中国经典 》 紅樓夢 A Dream of Red Mansions 》
第五十六回 敏探春興利除宿弊 時寶釵小惠全大體 CHAPTER LVI.
曹雪芹 Cao Xueqin
高鶚 Gao E
CHAPTER LVI.
話說平兒陪着鳳姐兒吃了飯，伏侍盥漱畢，方往探春處來。衹見院中寂靜，衹有丫鬟婆子諸內Р近人在窗外聽候。
平兒進入廳中，他姊妹三人正議論些傢務，說的便是年內賴大傢請吃酒他傢花園中事故。見他來了，探春便命他腳踏上坐了，因說道：“我想的事不為別的，因想着我們一月有二兩月銀外，丫頭們又另有月錢。前兒又有人回，要我們一月所用的頭油脂粉，每人又是二兩。 這又同纔剛學裏的八兩一樣，重重疊疊，事雖小，錢有限，看起來也不妥當。 你奶奶怎麽就沒想到這個？"平兒笑道：“這有個原故：姑娘們所用的這些東西，自然是該有分例。 每月買辦買了，令女人們各房交與我們收管，不過預備姑娘們使用就罷了，沒有一個我們天天各人拿錢找人買頭油又是脂粉去的理。所以外頭買辦總領了去，按月使女人按房交與我們的。姑娘們的每月這二兩，原不是為買這些的，原為的是一時當傢的奶奶太太或不在， 或不得閑，姑娘們偶然一時可巧要幾個錢使，省得找人去。這原是恐怕姑娘們受委屈，可知這個錢並不是買這個纔有的。如今我冷眼看着，各房裏的我們的姊妹都是現拿錢買這些東西的， 竟有一半。我就疑惑，不是買辦脫了空， 遲些日子，就是買的不是正經貨，弄些使不得的東西來搪塞。”探春李紈都笑道：“你也留心看出來了。脫空是沒有的，也不敢，衹是遲些日子，催急了，不知那裏弄些來，不過是個名兒，其實使不得，依然得現買。就用這二兩銀子，另叫別人的奶媽子的或是弟兄哥哥的兒子買了來纔使得。若使了官中的人，依然是那一樣的。不知他們是什麽法子， 是鋪子裏壞了不要的，他們都弄了來，單預備給我們？"平兒笑道：“買辦買的是那樣的，他買了好的來，買辦豈肯和他善開交，又說他使壞心要奪這買辦了。所以他們也衹得如此，寧可得罪了裏頭，不肯得罪了外頭辦事的人。姑娘們衹能可使奶媽媽們，他們也就不敢閑話了。”探春道"因此我心中不自在。錢費兩起，東西又白丟一半，通算起來， 反費了兩折子，不如竟把買辦的每月蠲了為是。此是一件事。第二件，年裏往賴大傢去，你也去的，你看他那小園子比咱們這個如何？"平兒笑道：“還沒有咱們這一半大，樹木花草也少多了。”探春道：“我因和他傢女兒說閑話兒，誰知那麽個園子，除他們帶的花，吃的筍菜魚蝦之外，一年還有人包了去，年終足有二百兩銀子剩。從那日我纔知道，一個破荷葉，一根枯草根子，都是值錢的。”
寶釵笑道：“真真膏粱紈絝之談。雖是千金小姐，原不知這事，但你們都念過書識字的，竟沒看見朱夫子有一篇《不自棄文》不成？"探春笑道：“雖看過，那不過是勉人自勵，虛比浮詞，那裏都真有的？"寶釵道：“朱子都有虛比浮詞？那句句都是有的。你纔辦了兩天時事，就利欲熏心，把朱子都看虛浮了。你再出去見了那些利弊大事，越發把孔子也看虛了！"探春笑道：“你這樣一個通人，竟沒看見子書？當日《姬子》有雲：‘登利祿之場，處運籌之界者，竊堯舜之詞，背孔孟之道。’"寶釵笑道：“底下一句呢？"探春笑道：’如今衹斷章取意，念出底下一句，我自己駡我自己不成？"寶釵道：“天下沒有不可用的東西， 既可用，便值錢。難為你是個聰敏人，這些正事大節目事竟沒經歷，也可惜遲了。”李紈笑道：“叫了人傢來，不說正事，且你們對講學問。”寶釵道：“學問中便是正事。此刻於小事上用學問一提，那小事越發作高一層了。不拿學問提着，便都流入市俗去了。”
三人衹是取笑之談， 說了笑了一回，便仍談正事。探春因又接說道：“咱們這園子衹算比他們的多一半，加一倍算，一年就有四百銀子的利息。若此時也出脫生發銀子和人民主權等問題。是馬剋思批判地分析黑格爾哲學的第一，自然小器，不是咱們這樣人傢的事。若派出兩個一定的人來，既有許多值錢之物，一味任人作踐， 也似乎暴殄天物。不如在園子裏所有的老媽媽中，揀出幾個本分老誠能知園圃的事， 派準他們收拾料理，也不必要他們交租納稅，衹問他們一年可以孝敬些什麽。一則園子有專定之人修理，花木自有一年好似一年的，也不用臨時忙亂，二則也不至作踐，白辜負了東西，三則老媽媽們也可藉此小補，不枉年日在園中辛苦，四則亦可以省了這些花兒匠山子匠打掃人等的工費。 將此有餘，以補不足，未為不可。”寶釵正在地下看壁上的字畫， 聽如此說一則，便點一回頭，說完，便笑道：“善哉，三年之內無饑饉矣！ "李紈笑道：“好主意。這果一行，太太必喜歡。省錢事小，第一有人打掃，專司其職，又許他們去賣錢。使之以權，動之以利，再無不盡職的了。”平兒道：“這件事須得姑娘說出來。我們奶奶雖有此心，也未必好出口。此刻姑娘們在園裏住着，不能多弄些玩意兒去陪襯，反叫人去監管修理，圖省錢，這話斷不好出口。”寶釵忙走過來，摸着他的臉笑道：“你張開嘴，我瞧瞧你的牙齒舌頭是什麽作的。從早起來到這會子，你說這些話，一套一個樣子，也不奉承三姑娘，也沒見你說奶奶纔短想不到，也並沒有三姑娘說一句，你就說一句是，橫竪三姑娘一套話出，你就有一套話進去，總是三姑娘想的到的，你奶奶也想到了，衹是必有個不可辦的原故。這會子又是因姑娘住的園子，不好因省錢令人去監管。 你們想想這話，若果真交與人弄錢去的，那人自然是一枝花也不許掐，一個果子也不許動了，姑娘們分中自然不敢，天天與小姑娘們就吵不清。他這遠愁近慮， 不亢不卑。他奶奶便不是和咱們好，聽他這一番話，也必要自愧的變好了，不和也變和了。 "探春笑道：“我早起一肚子氣，聽他來了，忽然想起他主子來，素日當傢使出來的好撒野的人，我見了他便生了氣。誰知他來了，避貓鼠兒似的站了半日，怪可憐的。接着又說了那麽些話，不說他主子待我好，倒說‘不枉姑娘待我們奶奶素日的情意了。’這一句，不但沒了氣，我倒愧了，又傷起心來。我細想，我一個女孩兒傢，自己還鬧得沒人疼沒人顧的， 我那裏還有好處去待人。”口內說到這裏，不免又流下淚來。李紈等見他說的懇切， 又想他素日趙姨娘每生誹謗，在王夫人跟前亦為趙姨娘所纍，亦都不免流下淚來， 都忙勸道：“趁今日清淨，大傢商議兩件興利剔弊的事，也不枉太太委托一場。 又提這沒要緊的事做什麽？"平兒忙道：“我已明白了。姑娘竟說誰好，竟一派人就完了。”探春道：“雖如此說，也須得回你奶奶一聲。我們這裏搜剔小遺，已經不當，皆因你奶奶是個明白人，我纔這樣行，若是糊塗多蠱多妒的，我也不肯，倒象抓他乖一般。豈可不商議了行。”平兒笑道：“既這樣，我去告訴一聲。”說着去了，半日方回來，笑說：“我說是白走一趟，這樣好事，奶奶豈有不依的。”
探春聽了，便和李紈命人將園中所有婆子的名單要來，大傢參度，大概定了幾個。又將他們一齊傳來，李紈大概告訴與他們。衆人聽了，無不願意，也有說：“那一片竹子單交給我，一年工夫，明年又是一片。除了傢裏吃的筍，一年還可交些錢糧。”這一個說：“那一片稻地交給我，一年這些頑的大小雀鳥的糧食不必動官中錢糧，我還可以交錢糧。”探春纔要說話，人回：“大夫來了，進園瞧姑娘。”衆婆子衹得去接大夫。平兒忙說：“ 單你們，有一百個也不成個體統，難道沒有兩個管事的頭腦帶進大夫來？"回事的那人說：“有，吳大娘和單大娘他兩個在西南角上聚錦門等着呢。”平兒聽說，方罷了。
衆婆子去後，探春問寶釵如何。寶釵笑答道：“幸於始者怠於終，繕其辭者嗜其利。”探春聽了點頭稱贊，便嚮册上指出幾人來與他三人看。平兒忙去取筆硯來。他三人說道：“這一個老祝媽是個妥當的，況他老頭子和他兒子代代都是管打掃竹子，如今竟把這所有的竹子交與他。 這一個老田媽本是種莊稼的，稻香村一帶凡有菜蔬稻稗之類，雖是頑意兒，不必認真大治大耕，也須得他去，再一按時加些培植，豈不更好？"探春又笑道：“可惜，蘅蕪苑和怡紅院這兩處大地方竟沒有出利息之物。”李紈忙笑道：“蘅蕪苑更利害。 如今香料鋪並大市大廟賣的各處香料香草兒，都不是這些東西？算起來比別的利息更大。怡紅院別說別的，單衹說春夏天一季玫瑰花，共下多少花？還有一帶籬笆上薔薇，月季，寶相，金銀藤，單這沒要緊的草花幹了，賣到茶葉鋪藥鋪去，也值幾個錢。 "探春笑道：“原來如此。衹是弄香草的沒有在行的人。”平兒忙笑道：“跟寶姑娘的鶯兒他媽就是會弄這個的，上回他還采了些曬幹了辮成花籃葫蘆給我頑的，姑娘倒忘了不成？ "寶釵笑道：“我纔贊你，你到來捉弄我了。”三人都詫異，都問這是為何。寶釵道：“斷斷使不得！你們這裏多少得用的人，一個一個閑着沒事辦，這會子我又弄個人來，叫那起人連我也看小了。我倒替你們想出一個人來：怡紅院有個老葉媽，他就是茗煙的娘。那是個誠實老人傢，他又和我們鶯兒的娘極好，不如把這事交與葉媽。他有不知的， 不必咱們說，他就找鶯兒的娘去商議了。那怕葉媽全不管，竟交與那一個，那是他們私情兒， 有人說閑話，也就怨不到咱們身上了。如此一行，你們辦的又至公，於事又甚妥。”李紈平兒都道：“是極。”探春笑道：“雖如此，衹怕他們見利忘義。”平兒笑道：“不相幹，前兒鶯兒還認了葉媽做幹娘，請吃飯吃酒，兩傢和厚的好的很呢。”探春聽了，方罷了。又共同斟酌出幾人來，俱是他四人素昔冷眼取中的，用筆圈出。
一時婆子們來回大夫已去。將藥方送上去。三人看了，一面遣人送出去取藥，監派調服，一面探春與李紈明示諸人：某人管某處，按四季除傢中定例用多少外《一個物理學家的沉思》、《幾個物理概念的本性》、《事物的狀，餘者任憑你們采取了去取利，年終算帳。探春笑道：“我又想起一件事：若年終算帳歸錢時，自然歸到帳房，仍是上頭又添一層管主，還在他們手心裏，又剝一層皮。這如今我們興出這事來派了你們， 已是跨過他們的頭去了，心裏有氣，衹說不出來，你們年終去歸帳，他們還不捉弄你們等什麽？ 再者，這一年間管什麽的，主子有一全分，他們就得半分。這是傢裏的舊例，人所共知的，別的偷着的在外。如今這園子裏是我的新創，竟別入他們手，每年歸帳，竟歸到裏頭來纔好。”寶釵笑道：“依我說，裏頭也不用歸帳，這個多了那個少了，倒多了事。不如問他們誰領這一分的，他就攬一宗事去。不過是園裏的人的動用。 我替你們算出來了，有限的幾宗事：不過是頭油，胭粉，香，紙，每一位姑娘幾個丫頭，都是有定例的，再者，各處笤帚，撮簸，撣子並大小禽鳥，鹿，兔吃的糧食。不過這幾樣，都是他們包了去，不用帳房去領錢。你算算，就省下多少來？"平兒笑道：“這幾宗雖小，一年通共算了，也省的下四百兩銀子。”寶釵笑道：“卻又來，一年四百，二年八百兩，取租的房子也能看得了幾間，薄地也可添幾畝。雖然還有敷餘的，但他們既辛苦鬧一年， 也要叫他們剩些，粘補粘補自傢。雖是興利節用為綱，然亦不可太嗇。縱再省上二三百銀子，失了大體統也不象。所以如此一行，外頭帳房裏一年少出四五百銀子，也不覺得很艱嗇了，他們裏頭卻也得些小補。這些沒營生的媽媽們也寬裕了，園子裏花木，也可以每年滋長蕃盛，你們也得了可使之物。這庶幾不失大體。若一味要省時，那裏不搜尋出幾個錢來。凡有些餘利的，一概入了官中，那時裏外怨聲載道，豈不失了你們這樣人傢的大體？如今這園裏幾十個老媽媽們，若衹給了這個，那剩的也必抱怨不公。我纔說的，他們衹供給這個幾樣，也未免太寬裕了。一年竟除了這個之外，他每人不論有餘無餘，衹叫他拿出若幹貫錢來，大傢湊齊，單散與園中這些媽媽們。他們雖不料理這些，卻日夜也是在園中照看當差之人，關門閉戶，起早睡晚，大雨大雪，姑娘們出入，擡轎子， 撐船，拉冰床。一應粗糙活計，都是他們的差使一年在園裏辛苦到頭，這園內既有出息，也是分內該沾帶些的。還有一句至小的話，越發說破了：你們衹管了自己寬裕，不分與他們些，他們雖不敢明怨，心裏卻都不服，衹用假公濟私的多摘你們幾個果子， 多掐幾枝花兒，你們有冤還沒處訴。他們也沾帶了些利息，你們有照顧不到，他們就替你照顧了。”
衆婆子聽了這個議論， 又去了帳房受轄治，又不與鳳姐兒去算帳，一年不過多拿出若幹貫錢來，各各歡喜異常，都齊說：“願意。強如出去被他揉搓着，還得拿出錢來呢。 "那不得管地的聽了每年終又無故得分錢，也都喜歡起來，口內說：“他們辛苦收拾，是該剩些錢粘補的。我們怎麽好‘穩坐吃三註’的？"寶釵笑道：“媽媽們也別推辭了，這原是分內應當的。你們衹要日夜辛苦些，別躲懶縱放人吃酒賭錢就是了。不然，我也不該管這事，你們一般聽見，姨娘親口囑托我三五回，說大奶奶如今又不得閑兒，別的姑娘又小， 托我照看照看。我若不依，分明是叫姨娘操心。你們奶奶又多病多痛，傢務也忙。 我原是個閑人，便是個街坊鄰居，也要幫着些，何況是親姨娘托我。我免不得去小就大，講不起衆人嫌我。倘或我衹顧了小分沽名釣譽，那時酒醉賭博生出事來，我怎麽見姨娘？你們那時後悔也遲了，就連你們素日的老臉也都丟了。這些姑娘小姐們，這麽一所大花園，都是你們照看，皆因看得你們是三四代的老媽媽，最是循規遵矩的，原該大傢齊心， 顧些體統。你們反縱放別人任意吃酒賭博，姨娘聽見了，教訓一場猶可，倘若被那幾個管傢娘子聽見了， 他們也不用回姨娘，竟教導你們一番。你們這年老的反受了年小的教訓，雖是他們是管傢。管的着你們，何如自己存些體統，他們如何得來作踐。所以我如今替你們想出這個額外的進益來，也為大傢齊心把這園裏周全的謹謹慎慎，使那些有權執事的看見這般嚴肅謹慎，且不用他們操心，他們心裏豈不敬伏。也不枉替你們籌畫進益， 既能奪他們之權，生你們之利，豈不能行無為之治，分他們之憂。你們去細想想這話。”傢人都歡聲鼎沸說：“姑娘說的很是。從此姑娘奶奶衹管放心，姑娘奶奶這樣疼顧我們，我們再要不體上情，天地也不容了。”
剛說着， 衹見林之孝傢的進來說：“江南甄府裏傢眷昨日到京，今日進宮朝賀。此刻先遣人來送禮請安。 "說着，便將禮單送上去。探春接了，看道是：“上用的妝緞蟒緞十二匹，上用雜色緞十二匹，上用各色紗十二匹，上用宮綢十二匹，官用各色緞紗綢綾二十四匹。”李紈也看過，說：“用上等封兒賞他。”因又命人回了賈母。賈母便命人叫李紈， 探春，寶釵等也都過來，將禮物看了。李紈收過，一邊吩咐內庫上人說：“等太太回來看了再收。”賈母因說：“這甄傢又不與別傢相同，上等賞封賞男人，衹怕展眼又打發女人來請安， 預備下尺頭。”一語未完，果然人回：“甄府四個女人來請安。”賈母聽了，忙命人帶進來。
那四個人都是四十往上的年紀，穿戴之物，皆比主子不甚差別。請安問好畢，賈母命拿了四個腳踏來，他四人謝了坐學”、“邏輯學”、“文學”、“教育”、“人口學”中的“嚴復”，待寶釵等坐了，方都坐下。賈母便問：“多早晚進京的？"四人忙起身回說：’昨日進的京。今日太太帶了姑娘進宮請安去了，故令女人們來請安，問候姑娘們。”賈母笑問道：“這些年沒進京，也不想到今年來。”四人也都笑回道：“正是，今年是奉旨進京的。”賈母問道：“傢眷都來了？"四人回說：“老太太和哥兒，兩位小姐並別位太太都沒來， 就衹太太帶了三姑娘來了。”賈母道：“有人傢沒有？"四人道：“尚沒有。”賈母笑道：“你們大姑娘和二姑娘這兩傢，都和我們傢甚好。”四人笑道：“ 正是。每年姑娘們有信回去說，全虧府上照看。”賈母笑道：“什麽照看，原是世交，又是老親，原應當的。你們二姑娘更好，更不自尊自大，所以我們纔走的親密。”四人笑道：“這是老太太過謙了。”賈母又問：“你這哥兒也跟着你們老太太？"四人回說：“也是跟着老太太。 "賈母道：“幾歲了？"又問：“上學不曾？"四人笑說：“今年十三歲。因長得齊整，老太太很疼。自幼淘氣異常，天天逃學，老爺太太也不便十分管教。”賈母笑道：“也不成了我們傢的了！你這哥兒叫什麽名字？"四人道：“因老太太當作寶貝一樣，他又生的白，老太太便叫作寶玉。”賈母便嚮李紈等道：“偏也叫作個寶玉。”李紈忙欠身笑道：“ 從古至今，同時隔代重名的很多。”四人也笑道：“起了這小名兒之後，我們上下都疑惑， 不知那位親友傢也倒似曾有一個的。衹是這十來年沒進京來，卻記不得真了。”賈母笑道：“豈敢，就是我的孫子。人來。”衆媳婦丫頭答應了一聲，走近幾步。賈母笑道：“園裏把咱們的寶玉叫了來，給這四個管傢娘子瞧瞧，比他們的寶玉如何？”
衆媳婦聽了，忙去了，半刻圍了寶玉進來。四人一見，忙起身笑道：“唬了我們一跳。 若是我們不進府來，倘若別處遇見，還衹道是我們的寶玉後趕着也進了京了呢。”一面說，一面都上來拉他的手，問長問短。寶玉忙也笑問好。賈母笑道：“比你們的長的如何？"李紈等笑道：“四位媽媽纔一說，可知是模樣相仿了。”賈母笑道：“那有這樣巧事？大傢子孩子們再養的嬌嫩， 除了臉上有殘疾十分黑醜的，大概看去都是一樣的齊整。這也沒有什麽怪處。”四人笑道：“如今看來，模樣是一樣。據老太太說，淘氣也一樣。我們看來， 這位哥兒性情卻比我們的好些。”賈母忙問：“怎見得？"四人笑道：“方纔我們拉哥兒的手說話便知。 我們那一個衹說我們糊塗，慢說拉手，他的東西我們略動一動也不依。 所使喚的人都是女孩子們。”四人未說完，李紈姊妹等禁不住都失聲笑出來。賈母也笑道：“我們這會子也打發人去見了你們寶玉，若拉他的手，他也自然勉強忍耐一時。可知你我這樣人傢的孩子們，憑他們有什麽刁鑽古怪的毛病兒，見了外人，必是要還出正經禮數來的。若他不還正經禮數，也斷不容他刁鑽去了。就是大人溺愛的，是他一則生的得人意， 二則見人禮數竟比大人行出來的不錯，使人見了可愛可憐，背地裏所以纔縱他一點子。若一味他衹管沒裏沒外，不與大人爭光，憑他生的怎樣，也是該打死的。 "四人聽了，都笑說：“老太太這話正是。雖然我們寶玉淘氣古怪，有時見了人客，規矩禮數更比大人有禮。所以無人見了不愛，衹說為什麽還打他。殊不知他在傢裏無法無天，大人想不到的話偏會說，想不到的事他偏要行，所以老爺太太恨的無法。就是弄性， 也是小孩子的常情，胡亂花費，這也是公子哥兒的常情，怕上學，也是小孩子的常情，都還治的過來。第一，天生下來這一種刁鑽古怪的脾氣，如何使得。”一語未了，人回：“太太回來了。”王夫人進來問過安。他四人請了安，大概說了兩句。賈母便命歇歇去。王夫人親捧過茶，方退出。四人告辭了賈母，便往王夫人處來。說了一會傢務，打發他們回去，不必細說。
這裏賈母喜的逢人便告訴，也有一個寶玉，也卻一般行景。衆人都為天下之大，世宦之多，同名者也甚多，祖母溺愛孫者也古今所有常事耳，不是什麽罕事，故皆不介意。獨寶玉是個迂闊呆公子的性情，自為是那四人承悅賈母之詞。後至蘅蕪苑去看湘雲病去，史湘雲說他：“你放心鬧罷，先是‘單絲不成綫，獨樹不成林’，如今有了個對子，鬧急了， 再打很了，你逃走到南京找那一個去。”寶玉道：“那裏的謊話你也信了，偏又有個寶玉了？ "湘雲道：“怎麽列國有個藺相如，漢朝又有個司馬相如呢？"寶玉笑道：“這也罷了， 偏又模樣兒也一樣，這是沒有的事。”湘雲道：“怎麽匡人看見孔子，衹當是陽虎呢？"寶玉笑道：“孔子陽虎雖同貌，卻不同名，藺與司馬雖同名，而又不同貌，偏我和他就兩樣俱同不成？ "湘雲沒了話答對，因笑道：“你衹會鬍攪，我也不和你分證。有也罷，沒也罷，與我無幹。”說着便睡下了。
寶玉心中便又疑惑起來：若說必無，然亦似有，若說必有，又並無目睹。心中悶了，回至房中榻上默默盤算論，說價值不過是一種幻影，衹有價格纔是真實的。宣揚馬，不覺就忽忽的睡去，不覺竟到了一座花園之內。寶玉詫異道：“ 除了我們大觀園，更又有這一個園子？"正疑惑間，從那邊來了幾個女兒，都是丫鬟。寶玉又詫異道：“除了鴛鴦，襲人，平兒之外，也竟還有這一幹人？"衹見那些丫鬟笑道：“ 寶玉怎麽跑到這裏來了？"寶玉衹當是說他，自己忙來陪笑說道：“因我偶步到此，不知是那位世交的花園， 好姐姐們，帶我逛逛。”衆丫鬟都笑道：“原來不是咱們的寶玉。他生的倒也還幹淨，嘴兒也倒乖覺。”寶玉聽了，忙道：“姐姐們，這裏也更還有個寶玉？"丫鬟們忙道：“寶玉二字，我們是奉老太太，太太之命，為保佑他延壽消災的。我叫他，他聽見喜歡。你是那裏遠方來的臭小廝，也亂叫起他來。仔細你的臭肉，打不爛你的。”又一個丫鬟笑道：“咱們快走罷，別叫寶玉看見，又說同這臭小廝說了話，把咱熏臭了。”說着一徑去了。
寶玉納悶道：“從來沒有人如此塗毒我，他們如何更這樣？真亦有我這樣一個人不成？ "一面想，一面順步早到了一所院內。寶玉又詫異道：“除了怡紅院，也更還有這麽一個院落。 "忽上了臺磯，進入屋內，衹見榻上有一個人臥着，那邊有幾個女孩兒做針綫，也有嘻笑頑耍的。衹見榻上那個少年嘆了一聲。一個丫鬟笑問道：“寶玉，你不睡又嘆什麽？想必為你妹妹病了，你又鬍愁亂恨呢。”寶玉聽說，心下也便吃驚。衹見榻上少年說道：“我聽見老太太說，長安都中也有個寶玉，和我一樣的性情，我衹不信。我纔作了一個夢， 竟夢中到了都中一個花園子裏頭，遇見幾個姐姐，都叫我臭小廝，不理我。好容易找到他房裏頭，偏他睡覺，空有皮囊，真性不知那裏去了。”寶玉聽說，忙說道：“我因找寶玉來到這裏。原來你就是寶玉？"榻上的忙下來拉住：“原來你就是寶玉？這可不是夢裏了。”寶玉道：“這如何是夢？真而又真了。”一語未了，衹見人來說：“老爺叫寶玉。”唬得二人皆慌了。一個寶玉就走，一個寶玉便忙叫：“寶玉快回來，快回來！”
襲人在旁聽他夢中自喚， 忙推醒他，笑問道：“寶玉在那裏？"此時寶玉雖醒，神意尚恍惚，因嚮門外指說：“纔出去了。”襲人笑道：“那是你夢迷了。你揉眼細瞧，是鏡子裏照的你影兒。 "寶玉嚮前瞧了一瞧，原是那嵌的大鏡對面相照，自己也笑了。早有人捧過漱盂茶鹵來， 漱了口。麝月道：“怪道老太太常囑咐說小人屋裏不可多有鏡子。小人魂不全，有鏡子照多了，睡覺驚恐作鬍夢。如今倒在大鏡子那裏安了一張床。有時放下鏡套還好， 往前去，天熱睏倦不定，那裏想的到放他，比如方纔就忘了。自然是先躺下照着影兒頑的， 一時合上眼，自然是鬍夢顛倒，不然如何得看着自己叫着自己的名字？ 不如明兒挪進床來是正經。”一語未了，衹見王夫人遣人來叫寶玉，不知有何話說——
The clever T'an Ch'un increases their income and removes long-standing abuses. The worthy Pao-ch'ai preserves intact, by the display of a little intelligence, the great reputation enjoyed by the Chia family.
But let us pick up the clue of our story. P'ing Erh bore lady Feng company during her meal; then attending to her, while she rinsed her mouth and washed her hands, she betook herself eventually to T'an Ch'un's quarters, where she discovered the courtyard in perfect stillness. Not a soul was about beyond several maids, matrons and close attendants of the inner rooms, who stood outside the windows on the alert to obey any calls. P'ing Erh stepped into the hall. The two cousins and their sister-in-law were all three engaged in discussing some domestic affairs. They were talking about the feast, to which they had been invited during the new year festivities by Lai Ta's wife, and various details in connection with the garden she had in her place. But as soon as she (P'ing Erh) appeared on the scene, T'an Ch'un desired her to seat herself on her footstool.
"What was exercising my mind," she thereupon observed, "confines itself to this. I was computing that the head-oil, and rouge and powder, we use during the course of a month, are also a matter of a couple of taels; and I was thinking that what with the sum of two taels, already allotted us every month, and the extra monthly amount given as well to the maids, allowances are, with the addition again of that of eight taels for school expenses, we recently spoke about, piled to be sure one upon another. The thing is, it's true, a mere trifle, and the amount only a bagatelle, but it doesn't seem to be quite proper. But how is it that your mistress didn't take this into account?"
P'ing Erh smiled. "There's a why and a wherefore," she answered. "All the things required by you, young ladies, must absolutely be subject to a fixed rule; for the different compradores have to lay in a stock of each every month; and to send them to us by the maids to take charge of; but purely and simply to keep in readiness for you to use. No such thing could ever be tolerated as that each of us should have to get money every day and try and hunt up some one to go and buy these articles for us! That's how it is that the compradores outside receive a lump sum, and that they send us, month by month, by the female servants the supplies allotted for the different rooms. As regards the two taels monthly allowed you, young ladies, they were not originally intended that you should purchase any such articles with, but that you should, if at any time the ladies in charge of the household affairs happened to be away from home or to have no leisure, be saved the trouble of having to go in search of the proper persons, in the event of your suddenly finding yourselves in need of money. This was done simply because it was feared that you would be subjected to inconvenience. But an unprejudiced glance about me now shows me that at least half of our young mistresses in the various quarters invariably purchase these things with ready money of their own; so I can't help suspecting that, if it isn't a question of the compradores shirking their duties, it must be that what they buy is all mere rubbish."
T'an Ch'un and Li Wan laughed. "You must have kept a sharp lookout to have managed to detect these things!" they said. "But as for shirking the purchases, they don't actually do so. It's simply that they're behind time by a good number of days. Yet when one puts on the screw with them, they get some articles from somewhere or other, who knows where? These are however only a sham; for, in reality, they aren't fit for use. But as they're now as ever obtained with cash down, a couple of taels could very well be given to the brothers or sons of some of the other people's nurses to purchase them with. They'll then be good for something! Were we however to employ any of the public domestics in the establishment, the things will be just as bad as ever. I wonder how they do manage to get such utter rot as they do?"
"The purchases of the compradores may be what they are," P'ing Erh smiled; "but were anyone else to buy any better articles, the compradores themselves won't ever forgive them. Besides other things, they'll aver that they harbour evil designs, and that they wish to deprive them of their post. That's how it comes about that the servants would much rather give offence to you all inside, (by getting inferior things), and that they have no desire to hurt the feelings of the managers outside, (by purchasing anything of superior quality). But if you, young ladies, requisition the services of the nurses, these men won't have the arrogance to make any nonsensical remarks."
"This accounts for the unhappy state my heart is in," T'an Ch'un observed. "But as we're called upon to squander money right and left, and as the things purchased are half of them uselessly thrown away, wouldn't it, after all, be better for us to eliminate this monthly allowance to the compradores? This is the first thing. The next I'd like to ask you is this. When they went, during the new year festivities, to Lai Ta's house, you also went with them; and what do think of that small garden as compared with this of ours?"
"It isn't half as big as ours," P'ing Erh laughingly explained. "The trees and plants are likewise fewer by a good deal."
"When I was having a chat with their daughter," T'an Ch'un proceeded, "she said that, besides the flowers they wear, and the bamboo shoots, vegetables, fish and shrimps they eat from this garden of theirs, there's still enough every year for people to take over under contract, and that at the close of each year there's a surplus in full of two hundred taels. Ever since that day is it that I've become alive to the fact that even a broken lotus leaf, and a blade of withered grass are alike worth money."
"This is, in very truth, the way wealthy and well-to-do people talk!" Pao-ch'ai laughed. "But notwithstanding your honourable position, young ladies, you really understand nothing about these concerns. Yet, haven't you, with all your book-lore, seen anything of the passage in the writing of Chu Fu-tzu: 'Throw not they self away?'"
"I've read it, it's true," T'an Ch'un smiled, "but its object is simply to urge people to exert themselves; it's as much empty talk as any random arguments, and how could it be bodily treated as gospel?"
"Chu-tzu's work all as much empty talk as any random arguments?" Pao-ch'ai exclaimed. "Why every sentence in it is founded on fact. You've only had the management of affairs in your hands for a couple of days, and already greed and ambition have so beclouded your mind that you've come to look upon Chu-tzu as full of fraud and falsehood. But when you by and bye go out into the world and see all those mighty concerns reeking with greed and corruption, you'll even go so far as to treat Confucius himself as a fraud!"
"Haven't you with all your culture read a book like that of Chi-tzu's?" Pan Ch'un laughed. "Chi-tzu said in bygone days 'that when one descends into the arena where gain and emoluments are to be got, and enters the world of planning and plotting, one makes light of the injunctions of Yao and Shun, and disregards the principles inculcated by Confucius and Mencius.'"
"What about the next line?" Pao-ch'ai insinuated with a significant smile.
"I now cut the text short," T'an Ch'un smilingly rejoined, "in order to adapt the sense to what I want to say. Would I recite the following sentence, and heap abuse upon my own self; is it likely I would; eh?"
"There's nothing under the heavens that can't be turned to some use," Pao-ch'ai added. "And since everything can be utilised, everything must be worth money. But can it be that a person gifted with such intelligence as yours can have had no experience in such great matters and legitimate concerns as these?"
"You send for a person," Li Wan laughingly interposed, 'and you don't speak about what's right and proper, but you start an argument on learning."
"Learning is right and proper," Pao-ch'ai answered. "If we made no allusion to learning, we'd all soon enough drift among the rustic herd!"
The trio bandied words for a while, after which they turned their attention again to pertinent affairs.
T'an Ch'un took up once more the thread of the conversation. "This garden of ours," she argued, "is only half as big as theirs, so if you double the income they derive, you will see that we ought to reap a net profit of four hundred taels a year. But were we also now to secure a contract for our surplus products, the money, we'd earn, would, of course, be a mere trifle and not one that a family like ours should hanker after. And were we to depute two special persons (to attend to the garden), the least permission given by them to any one to turn anything to improper uses, would, since there be so many things of intrinsic value, be tantamount to a reckless destruction of the gifts of heaven. So would it not be preferable to select several quiet, steady and experienced old matrons, out of those stationed in the grounds, and appoint them to put them in order and look after things? Neither will there be any need then to make them pay any rent, or give any taxes in kind. All we can ask them is to supply the household with whatever they can afford during the year. In the first place, the garden will, with special persons to look after the plants and trees, naturally so improve from year to year that there won't be any bustle or confusion, whenever the time draws nigh to utilise the grounds. Secondly, people won't venture to injure or uselessly waste anything. In the third place, the old matrons themselves will, by availing themselves of these small perquisites, not labour in the gardens year after year and day after day all for no good. Fourthly, it will in like manner be possible to effect a saving in the expenditure for gardeners, rockery-layers, sweepers and other necessary servants. And this excess can be utilised for making up other deficiencies. I don't see any reason why this shouldn't be practicable!"
Pao-ch'ai was standing below contemplating the pictures with characters suspended on the walls. Upon hearing these suggestions, she readily nodded her head assentingly and smiled. "Excellent!" she cried. "'Within three years, there will be no more famines and dearths.'"
"What a first-rate plan!" Li Wan chimed in. "This, if actually adopted, will delight the heart of Madame Wang. Pecuniary economies are of themselves a paltry matter; but there will be then in the garden those to sweep the grounds, and those whose special charge will be to look after them. Besides, were the persons selected allowed to turn up an honest cash by selling part of the products, they will be so impelled by a sense of their responsibilities, and prompted by a desire of gain that there won't any longer be any who won't acquit themselves of their duties to the fullest measure."
"It remained for you, miss, to put these suggestions in words," P'ing Erh remarked. "Our mistress may have entertained the idea, but it is by no means certain that she thought it nice on her part to give utterance to it. For as you, young ladies, live at present in the garden, she could not possibly, unable as she is to supply such additional ornaments as will make it more showy, contrariwise depute people to exercise authority in it, and to keep it in order, with a view of effecting a reduction in expenses. Such a proposal could never have dropped from her lips."
Pao-ch'ai advanced up to her with alacrity. Rubbing her face: "Open that mouth of yours wide," she laughed, "and let me see of what stuff your teeth and tongue are made! Ever since you put your foot out of bed this morning you've jabbered away up to this very moment! And your song has all been in one strain. For neither have you been very complimentary to Miss Tertia, nor have you admitted that your mistress is, as far as wits go, so much below the mark as to be unable to effect suitable provision. Yet whenever Miss Tertia advanced any arguments, you've at once made use of endless words to join issue with her. This is because the plan devised by Miss Tertia was also hit upon by your lady Feng. But there must surely have been a reason why she couldn't carry it into execution. Again, as the young ladies have now their quarters in the garden, she couldn't, with any decency, direct any one to go and rule over it, for the mere sake of saving a few cash. Just consider this. If the garden is actually handed to people to make profit out of it, the parties interested will, of course, not even permit a single spray of flowers to be plucked, and not a single fruit to be taken away. With such as come within the category of senior young ladies, they won't naturally have the audacity to be particular; but they'll daily have endless rows with the junior girls. (Lady Feng) has, with her fears about the future and her misgivings about the present, shown herself neither too overbearing nor too servile. This mistress of theirs is not friendly disposed towards us, but when she hears of her various proposals, shame might induce her to turn over a new leaf."
"Early this morning," T'an Ch'un laughingly observed, "I was very cross, but as soon as I heard of her (P'ing Erh's) arrival, I casually remembered that her mistress employed, during her time, such domestics as were up to all kinds of larks, and at the sight of her, I got more cross than ever. But, little though one would have thought it, she behaved from the moment she came, like a rat that tries to get out of the way of a cat. And as she had had to stand for ever so long, I pitied her very much; but she took up the thread of the conversation, and went on to spin that long yarn of hers. Yet, instead of mentioning that her mistress treats me with every consideration, she, on the contrary, observed: 'The kindness with which you have all along dealt with our lady miss, has not been to no purpose.' This remark therefore not only dispelled my anger, but filled me with so much shame that I began to feel sore at heart. And, when I came to think carefully over the matter, I failed to see how I, a mere girl, who had personally done so much mischief that not a soul cared a straw for me and not a soul took any interest in me, could possess any such good qualities as to treat any one kindly...."
When she reached this point, she could not check her tears from brimming over. Li Wan and her associates perceived how pathetically she spoke; and, recalling to mind bow Mrs. Chao had always run her down, and how she had ever been involved in some mess or other with Madame Wang, on account of this Mrs. Chao, they too found it difficult to refrain from melting into sobs. But they then used their joint efforts to console her.
"Let's avail ourselves of this quiet day," they suggested, "to try and find out how we could increase our revenue and remove abuses, so as not to render futile the charge laid on us by Madame Wang. What use or purpose is it to allude to such trivial matters?"
"I've already grasped your object," P'ing Erh hastily ventured. "Miss, speak out; who do you consider fit? And as soon as the proper persons have been fixed upon, everything will be square enough."
"What you say is all very well," T'an Ch'un rejoined, "but it will be necessary to let your lady know something about it. It has never been the proper thing for us in here to scrape together any small profits. But as your mistress is full of gumption, I adopted the course I did. Had she been at all narrowminded, with many prejudices and many jealousies, I wouldn't have shown the least willingness in the matter. But, as it will look as if I were bent upon pulling her to pieces, how can I take action without consulting her?"
"In that case," P'ing Erh smiled, "I'll go and tell her something about it."
With this response, she went on the errand; and only returned after a long lapse of time. "I said," she laughed, "that it would be perfectly useless for me to go. How ever could our lady not readily accede to an excellent proposal like this?"
Hearing this, T'an Ch'un forthwith joined Li Wan in directing a servant to ask for the roll, containing the names of the matrons in the garden, and bring it to them. When produced, they all held council together, and fixing cursorily upon several persons, they summoned them to appear before them. Li Wan then explained to them the general outline of their duties; and not one was there among the whole company, who listened to her, who would not undertake the charge. One said: "If you confide that bamboo tree for twelve months to my care, it will again next year be a single tree, but besides the shoots, which will have been eaten at home, I shall be able, in the course of the year, to also pay in some money." "Hand me over," another one remarked, "that portion of paddy field, and there will, during the year, be no need to touch any public funds on account of the various birds, large and small, which are kept for mere fun. Besides that, I shall be in a position to give in something more."
T'an Ch'un was about to pass a remark when a servant reported that the doctor had come; and that he had entered the garden to see Miss Shih. So the matrons were obliged to go and usher the doctor in.
"Were there a hundred of you here," promptly expostulated P'ing Erh, "you wouldn't know what propriety means! Are there perchance no couple of housekeepers about to push themselves forward and see the doctor in?"
"There's dame Wu and dame T'an," the servant, who brought the message, replied. "The two are on duty at the south-west corner at the 'accumulated splendour' gate."
At this answer, P'ing Erh allowed the subject to drop.
After the departure of the matrons, T'an Ch'un inquired of Pao-ch'ai what she thought of them.
"Such as are diligent at the outset," Pao-ch'ai answered smiling, "become remiss in the end; and those who have a glib tongue have an eye to gain."
T'an Ch'un listened to her reply; and nodding her head, she extolled its wisdom. Then showing them with her finger several names on the list, she submitted them for the perusal of the trio. P'ing Erh speedily went and fetched a pen and inkslab.
"This old mother Chu," the trio observed, "is a trustworthy woman. What's more, this old dame and her sons have generation after generation done the sweeping of the bamboo groves. So let's now place the various bamboo trees under her control. This old mother T'ien was originally a farmer, and everything in the way of vegetables and rice, in and about the Tao Hsiang village, should, albeit they couldn't, planted as they are as a mere pastime, be treated in such earnest as to call for large works and extensive plantations, be entrusted to her care; for won't they fare better if she can be on the spot and tend them with extra diligence at the proper times and seasons?"
"What a pity it is," T'an Ch'un proceeded smilingly, "that two places so spacious as the Heng Wu garden and the I Hung court bring no grit to the mill."
"Things in the Heng Wu garden are in a worse state," Li Wan hastily interposed. "Aren't the scented wares and scented herbs sold at present everywhere in perfumery shops, large fairs and great temples the very counterpart of these things here? So if you reckon up, you will find how much greater a return these articles will give than any other kind of product. As for the I Hung court, we needn't mention other things, but only take into account the roses that bud during the two seasons of spring and summer; to how many don't they amount in all? Besides these, we've got along the whole hedge, cinnamon roses and monthly roses, stock roses, honey-suckle and westeria. Were these various flowers dried and sold to the tea and medicine shops, they'd also fetch a good deal of money."
"Quite so!" T'an Ch'un acquiesced with a smile. "The thing is that there's no one with any notion how to deal with scented herbs."
"There's Ying Erh who waits on Miss Pao-ch'ai," P'ing Erh promptly smiled. "Her mother is well-versed in these things. It was only the other day that she plucked a few, and plaited them, after drying them well in the sun, into a flower-basket and a gourd, and gave them to me to play with. But miss can you have forgotten all about it?"
"I was this very minute speaking in your praise," Pao-ch'ai observed smiling, "and do you come to chaff me?"
"What makes you say so?" exclaimed the trio, in utter astonishment.
"It will on no account do," Pao-ch'ai added. "You employ such a lot of people in here that they all lead a lazy life and have nothing to put a hand to, and were I also now to introduce some more, that tribe will look even upon me with utter contempt. But let me think of some one for you. There's in the I Hung court, an old dame Yeh; she's Pei Ming's mother. That woman is an honest old lady; and is furthermore on the best of terms with our Ying Erh's mother. So wouldn't it be well were this charge given to this dame Yeh? Should there even be anything that she doesn't know, there'll be no necessity for us to tell her. She can go straightway and consult with Ying Erh's mother. And if she can't attend to everything herself, it won't matter to whom she relegates some of her duties. These will be purely private favours. In the event too of any one making any mean insinuations, the blame won't fall on our shoulders. By adopting this course, you'll be managing things in such a way as to do extreme justice to all; and the trust itself will also be placed on a most satisfactory footing."
"Excellent!" ejaculated Li Wan and P'ing Erh simultaneously.
"This may be well and good," T'an Ch'un laughed, "but the fear is that at the sight of gain, they'll forget all about propriety."
"That's nothing to do with us!" P'ing Erh rejoined a smile playing, about her lips. "It was only the other day that Ying Erh recognised dame Yeh as her adopted mother, and invited her to eat and drink with them, so that the two families are on the most intimate terms."
At this assurance, T'an Ch'un relinquished the topic of conversation, and, holding council together, they selected several persons, all of whom the four had ever viewed with impartial favour and they marked off their names, by dotting them with a pen.
In a little while, the matrons came to report that 'the doctor had gone;' and they handed the prescription. Their three mistresses then perused its contents. On the one hand, they despatched domestics to take it outside, so that the drugs should be got, and to superintend their decoction. On the other, T'an Ch'un and Li Wan explicitly explained to the various servants chosen what particular place each had to look after. "Exclusive," they added, "of what fixed custom requires for home consumption during the four seasons, you are still at liberty to pluck whatever remains and have it taken away. As for the profits, we'll settle accounts at the close of the year."
"I've also bethought myself of something," T'an Ch'un smiled. "If the settlement of accounts takes place at the end of the year, the money will, at the time of delivery, be naturally paid into the accountancy. Those high up will then as usual add a whole lot of controllers; and these will, on their part, fleece their own share as soon as the money gets into the palms of their hand. But as by this system, we've now initiated, you've been singled out for appointment, you've already ridden so far above their heads, that they foster all sorts of animosity against you. They don't, however, give vent to their feelings; but if they don't seize the close of the year, when you have to deliver your accounts, to play their tricks on you, for what other chances will they wait? Moreover, they obtain, in everything that comes under their control during the year, half of every share their masters get. This is an old custom. Every one is aware of its existence. But this is a new regime I now introduce in this garden, so don't let the money find its way into their hands! Whenever the annual settling of accounts arrives, bring them in to us."
"My idea is," Pao-ch'ai smilingly suggested, "that no accounts need be handed even inside. This one will have a surplus, that one a deficit, so that it will involve no end of trouble; wouldn't it be better therefore if we were to find out who of them would take over this or that particular kind and let them purvey the various things? These are for the exclusive use of the inmates of the garden; and I've already made an estimate of them for you. They amount to just a few sorts, and simply consist of head-oil, rouge, powder and scented paper; in all of which, the young ladies and maids are subject to a fixed rule. Then, besides these, there are the brooms, dust-baskets and poles, wanted in different localities, and the food for the large and small animals and birds, and the deer and rabbits. These are the only kinds of things required. And if they contract for them, there'll be little need for any one to go to the accountancy for money. But just calculate what a saving will thus be effected!"
"All these items are, I admit, mere trifles," P'ing Erh smiled, "but if you lump together what's used during a year, you will find that a saving of four hundred taels will be effected."
"Again!" smilingly remarked Pao-ch'ai, "it would be four hundred taels in one year; but eight hundred taels in two years; and with these, we could purchase a few more houses and let them; and in the way of poor, sandy land we could also add several acres to those we've already got. 'There will, of course, still remain a surplus; but as they will have ample trouble and inconvenience to put up with during the year, they should also be allowed some balance in hand so as to make up what's wanted for themselves. The main object is, of course, to increase profits and curtail expenses, yet we couldn't be stingy to any excessive degree. In fact, were we even able to make any further economy of over two or three hundred taels, it would never be the proper thing; should this involve a breach of the main principles of decorum. With this course duly put into practice, outside, the accountancy will issue in one year four or five hundred taels less, without even the semblance of any parsimony; while, inside, the matrons will obtain, on the other hand, some little thing to supply their wants with; the nurses, who have no means of subsistence, will likewise be placed in easy circumstances; and the plants and trees in the garden will year by year increase in strength and grow more abundantly. In this wise, you too will have such articles as will be fit for use. So that this plan will, to some extent, not constitute a breach of the high principles of propriety. And if ever we want to retrench a little more from where won't we be able to get money? But if the whole balance, if any, be put to the credit of the public fund, every one, inside as well as outside, will fill the streets with the din of murmurings! And won't this be then a slur upon the code of honour of a household such as yours? So were any charge to be entrusted to this one, out of the several tens of old nurses at present employed in the garden, and not to that one, the remainder will naturally resent such injustice. As I said a while back all that these women will have to provide among themselves amounts to a few articles, so they will unavoidably have ample means. Hence each should be told to contribute, beyond the articles that fall to her share during the year, a certain number of tiaos, whether she may or may not realise any balance, and then jointly lump these sums together, and distribute them among those nurses only on service in the garden. For although they may not have anything to do with the control of these things, they themselves will have to stay in the grounds, to keep an eye over the servants on duty, to shut the doors, to close the windows and to get up early and retire late. Whenever it rains in torrents or it snows hard and chairs have to be carried, for you, young ladies, to go out and come in; or boats have to be punted, and sledges drawn, these rough and arduous duties come alike within their sphere of work. They have to labour in the garden from one year's end to the other, and though, they earn something in those grounds, it's only right that they should able to get some small benefits in the discharge of their legitimate duties. But there's another most trivial point that I would broach with less reserve. If you only think of your ease, and don't share the profits with them, they will, of course, never presume to show their displeasure, but in their hearts they won't cherish you any good feeling. What they'll do will be to make public business a pretext to serve their own private ends with; they'll pluck more of your fruits than they should; and cut greater quantities of your flowers than they ought. And you people will have a grievance, but you won't have anywhere to go and confide it. But should they too reap some gain, they'll readily look after such things on your behalf as you won't have the time to attend to."
The matrons listened to her explanations; (and finding that) they would be removed from the control of the accountancy, that they would not be compelled to go and settle accounts with lady Feng, and that all that they would be called upon to do every year would be to supply a few more tiaos, were each and all delighted to an exceptional degree. So much so, that every one of them exclaimed in a chorus that they were quite prepared to agree to the terms. "It is better," they said, "than to be obliged to go out and be squeezed by them; and to have to fork out our own money as well."
Those too not entrusted with the care of any portion of land were also highly elated, when they heard that at the close of each year they would, though they had no valid claim, come in for some share of hard cash.
"They'll have to bear the trouble," they however argued, "to keep things in order, so it's only right that they should be left with a few cash to meet their various wants with; and how could we very well gobble our three meals without doing a stroke of work?"
"Worthy dames," Pao-ch'ai smiled, "you mustn't decline. These duties are within your province and you should fulfil them. All you need do is to exert yourselves a bit by day and night, and not be so remiss and careless as to suffer any of the servants to drink and gamble; that's all. Otherwise, I myself must have nothing to do with the control. But you, yourselves, know well enough that it's my aunt who appealed to me with her own lips three and five times to do it as a favour to her. 'Your eldest sister-in-law,' she represented, 'has at present no leisure, and the other girls are young,' and then she asked me to look after things. So if I now don't accede, it's as clear as day that I shall be the cause of much worry to my aunt. Our lady Feng herself is seriously ill, and our domestic affairs can't hang fire. I'm really with nothing to do, so were even a mere neighbour to solicit my help, I would also feel bound to lend her a hand in her pressure of work. How much more therefore when it's my own aunt, who invokes my aid? Setting aside the way I'm execrated by one and all, how would I ever be able to stare my aunt in the face, if, while I gave my sole mind to winning fame and fishing for praise, any one got so intoxicated and lost so much in gambling as to stir up trouble? At such a juncture remorse on your part will be too late! Even the old reputation you have ever enjoyed will entirely be lost and gone. Those young ladies and girls and this vast garden are alike placed under your supervision, purely and simply because one takes into account that you have been nurses to three or four generations and that you have most scrupulously observed the rules of etiquette and propriety. It's but fair that you should try, with one mind, and show some little regard for what's right and proper. But if you contrariwise behave with such laxity as to let people gratify their wishes by guzzling and gambling, and my aunt comes to hear of these nice doings, a little scolding from her will be of little consequence. But if the various women, who attend to the household, get scent of the state of affairs, they will haul you over the coals, without even so much as breathing one single word beforehand to my aunt. And venerable people, though you are, you will then, instead of tendering advice to young people, be called to account by them. As housekeepers, they exercise, it's true, authority over you; but why shouldn't you yourselves observe a certain amount of decorum? And if you do so, will they have any occasion to bully you? The reason why I've now bethought myself of this special boon for you is that you should unanimously strain every nerve to diligently attend to the garden, in order that the powers that be may, at the sight of your unrelenting care and zeal, have no cause to give way to solicitude. And won't they inwardly look up to you with regard? Neither will you render of no effect the various benefits devised for them. But go now and minutely ponder over all my advice!"
All the women received her words with gratification. "What you say is quite right," they replied. "From this time forth you, miss, and you, our lady, can well compose your minds. With the interest both of you feel on our behalf, may heaven and earth not spare us, if we do not display a full amount of gratitude for all your kindnesses."
These assurances were still being uttered when they saw Lin Chih-hsiao's wife walk in. "The family of the Chen mansion of Chiang Nan," she explained, "arrived in the capital yesterday. To-day, they're going into the palace to offer their congratulations. But they've now sent messengers ahead to come and bring presents and pay their respects."
While she spoke, she produced the list of presents and handed it up. T'an Ch'un took it over from her. "They consist," she said, perusing it, "of twelve rolls of brocades and satins embroidered with dragons, such as are for imperial use; twelve rolls of satins of various colours, of the kind worn by the Emperor; twelve rolls of every sort of imperial gauze; twelve rolls of palace silks of the quality used by his majesty; and twenty rolls of satins, gauzes, silks and thin silks of different colours, generally worn by officials."
After glancing over the list, Li Wan and T'an Ch'un suggested that a first-class tip should be given to the messengers who brought them, after which, they went on to direct a servant to convey the tidings to dowager lady Chia.
Old lady Chia gave orders to call Li Wan, T'an Ch'un, Pao-ch'ai and the other girls. On their arrival, the presents were passed under review; and this over, Li Wan put them aside. "You must wait," she said to the servants of the inner store-room, "until Madame Wang comes back and sees them; you can then lock them up."
"This Chen family too," old lady Chia thereupon added, "isn't like any other family; the highest tips should therefore be conferred upon the men. But as in a twinkle, they may also send some of their womankind to come and make their obeisance, silks should be got ready in anticipation."
Scarcely was this remark concluded before a domestic actually announced: 'that four ladies of the Chen mansion had come to pay their respects.'
Upon hearing this, dowager lady Chia hastily directed that they should be introduced into her presence. The four women ranged from forty years and over. Their clothing and head-gear were not, in any material degree, different from those of mistresses. As soon as they presented their compliments and inquired about their healths, old lady Chia desired that four footstools should be moved forward. But though the four women thanked her for bidding them sit down, they only occupied the stools, after Pao-ch'ai had seated herself.
"When did you enter the capital?" old lady Chia inquired.
The four women jumped to their feet with alacrity. "We entered the capital yesterday," they answered. "Our lady has taken our young lady today into the palace to pay their homage. That's why she bade us come and give you their compliments, and see how the young ladies are getting on."
"You hadn't paid a visit to the capital for ever so many years," dowager lady Chia smilingly observed, "and here you appear now quite unexpectedly!"
The four women simultaneously smiled again. "Quite so!" they said. "We received this year imperial orders, summoning us to the capital!"
"Has the whole family come?" old lady Chia asked.
"Our old mistress, our young master, the two young ladies and the other ladies haven't come up," the four women explained. "Only our lady has come, together with Miss Tertia."
"Is she engaged to any one?" old lady Chia asked.
"Not yet," rejoined the quartet.
"The two families, that of your senior married lady and that of your lady Secunda are both on most intimate terms with ours," dowager lady Chia smilingly added.
"Yes, they are," replied the four women with a smile. "The letters received each year from our young ladies, assure us that they're entirely dependent upon the kindness bestowed upon them, in your worthy mansion, for their well-being."
"What kindness?" old lady Chia exclaimed laughingly. "These two families are really friends of long standing. In addition to this, they're old relatives. So what we do is our simple bounden duty. What's more in the favour of your two young ladies is, that they're not full of their own importance. That's how it is that we've come to be on such close terms."
The four women smiled. "This is mainly due to your venerable ladyship's excessive humility," they answered.
"Is that young gentleman of yours too with your old mistress?" old lady Chia went on to inquire.
"Yes, he has also come with our old mistress," the four women retorted.
"How old is he?" old lady Chia then asked. "Does he go to school?" she afterwards inquired.
"He's thirteen this year," the four women said by way of response. "But all through those good looks of his, our old mistress cherishes him so fondly that from his youth up, he has been wayward to the extreme, and that he now daily plays the truant. But our master and mistress as well don't keep any great check over him."
"Yet, he can't resemble that young fellow of ours," old lady Chia laughed. "What's the name of your young gentleman?"
"As our old mistress treats him just like a real precious gem," the quartet explained, "and as his complexion is naturally so white, her ladyship calls him Pao-yue."
"Here's another one with the name of Pao-yue!" old lady Chia laughingly said to Li Wan.
Li Wan and her companions hastily made a curtsey. "There have been, from old times to the present," they smiled, "very many among contemporaries and persons of different generations as well, who have borne duplicate names."
The four women also smiled. "After the selection of this infant name," they proceeded, "we all, both high or low, began to give way to surmises, as we could not make out in what relative's or friend's family there was a lad also called by the same name. But as we hadn't come to the capital for ten years or so, we couldn't remember."
"That young fellow is my grandson," dowager lady Chia remarked. "Hallo! some one come here!"
The married women and maids assented and approached several steps.
"Go into the garden," old lady Chia smilingly said, "and call our Pao-yue here, so that these four housekeeping dames should see how he compares with their own Pao-yue."
The married women, upon hearing her orders, promptly went off. After a while, they entered the room pressing round Pao-yue. The moment the four dames caught sight of him, they speedily rose to their feet. "He has given us such a start!" they exclaimed smilingly. "Had we not come into your worthy mansion, and perchance, met him, elsewhere, we would have taken him for our own Pao-yue, and followed him as far as the capital."
While speaking they came forward and took hold of his hands and assailed him with questions.
Pao-yue however also put on a smile and inquired after their healths.
"How do his looks compare with those of your young gentleman?" dowager lady Chia asked as she smiled.
"The way the four dames ejaculated just now," Li Wan and her companions explained, "was sufficient to show how much they resemble in looks."
"How could there ever he such a coincidence?" old lady Chia laughed. "Yet, the children of wealthy families are so delicately nurtured that unless their faces are so deformed as to make them downright ugly, they're all equally handsome, as far as general appearances go. So there's nothing strange in this!"
"As we gaze at his features," the quartet added, with smiling faces, "we find him the very image of him; and from what we gather from your venerable ladyship, he's also like him in waywardness. But, as far as we can judge, this young gentleman's disposition is ever so much better than that of ours."
"What makes you think so?" old lady Chia precipitately inquired.
"We saw it as soon as we took hold of the young gentleman's hands," the four women laughingly rejoined, "and when he spoke to us. Had it been that fellow of ours, he would have simply called us fools. Not to speak of taking his hand in ours, why we daren't even slightly move any of his things. That's why, those who wait on him are invariably young girls."
Before the four dames had time to conclude what they had to say, Li Wan and the rest found it so hard to check themselves that with one voice they burst into loud laughter.
Old lady Chia also laughed. "Let's also send some one now," she said, "to have a look at your Pao-yue. When his hand is taken, he too is sure to make an effort to put up with it. But don't you know that children of families such as yours and mine are bound, notwithstanding their numerous perverse and strange defects, to return the orthodox civilities, when they come across any strangers. But should they not return the proper civilities, they should, by no manner of means, be suffered to behave with such perverseness. It's the way that grown-up people doat on them that makes them what they are. And as they can, first and foremost, boast of bewitching good looks and they comport themselves, secondly, towards visitors with all propriety--, in fact, with less faulty deportment than their very seniors--, they manage to win the love and admiration of such as only get a glimpse of them. Hence it is that they're secretly indulged to a certain degree. But if they don't show the least regard to any one inside or outside, and so reflect no credit upon their parents, they deserve, with all their handsome looks, to be flogged to death."
These sentiments evoked a smile from the four dames. "Your words venerable lady," they exclaimed, "are quite correct. But though our Pao-yue be wilful and strange in his ways, yet, whenever he meets any visitors, he behaves with courteousness and good manners; so much so, that he's more pleasing to watch than even grown-up persons. There is no one, therefore, who sees him without falling in love with him. But you'll say: 'why is he then beaten?' You really aren't aware that at home he has no regard either for precept or for heaven; that he comes out with things that never suggest themselves to the imagination of grown-up people, and that he does everything that takes one by surprise. The result is that his father and mother are driven to their wits' ends. But wilfulness is natural to young children. Reckless expenditure is a common characteristic of young men. Antipathy to school is a common feeling with young people. Yet there are ways and means to bring him round. The worse with him is that his disposition is so crotchety and whimsical. Can this ever do?...."
This reply was barely ended when a servant informed them that their mistress had returned. Madame Wang entered the room, and saluted the women. The four dames paid their obeisance to her. But they had just had sufficient time to pass a few general observations, when dowager lady Chia bade them go and rest. Madame Wang then handed the tea in person and withdrew from the apartment. But when the four dames got up to say good-bye, old lady Chia adjourned to Madame Wang's quarters. After a chat with her on domestic affairs, she however told the women to go back; so let us put them by without any further allusion to them.
During this while, old lady Chia's spirits waxed so high, that she told every one and any one she came across that there was another Pao-yue, and that he was, in every respect, the very image of her grandson.
But as each and all bore in mind that there were many inmates among the large households of those officials with official ancestors, called by the same names, that it was an ordinary occurrence for a grandmother to be passionately fond of her grandson, and that there was nothing out-of-the-way about it, they treated the matter as of no significance. Pao-yue alone however was such a hair-brained simpleton that he conjectured that the statements made by the four dames had been intended to flatter his grandmother Chia.
But subsequently he betook himself into the garden to see how Shih Hsiang-yuen was getting on.
"Compose your mind now," Shih Hsiang-yuen then said to him, "and go on with your larks! Once, you were as lonely as a single fibre, which can't be woven into thread, and like a single bamboo, which can't form a grove, but now you've found your pair. When you exasperate your parents, and they give you beans, you'll be able to bolt to Nanking in quest of the other Pao-yue."
"What utter rubbish!" Pao-yue exclaimed. "Do you too believe that there's another Pao-yue?"
"How is it," Hsiang-yuen asked, "that there was some one in the Lieh state called Lin Hsiang-ju, and that during the Han dynasty there lived again another person, whose name was Ssu Ma Hsiang-ju?"
"This matter of names is all well enough," Pao-yue rejoined with a smile. "But as it happens, his very appearance is the counterpart of mine. Such a thing could never be!"
"How is it," Hsiang-yuen inquired, "that when the K'uang people saw Confucius, they fancied it was Yang Huo?"
"Confucius and Yang Huo," Pao-yue smilingly argued, "may have been alike in looks, but they hadn't the same names. Lin and Ssu were again, notwithstanding their identical names, nothing like each other in appearances. But can it ever be possible that he and I should resemble each other in both respects?"
Hsiang-yuen was at a loss what reply to make to his arguments. "You may," she consequently remarked smiling, "propound any rubbish you like, I'm not in the humour to enter into any discussion with you. Whether there be one or not is quite immaterial to me. It doesn't concern me at all."
Saying this, she lay herself down.
Pao-yue however began again to exercise his mind with further surmises. "If I say," he cogitated, "that there can't be one, there seems from all appearances to be one. And if I say that there is one, I haven't, on the other hand, seen him with my own eyes."
Sad and dejected he returned therefore to his quarters, and reclining on his couch, he silently communed with his own thoughts until he unconsciously became drowsy and fell fast asleep.
Finding himself (in his dream) in some garden or other, Pao-yue was seized with astonishment. "Besides our own garden of Broad Vista," he reflected, "is there another such garden?" But while indulging in these speculations, several girls, all of whom were waiting-maids, suddenly made their appearance from the opposite direction. Pao-yue was again filled with surprise. "Besides Yuean Yang, Hsi Jen and P'ing Erh," he pondered, "are there verily such maidens as these?"
"Pao-yue!" he heard that company of maids observe, with faces beaming with smiles, "how is it you find yourself in here?"
Pao-yue laboured under the impression that they were addressing him. With hasty step, he consequently drew near them, and returned their smiles. "I got here," he answered, "quite listlessly. What old family friend's garden is this, I wonder? But sisters, pray, take me for a stroll."
The maids smiled with one consent. "Really!" they exclaimed, "this isn't our Pao-yue. But his looks too are spruce and nice; and he is as precocious too with his tongue."
Pao-yue caught their remarks. "Sisters!" he eagerly cried, "is there actually a second Pao-yue in here?"
"As for the two characters 'Pao-yue,'" the maids speedily explained, "every one in our house has received our old mistress' and our mistress' injunctions to use them as a spell to protract his life for many years and remove misfortune from his path, and when we call him by that name, he simply goes into ecstasies, at the very mention of it. But you, young brat, from what distant parts of the world do you hail that you've recklessly been also dubbed by the same name? But beware lest we pound that frowzy flesh of yours into mincemeat."
"Let's be off at once!" urged another maid, as she smiled. "Don't let our Pao-yue see us here and say again that by hobnobbing with this stinking young fellow, we've been contaminated by all his pollution."
With these words on her lips, they straightway walked off.
Pao-yue fell into a brown study. "There's never been," he mused, "any one to treat me with such disdain before! But what is it, in fact, that induces them to behave towards me in this manner? May it not be true that there lives another human being the very image of myself?"
While lost in reverie, he advanced with heedless step, until he reached a courtyard. Pao-yue was struck with wonder. "Is there actually," he cried, "besides the I Hung court another court like it?" Spontaneously then ascending the steps, he entered an apartment, in which he discerned some one reclining on a couch. On the off side sat several girls, busy at needlework; now laughing joyfully; now practising their jokes; when he overheard the young person on the couch heave a sigh.
"Pao-yue," smilingly inquired a maid, "what, aren't you asleep? What are you once more sighing for? I presume it's because your sister is ill that you abandon yourself again to idle fears and immoderate anguish!"
These words fell on Pao-yue's ears, and took him quite aback.
"I've heard grandmother say," he overheard the young person on the couch observe, "that there lives at Ch'ang An, the capital, another Pao-yue endowed with the same disposition as myself. I never believed what she told me; but I just had a dream, and in this dream I found myself in a garden of the metropolis where I came across several maidens; all of whom called me a 'stinking young brat,' and would have nothing whatever to do with me. But after much difficulty, I succeeded in penetrating into his room. He happened to be fast asleep. There he lay like a mere bag of bones. His real faculties had flown somewhere or other; whither it was hard for me to say."
Hearing this, "I've come here," Pao-yue said with alacrity, "in search of Pao-yue; and are you, indeed, that Pao-yue?"
The young man on the couch jumped down with all haste and enfolded him in his arms. "Are you verily Pao-yue?" he laughingly asked. "This isn't by any means such stuff as dreams are made of!"
"How can you call this a dream?" Pao-yue rejoined. "It's reality, yea, nothing but reality!"
But scarcely was this rejoinder over, than he heard some one come, and say: "our master, your father, wishes to see you, Pao-yue."
The two lads started with fear. One Pao-yue rushed off with all despatch. The other promptly began to shout, "Pao-yue! come back at once! Pao-yue; be quick and return!"
Hsi Jen, who stood by (Pao-yue), heard him call out his own name, in his dreams, and immediately gave him a push and woke him up. "Where is Pao-yue gone to?" she laughed.
Although Pao-yue was by this time aroused from sleep, his senses were as yet dull, so pointing towards the door, "He's just gone out," he replied, "he's not far off."
Hsi Jen laughed. "You're under the delusion of a dream," she said. "Rub your eyes and look carefully! It's your reflection in the mirror."
Pao-yue cast a glance in front of him, and actually caught sight of the large inlaid mirror, facing him quite opposite, so he himself burst out laughing. But, presently, a maid handed him a rince-bouche and tea and salt, and he washed his mouth.
"Little wonder is it," She Yueeh ventured, "if our old mistress has repeatedly enjoined that it isn't good to have too many mirrors about in young people's rooms, for as the spirit of young persons is not fully developed there is every fear, with mirrors casting their reflections all over the place, of their having wild dreams in their sleep. And is a bed now placed before that huge mirror there? When the covers of the mirrors are let down, no harm can befall; but as the season advances, and the weather gets hot, one feels so languid and tired, that is one likely to think of dropping them? Just as it happened a little time back; it slipped entirely from your memory. Of course, when he first got into bed, he must have played with his face towards the glass; but upon shortly closing his eyes, he must naturally have fallen into such confused dreams, that they thoroughly upset his rest. Otherwise, how is it possible that he should have started shouting his own name? Would it not be as well if the bed were moved inside to-morrow? That's the proper place for it."
Hardly had she, however, done, before they perceived a servant, sent by Madame Wang to call Pao-yue. But what she wanted to tell him is not yet known, so, reader, listen to the circumstances recorded in the subsequent chapter.
请欣赏:
请给我换一个看看！ 拜托，快把噪音停掉！我读累了，想听点音乐或者请来支歌曲！
【选集】紅樓一春夢 |
|
|