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〃Truly；〃 thought Kao to himself when they had departed； 〃their words
were irrationally offensive； but among them there may stand out a
pointed edge。 Our magnanimous father is now bereft of both comforts
and necessities； and although an ebony rod is certainly not much in
the circumstances； if this person is really humanely…intentioned he
will not withhold it。〃 With this charitable design Kao build a fire
before the couch （being desirous； out of his forgiving nature； to
associate his eldest brother in the offering）； and without hesitation
sacrificed the most substantial of his three possessions。
It here becomes necessary to explain that in addition to being an
expert astrologer； Wei was a far…seeing magician。 The rod of
unimpressionable solidity was in reality a charm against decay； and
its hidden virtues being thus destroyed； a contrary state of things
naturally arose； so that the next morning it was found that during the
night the gold couch had crumbled away into a worthless dust。
Even this manifestation did not move the three brothers； although the
geniality of Shan and Hing's countenances froze somewhat towards Chu。
Nevertheless Chu still possessed a house； and by pointing out that
they could live as luxuriantly as before on the resources of the river
and the field and the tree； he succeeded in maintaining his position
among them。
After seven days Kao reflected again。 〃This avaricious person still
has two objects； both of which he owes to his revered father's
imperishable influence；〃 he admitted conscience…stricken； 〃while the
being in question has only one。〃 Without delay he took the paper
umbrella and ceremoniously burned it； scattering the ashes this time
upon Shan's river。 Like the rod the umbrella also possessed secret
virtues； its particular excellence being a curse against clouds； wind
demons； thunderbolts and the like； so that during the night a great
storm raged； and by the morning Shan's boat had been washed away。
This new calamity found the three brothers more obstinately perverse
than ever。 It cannot be denied that Hing would have withdrawn from the
guilty confederacy； but they were as two to one； and prevailed；
pointing out that the house still afforded shelter； the river yielded
some of the simpler and inferior fish which could be captured from the
banks； and the fruitfulness of the orange…tree was undiminished。
At the end of seven more days Kao became afflicted with doubt。 〃There
is no such thing as a fixed proportion or a set reckoning between a
dutiful son and an embarrassed sire；〃 he confessed penitently。 〃How
incredibly profane has been this person's behaviour in not seeing the
obligation in its unswerving necessity before。〃 With this scrupulous
resolve Kao took his last possession； and carrying it into the field
he consumed it with fire beneath Hing's orange…tree。 The fan； in turn；
also had hidden properties； its written sentence being a spell against
drought； hot winds； and the demons which suck the nourishment from all
crops。 In consequence of the act these forces were called into action；
and before another day Hing's tree had withered away。
It is said with reason； 〃During the earthquake men speak the truth。〃
At this last disaster the impious fortitude of the three brothers
suddenly gave way； and cheerfully admitting their mistake； each
committed suicide； Chu disembowelling himself among the ashes of his
couch； Shan sinking beneath the waters of his river； and Hing hanging
by a rope among the branches of his own effete orange…tree。
When they had thus fittingly atoned for their faults the imprecation
was lifted from off their possessions。 The couch was restored by magic
art to its former condition； the boat was returned by a justice…loving
person into whose hands it had fallen lower down the river； and the
orange…tree put out new branches。 Kao therefore passed into an
undiminished inheritance。 He married three wives； to commemorate the
number of his brothers； and had three sons； whom he called Chu； Shan；
and Hing； for a like purpose。 These three all attained to high office
in the State； and by their enlightened morals succeeded in wiping all
the discreditable references to others bearing the same names from off
the domestic tablets。
From this story it will be seen that by acting virtuously； yet with an
observing discretion； on all occasions； it is generally possible not
only to rise to an assured position； but at the same time
unsuspectedly to involve those who stand in our way in a just
destruction。
LETTER XIII
Concerning a state of necessity； the arisings engendered
thereby； and the turned…away face of those ruling the literary
quarter of the city towards one possessing a style。 This
foreign manner of feigning representations； and concerning my
dignified portrayal of two。
VENERATED SIRE；It is now more than three thousand years ago that the
sublime moralist Tcheng How； on being condemned by a resentful
official to a lengthy imprisonment in a very inadequate oil jar；
imperturbably replied； 〃As the snail fits his impliant shell； so can
the wise adapt themselves to any necessity；〃 and at once coiled
himself up in the restricted space with unsuspected agility。 In times
of adversity this incomparable reply has often shone as a steadfast
lantern before my feet； but recently it struck my senses with a
heavier force； for upon presenting myself on the last occasion at the
place of exchange frequented by those who hitherto have carried out
your spoken promise with obliging exactitude； and at certain stated
intervals freely granted to this person a sufficiency of pieces of
gold； merely requiring in return an inscribed and signet…bearing
record of the fact； I was received with no diminution of sympathetic
urbanity； indeed； but with hands quite devoid of outstretched fulness。
In a small inner chamber； to which I was led upon uttering courteous
protests； one of solitary authority explained how the deficiency had
arisen； but owing to the skill with which he entwined the most
intricate terms in unbroken fluency； the only impression left upon my
superficial mind was； that the person before me was imputing the
scheme for my despoilment less to any mercenary instinct on the part
of his confederates； than to a want of timely precision maintained by
one who seemed to bear an agreeable…sounding name somewhat similar to
your own； and who； from the difficulty of reaching his immediate ear；
might be regarded as dwelling in a distant land。 Encouraged by this
conciliatory profession （and seeing no likelihood of gaining my end
otherwise）； I thereupon declared my willingness that the difference
lying between us should be submitted to the pronouncement of
dispassionate omens； either passing birds； flat and round sticks； the
seeds of two oranges； wood and fire； water poured out upon the ground
or any equally reliable sign as he himself might decide。 However； in
spite of his honourable assurances； he was doubtless more deeply
implicated in the adventure than he would admit； for at this
scrupulous proposal the benignant mask of his expression receded
abruptly； and； striking a hidden bell； he waved his hands and stood up
to signify that further justice was denied me。
In this manner a state of destitution calling for the fullest
acceptance of Tcheng How's impassive philosophy was created； nor had
many hours faded before the first insidious temptation to depart from
his uncompromising acquiescence presented itself。
At that time there was no one in whom I reposed a larger…sized piece
of confidence （in no way involving sums of money；） than one officially
styled William Beveledge Greyson； although； profiting by our own
custom； it is unusual for those really intimate with his society to
address him fully； unless the occasion should be one of marked
ceremony。 Forming a resolution； I now approached this obliging
person； and revealing to him the cause of the emergency； I prayed that
he would advise me； as one abandoned on a strange Island； by what
handicraft or exercise of skill I might the readiest secure for the
time a frugal competence。
〃Why； look here； aged man；〃 at once replied the lavish William
Greyson； 〃don't worry yourself about that。 I can easily let you have a
few pounds to tide you over。 You wi