Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Volume Two: Original Volumes IV–VI

Volume Four

Yin Tunan, a native of Wuchang, owned a country villa that had been rented by a scholar. More than six months had passed without Yin making any inquiries about his tenant.

One day, Yin encountered the scholar at the gate. He was very young, and his clothing, carriage, and horses were all elegant, clean, and appropriate. His bearing was exceptionally graceful. Yin approached and spoke with him, finding him generous, cultivated, and thoroughly agreeable. Convinced that the young man was no ordinary person, Yin returned home and told his wife about him.

His wife sent a maidservant to visit the tenant's household under the pretext of preparing a courtesy gift, intending to discover what kind of people lived there. The maid found that the scholar's wife was a beautiful woman, lovelier and more enchanting than any celestial maiden. Every exotic flower, remarkable stone, garment, and precious ornament in the house was something she had never seen or even heard of.

Unable to imagine what occupation the scholar might pursue, Yin sent over his visiting card and called at the house, only to find that the scholar was away. The following day, the scholar promptly returned the visit. When Yin examined his card, he learned that his surname was Yu and his given name De.

During their conversation, Yin questioned Yu closely about his family background, but Yu answered hesitantly and evasively. When Yin repeatedly pressed him, Yu said, "You wish to cultivate my acquaintance, and I would not presume to reject your friendship. But you ought to know that I am neither a thief nor a fugitive. Why must you insist on interrogating me until you discover my origins?"

Yin apologized. He then ordered a banquet to be prepared and entertained his guest. The two talked and laughed together, greatly enjoying each other's company. It was not until dusk that two Kunlun servants arrived, leading a horse and carrying lanterns, to escort Yu home.

The next day, Yu De sent a note inviting Yin Tunan to return his hospitality.

When Yin arrived, he saw that all four walls of the house were covered with translucent, polished paper, so bright and clear that they resembled mirrors. A golden lion-shaped incense burner emitted the fragrance of rare and precious incense.

In a green jade vase stood two phoenix-tail feathers and two peacock feathers, each more than two feet long. A crystal vase contained a flowering plant immersed in water. Its name was unknown, and it too stood approximately two feet high. Its drooping branches extended over the table, casting shade beyond its edges. The leaves were sparse, but the flowers were abundant. Before opening, the blossoms resembled butterflies with their wings folded together after being wetted, while their bases looked like the insects' antennae.

Only eight dishes were served at the banquet, but each was extraordinarily rich and exquisite.

After they had taken their seats, Yu instructed a young servant to conduct a drinking game in which a drum determined the opening of flowers.

As soon as the drum began to sound, the blossoms in the crystal vase trembled as though about to open. Gradually, their butterfly-shaped petals unfolded. Then the drumming stopped. At a single deep beat, the antenna-like bases of the flowers suddenly fell away and transformed into butterflies. One flew onto Yin Tunan's clothing.

Yu laughed, stood up, and poured a large cup of wine. Yin drank it to the bottom, whereupon the butterfly flew away.

Soon the drum sounded again, and two butterflies landed on Yu's cap.

Yu laughed. "I've fallen into my own trap!"

He accordingly emptied two cups.

After the drum had sounded three times, petals fluttered down in disorder, covering the sleeves and fronts of both men's robes. The young drummer came forward laughing and counted how many had fallen on each man.

According to the rules, Yin owed nine cups of wine and Yu four.

When His Excellency Bi Ziyan, Minister of Revenue, was recalled to service and appointed to the position of Military Defense Circuit Intendant, stationed at Taozhou and Minzhou, a company commander named Yang Hualin came to welcome him.

As the procession of carriages, horses, and ceremonial attendants proceeded along the road, they unexpectedly noticed a man relieving himself beside it.

Yang Hualin drew his bow to its full extent, intending to shoot the man.

Lord Bi immediately shouted at him to stop.

"This wretch is extremely disrespectful," Yang replied. "I only mean to give him a little fright."

Then, calling from a distance, he shouted, "Hey, you there, taking a shit! Let me give you a hairpin made of Kuaiji rattan to hold up your topknot!"

With that, he released an arrow, which struck the man's hairknot exactly.

The terrified man fled in haste, scattering excrement and urine all over the ground.