Nevertheless
it was quickly brought to Tung Fel, who took it without any fear or
hesitation and read aloud the words which it contained.
"TO THE CUSTOM-RESPECTING PERSONS OF CHING-FOW.
"Truly the span of existence of any upon this earth is brief and
not to be considered; therefore, O unfortunate dwellers of
Ching-fow, let it not affect your digestion that your bodies are
in peril of sudden and most excruciating tortures and your Family
Temples in danger of humiliating disregard.
"Why do your thoughts follow the actions of the noble Mandarin
Ping Siang so insidiously, and why after each unjust exaction do
your eyes look redly towards the Yamen?
"Is he not the little finger of those at Peking, obeying their
commands and only carrying out the taxation which others have
devised? Indeed, he himself has stated such to be the fact. If,
therefore, a terrible and unforeseen fate overtook the usually
cautious and well-armed Ping Siang, doubtless--perhaps after the
lapse of some considerable time--another would be sent from Peking
for a like purpose, and in this way, after a too-brief period of
heaven-sent rest and prosperity, affairs would regulate themselves
into almost as unendurable a condition as before.
Pages:
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280