Chapter 2

The poem says: Many a bout of hardship—for whom do I toil? I mistook a demon’s charms for a lovely maiden’s face. The nine-revolution divine elixir worked its wondrous art, And still the qin and se together in harmony play. Now to the story: That day, Xiaoqing, having seen from behind the screen how Hanwen was seized and dragged out by the crowd, hastily went inside and reported it to Bai-shi. Bai-shi was greatly alarmed, and at once counted on her fingers and gave a divination. She cried out, “Oh no! My husband’s calamity is upon him again. Xiaoqing, it is we who have harmed him once more. If my husband goes now, he will surely tell them that the precious vessels were given to him by me. The officials will certainly come to arrest us. You must go quickly and find out what is happening.” Xiaoqing acknowledged the order and at once rode the clouds to the front of the yamen. Seeing that the runners had already been dispatched to make the arrest, she hurried back and called out, “Milady, the runners are indeed about to arrive. We must think of a way quickly.” Bai-shi said, “My mind is already in chaos, and I can think of no plan. Gather up the silver and valuables, and we shall temporarily evade them.” Xiaoqing received the command and went inside to pack everything properly. Meanwhile, the soldiers and strong men arrived at the gate and burst in. The two demons used an invisibility spell and together left through the door. The soldiers entered and searched everywhere, but found nothing—not a single person in sight. So they put the shop’s Tao Ren in chains and brought him back to the yamen. They knelt in the hall and reported: “We, your subordinates, received your lordship’s command to arrest Bai-shi and Xiaoqing. We searched every part of the house, but there was no trace of them. Having no alternative, we have brought back one person from the shop to report to you.” Lord Chen ordered him brought in. The soldiers obeyed and led Tao Ren to the steps before the hall, where he knelt. Lord Chen asked, “What is your name? What relation are you to the Xu family? Do you know where Bai-shi and Xiaoqing have fled?” Tao Ren kowtowed and said, “My lord, this humble one is named Tao Ren, and I assist in the Xu family’s shop. I only manage the shop’s affairs and know nothing of what goes on inside. How Bai-shi and Xiaoqing escaped, this humble one truly does not know. I beg your lordship to investigate carefully.” Lord Chen said, “They are demons and used magic to flee. How could you possibly know? It is not surprising. I shall now release you, and you may return to your business.” Tao Ren kowtowed his thanks and left the yamen. Lord Chen withdrew from the hall and sat down in the flower pavilion, thinking to himself: These four precious vessels must have been stolen by that demon. Hanwen was deceived by her and has suffered such punishment. If I sentence him according to the law, his life will be impossible to save. But recalling that he rendered a service by saving my wife the other day, and considering that he was harmed by a demon, I shall give him a light sentence to save him. The next day, Lord Chen ascended the hall, had Hanwen brought out from the prison, and called him forward. He said, “You were harmed by a demon and have suffered this heavy punishment. I sent men to arrest the demons, but they have already fled far away. The statute says: Stealing precious vessels from a prince’s residence is punishable by decapitation. But I, remembering your service in saving my wife from illness, and pitying your plight of being victimized by a demon, shall give you a light sentence of exile, remit the tattooing, and send you to Zhenjiang.” Hanwen hastily knelt and wept, saying, “I am deeply grateful for your lordship’s great kindness. This humble one will never forget it, even to my last tooth!” Lord Chen then detailed two escort runners, who received the order to escort him, and gave him twenty taels of silver as travelling expenses. He also prepared an official document to submit to Prince Liang, explaining the reasons of being victimized by a demon and clearing him of the heavy crime. Hanwen was immeasurably grateful. The chief escort took the document, led Hanwen out of the yamen, and Lord Chen withdrew to his chambers—no more of that for now. As the saying goes: When the city gate catches fire, The fish in the moat suffer disaster. As Hanwen and the escorts came out of the yamen, Wu Yuanwai was already waiting in front. Seeing them come out, Yuanwai stepped forward, took Hanwen’s arm, and brought him and the escorts to his home. He said, “My worthy nephew, I did not know then that she was a demon, and urged you to marry her, which has brought you this unjust suffering. It was all my fault.” Hanwen said, “Kind benefactor, how can you say that? It was simply my fate to encounter a demon, and I deserve this misfortune. How could I wrongly blame my benefactor?” Yuanwai asked, “Where are you being sent now?” Hanwen said, “To Zhenjiang Prefecture.” Yuanwai smiled and said, “Nephew, do not worry. I have a cousin’s son in Zhenjiang, named Xu Qian, who is young, wealthy, and well-connected with the yamen. We often exchange letters. I shall write a letter now for you to take, asking him to look after you. I guarantee you will not suffer hardship.” Hanwen thanked him, saying, “I am deeply obliged for my benefactor’s constant and complete kindness. This humble nephew does not know how to repay you.” Yuanwai said, “What is there to say!” He then wrote and sealed the letter, handed it to Hanwen, and also gave ten taels of silver for travelling expenses, and another four taels to the two escorts, enjoining them to take care of him on the road. Hanwen was infinitely grateful. He packed his things, took leave of Yuanwai, and set off out of the city with the escorts, heading for Zhenjiang Prefecture. Along the way they passed many scenes of roosting birds in thatched inns by moonlight, and the footprints of men on wooden-plank bridges. After more than a day’s journey, they arrived at Zhenjiang. The escorts settled their luggage and delivered the documents to the prefectural office. The prefect received the papers and assigned Hanwen to serve at Furong Relay Station. The escorts received their return receipt and went back to Suzhou. Now Hanwen arrived at Furong Relay Station, paid his respects to the stationmaster, and gave him some gifts. The stationmaster, having received the favor, was pleased and did not strictly restrict or harass him. One day, Hanwen asked a man at the station, “Is there a certain Xu Yuanwai here?” The man said, “Do you mean that young man named Xu Qian?” Hanwen said, “Exactly.” The man said, “Why do you ask about him?” Hanwen said, “A relative of his in Suzhou entrusted me with a letter for him.” The man said, “His house is on Liuye Street at the East Gate. That south-facing, north-lying house against the wall with the large red-lacquered gate is his home.” Hanwen said, “Thank you for your instruction.” He then tucked the letter in his sleeve, left the station, and asked his way to Liuye Street. Sure enough, he saw a large red-lacquered gate facing south and backing north—that must be it. He stepped forward and knocked, calling out, “Is this the residence of Xu Yuanwai?” An old man opened the door and answered, “Indeed it is. Who are you, and what business do you have with the master?” Hanwen said, “Wu Yuanwai of Suzhou has a letter for your master, and entrusted me to deliver it.” So saying, he handed the letter to the old man, who took it inside. That day, it happened that Yuanwai was sitting at leisure at home. The old man came to the hall and presented the letter with both hands to Yuanwai, saying, “Old Master Wu of Suzhou sends this to you.” Yuanwai took it, opened it, and after reading it through, asked quickly, “Where is the one who brought the letter?” The old man said, “At the gate.” Yuanwai went out at once to welcome Hanwen and brought him into the hall to be seated. After tea, Yuanwai said, “My cousin’s intention, I have fully understood. Brother, you may set your mind at ease and not worry.” Hanwen bowed with clasped hands and said, “I rely entirely on Yuanwai’s powerful help to save me—my gratitude is profound.” Yuanwai said, “It is only right! It is only right!” He then wrote a surety bond and took ten taels of silver, and together with Hanwen he set out and arrived at Furong Relay Station. He met the stationmaster, explained his purpose, and presented the bond and the silver. The stationmaster took the silver, his eyes lighting up with delight, and agreed readily. Yuanwai had Hanwen’s luggage carried back. After taking leave of the stationmaster, he returned with Hanwen, and ordered a study to be cleaned out for Hanwen to lodge in, where he was entertained day and night. Hanwen was extremely grateful in his heart. From then on, Hanwen stayed contentedly at Xu Yuanwai’s home, passing his days at ease—but we shall leave that for now. Again, on that day, when Lady Bai and Xiaoqing had dodged out of the way, they saw that the constables had gone and the front gate was sealed. The two demons still used their invisibility art to slip back inside. Lady Bai sat in the hall, her heart filled with anguish, and called out, "Xiaoqing, my husband has been harmed by us again. He has been sentenced to Zhenjiang and made to suffer hardship. How can my heart bear it?" Having said this, she wept mournfully. Xiaoqing consoled her, saying, "Your Ladyship, crying now is of no use. In this humble maidservant's foolish opinion, it would be better to hide the silver on our persons, disguise ourselves as men, go to Hangzhou, leave the silver with his elder brother-in-law's family, and then go together to Zhenjiang, where we can devise a plan to meet the master. What do you think?" Lady Bai hastily wiped her tears and said, "Xiaoqing, your advice is to the point." Thereupon she concealed the silver on her person and locked the rest in a box. The two demons immediately shook themselves and transformed into the likeness of men. Then they mounted a demon cloud and arrived at Qiantang County in Hangzhou. Asking along the way, they came to the Li family gate. Xiaoqing stepped forward and knocked. Gongfu came out and looked—there were two handsome young lads, dressed as master and servant. He hurriedly asked, "Where do you two honored brothers come from?" Lady Bai said, "I come from Gusu. Is this the residence of worthy brother Li Gongfu?" Gongfu said, "This is indeed my humble home." He invited the two inside, where they sat as host and guest, with Xiaoqing standing in attendance. Gongfu asked, "Where is your honored native place, and what is your esteemed surname and great name? What instructions bring you to my humble home today?" Lady Bai said, "I live in Gusu, surname Wang, my humble name Tianbiao. I was on good terms with your relative, Mr. Xu Hanwen, in Suzhou. As I had to come to your honored prefecture on business, Brother Xu entrusted me with a letter and a wooden box to be delivered into your hands, worthy brother." Having said this, he handed the letter and the box to Gongfu. Gongfu took them in his hands and found them very heavy. Tea was brought out from inside, and after they drank it, Lady Bai rose and took her leave. Gongfu saw them out the gate, then turned back inside, took the letter and the box in, and opened them together with Mrs. Xu. What met their eyes was yellow gold and white silver. The two could not have dreamed of such a thing, and their joy knew no bounds. Thus it is said: > They thought he would go off in suffering alone, > Who would suspect a full store of gold and treasure would come? Now, after taking leave of Gongfu and coming out, the two demons walked to a secluded spot with no people about, then again mounted a demon cloud and in an instant arrived at Zhenjiang Prefecture. Having learned that Hanwen was staying at Squire Xu's house, the two demons laid their plans and rented two small rooms on Five Street, living in the left one and opening a pharmacy in the right, once more using the shop name "Bao'an Tang." This street was not far from the Xu residence. The two demons sold medicine in the shop, and we shall say no more of them for the time being. Here, at the Xu household, Hanwen was treated by the squire as if he were a close relative. Who could have foreseen that "the heavens have unexpected storms, and men have morning and evening calamities"? Hanwen, having previously suffered a great fright, and then having encountered wind and frost on the road, was struck down by a severe illness. He lay in the study, alternating between chills and fever, in a daze, growing worse day by day. Doctors were called and medicines administered, but all to no effect. The squire was greatly alarmed and sat in gloomy distress in the study hall. Then the old gatekeeper came in and said, "Squire, recently two women have newly arrived on Five Street and jointly opened a pharmacy. It is said that the pills in their shop are remarkably effective, each pill costing five qian of silver. Why does the squire not go and buy one pill to give to Mr. Xu? He will be guaranteed to recover at once." The squire was overjoyed at these words, took out five qian of silver, and sent the old man to buy one. The old man took the order, went out at once, and arrived at the Bao'an Tang on Five Street to purchase a pill. Lady Bai already knew of this in advance. She took the silver, wrapped up a pill, and handed it to the old man. The old man took it back home and presented it to the squire. The squire looked at it, then ordered a servant to decoct it, personally brought it to the bedside, drew back the bed curtain, and saw Hanwen in a daze. The squire ordered the servant to help Hanwen up, poured the medicine into his mouth, then laid him back down and covered him with the quilt. In less than half an hour, Hanwen broke out in a cold sweat all over and cried out, "Ah! How comfortable!" The squire asked, "Brother Xu, how is your health?" Hanwen said, "I feel much lighter now." The squire laughed and said, "This medicine is truly wondrously effective—one dose and you are healed." Hanwen said, "Which famous physician did the squire invite, that I have recovered so suddenly?" The squire said, "Neither the physicians nor the medicines were of any effect. Recently, two women jointly opened a pharmacy on Five Street, with the shop name 'Bao'an Tang.' I heard that the pills from their shop are miraculous, so I sent someone to buy one, decocted it for you to take, and indeed it worked." Hanwen hurriedly said, "Squire, this Bao'an Tang is the very shop name I used when I opened a pharmacy in Suzhou. How is it that the shop name is exactly the same? And why are there no men—only women? This is suspicious. It must be that those two demons have tracked me here again. Tomorrow morning, let me go with the squire to see for myself." The squire said, "That will not do. You have only just recovered; should you catch a chill again, it would not be good. Rest and recuperate for a few more days, and when your body is strong, we will go together. Why be so impatient?" Hanwen said, "I am deeply grateful to the squire for saving my broken life. How dare I not respectfully follow your golden words?" The squire said, "This is all thanks to your own good fortune, brother. What merit do I have in it?" With that, he took his leave of Hanwen and went inside, ordering servants to attend to his soups and congee. Hanwen, however, remained suspicious that the two demons had come again to make trouble for him, and he could not set his mind at ease. Before he knew it, several days passed, and Hanwen's body fully recovered; he could walk as usual. He then invited the squire to go with him to the Bao'an Tang pharmacy on Five Street. He raised his eyes and looked—sure enough, it was the two demons again. Hanwen cursed, "You wanton monsters, you cling to me relentlessly. In Zhejiang you harmed me and I was sentenced to Suzhou; in Suzhou you harmed me again and I was exiled here. Thanks to this squire's kindness, I have been spared hardship—why have you come seeking me here again? Do you mean to hound me to death before you stop?" When Lady Bai heard this, tears streamed down her face, and she cried out, "Oh, my husband! Today, when you see me, you cry 'monster' at every word. Your wife and you are wedded as husband and wife—how could I ever bear to harm you? My father held the post of zongzhi—would he not have silver and precious articles? The prefect and county magistrates were blind. In Zhejiang they wrongly claimed the silver, and in Suzhou they wrongly identified the precious objects. I am a woman of an official family, afraid of disgrace and scandal, so I dared not appear before the officials to plead my case. I had no choice but to hide here, causing my husband to suffer punishment. On that day when we celebrated my birthday, I know not from where some ruffians came, who coveted the treasures and recklessly plundered them, bribing the officials to extort a confession under torture. In this world, there are countless injustices—why should I alone be exempt? I beg my husband to examine the matter carefully." The squire urged from the side, "Brother Xu, what your worthy wife says seems to have reason. You should listen to her." Hanwen fell silent and did not answer. Lady Bai added, "My husband, I and Xiaoqing have traversed a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers to come here, all because I am three months pregnant with your own flesh and blood. I feared that in Suzhou there would be no one to care for me, so I spared no hardship to come and find you. Not knowing where you were, I temporarily rented this place to lodge and sold medicine to make a living. My husband, if you will not look at the monk's face, at least look at the Buddha's face. If you do not remember the bond of our wedded love, at least remember the child in my womb. Even strangers would pity me—it is cruel of you to have such an iron heart." Having said this, she burst into loud wailing. Hanwen, softened by this stream of honeyed words from Lady Bai, and further moved by the squire's persuasion beside him, could not help but feel stirred. He called out, "My worthy wife, your foolish husband has wronged you. I beg you to forgive me." Xiaoqing said, "If the master is willing to relent and acknowledge her, how could the young lady bear to blame you?" Hanwen was overjoyed at these words, took the squire by the hand, and entered the shop together. Lady Bai and Xiaoqing went inside, brewed tea, and served them. Hanwen then insisted on keeping the squire for a meal, and the squire sent someone to fetch Hanwen's bedding from his house. After the wine, the squire took his leave and went home. That night, the two in bed added ever more to their affection. Thus it is said: > A long drought meets sweet rain; > In a strange land, one meets an old friend. From then on, the husband and wife were again on good terms, and Han Wen still practiced medicine and sold drugs—no more need be said. It was only because of this acknowledgment that it was ordained: a meeting one morning, full of lovesickness. If you wish to know what follows, listen to the next chapter for the resolution.