Chapter 15: The Banished Censor Longs for His Sovereign from the Distant Frontier — He Who Changed His Surname Does Not Forget the Old Hall and Insists on Being Recognised

A lyric:

The loyal minister only prays

the court will cut down villainy.

Who pities life and limb?

No matter how far the exile,

a living return has its time.

When we meet again, faces have changed —

where now to seek the old threads?

Speak out the roots of old,

and then it is known: we were bound long ago.

(To the tune of "Pusa Man")

Duan Ju, having parted from Yicheng County, made his way home along the Yangtze. The winds were calm and the waves still; within a few days he arrived. He rebuilt the family house, paid respects at the ancestral graves, and thereafter called on friends and relatives. When he visited Zhu Tianjue, he learned at last that Chang Quan had returned home and taken an official post. Overjoyed and astonished, he hurried to call on him. When the two old friends met — both now with greying temples — they consoled each other with a warmth beyond words. Chang Quan spoke of the bitterness of their long separation and of the matter of his son who had moved away. Now, by the Emperor's grace, he had been permitted to return and preserve his life. Duan Ju said: "After we parted I thought of you often, and feared we would never meet again in this life. Who could have expected that both of us should come through unharmed and be reunited as before? Truly a piece of great good fortune!" He then told of how his daughter had been lost, but that happily his younger brother had adopted a son for him, who would be a comfort in old age. Chang Quan asked: "Why did your son not come with you?" Duan Ju said: "My son has been fortunate enough to pass the examinations, and is now heading to the capital for the metropolitan examinations."

Chang Quan was greatly delighted. "So your son has risen high — this is entirely owing to your accumulated virtue, elder brother. I cannot help but admire it." Duan Ju then asked: "Since your son has moved away and there is no news of him, what comfort do you have at your knee these days?" Chang Quan frowned and said: "Though my fortune is thin — I have a son yet have no son — Heaven has still shown pity. In my destitute years I came to take in a daughter. A girl is not as good as a boy, they say, but in talent and feeling she surpasses many a man. So she is some small solace to my loneliness." Duan Ju was pleased. "I did not know you had such a daughter — that is truly cause for congratulation." Chang Quan sighed: "I had a son yet gained a daughter; you had a daughter yet gained a son. Everything topsy-turvy — truly beyond all reckoning." He went on: "When my son went to the examinations back then, it was Zhu Tianjue who helped arrange it, and you, elder brother, graciously gave your consent to the match. Who could have foreseen that we two old men would still be alive while the young man and the young woman have become like flowers reflected in a mirror, shadows on the water — nowhere to be found. Truly lamentable!" When the two men reached these sorrowful passages, tears fell from both of them. They talked a while longer, then parted. As the verse goes:

Truly muddled, falsely sincere —

eyes see the gap, yet ears mishear.

One's own daughter, one's own son, unrecognised —

taken instead for an adopted child, as others surmised.

Though Chang Quan and Duan Ju could no longer hope to be joined as in-laws, they were friends forged in adversity, and so day after day each visited the other, full of mutual affection. Because he had returned home safely, Duan Ju wrote a detailed letter and sent a messenger to inform his son in the capital. When the examination period had passed, Duan Ju prayed before his ancestors that his son would achieve fame early. Within just a few days, a report arrived: Duan Chang had passed as sixth-place jinshi.

Duan Ju and Lady Li were overjoyed. They sent the messenger away. In no time relatives crowded through the door, all bringing gifts and congratulations. For half a month Duan Ju feasted guests every day amid the great sound of drums and revelry, and still the guests had not all been entertained. Then yet another report arrived: Duan Chang had placed second in the palace examinations —榜眼, the Eye of the List. It had already been cause for joy when he passed as jinshi, though not extraordinary. But now to hear he was the榜眼 was cause for a whole new celebration. Everyone called it remarkable; everyone praised it. Before long even the prefectural and county magistrates came personally to the door to offer congratulations. The Huating County magistrate had a flag-pole erected and a plaque hung, and all manner of people came to look — a great and lively scene, too numerous to describe.

Now, as for Duan Chang himself — ever since he had heard his father was ill and had returned home, his heart had been uneasy, full of doubt and anxiety. It was inconvenient for him to leave lightly, so he steeled himself and waited for word. After some time, a family servant came bearing a letter. Duan Chang quickly opened and read it, and at last understood: the reason his father had resigned and returned home was that he could not in good conscience agree to the marriage proposed by the Liu family. Duan Chang's mind was at ease. He then thought: "It has been nearly three months since that memorial was submitted. Why have Feng Yifu's family members still not returned? What can be the reason?" So he sent men to make enquiries every day.

Now, Feng Yi — ever since he had lost his daughter on the road — had arrived at the post-station relay with Lady Wang, both of them weeping and lamenting. Lady Wang sometimes thought of her daughter, sometimes longed for home. She consoled herself as best she could and sighed, having endured every hardship of wind and frost, heat and cold. Feng Yi and Lady Wang had no choice but to resign themselves to patience. At that time all the upright and loyal officials at court had been demoted and dismissed. Even those who were on friendly terms with Feng Yi could only protect themselves and their households; who would dare to tweak the tiger's whiskers or stroke the dragon's scales? No one expected him to return alive. Cao Ji-xiang and Shi Heng, those two powerful traitors, knowing he could not return alive, stopped pursuing the matter. Thus Feng Yi in that place enjoyed neither honour nor disgrace. He merely drew some provisions from the garrison garrison and got by day by day. Moreover, as a former Censor, people still respected him. Accordingly the military officers of the frontier all instructed their soldiers not to harass or disturb him anywhere near the relay station. At festival times they even sent gifts to help him. Thus Feng Yi in the relay station settled into a tolerable existence.

Without realising it, six or seven years had passed. The couple had neither children nor relatives at court, and so lived one day at a time, not daring even to hope for a return home. Then one day, bored in the relay station, Feng Yi strolled out with a servant to gaze at the mountains. After looking for some time, he turned to face the northeast and said: "That way lies the Imperial Capital. I am grateful the Emperor did not put me to death and has allowed me to live on. But here I am beyond the frontier wastes — Heaven is high and the Emperor's ears are far away; there is no means to send word into the palace. I can only let my spirit fly to the Emperor's gate and thus fulfil my duty as a subject." He then knelt on both knees toward the northeast and kowtowed repeatedly, crying out: "Long live the Emperor!"

The servant, watching the master do this, found it rather laughable. When Feng Yi had finished his prostrations, the servant helped him to his feet, and they looked around in all directions. Feng Yi pointed to the southeast and said to the servant: "Beyond those white clouds in that direction lies my homeland. Even if I had wings, I could not fly back now!" He said this and bowed his head in deep thought. Just as he was lost in reverie, he suddenly looked up and saw in the distance a group of a dozen or more men, dressed in the style of the capital, riding hard toward them. They galloped to the foot of the mountain, caught sight of the two figures there, and called out loudly: "Hey, old man up on that hill — do you know where to find a Lord Feng at the Yulin Relay Station?"

Feng Yi was startled to be addressed thus and dared not answer. The servant was frightened too and whispered: "Master, something is wrong. Can it be that there has been a change in the capital and they have sent officers to arrest you? And all because of this kowtowing you just did — what is to be done?" Feng Yi thought: "If the court were sending men to arrest me, would they call me 'Lord Feng' at every breath? There must be some other reason." He steeled himself and called down: "What is your business with him?" The men shouted back: "We have been sent from the capital to bring news of Lord Feng's promotion and to escort him to take up his new post."

The servant, hearing this, was so happy he stumbled about, crying: "So that kowtow just now made Master an official again!" He shouted back: "You are looking for Lord Feng — is this not he?" The men called: "Is it truly Lord Feng?" The servant said: "How could it not be? Do you think I would deceive you?" When they heard it was truly he, all the men dismounted, climbed up to where Feng Yi stood, and together knelt and bowed: "Congratulations, Your Lordship — your original post is restored. Please receive the Imperial Decree." Feng Yi dared not delay. He accompanied them back to the relay station, where the servant had already gone ahead to inform Lady Wang. Feng Yi quickly set up an incense table to give thanks for the Imperial grace, then opened the Decree. On it was written:

Newly-ranked Eye of the List, Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, Your subject Duan Chang submits this memorial: on the matter of rooting out evil and recommending the worthy — We have received and reviewed this memorial. The treasonous clique of Cao Ji-xiang and Shi Heng, their evil deeds manifest, are hereby stripped of office and held for investigation. As Cao and Shi are guilty beyond pardon, Feng Yi's distant exile was without just cause. His original post is hereby restored. Let the relevant ministry take note accordingly.

When Feng Yi had finished reading, he was both startled and overjoyed. Joyful that he was restored to his original post and could return to his homeland. Startled that this new Eye of the List surnamed Duan — a young man he had never met, neither kin nor acquaintance — had been willing to risk his life to save him. This grace and virtue he could never repay in a lifetime. He further thought: "Young as he is, he has the courage to carry on my convictions, and the power to move the sovereign to remove evil and eliminate treachery. His loyal heart and righteous gallbladder surpasses mine tenfold. With such loyal and upright men in court, the state and dynasty are truly blessed." He then told Lady Wang the whole of it in detail.

Lady Wang also said: "It is extraordinary — a man who has never met us, yet who did not shrink from life or death to allow us both to return home in honour. When we return, we should carve a wooden image of him and bow before it, and even that would hardly suffice." Husband and wife rejoiced and packed their belongings. News spread quickly. The military officers, knowing that Feng Yi had received an Imperial Decree summoning him back to the capital and that he was again a Censor, feared that those among them who had falsely claimed merit or broken the law might be reported once he returned. They all came at once to see him off, each with generous gifts. Feng Yi, seeing that he had no travel funds, could only accept with a smile. He then set off with Lady Wang, heading toward the Northern Capital. As the verse says:

In days of exile, sorrow came without remedy;

today, returning alive, laughter has a voice.

To face ten thousand deaths without retreat — that is the great integrity;

one morning set free, it is as if born again.

Within no time Feng Yi had arrived. Not far from the capital, the escort riders had already galloped ahead into the city to inform all the offices and local authorities, who hastened to prepare his official residence and went out of the city to welcome him. He was escorted in before long. Feng Yi did not dare to enter his residence first, and so lodged one night in the public guest house.

At the fifth watch of the next morning, he entered the court to offer thanks and pay his respects. After the audience, he and Lady Wang moved into the official residence. Before long, colleagues came to pay their respects and offer congratulations all around. When Feng Yi had seen his guests to the door, he had barely crossed the inner passageway when a gatekeeper came to report that the new Eye of the List, Lord Duan, had come to call — he said he was a close relative of His Lordship and had left his visiting card. Feng Yi, upon hearing it was Duan Chang the Bangyan, had himself been planning to go and pay his respects to him; he had not expected Duan Chang to come first. He was also told that Duan Chang claimed to be a close relative. Feng Yi quickly took up the visiting card and read it: "Your unworthy nephew and son-in-law Duan Chang bows his head a hundredfold."

Feng Yi read this and could not help being greatly startled. He thought to himself: "Among all my relatives there is no one of this surname. Even among families I know, I see none. And he calls himself son-in-law — but I have no daughter given in marriage to him." He then thought: "I did once take in a daughter, who has since been scattered and lost. At the time, no match had been arranged for her at all. Why then does he write 'son-in-law'?" His heart was unsettled with doubt, and he did not know how to receive the visitor. He said to his servant: "Go out and present my compliments to Lord Duan. Tell him I am deeply grateful for his kindness, but as I have only just arrived and court business is not yet concluded, I have not yet had the chance to call on him. I shall come to his door very shortly." The servant hurried out to convey this message to the Bangyan's sedan-chair.

Duan Chang quickly stepped down from his sedan-chair and said with a smile: "I am a close relative of your master — how can there be formality between us?" And without waiting for further discussion, he walked straight into the main hall. The servant dared not stop him and rushed in to report to Feng Yi. Feng Yi had no choice but to hurry out to receive him. From afar he saw that this Bangyan Duan was quite young — only about eighteen or nineteen — with a face white as snow, lips red as cinnabar, and wearing a dark official's hat and a great scarlet robe with round collar, which made him look all the more striking. He came up with a smile and said: "Elder Uncle — do you still recognise your unworthy nephew, your son-in-law?" The servants accompanying him had already spread a red felt mat, and the Bangyan quickly moved a chair to the centre of the room to invite Feng Yi to take the seat of honour.

Feng Yi, seeing him address him so familiarly, and seeing his great warmth and eagerness to bow, was completely at a loss. He quickly moved to prevent the bow and said: "This student was banished to the frontier and expected to die. Thanks entirely to the great benefactor's intervention turning Heaven itself around, cutting down the villains, not only was this old man saved but even restored to his former post. Loyalty in serving the sovereign, righteousness in aiding those in distress — I did not expect so young a benefactor to possess such loyalty and righteousness, truly on a par with the ancients. This very morning, after my court audience, I was about to come to pay you my respects, and yet the great benefactor has already come, reversing the proper order of courtesy — this student is much indebted." And he moved to kneel with him in mutual obeisance.

Duan Chang quickly held him up and said with a smile: "The propriety of senior and junior has always been fixed — how can it be overturned? I ask that Elder Uncle take his seat, and allow your unworthy nephew to make his bow — that is the proper order." Feng Yi said: "Let us set aside the matter of kindness. Even so, as a Hanlin academician of the imperial court, there is no reason to bow to a Censor." The Bangyan said: "Your unworthy nephew and Elder Uncle are originally close relatives — this bow concerns the bonds of kinship, which is why I ask to make it. Why does Elder Uncle speak of me as an outsider? Perhaps Elder Uncle does not recognise his nephew for the moment. Come inside with me to see Aunt — she will certainly recognise me."

Saying this, he moved toward the inner residence to see Lady Wang. Feng Yi was more alarmed than ever, and quickly held him back: "Great Benefactor, please sit down first; let me understand the situation clearly, and then we can meet together. This student was in exile and confused for many years — past affairs are mostly dim to me. But think as carefully as I may, I cannot find any family connection with your honoured surname. Though I do have a young daughter, no match was arranged for her at the time. I do not know what branch you are from, or where any vow was made with my daughter. Please explain it fully, so that this student need not remain in doubt."

Hearing the question, the Bangyan smiled and said: "Elder Uncle's doubts are not mistaken. Your unworthy nephew was not originally surnamed Duan. The surname Duan was adopted after hardships, taken from the name of my benefactor father who took me in. My original father's family name was Tang — and the match with your beloved daughter was also arranged during the Tang family days, agreed in person with Aunt. It is nothing to do with the Duan family. I ask Elder Uncle to inquire of Aunt, and then he will know that this unworthy nephew and son-in-law speaks no falsehood."

On hearing this, all that had been muddled for so long suddenly shifted. Now, hearing the name Tang spoken, Feng Yi started and asked: "Could the great benefactor be from the family of my younger cousin Tang Xiyao?" The Bangyan promptly replied: "Tang Xiyao is my father." Hearing that this was the son of his cousin Tang Xiyao, Feng Yi was both startled and overjoyed, and quickly said: "In that case, you truly are my nephew!" The Bangyan said: "If it were not true, how would I dare to claim it wrongfully?" And he moved to make his bow. Feng Yi said: "Wait a moment — see your aunt first, and then it is not too late."

The two of them, full of joy, walked hand in hand into the rear hall. Feng Yi called out: "Lady Wang! Come quickly, there is someone to meet you!" Lady Wang hurried out. Feng Yi pointed to the Bangyan and said: "Lady, do you recognise him? He is my nephew — the son of my cousin Tang Xiyao — and he is the benefactor who submitted the memorial to save me."

Lady Wang was overjoyed beyond measure. She stepped forward to look closely and said: "Yes, yes — had it not been explained, I would not have known him." The Bangyan then invited Feng Yi and Lady Wang to take their seats and bowed four times. Lady Wang said: "I did not expect that after these few years apart, our worthy nephew would have grown up so. Now he holds a position in the Emperor's Hanlin Court — Uncle and Aunt are truly fortunate. But I wonder — why did you change your surname?" The Bangyan then recounted from beginning to end how he had been plotted against after their separation, how he had changed his name and surname; and also how he had come to the capital for the examinations and could not find his parents, and that he had sent men searching in all directions but had received no word yet. When he had finished, all three of them wept.

The Bangyan dried his tears and asked: "My dear cousin must have grown up by now — may I ask to see her?" When Lady Wang heard the Bangyan ask to see his cousin, her face suddenly fell, filled with grief. She said: "My dear nephew — you still want to ask after your cousin. I would counsel you not to ask." Duan Chang was greatly alarmed. "Aunt, what a strange thing to say — how can I not ask? When I composed the matching verse to 'Yong Fei Hua,' it was Elder Uncle who admired it; when I continued the verses of 'Yong Fei Hua,' it was Aunt who took a liking to them and spoke aloud of making a match. Then the words of 'Chang Xiang Si' were privately exchanged with my cousin as a betrothal. Moreover, because of this vow, even in my days of wandering and displacement, at the very edge of death, I never dared to forget it for a moment. Even in my triumph of passing the examinations, even in my busy service at court, I never dared to be faithless. After all this waiting until now — Elder Uncle and Aunt have returned from beyond the frontier, and I have been fortunate enough to enter the registers — why then is my cousin suddenly not to be mentioned? Most strange, most strange!"

Lady Wang saw that his words were heartfelt, and could not help weeping aloud. She seized Duan Chang's hand and said: "My loving, righteous nephew! You truly hold your cousin in your heart — of course I would let you ask about her. But it is a pity you ask too late. To ask now is of no use." Duan Chang was alarmed. "Why is it of no use? Aunt, please tell me quickly." Lady Wang wept bitterly again: "My filial daughter! My poor ill-fated daughter! I had only hoped we would go together and return together — who knew that halfway there she would be lost, causing me such bitter grief!" Feng Yi at her side also wept and choked with sobs.

The Bangyan, seeing this, urgently asked in fright: "The two of you are so heartbroken — can it be that some mishap has befallen my cousin?" Lady Wang could only weep; she could not speak. It was Feng Yi who said: "Because I was repeatedly demoted and had to take her along to the relay post, midway on the journey there was a military uprising at Tianyong Pass. Soldiers and civilians all fell into chaos, and our daughter was swept away in the confusion. We do not know whether she was trampled to death or has drifted somewhere distant. My old wife and I have wept and longed and thought of her, and to this day our dreams give us no peace."

When he had finished, Lady Wang wept more bitterly than ever. The Bangyan heard this and was shocked until his face went the colour of clay, his four limbs went limp. He could not hold back the streaming tears, and cried: "Young mistress! Young mistress! How is it that my fate and yours are so devoid of fortune? I still remember the linked verses under the moonlight, the vow made to live and die as one. Has it all now come to nothing? Are all the yearnings of these many years, the longing through sleep and waking, to be swept away like flowing water?" He finished speaking, and wept aloud in anguish, sobbing so that he could not utter another word.

Feng Yi and Lady Wang, seeing him like this, felt a deep and genuine pity for him. They wiped their own tears, set aside their own weeping, and turned to console him: "Our daughter's fortune was thin — she could not receive the honour of being your bride. You, our worthy nephew, are young, and a good-fortuned woman will surely be matched to you. Please open your heart." The Bangyan said: "For the sake of the young mistress I suffered through wandering and illness, and barely wished to go on living. The reason I did not die was truly my hope to one day complete this marriage bond. I had not thought it would become an eternal parting. The day I and the young mistress made our vow, we said: the man shall be faithful, the woman shall keep her chastity. Now, regardless of whether the young mistress lives or not, I will simply hold firm and not marry."

Feng Yi could only offer comfort: "Since you, our worthy nephew, survived all your ordeals, how do we know our daughter may not still be somewhere at the ends of the earth? Since she and you had this wish to wed, with one sincere heart between you, Heaven above will surely not disappoint. Moreover, the world holds many strange and wondrous things — perhaps there may yet be a reunion; who can say? And though you now hold a Hanlin post, you are truly still at an age where you can wait. Now that I have returned, it will be easier to search." The Bangyan, at this juncture, had no choice but to collect his tears and was about to take his leave. Lady Wang held him back: "The three of us here in the capital — it is rather lonely. Nephew, come and move in with us, so that we can all discuss and search together." The Bangyan also could not bear to part, and told his servant to bring his luggage over, and there he stayed.

Now, as for Duan Ju and Chang Quan back home — having been reunited from the jaws of death, and recalling the old bond between their children, they became even closer than in former years. With Zhu Tianjue as their constant companion, the three of them went every day climbing mountains, seeking out streams, watching the moon and searching out blossoms. Sometimes one played the host, sometimes another sent the invitation; the three were entirely content.

One day, the three of them were together in a boat when Zhu Tianjue said: "In the old days, I had hoped you two would become joined families, but unexpectedly both of your children have been scattered and the matter has come to nothing. I have something more to say today — but I do not know whether you two gentlemen will be willing to hear it." Chang Quan and Duan Ju both said at once: "We are old friends — how would we dare not to listen respectfully to what elder brother has to say?" Zhu Tianjue said: "I have recently heard that you both now have sons and daughters. Elder Brother Duan's son, though he has risen high, has not yet taken a wife. Elder Brother Chang's daughter, though she has grown up, has not yet been betrothed to anyone. Why not, as in former days, become joined families again, so that the bond of kinship may be unbroken? In the old days it was a son from the Chang side and a daughter from the Duan side. Now it is a daughter from the Chang side and a son from the Duan side. What was yin becomes yang, what was yang becomes yin — a reversed and rematched pairing. Is that not another remarkable piece of fate? What say you both?"

The two men listened and thought it over carefully, then both said with delight: "Brother Zhu's wonderful proposal grows more remarkable the further it goes. Truly a gifted matchmaker." Zhu Tianjue then asked: "When might your son return home in honour?" Duan Ju said: "In his last letter, the boy mentioned he would soon request leave to visit his parents — it should not be long now." Zhu Tianjue added: "Well then — today it is settled. When your son returns in glory, little brother is invited to the wedding banquet." The three men laughed heartily. As the verse says:

Old kin recast as new kin —

who would say the new kin is the old?

Heaven's design winds on, unread by men;

one spring recognised becomes two springs.

Now as for Cao Ji-xiang and Shi Heng — after the Bangyan Duan submitted his memorial and had them stripped of office, a succession of remonstrating officials sent in one memorial after another, and within a few days an Imperial decree ordered their execution. Furthermore, an investigation was made into all those who had attached themselves as partisans to these two men; some were dismissed, some were punished, and Chang Yong was quickly dismissed from office and charged with crimes. Since those in power appreciated Feng Yi's loyalty and righteousness, they appointed him to the Salt Censor of Huai-Yang, in recompense for his years of suffering. The appointment was soon issued; Feng Yi expressed his thanks, took leave of the court, received his credentials, and set off with Lady Wang.

The Bangyan, seeing that Feng Yi had been sent on an official posting and would leave before long, thought to himself: "I am quite at loose ends in the capital. Why not go along on this journey and visit my parents at the same time — and return afterwards." So he submitted a memorial requesting leave to visit his parents, which was at once approved. Filled with joy, the Bangyan set off together with Feng Yi and Lady Wang, departing from the capital. Because of this journey, there would come to pass what was fated:

Iron shoes worn through in the searching —

in the end, the destined couple shall be joined.

What happened next? Read the following chapter to find out.