjue saw him and recognized it was Duan Ju. He laughed and said: "You rascal — hiding in there all this time and not calling out to us." Duan Ju replied: "This is my elder sister's husband's house. As my sister invited me and my wife to watch the festival, and I was caught up in watching, I am afraid I genuinely did not see you two earlier. Forgive me, forgive me." Zhu Tianjue laughed: "Never mind that. But tell me — the little miss who just matched the couplet: whose daughter is she? How does she come to have such quick brilliance? I find her utterly charming!" Duan Ju laughed: "That is my own daughter. She was just making a bit of sport — she hardly deserves such praise from you two gentlemen." He then pointed to Chang Gu and said: "This young scholar who offered the fine matching line — every word a pearl — can he be the son of Brother Tianyou?" Chang Quan replied: "Indeed he is my son. He spoke rashly and made a fool of himself; he does not know his own shame. But now hearing your esteemed daughter's splendid line, he would not dare compose again. Our friendship has been no shallow thing, yet I never knew you had such a gifted daughter. Brother, you have truly hidden your treasure well."

Zhu Tianjue asked again: "How old is your esteemed daughter this year?" Duan Ju replied: "I have only this one daughter. She is just seven years old." Zhu Tianjue asked: "In which month was she born?" Duan Ju replied: "The third month." Chang Quan said: "So she and my son are in the same year — my boy is only a month older." Zhu Tianjue then pointed to Chang Gu and said: "Having a son of such talent, what better match than this charming girl? Today's unplanned matching of couplets shows great heavenly affinity. And within the couplets themselves — a talented youth and a beautiful girl — they are naturally a perfect pair. This match must not be missed while it stands before us. I shall not ask whether you two are willing or not — I am determined to play the role of the Old Man under the Moon, and make you two into in-laws. What do you say?"

While they were still talking, another company of the procession arrived, the gongs and drums shaking the sky, and everyone pressed forward to watch. When the procession had passed, Duan Ju led Chang Gu inside the curtain to see the female relatives who were gathered there. The women inside had already heard talk from outside that the boy was being considered as a future son-in-law for the Duan family. Every one of them was pleased, and they all turned to Mrs. Li and said: "Madam Duan, with such a fine and handsome son-in-law, your daughter's cleverness has not gone unrewarded. Comparing the two — a talented young man and a beautiful young lady — they are truly a couple carved from the same jade: a perfect match." They then called Chang Gu over to bow before Madam Duan and said: "This is your mother-in-law."

Chang Gu, hearing this, bowed respectfully twice, then turned and bowed to all the women in the room. The women made merry sport of the children, pointing and saying: "This young miss is going to be your wife. You two ought to meet properly." So they stood Chang Gu on the right and Rongu on the left, had them each bow twice, then seated them together to watch the procession through the curtain. The women brought them all manner of sweets and fruits to eat, and did not cease in praising the Chang boy's fine qualities to Madam Duan. Mrs. Li was also greatly pleased.

After another half-day of watching, the procession finally came to an end. Chang Quan was about to leave when Duan Ju said: "This is my brother-in-law's home, where I may count myself half-host. May I not invite you two gentlemen inside to sit a while?" Zhu Tianjue laughed: "Now that you have gained such a fine son-in-law, the least you can do is offer the matchmaker a cup of wine in celebration." With that, he took Chang Quan by the arm, and all three men walked together into the main hall. Before long, tea was brought out from the inner rooms, and Duan Ju gave orders to his servants to prepare a modest spread of wine and dishes. Zhu Tianjue then asked: "What is your brother-in-law's honourable surname? Please ask him to come and meet us." Duan Ju replied: "My brother-in-law's surname is Bai. He is presently away on business in central China and has not yet returned. His son is still young, so he cannot properly entertain you."

Soon enough many dishes and courses were laid out — all foods that had been prepared to keep on hand for guests and relatives. The three men settled in to drink. By this time, Chang Gu had already been kept inside by the women and was eating his meal there. The three men drank for a good while when Zhu Tianjue said: "We three are all classmates — truly different from mere acquaintances. Now that you two have become in-laws, you will henceforth be the closest of family. As for me, who have served as matchmaker, the saying goes: 'Even nine sons do not forget the matchmaker.' The warmth and feeling between us as kin and friends shall flow on without end." Chang Quan said: "I am poor and of modest standing, and I truly fear I would only bring dishonour to such a distinguished family. That is why I have not dared speak up." Zhu Tianjue said: "My friend, you are wrong. It has always been said that marriages founded on wealth are a disgrace to a gentleman. And they also say: 'A good bride looks only at the man.' Your son possesses such heavenly gifts — in time, I assure you, he will ascend the examination ladders with ease, surpassing both you and me." Duan Ju said: "I have only one daughter, and I have truly wished to find her a worthy husband. Today I was fortunate to encounter your esteemed son. With but a single matched couplet he has earned my deep admiration. As for his future greatness, I believe every word Brother Zhu says. To see my daughter matched with such a gentleman is my most sincere and heartfelt wish."

Zhu Tianjue, hearing this, was overjoyed. "Brother Duan speaks from the heart — one word and it is settled. Brother Chang need not be so modest." He then asked Chang Quan: "Have you any betrothal gift on your person?" Chang Quan replied: "I came out on a mere whim today and truly brought nothing with me." Duan Ju said: "In ancient times even a single thread of silk was enough to seal a betrothal — the weight and value of the object do not matter." Chang Quan thought for a moment and said: "My son does have something on him — though I do not know if it might serve as a betrothal gift." Zhu Tianjue quickly asked: "What is it that the young master is carrying?" Chang Quan replied: "My son has on him a piece of Han dynasty jade that has been passed down from our ancestors, carved by a skilled craftsman into a pair of double fish. I had kept it as a family treasure. If I were to use this as the betrothal pledge, would that do?" Zhu Tianjue said: "A most exquisite treasure! Such flawless and beautiful jade — let it bind the two of them together in harmony as fish and water. It is no less than Wen Jiao's jade mirror stand of old. What could be more fitting?" He then turned to Duan Ju: "Brother, go inside and bring your daughter and the young Chang student out together — I shall take care of the rest."

Duan Ju went inside and led both children out. Chang Quan, seeing the little girl — her hair hanging down in fine threads, her feet in narrow curved slippers — found her utterly endearing. He also noticed that the two children behaved as though they had known each other all their lives, laughing and chatting away merrily. Zhu Tianjue rose to his feet and declared: "Today's temple procession is surely an auspicious occasion. Let the young Chang student pay obeisance to his father-in-law, and let the young Miss Duan pay obeisance to her father-in-law." Duan Ju was overjoyed and quickly called for felt mats to be brought out.

By now all the women of the house had gathered in the rear hall to watch. In a moment the red felt was laid out, and Zhu Tianjue guided the two children through four bows each to Chang Quan and four bows each to Duan Ju. He then reached over and removed the jade fish from Chang Gu's waist sash. It was indeed luminous in colour and exquisite in craftsmanship. He handed it to Duan Ju. Duan Ju looked: though it was a single piece of jade, it had been fashioned into two flounder-fish swimming side by side. He clicked his tongue in admiration: "Truly a treasured heirloom of an old family. This is worth no less than a city." Zhu Tianjue took it back, then presented it to Rongu, saying: "A pair of fish seals the betrothal. May the two of you in years to come dwell in harmony, flourish with many children, and receive the grace of honours and noble titles." He then had the two children bow four times to each other, and then led them inside to bow before their mother-in-law and the other ladies.

When the bows were complete, Chang Gu came out and took his seat at the table to drink wine. One father had gained a fine son-in-law; the other had secured a splendid daughter-in-law. Both were greatly pleased, and both thanked Zhu Tianjue for his role in bringing them together. The two men addressed each other as in-laws and drank on for a good while longer. When the sun had grown low in the sky, Chang Quan and Zhu Tianjue at last bid farewell to Duan Ju and set off into the city with the boy. Partway home, Chang Quan parted from Zhu Tianjue as well, and then walked slowly home with his son. When he saw Mrs. Du, he told her the story of their son's betrothal from beginning to end. Mrs. Du was also very pleased. From that time on the Chang and Duan families were joined as in-laws, and their closeness only deepened. At every feast and festival gifts were exchanged and visits paid, in lively and warm succession — but of those details we need not speak. As the verse says:

In life before, they must have been paired lotus blooms,

Now at last the twin fish have pledged in the jade fields.

Why should their meeting have required three solemn vows?

Fate meant to play upon their bond of feeling — and so it willed.

Now, at this time, although the realm was in its flourishing age, the frontier was lacking capable generals, so that the military's might had grown feeble and the armies insufficient. The court was greatly troubled. One of the cabinet ministers consulted with the Minister of War and said: "At present the frontier commanders are constantly sending urgent dispatches, requesting reinforcements and additional officers. If we were to hold examinations to select military talent and recruit strong men, that would, on one hand, disturb the whole realm, and on the other, would inevitably waste months and years in calculation — too slow to meet the immediate need. The most practical plan at present would be to round up those men from military household registries who have fled and absconded over the years. Their numbers would be no fewer than several tens of thousands. If we re-enlist them into the military ranks to serve on the frontiers, we would obtain soldiers without great effort, and the frontier garrisons could be held firm forever." All the ministers of court agreed with this proposal. The Minister of War, Wang Chang, immediately submitted a formal memorial in his own name, setting out the proposal in careful detail. The Emperor read it, his imperial countenance brightening with great satisfaction: "To turn the rootless wandering refugees of the four quarters into fierce soldiers guarding the nine frontiers for the imperial house — this is most fitting." He approved the memorial accordingly, and instructed the ministry officials to deliberate and implement it.

The ministry officials, having received the imperial decree, dared not delay. They immediately went through the military household registers to identify all who had fled, worked through the night to draw up the official documents, and dispatched men to carry them through the courier relay stations, ordering these documents to be sent down to every prefecture, district, and county to track down and bring in the absconders. The relay station master, seeing that this was an urgent military matter issued under imperial decree, dared not delay a single moment, and so from province to prefecture, from prefecture to county, documents came fluttering down like snowflakes. Very soon documents arrived at Songjiang Prefecture. The prefect read the ministry document and at once had it copied and forwarded overnight to all the counties. The magistrate of Huating County, Ding Tingju, received the document, and seeing that it concerned the urgent business of apprehending military fugitives, had additional warrant tickets drawn up according to the names in the document and sent men fanning out to every ward and precinct to pursue and detain those named — and of those details we need not speak.

Now, since Chang Quan had formed the family alliance with Duan Ju and saw that his daughter-in-law was so gifted, his heart was greatly glad. He devoted himself entirely to instructing Chang Gu, hoping for the boy's early advancement. He cleared out a room in the house and set it up as a study to receive pupils. The neighbours nearby, knowing him to be a man of broad learning, all competed to send their sons to study under him. Chang Quan declined again and again, keeping in the end only four students to keep Chang Gu company in his studies.

Then one early morning, while Chang Quan had not yet risen from bed, there came a knock at the gate from two men in dark blue livery. Chang Jian opened the gate and asked: "What business brings you two here at such an early hour?" The two men in blue replied: "We are here under orders from the magistrate, with a message for your master." Chang Jian, seeing that these were men dispatched by the county magistrate, dared not be casual about it, and quickly invited them in, saying: "My master has not yet risen. Please sit down a moment while I go and inform him." The two men walked inside and sat down in the reception room. Chang Jian then went to the bedroom door and said in a low voice: "There are two men outside, saying they have been sent by the magistrate to request an audience with the master. They are sitting and waiting in the hall."

Chang Quan, hearing this, turned it over in his mind and thought: "How very strange! Since I entered the school register, my feet have never crossed the threshold of a government hall. I have no official affairs and no entanglement with the authorities. Why would this Magistrate Ding send men to call on me?" He then said: "Go back out and tell them: My master has no dealings with government offices, there is no personal acquaintance between the families, nor any bond of teacher or friend. Going to see him would be acceptable; not going would likewise be acceptable. If he absolutely must see me, I can come at the morning session."

Chang Jian had no choice but to go back out and convey this to the men. The official runners said: "The magistrate is waiting and requires him at once. Go back in quickly and say so." Chang Jian came back in to report. Mrs. Du said: "The magistrate is the father-and-mother official of the whole county. Since he has sent men to call on you, there must certainly be some matter he wishes to discuss. You should not be so utterly unyielding. What harm is there in going? Do not refuse him now that he has sent an invitation."

Chang Quan, hearing this, had no choice but to rise and wash and dress, then walked out into the hall and greeted the two men. He cupped his hands and said: "I do not know what matter Magistrate Ding wishes to see me about. How good of you both to come so early." The official runners, knowing him to be a well-known scholar in the county, could not be rude to him all at once, and so one of them stepped forward and said: "The magistrate has a difficult and puzzling legal case to deliberate on. Having long heard of your extensive learning, he wishes to consult with you. The magistrate is currently seated in the rear hall and awaits your coming." Chang Quan replied: "If that is the case, please wait while I go inside and change my clothes before accompanying you." One of the men said: "There is no need for that. The magistrate is in the rear hall — informal clothes are no obstacle." Chang Quan said: "How could one meet with an official in such a state? I must put on a proper outer robe."

The runners, seeing him turn to go inside, hurriedly blocked his way: "There is no need to go in, sir. If you delay further, I am afraid we shall be punished on your account." Chang Quan, seeing how urgent they were, then asked directly: "In truth, what matter does your magistrate wish to see me about?" The runners replied: "As to what matter it is or is not — we do not know. Once you have seen him, you will naturally understand." Chang Quan had no alternative but to follow the runners out of the gate. For because of this departure, as fate would have it:

Weal and woe come in a breath,

Parting arrives in a single moment.

What came to pass when he saw the county magistrate? Read the following chapter to learn the answer.