 Chapter 7 of The Tribulations of a Chinaman in China. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Tribulations of a Chinaman in China by Jules Fern. Translated by Virginia Champlain, Chapter 7. Which would be very sad if it did not treat of ways and customs peculiar to the celestial empire. Whatever the honorable William J. Bedolf might think and say, the funds of the sentinary were very seriously threatened. Indeed, Kinfo's plan was not of that kind, which, on reflection, one postpones executing indefinitely. Being utterly ruined, Wong's pupil had thoroughly resolved to end an existence which, even in the time of his prosperity, brought him only sadness and anui. The letter, which was not delivered for a week by soon, came from San Francisco and gave notice of the suspension of payment of the Central Bank of California. Now, Kinfo's fortune consisted almost entirely, as we know, of stock in this celebrated bank, which had previously been so sound. But the situation was not to be doubted. Improbable as the news might seem, it was unhappily only too true. The suspension of the Central Bank had just been confirmed by journals received at Shanghai. The failure had been declared, and Kinfo was wholly ruined. Indeed, what remained to him outside of the stocks in this bank—nothing, or almost nothing—the sale of his house at Shanghai, which it would be almost impossible to bring about, would give him a sum insufficient for an income. The $8,000 premium paid into the sentinary, a small amount of stock in the boat company of Tianxing, which, if sold that day, would furnish him with hardly enough to carry on things in extremis. Now comprised his sole fortune. A Western man, Frenchman or Englishman, would have taken this new state of things philosophically perhaps, and would have begun life over again, seeking to repair his fortunes by assiduous labor. But a celestial would think and act quite differently. It was voluntary death that Kinfo, as a true Chinaman, without compunctions of conscience, and with that typical indifference which characterizes the Yellow Race, was meditating as a means of getting out of his troubles. The Chinaman has only a passive courage, but this courage he possesses in the highest degree. His indifference to death is truly extraordinary. When he is ill, he sees it approach, and does not falter. When condemned and already in the hands of an officer, he manifests no fear. The frequent public executions, the sight of the horrible torments which are part of the penal laws in the Celestial Empire, have early familiarized the Sons of Heaven with the idea of renouncing the things of this world without regret. Therefore one will not be astonished to find that in every family this thought of death is the order of the day, and the subject of many conversations, and has an influence over the most ordinary acts of life. The worship of ancestors is also observed by the poorest people. There is not a wealthy home where a sort of domestic sanctuary has not been set apart, and no hut so wretched but some corner has been kept for the relics of ancestors, in whose honor a day is celebrated in the second month. That is why one finds in the same store where are sold baby's cribs and wedding gifts, a varied assortment of coffins which form a staple article in Chinese trade. The purchase of a coffin is indeed one of the constant preoccupations of the Celestials. The furniture of a house would be incomplete if a coffin were wanting, and the son makes it a duty to offer one to his father in the latter's lifetime, which is a touching proof of tenderness. This coffin is placed in a special room. It is ornamented and taken care of, and generally, when it has received mortal remains, is kept with pious care for years. In short, respect for the dead is the foundation of Chinese religion, and tends to bind family ties more closely. Kin Foe, owing to his temperament, was considering with more perfect tranquility than another would have had the thought of ending his days. He had ensured the fate of the two beings to whom his affections turned. Therefore, what had he now to regret? Nothing. Suicide could not even cause him remorse. What is a crime in civilized countries of the West is only a lawful act, we might say, with this strange people of Eastern Asia. Kin Foe's decision was then made, and no influence could turn him from carrying out his project, not even that of the philosopher Wang. But the latter was absolutely ignorant of his pupils' designs. Soon was no better acquainted with them, and had observed but one thing, that since his return, Kin Foe showed himself more tolerant of his daily stupidities. Positively soon was coming to the conclusion that he could not find a better master, and now his precious pigtail wriggled on his back in unwanted security. A Chinese proverb says, To be happy on earth, one must live at Canton and die at Liaoqiu. It is indeed true that at Canton one finds every luxury of life, and at Liaoqiu the best coffins are manufactured. Kin Foe did not fail to leave an order with the best house, that his last bed of repose might arrive in time. To have a proper couch for the eternal sleep is the constant thought of every celestial who knows how to live. Kin Foe at the same time bought a white cock whose part, as one knows, is to embody departing spirits, and sees in their flight one of the seven elements of which a Chinese soul is composed. One sees that if the pupil of the philosopher Wang showed himself indifferent to the details of life, he was much less so to those of death. That being done, he had only to arrange the program for his funeral, and that very day a beautiful sheet of paper, called rice paper, in whose composition rice is entirely foreign, received Kin Foe's last will. After having bequeathed his house in Shanghai to the young widow, and a portrait of the Taiping chief to Wang, which the philosopher had always looked upon with pleasure, and having done this without injury to the policy of the sentinary, Kin Foe traced with a firm hand the order of March of the persons who were to attend the obsequies. First, in default of relations of which he had none, a party of friends which he had were to appear at the head of the courtage, dressed in white, the color of mourning in China. Through the streets, as far out as the country about the old tomb, a double row of servants charged with the burial would file. They would bear different symbols, blue parasols, halberds, sceptres, silk screens, written documents with the details of the ceremony, and be dressed in a black tunic with a white belt, and wear a black felt cap with red egrets on their heads. Behind the first group of friends would walk a guide, dressed in scarlet from head to foot, beating a gong, and preceding the portrait of the deceased, which would be lying in a sort of decorated shrine. Then a second group of friends would follow, whose part it is to faint at regular intervals on cushions prepared for the occasion. Finally, a last group of young men, screened under a blue and gold canopy, would stroll the road with little pieces of white paper, pierced with a hole, like sepiques, which were intended to lure away the evil spirits that might be tempted to join the funeral procession. Then the catafalque would appear, an enormous palanquin hung in violet silk, and embroidered with gold dragons, which fifty valets would bear on their shoulders between a double row of bonzes. The priests, clad in robes of gray, red, or yellow, would follow, reciting prayers in the intervals between the thunder of gongs, the shrill tooting of flutes, and the noisy den of trumpets six feet long. At last the mourner's carriages draped in white would bring up the rear of this gorgeous procession, the expenses of which must exhaust the last resources of the opulent corpse. There was really nothing extraordinary in this program. Many funerals of this class passed through the streets of Canton, Shanghai, or Peking, and the celestials see in them only a natural homage rendered to the remains of him who is no more. On the 20th of October, a box expressed from Liao Qiu and a dress to kin Fou reached his house at Shanghai. It contained the coffin he had ordered, which was carefully packed. Neither Wang nor Sun, nor any of the servants in the Yamen felt any cause for surprise, for, we repeat, there is not a Chinaman who does not long to possess in his lifetime the bed in which he will be laid to rest for eternity. This coffin, a chef dover from the manufacturing of Liao Qiu, was placed in the ancestors chamber. There, after being brushed, waxed, and polished, it would usually no doubt have waited a long while for the day when the pupil of the philosopher Wang would have utilized it on his own account. It was not so ordained, however, for kin Fou's days were numbered and the hour was near that would add him to the list of his family ancestors. Indeed, this was the very evening when he had determined to die. A letter had arrived that day from the afflicted Liu, who offered him the little that she possessed. Fortune was nothing to her. She could do without it. She loved him. And what did he wish more? Could they not be happy in more modest circumstances? This letter, which expressed the most sincere affection, did not modify kin Fou's resolution. My death alone can enrich her, he thought. It now remained to decide where and how this last act should be performed, and kin Fou experienced a sort of pleasure in planning the details, for he hoped that at the last moment an emotion, however fleeting, would make his heart beat. Within the enclosure of the yamen rose four pretty kiosks ornamented in the fanciful manner characteristic of Chinese decorators. They bore significant names, the Pavilion of Happiness, which kin Fou never entered, the Pavilion of Fortune, which he scorned, the Pavilion of Pleasure, whose gates had long been closed to him, and the Pavilion of Long Life, which he had resolved to destroy. It was this last one that instinct led him to choose, and he resolved to shut himself up in it at nightfall, and it was there the next day they would find him happy in death. This point being settled, in what manner should he die? Stab himself like a Japanese? Strangle himself with a silken girdle like a Mandarin? Open his veins in a perfumed bath like an Epicurean in ancient Rome? No, these methods would seem brutal and painful to his friends and servants. One or two grains of opium mixed with a subtle poison would be sufficient to take him from this world to the next. While unconscious perhaps, he would pass away in one of those dreams, which convert slumber into eternal sleep. The sun was already beginning to sink below the horizon, and kin Fou had only a few moments more to live. He wished to take a last walk and see once more the country around Shanghai and the shores of the Huang Po, on which he had so often walked away his Anhui. Alone, without having even caught a glimpse of Huang that day, he left the Yamen to return once more and never leave it again. He crossed the English territory, the little bridge over the creek, and the French concession with an indolent step, which he did not care to hasten in this last hour. Passing along the wharf of the native port, he wound around the Shanghai Wall as far as the Roman Catholic Cathedral, whose cupola overlooks the southern portion of the country. Then he bore to the right and quietly ascended the road to the pagoda at Longhao. Here was the vast, flat country which extends to the shadowy heights which bound the valley of the Ming. It was an immense swamp which agricultural industry had converted into rice fields. Here and there were a network of canals filled by the tide, and a few wretched villages in which the reed huts were cemented with yellowish mud. And two or three fields of wheat, banked up above the reach of the water. The narrow paths were frequented by a large number of dogs and white goats, ducks and geese, and whenever a pedestrian disturbed their sport, the former would scamper off on all fours and the latter flapped their wings and fly away. The richly cultivated country whose aspect could not astonish a native would, however, have attracted the attention of a stranger and perhaps repelled him. For everywhere were seen coffins by the hundreds to say nothing of the mounds whose turf covered the dead buried at last forever. One saw only piles of oblong boxes and pyramids of beers and layers like planks in a shipbuilder's yard. For the Chinese plain on the outskirts of the towns is only a vast cemetery where the dead as well as the living encumber the ground. It is asserted that the burial of these coffins is forbidden so long as one dynasty occupies the throne of the Son of Heaven. And these dynasties last centuries, whether the prohibition be true or not, it is a fact that corpses lying in their coffins, some of which are painted in bright colors, some somber and modest, some new and smart looking and others already falling to dust, wait years for the day of burial. Kinfo was by no means astonished at this state of affairs and he walked on without looking around him so that two strangers dressed like Europeans who had followed him from the time he left the almond did not even attract his attention. He did not see them although they seemed desirous of not losing sight of him. They kept at some distance following him, walking when he walked, stopping when he stopped. At times these two men exchanged peculiar looks and a couple of words and it was very evident that they were there to watch him. Of medium height, not over thirty, active and well set, one would have called them two pointers with sharp eyes and fleet limbs. Kinfo, after walking around the country for a league, retraced his steps in order to reach the shores of Wang Po. The two bloodhounds followed immediately. Kinfo, on his way home, met two or three beggars of the most forlorn aspect and bestowed alms upon them. A short distance beyond, several Christian Chinese women, trained to their charitable profession by the French sisters of charity, crossed the road. They were carrying home poor little waves in a basket on their back. They have been appropriately called the rag pickers of children and what are these unfortunate little ones but rags scattered in the gutter. Kinfo emptied his purse into the hands of these sisters who seemed rather surprised at this act on the part of a celestial. By the time he reached Shanghai on his way home and was returning by the way of the wharf, it was evening and the floating population were still a stir. Shouting and singing came to his ears from every side. He listened intently, eager to know what would be the last words to fall on his ear in this life. A young tanka dare guiding her samfan through the somber waters of Wang Po was singing the following diddy. With bark and bright colors embellished, with thousands of flowers, in rapture I wait him who comes back tomorrow. See God watch and guard him while he is returning and help him to hasten to me. He will return tomorrow and I? Where shall I be? thought Kinfo shaking his head. The young tanka dare resumed. He sailed far, far from me, perhaps to the country of Manchu, the great wall of China. Oh heart, how thou tremblest at thought of him braving the storm. Kinfo still listened, but this time said nothing. The singer concluded, why sailed he, inviting disaster, to die so without me? Come, priest is waiting to join the same moment our emblems, the phoenix. Come, come, I so love thee, and thou lovest me. Yes, perhaps riches are not everything in this world, he murmured, but life is not worth living. Half an hour later he entered his house. The two strangers who had followed him till then were obliged to stop. Kinfo quietly proceeded to the kiosk of long life, opened the door, closed it again, and found himself alone in a little salon, lighted by a lantern of ground glass which shed a soft glow around. On a table, which was made of a single piece of jade, stood a box containing a few grains of opium mixed with a deadly poison. I have ready, which the wealthy Anyue kept always on hand. Kinfo took up two of these grains, put them in one of those red clay pipes which opium smokers are in the habit of using, and began to light it. Why, how is this? said he. Not even an emotion in this moment, when I am about to fall asleep, never to wake again. He hesitated a moment. No, he cried, throwing down his pipe on the floor, which broke it in pieces. That supreme emotion I must have, even if it be but an attempt, I must have it and I will have it. And leaving the kiosk, he proceeded to Wong's room, walking faster than usual. End of chapter 7, recording by Tom Barron. Chapter 8 of the Tribulations of a Chinaman in China. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Tribulations of a Chinaman in China by Jules Verne. Chapter 8. In which Kinfo makes a serious proposition to Wang, which the latter no less seriously accepts. The philosopher had not yet retired, but was lying on the lounge, reading the latest edition of the P. King Gazette. And the contraction of his eyebrows was a certain indication that the paper was paying a compliment to the reigning dynasty of Sing. Kinfo pushed open his door, entered the room, threw himself on an armchair, and without other preamble said, Wang, I have come to ask you to do me a service. Ten thousand services, answered the philosopher, letting follow the paper. Speak, speak, my son, speak without fear, and whatever they may be I will render them. The service I require, said Kinfo, is one of that kind that a friend can render but once. And when it is done, Wang, I will excuse you from the nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine others. And I must admit that you must not even expect a return of thanks on my part. The most skillful unraveler of the inexplicable could not understand you. What is it all about? Wang, said Kinfo, I am ruined. Aha! said the philosopher, with the tone of one who hears good rather than bad news. The letter that I found here on your return from Canton, resumed Kinfo, informed me that the central bank in California had failed, with the exception of the yamen, and a million dollars, which would enable me to exist a month or two longer, I have nothing left. Then, said Wang, after a good look at his pupil, it is no longer the rich Kinfo who speaks to me. It is the poor Kinfo whom poverty by no means frightens. Well answered my son, said the philosopher, rising, I have not lost my time and pains in teaching you wisdom. The future has changed. Here, too, for you have only vegetated without tastes, passions or struggles. You are going to live now. Confucius said, what matters it that the future has changed. There always comes fewer misfortunes than one fears. And the Talmud repeated his words, we shall earn our daily rice. The Namshum teaches us that in life there are ups and downs. The wheel of fortune turns perpetually and the spring wind is variable. Rich or poor, try to do your duty. Let us leave. And Wang in earnest, like a practical philosopher, was about to leave the sumptuous house, but Kinfo detained him. I said a moment ago, he resumed, that poverty did not frighten me, and now I add that it is because I have resolved not to endure it. Ah, said Wang, you wish then, to die, to die, answered the philosopher quietly. The man who has resolved to end his life says nothing about it to anyone. It would have been done already, resumed Kinfo, with a calmness equal to that of the philosopher. If I had not wished that my death should cause at least my first and last emotion, now as I was about to swallow one of those grains of opium that you know about, my heart beat with so little emotion that I threw away the poison and came to find you. Do you then wish, my friend, that we should die together, answered Wang, smiling. No, said Kinfo, I wish you to live. Why? To kill me with your own hand. At this unexpected proposition Wang did not even shudder, but Kinfo, who looked steadily into his face, saw a gleam in his eyes. Was the old Tai Ping awakening? Did he feel no hesitation at this charge, which his pupil was about to lay on him? Could eighteen years then have passed over his head without stifling the sanguinary instincts of his youth? He did not even make an objection to doing this to the son of the man who had been charitable to him. He would agree without flinching to deliver him from the existence he no longer desired. He would do this, he Wang, the philosopher. But this peculiar light almost immediately died out of his eyes, and his face, though rather more serious, now looked like that of a worthy man as usual. Is that the service you ask of me? He said, resuming his seat. Yes, answered Kinfo, and this service will acquit you of all you may imagine you owe Chang Ho and his son. What do you require of me? Simply asked the philosopher. On the twenty-fifth of June, the twenty-eighth day of the sixth moon you understand Wang, the day which will complete my thirty-first year, I shall have ceased to live. I must fall by your hand, and the blow may be given in my face or in my back in the daytime or night, no matter where, no matter how, standing or sitting, sleeping or awake, and I be sent to my rest by shot or poison. In each of the eighty-thousand minutes which will remain to me of life for fifty-five days yet, I must be filled with the thought and I hope with the fear that my life is to suddenly end. I must have before me those eighty-thousand emotions, so that when the seven elements of my soul separate, I can cry out, at last I have lived. Kinfo, contrary to his habit, had spoken with decided animation, and it will also be observed that he had appointed as the extreme limit of his existence the sixth day before the expiration of his policy. This was acting like a prudent man, for in default of payment of a new premium a delay would cause his heirs to lose the insurance. The philosopher listened gravely, casting a quick, stealthy look at the portrait of the Tai Ping chief which ornamented his room, a portrait which was to fall to him, though he was not aware of it. You will not shrink from the obligation you will take upon yourself of killing me? asked Kinfo. Wang with a gesture asserted that he had not yet become so feeble-hearted. He had seen too much fighting under the banners of the Tai Ping, but he added, wishing to exhaust every objection before pledging himself. Do you wish to renounce the chances that the true master has accorded you to reach extreme old age? I renounced them, without regret replied Kinfo. Live to be old, to resemble some piece of wood which can no longer be carved, no indeed, nor do I desire to be rich and still less to be poor. And the young widow at Peking asked Wang, Do you forget the saying, flowers with flowers and the willow with the willow, the union of two hearts makes a hundred years of spring? Against three hundred years of autumn, summer and winter, replied Kinfo, shrugging his shoulders. No, if Liao were poor, she would be wretched with me, but now my death will ensure her a fortune. Have you done that? Yes, and you Wang, have fifty thousand dollars placed on my head. Ah, said the philosopher quietly, you have an answer for every question. For everything, even to an objection that you have not yet made. What is it? Why, the danger that you may incur after my death, of being pursued as an assassin? Oh, said Wang, they are only blunderers or rogues who let themselves be caught. Besides, what merit would there be in rendering you this last service, if I risked nothing? None at all, Wang, I prefer to give you every security as to that, and no one will think of disturbing you. And saying this, Kinfo approached a table, took up a sheet of paper, and in a clear, plain hand, wrote the following lines. I have voluntarily taken my own life through disgust and weariness of life. Then he gave the paper to Wang. The philosopher read it in a low voice at first, then allowed, after which he folded it carefully, and put it in a memorandum book, which he always carried about him. Another gleam came into his eyes. Is all this serious on your part? He asked, looking fixedly at his pupil. Very serious. It will nonetheless be so on mine. I have your word. You have. Then before the 25th of June at the latest, I shall have lived. I do not know if you will have lived in the sense you mean, answered the philosopher gravely, but you will surely be dead. Thank you, and farewell, Wang. Farewell, Kinfo. Thereupon, Kinfo quietly left the philosopher's room. End of chapter 8 Chapter 9 Of the Tribulations of a Chinaman in China This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Tribulations of a Chinaman in China by Jules Fern Translated by Virginia Champlain Chapter 9 The conclusion of which, however singular it may be, perhaps will not surprise the reader. Well, Craig Fry, said the honorable Mr. Bedolf the next day, to the two agents whom he had appointed to watch over the new patron of the sentinary. Well, answered Craig, we followed him yesterday during a long walk which he took in the country around Shanghai. And he certainly did not appear like a man who was thinking of killing himself, added Fry. And when night came, we escorted him as far as his door, which unfortunately we could not enter. And this morning, asked Mr. Bedolf, we have heard, answered Craig, that he was as safe and sound as the Polycal Bridge, added Fry. The agents, Craig and Fry, two unmistakable Americans, two cousins in the employ of the sentinary, were absolutely one being and two persons who could not possibly be more thoroughly identified with each other. In fact, they were so identified that the latter invariably finished the sentences that the former began and vice versa. They had the same brain, thoughts, heart and stomach and the same manner of doing everything and had four hands, arms and legs united in one body as it were. In a word, they were Siamese twins whose connecting ligament must have been severed by an audacious surgeon. Then you have not been able to enter the house yet, said Mr. Bedolf. Not, said Craig. Yet, said Fry. It will be difficult, but it must be done, answered the principal agent, for it is important for the sentinary enormous premium, but also to save $200,000. Therefore, you will watch over our new patron two months and perhaps longer if he renews his policy. There is a servant, said Craig, whom we could use perhaps, said Fry, and learn all that goes on, continued Craig. In the house at Shanghai concluded Fry. Said Mr. Bedolf. Pull wool over his eyes, play a trap for him, buy him. He will be moved by the sound of tiles and tiles you shall have in plenty. Even if you have to exhaust the 3,000 polite formulas which comprise Chinese etiquette, why do so? And you will have no cause to regret your trouble. It shall be, began Craig. Done, answered Fry. For such potent reasons, Craig and Fry tried to get on familiar terms with Sohn. Now, Sohn was a man who could no more resist being enticed by tiles than by the courteous offer of several glasses of American liquor. Craig Fry then learned through Sohn all that it was for their interest to know, the sum and substance of which is as follows. Had Kinfo changed his manner of living in any way whatever? No, unless perhaps he scolded his faithful valet less and gave the scissors a holiday to the advantage of the poor fellow's pigtail and seldom tickled his shoulders with the ratin. Had Kinfo any deadly weapon about him? No, for he did not belong to the respectable list of amateurs in the use of murderous instruments. What did he eat at his meals? A few simple dishes, which did not at all resemble the fantastic cooking of the Celestials. At what hour did he rise? At the fifth period at Cox Crow when the horizon was lighted by the first glimmer of dawn. Did he retire early? At the second period, as was always his habit since Sohn had been acquainted with him. Did he seem sad, absent-minded, bored and wearied with life? He was not positively a cheerful man. Oh, no, yet for several days he seemed to take more interest in the things of this world. Yes, Sohn thought him less indifferent like a man who might be expecting what? He could not tell. Finally did his master possess any poisonous substance which he might make use of? He could not have any for that very morning by his orders. They had thrown into the Huang Po a dozen little globules which must possess some dangerous quality. In truth, there was nothing in all this of a nature to alarm the principal agent of the sentinary. Not at all. For never had the wealthy Qin Fou, whose circumstances no one except Huang was aware of, appeared to enjoy life better. However this may be, Craig and Fry were obliged to continue to inform themselves about all that their patron did and to follow him in his walks, for it was possible that he might make an attempt on his life away from home. Thus did the two inseparables, and thus did Sohn continue to talk with the more abandoned, because the latter had much to gain in a conversation with such amiable men. They were to say that the hero of this story valued life more since he had resolved to rid himself of it, but as he expected in the first days at least, he did not want for emotions. He placed Democles sword directly over his head, and this sword would fall on it some day. Would it be today or tomorrow, this morning or this evening? On this point there was some doubt, and hence a beating of the heart, which was a new sensation for him. Besides, since he and Wong had given their mutual word, they had seen each other but seldom. The philosopher either left the house more frequently than usual, or he remained shut up in his room. Kinfo did not go there to see him, for that was not his role, and was not even aware how Wong passed his time, perhaps in preparing a trap for him. A former Taiping must have many means to dispatch a man. Kinfo's curiosity was roused in regard to this, and thus a new element of interest was afforded to him. However, master and pupil met almost every day at the same table, and of course no illusion was made to their future position of assassin and assassinated. They talked of one thing and another, but not much about anything. Wong, who was more serious than usual, turned away his eyes which is spectacles but partially concealed, but did not succeed in disguising a constant abstraction. He, who was so good-natured and naturally communicative, had become taciturn and sad. A great eater formerly, like every philosopher who is blessed with a sound stomach, he could not now be tempted by delicate dishes, and the Xinyu wine no longer brought him bright dreams. But Kinfo tried in every way to make his own dishes. He tasted every dish first and would let nothing be removed from table without trying it. Hence, it followed that he ate more than usual. His blunted palate again experienced sensations, and he relished his dinner, which agreed with him remarkably. It was certain that poison could not be the means chosen by the rebel chieftain's old slaughterer, but his intended victim would try everything. Kinfo had long to accomplish his deed. The door of Kinfo's chamber was always left open, and the philosopher could enter it day or night and deal the fatal blow, whether his pupil was awake or asleep. All that Kinfo asked was that his hand should be swift and strike him to the heart. But his emotions were wearing off, and after the first few nights he was so accustomed to expect his death blow that he slept the sleep of the just and awoke every morning fresh and bright. Things could not continue thus. Then the thought occurred to him that perhaps it was repugnant to long to kill him in this house where he had been so hospitably received, and he resolved to put him still more at his ease. That was why he was running about the country seeking isolated roads and tarrying till the fourth period in the neighborhoods in Shanghai which were the regular resort of cutthroats who committed daily murders in perfect security. He wandered through the dark narrow streets during the late hours of the night jostled by drunkards of every nationality and heard the biscuit vendor shouting his mantu mantu while ringing his bell to warn belated smokers. He did not reach his house till daybreak but returned alive safe and sound without having perceived the inseparable Craig and Fry who followed him continually ready to come to his aid. If matters continued thus Kinfo would finally become accustomed to this new life and Anhui would not fail to gain the ascendancy again. How many hours had already passed without his being able to realize that he was condemned to death. However, one day the twelfth of May once brought him an emotion. As he softly entered the philosopher's room he saw him trying the sharp point of a dagger with the end of his finger and moistening it afterwards in a very suspicious looking blue glass bottle. Wang did not hear his pupil enter and seizing the dagger he brandished it around several times as if to assure himself that he had not forgotten how to handle it. His face was enough to frighten one for the blood had mounted to his very eyes which seemed to glare ferociously. He will do it today said Kinfo and he discreetly withdrew without having been seen or heard and did not leave his room again that day. The philosopher however did not make his appearance. Kinfo went to bed as usual and the next day rose as full of life as a healthy man does and so emotions were wasted on him. This was provoking and ten days had already passed though to be sure Wang had two months still in which to perform his deed. He is certainly an idler said Kinfo. I have given him twice as much time as is necessary and he also feared the former typing had become effeminate at Shanghai. From this day however Wang seemed to become more anxious and agitated and went to and fro in the Yemen like a man who cannot stay in one place. Kinfo even observed that he made repeated visits to the ancestors room where stood the precious coffin which had come from Luchu. He was delighted to learn from Song that Wang had ordered him to brush, clean and dust the article in question in a word to keep it in readiness. How comfortably Master will rest in it added the faithful servant. It is enough to make you wish to try it. A remark by which Song obtained a kindly recognition. The 13th, 14th and 15th of May passed. There was nothing new. Did Wang then intend to let pass the intervening time and pay his debt only at the moment when due as his customary with merchants? But in that case there would be no more surprises and consequently no more emotion for Kinfo. Something of great significance however was imparted to him on the morning of the 15th of May near the Malche that is towards 6 o'clock in the morning. He had a poor night and everything was still haunted by a dreadful dream. Prince Yan, the sovereign judge of the Chinese hell had condemned him not to appear before him till the 12th 100th moon should rise above the horizon of the celestial empire. A century still to live a whole century. Kinfo was now in a very bad humor for it seemed as if everything was conspiring against him. This is the way that he received better as usual came to assist him in his morning toilet. Go to the devil. Go receive 10,000 kicks for your wages, animal. Why, master, go I tell you. No, no, replied Sohn. At least not till I have told you. Quiet, that Mr. Wang. Wang, what has Wang done? said Kinfo eagerly seizing Sohn by his break. What has he done? Master answered Sohn, wriggling like a worm. The pavilion of long life. And he did that, cried Kinfo, whose brow lighted up. Go Sohn, go my friend, stop, here are 10 tiles for you and be sure that Wang's orders are executed in every particular. Thereupon Sohn, thoroughly amazed, left the room saying to himself, really, master is crazy, but this time he is good naturedly so. Kinfo was no longer in doubt. The typing meant to kill him in the pavilion of long life, where he himself had determined to die. It was as if he were appointing a rendezvous for him there and he would not fail to be present. The catastrophe was imminent. How long the day seemed to Kinfo, the water and the clocks no longer flowed with its wanted speed and the hands seemed to creep over their dial of jade. Finally, the first period, Junai, and the sun disappeared below the horizon and the shadows of night gradually enveloped the yamen. Kinfo proceeded to the pavilion, which he expected never to leave alive and lay down on a soft lounge, which seemed to be made for long repose and waited. Then the memories of his useless existence passed through his mind, his anui, his disgust, all that wealth had not been able to conquer and all that poverty might have increased. There was only one bright thing in his life which had been unattractive during his opulence and that was the affection which he felt for the young widow. This sentiment stirred his heart now when it was about to cease to beat. What? Make poor Liu share his misery? Never. The fourth period, which precedes the dawn with life everywhere were suspended, passed, causing Kinfo the strongest emotions. He listened anxiously, his eyes peered into the darkness. He tried to catch the slightest sound and more than once, he thought he heard a door creak as if opened by some cautious hand. No doubt Wang hoped to find him asleep and would kill him as he slept. And now, a sort of reaction took place in him. He peered and desired this visit of the terrible Taiping. The dawn was lighting the zenith in the fifth period and day was slowly approaching. Suddenly, the door was open. Kinfo arose, having lived more in this last second than during his whole life. Sohn stood before him with a letter in his hand and simply said, in great haste, Kinfo had a presentiment. A letter which bore the postmark San Francisco tore open the envelope and read it very quickly. Then rushing out of the pavilion of Long Life, he shouted, Wang, Wang! In a moment, he reached the philosopher's room and flung open the door. Wang was not there. Wang had not slept in the house that night. And when, at Kinfo's cries, the servants hastened to him and searched the yamen, it became evident that Wang had disappeared without leaving a trace. End of Chapter 9 Recording by Tom Baron Chapter 10 of The Tribulations of a China Man in China This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Christine The Tribulations of a China Man The Tribulations of a China Man in China by Jules Verne translated by Virginia Champlain Chapter 10 in which Craig and Fry are officially presented to the new patron of the centenary. Yes, Mr. Bedolf, a simple operation on change in the American style said Kinfo to the agent of the insurance company. Well played indeed, Mr. Bedolf was taken in, said the Honorable William G. Bedolf with the smile of a connoisseur. Even my correspondent answered Kinfo, it was a make-believe suspension of payment. Sir, a make-believe failure and make-believe news. A week afterwards they paid with open doors. The stock, which had depreciated 80%, had been bought up at the lowest rate by the central bank. When asked the director the cause of the failure, he answered amiably, 175%. This is what my correspondent has written in this letter, which arrived only this morning, just as I thought myself absolutely ruined. Where are you going to make an attempt on your life? cried Mr. Bedolf. No, answered Kinfo, but I expected to be assassinated. Assassinated? By my written authority. An assassination agreed upon and sworn to and which would have cost you, $200,000, answered Mr. Bedolf, as you were insured against death in every form. Ah, we should have mourned you greatly, dear sir. On account of what I should have cost you, with interest, saying which Mr. Bedolf took his patron's hand and shook it cordially in the American fashion. But I do not understand he added. But you will understand, replied Kinfo, and he acquainted him with the nature of the contract entered into with him by a man in whom he ought to have confidence. He even quoted the terms of the letter which that person had in his pocket, which agreed to save him from pursuit and guaranteed every immunity. But one grave feature was that the promise would be fulfilled for the pledge would be kept without the shadow of doubt. Is this man a friend? asked the agent. He is, answered Kinfo. Then, through friendship? Through friendship. And who knows? Perhaps also through self-interest. I am insured for $50,000 payable to him. $50,000? cried Mr. Bedolf. Then it is Mr. Wong. The same. A philosopher he will never consent Kinfo was about to say this philosopher is an old taping and during the first half of his life committed more murders than would suffice to ruin the sentinary if all those whom he killed were insured in it. For eighteen years he has been able to restrain his ferocious instincts. But now that the opportunity is offered him and he believes me to be ruined and determined to die and knowing besides all fortune by my death he will not hesitate. Kinfo had said nothing of this however for it would have been compromising Wong whom perhaps Mr. Bedolf would have not hesitated to denounce to the governor of the province as a former taping. That would have saved Kinfo no doubt but the philosopher would have been lost. Well, said the agent of the insurance company there is one very simple thing to do. You must inform Mr. Wong that the contract is broken and get back the compromising letter which that is easier said than done than Swetkinfo. Wong disappeared yesterday and no one knows where. Hmm! said the principal agent in whom this interjection denoted perplexity. And now dear sir you no longer wish to die he said looking attentively at his patron. Face, no! answered Kinfo. The operation of the central bank of California has almost doubled my fortune and I am going to get married in good earnest but not until I find Wong or till the time agreed upon shall have fully expired. When does it expire? On the 25th of June of the present year during the interval the sentinary runs considerable risk and it should take measures in consequence. And find the philosopher said the honorable William G. Bedolf. The agent walked up and down a few moments with his hands behind his back then said Well, we will find this all important friend again where he hidden in the bowels of the earth but till then sir we shall prevent any attempt at assassination as we have prevented you from attempting suicide. What do you mean? asked Kinfo. This that since the 30th of April last the day you signed your insurance policy two of my agents have followed you observing where you went and watching what you did. I have not noticed it but they are discreet men I asked your permission to present them to you now that they no longer need to conceal their movements unless from Mr. Wong. Suddenly answered Kinfo Craig Fry must be here since you are. Craig Fry he called Craig and Fry were indeed behind the door of the private office they had tracked the patron of the sentinary as far as the office of the letter and were waiting for him at the entrance. Craig Fry said the agent while his policy remains you will no longer have to save our precious client from himself but from one of his own friends the philosopher Wong who has bound himself to kill him thus the two inseparables were made acquainted with the situation which they understood and accepted the wealthy Kinfo belonged to them and he could not have more faithful servants now what course should they take there were two courses as the principal agent observed they must either remain carefully shut up in Kinfo's house at Shanghai so that Wong could not enter without the knowledge of Fry Craig or else use all dispatch to ascertain where the said Wong was to be found who must be made to give up the letter which must be considered null and void the first plan will not answer said Kinfo Wong could reach me without being seen since my house is his so we must find him at all cost you are right sir answered Mr. Bedolf the surest way is to find the said Wong and we will find him dead or said Craig alive concluded Fry no living cried Kinfo I do not intend to have Wong in danger a moment through my fault Craig and Fry added Mr. Bedolf you are to answer for our patron's safety 77 days longer for till the thirties of next June he will be worth to us two hundred thousand dollars there upon the inshuri and the principal agent of the centenary took leave of each other and ten minutes later Kinfo escorted by his two bodyguards who were not to leave him again entered the Yaman when soon saw Craig and Fry settled as officers in the house he could not but feel some regret there would be no more officers or tales besides his master in resuming life had begun to abuse the lazy awkward wale again unhappy soon what would he have said had he known what the future had in store for him Kinfo's first thought was to phonograph to Chakowa Awe-New-Pekin the news of the change of fortune which made him richer than before the young woman then heard lost forever repeat his most loving words he would see his little younger sister again the seventh moon would not pass without his hastening to her never to leave her but after having refused to make her poor and wretched he did not wish to run the risk of making her a widow Leo did not quite comprehend what this last phrase meant she only understood one thing that her lover had returned and that before two months he would be near her that day there was not a woman in all the celestial empire happier than the young widow indeed a complete reaction had taken place in Kinfo's ideas he had become a four-fold millionaire owing to the fruitful operations of the central bank in California and he now wished to live and to live well twenty days of emotion had wholly changed him neither the Mandarin Pao Shen nor the merchant Yin Peng nor Tim the High Liver nor all the literary man would have recognized in him the indifferent host who had taken far well of them on one of the flower boats on the river of pearls Wong would not have believed his eyes were he himself there but he had disappeared without leaving a trace he did not return to the house in Shanghai which caused Kinfo great anxiety and obliged the two bodyguards to keep watch over him every moment a week later on the 24th of May nothing had been heard of the philosopher and consequently there was no possibility of going in search of him in vain had Kinfo and Craig and Fry searched the conceded districts the shops and in vain had the most skilful tiapos of the police sought him in the country around the philosopher could not be found however Craig and Fry who were more and more anxious doubled their precautions neither day nor night did they leave their charge eating at his table and sleeping in his room they even tried to induce him to wear a steel breastplate and dagger thrust and to eat nothing but eggs in the shell which could not be poisoned Kinfo it must be told sent them away why not shut him up two months in the sentinary safe under the pretext that he represented two hundred thousand dollars then William G. Bidov who was always practical proposed to his patron to restore the first premium and tear up the insurance policy answered Kinfo decidedly but the thing is done and you must bear the consequences very well replied the principal agent who had made up his mind to endure what he could not help very well you are right you will never be better guarded than by us nor for better reasons answered Kinfo End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of the Tribulations of a China Men and China this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Jeannie Whitfield the Tribulations of a China Men and China by Jules Verne translated by Virginia Shamblin Chapter 11 in which Kinfo becomes the most celebrated man in the central empire still Wang could not be found if Hume had been forced to inactivity and it being unable to at least hasten in pursuit of the philosopher but how could he have done this since Wang had disappeared without a clue this complication did not fail to disturb the principal agent of the centenary after thinking at first that it was not a serious matter because Wang would not fulfill his promise for even in eccentric America such mad projects would not be executed nothing was impossible in the strange country called the Celestial Empire and soon concluded with Kinfo that if they could not find the philosopher the latter would keep his word his disappearance indicated on his parts the intention of performing the fatal deed when his pupil least expected it and to let it come upon him then like a thunderbolt and to strike him to his heart with a short swift hand then after placing the letter Wang can quietly present himself at the office of the centenary to claim his part of the policy Wang therefore must be notified but this could not be done directly the honorable William J. Bedol was led to employ indirect means through the press in a few days notices were sent to the Chinese newspapers and telegrams to the foreign papers in both worlds the Qing Pao the official paper in Peking Wang the journals of the most extensive circulation in Europe and the two Americas reproduced to Seaty the following notice Mr. Wang of Shanghai is baked to consider that the agreements made between Kin Fu and himself dated the 2nd of May last is cancelled the said Mr. Kin Fu having now only one desire that of dying a centenarian after the strange advertisement the following appeared more practical and effective $2,000 or 1,300 tiles to whoever will make known to William J. Bedol principal agent of the centenary at Shanghai the present residence of Mr. Wang of said city there was nothing to make one suppose that the philosopher had been running around the world during the interval of 55 days given him to fulfill his promise he was more likely concealed to the community but the honorable William J. Bedol did not think he could take too many precautions several days past and the situation did not change now it happened that these advertisements reproduced in profusion in the form familiar to Americans Wang Wang Wang on the side and Kin Fu Kin Fu Kin Fu on the other had the final result of attracting public attention and provoking audiences of the celestial empire where is Wang who has seen Wang where does Wang live what is Wang doing Wang Wang Wang cried the Chinese children in the street these questions were soon in everyone's mouth and Kin Fu this worthy celestial whose strongest desire was to become a centenarian who proposed to contend for longevity with a celebrated elephant whose 20th lustrum he Kin could not fail to be soon very much in the fashion well is Sire Kin Fu getting on in years how does he do is his digestion good shall we see him wear his yellow robe of old men thus the civil and military Mandarin's merchants own change and in the county houses the people in the streets and squares and the boatmen in their floating cities accosted each other with these mocking phrases the Chinese are very gay and one will agree that they had now some cause for gaiety the jokes of every kind went the rounds and even caricatures were hung on the walls of private houses Kin Fu to his great dissatisfaction had to endure the inconveniences of this singular celebrity they went so far as to sing songs about him to the tune of Man Ching Nong the wind which blows through the willows and a lament appeared which put the whole scene the five periods of the centenarian what an alluring title and what profit it made at three is the piquas a copy if Kin Fu fretted at all this noise made over his name Mr. Biddle on the contrary rejoiced but Wang was nonetheless concealed from every eye now things went so far that the position was no longer indurable to Kin Fu if he went out a train of Chinese of every age he went through the streets and along the wars and even through the conceded territories and also through the country when he returned home a jarring crowd of the worst kind gathered before the doors of the young men every morning he had to appear at the balcony of his room in order to prove to his people that he had not prematurely slept in the coffin in the kiosk of long life the newspapers published a bulletin of jokes about his health with the ironical comments of the founding dynasty of the scene in short he became perfectly ridiculous it therefore happened that one day the 21st of May the greatly vexed Kin Fu went to see the honorable William J. Biddleup and imparted to him his intention of immediately leaving the place he had had enough Shanghai and the Shanghai people but this will be running greater risk was the very true remark of the principal agent for that replied Kin Fu take your precautions and consequence but where will you go straight ahead where will you stop nowhere when will you return never and if I should have news of Wang to the devil with Wang oh how foolish I was to give him that absurd letter at heart Kin Fu felt the wildest desire and very soon haunted him wait a month longer in such a situation he never could resign himself to it the lamb was changing its nature well leave then said Mr. Biddleup Craig and pride will follow you wherever you go as you please answered Kin Fu but I warn you they will have to run about some they will run about my dear sir they will run about for they are not men who would think of sparing their legs and without losing a moment made his preparations for departure soon to his great annoyance for he did not like moving from one place to another was obliged to accompany his master but he did not venture to make any remarks which would certainly have cost him a good bit of his braid as for fry Craig like true Americans they were always ready to travel even were it to the end of the world and they only ask one question where sir, sir Craig to Nan Kin first and to the devil next the same smile appeared simultaneously on Craig Fry's lips both were delighted to the devil nothing could please them better they only took time to bid farewell to the honorable Mr. Biddleup and to array themselves in the Chinese costume which would cause them to attract less attention during the journey through the celestial empire an hour later Craig and fry with their bags at their sides and their solvers in their belts returned to the Yaman at nightfall Kin Fu and his companions cautiously left the port of the American concession and took passage on the steamboat which flies between Shanghai and Nan Kin this voyage is a mere excursion in less than 12 hours a steamboat profiting by the Eptide can ascend by the Blue River as far as the ancient capital of southern China during this short passage every passenger paid the most minute attention to their precious Kin Fu they were acquainted with the philosopher what inhabitant of the three concessions did not know that good and kind like face and they assured themselves that he had not followed them on board having taken these precautions what constant attention they lavished on the patron of the centenary feeling of every support on which he might lean moving their feet over every bridge he sometimes stood in order to ascertain if they were safe drawing him away from the boiler which they did not feel quite sure of urging him not to expose himself to the fresh evening air nor to get cold in the damp night air taking care that the portholes in his cabin were hermetically closed scolding soon the neglectful valet who was never near when his master called him taking his place when necessary by serving Kin Fu with tea and cakes in the first period and finally sleeping at his cabin door all dressed with their belts provided with various articles for safety and ready to come to his aid if by an explosion or collision the steamboat should sink beneath the deep waters of the river but no accident occurred to put the brave and ceaseless devotion of Craig Frye to the test the steamboat rapidly descended the Wusong sailed into the Yangtze King or Blue River coasted along the island Songming left behind her the fires of Wusong and Lengchuan and ascended with the tide through the province of Qiansu and on the morning of the 22nd landed her passengers safe and sound on the war of the ancient imperial city thanks to the two bodyguards Sun's braid had not grown shorter by the twelfth part of an inch during the voyage therefore the lazy fellow could have complained with very poor grace it was not without a motive that Kin Fu on leaving Changhai stopped first at Nankin for he thought there might be some chance of his finding the philosopher Wang perhaps might be drawn to this unfortunate city by the memories of the past since it was the principal center of the Chang Mao was it not at that time occupied and defended by that modest school master the formidable Wung Tio Thin who became the chief of the Taiping and so long held the Manchurian authority in check was it not in this city that he proclaimed the new era of great peace was it not there that he poisoned himself in 1864 that he might not surrender himself alive to his enemies from the ancient palace of the kings that his young son escaped whom the Imperials were soon to be had were not his bones taken from their tomb beneath the ruins of the burned city and thrown to the vilest animals finally was it not in this province that 100,000 of Wang's former companions were massacred in three days it was therefore possible that the philosopher feeling a kind of homesick after the change in his life had taken refuge in these places so full of personal recollections and in a few hours he could reach Shanghai and when ready deal his intended blow that is why Kin Fu proceeded first to Nen Kin and wished to stop at the first stage of his journey if he could meet Wang there everything would be explained and he could end this absurd situation if Wang did not appear he would continue his wanderings through the celestial empire till the expiration of the time when he would have nothing further to fear from his former teacher and friend Kin Fu accompanied by Craig and Fry and followed by Sun proceeded to a hotel situated in one of the thinly populated localities around which three quarters of the ancient capital extends like a desert I am traveling under the name Kin Nan said Kin Fu to his companions and I desire that my real name shall not be spoken again for any reason whatever that Craig Nan finished Fry Kin Nan repeated soon by this one we will understand that Kin Fu who was running away from the annoyances of his Spain at Shanghai did not wish to meet with them again on his journey he said nothing to cry Craig of the possible presence of the philosopher Nen Kin these two particular agents would have used unnecessary precautions which the pecuniary value but which would have greatly annoyed him indeed if they had been traveling through a dangerous country with a million dollars in their pocket they could not have been more prudent after all was it not a million that the centenary had confided to their care the whole day was passed in visiting the various localities squares and streets in Nen Kin and from the gate at the west to the gate at the east and from north to south they traversed the whole city which was now so shorn of its ancient splendor Kin Fu walked on quickly talking little but observing a great deal no suspicious face appeared neither on canals frequented by the masses of the people nor in the paved streets which were almost hidden under the ruins and already overrun with weeds no stranger was seen wandering through the partly demolished marble portico and calcinated walls which marked the site of the imperial palace the theater of the final struggle were Wang no doubt resisted till the last hour no one was seen by the visitors around the amin of the Catholic missionaries whom the inhabitants of Nen Kin tried to massacre in 1870 nor in the neighborhood of the arsenal which was newly built with the imperishable brick of the celebrated porcelain tower and whose ground was strewn with the typeying Kin Fu seemed to feel no fatigue kept moving on followed by his two acolytes who did not falter and out distancing the unfortunate Sun who was but little accustomed to this kind of exercise he left by the eastern gate and ventured out into the deserted country an interminable avenue bordered by enormous animals of granite now appeared at some distance from the enclosing wall and Kin Fu walked through rapidly still a small temple stood at the end of it and behind rose a tumulus as high as a hill under its turf reposed Ruan the bonds who had become an emperor and who was one of the bold patriots who five centuries before had struggled against the foreign power and might not the philosopher have come to refresh himself with these glorious memories on the tomb where rested the founder of the dynasty of the Ming the tumulus was deserted and the temple abandoned there were no other guardians than those giants faintly outlined on the marble and the fantastic animals which people the long avenue but on the door of the temple Kin Fu received with emotion several signs which some hand had engraved there he approached and read these three letters W K F Wang Kin Fu finally passed this place Kin Fu without saying a word looked around but found no one that evening Kin Fu Craig, Cry and Soon who dragged on behind returned to the hotel and the next morning left Nankin End of Chapter 11 Recording by Jeannie Whitfield Mississippi USA Chapter 12 of the Tribulations of a Chinaman in China This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Kirby Bonds The Tribulations of a Chinaman in China by Jules Verne translated by Virginia Champlain Chapter 12 in which Kin Fu his two acolytes and his valet start on an adventure Who is the traveler who is seen hastening over the principal water or carriage routes and up the canals and rivers of the celestial empire he goes on and on not knowing at evening where he will be the next day he passes through cities without seeing them and stops at hotels or inns only to catch a few hours sleep and at restaurants to take a hasty meal he does not stay in his hand for he throws it around to facilitate his progress it is not a merchant or on business it is not a Mandarin whom the minister has charged with some important mission an artist in search of the beauties of nature a savant whose tastes lead him to seek ancient documents stored in the temples of bonzas or llamas in old China to get his university degrees nor a priest of Buddha going about the country to inspect the small rural alters erected among the roots of the sacred banyan nor a pilgrim going to fulfill some vow at one of the five holy mountains of the celestial empire it is the pretended Qi Nan accompanied by Craig Fry ever active and ready followed by Sun who was more and more weary and reluctant it is Qin Fou in the odd mood which leads him to fly from and at the same time to seek the undiscoverable Wang it is the patron of the sentinary who only seeks in this incessant going and coming forgetfulness of his situation and perhaps a guarantee against the invisible dangers by which he is menaced the best marksman stands a chance of missing a target in motion and Qin Fou wishes to be this target which never ceases to move the travelers had taken at Nanquan one of the fast American steam boats the vast floating hotels which sail on the blue river 60 hours afterwards without even having admired that odd looking rock the little orphan which rises up in the middle of the current of the Yangtze where a temple made use of by the Bonzas boldly crowns the summit at Ranquiao situated at the confluence of Blue River and its important tributary the Wondering Qin Fou stopped only half a day and again souvenirs of the Tai Ping were found in irreparable ruin but neither in this commercial city which to tell the truth is only an annexation of the prefecture Ranyang Fou built on the right shore of the tributary stream nor at the O'Chang Fou the capital of the province of Ropay on the right shore of the stream did the uncapturable Wang leave any trace of his passage plenty of those terrible letters which Qin Fou had found at Nanquan on the tomb of the crowned Bons if Craig and Fry had ever hoped that on this journey through China they would carry away any idea of its customs or acquire any knowledge of its cities they were soon undeceived they would not have had time to take notes and their impressions would have been reduced or to the days of the month but they were neither curious nor talkative indeed they hardly ever spoke of what use would have been what Craig thought Fry thought also it would have been only a monologue therefore they like their patron did not notice that double appearance common to the majority of Chinese cities which are dead within and full of life in their suburbs they barely perceive the European quarters with its broad rectangular streets and elegant houses and its promenade shaded by tall trees which skirts the shore of the Blue River they had eyes to see only one man and that man remained invisible the steamboat owing to the tide which raised the waters of the Rancan could ascend this tributary for 130 leagues more as far as Laoroukyou Kinfo was not the man to abandon this style of locomotion which pleased him on the contrary he expected to go to the point where the Rancan would cease to be navigable beyond that he would consider Craig and Fry would have asked nothing better than to have had this kind of navigation the whole course of the journey for their surveillance was easier and the dangers were less imminent later on the roads through the provinces of central China which were less safe it would be quite different as for Sion this steamboat life pleased him very well for he did not have to walk or do anything and left his master to the good offices of Craig Fry all he thought of was to take a nap in his corner after having breakfasted, dined and supped conscientiously for the cooking was good a change of food on board the boat a few days later would have indicated to anyone but this ignorant fellow that a change of latitude had taken place in the geographical situation of the travelers for during the meals wheat was suddenly substituted for rice in the form of unleavened bread which was quite agreeable to the taste when eaten fresh from the oven Sion as a true Chinaman of the south grieved for his daily rice he managed his little chopsticks with so much skill when he dropped the kernels from the cup into his vast mouth and absorbed such quantities of them then rice and tea what is more desirable by a true son of heaven the steamboat ascending the course of the ran ken had just entered the wheat region where the elevation of the country becomes more marked on the horizon are outlined several mountain crowned with fortifications which were built under the ancient dynasty of the Ming the artificial banks which hold the waters of the river give way to low shores enlarging its bed at the expense of its depth the government of Guanluo Fow now appeared ken fo did not go on shore during the few hours required to put the fuel on board in the presence of the custom house boats what was he going to do in that city which he cared so little to see he had but one desire since he no longer found a trace of the philosopher and that was to travel farther still into the interior of central China where if he did not catch Wang Wang would not catch him after Guanluo Fow came two cities built opposite one another the commercial city of Fanqing on the left shore and the government of Xiangyang fo on the right the first being a suburb full of the stir of people and the bustle of business the second the residents of the authorities and more dead than alive and after Fanqing and ran ken ascending directly to the north at a sharp angle was still navigable as far as the Laorou Qiyou but the water was not deep enough for the steamboat to go further on leaving this last stopping place the conditions of the journey were changed one was obliged to abandon the water courses those walking roads and either walk or substitute for the soft gliding motion of a boat the shaking, jolting and pitching of the deplorable vehicles used in the celestial empire unhappiesion a series of torments, fatigues and reproaches were about to begin again and indeed whoever had followed Qin Fou from province to province from city to city in this fantastic journey would have had much to do one day he would travel in a carriage which was only a box roughly fastened by big iron nails and an axel tree of two wheels drawn by two restive mules and covered by a linen canopy which streams of rain and the sun's rays alike penetrated another day he might be seen stretched in a mule chair which is a sort of sentry box suspended between two long bamboo poles and subjected to such violent rolling and pitching that a bark under like circumstance would have cracked in every part Craig and Fry on two asses which rolled and pitched more than the chair trotted along near the doors like two aids to camp soon, when rather rapid walking was necessary went on foot grumbling and cursing and refreshing himself more than was necessary by frequent swallows of Qiaolang brandy he too felt a peculiar rolling motion but the cause was not due to the word the little party could not have been more tossed on a stormy sea it was on horseback and poor horses too as one may believe that Qin Fou and his companions made their entry into the ancient capital of the central empire where the emperors of the dynasty of Tang formally resided but to reach this distance province of Chenxi and Baer how many dangers and how much fatigue there was to endure the May sun in a latitude which is that of southern Spain was already unendurable and caused a fine dust to form on roads that never have been blessed with paving and so on coming out of these yellowish whirlwinds which dinged the air with an unwholesome smoke of gray from head to foot it was the country of the loss a singular geological formation peculiar to the north of China and which is neither earth nor rock or rather it is a rock which has not yet had time to become solid as for the dangers they were only too real in a country where the police have an extraordinary fear of being stabbed by thieves and to pows left the field free to the rogues if in the heart of the city the inhabitants seldom ventured into the streets at night then judged the degree of security that country roads afforded several times suspicious groups of men crossed the travelers paths when they entered those deep narrow defiles hollowed out between the beds of the loss but the sight of Craig Fry with revolvers at their belts had thus far intimidated the tramps on the highways yet the agents of the sentinary on many occasions felt the most serious fear if not for themselves at least for the live million dollars they were escorting whether Kinfo fell by Wang's poignard or a malefactor's knife the result would be the same it was the company's coffers which would receive the blow under these circumstances Kinfo who was no less well armed was only too eager to defend himself for he valued his life more than ever and as Craig Fry said would kill himself to preserve it it was not probable that any trace of the philosopher at Xinyan Fow for a former Tai Ping would not have thought of taking refuge there it is a city whose strong walls block the way of the rebels in the time of the rebellion and is occupied by a numerous garrison from Manchuria why should Wang come here unless he had a particular taste for archaeological curiosities which are very numerous in this city and a desire to plunge into the mysteries of epigrams which the museum called the forest of tablets contains incalculable riches on the day after his arrival Kinfo, leaving this city which is an important business center between Central Asia and Tibet, Mongolia and China continued on his way to the north following Cao Linxian Xing Tongxian through the valley route of the Oirou whose waters are tinged with the yellow hue of the loess which it has made its bed the little party reached Roa Tiao which is a valuable musselman insurrection in 1860 Kinfo and his companions after great fatigue traveling sometimes in a boat and sometimes in a wagon reached the fortress of Qiangcao which is situated at the confluence of the Oirou and the Ruangrou the Ruangrou is the famous Yellow River it descends directly from the north and crossing the eastern provinces flows into the sea which bears its name and is no more yellow than the red sea is red the white sea white or the black sea black yes it is a celebrated river of celestial origin no doubt since its color is that of the emperors the sons of heaven but is also China's sorrow a title given it on account of its terrible overflows which have partially rendered impassable at Tongkuan the travelers would have been safe even at night it is no longer a commercial but a military city in which the Manchurian Tartars who form the chief numbers of the Chinese army live in fixed habitations and not in camps possibly Kinfo intended to stop here and rest a few days or perhaps would have sought a good room, bed, and a table in a desirable hotel which would not have pleased Fry Craig and less likely Song but this blundering fellow had the impudence to give to the Custom House Officer his master's real instead of assumed name which cost him a good inch of his braid he forgot that it was no longer the man whom he had the honour of serving Kinfo's anger was extreme and it led him to leave the city at once the name had produced its effect the celebrated Kinfo had arrived at Tongkuan people wished to see this unique man whose soul and only desire was to become a centenarian the terrified traveler followed by his two guards had just time to take his flight through the crowd of curious people who followed in his footsteps on foot this time on foot he ordered and ascended the shores of the Yellow River proceeding thus till he and his companions stopped from exhaustion where his incognito must secure him some hours of tranquility Song who was absolutely disconcerted dared not say a word he in his turn with the ridiculous little rat tail yet remaining was an object of the most disagreeable ridicule the boys ran after him mocking him and calling him names so he too was in a great hurry to arrive but where since his master as Mr. Bidolf said expected to keep on the move and was doing so this time there were no horses asses, wagons or chairs in this modest town 20 leagues from Tieng Khao where Kien Vo sought refuge there was no prospect but to remain here or continue on foot this was not likely to inspire good humor in the pupil of the philosopher Wang and he showed little philosophy on this occasion he accused everyone with only himself to blame how he sighed for the time when he had nothing to do but live if to appreciate happiness it was necessary to know enmity trouble and torments as Wang used to say he had plenty of them now and some to spare and yet in running around the country he met on the way worthy people without a sue who nevertheless were happy he was able to observe these varied forms of happiness which cheerfully performed labor brings here were laborers bending over their plowing and there workmen singing as they handled their tools was it not precisely to this absence of labor that Kien Vo owed the absence of desires and consequently the lack of happiness here below ah the lesson was complete he believed so at least no friend Kien Vo it was not after searching thoroughly in the village and knocking at every door Craig and Fry finally discovered only one vehicle and that it would only carry one person and Graver still at the propelling power of said vehicle was wanting it was a wheelbarrow Pascal's wheelbarrow and perhaps invented before his time by those ancient inventors of powder the art of writing the compass and kites in China the wheel of this convenience which is rather broad in diameter is placed not at the end of the shafts but in the middle and moves across the body of the wheelbarrow like the central wheel in some steamboats the body is then divided into two parts following its axis in one of which the traveler can stretch himself out and in the other stow his baggage the propelling power is and can be only a man who pushes it before him instead of dragging it after him and is therefore behind the traveler whose view he does not obstruct as does the driver of an English cab when the wind is favorable that is when it blows from behind the man joins to his efforts in the natural force which costs him nothing by setting a mast in the four part of the vehicle and raising a square sail so that when the breeze is strong instead of pushing the wheelbarrow it is the ladder which draws him along often faster than he wishes the vehicle was purchased with all its accessories and Kin Foe took his place in it the wind was fresh and the sail was raised come soon," said he soon began quite naturally to stretch himself out in the second compartment of the wheelbarrow into the shafts cried Kin Foe in a certain tone which admitted of no reply master what I exclaimed the terrified soon whose limbs shook like those of a foundered horse don't blame anyone but yourself your tongue and your own foolishness come soon good fry Craig into the shafts repeated Kin Foe looking at what pigtail remained to the unhappy valet into the shafts animal and mind you do not jolt me or Kin Foe's first and middle finger of the right hand brought together after the manner of scissors so well completed his thought that Seon passed the reins around his shoulders and seized the shafts with both hands fry Craig placed themselves on both sides of the wheelbarrow and with the aid of the breeze the little band moved off at a gentle trot we must renounce any attempt to describe Seon's moot powerless rage when he had passed into the place of a horse and yet Craig and fry often consented to relieve him very fortunately the south wind came to their aid and performed three quarters of the work the wheelbarrow was well balanced by the position of the central wheel and the work of the man in the shafts became like that of a steersman at the helm of a ship he had only to maintain himself in the right direction and in this equipage Kin Foe might have been seen traveling through the western provinces of China walking when he felt the need of stretching his limbs and being trendled in the wheelbarrow when he needed rest thus Kin Foe having avoided Huan Foe and Ka Fong ascended the banks of the celebrated imperial canal which not quite twenty years ago before the Yellow River had resumed its course through its former bed formed a beautiful navigable route from So Chow the tea country as far as Peking a distance of about a hundred leagues he thus crossed Zinan and Hukian and went through the province of Pichili where is situated Peking the quadruple capital of the celestial empire thus also he passed Tianxing a large city of four hundred thousand inhabitants which is protected by a fortified wall and two forts whose large port formed by the junction of the Pei Ho and the imperial canal makes by importing cotton goods from Manchester woolen goods copper iron German matches sandalwood etc and by exporting juju bees, water little leaves and tobacco from tartary etc a sum amounting to seventy millions but Kin Foe did not once think of visiting the celebrated pagoda of infertile torments in this curious Tianxing he did not pass through the entertaining streets of lanterns and old clothes in the eastern suburb nor breakfast at the restaurant of harmony and friendship kept by the musselman Liu Lao Qi whose wines are famous whatever Mahomet may think of them nor leave his big red card for good reasons at the palace of Li Chong Tang the viceroy of the province since 1870 a member of the privy council and also of the council of the empire and who bears with the yellow jacket the title of Fei Chi Tiao Pao no Kin Foe constantly being trendled in the wheelbarrow and Xiong constantly trendling him crossed the wharves where mountains of sand bags were piled they passed the outskirts of the city the English and the American concessions the race grounds the country covered with sorghum barley, sesame vineyards, kitchen gardens rich in vegetables and fruits and plains whence depart by the million hairs, partridges and quail which are chased by the falcon, the merlin and the hobby all four followed for twenty-four leagues the paved road which leads to Peking between trees of various essences and the tall reeds of the river and thus arrived safe and sound at Tong Chiao Kin Foe still being valued at two hundred thousand dollars Craig Fry sound as at the beginning of the journey and Xiong out of breath limping and foundered in both legs and having only three inches of q left on top of his cranium it was now the nineteenth of June the time granted Wang would expire in a week where was Wang end of chapter twelve recording by Kirby Bonds