Tsung Ch‘ên

“ Of my unfitness I am only too well aware; while as to popularity with my superiors, I am utterly unqualified to secure that boon.
How indeed does an official find favour in the present day with his chief? Morning and evening he must whip up his horse and go dance attendance at the great man’s door. [1] If the porter refuses to admit him, then honied words, a coaxing air, and money drawn from the sleeve, may prevail. The porter takes in his card; but the great man does not come out. ”

“ And then he goes into detail, upon which his friends begin to be more respectful to him as a protegé of His Excellency. The great man himself says, “So-and-so is a good fellow, a very good fellow indeed;” ”