tion. The one problem was how to deal with the chief mourner, for they anticipated that he would want to introduce innovations in the funeral ceremonies. As a result of this council it was decided that the chief mourner must fulfill three conditions: he must wear white; he must kowtow; he must have Buddhist and Taoist priests to conduct funeral services.[1] In other words, everything must be done as it had always been done.
After they had decided upon these essentials they arranged to meet again in the front hall of the house of mourning on the day of Lien-shu's arrival and conduct a bold parley with him. They agreed to dispose themselves in strategic positions and to support one another in a concerted attack. All the villagers gulped with excitement and curiosity, as they waited for developments. They knew Lien-shu for a "revolutionary" who "eats religion,"[2] a man devoid of common sense and justice, and they anticipated a violent struggle between the parties, perhaps even something quite unexpected.
It was said that Lien-shu arrived in the afternoon. Entering the house, he only made a slight bow before the spirit tablet of his grandmother, whereupon the head of the clan proceeded with the prearranged program. He summoned Lien-shu to the front hall, and, after a rather long introduction, launched into the subject in hand. He was echoed from one end of the hall to the other, giving Lien-shu no chance to put in a word in rebuttal. Finally the relatives tired themselves out and silence fell on the room, with everyone watching tensely Lien-shu's mouth. But Lien-shu betrayed no
- ↑ The Chinese believe in the diversification of their other-worldly investments; hence a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian rituals is used at the more elaborate funerals.
- ↑ That is, living on the benefits derived from the missionaries by embracing Christianity: the "rice Christians" of American journalists.
