The True Story of Ah Q (Leung)/Chapter 8
Each day brought more peace to the hearts of the people of Weichuang. From the news that was brought to them, they understood that although the Revolutionists had entered the city, there was no great change in the tenor of things. The Chih-hsien-ta-lao-yeh still remained the same official, the name of the office having merely been changed to "such and such" an office. Moreover, Chu-jen Lao-yeh had become some sort of official. The Weichuangites were unfamiliar with these titles and names of office. The same old captain still led the soldiers. However, there was one fearful circumstance; namely, that within the ranks of the Revolutionary party were a few bad men who caused trouble and who on the day following began to cut off peoples' queues by force. It was rumored that the boatman, Seven Catties, of the neighboring village, had had his queue clipped off by these men and had been so "mussed up" that he no longer looked like a human being. But this was no matter of dread for the inhabitants of Weichuang, who seldom went to the city; and if it happened that any of them should decide to go to town, they would change their plans at once and so would avoid running such a risk. Ah Q had intended to call on some old friends in the city, but as soon as he heard this bit of news, he dismissed his intention without much ado.
However, it cannot be said that there was no change in Weichuang. A few days later, those who wrapped their queues about their heads gradually increased in number. It has already been stated that the first to do so naturally was the Hsiu-t'sai kung; after him, Chao Szu-ch'ên and Chao Pai-yen; then, Ah Q. Now if it had been summer, it would not have been unusual for every one to wrap his queue about his head or tie it into a knot; but at this particular time, it was near the end of autumn and, therefore, this carrying out of a summer practice in autumn cannot be denied to have been a very wise decision on the part of those who wrapped their queues about their heads; and as far as Weichuang was concerned, it cannot be said to have had no connection with the Revolution.
When Chao Szu-ch'ên came along, with the back of his head not wrapped with the customary queue, those who saw him would say, "Hey, a Revolutionist is coming!"
Ah Q, on hearing this, was filled with admiration. Although he had long heard the great news of the Hsiu-t'sai's wrapping his queue about his head, still, in the end, it had never occurred to him that he might do the same; but when he saw that Chao Szu-ch'ên had followed suit, the idea of imitation occurred to him and he made up his mind to do the same. He used a bamboo chopstick to twist his queue upon his head, and after hesitating for a long time, found the courage to go out.
As he walked along the street, however, those who saw him made no comment. At the beginning, Ah Q was very ill at ease and later was filled with resentment. He had of late been losing his temper very easily, but as a matter of fact his livelihood was in about the same condition as it had been before the Revolution. On seeing him, people were prone to courteous formality; the stores did not ask for cash payments; but Ah Q considered that this was too much of a disappointment because, after the Revolution had taken place, things should not have been done in this manner.
Furthermore, once when he espied Little D, his anger nearly burst his belly. For Little D had wrapped his queue upon the top of his head and, what was more, had actually used a bamboo chopstick to do it! It had never occurred to Ah Q that Little D would have had the courage to do such a thing, and he made up his mind not to suffer it! What sort of creature was Little D, anyway? He very much desired to seize him at once, break up the bamboo chopstick, let down his queue, and give him a few slaps on the mouth in the bargain, merely to punish him for forgetting his humble birth and destiny and for having the audacity to be guilty of the offense of becoming a Revolutionist. But in the end, Ah Q let him go, merely glaring at him with angry eyes and emitting a mouthful of spittle as he sneered, "Peh!"
During those few days, the "False Foreigner" was the only one to go to the city. Chao Hsiu-t'sai, hoping to rely upon the past favor of storing his trunks, wished to pay his respects to and call upon Chü-jen Lao-yeh; but on account of the danger of having his queue cut, he gave up the idea. He wrote an extremely formal letter, shaped like an umbrella, which he requested the "False Foreigner" to take to the city. He also asked him for an introduction to the Revolutionary party. When the "False Foreigner" returned, he asked the Hsiu-t'sai for four dollars and gave the latter in exchange a silver medal in the form of a peach, which he wore on the upper part of his coat. The people of Weichuang were filled with respectful awe, observing that this was the button of emolument of the "Persimmon Oil Party," which was as high an honor as that of the Hanlin rank.13 For this reason, the Venerable Mr. Chao suddenly gained increased prestige and honor, which by far surpassed the honor he had received when his son had attained the rank of Hsiu-t'sai. Consequently, he felt far superior to every one; and when he saw Ah Q, he snubbed him a bit.
Filled with dissatisfaction and feeling lonesome every moment of the day, when Ah Q heard the talk concerning the silver peach, he immediately understood why he was thus alone. In order to be considered a Revolutionist, it was not enough just to say that one had joined the movement, nor was it enough merely to wrap one's queue about his head; above all, it was necessary to become acquainted with the Revolutionary party. In all his life, the Revolutionists he had known were only two in number. The one in the city had been decapitated with a "chit" sound long ago and the one who now remained was the "False Foreigner." There was no other course open to him if he was to join the party than to consult with the "False Foreigner" at once.
It so happened that the door of the Chin house was open when Ah Q timidly made his way in. As soon as he had entered, he became very much frightened, for before him, in the center of the room, stood the "False Foreigner," clothed from head to foot in what were probably black foreign clothes. On him hung a silver peach, while his hand held the object with which Ah Q had already made acquaintance, namely, his cane. His disheveled hair, the foot or so of queue, which had grown back again, had been let loose and fell about his shoulders, looking like the locks of a Liu-hai deity. Sitting or standing before him were Chao Pai-yen and three outsiders, all listening with the utmost deference.
Ah Q tiptoed over and stood behind Chao Pai-yen. His wish was to greet the speaker, but he did not know the proper manner in which to address him; it would not do to call him "False Foreigner," nor "Foreigner," nor even the Revolutionary party. Perhaps, it would do to call him "Mr. Foreigner," and let it go at that.
"Mr. Foreigner" did not notice him at all, for he had lifted his eyes high as he continued with animation: "I am a person of little patience, so when we met, I said, 'Brother Hung, we had better get into action!' but always he would reply, 'No!' This is a foreign word which you do not understand — otherwise we should have won our cause long ago. This proves that he was overcareful in his doings. Thrice, yea, four times, he begged me to go to Hupeh, but I was unwilling. Who would be willing to do work in a little place like that?"
"Um . . . that . . . ," broke in Ah Q, who had waited for the brief pause, using one hundred twenty per cent courage to open his mouth; and for some reason unknown, he did not call him "Mr. Foreigner."
The four listeners turned about in amazement and stared at him. "Mr. Foreigner" had just caught sight of him.
"What do you want?"
"I —"
"Clear out!"
"I want to join —"
"Out, out!" insisted "Mr. Foreigner," brandishing the lachrymal cane.
Along with the others Chao Pai-yen shouted, "When our host tells you to clear out, why don't you listen!"
Ah Q covered his head with his hands and without so much as knowing what he did, bolted out the door. "Mr. Foreigner" did not pursue him. Ah Q, having sped some sixty paces, slackened his speed. And forthwith there welled up in his heart a gloomy sorrow, for "Mr. Foreigner" would not allow him to join the Revolutionists. There was no other way open to him; from then on, there was no hope of the white-helmeted and white-armored legion coming to call him. All his ambition, aim, hope, and future plans had been swept away in one moment. The further consideration that the populace might spread this news, thus making him the laughingstock of such people as Little D and Wang-hu, would be a matter of minor concern as compared to his present chagrin.
It seemed that never before had he experienced such listlessness and that he had lost all interest in his queue being wrapped on his head. He began to hold it in light esteem and for the sake of vengeance was highly desirous of letting it down at once. But in the end he failed to let it down and wandered about until nighttime. He gulped down two bowls of wine, which he got on credit, and gradually grew blithe and merry, visualizing fragments of white helmets and white armor.
One day, when, as usual, he had been whiling away the time in nonsense until evening, and had waited until the wine shop had closed its doors, he returned to T'uku Temple.
Crack, bang!
He suddenly heard an unusual noise, which surely could not have been firecrackers. Since, by nature, Ah Q had always liked excitement and was in the habit of investigating trifles he of course ventured into the darkness. There seemed to be footsteps before him and he had no sooner heard them than some one opposite suddenly jumped at him. The moment Ah Q saw him, he turned about and ran along with him. When he turned a corner, Ah Q also turned; and after rounding the corner the leader stopped; so did Ah Q. When he looked back, he saw that the person was no other than Little D.
"What's the matter?" asked Ah Q, anxiously.
"The Chao — Chao family is being looted!" gasped Little D.
With those words, Little D ran on, but Ah Q's heart leapt into loud thumpings. He followed and stopped three times; but being an old hand at the "business" he was remarkably daring and so walked far from the protection of the wall. On listening carefully, there seemed to be a great uproar, and further scrutiny revealed large numbers of white-helmeted and white-armored men, who, in unbroken line, were moving boxes, moving furniture, moving the Hsiu-t'sai's wife's Ningpo bed; but all this he could not distinguish very clearly. He wished to go nearer, but his feet did not move.
There was no moon on that night; Weichuang was deadly silent in the pitch dark, silent to the point of recalling the good old peaceful days of the emperor, Hsi. Ah Q stood staring until he became weary; all seemed to go on in endless repetition: there they went back and forth, with their depredation; boxes had been cleared out; furniture had been carried off; the Hsiu-t'sai's wife's Ningpo bed had been made way with, and this upheaval had continued until he could hardly believe his own eyes. Nevertheless, he was determined not to go nearer and so before very long he returned to T'uku Temple.
It was even darker at T'uku Temple. After he had closed the front door, he felt his way through his room, and after lying down in a comfortable position, he composed his thoughts and revolved problems concerning himself, in this manner:
"It is evident that the white-helmeted and white-armored men have come and did not come to call me. They have plundered many good things and I have had no share in the booty, — all this due to the action of the hateful 'False Foreigner' who would not allow me to join the Revolutionists; how else could it have come about that there is no share for me?"
The more Ah Q thought on this matter the more incensed he became; finally, unable to repress the painful resentment that filled his heart, he nodded his head ominously, saying: "Won't allow me to join the Revolutionary Movement, eh? Is it only for you to be one? You rascal, you 'False Foreigner' — fine, be a Revolutionist! Being one makes you subject to the penalty of decapitation. I must make a petition and see that you are dragged into the yamen to have your head cut off, — your whole family's heads cut off, — chit! chit!"
With such resentment filling his heart, Ah Q gradually snored off.