Pages 183-196

Back to History 8 China The Examination

Summary:

A messenger comes to where Hong is, but he does not know information about Yao. It goes on to talk about General Ma's decisions about moving troops and about capturing Wang Chih. Hong realizes that he likes and admires General Ma. Once the troops reach Hangzhou, a city famous for its lakes, they stop and rest. It is then announced tat they are going to see the tomb of Yueh Fei, a previous Sung dynasty general who was widely respected. General Ma goes on to show great admiration for Yueh Fei. Later Wang Chih's army meets General Ma's and attack in a Mandarin Duck formation. With them, Wang Chih's army had guns and cannons. After a but of fighting, General Ma's army wins. The mass of dead bodies concerns Hong. Next, General Ma's army sets down a river to try and track down Wang Chih, who was rumoured to have traveled down that river once it was clear that battle had been lost. Lastly, Hong sees his brother step out of a ship and runs to embrace him.

Main Ideas:

Honor:

187, "No, Honored Grand Defender."

187, "Without honor, a soldier is nothing."

187, "Hong knew enough about ritual from his brother to understand that the officer couldn't kneel three times, for the honor was accorded only the Emperor.

Ancestors:

186, "...Yueh Fei has been a Sung dynasty general who defeated the wile Jurchen tribes streaming down from Mongolia."

188, "Such a man will never die. He represents the best in us. And the suffering he endured only encourages us to be like him: generous, brave, determined."

Nina Lahoti