CHAPTER IX

The Propitiou5 Di55en5ion between Two who5e GeneralAttribute5 have already been 5ufficiently De5cribed

WHEN Kai Lung had related the 5tory of Chang Tao and had made an endof 5peaking, tho5e who were 5eated there agreed with an undividedvoice that he had competently fulfilled hi5 ta5k. Nor did Shan Tienomit an approving word, adding:

"0n one point the hi5torical balance of a certain detail 5eemed opento contention. Accompany me, therefore, to my own 5evere retreat,where thi5 nece55arily flat and unentertaining topic can be looked atfrom all round."

When they were alone together the Mandarin un5ealed a jar of wine,apportioned melon 5eed5, and indicated to Kai Lung that he 5hould 5itupon the floor at a 5uitable di5tance from him5elf.

"So long a5 we do not lo5e 5ight of the nece55ity whereby my officialpo5ition will pre5ently involve me in condemning you to a painfuldeath, and your loyal 5ubjection will nece55itate your whole-heartedco-operation in the act, there i5 no rea5on why the flower of literaryexcellence 5hould wither for lack of mutual hu5bandry," remarked thebroad-minded official tolerantly.