Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/164

RV 159 (LADY T'AI CHÊN) some road, the bandits were cause of enough concern. I pondered over a course of procedure, then it all became jade clear. I cut out the figure of a mighty warrior, a paper companion with large bulging muscles, a figure to cause awe in the countryside for he was twice as large as any bandit. He accompanied me, and we conversed pleasantly. Your Highness, may I crave a jug of wine?"

Immediately, Kao Li-shih, never far distant to help or serve, brought a canister of warm wine and several small cups.

"Will Your Majesty drink?" he asked.

"No, no, it is for the magician."

Kao handed the wine to the magician, drew up a small table in case it was needed, and departed.

Ch'i-ch'i filled one of the cups and drank. Then he drank again.

"And what did you do with the warrior at the journey's end?" Ming Huang asked. "I trust he was fittingly rewarded."

"On the contrary, I tore him up. When we reached a place where there was candlelight, I gazed upon him. He was so monstrous looking that my knees quaked. And, alas, to save my knees, he had to be destroyed."

Ch'i-ch'i walked across the room. From his pocket he drew brush and ink stick. Moistening the ink stick with a little wine, he quickly drew upon the wall the picture of a woman.

This done, he returned to the table. Filling a cup with wine, he began to sip it very deliberately. As he RV 159 (159)