Chinese Mythology and Tales
Instructions: Select one of the following paper topics and write a well-organized research paper of 5-6 pages in length (double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margin) on the topic. Your paper must have a clear argument, and you must cite evidence from both primary and secondary sources to support your argument.
Topic 1: We have read many supernatural stories with similar themes (e.g., the danger of lust, the pursuit of immortality, the power of retribution, or the notion of true friends). However, different stories elaborate on these themes in different ways. Please choose two or three stories from our readings to discuss the varied treatments to one single theme.
Topic 2: Each supernatural character (e.g., the ghost, the fox, or the monkey) plays its distinctive role in traditional Chinese stories. Choose two stories from our readings with similar plots but different supernatural characters and analyze the different meanings and functions of each character.
Topic 3: Supernatural literature constantly recycles elements from earlier myths or stories. Consider one or two of the supernatural stories we have read this session from the point of view of intertextual qualities. How do they convey meaning through their relationships to other texts?
Topic 4: The liminal status of a journeyits instability, danger, and uncertaintyprovides a perfect setting for Chinese supernatural stories. Choose two stories from our readings with the framework or plot of a journey. Compare them and discuss how travel plays an important role in each story.
Topic 5: Discuss the function of the space of (choose ONE of the following themes) Heaven/ Earth/ Hell/ sacred landscapes in our readings of supernatural stories. Please choose one or two pertinent text(s) for your analysis.
Topic 6: The supernatural beings with female identity draw our attention to the tension between genders under the guise of alien appearance. Choose two primary texts as your main materials and discuss the function and mutual influence of gender and alien identity.
Wen Qiong
By Vincent Goossaert (Original text in French)
One of the most famous epidemic gods is Wen Qiong . In Wenzhou, Hangzhou, and
elsewhere in Zhejiang, huge Wen processions to prevent epidemics took place every year until
the turn of the 20th century. Wen Qiong’s hagiography (Diqi shangjiang Wen taibao zhuan
, Daozang, 780, circa 1274) talks a lot about the difference between demons and
gods epidemics (Wen belongs to the second category and fights the first). An episode shows him
as a moral god, preferring to poison himself than to kill innocent people:
General Wen is just and loyal, upright, and honest. He is one of the deities under the
authority of the Peak of the East, but has always been (also) in the service of the worship
of the Dark Emperor and the Emperor of the Peak of the East praises him in this. One
day, the Emperor from the north descended to the peak of the East, bringing a thousand
pestilential pellets, ordering him to send an envoy to spread the epidemic to those who,
on earth, would be found guilty of lack of loyalty or filial piety, of having killed or
harmed living beings. The Eastern Peak Emperor, having received this edict, summoned
(Wen) Qiong and entrusted him with this mission of spreading the epidemics.
Qiong accepted the order and took the poisons, then reflected in detail. The poison of a
single dumpling, he thought, can kill a thousand people and a thousand dead ruin the
lives of a thousand families. A fortiori, the climate of this season will spread miasmas;
various diseases will take advantage of these poisons to settle and more people (other
than those affected by the epidemic) will be affected and the dead will be countless. It
would totally go against the love-of-life virtue promoted by the Most High. Better that I
sacrifice myself in place of these thousands of humans, saving countless lives; I will have
nothing to regret. Then, looking towards the sky, facing north, he swallowed all the
pellets. Immediately his belly was taken by great pain and his whole body became
feverish, to an unbearable point. So, offering incense, he went to appear before the
Emperor of the East Peak. His body had turned into that of a fierce demon; he presented a
report giving an account of his action and bowed down while awaiting his punishment.
At the same time, the Emperor of the North had issued orders to expedite the inspection
of humans (to be affected by the epidemics). The Eastern Peak Emperor could only
answer him by telling him how Wen Qiong had failed in his mission. He, therefore, sent a
memorial to the Emperor of the north and then ordered the administration of Aid to the
Saint to rule on his fault. But, the Dark Emperor approved of Wen Qiong’s motives; he
also sent a memoir recommending and begging him to be pardoned. The Northern
Emperor approved this request and proclaimed an edict now placing (Wen Qiong)
entirely at the service of the Dark Emperor, in charge of preaching to humans and
executing demons; since then his reputation was even stronger.
This theme is very common and is found in stories around many other gods (for example several
“governors”, zongguan , territorial gods of the Jiangnan region). It aims to give a moral
nature (and therefore to integrate into the bureaucratic pantheon) of the gods with demonic
origins while justifying them that they keep a visible trace of it (the iconography reflecting the
aspect of a poisoned body). 28
Madam White Is Kept Forever
under Thunder Peak Tower
Hill beyond green hill, tower beyond tower,
When will songs and dances by West Lake ever cease ?
Enchanted by the warm breezes,
The sightseers take Hangzhou for Bianzhou.1
Our story takes place by beautiful West Lake amid green hills and clear waters.In the Xianhe reign period [32634] during the Jin dynasty, when a raging
mountain flood swept past West Gate, an ox was suddenly seen in the water, glit-
tering all over with the color of gold. The ox then followed the receding flood all
the way to North Hill, where it became lost to view, destination unknown. The
event caused quite a stir throughout the city of Hangzhou, for the residents believed
that the ox was an apparition of some deity. Thus, a temple was built and named
Jinniu [Golden Ox] Temple. At West Gate, now called Yongjin [Golden Flood]
Gate, a temple dedicated to General Jinhua [Golden Splendor] still stands.
At the time, a foreign monk with the Buddhist name Hunshouluo commented
when viewing the hills of Wulin County on one of his wandering journeys: A
little peak in front of Spirit Vulture Hill [Grdhrakuta] has suddenly disappeared.
So, heres where it has flown to. Reacting to the disbelief these words generated
among his audience, he continued, As far as I remember, that little peak is called
Spirit Vulture Peak. It has a cave in which lives a white ape. Let me try to call the
ape out by way of proof. And indeed, a white ape emerged in response to his
calls.
At the foot of the hill was a pavilion, now called Cold Fountain Pavilion. In
the middle of West Lake stands a solitary hill. When the poet Lin Hejing2 was liv-
ing as a hermit on that hill, he had stones and earth carried over and a walkway
built between Broken Bridge to the east and Sunset Peak to the west. The walk-
way thus came to be called Solitary Hill Road. During the Tang dynasty, Prefect
Bai Juyi3 also had a causeway built, reaching from Green Screen Hills to the south
and Sunset Peak to the north, and it came to be called the Bai Causeway. The two
roads were often damaged by mountain floods, and money had to be withdrawn
4 7 4
from government coers each time to pay for repairs. Then, during the Song dynasty,
Su Dongpo,4 who was prefect of Hangzhou, bought timber and stones, hired labor-
ers, and had the two water-damaged roads repaired and reinforced. Railings on the
six bridges were painted vermilion and peach, and willow trees were planted all
along the causeway. In the balmy days of spring, the scenery is most picturesque.
Later, it came to be known as the Su Causeway. Two stone bridges were built by
Solitary Hill Road to part the flow of the water. The one to the east is called Broken
Bridge and the one to the west Xiling Bridge. Truly,
Three hundred temples half hidden in the hills;
Two tall peaks locked in faint, fluy clouds.
But, storyteller, you may well object, why talk only about the scenery of West
Lake, men of immortal fame, and sites of historic interest? Well, let me now launch
into the story proper and tell of a dashing young man who, because of his encounter
with two women while touring West Lake, caused quite a sensation throughout
the romance-filled streets of the regions cities and towns, providing material for a
love story from the writers pen. Now what was the young mans name? What man-
ner of women did he encounter? What did he do to cause a sensation? There is a
poem in testimony:
In the dismal rain of the Qingming season,5
The wayfarer on the road is stricken with grief.
Where, pray, might I find a wineshop?
The herdboy points to Apricot Village afar.
The story goes that in the Shaoxing reign period [1 13262], after Emperor
Gaozong of Song moved to the south, there lived, in Black Pearl Lane by the Reward
the Troops Bridge in Linan Prefecture, Hangzhou, a certain Li Ren. He served as
a petty ocial in the treasury of the Southern Song court while doubling as bur-
sar for a Marshal Shao. His wife had a younger brother, Xu Xuan, who was the old-
est son of the family. Xus father used to own an herbal medicine store, but both
parents had died when Xu Xuan was still a boy. Now twenty-two years old, Xu
Xuan worked as an assistant in an herb store owned by a distant uncle, Squire Li.
The store was situated at the corner of Ocials Street.
One day, Xu Xuan was attending to his business in the store when a monk
appeared at the door and said after a greeting, This poor monk is from Baoshu
Pagoda Monastery. I sent some steamed buns and twisted rolls to your house the
other day. Now that the Clear and Bright Festival is drawing near, I hope that you,
Master Xiaoyi [Oldest Son], will come to our monastery to oer incense in mem-
ory of your ancestors. Please do remember to come.
Ill surely be there, promised Xu Xuan. The monk took his leave.
In the evening, Xu Xuan returned to his brother-in-laws house. Being a bach-
elor, he lived with his older sisters family. That evening, he told his sister, A monk
m a d a m w h i t e i s k e p t f o r e v e r u n d e r t h u n d e r p e a k t o w e r
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from Baoshu Monastery came today and asked me to go and burn sacrificial straw
baskets.6 So Ill make the trip tomorrow to honor our ancestors.
He rose bright and early the next morning and bought some paper horses, can-
dles, sutra streamers, and strings of paper coins. Afterwards he ate breakfast, changed
into new clothes, socks, and shoes, wrapped the baskets and oerings in a piece of
cloth, and went to Squire Lis house on Ocials Street. When Squire Li asked where
he was o to, Xu Xuan replied, Im going to Baoshu Pagoda to oer incense in
memory of my ancestors. Please give me a days leave, Uncle.
All right, but come back as soon as possible.
Xu Xuan left the store. He took Peaceful Longevity Lane and Flower Market
Street, crossed Well Pavilion Bridge, went through Qiantang Gate behind Clear
River Street, crossed Stone Box Bridge, and passed the Monument to the Release
of Captured Living Creatures.
Once he arrived at the monastery, he sought out the monk who had brought
him steamed buns and made his confession. He then burned the baskets contain-
ing the paper oerings and went up to the main hall to watch the monks recite the
scriptures. After a vegetarian meal, he bade the monk good-bye and left to take a
leisurely walk around.
He crossed West Peace Bridge and Solitary Hill Road and went to the Temple
of the Four Sages, meaning to continue on to Lin Hejings grave and Six Ones Spring.
But all of a sudden, clouds gathered in the northwestern sky, and a fog closed in
from the southeast. The drizzle that followed soon grew into a steady rain. As it
happened to be around the Clear and Bright Festival, the Lord of Heaven, in obser-
vance of the laws of nature, lent a determined insistence to the rain so as to speed
the growth of flowers. Seeing that the ground outside was wet, Xu Xuan took o
his new socks and shoes and stepped out of the temple to look for a boat. There
being none in sight, he wasnt sure what to do, when suddenly, he was overjoyed to
see an old man rowing a boat in his direction. A closer look revealed the boatman
to be Grandpa Zhang. Grandpa Zhang, cried Xu Xuan, please take me on board!
At the cry, the old man looked around and saw that it was Master Xiaoyi. Rowing
his boat toward the shore, he said, Master Xiaoyi, so youre caught in the rain!
How far do you want me to take you?
Ill get o at Golden Flood Gate.
The old man helped him into the boat and rowed away from the bank toward
Harvest Joy Tower. Before they had gone more than a hundred feet, they heard a
cry from the shore, Grandpa, would you give us a ride, please?
Xu Xuan turned to look and saw a woman wearing a white silk blouse, a fine
flaxen skirt, and white hairpins in her jet-black hair, which was arranged in a chignon
covered in mourning white. By her side stood her maid, dressed all in green. Her
hair was fastened in two knots, each tied with a bright red string and adorned with
a piece of jewelry. She was carrying a package in her hand. Both appeared eager to
get on the boat.
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Old Man Zhang remarked to Xu Xuan, As the saying goes, When theres a
wind blowing, you need do nothing to keep the fire going. Since we dont have to
do anything extra, why dont we take them on board?
Have them come down, then, said Xu Xuan. (The beginning of all the trou-
bles to come.)
So the old man drew the boat up to the shore, and the woman and her maid
stepped on board. At the sight of Xu Xuan, the woman flashed a smile, revealing
dainty white teeth between red lips, and dropped a curtsy. Xu Xuan rose with alacrity
and returned the greeting. After the woman and the maid were seated in the cabin,
the woman kept casting significant glances at Xu Xuan, who found his desires stir-
ring, despite his prudishness, at the sight of such an enchanting beauty accompa-
nied by the flower of a maid. (It so happens that prudish ones tend to be the easiest to
catch.)
May I ask your name, sir? said the woman.
I am Xu Xuan, the oldest son in the family.
Where do you live?
I live in Black Pearl Lane by Reward the Troops Bridge and work in an herbal
medicine store.
Now that the woman had asked her questions, Xu Xuan thought it was his turn.
Rising from his seat, he inquired, May I ask your name, madam? And where do
you live?
I am the younger sister of Ocer White [Bai] of the imperial guards. My hus-
band, Zhang, has unfortunately passed away and is buried here on Thunder Peak.
The Clear and Bright Festival being near, I took my maid to sweep his grave and
make some oerings today. We were on our way back when we got caught in the
rain. If you hadnt taken us in, we would have been in quite a sorry state.
After they had chatted for a while, the boat approached the shore. The woman
said, I left home in such haste that I didnt bring enough travel money. Could you
please lend me some money so that I may pay the boatman? Ill surely pay you
back. ( An excuse for continuing the association.)
As you wish, madam, but dont worry about such a trivial amount, Xu Xuan
assured her.
After the boatman was paid, the rain came down even harder. As Xu Xuan helped
her go ashore, the woman said, My house is at the entrance to Double Tea Lane
by Arrow Bridge. If its not beneath you, please follow me to my humble home for
tea, so that I can repay the money.
Oh, dont worry about such a trifle. Its getting late now. Ill come for a visit
another time, said Xu Xuan. And so, the woman and her maid took leave of him.
Xu Xuan then went through Golden Flood Gate and wended his way under
the eaves of the houses to Three Bridges Street, where Squire Lis brothers herb
store was located. Xu Xuan walked up and saw the younger Squire Li at the door.
Brother Xiaoyi, said Li, where are you going at this late hour?
m a d a m w h i t e i s k e p t f o r e v e r u n d e r t h u n d e r p e a k t o w e r
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I went to Baoshu Pagoda on an incense-oering trip and got caught in the
rain. Could you lend me an umbrella?
Old Chen! cried out Li. Get Master Xiaoyi an umbrella !
Soon, Old Chen emerged with an umbrella. Opening it, he said, Master Xiaoyi,
this umbrella is the work of Honest Shu by Character Eight Bridge on Clear Lake,
and a fine umbrella it is, with its eighty-four ribs and purple bamboo handle. Its
not torn anywhere, either. So dont ruin it! Be sure to take good care of it! (Remarks
quite unexpected. A comic touch.)
Of course, dont worry, said Xu Xuan as he took the umbrella. After some words
of thanks to Squire Li, he left, heading in the direction of Sheep Dike. As he approached
Rear Market Street, he heard someone call, Master Xiaoyi! Turning to look, he saw
a woman standing under the eaves of the small teahouse at the entrance to Shens
Well Street, the very Madam White who had been his companion on the boat.
Why are you here, madam?
With the rain pouring like that, my shoes became wet, so I had Little Green
go home to fetch an umbrella and my galoshes. Now that its getting dark, may I
share your umbrella for part of the way?
So they walked as far as the dike, sharing one umbrella. Now where do you
want to go, madam?
To Arrow Bridge after crossing that bridge.
Well, Im heading for Reward the Troops Bridge, which is quite close by. You
might just as well take the umbrella. Ill come to get it tomorrow. (Volunteering
to continue the relationship and inviting trouble. Theres no one more tender, aection-
ate, and [illegible] than Madam White.)
Youre too kind. Thank you so much, said Madam White.
Keeping under the eaves, Xu Xuan walked on in the rain. Upon arriving, he
ran into Wang An, his brother-in-laws servant, who had just returned after look-
ing vainly for him to deliver his galoshes and umbrella.
Xu Xuan ate supper at home and spent a wakeful night, tossing and turning,
thinking about the woman. When he finally fell asleep, the events of the day reap-
peared in a dream, stirring up amorous passion. At the roosters crow, he woke up
and realized that it had all been but a dream. Truly,
His heart as wild as a fast-running ape or horse,
His amorous desires kept him awake till dawn.
When it grew light at last, he rose, washed, did his hair, ate breakfast, and went
to the store. With his mind in a fluster, he could hardly concentrate on his job. In
the early afternoon, he thought to himself, How am I going to get the umbrella
back and return it without having to tell a lie? Addressing the older Squire Li,
who was sitting by the counter, he said, My brother-in-law wants me to go home
earlier than usual today to deliver a present for him. May I take the rest of the after-
noon o ?
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All right, go ahead. Come in earlier tomorrow!
After chanting his good-bye, Xu Xuan headed straight for Double Tea Lane by
Arrow Bridge and asked for directions to Madam Whites house, but no one knew
where it was. He was wondering what to do when Little Green, Madam Whites
maid, appeared, coming from an easterly direction.
Sister ! exclaimed Xu Xuan. Where exactly do you live? Ive come to get my
umbrella.
Follow me, sir.
And so he did. A few moments later, she announced, Here we are !
He saw that the house was two-storied with a double door flanked by four long,
latticed windows, two to a side. A finely woven vermilion curtain hung in the mid-
dle of the door. The main hall was lined with twelve black lacquer armchairs and
decorated with four landscape paintings by famous artists of olden times. Opposite
the house stood the mansion of Prince Xiu, father of Emperor Xiaozong of Song.
Disappearing behind the curtain, the maid said, Please come in and take a
seat, sir !
Xu Xuan followed her to the inner section of the house. Little Green then whis-
pered, Maam, Master Xiaoyi is here !
Invite him in for tea, said Madam White from inside.
Xu Xuan had not made up his mind what to do, but Little Green kept urging
him to go in, and so he did. There came into view four veiled latticed windows.
When the blue cotton portiere was raised, he saw a small parlor with a table on
which stood a pot of bearded calamus. Two paintings of beautiful women hung
on either side, and on the central wall was a picture of a deity. On another table
was a bronze vase in the shape of an incense burner.
Madam White stepped forward and said with a deep bow, Im much indebted
to you, Master Xiaoyi, for having taken such good care of us upon our first encounter
yesterday. How can I ever thank you enough?
Oh, its hardly worth mentioning.
Please sit and have some tea, said Madam White. After they finished the tea,
she continued, Let me serve you some wine as a token of my gratitude.
Before Xu Xuan could decline the oer, Little Green had laid out a fine spread
of vegetables and fruits.
I thank you, madam, for your hospitality, but I really shouldnt be imposing
on you like this. After drinking a few cups of wine, he rose and said, Its getting
late. As I have quite a long way to go, I beg to take leave of you now.
A relative of mine borrowed your umbrella from me last night, said Madam
White. Please have a few more cups while I try to have it sent back.
Its getting late. I really must be going.
Just one more cup!
But Ive had enough. Im much obliged!
If you insist on leaving now, please be good enough to come back tomorrow
m a d a m w h i t e i s k e p t f o r e v e r u n d e r t h u n d e r p e a k t o w e r
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for the umbrella. (Trying again to continue the relationship. Another twist in the plot.)
There was nothing Xu Xuan could do but take leave of her and return home.
The next day, after working in the store for a little while, he got away again on
some excuse and went to Madam Whites house to reclaim his umbrella. Again,
she kept him for wine.
Please give me back my umbrella, said Xu Xuan. I dont want to impose on
you like this.
But since the wine is ready, please take just one little cup, the woman insisted.
Xu Xuan felt he had no choice but to sit down. Madam White filled a cup, handed
it to Xu Xuan, and said, her cherry-red lips moving, her pearly teeth glistening,
her voice sweet and coquettish, her face radiant with joy, My respects to you, sir.
As they say, To an honest person, be honest. The fact is, my husband has died.
Judging from your kindness to me the first time we met, I believe that I must have
a predestined marriage bond with you and that the feeling is mutual. Wouldnt it
be nice if you could find a matchmaker and we two who are made for each other
can join in blissful marriage?
These words set Xu Xuan to thinking. That would indeed be a good match.
To have such a wife wouldnt be a bad deal at all. I am more than willing, but theres
one matter to consider. Working during the day for Squire Li and lodging at night
at my brother-in-laws house, I have saved a little money, but its just enough for
my own clothes. How can I aord to have a family?
As he sat there, pensively silent, Madam White asked, Why dont you answer
me?
Im very honored, but the fact of the matter is, I dont have the means to com-
ply with your wish.
That problem is easily solved, replied Madam White. I have money to spare.
You neednt worry on that score. To Little Green, she said, Go up and get an ingot
of silver for me.
Holding on to the railing, Little Green went up and down the stairs and handed
a package to Madam White. Master Xiaoyi, said the woman, Take this. When
in need, come here again for more. So saying, she gave the package to Xu Xuan
with her own hands. Xu Xuan opened the package and saw inside fifty taels of snow-
white silver. He put it in his sleeve and rose to go. Little Green returned his umbrella
to him. Umbrella in hand, Xu Xuan took his leave, went straight home, and hid
the silver. The night passed without further ado.
In the morning, he rose and went to Ocials Street to return the umbrella to
Squire Li. With some loose pieces of silver, he bought a fat and juicy roast goose,
fresh fish, lean meat, a young chicken, fruit, and a jar of wine and carried them
home. He gave everything to the housekeeper and the maids for them to take
care of.
His brother-in-law, Ocer Li, happened to be at home that day, and Xu Xuan
invited him and his sister to sit down around the dinner table with the fine spread
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on it. Much taken aback at the invitation, Ocer Li said to himself, Why is he
going to so much expense today? Ive never seen him with a wine cup. Somethings
wrong here !
The three sat down in order of seniority. After a few rounds of wine, Ocer
Li said, My honored brother-in-law, why are you going to so much expense when
theres nothing special happening?
Im much obliged to you, Brother-in-law, but please dont make fun of me.
This is really not worth mentioning. I am very grateful to you and Sister for tak-
ing care of me all these years. But, as they say, one guest should not impose him-
self on two hosts. Im a grown man now and should make sure Ill have support
in my old age. Ive had a marriage oer. Could you, my brother-in-law and sister,
please make the necessary arrangements on my behalf so that I can settle down
once and for all?
At these words, his brother-in-law and sister thought to themselves, This is a
man who hardly ever parts with a penny. And now, with what little he has spent,
he expects us to get a wife for him? Exchanging glances, the husband and wife
refrained from answering. After the meal was over, Xu Xuan went back to work.
A couple of days later, Xu Xuan wondered, Why does Sister still keep silent
about the matter? He asked his sister, Have you consulted Brother-in-law-about
what I said the other day?
No.
Why not?
Well, unlike other things, this isnt something that should be done in a rush.
Also, your brother-in-laws been looking worried the last couple of days, so I havent
dared ask him, so as to avoid adding another burden to his mind.
Sister, why are you dragging your feet? Whats so dicult about it? Youre ignor-
ing me only because youre afraid Ill be making a demand on my brother-in-laws
pocket! With that, he rose, went to his bedroom, opened his trunk, and took out
Madam Whites silver. Handing the ingot to his sister, he said, Now, no more
excuses. I need Brother-in-law to make the arrangements for me.
So, youve saved up quite a tidy sum all these years while working for Uncle !
No wonder you are talking about getting married! You go along now and leave the
money here with me.
When Ocer Li returned, Xu Xuans sister told him, Husband, you know why
my brother is talking about marrying? The fact is, he has saved up quite a tidy sum
for himself and has oered some to me. It looks like well have to take care of this
matchmaking business.
So thats what it is ! exclaimed Ocer Li. Well, its a good thing he has some
private savings. Show me the money. Promptly, his wife handed the silver to him.
He turned the ingot over and over in his hand, examining the characters engraved
on it. Were in trouble ! he burst out in alarm. This means death for the whole
family !
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Seized with fear, his wife asked, What can be so terrible?
A few days ago, fifty large ingots of silver disappeared from Marshal Shaos trea-
sury. The seal and lock on the door are intact, and there is no underground tunnel
that leads to it. And now, Linan Prefecture has been given the urgent task of hunt-
ing down the thief, but theres no clue whatsoever. Goodness knows how many people
have been implicated! Bulletins have been posted, complete with the serial num-
bers of the missing ingots. The bulletin says, Whoever captures the thief and finds
the silver shall receive a reward of fifty taels. Anyone who withholds information
or gives shelter to the thief shall be duly punished, and all members of his family
shall be banished to remote regions. Now, the serial number on this ingot is exactly
the same as the one in the bulletin, which means that the silver comes from Marshal
Shaos treasury, and theres a big hue and cry after it! Indeed, In a spreading fire,
you cant aord to take care of all your relatives. If this theft is discovered, I wont
be able to talk my way out of trouble. I dont care whether he stole it or borrowed
it, but its far better to have him punished than to be implicated myself. Ill have to
take the silver to the authorities, so as to protect my family. His wife was so stunned
at these words that her jaw dropped and she stared at him, her eyes unblinking.
And so, o he went to the prefectural yamen to surrender the ingot of silver.
His report deprived the prefect of a whole nights sleep.
The next day, He Li, the arrest ocer, was summoned posthaste. Taking a few
assistants and a team of lictors keen of eye and swift of movement, Ocer He Li
went straight to Squire Lis store on Ocials Street to apprehend the thief Xu Xuan.
At the store counter, the men gave a shout and bound Xu Xuan with rope. Beating
a drum and a gong along the way, they took him to the yamen of Linan Prefecture,
where Prefect Han happened to be holding court. Xu Xuan was taken to the mid-
dle of the hall and made to kneel down.
Beat him ! roared the prefect.
Hold the torture for now, Your Honor, protested Xu Xuan. First, let me know
the charge against me.
Furiously the magistrate thundered, What does a thief have to say for himself
when the evidence is there? How dare you try to claim innocence! Fifty of the largest
ingots of silver have disappeared from Marshal Shaos treasury, with the seal and
lock intact. Ocer Li has brought in one of the ingots, and the other forty-nine
ingots must be in your possession. If you are able to steal without touching the
seal, you must be a sorcerer as well as a thief ! All right, hold the beating for now,
but bring me some animal blood!7
Now realizing what this was all about, Xu Xuan shouted at the top of his voice,
Im not a sorcerer ! Let me explain!
All right, go ahead and tell me where you got the silver.
Thereupon, Xu Xuan gave a detailed account of how he had lent his umbrella
and had gotten it back.
s t o r y 2 8
4 8 2
What manner of woman is Madam White? the prefect demanded. And where
does she live?
She says shes the younger sister of Ocer White of the imperial guards. She
lives in the black house on the slope opposite Prince Xius mansion at the entrance
to Double Tea Lane by Arrow Bridge.
Right away, the prefect ordered Arrest Ocer He Li to escort Xu Xuan to Double
Tea Lane to apprehend the woman and bring her to court.
Thus ordered, He Li and his men hurried to the black house opposite Prince
Xius mansion on Double Tea Lane. When they got there, all they saw were four
windows looking out onto the street, a big double door, a heap of garbage on the
steps leading up to the door, and a bamboo pole across the door. The men stood
astounded. Then they set out to a search for some neighbors and came back from
one end of the street with a Mr. Qiu Da, a maker of artificial flowers, and from
the other end of the street a Mr. Sun, a cobbler. The latter was so overwhelmed by
the shock that he had a rupture and collapsed to the ground. Other neighbors came
over and told the ocers, There isnt any Madam White around here. About five
or six years ago, an Inspector Mao who used to lived there died in an epidemic, as
did all other members of his family. Since then, because ghosts have often been
seen coming out of the house in broad daylight to buy things, no one has dared
to live in it. A few days ago, a madman was seen standing in front of the door
chanting greetings.
By He Lis order, the bamboo pole barring the door was removed. As the door
opened, a gust of foul-smelling wind sprang up from the deserted interior of the
house. Astounded, the men staggered back, while Xu Xuan stood speechless.
Among the constables was a stout-hearted Mr. Wang, the second son in his fam-
ily, better known as Wino Wang the Second because of his weakness for wine.
Follow me ! shouted Wino Wang the Seco
