Chapter Five: The Scholar-Soldier Devises a Clever Stratagem and Wins His Hour — Young Hearts Exchange Verses and Kindle a Secret Flame

Lyric:

The face grows lean and hollow, the body withered and spent,

Yet the learning stored within the breast surely remains.

When advice is heeded and counsel followed,

Even a common man may rise to rank and honour.

Feeling springs from nature, beauty none can resist —

Autumn waves of glancing eyes flow unbroken to the painted brows.

No matchmaker need act, no arrangement need be made;

Everything that passes between them is the manner of romance.

To the tune of "Treading on Sedge"

Now let us set aside Fengyi's journey to the capital and take up the story of Chang Quan.

Chang Quan travelled together with Lady Du, escorted by the court runner, moving by day and resting by night. They passed through Yanjing, then out through Tongguan Pass, enduring every hardship the road could offer, braving wind and frost without number, until after many long days and months they at last arrived at the frontier garrison. The runner found an inn where they lodged, and made plans to present himself at the General's headquarters the following morning. He said to Chang Quan: "Tomorrow we must report in. You had best make all your preparations tonight. If you come unprepared, tomorrow will be a hard day indeed."

Chang Quan heard this and grew anxious. He had no choice but to assemble a handsome set of gifts and find someone to carry them in ahead. The next morning he went with the runner to report. The Commander-in-Chief, Zhou Zhongwen, was a man of discernment. He read the official dispatch, approved it at once, and issued a reply document, saying: "Since this man was wounded while being transported on military roads, it is not fitting to punish him bodily. He shall be entered in the rolls and assigned to a unit. If he renders merit in future, that merit may be applied toward redemption." Chang Quan quickly kowtowed his thanks and withdrew. He then, as custom required, prepared wine to stand his new comrades in the unit to a feast. Two days later the escort runner took his leave and departed for home — but of this no more need be said.

Now the men in that unit, seeing that Chang Quan was by origin a licentiate — a man of learning and refined manner — did not make things overly difficult for him. Whenever anything needed to be written, they called on Chang Quan to do it. And whenever Chang Quan had some heavy or rough task to perform, the men would come and lend a hand. In this way Chang Quan and Lady Du settled into a tolerable life, relatively free from hardship.

Before he knew it, more than a year had passed. The soldiers throughout the various camps all knew that Chang Quan could write. Whether a man needed leave, reported sick, applied for rations, or requested armour and equipment, every sort of petition came to Chang Quan to be written. His calligraphy was upright and clear, his prose precise and lucid. Commander Zhou Zhongwen, whenever he saw these petitions, found them well-reasoned and within the bounds of regulations, and approved them without exception. He began to wonder privately: "The rough soldiers in this camp are mostly illiterate. Who on earth is writing all these petitions? I have often meant to send someone to find out, but military affairs keep pressing on my mind, and each time the matter slips by."

Then one day a soldier drank too much and in his drunken frenzy ran wild — striking anyone he met and seizing whatever lay in his path. Someone reported this to Commander Zhou Zhongwen, who ordered that the man be bound and brought before him first thing the next morning. The soldier sobered up in the middle of the night and, learning that the Commander meant to arrest him, was frightened half out of his wits. He thought to himself: "The Commander has the strictest prohibition against drunken rowdiness. To be dragged before him like this — never mind losing my head, even a flogging could finish me." Knowing that Chang Quan's petitions were well-regarded, he came to Chang Quan that very night and begged him to write a petition that might obtain his pardon.

Chang Quan asked: "Have you a widowed mother at home?" The soldier replied: "She died long ago. I have been alone all my life — only a few days ago did I manage to take a wife." Chang Quan asked: "Have you yet applied to receive your wife's military ration allowance?" The soldier said: "Not yet." Chang Quan said: "Then there is a way to save yourself." He wrote out a petition for the man, and instructed him as follows: "You are to say: 'A poor soldier, having neither parents above nor children below, feared the extinction of his ancestral line. It was only recently, by the great benevolence of the Commander, that he was permitted to establish a household, and he has just taken a military wife. Overjoyed by the hope of producing an heir and continuing the family line, he drank too many cups in his happiness. For a moment he was overcome by drink and transgressed the Commander's prohibition. Now that he has come to his senses, he is overwhelmed with remorse and is prepared to accept death — but he begs only that the Commander, in his boundless mercy, grant him a few days' delay, so that he may first see his new wife settled, burn the ancestral tablets, and then come to receive his punishment. This alone would be a grace extended beyond the law.'"

The soldier memorized this carefully. The next morning, the jailers bound him and brought him before the Commander. Zhou Zhongwen, the moment he set eyes on him, erupted in fury: "You brazen wretch! This garrison has long prohibited drunken disorder — how dare you deliberately defy it? Without punishment there is no authority!" He called for the executioners to stand by. The soldier hastily cried out: "This humble soldier has a humble plea — I beg the Commander to condescend to read it." The jailers presented the petition on his behalf, while he tearfully recited the words Chang Quan had given him. As Zhou Zhongwen listened, he felt a measure of sympathy begin to stir. Then he read the petition, which said:

A plea for merciful delay of the sentence of death:

This poor soldier has long been without family above or kin below. But recently, by the gracious provision of the Commander, he was permitted to establish a household and has newly wed a military wife. Overjoyed to have found a helpmate and to cherish the hope of adding progeny, he indulged in excess drink and revelry, and in his dancing and disorder did not realize he had transgressed the Commander's prohibition. His remorse knows no limit; as for death, what could he say against it? Yet to bring punishment upon himself through joy — this is his bitterest grief. That he should seek life and find only death is, in truth, a pitiable thing. He humbly begs that in your heavenly mercy you delay the death sentence briefly, allowing this poor soldier three days to see his new wife settled before he endures the blade. He would then be grateful for your grace extended beyond the law. He cries out in utmost anguish and can say no more.

Zhou Zhongwen finished reading and sat in compassionate silence for some time. Then he asked: "Is it true that you have just taken a new wife?" The soldier replied: "The whole camp knows it — how would I dare lie?" Zhou Zhongwen said: "Since you took to drink in the joy of a new marriage, the offence may still be forgiven. I pardon you this once. Should you drink to excess again, I will show no mercy. Release his bonds." The soldier was freed and kowtowed without end. Then Zhou Zhongwen said: "I pardon your crime, but you must tell me truthfully — who wrote this petition for you?" The soldier said: "I asked Chang Quan to write it." Zhou Zhongwen asked further: "Is this Chang Quan the same military convict conscripted last year by imperial order from Huating County in Songjiang Prefecture?" The soldier said: "That is the very man."

Zhou Zhongwen, upon hearing this, dismissed the soldier and sent someone to fetch Chang Quan. Before long Chang Quan was brought in. Zhou Zhongwen said to him: "Since you arrived at this garrison, I have never questioned you about your background. Please explain it fully today, so that I may assign you work according to your abilities." Chang Quan, being questioned, could only kowtow and report: "This convicted soldier has read books from childhood and earned entry to the district school. But because my ancestors were enrolled in the military register under an old classification never removed, I was conscripted by imperial decree to fill the frontier ranks. Thus I have had the honour of performing the humblest services before the Commander."

Zhou Zhongwen heard this and sighed: "So you are a man of letters by training — that is why these petitions are written with such feeling and reason. I have always had deep respect for scholars. How could I allow you to be put to such base use? From this day forth, you shall attend at my side and manage the official documents. You need no longer march with the ranks." Chang Quan bowed his thanks repeatedly.

From that time on, Chang Quan spent each day in the inner headquarters handling official correspondence and registers; all letters and parallel-prose compositions going in and out were drafted by Chang Quan. Zhou Zhongwen found his prose elegant and clear and was exceedingly pleased. The comrades who had formerly been his equals, seeing that the Commander now held him in esteem, came one by one to fawn upon him. Chang Quan paid them little mind and simply devoted himself to diligence and duty.

Then one day urgent reports arrived that the passes beyond the frontier had come under attack, and that the commanders of other garrisons had one after another suffered defeat. Zhou Zhongwen read the reports and was inevitably alarmed. He wanted to send relief, yet had no good strategy or plan at hand; yet if he did not send relief, he feared the court would blame him for remaining idle and failing to advance. He brooded in gloomy discontent.

Chang Quan, perceiving his mood, took the opportunity to offer counsel: "The enemy has come from afar and has now won several battles in succession against the various garrisons. They must be growing arrogant and reckless. If the Commander leads troops out to relieve the others, there is no need to meet them in open battle. It will suffice to station troops in ambush behind the forest of jagged rocks, wait for the enemy column to pass, then surge out from the middle — so that the head and tail of their force cannot support each other. Victory will come of itself."

Zhou Zhongwen was greatly pleased. He quietly led his troops and concealed them behind the forest of jagged rocks. Sure enough, the enemy soldiers came riding on the momentum of their victories, without any precaution. Suddenly Zhou Zhongwen's ambush burst out upon them, cutting their column in seven and eight places, destroying eight or nine parts in ten, and driving them in flight through the night. Zhou Zhongwen had won a great triumph. Wild with joy, he sent word of the victory, withdrew his troops to the garrison, and then prepared wine to reward Chang Quan for his service.

Chang Quan declined again and again: "This subordinate, with a body once condemned to death, received the Commander's great mercy and was allowed to stand in attendance at his side and offer counsel. Though I were ground to powder and my bones shattered, I could scarcely repay a ten-thousandth part of his deep kindness. What small service I have rendered — how dare I speak of merit, or presume to accept the Commander's reward?" Zhou Zhongwen replied: "In the army, rank and station follow no fixed rule — they follow merit and reward. Today my brother devised this brilliant stratagem, established authority, and mastered the enemy, causing them to lose all courage. Though we may invoke the awe-inspiring fortune of the Emperor, in truth it was my brother's inspired plan that brought us this victory. How could I be willing to claim my brother's merit as my own, and be the kind of man who blocks the worthy and harms the state? With this great victory won, I have already submitted my brother's name for the Emperor's review in the merit report. The imperial decree will come before long, and there will be a place for you to advance — how can you cling to what went before?"

Chang Quan, seeing that Zhou Zhongwen's words were earnest and without pretence, could only express his gratitude and took his place beside the Commander at the feast. The two men spoke and answered each other in high spirits. Before long, the imperial decree did indeed arrive: Chang Quan was formally appointed Military Adviser within Zhou Zhongwen's command. Zhou Zhongwen, having neither seized credit nor suppressed the worthy but served the state with a true heart, was promoted three full ranks. After the ceremonies of gratitude, Chang Quan bowed in deep and repeated thanks to Zhou Zhongwen for his patronage. Zhou Zhongwen gave over half the compound's quarters to Chang Quan for his residence. Chang Quan then moved Lady Du into the headquarters to live with him. Henceforth Chang Quan rode on horseback when he went out, with yamen attendants following behind, and found himself risen to wealth and honour in a single hour. So he attended to affairs on the frontier — but of this no more need be said for now. Indeed:

They conscripted the scholar, thinking the frontier would claim him;

Who could have guessed that a man of letters would instead win glory?

At this point one knows at last that Heaven ordains its own fate —

There is no use in bitterly calculating fortune and failure.

Now let us speak of what passed after Fengyi went to the capital. Lady Wang remained at home managing affairs. Having long lived alone, she had felt the loneliness keenly. But now, with Miss Caiwen as a daughter-companion, she had someone to keep her company, and she was no longer so desolate. Moreover, Miss Caiwen was clever and endearing in disposition and devoted herself entirely to filial devotion, so that in everything she accorded perfectly with her foster mother's wishes. Lady Wang treated her with even greater tenderness than she might have shown a daughter of her own blood.

Then one day Tang Xiyao came to the Feng household to inquire after Lady Wang. He said: "Has cousin Fengyi sent any letter from the capital?" Lady Wang replied: "The Master sent a letter before he left for the capital, saying he had already been promoted to the post of Censor." Tang Xiyao said: "What happy and congratulatory news. And the other day, cousin's lady returned in honour, and I hear a talented and beautiful young niece has been added to the household. My wife has been eager to invite her over for a visit, but fearing that cousin's lady had only just arrived home and no doubt had much to attend to, I put it off until today. My wife could wait no longer, and so I have chosen tomorrow and come specially to extend the invitation for you to come to our humble home, so that we may enjoy the pleasure of kinship." Lady Wang said: "I too have long wished to see dear Aunt, but various matters kept me. Now that the Master is serving in the capital, I fear that one day he will summon me to join him there — and if I go to the capital, meeting will become all the harder. Since Aunt is inviting me tomorrow, I will certainly come. I also hear that Aunt has taken in a fine young nephew — quite a handsome lad, they say — and I should like to see him as well." Having settled the matter, Tang Xiyao took his leave.

The next day, Lady Wang duly set out with Miss Caiwen, the two of them in separate sedan chairs, and went directly to the Tang household. Zhao Shi came hurrying out to receive them, and after the greetings were exchanged and mutual inquiries made, Zhao Shi looked Miss Caiwen over carefully and said: "So this is what our niece looks like — truly beautiful! She is indeed a gifted and accomplished young lady." She at once ordered wine and food to be prepared in welcome. Lady Wang asked why she had not seen the nephew, and Zhao Shi said: "He is at school." Someone was hastily sent to fetch Tang Chang. He came and paid his respects to Lady Wang, and then was introduced to Miss Caiwen. Lady Wang looked at Tang Chang and saw that he was indeed a fine-looking and appealing boy. She asked: "How old is your nephew this year?" Zhao Shi answered: "Eleven." Lady Wang said: "The same age as your niece."

When the formalities were done, they took their seats at the table. Miss Caiwen sat beside her mother and Tang Chang sat beside Zhao Shi. All drank wine. Tang Chang saw that Miss Feng was extraordinarily beautiful — her black hair falling to her shoulders, her whole appearance fresh and lovely with a quality quite unlike that of ordinary girls — and he could not stop stealing glances at her. He longed to speak with her, but as they had only just met he could not find the words. His heart beat wildly. When their eyes met for an instant, his face would flush red to the ears and he would feel his whole body in a state of delicious confusion. He thought secretly to himself: "How is it that the Feng family's young sister is this lovely? The beautiful women praised in books — surely none could surpass this. If I could make her my wife, would that not be a match of talent and beauty — a fine fate for us both?"

Miss Caiwen, for her part, grew uncomfortable under his gaze and could only lower her head and look elsewhere. But when Tang Chang's eyes moved away, she too would steal a careful look at him, and thought secretly in admiration: "What a handsome young man. If he were dressed in a girl's clothes, would he not be an exceptionally beautiful young woman? I notice his eyes are bright and lively, his fingers slender and fine, and there is a gentle warmth that flows through his glancing looks — enough to make the heart melt. If in time I were to find so fine a husband, only then would I not waste the talent I have been given." The two gazed at each other at length, and each was moved by tender feeling for the other.

Lady Wang and Zhao Shi, observing how these two young ones kept stealing glances and delighting in each other, took it for childish playfulness and attributed no deeper meaning to it. Zhao Shi could not stop praising Miss Feng, and Lady Wang was equally unstinting in her praise of Tang Chang. Each was happily gratified in the other. Then Lady Wang laughed and said to Zhao Shi: "Aunt, look at the two of them — just like a pair of jade figures. If they were matched as husband and wife, that would truly be perfect in every way. When they are grown, I will speak with the Master about it when he comes home — a marriage between our own families would be a happy thing." Zhao Shi said: "If Lady would be so gracious, it would be the greatest fortune for your nephew."

Tang Chang suddenly heard his aunt Lady Wang give her consent to a match with Miss Feng, and was overwhelmed with joy. He immediately jumped to his feet, walked up to Lady Wang, and made her a deep bow, saying: "Many thanks, Aunt. A word once spoken cannot be overtaken by four horses." Lady Wang could not help laughing at the sight. "What a forward child!" she said, and taking him by the hand she said: "Do not worry — I will see to it in good time." Then she said: "I have heard that your talent for poetry is considerable, and that you once composed a poem on Falling Flowers, though I have not seen it. If you truly have the gift, why not compose another verse now together with your young sister, so that I may see for myself? Let me see whose talent is the greater — and it may help me settle the question of the match."

Tang Chang, hearing that Lady Wang wished him to compose a poem, felt all his pent-up desire to display his talents suddenly find an outlet. He was tingling with delight from head to foot. He said: "I saw my younger sister's 'Poem on Falling Flowers' earlier — every word elegant, every phrase fragrant and lovely. I would not normally have dared embarrass myself by attempting a reply, but Cousin Feng urged me repeatedly, so I composed a humble response despite my shame. Now that Aunt commands it, how dare I decline? But it occurs to me that if we each compose separately, the feeling between the verses may not connect. Would it not be better if my worthy sister and I compose a linked verse together, still on the theme of 'Falling Flowers,' each line responding to the other, looking forward and back? I wonder what my worthy sister thinks?"

Miss Caiwen also wished to show her talents, and moreover wished to use the occasion to test whether Tang Chang's learning and natural gifts were genuine. She said happily: "A linked verse would be excellent. Please, Elder Brother, begin the rhyme and I will follow." Tang Chang said: "My worthy sister is the guest — how could I dare presume to go first?" Lady Wang said: "Never mind guest and host — go by age. Quickly now, compose!" Tang Chang said at last: "Then, Sister, forgive me for taking the lead." And he recited aloud:

Fine blows the breeze, soft falls the rain, [Tang Chang]

The red and fragrant petals take their leave of the boughs.

Colours high and low conjure a painted scene, [Caiwen]

Blown east and west, they seem to seek a poem.

Tossed back toward the east pavilion — too faint to resist, [Tang Chang]

Dancing beside the eaves — too frail to stand.

Ornamenting all things, still in their old nature, [Caiwen]

Drifting without end, yet taking on new postures.

One peeks low into the dressing mirror — a lovelorn young man, [Tang Chang]

One slips softly past the study curtain — a charming girl.

Better to drift as crimson snowflakes across the open sky, [Caiwen]

Than to scatter as rouge-dust fallen to the ground.

Secretly they hasten spring away — yet spring clings and lingers, [Tang Chang]

Long companions to the busy bees — the bees take no notice.

At the fifth watch, mistaken and resented when they cause regret, [Caiwen]

Suddenly startling by ten thousand points falling just as one grieves.

If they could all be gathered into tapestry in the sky, [Tang Chang]

Then heaven's craft of weaving wonders would not go unrewarded. [Caiwen]

In no time it was finished, and the two looked at each other and smiled. Lady Wang, having watched them respond to each other line for line without a pause for thought, was filled with joy. "Truly a gifted young man and a talented young woman!" she exclaimed. Tang Chang and Miss Caiwen chatted and laughed together at ease. When the feast was over, Lady Wang and Miss Caiwen rested that night in Zhao Shi's rooms. Tang Chang went with his father to sleep in the study. Tang Chang was after all still a young boy, with the first stirrings of youthful feeling — and he lay awake the entire night.

Early the next morning he went to his mother's room, pretending to pay his morning respects. He saw Miss Caiwen standing before the mirror dressing her hair, and he went up to the dressing table too, asking his mother to comb his hair — placing himself not far from Miss Caiwen. Wave upon wave of delicate fragrance drifted to his senses, and glancing at Miss Caiwen, he said with affected casualness: "Worthy Sister, do you remember the lines in the Book of Songs: 'How graceful and lovely is this fair lady — a fit match for the lord. Sought but not obtained, he turns and tosses through the night'?" Miss Caiwen heard this and smiled faintly: "I cannot seem to recall that one. I only remember: 'Now that I have seen the lord, he will not put me far away. When this young lady is wedded, she shall bring harmony to his household.'"

The two flirted and teased each other in this oblique fashion, while neither of their mothers perceived a thing — taking it only as the children's discussion of classical texts, with not a shadow of suspicion. And so the two young ones were left to chatter and laugh together undisturbed.

Tang Chang, fearing the moment would slip away, slipped off to the study, took out a length of white silk, brushed a lyric poem upon it, tucked it in his sleeve, and when his mother and Lady Wang had both turned away, quietly handed it to Miss Caiwen. She took it and looked — it was a lyric. She read it silently:

Urgent is my heart, eager are my eyes —

Though we stand just inches apart, it feels a world away.

May I ask the jade-like lady of her feelings and her nature —

Would she deign to draw near to one as plain as river rushes?

To the tune of "Endless Longing"

Caiwen read it and smiled gently: "My elder brother, it may be said, is far too sentimental." She then took a golden fan, painted a landscape with pines and bamboo on one side, composed a lyric in reply on the other, and gave it to Tang Chang. Tang Chang looked and saw the lyric read:

The Ba country pines for Shu, and Shu pines for Ba —

They say there is no shore, yet a shore there is.

Wait until two hearts open to a single spring —

Then naturally the six pipes shall rise from the rushes.

To the tune of "Endless Longing"

Tang Chang read it and was beside himself with joy. "So my worthy sister not only excels at poetry, but is accomplished in painting too! The mountains are long in your painting, the waters run long, the pine stands faithful, the bamboo flourishes — the meaning contained within is truly profound. I will hold it at the center of my heart — what day shall I ever forget it?" Miss Caiwen said: "These are the feelings of the young — revealed on impulse. Elder Brother must not let them leak out carelessly, but must hold to them for a lifetime." Tang Chang said: "Since my worthy sister has shown me such tender regard, why not this very night, when the moment allows, meet me beneath the moon to pledge our bond? How would that be?" Miss Caiwen said: "That would be well." The two were still deep in conversation when Lady Wang came in unexpectedly, and they dared say no more, exchanging a few vague words before the subject was dropped.

That night, sure enough, when their mothers were deep in conversation, the two quietly slipped away hand in hand to a deserted corner of the rear garden. There they knelt together and swore their vow. When it was done and they rose, Tang Chang moved to draw close to Miss Caiwen and gradually press his advantage. Miss Caiwen checked him with a solemn look and said: "Elder Brother must not behave with such liberties. There will come a proper time." Suddenly a dog barked, and fearing someone might approach, they quickly returned to their rooms. Tang Chang lay down to sleep filled with boundless joy.

The next day Lady Wang took her leave of Zhao Shi and returned home with Miss Caiwen. Tang Chang walked them personally to the door. Lady Wang invited him to stay two days before he made his return. From that time on, Tang Chang came often to visit Miss Caiwen — but of this no more need be said.

Now as for Duan Ju and his wife Li Shi: since losing their daughter, they had wept every day without cease, begging people in all directions to search for her. From time to time they went to implore the county magistrate to press the constables for results — yet in the end they received no news whatsoever. After a year had passed, they could only resign themselves. Husband and wife were deeply dispirited.

Another year or two went by. That year it happened to be Duan Ju's turn in the tribute student cycle, and he was due to travel to the capital to await an appointment. He had lost all enthusiasm and felt no inclination toward advancement at all. But his friends and relatives urged him again and again, until Duan Ju suddenly thought: "I mean to search for my daughter — why not use this journey to the capital as the occasion? I can make inquiries along the road. Perhaps Heaven will take pity and some trace of her may come to light — one never knows." His mind made up, he gathered some travelling funds and made preparations to go to the capital.

It was because of this journey to the capital that, as they say:

He would not find his lost daughter — but would instead encounter a worthy son-in-law.

How things unfolded after that? Read the next chapter for the explanation.