Explore Chapter 59 of 'Spring Ming Outer History' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Speaking of Yang Xingyuan, ever since parting with He Jianchen at the Amusement Park that day, his heart had been laden with melancholy. On this particular day, as he was reading in the Guild Hall, he saw Wu Bibo walk in. Wu Bibo said, "Brother Xingyuan, the weather is splendid today. Why don't we go out for a stroll to lift our spirits?" Yang Xingyuan replied, "I was just thinking the same." And so the two left the Guild Hall and wandered aimlessly.
They had not gone far when they arrived at an alley. The lane was utterly desolate, lined on both sides with thatched gates and humble dwellings, a truly forlorn sight. Yang Xingyuan said, "Why is this place so run-down?" Wu Bibo replied, "This used to be a slum. In recent years, with livelihoods becoming harder, it has deteriorated even further." Just as they were speaking, an old man suddenly emerged from the door of one house. Seeing Yang Xingyuan, he exclaimed in astonishment, "So it is Mr. Yang! What brings your unexpected presence to a place like this?" Yang Xingyuan looked closely and recognized his old acquaintance, Old Mr. Wang. He said, "Old sir, it has been a long time. How did you come to live here?" Old Mr. Wang sighed, "It's a long and difficult story. Down and out in the world's dust, with nowhere to settle, I can only dwell here for now. To eke out a living, I sometimes even to take the stage, performing a few opera scenes. It truly brings me deep shame." Hearing this, Yang Xingyuan thought with deep emotion, "The old sir was originally a scholar. To think he has now fallen to such a state. How lamentable, how lamentable." Old Mr. Wang asked, "Mr. Yang, are you still working at the newspaper office?" Yang Xingyuan said, "That is correct." After they exchanged a few more words, Old Mr. Wang invited Yang Xingyuan and Wu Bibo inside to sit for a while.
Yang Xingyuan looked at the room. It was truly bare, with only a dilapidated table and a few benches. Old Mr. Wang said, "My humble dwelling is crude, hardly fit for receiving guests. I beg your pardon." Yang Xingyuan replied, "Old sir, there is no need for such formalities." After sitting for a short while, Yang Xingyuan and Wu Bibo bade farewell and took their leave. Walking on the road, Wu Bibo said, "I know this Old Mr. Wang as well. He was once a licentiate and later made his living by teaching. Who would have thought he would end up in such a plight." Yang Xingyuan said, "Exactly. It shows how unpredictable glory and disgrace are in this human world."
The two walked a little further and saw several people dressed in theatrical costumes chatting by the roadside. One of them, spotting Yang Xingyuan, stepped forward and greeted him, saying, "Mr. Yang, it's been an age." Yang Xingyuan looked and recognized it was Proprietor Li, whom he had met previously at the theater. Proprietor Li said, "Mr. Yang, we have formed a troupe here now. We have a performance tomorrow. I do hope you will honor us with your presence." Yang Xingyuan said, "I shall certainly come to lend my support." Proprietor Li said, "Many thanks, many thanks. We folk of the dusty world rely entirely on the kindness and patronage of gentlemen like yourself." Having said this, he hurried off.
Yang Xingyuan said to Wu Bibo, "These people to take the stage for the sake of their livelihood. It is done out of sheer necessity." Wu Bibo said, "Yes, and are we not much the same? Writing articles at the newspaper office, is that not also a form of to take the stage?" Yang Xingyuan laughed and said, "What an interesting way of putting it." Conversing and chuckling, they made their way back to the Guild Hall.
In the evening, He Jianchen came to visit, and Yang Xingyuan told him of what he had witnessed that day. He Jianchen said, "In these times, it is truly difficult for the poor to survive. Though we live simply and with hardship, we are still comparatively better off." The two then discussed various matters concerning the current situation and news until late into the night, when He Jianchen finally departed.