Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 290, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1910 — CHINESE MOTHER WAS STERN [ARTICLE]

CHINESE MOTHER WAS STERN

Anecdotes About Che-ung and Her Son, Whom She Had Beaten When He Was an Old Man. “Li King-yeung’s mother was called Che-ung,” writes a correspondent of the North China Dally News: “She was by nature no less stern than Intelligent. She was early left a widow, with a son whose education she personally directed. Behind the family residence was an old wall. One day this wall fell down, when under Its foundation was discovered money enough to sink a ship. The mother then blessed heaven and said: ‘I have heard that wealth got without labor can bring only misery to the person who receives IL HeaVen, because of my departed husband’s virtuous life, has pitied me In my- poverty and dealt liberally with me. I desire, however, only that my orhan son may learn and attain unto perfect understanding. I wjll not touch the money.’ She, therefore, Issued orders that the coins be covered and a house built on the spot. “Hor son LI Klng-yeung subsequently became an official and even when white-headed he did not allow the .simplest mistakes of his inferiors to pass unpunished. He was at one time taotai of Chltsai, and when one of the soldiers opposed him he ordered that the man should be beaten to death. The army was enraged and on the brink of revolt. His mother, In the inner apartments, heard of the trouble and straightway came forth into the judgment hall. There she made her son stand up before her and fiercely upbraided him. ; “ ‘The emperor,’ she said, ‘has intrusted you with this great trust, but you have usurped his prerogative and, In administering punishment, you do what you HsL You have caused a man to be beaten to death who has not been guilty of any crime. The harmony of the entire district Is jeopardized. You will compel your old mother to go down Into the grave laden with shame and disgrace. How, moreover, will you dare to face your ancestors?* “She then ordered the lictors standing by, who were full of awe at the scene, to strip the old official of his robes and to punish him. They beat him on the back until some of the underlings came forward and begged that the punishment be stayed. After a time he was released and the disaffected soldiers returned to their allegiance.”