--- title: A Story of Old China, part 4 — Gleanings from Chinese folklore · full text with trees · page 2 description: A Story of Old China, part 4, «Gleanings from Chinese folklore» by Nellie Naomi Russell: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: As she closed the letter she said, “Thanks to the gods who took my child in safety. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/20/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Gleanings from Chinese folklore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/) / A Story of Old China, part 4 # A Story of Old China, part 4 · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/20/) **2** “What does this mean?” and turning to the officials he had created he said, “You stand there and see me reviled; you make no motion to help me; life and death are in my hands and you will suffer.”[72](../../72/ "tree and pragmatics") With that he attempted to get into his chair, when Ting Lang and all his student friends set upon him.[73](../../73/ "tree and pragmatics") They tore off his audience cap, his royal robes, beat him, reviled him, and were in the midst of a free fight with him and his chair-bearers, when Hai Jui came from the audience hall.[74](../../74/ "tree and pragmatics") In a few words quiet was restored, and the great Yen Sung, torn and tattered, beaten, and raging like a lion, rushed into the audience hall and, bending before the Emperor, cried out for revenge.[75](../../75/ "tree and pragmatics") The Emperor had heard the commotion outside and had asked who and what it was.[76](../../76/ "tree and pragmatics") They had told him that the three hundred and sixty literary men who had been at the feast had set upon and were beating Yen Kë Lao.[77](../../77/ "tree and pragmatics") When the Emperor heard this he said:[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") “For literary men, men of high degree, to do such a thing means, can but mean, that they have a good clear reason, otherwise they would not act like beasts,” so he waited, and was waiting when Yen Sung rushed in.[79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") “Great Emperor,” said he, “I have been beaten by the students, and without cause.[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") There is going to be a rebellion, have a care, your Majesty.”[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") When he was through the Emperor said:[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") “How could so many people attack one man unless there was a good reason?[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") We will examine into this thing.[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") Call the new ‘Chuang Yuan,’ I will ask him.”[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") Ting Lang came and knocked his head and said:[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") “My lord, live ten thousand years; I have sinned, I have beaten a ‘Kë Lao.’[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") I ought to die.”[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") The Emperor said:[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") “You are a new and very young Chuang Yuan.[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") How can you have a death sin?”[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, turning to another official he said, “Call Hai Jui, I will have his witness.”[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") Hai Jui knelt and said:[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") “I dare not look on thy face, great Lord; for a Chuang Yuan to beat a Kë Lao, there must always be a reason.”[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") The Emperor replied:[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") “That is right and fair; to attack just outside of my door, there must be a clear reason and a great one,” then he turned and commanded Ting Lang to tell at once.[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") Ting Lang said:[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") “Most mighty one, one word would not explain; I have it all in a document which I have here and would beg your Majesty to read.[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") It will explain all.”[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") He held out his document and, at a bow from the Emperor, a eunuch came forward, took it, and placed it on the table by the Emperor’s side.[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") The latter took it up and read it: the sad story of the three generations.[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") He read as in a dream the entire paper; he saw, as one thing after another came before his mind, how for years he had been a tool of his minister, Yen Sung.[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") Saw how he had kept back and brought to death many a good, worthy official.[103](../../103/ "tree and pragmatics") At last, lifting his head, he looked at the trembling Yen Sung and said:[104](../../104/ "tree and pragmatics") “Ai, ya\![105](../../105/ "tree and pragmatics") This is true, all of it.[106](../../106/ "tree and pragmatics") I know it; you are the greatest traitor under the heavens.[107](../../107/ "tree and pragmatics") I give to Hai Jui power to strip you of all rank, and hand you over to the Board of Punishments.[108](../../108/ "tree and pragmatics") You shall be tried and punished for your evil deeds.”[109](../../109/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, turning to Hai Jui, he commanded him to call soldiers, to then and there take him to prison; to see that a day was appointed for trial.[110](../../110/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he commanded that a palace be found and put in order for the new Chuang Yuan and his brother; that in the third day all officials were to call on him and make his acquaintance.[111](../../111/ "tree and pragmatics") With great luxury was the palace prepared, for all rejoiced at the downfall of the great Yen Sung, and all desired to do homage to the great son of the old official house of Tu.[112](../../112/ "tree and pragmatics") During these days in the city, Ting Lang had not dared to seek out his mother, as he wanted first to expose their enemy; he came to the city under the name of Hu, and while Lady Yü had heard of the very wonderful young man, she did not dare to even hope that it might be her son; she asked no questions and no one mentioned the downfall of Yen Sung.[113](../../113/ "tree and pragmatics") The next day a steward came and told her he suspected the young man was her son; but she said:[114](../../114/ "tree and pragmatics") “No, that cannot be; no such glory awaits our house.[115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") I have heard a little of the two brothers, but you have made a mistake.”[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") The day after the downfall she was busy at home when a neighbour came in and said:[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") “Some great men have just entered our street and are coming this way.”[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") Just then a servant rushed in and said:[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") “They have come to get the Great Lady.”[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") The neighbours laughed and said, “What great lady?[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") There is no great lady in this street.”[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") But the horsemen drew near the gate and awaited the chairs.[123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") The servant came and said:[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") “The great man, the new Chuang Yuan, has come for his honoured mother, the Lady Yü.”[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") Then came the other servants one after another.[126](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") Yü Yüch Ying put up her hand and protested:[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") “I am but a poor lone woman, living my life quietly.[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") You have made a mistake, there is no great Lady Yü here.”[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") Then in came Ting Lang, followed by his brother.[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") In beautiful robes and special official cap, that told of his high rank, with all the glory of his position, she knew him; knew her boy who left her a little lad, returning to her with glory honestly won.[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") As the sages truly say, “The son, though he goes thousands of miles from home, never leaves his mother’s heart; the son, though separated from his mother years, never forgets her, but carries her in his heart.”[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") He now sprang forward and knelt before her, saying:[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") “Honoured mother, don’t come a step, I am unworthy.”[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") To test his heart she said:[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") “And who are you that call me mother?”[136](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") “Only your own small son, Ting Lang, my mother.”[137](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") Kan Lang came and knelt beside him and said, “Great mother, I do you reverence.[138](../../138/ "tree and pragmatics") I also am your son.”[139](../../139/ "tree and pragmatics") Yü Yüch Ying came to put both hands on her son’s shoulders and said:[140](../../140/ "tree and pragmatics") “Ah, son! son\![141](../../141/ "tree and pragmatics") I have longed for you to the death; did you not think, while you were away, of my sadness and loneliness?”[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus she put out her hand and took the hand of the younger boy, and together they wept.[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") “My mother, if you weep to your illness, of what joy is my promotion?[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") Word has already gone to the southern home, and they will come to us.[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") Our sorrows, yours are over; I shall never leave you or you me.[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") The bitterness is over and the sweet has come, be comforted and we will all rejoice together.”[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") Yü Yüch Ying lifted her hands and said:[148](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") “I thank Heaven and the gods that the mother and son are united again.[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") I thank Heaven that I also have a younger son.[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") I thank Heaven and Earth for giving such an honour to poor sightless me.”[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/20/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/20/) - next →: [A Story of Old China, part 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/21/) - ↑ back to [Gleanings from Chinese folklore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/)