Chinese Literature

three- years old and whose one talent was his ability in swimming: he could stay in the water for three or four days at a time, hence he had been nicknamed the Eel. Young Fan, who had studied but never passed the examinations, was forced to join the commander’s forces; for it was decreed that any member of the Fan clan who refused to join the rebels would be executed as an example to the rest. However, though he lived among the rebels, Young Fan did all he could to help the unfortunate and took no part in any raid. The rebels thought him a coward and called him The Blind Eel to taunt him with his uselessness.

We will go back now to Tax-collector Feng. Feng had a daughter named Yu-mei, a pretty and gentle girl of sixteen who was travelling south with her parents when some of Commander Fan’s rebels fell upon them at Chienchow, robbed them of all their baggage and sent them flying in all directions. In the confusion Feng lost his daughter, and after fruitless attempts to find her he could only proceed mournfully on his way.

Since Yu-mei could not run fast, she was captured by the rebels and taken into Chienchow city where, as she was crying bitterly, Young Fan saw her, took pity on her and asked her who she was. When Yu-mei told him that she belonged to an official family, Young Fan ordered the rebels to free her, unfastened the ropes with which she was tied and took her home to comfort her with kind words.

‘T am not a rebel,” he told her. “But I have been forced by my clansmen to stay here. In future, when the government calls on us to surrender, I shall become a loyal subject again; and if you, madam, will condescend to marry me, I shall count it.a great honour.”

Yu-mei had no desire to marry him, but since she was in their hands there was nothing for it but to consent. The following day Young Fan told the commander, who congratulated him; then the young man sent Yu-mei to stay in a hostel while he chose an auspicious day and sent over the marriage gifts. One of his heirlooms was a double mirror which could be divided into two. It was bright and clear and since it was inscribed with the words “duck” and “drake,” it was known as a duck-anddrake mirror. This mirror, too, he sent as a gift. All his clansmen were invited and the wedding took place with due ceremony.

Now he had been a man of worth, And she a girl of gentle birth;

Both elegant and handsome he,

And gentle and obedient she.

Though living with a rebel band,

He had not faltered in his stand; While though she was a captive there, She still remained demure and fair.

After this they led a happy, virtuous life together.