270 THE LOYAL AND FAITHFUL MINISTER MEI-KWEI. 



As M \vei-kwei was about to enter the hall, he saw the porter 

 approaching-, who announced, " that several persons were waiting to 

 congratulate your Excellency, and are desirous of presenting a 

 written document." Mei-kwei asked the number of those who were 

 waiting. The porter replied, " The officers of the city, with their 

 associates, they are come to present a letter or memorial to your 

 Excellency ; in consequence of the orders that you have issued, they 

 do not presume to enter the hall." Mei-kwei replied, " You will go 

 and tell each of the gentlemen, that it is not necessary for them to 

 present the document, therefore they will now retire, and some other 

 day I will return their visit. Tell them also, that when I arrive at the 

 capital, it shall be evident who are the virtuous, and who are traitors, 

 for I will accuse such before the Emperor, and he himself shall 

 decide ! Of what use is their document !" 



The porter went out and communicated Mei-kwei's answer. 

 These persons, by their countenances, indicated their disappointment, 

 or making a ceremonious bow, retired. This deputation, who were 

 inhabitants of several districts, were sent by a self-constituted body, 

 to deliver a document and offer congratulations to Mei-kwei, on 

 his Majesty having called him to aid in the government, not know- 

 ing how he might hereafter be disposed towards them, expecting that 

 on his arrival at the capital, he would reply to their document. Mei- 

 kwei, by this decisive step, at once put a stop to any further inter- 

 course : had he granted them an interview, they would out of that 

 interview have preferred some charge against him, then those 

 ministers before whom the accusation would be brought, might not 

 see the extent of the evil that was in their hearts. Thus he gave them 

 not an opportunity of writing to the disaffected at the capital. 



Mei-kwei having dismissed them, laughing, said to himself, 

 " They will now know that there is an independent person in the 

 world, who will not suffer a day to pass without using his influence :" 

 when he entered the apartment, to see if his wife and son had 

 finished packing. The lady, on seeing Mei-kwei, asked with 

 whom he had again been conversing? Mei-kwei replied, 

 " Just as I had done giving my instructions to the several officers, 

 and was coming into take some refreshment with you, unexpectedly, 

 that shameless corrupt Shang-sze officer, has sent persons to offer 

 congratulations, and to deliver me a letter or document. You know, 

 as I lightly esteem him, I never wished to visit him. I could but 

 laugh at them, for an independent man must daily maintain his 

 character ! " The lady asked, " How he had terminated it ? '' Mei- 

 kwei replied, " Why, I sent the letter back unopened, and said that 

 I would return the visit." The lady said, " It is quite a laughable 

 affair." 



While the husband and wife were conversing together, the ser- 

 vant communicated that wine was on the table, when Mei-kwei 

 ordered his son to be called to partake of it. On being seated, 

 Mei-kwei, addressing his wife, said, " When you both arrive at the 

 end of your journey, and have got settled, you will diligently 

 apply yourself to cultivating the ground, and he to his studies. 

 Think not, because I am at the capital, that I am at a distance. 



