MINISTER MF.I-KWEI. 267 



surprised, said, "Sir, since you are promoted, you must rely on your 

 ancestors for a blessing-, and consider your talents as a mere spring. 

 His majesty has thought correctly on the subject. Why, Sir, do you 

 say that your existence depends on the appointment? " Mei-kwei 

 said, "How should you be acquainted with the private affairs of the 

 state ? when I have dismissed the bearers of the express I will re- 

 turn and converse with you." Mei-kwei hastened into his bed-room, 

 and on weighing a few leang of silver, taking with him some gilt 

 paper offerings, he hastened out and called for the bearers of the 

 despatch, and thus addressed them, " As I am a poor officer of the 

 government, and have occasioned you trouble in bringing the in* 

 telligence of my promotion, I present you with four leang of silver, 

 a mere trifle, that you may regale yourselves." The two persons 

 bowing in reply said, " How may we presume to receive of you, Sir, 

 such a present ! But as you, Sir, have at the capital many relations, if 

 you will address them a line, we will deliver such letters free of ex- 

 pense." Mei-kwei said, " How can I, a poor scholar, have many 

 relations, those that I have are mere farmers, and reside at a village 

 at Lo-shan-shwuy, I therefore need not trouble you." 



Mei-kwei on leaving these persons entered the inner apartment, and 

 ordered wine to be prepared; then addressing his wife, he said, "As 

 you and my son will take leave of me to-day, we know not when we 

 shall meet again." The lady replied, " Sir, what do you say ? Is it 

 your intention to repair to the capital without taking me and your 

 son to accompany you ? Why this ceremony of separation ? Mei- 

 kwei answered, " You will not accompany me to the capital, but 

 you will, both mother and son, proceed to your native village, where 

 there is land enough to support you. As soon as I arrive, I shall 

 prefer charges against Loo-ke and Whang-kaou, and their partisans. 

 If I am not the death of them, they shall be the death of me. I ex- 

 ceedingly regret that I cannot reduce their bones to powder. Since 

 his majesty has been pleased to confer rank on me, I dare but be 

 loyal to the state, and how, then, may I look on that pack of raven- 

 ous wolves ! What need of regret, were this life of mine brushed 

 away ! Should I be beheaded, and you, my wife and son, be at the 

 capital would Loo-ke and his adherents compassionate you? He would 

 not only cut down the grass, but tear up the roots, that he might 

 put an end to the family of Mei. While residing at Chang-chow 

 you will hear whether affairs are prosperous or otherwise ; but it 

 will be necessary for you to change your name and surname, and 

 live concealed. When our son is grown up, and has caused his 

 name to be recorded in the hall dedicated to eminent statesmen, 

 you will then have something whereon to depend. Recollect how 

 many mysterious years passed before the ancient minister Pih-shim 

 could petition his majesty. The man that cannot foresee probable 

 events is not fit to aid in the government. You must return to cul- 

 tivate the soil, and take care of your person. Where would be 

 the good of your accompanying me to the capital?" The lady re- 

 plied, " Since neither mother nor son is to accompany you, be it 

 so ; but when you have entered on your office, who will wait on you ? 

 and as you are advanced in years, with whom will you associate ? '* 



