第十六回 欲壑空填花丛迷老吏 坠欢难拾宦境困英雄 (Chapter Sixteen: The Unfillable Chasm of Desire Beguiles an Old Official; Lost Joys Are Hard to Retrieve as Officialdom Traps a Hero)

Now, Yang Xingyuan had been studying day and night for two months in the Guild Hall. One day, he received a letter from Fu Jiaju, saying that they had not corresponded for several months, and now, because of a friend's matter, he was coming to Shanghai and very much wanted to meet. Seeing that his friend had come from afar, Yang Xingyuan felt it impolite to refuse. So he arranged to have dinner with him on Saturday evening at the Zhongxin Hall.

That afternoon, Fu Jiaju indeed arrived. Yang Xingyuan looked him over. He wore a small skullcap on his head, a woolen camel-hair robe of serge, black leather shoes on his feet, and a pair of large tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses on his face. Upon seeing Yang Xingyuan, he removed his hat and bowed. Yang Xingyuan promptly returned the courtesy and invited him to sit down.

Fu Jiaju spoke first. "Brother, I've come to Shanghai this time for two reasons. First, to handle the affairs of my late friend Zhang Xicao for his family. Second, because my late father had a student who holds office here in Shanghai. I wanted to ask him for a position. Unfortunately, neither endeavor came to anything. I felt rather disheartened, so I specially came to Beijing to chat with Mr. Yang and lift my spirits."

Yang Xingyuan said, "I, too, have been wanting to talk with Mr. Fu. It's just that I've been busy and haven't had time to pay my respects." Fu Jiaju replied, "You are a busy man, with no time for idle words. I've come today firstly to inquire after your well-being, and secondly, there's a matter I'd like to trouble you with." Yang Xingyuan said, "What is it? If it's within my power, I'll certainly oblige."

Seeing that Yang Xingyuan did not refuse, Fu Jiaju took out a letter from his person. "This is from my late father's student, Yu Lansu, currently an expectant circuit intendant in Jiangsu. He wishes to secure a post in Beijing. Knowing that I have some connections in the press, he asked me to promote him. I thought this matter required your esteemed pen, so I've come to trouble you."

Yang Xingyuan took the letter and glanced at it. It was filled with polite formalities, but below was attached a resume and a pamphlet of political views. Yang Xingyuan said, "I've heard a bit about this Circuit Intendant Yu. He's a very capable official. However, in Beijing nowadays, securing a post requires money. I'm afraid empty words alone won't be effective."

Fu Jiaju said, "I know that difficulty. But Yu Lansu has promised me that if the matter succeeds, he is willing to offer a thousand taels as a token of gratitude. I thought if Mr. Yang could write a few articles and publish them in the newspapers, as a preliminary boost, perhaps his fellow provincial officials in Beijing might be willing to help. As for remuneration, I can guarantee it won't fall through afterward."

Yang Xingyuan smiled. "I'm someone who enjoys wielding the pen. How dare I accept payment? But when promoting someone, although it's not a major offense, one must still investigate their administrative record before daring to write. Otherwise, wouldn't it become deceitful talk?" Fu Jiaju said, "I can vouch for that. Yu Lansu has been an expectant official in Jiangsu for many years, serving in various tax positions. His official reputation is excellent. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare trouble you."

Seeing his earnestness, Yang Xingyuan said, "In that case, I'll try my hand at a few articles. But nowadays, each newspaper has its own principles. Such social articles might not be easy to publish. I can only do what's within my power, entrusting them to familiar newspaper offices for discretion."

Fu Jiaju was overjoyed. He stood up and bowed again to Yang Xingyuan. "I rely entirely on your great effort. I am endlessly grateful." Yang Xingyuan hurriedly returned the courtesy. After some more casual conversation, Fu Jiaju took his leave and departed.

Two days later, Yang Xingyuan indeed wrote an article titled "A Brief Account of Circuit Intendant Yu Lansu's Administrative Achievements." He sent it to a familiar small newspaper office for publication. The editor-in-chief of that newspaper office, seeing it was a submission from Yang Xingyuan, dared not delay. It was published the next day. Yang Xingyuan then wrote two more articles in succession, sending them to two other newspaper offices, which also published them.

When Yu Lansu learned of this, he was immensely pleased. He prepared a generous gift and asked Fu Jiaju to deliver it to Yang Xingyuan. Yang Xingyuan refused to accept it. Fu Jiaju said, "This is his token of respect. If you don't accept it, he'll think the matter hopeless." Yang Xingyuan said, "That's not true. I merely performed my duty with the pen, not expecting any reward."

Fu Jiaju said, "Even if you don't expect reward, he cannot fail to thank you. In my opinion, it's better for you to accept. Otherwise, he might suspect you think it too little or are unwilling to exert further effort." Yang Xingyuan thought for a moment. "Since that's the case, I'll accept it temporarily. After he succeeds, I'll return it to him."

Fu Jiaju said, "We'll talk about the future later. For now, please accept it." With that, he clearly handed over the gifts and took his leave. Yang Xingyuan examined the gifts. There were two pieces of Hangzhou silk, two pieces of Ningbo satin, and four boxes of pastries, worth about forty or fifty dollars. He thought to himself that this gift was not light, showing how heavily officials regarded such posts.

After Yu Lansu asked Yang Xingyuan to promote him, over half a month passed, and Yu Lansu actually obtained a post as an acting councilor in the Ministry of Finance. He was overjoyed and prepared another generous gift to thank Yang Xingyuan. This time, Yang Xingyuan firmly declined. Seeing Yang Xingyuan's insistence, Yu Lansu had no choice but to relent. A few days later, he invited Yang Xingyuan to dinner at the Xingchun Residence. Yang Xingyuan could not refuse and went.

During the meal, Yu Lansu was exceedingly attentive, expressing many words of gratitude. Yang Xingyuan said, "Mr. Yu, you're too polite. Those few immature articles are really nothing. Your obtaining the post is due to the efforts of your fellow provincial gentlemen. What merit do I have?" Yu Lansu said, "Mr. Yang, you're too modest. Although my fellow provincials were willing to help, without your articles, they wouldn't have known of my achievements. How would they have exerted effort? So ultimately, it's your great merit."

Seeing him lavish praise, Yang Xingyuan felt too embarrassed to say more and merely offered some polite but noncommittal responses. After the banquet, Yu Lansu invited Yang Xingyuan to the opera. Yang Xingyuan pleaded other business and returned home.

From then on, Yu Lansu would always send gifts to Yang Xingyuan during holidays. Although Yang Xingyuan declined, he insisted on sending them. Sometimes he even asked Fu Jiaju to deliver them. Yang Xingyuan, weary of this, had no choice but to accept. Thus, Yang Xingyuan and Yu Lansu became friends, often visiting each other.

Time flew swiftly. In the blink of an eye, winter ended and spring arrived. At this time, Yang Xingyuan's finances were somewhat more comfortable, so he thought of moving to a quieter place. Coincidentally, his friend Li Yinyu, who lived in the western city, had a spacious house and was willing to rent two rooms to him. Yang Xingyuan moved there.

The place was a small siheyuan courtyard. Li Yinyu occupied three north rooms, Yang Xingyuan took two west rooms, while the east and south rooms were empty. In the courtyard stood two jujube trees and one locust tree, making it quite serene. After moving in, Yang Xingyuan tidied it up until the windows were bright and everything clean. Each day, he read and wrote, finding it very comfortable.

One day, Yang Xingyuan was reading at home when he suddenly heard a burst of laughter and chatter outside the courtyard. Peering through the glass window, he saw Li Yinyu enter with a woman in her twenties, both smiling. The woman wore a blue-gray serge jacket and a black Indian silk skirt, with light makeup on her face, giving her a somewhat charming appearance.

Li Yinyu, seeing Yang Xingyuan in the room, called out, "Brother Xingyuan, are you home?" Yang Xingyuan had to go out to greet them. Li Yinyu pointed at the woman. "This is my humble wife." Then to the woman, "This is Mr. Yang, whom I often mention." The woman smiled and nodded slightly at Yang Xingyuan.

Yang Xingyuan also had to greet her with "Mrs. Li" and invited them to the north rooms. He then retreated to his own room, thinking to himself, "Li Yinyu always said he had no family. How does he suddenly have a wife? And this Mrs. Li seems rather indecorous in her demeanor. Could this be a temporary arrangement?"

As he pondered, Li Yinyu came over to the west room. Yang Xingyuan invited him to sit and asked, "Brother Yinyu, you always said your family was in the south. When did you bring them here?" Li Yinyu laughed. "To be frank, brother, I just got married last month. It was rather rushed, so I didn't inform friends. That's why you didn't know."

Yang Xingyuan said, "So that's how it is. Congratulations." Li Yinyu said, "Thank you. My humble wife is from the south and doesn't understand much. I'll have to ask for your guidance in the future." Yang Xingyuan said, "You're too polite." Li Yinyu sat for a while longer, then returned to the north rooms.

From then on, Yang Xingyuan learned that Li Yinyu had married. That Mrs. Li would often water flowers and feed birds in the courtyard, sometimes humming little tunes softly. Yang Xingyuan, hearing this, found it rather grating and paid little attention. Mrs. Li would occasionally find some excuse to come to the west room and strike up a conversation with Yang Xingyuan. Yang Xingyuan remained indifferent, so she felt disinterested and gradually stopped coming.

One day, Yang Xingyuan went out of the city on business and returned a bit late. Entering the courtyard, he saw the north rooms brightly lit with lamps and candles, filled with laughter and chatter as if guests were being entertained. Just as he was about to enter his own room, he suddenly heard someone from the north rooms shout, "Mr. Yang is back." Then Li Yinyu ran out, grabbed Yang Xingyuan, and said, "Brother Xingyuan, you've come just in time. We're short one for a game here. Come join us."

Yang Xingyuan said, "I'm not very skilled at this. I'm afraid I'll spoil your fun." Li Yinyu said, "It doesn't matter. They're all old acquaintances." With that, he pulled him into the north room. Inside sat two men and one woman. The woman was Mrs. Li, while the two men were unfamiliar.

Li Yinyu introduced them. "This is Mr. Yang Xingyuan." Then pointing at the two men, "This is Mr. Zhao Guanmei, and this is Mr. Wu Xiaopeng. Both are good friends of mine." Zhao Guanmei wore a Western suit and looked quite imposing. Wu Xiaopeng was a fat man, dressed in a robe and a mandarin jacket.

After some polite exchanges, Li Yinyu invited Yang Xingyuan to join the mahjong game. Yang Xingyuan could not refuse and sat down. Mrs. Li sat beside Li Yinyu, watching the game. After eight rounds, it was past eleven o'clock. Li Yinyu called the maid to prepare a late-night snack.

Both Zhao Guanmei and Wu Xiaopeng were talkative. At the table, they held forth with lofty discussions, flattering everyone present. Yang Xingyuan, however, found some of their words rather grating and merely kept his head down, eating. Mrs. Li beamed with delight, looking very pleased.

After the snack, Zhao Guanmei and Wu Xiaopeng took their leave. Li Yinyu said to Yang Xingyuan, "These two are both clerks at the Ministry of Finance, quite well-off. I'm currently idle and rely on them for some support." Yang Xingyuan murmured a few words of assent and returned to his room.

From then on, Li Yinyu often associated with Zhao Guanmei and Wu Xiaopeng, sometimes even borrowing Yang Xingyuan's room to entertain guests. Although Yang Xingyuan was unwilling, he could not refuse for the sake of appearances. But when they came, he would find excuses to avoid them, thus maintaining peace.

One evening, Yang Xingyuan returned from the newspaper office to find the north rooms again brightly lit with laughter and chatter. Just as he was about to return to his room, he vaguely saw someone standing under the locust tree in the courtyard. Startled, he approached and saw it was Mrs. Li.

Mrs. Li, seeing it was Yang Xingyuan, whispered, "Mr. Yang, just back?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Yes. Mrs. Li, not asleep yet?" Mrs. Li said, "It's very stuffy inside. I came out to cool off." Yang Xingyuan said, "Indeed, it's quite hot tonight." With that, he turned to leave.

Mrs. Li stepped closer and whispered, "Mr. Yang, I have something to tell you." Yang Xingyuan said, "Please speak." Mrs. Li said, "This isn't a good place to talk. May we go to your room for a sit-down?" Hearing this, Yang Xingyuan's heart skipped a beat. "It's late. I'm afraid it's inconvenient."

Mrs. Li laughed. "Mr. Yang, you're too reserved. Since we're neighbors, what's the harm in sitting and chatting?" Seeing her say this, Yang Xingyuan felt he could not refuse outright. "In that case, please come in."

The two entered the west room. Yang Xingyuan invited Mrs. Li to sit, but he himself stood far away. Mrs. Li smiled. "Mr. Yang, please sit. Do I have thorns that might prick you?" Yang Xingyuan had no choice but to sit on the chair opposite.

Mrs. Li said, "I have a matter I'd like to ask for your help with. I wonder if you're willing?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Please speak. If it's within my power, I'll certainly oblige." Mrs. Li said, "You're an understanding man, so I won't hide it from you. I'm not really Li Yinyu's wife. I'm just with him temporarily."

Hearing this, though expected, Yang Xingyuan was still startled. "I don't quite understand what you mean, Mrs. Li," he said. Mrs. Li laughed. "You're a smart man. What's not to understand? To be honest, I'm a lonely and helpless person. Being with Li Yinyu is also out of desperation. He's a penniless fellow who can't support me. I'd like to ask you, Mr. Yang, to keep an eye out for opportunities for me outside. If there's any chance, I'd willingly follow you, even as a maid or servant."

With that, she glanced coquettishly at Yang Xingyuan. Hearing this, Yang Xingyuan felt a surge of anger. He wanted to rebuke her severely, but feared making a scene that would embarrass everyone. So he said sternly, "You're mistaken, Mrs. Li. I am not such a person. It's late. Please leave."

Mrs. Li, seeing Yang Xingyuan's righteous expression, knew he was not to be trifled with. She gave a cold laugh. "Since you're unwilling to help, Mr. Yang, let it be. Why get so angry?" With that, she stood up and left.