12 6 splendour and be safe at the same time.
137 exist for many years.
The Jilu huibian (c_) version was possibly based on Ma Hua n ' s edition of 1451, though it is already full of errors and
omissions
138
This was used by Feng Chengjun as the basic text for his annotated edition. This version had been subject to a rifacimento by Zhang Sheng ^ , a native of Nancheng vip(in Jiangxi) who passed his jinshi examination in 1469 and 139
probably died around 1520. Now it must be remembered that Ma Huan's original text contains many colloquialisms and other shortcomings that were disdained by scholars. Zhang Sheng set out to remedy this. The result was that in the Jilu huibian where both of them appear, Ma Hua n ’s original version took up 89 pages, whereas Zhang Sheng's version has merely 1+3 pages: "yet comparatively little of the contents has actually been
l40
omitted; it is chiefly a matter of much more compact style". Duyvendak has also pointed out that for a long time it was
thought that Zhang Sheng's version was the original one, probably on account of its improved style. Rockhill, who translated this
136. I do not have access to it. 137. Op. c i t ., p. 39.
138. Ibid. , pp. 37-38.
139. Duyvendak, J.J.L., o p . c i t . , pp. 6-7. 140. Ibid. , p. 9-
36
.version in its entirety was also under the impression that it was the original.1^1
Little is known about version S_, contained in Shengchao
y i s h i . Mills thinks that "the text is even worse than C_, yet it 1^2
contains a certain number of better readings".
Version _K, contained in Guochao diangu, is held by him to be the worst, and the matter is made even more confusing by the large number of differing manuscripts in existence,all based on
the Guochao diangu. The differing nature of these three
versions is made clear by him in this manner:
Errors and omissions are very numerous in each version and a detailed comparison of the three texts discloses that there are over four thousand divergencies.
Omissions amount to as much as 32 consecutive words in
C_, 87 in S_ and 222 in K. In addition, the texts some
times contradict each other, and this renders the composition of a definitive version a most hazardous
enterprise; for example, S_ states that Chinese copper
coins were not used in Thailand, whereas K states that they were always u s e d . ^ ^
Zhao Jingshen, who compared the Yingyai shenglan with the Xiyang ,-ji found that Luo Maodeng resorted to fifty-two literal
borrowings 1*4*4 Zhao was prompted to do this upon reading
lUl. Ibid., pp. *4-10, which treats this matter in detail. For
the translation see Rockhill, W . W . , "Notes on the
Relations and Trade of China with the Eastern Archipelago and the Coasts of the Indian Ocean during the Fourteenth Century", Part I, T'oung P a o , v o l . XV (191*0, pp. *4l9-*+*+7, Part II, vol. XVI (1915), pp. 61-159, 236-271, 37*4-392, U35-U67, 60*4-626.
1*+2. O p . c i t . , p.
38
. 1*4:3. Ibid. , pp. 39—*40.1*4*4. O p . c i t . , pp. 122-138. These borrowings are listed togethe r with the ones from the Xingcha shenglan ip to be dealt with presently.
3 7.
Xiang Da's article, already made use of earlier in this chapter. There Xiang Da had noted some of Luo's borrowings. In particular he compared the two versions of the opening poem found in the Jilu huibian version and copied into the beginning of the last
lU5
chapter of the novel. Though there are more than a dozen discrepancies, they are mainly either copyists' errors or different characters that do not affect the sense of the poem.
In the adaptation of his borrowings Luo has normally re mained within the meaning of the original. However, in the item
concerning the robber Chen Zuyi|$^L5^ , who carried out his metier in Palembang, he made numerous alterations and amplific ations. So we read in the Yingyai shenglan:
Some time ago, during the Hongwu period 1368-90 some men from Kuangtung province , Ch'en Tsu-i and others, fled to this place with their whole households;
Ch'en Tsu-i set himself up as a chief; he was very wealthy and tyrannical, and whenever a ship belonging to strangers passed by, he immediately robbed them of their valuables.
In the fifth year of .the Yung-lo period (lUOT) the court dispatched the grand eunuch Cheng Ho and others commanding the trasure-ships of the great fleet going to the Western Ocean, and they arrived at this place. There was a person named Shih Chin-ch'ing
^ ^7^0 who was also a man from Kuangtung province ; and he came and reported the acts of savagery and other such acts committed by Ch'en Tsu'i. Ch'en Tsu-i and others were captured alive by the grand eunuch Cheng Ho and taken back to the
lU6
court; and they were put to death.
1U5. Xiang Da, o p . c i t ., pp. 559-560; Jilu huibian, ch. 62, pp. 2a-b; Xiyang j i , ch. 100, pp. 500-501.
38.
Luo's fictionalized version starts when a small boat carrying a barbarian warrior is making its way towards the Chinese fleet lying before anchor:
A sentry called out: "Your small boat must not come nearer until you've communicated your name!" The barbarian warrior said: "I am from Chaozhou 'i'll in Guangdong. My name is Shi Jinqing ^ » and I moved here with my whole family. Today I was fortunate enough to encounter the Heavenly Soldiers and came here to meet you, free of treachery. I wouldn't dare bother you to communicate with me." The
sentry said "Keep your small boat a little further away and wait till I notify you". Shi Jinqing said: "The case here is that of a master and a servant. You needn't worry too much".
The sentry transmitted what had been said, and the Officer of the Blue Flag reported it to headquarters. The field-marshal (Zheng He) ordered that he be brought onto the ships. On meeting the field-marshal Shi Jinqing bowed and said "I was originally from Chaozhou prefecture in Guangdong. My name is Shi Jinqing. In the Hongwu years we were robbed by pirates,and my whole family moved here. To see again the sacred capital is our greatest wish Luckily I have today witnessed the descent of the Heavenly Soldiers, indeed a fortunate meeting. Thus I came to offer my greetings".
The marshal said: "You are not conducting some
secret plotting, are you?" Shi Jinqing said: "I am all on my own. Neither do I wear a strip of armour, nor do I carry as much as inch of a weapon. Even if I were plotting, I'd be without the means."
The marshal said: "Though you do not overtly obey and covertly rebel, you are trying to obtain public revenge for a private wrong". Shi Jinqing took
fright and, kowtowing instantly, he said: "How could you have known?". The marshal asked: "What is it?". Shi Jinqing said: "There is this countryman of mine, Chen Zuyi by name who had to flee here after his
1U7.
39.
smuggling at home was discovered. Over the years he
has become a headman. His tyranny is unspeakable.
All he ever does is robbing merchants. Not even the
king can restrain him. It is because of this
grievance that I came to see you".
Mr. Wang said: "You could call this a public
evil, rather different from trying to obtain public revenge for a private feud".
Zheng He asked: "What is the name of this country?".
Shi Jinqing replied: "In Chinese it is called
Jiugang ^ (Old Haven). The barbarians call
it Palembang (Bolin-guo
'Jfa-
|^) )".Zheng He asked: "What is the name of the king?".
Shi Jinqing said: "His name is Manazhewuli
Zheng He asked: "Do you know whether he was given a
seal by the Court sometime in the past?" Shi Jinqing
said: "I know. When the Hongwu emperor was on the
throne King Hengmashana brought in tribute
three times. Three times he obtained the Chinese
calendar, their script and some currency".
Zheng He said: That is so. You may go now. When
Chen Zuyi presently arrives I will deal with him". Shi Jinqing left.
Zheng He now called the Left Guard Zheng Tang lU8
h , gave him the tiger-headed tablet that
was the sign of authority and ordered him to go into
Palembang to proclaim the peace. Anyone offering the
slightest resistance would be attacked by the army
until there was no trace left. Zheng Tang accepted
the tiger-headed tablet and went straight to Palembang.
These two kings are not mentioned in the Yingyai shenglan,
but they are certainly historical. While Luo's source
cannot be ascertained in this case, the Ming shi states
that Manashewuli was the son of Tamashanaazhe
'■/)/
W
, to give him his correct name (ch. 324, p.25a).See also Wolters, O.W., The Fall of Srivijaya in Malay History, Asia Major Library, London, 1970, p. 58.
There he sent word to the King and his generals to
lU9
accept it.
Now follows a proclamation in pseudo-official language which briefly recounts events so far and again contains the threat.
The story continues:
When the King of Palembang had read this tablet he said: "My father and myself have received great favour from the Zhu imperial family which we could not requite for a long time. Now that the Heavenly Envoys have descended I will quickly send a general to welcome them. A short while afterwards I will write a letter of submission and prepare some tribute articles which I will present in person to the field-marshal. May he stay here a little longer that I might treat him properly".
He was still speaking when a general, tall and of imposing appearance, clad completely in armour,
shouted: "Though I am useless I wish to meet the Heavenly Envoys". The King looked up and saw a Chinese whose name was Chen Zuyi. At present he occupied the post of Left Headman. The King said: "Whether or not the waters in the native district are beautiful, whether or not the people here are close to you, you have come just right. Chen Zuyi took leave from the King, boarded a large boat and
together with Zheng Tang went to see the field-marshal. As he bowed the marshal asked him: "Who are you?".
Chen Zuyi replied: "Originally I was from Guangdong. My name is Chen Zu y i , and I serve under the King of Palembang in the appointment of Left
Headman". He noticed that the field-marshal's mien boded no good. So he proffered a little more: "Do not harbour any suspicions. It so happens that the King of this Country was of two minds concerning you. But after I had carefully talked him around he raised no objections. Hence, before I came here I had just
Ul.
strenthened my lord's mind".
The field-marshal said: "Tie up this strengthener of minds " .
Chen Zuyi was flabbergasted and shouted: "A chap comes here to submit, but is killed without further ado. Why do you tie me up?".
The field-marshal said: "While in China you were a smuggler. According to law you must be beheaded. Abroad pilfering is your occupation. Anyone obtaining wealth through robbery must be killed according to law. Even if you had two heads you'd still have to die. How much more when you only have one head!". Chen Zuyi said: "You wrong my kindheartedness". The field-marshal said: "You came to meet me to obtain public revenge for a private grievance rather than showing your kindheartedness". This left
Chen Zuyi speechless. He thought: "How could this superhuman field-marshal know about my innermost thoughts?".
Then the field-marshal ordered that he be taken aside until after the King had arrived to collect his head".^'^
Thus ends the sorry tale of Chen. Zuyi. As can be surmised he is beheaded on the spot, while in Ma H u a n 's account he is taken back to China for punishment. The version noted by Ma Huan
151