Download and examine the project task list from the link provided in the module. Based on this task list, you will create a PERT chart and write a paper that discusses the following:

Madam White Is Kept Foreverunder Thunder Peak Tower

Hill beyond green hill, tower beyond tower,When will songs and dances by West Lake ever cease ?Enchanted by the warm breezes,The sightseers take Hangzhou for Bianzhou.1

Our story takes place by beautiful West Lake amid green hills and clear waters.In the Xianhe reign period [326–34] during the Jin dynasty, when a ragingmountain flood swept past West Gate, an ox was suddenly seen in the water, glit-tering all over with the color of gold. The ox then followed the receding flood allthe way to North Hill, where it became lost to view, destination unknown. Theevent caused quite a stir throughout the city of Hangzhou, for the residents believedthat the ox was an apparition of some deity. Thus, a temple was built and namedJinniu [Golden Ox] Temple. At West Gate, now called Yongjin [Golden Flood]Gate, a temple dedicated to General Jinhua [Golden Splendor] still stands.

At the time, a foreign monk with the Buddhist name Hunshouluo commentedwhen viewing the hills of Wulin County on one of his wandering journeys: “Alittle peak in front of Spirit Vulture Hill [Grdhrakuta] has suddenly disappeared.So, here’s where it has flown to.” Reacting to the disbelief these words generatedamong his audience, he continued, “As far as I remember, that little peak is calledSpirit Vulture Peak. It has a cave in which lives a white ape. Let me try to call theape out by way of proof.” And indeed, a white ape emerged in response to hiscalls.

At the foot of the hill was a pavilion, now called Cold Fountain Pavilion. Inthe middle of West Lake stands a solitary hill. When the poet Lin Hejing2 was liv-ing as a hermit on that hill, he had stones and earth carried over and a walkwaybuilt between Broken Bridge to the east and Sunset Peak to the west. The walk-way thus came to be called Solitary Hill Road. During the Tang dynasty, PrefectBai Juyi3 also had a causeway built, reaching from Green Screen Hills to the southand Sunset Peak to the north, and it came to be called the Bai Causeway. The tworoads were often damaged by mountain floods, and money had to be withdrawn

4 7 4

Feng, Menglong. <i>Stories to Caution the World : A Ming Dynasty Collection</i>, University of Washington Press, 2005.ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uwinnipeg/detail.action?docID=3444372.Created from uwinnipeg on 2019-11-17 20:16:40.

Cop

yrig

ht©

200

5.U

nive

rsity

of W

ashi

ngto

ress

. All

right

sre

serv

ed.

from government coªers each time to pay for repairs. Then, during the Song dynasty,Su Dongpo,4 who was prefect of Hangzhou, bought timber and stones, hired labor-ers, and had the two water-damaged roads repaired and reinforced. Railings on thesix bridges were painted vermilion and peach, and willow trees were planted allalong the causeway. In the balmy days of spring, the scenery is most picturesque.Later, it came to be known as the Su Causeway. Two stone bridges were built bySolitary Hill Road to part the flow of the water. The one to the east is called BrokenBridge and the one to the west Xiling Bridge. Truly,

Three hundred temples half hidden in the hills;Two tall peaks locked in faint, fluªy clouds.

But, storyteller, you may well object, why talk only about the scenery of WestLake, men of immortal fame, and sites of historic interest? Well, let me now launchinto the story proper and tell of a dashing young man who, because of his encounterwith two women while touring West Lake, caused quite a sensation throughoutthe romance-filled streets of the region’s cities and towns, providing material for alove story from the writer’s pen. Now what was the young man’s name? What man-ner of women did he encounter? What did he do to cause a sensation? There is apoem in testimony:

In the dismal rain of the Qingming season,5

The wayfarer on the road is stricken with grief.“Where, pray, might I find a wineshop?”The herdboy points to Apricot Village afar.

The story goes that in the Shaoxing reign period [1 132–62], after EmperorGaozong of Song moved to the south, there lived, in Black Pearl Lane by the Rewardthe Troops Bridge in Lin’an Prefecture, Hangzhou, a certain Li Ren. He served asa petty o‹cial in the treasury of the Southern Song court while doubling as bur-sar for a Marshal Shao. His wife had a younger brother, Xu Xuan, who was the old-est son of the family. Xu’s father used to own an herbal medicine store, but bothparents had died when Xu Xuan was still a boy. Now twenty-two years old, XuXuan worked as an assistant in an herb store owned by a distant uncle, Squire Li.The store was situated at the corner of O‹cials Street.

One day, Xu Xuan was attending to his business in the store when a monkappeared at the door and said after a greeting, “This poor monk is from BaoshuPagoda Monastery. I sent some steamed buns and twisted rolls to your house theother day. Now that the Clear and Bright Festival is drawing near, I hope that you,Master Xiaoyi [Oldest Son], will come to our monastery to oªer incense in mem-ory of your ancestors. Please do remember to come.”

“I’ll surely be there,” promised Xu Xuan. The monk took his leave.In the evening, Xu Xuan returned to his brother-in-law’s house. Being a bach-

elor, he lived with his older sister’s family. That evening, he told his sister, “A monk

m a d a m w h i t e i s k e p t f o r e v e r u n d e r t h u n d e r p e a k t o w e r

4 7 5

Cop

yrig

ht©

200

5.U

nive

rsity

of W

ashi

ngto

ress

. All

right

sre

serv

ed.

from Baoshu Monastery came today and asked me to go and burn sacrificial strawbaskets.6 So I’ll make the trip tomorrow to honor our ancestors.”

He rose bright and early the next morning and bought some paper horses, can-dles, sutra streamers, and strings of paper coins. Afterwards he ate breakfast, changedinto new clothes, socks, and shoes, wrapped the baskets and oªerings in a piece ofcloth, and went to Squire Li’s house on O‹cials Street. When Squire Li asked wherehe was oª to, Xu Xuan replied, “I’m going to Baoshu Pagoda to oªer incense inmemory of my ancestors. Please give me a day’s leave, Uncle.”

“All right, but come back as soon as possible.”Xu Xuan left the store. He took Peaceful Longevity Lane and Flower Market

Street, crossed Well Pavilion Bridge, went through Qiantang Gate behind ClearRiver Street, crossed Stone Box Bridge, and passed the Monument to the Releaseof Captured Living Creatures.

Once he arrived at the monastery, he sought out the monk who had broughthim steamed buns and made his confession. He then burned the baskets contain-ing the paper oªerings and went up to the main hall to watch the monks recite thescriptures. After a vegetarian meal, he bade the monk good-bye and left to take aleisurely walk around.

He crossed West Peace Bridge and Solitary Hill Road and went to the Templeof the Four Sages, meaning to continue on to Lin Hejing’s grave and Six Ones Spring.But all of a sudden, clouds gathered in the northwestern sky, and a fog closed infrom the southeast. The drizzle that followed soon grew into a steady rain. As ithappened to be around the Clear and Bright Festival, the Lord of Heaven, in obser-vance of the laws of nature, lent a determined insistence to the rain so as to speedthe growth of flowers. Seeing that the ground outside was wet, Xu Xuan took oªhis new socks and shoes and stepped out of the temple to look for a boat. Therebeing none in sight, he wasn’t sure what to do, when suddenly, he was overjoyed tosee an old man rowing a boat in his direction. A closer look revealed the boatmanto be Grandpa Zhang. “Grandpa Zhang,” cried Xu Xuan, “please take me on board!”

At the cry, the old man looked around and saw that it was Master Xiaoyi. Rowinghis boat toward the shore, he said, “Master Xiaoyi, so you’re caught in the rain!How far do you want me to take you?”

“I’ll get oª at Golden Flood Gate.”The old man helped him into the boat and rowed away from the bank toward

Harvest Joy Tower. Before they had gone more than a hundred feet, they heard acry from the shore, “Grandpa, would you give us a ride, please?”

Xu Xuan turned to look and saw a woman wearing a white silk blouse, a fineflaxen skirt, and white hairpins in her jet-black hair, which was arranged in a chignoncovered in mourning white. By her side stood her maid, dressed all in green. Herhair was fastened in two knots, each tied with a bright red string and adorned witha piece of jewelry. She was carrying a package in her hand. Both appeared eager toget on the boat.

s t o r y 2 8

4 7 6

Cop

yrig

ht©

200

5.U

nive

rsity

of W

ashi

ngto

ress

. All

right

sre

serv

ed.

Old Man Zhang remarked to Xu Xuan, “As the saying goes, ‘When there’s awind blowing, you need do nothing to keep the fire going.’ Since we don’t have todo anything extra, why don’t we take them on board?”

“Have them come down, then,” said Xu Xuan. (The beginning of all the trou-bles to come.)

So the old man drew the boat up to the shore, and the woman and her maidstepped on board. At the sight of Xu Xuan, the woman flashed a smile, revealingdainty white teeth between red lips, and dropped a curtsy. Xu Xuan rose with alacrityand returned the greeting. After the woman and the maid were seated in the cabin,the woman kept casting significant glances at Xu Xuan, who found his desires stir-ring, despite his prudishness, at the sight of such an enchanting beauty accompa-nied by the flower of a maid. (It so happens that prudish ones tend to be the easiest tocatch.)

“May I ask your name, sir?” said the woman.“I am Xu Xuan, the oldest son in the family.”“Where do you live?”“I live in Black Pearl Lane by Reward the Troops Bridge and work in an herbal

medicine store.”Now that the woman had asked her questions, Xu Xuan thought it was his turn.

Rising from his seat, he inquired, “May I ask your name, madam? And where doyou live?”

“I am the younger sister of O‹cer White [Bai] of the imperial guards. My hus-band, Zhang, has unfortunately passed away and is buried here on Thunder Peak.The Clear and Bright Festival being near, I took my maid to sweep his grave andmake some oªerings today. We were on our way back when we got caught in therain. If you hadn’t taken us in, we would have been in quite a sorry state.”

After they had chatted for a while, the boat approached the shore. The womansaid, “I left home in such haste that I didn’t bring enough travel money. Could youplease lend me some money so that I may pay the boatman? I’ll surely pay youback.” ( An excuse for continuing the association.)

“As you wish, madam, but don’t worry about such a trivial amount,” Xu Xuanassured her.

After the boatman was paid, the rain came down even harder. As Xu Xuan helpedher go ashore, the woman said, “My house is at the entrance to Double Tea Laneby Arrow Bridge. If it’s not beneath you, please follow me to my humble home fortea, so that I can repay the money.”

“Oh, don’t worry about such a trifle. It’s getting late now. I’ll come for a visitanother time,” said Xu Xuan. And so, the woman and her maid took leave of him.

Xu Xuan then went through Golden Flood Gate and wended his way underthe eaves of the houses to Three Bridges Street, where Squire Li’s brother’s herbstore was located. Xu Xuan walked up and saw the younger Squire Li at the door.

“Brother Xiaoyi,” said Li, “where are you going at this late hour?”

m a d a m w h i t e i s k e p t f o r e v e r u n d e r t h u n d e r p e a k t o w e r

4 7 7

Cop

yrig

ht©

200

5.U

nive

rsity

of W

ashi

ngto

ress

. All

right

sre

serv

ed.

“I went to Baoshu Pagoda on an incense-oªering trip and got caught in therain. Could you lend me an umbrella?

“Old Chen!” cried out Li. “Get Master Xiaoyi an umbrella !”Soon, Old Chen emerged with an umbrella. Opening it, he said, “Master Xiaoyi,

this umbrella is the work of Honest Shu by Character Eight Bridge on Clear Lake,and a fine umbrella it is, with its eighty-four ribs and purple bamboo handle. It’snot torn anywhere, either. So don’t ruin it! Be sure to take good care of it!” (Remarksquite unexpected. A comic touch.)

“Of course, don’t worry,” said Xu Xuan as he took the umbrella. After some wordsof thanks to Squire Li, he left, heading in the direction of Sheep Dike. As he approachedRear Market Street, he heard someone call, “Master Xiaoyi!” Turning to look, he sawa woman standing under the eaves of the small teahouse at the entrance to Shen’sWell Street, the very Madam White who had been his companion on the boat.

“Why are you here, madam?”“With the rain pouring like that, my shoes became wet, so I had Little Green

go home to fetch an umbrella and my galoshes. Now that it’s getting dark, may Ishare your umbrella for part of the way?”

So they walked as far as the dike, sharing one umbrella. “Now where do youwant to go, madam?”

“To Arrow Bridge after crossing that bridge.”“Well, I’m heading for Reward the Troops Bridge, which is quite close by. You

might just as well take the umbrella. I’ll come to get it tomorrow.” (Volunteeringto continue the relationship and inviting trouble. There’s no one more tender, aªection-ate, and [illegible] than Madam White.)

“You’re too kind. Thank you so much,” said Madam White.Keeping under the eaves, Xu Xuan walked on in the rain. Upon arriving, he

ran into Wang An, his brother-in-law’s servant, who had just returned after look-ing vainly for him to deliver his galoshes and umbrella.

Xu Xuan ate supper at home and spent a wakeful night, tossing and turning,thinking about the woman. When he finally fell asleep, the events of the day reap-peared in a dream, stirring up amorous passion. At the rooster’s crow, he woke upand realized that it had all been but a dream. Truly,

His heart as wild as a fast-running ape or horse,His amorous desires kept him awake till dawn.

When it grew light at last, he rose, washed, did his hair, ate breakfast, and wentto the store. With his mind in a fluster, he could hardly concentrate on his job. Inthe early afternoon, he thought to himself, “How am I going to get the umbrellaback and return it without having to tell a lie?” Addressing the older Squire Li,who was sitting by the counter, he said, “My brother-in-law wants me to go homeearlier than usual today to deliver a present for him. May I take the rest of the after-noon oª ?”

s t o r y 2 8

4 7 8

Cop

yrig

ht©

200

5.U

nive

rsity

of W

ashi

ngto

ress

. All

right

sre

serv

ed.

“All right, go ahead. Come in earlier tomorrow!”After chanting his good-bye, Xu Xuan headed straight for Double Tea Lane by

Arrow Bridge and asked for directions to Madam White’s house, but no one knewwhere it was. He was wondering what to do when Little Green, Madam White’smaid, appeared, coming from an easterly direction.

“Sister !” exclaimed Xu Xuan. “Where exactly do you live? I’ve come to get myumbrella.”

“Follow me, sir.”And so he did. A few moments later, she announced, “Here we are !”He saw that the house was two-storied with a double door flanked by four long,

latticed windows, two to a side. A finely woven vermilion curtain hung in the mid-dle of the door. The main hall was lined with twelve black lacquer armchairs anddecorated with four landscape paintings by famous artists of olden times. Oppositethe house stood the mansion of Prince Xiu, father of Emperor Xiaozong of Song.

Disappearing behind the curtain, the maid said, “Please come in and take aseat, sir !”

Xu Xuan followed her to the inner section of the house. Little Green then whis-pered, “Ma’am, Master Xiaoyi is here !”

“Invite him in for tea,” said Madam White from inside.Xu Xuan had not made up his mind what to do, but Little Green kept urging

him to go in, and so he did. There came into view four veiled latticed windows.When the blue cotton portiere was raised, he saw a small parlor with a table onwhich stood a pot of bearded calamus. Two paintings of beautiful women hungon either side, and on the central wall was a picture of a deity. On another tablewas a bronze vase in the shape of an incense burner.

Madam White stepped forward and said with a deep bow, “I’m much indebtedto you, Master Xiaoyi, for having taken such good care of us upon our first encounteryesterday. How can I ever thank you enough?”

“Oh, it’s hardly worth mentioning.”“Please sit and have some tea,” said Madam White. After they finished the tea,

she continued, “Let me serve you some wine as a token of my gratitude.”Before Xu Xuan could decline the oªer, Little Green had laid out a fine spread

of vegetables and fruits.“I thank you, madam, for your hospitality, but I really shouldn’t be imposing

on you like this.” After drinking a few cups of wine, he rose and said, “It’s gettinglate. As I have quite a long way to go, I beg to take leave of you now.”

“A relative of mine borrowed your umbrella from me last night,” said MadamWhite. “Please have a few more cups while I try to have it sent back.”

“It’s getting late. I really must be going.”“Just one more cup!”“But I’ve had enough. I’m much obliged!”“If you insist on leaving now, please be good enough to come back tomorrow

m a d a m w h i t e i s k e p t f o r e v e r u n d e r t h u n d e r p e a k t o w e r

4 7 9

Cop

yrig

ht©

200

5.U

nive

rsity

of W

ashi

ngto

ress

. All

right

sre

serv

ed.

for the umbrella.” (Trying again to continue the relationship. Another twist in the plot.)There was nothing Xu Xuan could do but take leave of her and return home.

The next day, after working in the store for a little while, he got away again onsome excuse and went to Madam White’s house to reclaim his umbrella. Again,she kept him for wine.

“Please give me back my umbrella,” said Xu Xuan. “I don’t want to impose onyou like this.”

“But since the wine is ready, please take just one little cup,” the woman insisted.Xu Xuan felt he had no choice but to sit down. Madam White filled a cup, handedit to Xu Xuan, and said, her cherry-red lips moving, her pearly teeth glistening,her voice sweet and coquettish, her face radiant with joy, “My respects to you, sir.As they say, ‘To an honest person, be honest.’ The fact is, my husband has died.Judging from your kindness to me the first time we met, I believe that I must havea predestined marriage bond with you and that the feeling is mutual. Wouldn’t itbe nice if you could find a matchmaker and we two who are made for each othercan join in blissful marriage?”

These words set Xu Xuan to thinking. “That would indeed be a good match.To have such a wife wouldn’t be a bad deal at all. I am more than willing, but there’sone matter to consider. Working during the day for Squire Li and lodging at nightat my brother-in-law’s house, I have saved a little money, but it’s just enough formy own clothes. How can I aªord to have a family?”

As he sat there, pensively silent, Madam White asked, “Why don’t you answerme?”

“I’m very honored, but the fact of the matter is, I don’t have the means to com-ply with your wish.”

“That problem is easily solved,” replied Madam White. “I have money to spare.You needn’t worry on that score.” To Little Green, she said, “Go up and get an ingotof silver for me.”

Holding on to the railing, Little Green went up and down the stairs and handeda package to Madam White. “Master Xiaoyi,” said the woman, “Take this. Whenin need, come here again for more.” So saying, she gave the package to Xu Xuanwith her own hands. Xu Xuan opened the package and saw inside fifty taels of snow-white silver. He put it in his sleeve and rose to go. Little Green returned his umbrellato him. Umbrella in hand, Xu Xuan took his leave, went straight home, and hidthe silver. The night passed without further ado.

In the morning, he rose and went to O‹cials Street to return the umbrella toSquire Li. With some loose pieces of silver, he bought a fat and juicy roast goose,fresh fish, lean meat, a young chicken, fruit, and a jar of wine and carried themhome. He gave everything to the housekeeper and the maids for them to takecare of.

His brother-in-law, O‹cer Li, happened to be at home that day, and Xu Xuaninvited him and his sister to sit down around the dinner table with the fine spread

s t o r y 2 8

4 8 0

Cop

yrig

ht©

200

5.U

nive

rsity

of W

ashi

ngto

ress

. All

right

sre

serv

ed.

on it. Much taken aback at the invitation, O‹cer Li said to himself, “Why is hegoing to so much expense today? I’ve never seen him with a wine cup. Something’swrong here !”

The three sat down in order of seniority. After a few rounds of wine, O‹cerLi said, “My honored brother-in-law, why are you going to so much expense whenthere’s nothing special happening?”

“I’m much obliged to you, Brother-in-law, but please don’t make fun of me.This is really not worth mentioning. I am very grateful to you and Sister for tak-ing care of me all these years. But, as they say, one guest should not impose him-self on two hosts. I’m a grown man now and should make sure I’ll have supportin my old age. I’ve had a marriage oªer. Could you, my brother-in-law and sister,please make the necessary arrangements on my behalf so that I can settle downonce and for all?”

At these words, his brother-in-law and sister thought to themselves, “This is aman who hardly ever parts with a penny. And now, with what little he has spent,he expects us to get a wife for him?” Exchanging glances, the husband and wiferefrained from answering. After the meal was over, Xu Xuan went back to work.

A couple of days later, Xu Xuan wondered, “Why does Sister still keep silentabout the matter?” He asked his sister, “Have you consulted Brother-in-law-aboutwhat I said the other day?”

“No.”“Why not?”“Well, unlike other things, this isn’t something that should be done in a rush.

Also, your brother-in-law’s been looking worried the last couple of days, so I haven’tdared ask him, so as to avoid adding another burden to his mind.”

“Sister, why are you dragging your feet? What’s so di‹cult about it? You’re ignor-ing me only because you’re afraid I’ll be making a demand on my brother-in-law’spocket!” With that, he rose, went to his bedroom, opened his trunk, and took outMadam White’s silver. Handing the ingot to his sister, he said, “Now, no moreexcuses. I need Brother-in-law to make the arrangements for me.”

“So, you’ve saved up quite a tidy sum all these years while working for Uncle !No wonder you are talking about getting married! You go along now and leave themoney here with me.”

When O‹cer Li returned, Xu Xuan’s sister told him, “Husband, you know whymy brother is talking about marrying? The fact is, he has saved up quite a tidy sumfor himself and has oªered some to me. It looks like we’ll have to take care of thismatchmaking business.”

“So that’s what it is !” exclaimed O‹cer Li. “Well, it’s a good thing he has someprivate savings. Show me the money.” Promptly, his wife handed the silver to him.He turned the ingot over and over in his hand, examining the characters engravedon it. “We’re in trouble !” he burst out in alarm. “This means death for the wholefamily !”

m a d a m w h i t e i s k e p t f o r e v e r u n d e r t h u n d e r p e a k t o w e r

4 8 1

Cop

yrig

ht©

200

5.U

nive

rsity

of W

ashi

ngto

ress

. All

right

sre

serv

ed.

Seized with fear, his wife asked, “What can be so terrible?”“A few days ago, fifty large ingots of silver disappeared from Marshal Shao’s trea-

sury. The seal and lock on the door are intact, and there is no underground tunnelthat leads to it. And now, Lin’an Prefecture has been given the urgent task of hunt-ing down the thief, but there’s no clue whatsoever. Goodness knows how many peoplehave been implicated! Bulletins have been posted, complete with the serial num-bers of the missing ingots. The bulletin says, ‘Whoever captures the thief and findsthe silver shall receive a reward of fifty taels. Anyone who withholds informationor gives shelter to the thief shall be duly punished, and all members of his familyshall be banished to remote regions.’ Now, the serial number on this ingot is exactlythe same as the one in the bulletin, which means that the silver comes from MarshalShao’s treasury, and there’s a big hue and cry after it! Indeed, ‘In a spreading fire,you can’t aªord to take care of all your relatives.’ If this theft is discovered, I won’tbe able to talk my way out of trouble. I don’t care whether he stole it or borrowedit, but it’s far better to have him punished than to be implicated myself. I’ll have totake the silver to the authorities, so as to protect my family.” His wife was so stunnedat these words that her jaw dropped and she stared at him, her eyes unblinking.

And so, oª he went to the prefectural yamen to surrender the ingot of silver.His report deprived the prefect of a whole night’s sleep.

The next day, He Li, the arrest o‹cer, was summoned posthaste. Taking a fewassistants and a team of lictors keen of eye and swift of movement, O‹cer He Liwent straight to Squire Li’s store on O‹cials Street to apprehend the thief Xu Xuan.At the store counter, the men gave a shout and bound Xu Xuan with rope. Beatinga drum and a gong along the way, they took …

"You need a similar assignment done from scratch? Our qualified writers will help you with a guaranteed AI-free & plagiarism-free A+ quality paper, Confidentiality, Timely delivery & Livechat/phone Support.

Discount Code: CIPD30

Click ORDER NOW..

Download and examine the project task list from the link provided in the module. Based on this task list, you will create a PERT chart and write a paper that discusses the following:

"You need a similar assignment done from scratch? Our qualified writers will help you with a guaranteed AI-free & plagiarism-free A+ quality paper, Confidentiality, Timely delivery & Livechat/phone Support.

Discount Code: CIPD30

Click ORDER NOW..

Skilled CIPD Assignment Tutors Saudi Arabia

Best CIPD Assignment Writing Services In The UK

Custom Assignment Writing

PAYMENT METHOD

CONTACT US

Disclaimer