Explore Chapter 2 of 'Spring Ming Outer History' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Seeing Yang Xingyuan's alarmed expression, Wu Bibo asked what was wrong. Yang Xingyuan said, "That sudden whirlwind just now felt so ghostly it startled me. Let's go! Mr. Zhang probably doesn't want us lingering here." Huang Bieshan stood there, growing impatient. When they arrived, he went with them to the public memorial site. Yang Xingyuan saw on the grass a set of cold sacrificial offerings: three cups of wine, three cups of tea, and a large pile of paper money in front. Many paper-cut spirit banners were planted on the tops of various graves. Yang Xingyuan said to Huang Bieshan, "This is entirely our southern custom. Seeing these things makes one think of hometown scenes." Wu Bibo said, "Only one thing is missing: the wailing of women." Yang Xingyuan replied, "Indeed, that wild weeping during the Qingming Festival is most heart-wrenching to hear. If there were women's cries here, I'd truly cut paper to summon spirits for the dead." Wu Bibo said, "My way is long. I must leave first." Yang Xingyuan asked, "Did you come on a donkey at the city gate?" Wu Bibo said, "Yes." Yang Xingyuan said, "Then let's all three go together." So saying, the three left the charity burial ground and rode donkeys into the city. The caretaker, busy entertaining Mr. Xu from the House of Representatives and Mr. Liu from the Ministry of Finance, did not come out to see them off. Riding their donkeys, they reached Yongding Gate. Wu Bibo then returned to school. Yang Xingyuan and Huang Bieshan slowly made their way back to the Guild Hall.
By the time they reached Xiangchang, the lights of countless households were already lit. Suddenly, a brand-new monthly rental rickshaw came speeding toward them, equipped with four bright electric lamps. Seated inside was a beautiful woman wearing a pale green Indian silk cheongsam, her colors vivid and striking. Upon closer look, it was none other than Li Yun. Li Yun saw Yang Xingyuan and smiled at him, giving a slight nod. In his fluster, Yang Xingyuan was unsure whether to greet her or not. He hesitated for a moment, and before he could nod back, the rickshaw had already sped far away. Yang Xingyuan thought to himself, "I stood there like a wooden chicken just now. She greeted me, and I didn't even respond. She'll probably think I'm putting on airs." His mind was preoccupied, but he managed to exchange a few scattered words with Huang Bieshan as they walked along the roadside. Soon, they arrived home. After dinner, it was time to head to the newspaper office. He took a rickshaw to the Shadow News Agency. Everyone in the editorial department had already started work. He Jianchen sat before a large pile of letters and News Agency manuscripts, tapping the dining table with a pair of foreign scissors, lost in thought. Looking up, he saw Yang Xingyuan and said, "Why are you so late today?" Yang Xingyuan replied, "I went to the outskirts today. Dinner was a bit delayed. Just now, as I passed through Xiangchang, I even ran into Li Yun." He Jianchen noticed his hesitant manner and knew there was more to the story. He smiled and said, "Work comes first. We'll talk later." Then he lowered his head to cut the News Agency manuscripts. Yang Xingyuan also sat down opposite He Jianchen. Suddenly, He Jianchen exclaimed, "Ah! Ling Songlu has been arrested." Yang Xingyuan asked, "Is that the same Ling Songlu we dined with at Jiuhua Restaurant?" He Jianchen said, "Exactly him. Who knows what fate led to his arrest? If his newspaper could cause trouble, I'd be a bit skeptical." Their colleague, a translator named Shi Chengran, sitting nearby, couldn't help but laugh. He said, "I know the details well. It's a fine piece of social fiction. If this had happened ten years earlier, it would have been a huge scandal." Hearing this, He Jianchen took out a cigar, placed it in his mouth, lit it, took a puff, and leaned back in his chair. Holding the cigar, he asked Shi Chengran, "I'd like to hear the details." Shi Chengran smiled and said, "First, tell me, where is Ling Songlu from?" He Jianchen said, "He's just an overseas Chinese from the South Seas." Shi Chengran shook his head. "Wrong." He Jianchen said, "His ancestral home is Fujian." Shi Chengran said, "Still wrong." He Jianchen asked, "Then where is he from?" Shi Chengran said, "He's not from the mainland. He's Taiwanese. Because he traveled to the South Seas a couple of times, he passed himself off as an overseas Chinese. This case of his has a hint of swindling. It fits that line from the drum song, 'stealing the fragrance from Han Shou's shadow.'" He Jianchen crossed one leg and swayed slightly. "This is getting interesting. Tell me more." Yang Xingyuan said, "You look like you're putting on a modern drama." Just as he was about to continue, the apprentice from the typesetting room came twice in a row, urging them to submit the manuscripts. Yang Xingyuan said, "Let's hurry and send the manuscripts. If we keep chatting and laughing like this, we'll have to suspend publication tomorrow." Only then did everyone stop talking and focus on submitting their respective manuscripts. After finishing, they went to the living room for congee. He Jianchen said to Shi Chengran, "Now that we're free, tell us this romantic tale." Shi Chengran said, "In the Beijing-Tianjin area, there's a Zhang the Fourth, nicknamed the Imperial Son-in-Law. You know of him, right?" He Jianchen asked, "What does he have to do with Ling Songlu?" Shi Chengran said, "The connection runs deep. They're love rivals! This story is long, so let me take it slow. Zhang the Fourth's brother-in-law, Fang Zijian, has long been nicknamed the 'scholar enthusiast.' For years, he's been lounging in the south, playing with antiques and smoking opium. The money he inherited from his father was already spent. Recently, because his clan brother had some connections with the highest authorities, he seized this opportunity and came to Beijing to try his luck. Relying on his father's former prestige, he figured he wouldn't go hungry in this old capital. Sure enough, the highest authorities remembered old ties and gave him a senior advisory position. Though Fang Zijian was like a spring emerging from the mountains, it was still worthwhile. Initially, he stayed with his clan brother, but due to various inconveniences, he moved into the The Internal Affairs Daily newspaper office. The building of The Internal Affairs Daily was actually his clan brother's property, quite spacious, and he was happy to stay there. Little did he know this would lead to turmoil. The publisher of The Internal Affairs Daily, Ling Songlu, was also a sociable fellow. To name just one thing, his opium setup was unmatched. It's said he had several servants who were expert opium preparers. His method was unique: he prepared a hundred opium pipes, each loaded in advance. When smoking, there was no need to prepare on the spot. After each puff, he'd switch pipes. There was no ash, and it was very convenient. Anyone who smoked there praised the experience as thoroughly satisfying, let alone the sweetness and purity of the opium itself. With such a special treasure in his newspaper office, officials and dignitaries flocked to taste this novelty. Ling Songlu thus seized the chance to meet many powerful figures. When Fang Zijian moved into the The Internal Affairs Daily newspaper office, he initially got along well with Ling Songlu. Ling Songlu even published large batches of Fang Zijian's poems in the newspaper. But fate had it that Fang Zijian's sister, Fang Jinghua, came from Tianjin to Beijing one day to visit her second brother. As soon as she entered, she saw Ling Songlu. From the man's perspective, seeing her brother there, he ought to be cautious. Yet, the young lady was quite forward. Beaming, she said, 'Oh! Old Fifth! You're here too?' Fang Zijian said, 'That's strange. I just met him. How do you know him?' Fang Jinghua said, 'We've known each other since Shanghai. Didn't you know?' Fang Zijian saw the situation and understood half of it, but kept it to himself. Originally, Fang Zijian and his eldest brother had some disagreements due to political differences, but this sister was born from the same Ryukyu mother. Fang Zijian, who prided himself on being like Cao Zhi, wouldn't do something as fratricidal as burning beans with beanstalks, so he didn't scold his sister. Little did he know, this young lady felt even more at ease and also stayed at the The Internal Affairs Daily newspaper office. Another day, Ling Songlu hosted a banquet, inviting many dignitaries as well as the Fang siblings. The young lady was intent on causing trouble for her brother. Under the influence of wine, she openly confronted her brother in front of everyone. She said, 'Second Brother! That heartless Zhang the Fourth already has Wu Yuqiu. Our father is gone, so he has no hopes left. Why would he still want me? Good brother, make the decision and marry me off to Ling Fifth.' Then she turned to Ling Songlu and said, 'Old Fifth, what do you say?' Fang Zijian heard this and turned pale with anger. At the banquet, he couldn't say much, and this sister had been pampered since childhood, beyond his control. He could only fume, 'What nonsense is this? What nonsense?' The guests tried to save Fang Zijian's face, quickly saying, 'Your sister is drunk. Let her be.' But Fang Jinghua went all out. She stood up and declared, 'Who's drunk? Let's speak plainly. This is an age of free love. Since Zhang the Fourth has taken Wu Yuqiu, I can marry someone else. As for eldest brother, he's from a different mother, so he doesn't meddle. Second Brother, if you agree, fine. If not, I can still divorce Zhang the Fourth. These days, even if father were alive and the emperor himself, he couldn't control me.' After saying this, she stormed into another room, her high-heeled shoes clacking loudly. The gathering ended unhappily. After this scene, Fang Zijian was furious. At that time, some opium-smoking guests hadn't left yet. Fang Jinghua only grew bolder. With a tipsy air, she asked Ling Songlu, 'It's so hot. I want to bathe. Is your bathroom here not broken?' The The Internal Affairs Daily newspaper office was a high-class residence built by Fang Zijian's clan brother, with a bathroom installed. She was asking knowingly. Ling Songlu immediately assured her, 'It's ready.' He had someone escort the young lady to bathe. But once she entered the bathroom, she made a fuss again, saying the water pipe wouldn't open and she needed help. Ling Songlu said with a smile, 'I have no choice. Let me attend to you.' As soon as Ling Songlu entered, Fang Jinghua slammed the door shut. The door had a latch that locked automatically. It didn't open until two or three hours later. The opium-smoking friends witnessed and heard everything. Though they couldn't speak out, they deeply disapproved. Even with a temper as vast as the sea, Fang Zijian couldn't take it anymore. He immediately went to his clan brother and told him everything. His clan brother said, 'This isn't entirely Third Sister's fault. I have a plan.' He then explained his scheme to Zijian. So, yesterday afternoon, Ling Songlu was arrested." After finishing his tale, he also finished his congee. Yang Xingyuan and He Jianchen sighed, reflecting on the ancient saying, "Through all lives and generations, one wishes not to be born into an imperial family," finding it worth pondering. Chatting away, they didn't realize it was already two o'clock. Everyone left the newspaper office for home. As Yang Xingyuan reached the door, He Jianchen smiled and said, "I have something important to tell you, but I forgot amid the conversation." Yang Xingyuan stopped and asked what it was. He Jianchen thought for a moment and said, "Let's talk tomorrow. It's not something that can be said in a few words." Yang Xingyuan didn't press further and left.
The next evening, after they met in the editorial department, He Jianchen didn't mention a word, just kept his head down editing manuscripts. Yang Xingyuan couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you say you had something to tell me?" He Jianchen said, "Don't ask now. Hurry and edit the manuscripts. We'll talk later." After speaking, he gave Yang Xingyuan a meaningful look. Yang Xingyuan understood there was intent behind it and didn't inquire further. Soon, the editing was done. He Jianchen said, "This nightly routine of congee is getting tiresome. Xingyuan, how about we go eat something?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Where can we eat at this hour?" He Jianchen replied, "Plenty of places. Northern and southern cuisines, Cantonese late-night snacks, all sorts. But I don't know what you'd like." Yang Xingyuan smiled. "From what you say, it must be that Shanghai-style Hanjia TanShaanxi Lane. But in the deep quiet of night, walking around such places raises suspicions of impropriety." He Jianchen said, "We're not aiming for the cold meat of the ancestral hall. How can we always tread the straight path? Let's go." He pulled Yang Xingyuan along. They left the newspaper office, with He Jianchen's rickshaw in front and Yang Xingyuan's behind. After a few turns, they entered Hanjia Tan. People in the hutong strolled in small groups, laughing and chatting merrily. Yang Xingyuan thought, "Many people walk here every night. To question each one about their purpose would be an interesting query. In life, there are many moments that reveal one's false facade. Aren't those walking on this road all displaying some sign of decadence?" As he pondered in the rickshaw, they stopped at a doorway. Looking up, it was the Pine and Bamboo House. Before Yang Xingyuan could speak, He Jianchen smiled and said, "I brought you to revisit an old haunt, exactly what you wanted to discuss last night." By now, Yang Xingyuan knew he couldn't escape and followed him inside. Hua Jun's room happened to be free of guests, so they went straight there to sit. Yang Xingyuan, having been here once before, could manage a few words. Hua Jun stood before the dressing mirror, combing her bangs with a small ivory comb. She glanced at He Jianchen's reflection in the mirror, her eyes softly inviting, her brows lightly arched, and smiled. He Jianchen smiled back at the mirror. Yang Xingyuan saw this and couldn't help but feel envious. He said to He Jianchen, "You're like mirror-caught lovebirds, forgetting there's someone else here?" He Jianchen said, "You seem like a little imp with spring stirrings. Come, Old Fifth, bring Li Yun here." Hua Jun said, "Why call her? Aren't you afraid people will call you the boss of the freeloading company?" He Jianchen gave Hua Jun a look and gestured toward Yang Xingyuan. Hua Jun said seriously, "Then, we all have face. We can't make a mess." He Jianchen laughed. "Silly! Just go invite her. No need for more words." Hua Jun left with a smile. Yang Xingyuan guessed half the situation but, out of respect for Hua Jun's face, didn't say anything. After Hua Jun left, Yang Xingyuan asked He Jianchen, "What are you two scheming?" He Jianchen smiled. "How about I play matchmaker for you?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Don't mess around. I don't engage in such things." He Jianchen put on a stern face. "When she comes, you can't refuse. Better you don't come next time than make fun of Hua Jun and Li Yun." Yang Xingyuan could only smile and say, "You're both soft and hard. I have no way with you." Just then, Hua Jun brought Li Yun in. Li Yun wore a light gray serge outfit, with her front hair curled and styled, and satin flat shoes, enhancing her elegant and pleasing demeanor. Li Yun first greeted Master He, then turned to Yang Xingyuan and called him Master Yang. He Jianchen clapped his hands and said to Yang Xingyuan, "Great! When did Meng Guang accept Liang Hong's case? No introduction needed." Yang Xingyuan said, "We didn't know each other before. Don't talk nonsense." He Jianchen said, "Then how does Li Yun know your surname is Yang?" Li Yun smiled. "Weren't you here with Master Yang a couple of days ago? That's how I know." He Jianchen said, "So you've been attentive. Good. Now I formally introduce Master Yang to you." Li Yun smiled. "Thank you! Is that alright?" At this point, Li Yun's maid, Amao, brought over two plates of melon seeds and fruit, a sign that the courtesan had accepted the guest's acquaintance. Yang Xingyuan, bewildered, naturally had nothing to say and thus became a visitor to this willow lane. From that day on, Yang Xingyuan often invited friends to the Pine and Bamboo House. Sometimes, without suitable companions, he went alone once or twice. If he didn't go, it felt like something was left undone for the day.
One afternoon, he attended a friend's dinner appointment at Xinghualou. After the meal, it was only a little past six. He thought, "It's too early to go to the newspaper office now. Where can I kill some time?" As he pondered, he walked out. When about to get into the rickshaw, he hesitated. Coincidentally, the rickshaw puller took the initiative and directly pulled up to the entrance of Pine and Bamboo House. Yang Xingyuan thought, "This is too much! My daily visit to Pine and Bamboo House has become a habit, even the rickshaw puller knows." But though his mind wavered, his feet had already carried him inside. In the hallway, he saw a tall man speaking Fujian-accented Mandarin on the phone. They exchanged glances, seeming familiar, but didn't greet each other. Li Yun saw Yang Xingyuan and came out to meet him. She said, "Why so early today?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Getting it done early saves a late visit. Isn't that good?" Li Yun smiled. "Your early arrival is perfect. I have a favor to ask." Yang Xingyuan thought, "Here it comes. This must be the start of making demands." He asked what it was. Li Yun smiled. "It's very easy for you." She took a book from the glass cabinet. Yang Xingyuan saw it was a commoner's thousand-character primer. He asked, "Why bring this out?" Li Yun smiled. "I see among my sisters, those who can read enjoy books, newspapers, and even write their own letters. I envy them greatly. But learning to read isn't done in a day or two. I often think this is only possible in another life. Yesterday, I went to Dasenli to visit an elder sister. She originally couldn't read, but after just over a month apart, she can now keep accounts. I asked how she learned. She said a university professor, very close to her, encouraged her to study. At first, she said it wasn't easy. The professor insisted that if she was willing, he'd guarantee she could write letters in three months. Without waiting for her consent, he bought her books, pens, inkstones, and more. She thought, since he meant well, she couldn't ignore him, so she started learning for fun. The professor, seeing her willingness, was overjoyed. Every day after class at four o'clock, he'd come to teach her, even spending two dollars on tea money each time. Hearts are made of flesh. My sister, seeing his passion, felt she'd wrong him if she didn't study seriously, so she truly began, even preparing snacks for him. But then the professor strictly acted as a teacher, requiring her to read and write a certain amount daily. My sister, who loves fun, has been transformed by his teaching. She urged me to study and gave me this book. Please, could you come teach me once a day? If you come a bit earlier, it's very quiet here." Yang Xingyuan smiled. "It's a fine task, but my friends already gossip about my daily visits. If I start teaching, wouldn't that give them more to laugh about?" Li Yun scoffed softly. "I knew you'd refuse. But why isn't that professor afraid of ridicule?" Yang Xingyuan said, "He gets benefits from teaching. What about me?" Li Yun blushed, gently kicking Yang Xingyuan's foot with her shoe, and whispered with a smile, "You're talking nonsense again."
As they were lost in tender whispers, a loud crash erupted, as if many things had been knocked over. Followed by a wave of shouting and cursing, the courtyard erupted into chaos. Li Yun turned pale with fright, clutching Yang Xingyuan's hands tightly. In her Suzhou dialect, she stammered, "Scared to death." Yang Xingyuan feared some fate had befallen them and stared blankly. But Amao came in and said, "Don't worry. It's just guests causing trouble in a room. It'll settle soon. Master Yang, why not go watch? It's quite a show." Yang Xingyuan took her advice and stood in the courtyard to observe. In the opposite room, the door curtain was torn down, the window smashed. Three or four uniformed orderlies were holding down the Fujian man he had seen earlier, trying to strip his pants. Beside them stood a well-dressed young man in his twenties, with a fair complexion. He cursed in Tianjin dialect, "You damned rabbit! I treated you like a person, but you dare cut off Ninth Master's boots. Don't you know who Ninth Master is? How dare you mess with me! I'll show you what I've got, so you know Ninth Master's power." He then said to the Brothel staff, "After I deal with him, I'll deal with you turtles. Go buy a stick of wax. I'll make this rabbit taste foreign wax." The Fujian man, pinned down by the orderlies, cried and screamed. Hearing about the wax, he feared it would be forced into his mouth or worse, and desperately cried for help. Just as the situation seemed irreparable, a woman in her twenties rushed in. She wore a blend of Chinese and Western clothes, her hair permed like a hedgehog, a frizzy mess. Hearing the Fujian man's cries, she without hesitation grabbed the well-dressed young man and said, "I don't want my life either. Let's fight it out." The young man, though male, was physically weakened from indulgence. With the woman fighting desperately, he couldn't withstand it. Caught off guard, he was pushed to the ground. The woman tried to pin him down, but the young man performed a carp flip, grabbing her clothes and jumping up halfway. Yet the woman's hands were on his shoulders, pushing forward, and they tangled again. The orderlies had to release the Fujian man to intervene. The Fujian man then joined the woman to aid her. The six or seven people fought like a revolving lantern, turning the room into a battlefield. The Brothel's pimps and Madam dared not intervene. After about ten minutes, the sound of leather boots echoed as seven or eight guards and a man in his thirties rushed in. The man ordered the guards to separate the fighters and scolded the young man, "You troublemaker! Causing trouble again here." He berated the young man severely. The woman sat on the floor, disheveled, crying and cursing, saying, "My face is ruined. I don't care about my life. I'll take this to the Marshal and fight to the end." The Fujian man sat on a sofa, panting heavily, and said to the woman, "It's alright now. Eighth Master is here. We husband and wife leave it to Eighth Master to decide." He turned to the man and said, "I've done nothing wrong to your younger brother. Today, in such a place, he humiliated us like this. How can we go on?" He began to sob. The man said, "Don't cry. It's all our Old Ninth's fault. We're good friends. I won't let you suffer. I'll find you a position to make up for it." Hearing about a position, the Fujian man brightened up. He bowed to the man and, wiping his tears, smiled. "Then please, Eighth Master, announce it soon." Yang Xingyuan, seeing the situation resolved, returned to Li Yun's room. He asked Amao what had happened. Amao said, "It's also Yufeng's fault. That young man is called Ninth Master Qin, brother of Eighth Master Qin. He's spent a lot on Yufeng." Yang Xingyuan asked, "Which Eighth Master?" Amao said, "The one you often mention, Qin Yanli." Yang Xingyuan said, "Ah, so Ninth Master is his brother. How did the fight start?" Amao explained, "That tall Fujian man, Cheng Wugui, used to be an old frontier official. He always accompanied Ninth Master here before. But recently, he got involved with Yufeng and stopped coming with Qin Ninth. Coincidentally, today when Cheng Wugui came, Little Qin called his home looking for him. His wife answered and said he was here. Little Qin then called Yufeng to speak. If Yufeng had said he was here, given his status as an old official, visiting alone wouldn't be a big deal, but she said he wasn't. Little Qin, uneasy, later had an orderly call under a fake name to ask. It so happened that Cheng Wugui answered himself. Little Qin, thinking Yufeng and the Fujian man were colluding to cheat him, couldn't contain his jealousy. So he rushed here to fight. That woman is Cheng Wugui's wife, said to have the nickname 'One Dollar.' The one who came later with guards is Ninth Master's brother, the top red-faced Eighth Master Qin." Yang Xingyuan asked, "How did he know about the fight?" Amao said, "The Brothel secretly called for reinforcements. If they hadn't come quickly, the Fujian man would've suffered more." Yang Xingyuan said, "I thought the Fujian man looked familiar. So it's him. This show kept me watching for a full hour. It's late. I must go."
Hearing he was leaving, Li Yun went to the coat rack, snatched Yang Xingyuan's hat, held it behind her back with both hands, and smiled. "On your first day of duty, you're already asking for leave!" Yang Xingyuan attempted half-baked Suzhou dialect, saying, "Take it slow!" Before he could say more, he stumbled. Li Yun laughed. "Your Suzhou dialect, no thanks. I've seen many northerners who, after less than three days in the hutong, try to speak Suzhou dialect, stiff-tongued and cringeworthy. Why imitate that?" Yang Xingyuan smiled. "Then I'll stop. But it's time for my work. I must go. Please grant me a day's leave." Li Yun held Yang Xingyuan's hand. "I'll let you go today, but don't break your promise tomorrow." Yang Xingyuan agreed repeatedly with "Yes," and reached for his hat. Li Yun said, "Don't rush. I'll put it on for you. Sit down first." Yang Xingyuan had to sit. Li Yun stood close to him, took the small ivory comb from her hair, and smoothed his parted hair. Yang Xingyuan's nose brushed against the fabric of Li Yun's chest, feeling tender emotions swirl and subtle fragrances waft, his mind wandering into fantasies. After she finished combing, he remained seated in a daze. Li Yun smiled. "What are you thinking? You were in a hurry to leave, but now you're not." Yang Xingyuan snapped out of it and smiled, then looked around for his hat. Li Yun asked what he was looking for. He said his hat. Li Yun laughed to her maid. "Look, is this man mad? He's wearing his hat but searching for it." Yang Xingyuan touched his head-indeed, the hat was there. He couldn't help but laugh heartily, with no time for further entanglement with Li Yun, and hurried off to the newspaper office.