Pages 196-232

Reunited once again, Hong and Chen set off to search for Meng Dafu. After giving Meng the letter form Gao Shi, Chen is warmly accepted into Meng Dafu's life. Meng, an inventor ahead of his time, teaches Chen and soon asks him to be his apprentice. Meanwhile, Hong worries about Chen's newfound independence and will to stay with Meng Dafu. With the help of a wizard, Hong speaks through to his mother, a ghost. In line with Hong's thinking, his mother demands that Chen continue his journey to take the examination. Chen refuses once again. However after Chen infuriates Meng Dafu by futilely attempting to seduce Meng Dafu's beloved daughter(Yuying), Chen is forced to move on. Happy to be freed of Yuying's blinding beauty, Chen is ready to leave. Chen and Hong encounter a town devastated by a flood as they continue their journey.

Fraternal Piety

Hong gives up the thrill of battle and General Ma, to be loyal to his brother, Chen.

"I thought it might be, too, Illustrious Grand Defender. But when I saw my brother again, I knew I must go with him"(198).

Confucian Duty General Ma upholds the duty of the government, by offering the brothers money.

"In theory, a failure of government to protect the citizenry must be atoned for by financial reparation"(198).

Hong urges Chen to give the letter to Meng Dafu.

"Yes, go do it. Do your duty. Be a dutiful Confucian"(200). Chen has a duty to go to the examination. Hong has a duty to get Chen to take the examination, because he promised his dying mother. "You're right, son. Keep your promise and get him to Beijing"(217).

Mencius

Hong and Chen were good to humanity by offering food to the starved people of the flooded Yellow River.

"He walked over to the hut where the men had gone inside and poured about two handfuls of rice on the ground at the doorway"(230).

Taoism

Taoism is about nature and Chen comes in contact with nature when he visits the garden.

"Chen strolled by her side past shrubs and magnolia trees and little groves of delicate bamboo and ancient cypresses gnarled by time, mutilated by lightning"(209). 

Chen remembers talking to Daiyun about the Tao.

"We can do without rules if we're devoted to the Tao... The Tao is beyond is and is not"(221).

Ancestors

Hong learns about ghosts and ancestors through the wizard.

"Ghosts sound different from us. be brave. You're lucky because she wants this. She's ready to talk, and many ghosts aren't"(216).

Environment

As Hong and Chen continue their journey, they come across a town flooded by the Yellow River (the birth and killer of cities) with gruesome sights. 

"They stared in horror at the eddying water that carried the flotsam of human life along its channel: bits of clothing, pots, a weeding pole, entire sections of wood-framed buildings, bloated corpses"(228).

Taken from: Lauren's interpretations and The Examination by Malcolm Bosse LJ