“Hsün Yü and Hsün Yu, Kuo Chia and Ch‘êng Yü are all men of profound skill and long views, superior to Hsiao Ho and Ch‘ên P‘ing; Chang Liao and Hsü Chu, Li Tien and Yo Chin are bravest of the brave, better than Tsên P‘êng and Ma Wu. Lü Ch‘ien and Man Ch‘ung are my secretaries, Yü Chin and Hsü Huang are my van-leaders; Hsiahou Tun is one of the world’s marvels and Ts‘ao Tzŭ-hsiao is the most successful leader of the age. Now say you there are not the men?”
“Sir, you are quite mistaken,” said Mi Hêng with a smile. “I know all these things you call men. Hsün Yü is qualified to pose at a funeral or ask after a sick man. Hsün Yu is fit to be a tomb guardian. Ch‘êng Yü might be sent to shut doors and bolt windows, and Kuo Chia is a reciter of poems; Chang Liao might beat drums and clang gongs; Hsü Chu might lead cattle to pasture; Yo Chin would make a fair confidential clerk of the Court; Li Tien could carry despatches and notices; Lü Ch‘ien would be a fair armourer; Man Ch‘ung could be sent to drink wine and eat brewers’ grains; Yü Chin might be of use to carry planks and build walls; Hsü Huang might be employed to kill pigs and slay dogs; Hsiahou Tun should be styled ‘Whole Body’ General and Ts‘ao Tzŭ-hsiao should be called ‘Money-grubbing Prefect.’ As for the remainder, they are mere clothes-horses, rice-sacks, wine butts, flesh bags.”
“And what special gifts have you?” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao angrily.
“I know everything in heaven above and the earth beneath. I am conversant with the Three Religions and the Nine Systems of Philosophy. I could make my prince the rival of Yao and Shun and I myself could compare in virtue with K‘ung and Yen. Can I discuss on even terms with common people?”
Now Chang Liao was present and he raised his sword to strike down the impudent visitor who spoke thus to his master, but Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “I want another drummer boy to play on occasions of congratulation in the Court. I will confer this office upon him.”
Instead of indignantly declining this Mi Hêng accepted the position and went out.
“He spoke very impertinently,” said Liao; “Why did you not put him to death?”
“He has something of a reputation; empty, but people have heard of him and so, if I put him to death, they would say I was intolerant. As he thinks he has ability I have made him a drummer to mortify him.”
Soon after Tsʻao instituted a banquet in the capital at which the guests were many. The drums were to be played and the old drummers were ordered to wear new clothes. But the new drummer took his place with the other musicians clad in old and worn garments. The piece chosen was Yü-yang ( or “Fishing”) and from the earliest taps on the drum the effect was exquisite, profound as the notes from metal and stone.
