He did this in order that he might turn into his own
pocket the full price of the idols, grudging those who would otherwise
have sold them the few cash which they would make. Owing to this he
had many enemies, and his army of travellers made him still more; for
they were more rapacious than the scorpion, and more obstinate than
the ox. Indeed, there is still the proverb, 'With honey it is possible
to soften the heart of the he-goat; but a blow from an iron cleaver is
taken as a mark of welcome by an agent of Ti Hung.' So that people
barred the doors at their approach, and even hung out signs of death
and mourning.
"Now, among all his travellers there was none more successful, more
abandoned, and more valuable to Ti Hung than Li Ting. So depraved was
Li Ting that he was never known to visit the tombs of his ancestors;
indeed, it was said that he had been heard to mock their venerable
memories, and that he had jestingly offered to sell them to anyone who
should chance to be without ancestors of his own. This objectionable
person would call at the houses of the most illustrious Mandarins, and
would command the slaves to carry to their masters his tablets, on
which were inscribed his name and his virtues.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164