From gossip I heard, Kung I-chi had studied the classics but had never passed the official examination. With no way of making a living, he grew poorer and poorer, until be was practically reduced to beggary. Happily, he was a good calligrapher, and could get enough copying work to support himself. Unfortunately he had failings: he liked drinking and was lazy. So after a few days he would invariably disappear, taking books, paper, brushes and inkstone with him. After this had happened several times, nobody wanted to employ him as a copyist again. Then there was no alternative for him but to take to occasional pilfering. In our tavern his behaviour was exemplary. He never failed to pay up, although sometimes, when he had no ready money, his name would appear on the board where we listed debtors. However, in less than a month he would always settle and his name would be wiped off the board again
From gossip I heard, Kung I-chi had studied the classics but had never passed the official examination. With no way of making a living, he grew poorer and poorer, until be was practically reduced to beggary. Happily, he was a good calligrapher, and could get enough copying work to support himself. Unfortunately he had failings: he liked drinking and was lazy. So after a few days he would invariably disappear, taking books, paper, brushes and inkstone with him. After this had happened several times, nobody wanted to employ him as a copyist again. Then there was no alternative for him but to take to occasional pilfering. In our tavern his behaviour was exemplary. He never failed to pay up, although sometimes, when he had no ready money, his name would appear on the board where we listed debtors. However, in less than a month he would always settle, and his name would be wiped off the board again
After drinking half a howl of wine, Kung would regain his composure. But then someone would ask Kung I-chi, do you really know how to read? When Kung looked as if such a question were beneath contempt, they would continue: How is it you never passed even the lowest official examination? At that Kung would look disconsolate and ill at ease. His face would turn pale and his lips move, but only to utter those unintelligible classical expressions Then everybody would laugh heartily again, and the whole tavern would be merry At such times, I could join in the laughter without being scolded by my master In fact he often put such questions to Kung himself, to evoke laughter Knowing it was no use talking to them, Kung would chat to us children. Once he asked me Have you had any schooling?
After drinking half a howl of wine, Kung would regain his composure. But then someone would ask: "Kung I-chi, do you really know how to read?" When Kung looked as if such a question were beneath contempt, they would continue: "How is it you never passed even the lowest official examination?" At that Kung would look disconsolate and ill at ease. His face would turn pale and his lips move, but only to utter those unintelligible classical expressions. Then everybody would laugh heartily again, and the whole tavern would be merry. At such times, I could join in the laughter without being scolded by my master. In fact he often put such questions to Kung himself, to evoke laughter. Knowing it was no use talking to them, Kung would chat to us children. Once he asked me: "Have you had any schooling?
When I nodded, he said, Well then, I'll test you. How do you write the character hui in hui-xiang(aniseed--Translator) peas? I thought, "I'm not going to be tested by a beggar! "So I turned ignored him. After waiting for some time, he said very earnes. way and You can't write it? I'll show you how. Mind you remember! You ought to remember such characters, because later when you have a shop of your own, you'l need them to make up your accounts. It seemed to me I was still very far from owning a shop; besides, our employer never entered hui-xiang peas in the account book. Amused yet exasperated, I answered listlessly: Who wants you as a teacher? Isn't it the character hui with the grass radical?
When I nodded, he said, "Well then, I'll test you. How do you write the character hui in hui-xiang (aniseed--Translator) peas?" I thought, "I'm not going to be tested by a beggar!" So I turned away and ignored him. After waiting for some time, he said very earnestly: "You can't write it? I'll show you how. Mind you remember! You ought to remember such characters, because later when you have a shop of your own, you'll need them to make up your accounts." It seemed to me I was still very far from owning a shop; besides, our employer never entered hui-xiang peas in the account book. Amused yet exasperated, I answered listlessly: "Who wants you as a teacher? Isn't it the character hui with the grass radical?
Kung was delighted, and tapped two long fingernails on the counter Right, right! "he said, nodding. "Only there are four different ways of writing hui. Do you know them? My patience exhausted, I scowled and made off. Kung I-chi had dipped his finger in wine, in order to trace the characters on the counter: but when he saw how indifferent I was, he sighed and looked most disappointed Sometimes children in the neighbourhood, hearing laughter, came to join in the fun, and surrounded Kung I-chi Then he would give them peas flavoured with aniseed, one apiece. After eating the peas, the children would still hang round, their eyes on the dish. Flustered, he would cover the dish with his hand and, bending forward from the waist, would say:There isnt much. I haven't much as it is." Then straightening up to look at the peas again, he would shake his head Not much! Verily, not much, forsooth "Then the children would scamper off, with shouts of laughter
Kung was delighted, and tapped two long fingernails on the counter. "Right, right!" he said, nodding. "Only there are four different ways of writing hui. Do you know them?" My patience exhausted, I scowled and made off. Kung I-chi had dipped his finger in wine, in order to trace the characters on the counter; but when he saw how indifferent I was, he sighed and looked most disappointed. Sometimes children in the neighbourhood, hearing laughter, came to join in the fun, and surrounded Kung I-chi Then he would give them peas flavoured with aniseed, one apiece. After eating the peas, the children would still hang round, their eyes on the dish. Flustered, he would cover the dish with his hand and, bending forward from the waist, would say: "There isn't much. I haven't much as it is." Then straightening up to look at the peas again, he would shake his head. "Not much! Verily, not much, forsooth!" Then the children would scamper off, with shouts of laughter
Kung I-chi was very good company, but we got along all right without him too One day, a few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the tavern keeper was laboriously making out his accounts. Taking down the board from the wall, he suddenly said: Kung I-chi hasn't been in for a long time. He still owes nineteen coppers! "That made me realize how long it was since we had seen him How could he come? one of the customers said. " His legs were broken in that last beating Ah! He was stealing again. This time he was fool enough to steal from Mr. Ting, the provincial scholar! As if anybody could get away with that What then? What then? First he had to write a confession, then he was beaten. The beating lasted nearly all night, until his legs were broken And then? Well, his legs were broken es, but after that? After? Who knows? He may be dead
Kung I-chi was very good company, but we got along all right without him too. One day, a few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the tavern keeper was laboriously making out his accounts. Taking down the board from the wall, he suddenly said: "Kung I-chi hasn't been in for a long time. He still owes nineteen coppers!" That made me realize how long it was since we had seen him. "How could he come?" one of the customers said. "His legs were broken in that last beating." "Ah!" "He was stealing again. This time he was fool enough to steal from Mr. Ting, the provincial scholar! As if anybody could get away with that!" "What then?" "What then? First he had to write a confession, then he was beaten. The beating lasted nearly all night, until his legs were broken." "And then?" "Well, his legs were broken." "Yes, but after that?" "After? . Who knows? He may be dead