Explore Chapter 73 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.
Several days had passed since Shu Jiucheng last saw Yang Xingyuan in the park. On this day, as Shu Jiucheng was busy at the newspaper office, he suddenly received a phone call from Yang Xingyuan, inviting him to dine at Jiuhua Restaurant. Shu Jiucheng accepted, and by evening, he made his way to Jiuhua Restaurant.
Upon meeting, Shu Jiucheng inquired what news Yang Xingyuan had heard lately. Yang Xingyuan laughed and said, "No fresh news, but there is a piece of old news. Do you know that Chen Ruokuang, whom we last met at the Pine and Bamboo House, has now passed away?" Shu Jiucheng exclaimed in surprise, "How did he die? I saw him alive and well just the other day." Yang Xingyuan replied, "I heard he fell victim to a vicious illness that defied all treatment. Alas, it was also due to his own dissolute ways."
Shu Jiucheng sighed, "How utterly unforeseen. Yet, are we not all similarly lost in our cups and pleasures? Who knows, one day we may follow in his footsteps." Yang Xingyuan said, "So you should show more restraint. I hear you've lately been showering attentions on a young songstress called Xiao Jinhong, is that not so?" Shu Jiucheng smiled, "Your information is indeed swift. But I am merely playing along for the occasion; it's nothing like Chen Ruokuang's earnest devotion."
As they were conversing, a sudden clamor arose from the adjacent room, followed by a chorus of feminine laughter and chatter. Shu Jiucheng peeked over and saw a group of acquaintances holding a lively banquet, merrily surrounded by a bevy of courtesans. Recognizing one of them as Wang Huang, he went over to greet him.
Wang Huang spotted Shu Jiucheng and promptly pulled him into the seat, saying, "Jiucheng, your arrival is most timely. Today we are truly blessed with 'flowers encircling the feast.' Come, liven up the party for us." Shu Jiucheng could not refuse and had to sit down. Seeing the rowdy merriment, Yang Xingyuan took his leave first.
Shu Jiucheng was detained by Wang Huang and the others. Five or six exquisitely adorned courtesans were at the table, taking turns to propose toasts. After a few drinks, Shu Jiucheng began to feel lightheaded. Wang Huang laughed, "Jiucheng, you cannot leave early today. We have further diversions planned." When asked what these were, Wang Huang said, "After the feast, let us go to Xiao Jinhong's quarters for a game of cards. What say you?" This suggestion perfectly suited Shu Jiucheng's fancy, and he readily agreed.
The banquet continued until past ten o'clock, whereupon the whole company escorted Shu Jiucheng to Xiao Jinhong's lodgings. Xiao Jinhong, delighted to see Shu Jiucheng arrive with a host of friends, busied herself preparing tea and snacks. Wang Huang declared, "Today we shall play a high-stakes game. Jiucheng, you must not hold back." By now, Shu Jiucheng's senses were clouded by wine and feminine charms. He thumped his chest and declared, "Proceed without worry! Do you think I, Shu Jiucheng, am afraid of losing money?"
Thus, the card game commenced. Shu Jiucheng, Wang Huang, and two other friends sat down to play, while Xiao Jinhong and several courtesans looked on. The stakes were indeed high. Shu Jiucheng's luck was poor, and in less than two hours, he had lost over five hundred dollars. Wang Huang teased, "Jiucheng, you've had a real tumble today." Unwilling to concede, Shu Jiucheng retorted, "Deal again. I refuse to believe I cannot recoup my losses."
After four more rounds, not only had Shu Jiucheng failed to recover, but he lost an additional three hundred dollars. By then, dawn was approaching. The money he had brought was long gone, and he now owed Wang Huang two hundred dollars. Wang Huang, however, did not press him, merely saying, "Jiucheng, let's call it a day. We'll play again another time." Crestfallen, Shu Jiucheng hung his head. Xiao Jinhong comforted him, "Master Shu, victory and defeat are commonplace in any contest. You mustn't dwell on it. You are tired; rest here for the night."
Shu Jiucheng slept at Xiao Jinhong's place and did not wake until afternoon. Recalling his losses from the previous night, he was overcome with profound chagrin. Returning home, his wife, noticing his haggard appearance, asked if he had been gambling again. Shu Jiucheng evaded the question, but his mind was already scheming on how to win back his money.
From then on, Shu Jiucheng plunged headlong into gambling and brothels. Within a month, he had squandered all his savings and was buried under a mountain of debt. When his wife discovered this, she confronted him in a fierce quarrel. Shu Jiucheng, by then utterly reckless, abandoned all restraint and ceased returning home altogether.
Now, let us speak of another couple: the man named Hu San, the woman Jiang Sijie. They were originally a family of modest comfort, but Hu San fell prey to opium, whiling away his days in dens. Unable to dissuade him, Jiang Sijie eventually took up the pipe herself. They passed their days in an opium-induced haze, gradually frittering away their family's wealth.
One day, Hu San and Jiang Sijie met an old acquaintance in an opium den, who invited them to gamble. The couple, desperate for funds to buy more opium, saw gambling as a chance to recoup their losses. They won a few times at first, mistaking it for a turn of fortune, and began to wager more heavily.
But the gambling house is a pitiless place. In less than ten days, Hu San and his wife lost the last remnants of their property. Their opium cravings gripped them, yet they had no money to buy it. They tried every means to borrow. When that failed, they stole household items to pawn. In the end, they even mortgaged their home.
A month later, Hu San and Jiang Sijie possessed nothing and were reduced to wandering the streets. Jiang Sijie was filled with bitter remorse. Weeping, she said to Hu San, "We had a perfectly good home, and you have ruined it like this." Hu San retorted, "What use is there in saying such things now? Better we find some means to survive." After much discussion, they could only seek shelter with relatives.
This is precisely: Extravagant in companionship, flowers encircle the feast; Absurd as man and wife, a fortune is lavished in a month. The ways of the world are treacherous, human life fraught with peril, as Shu Jiucheng and Hu San with his wife so clearly attest. To learn what follows, heed the tale told in the next chapter.