As the story goes, Bonze Dan spit out water that changed into a river and Teacher Que cast down a gourd that became a skiff, and then they sought to persuade the county magistrate to join them. When he looked at the boat he saw that it was no longer than eight or nine feet and wondered how it could accommodate so many people, so he repeatedly declined. Bonze Dan let Zhang Ying get in first to sit in the middle, while he rode at the bow and Quezi at the stern. The three then waved goodbye to the magistrate. Zhang Ying held up that tortoise shell fan of his and with sails set to the wind a loud whistling sound arose and they appeared to fly off! And in the wink of an eye the boat and its water had both disappeared, leaving only the same scene of the path they had walked down, wall and gateway as before.

The magistrate just stood there in shock, eyes wide open and mouth speechless, as if he had been having a ghastly dream. Although Zhang had successfully taken the altar and made rain to relieve the suffering masses of people, he and the other two had also left the utmost reason to take care against future horrors! It was indeed hard to determine whether they were fairy immortals or heterodox, evil sorcerers. Fearing that they would be back to cause trouble he ordered the wulong altar be done away with.

Three days later the news had spread to all the counties in the district that a wandering Daoist had brought rain to Boping County. Now these other counties had also been in drought and one by one began preparing their own ceremonies and inquiring about him. The district governor himself sent a letter down to the county, where the magistrate was in no mood to deceive him and told everything. These shady fellows, he wrote, two wizards and a monk, had engaged in a sorcerers' duel at the rain altar, conjured up a river and a boat in which they embarked, and left behind a host of other weird occurrences. The district governor was very unhappy with this news. Furthermore, Boping County alone had received enough rain and the others were all now extremely jealous, their magistrates appearing together before the governor.

"It's obvious that the place is a den of sorcerers!" accused one. "We don't want any dealings with them," shouted another, "because the evil set in motion there may infect our county!" shouted another. The governor listened and then issued strict orders for Boping County to report the names and whereabouts of any other visiting sorcerers. He also reported those strange events to the State Council, which in turn memorialized the Emperor. The entire greater capital area was then fearful of calamities to be caused by the sorcerers' party and notices went up ordering people encountering any traces of strange occurrences to report them to the officials, stating that concealment of such things was not permitted. And so the capital had been alerted, and no wandering monks or wizards dared enter its gates. And here is a poem:

Now, let's continue with another thread of the story. Zhang Ying and the two others sailed before the wind in that small boat of theirs and in a wink landed on the riverbank. Bonze Dan led him and Quezi ashore and in a little while they arrived in a lush grove of cultivated bamboo where cranes and deer abounded, and within which they came upon a finely thatched grass hut.

"Is this where Teacher Dan practices Zen meditation?" asked Zhang.

"A mere lifetime is too impermanent for Zen!" answered Bonze Dan; "When I go to live among the clouds it all comes so naturally."

Zhang Ying sighed in admiration. Bonze Dan then had a word with Quezi.

"Now that Master Zhang is here, why don't we ask Holy Auntie to come and meet him?"

Quezi then turned his face towards the moon and shouted "H-o-l-y A-u-n-t-i-e!" three times without stopping, and as they watched a brilliant golden ray shot forth from the moon and changed into an old woman!

She appeared old and gray with snowy white hair and long eyebrows, wearing a Daoist star-crown and an overcoat trimmed with crane's down, a fast runner for her age who left no tracks, riding down as if on a gale! Zhang Ying had known at once that it was Holy Auntie and immediately fell to kowtow, giving his name and title. The old woman quickly addressed him as "master" and returned the greeting, and after a few moments they were expressing their mutual admiration. Holy Auntie saw that tremendous eight-foot height of Zhang's, his high stylish hairdo and face all red as if bursting with blood, his bright starry eyes and handsome body like no mortal man's, and she quietly pronounced him strange indeed.

That night beneath an idyllic moon the four of them went into the hut and sat together in council, Holy Auntie at the head followed by Zhang Ying, with Quezi by their side and Bonze Dan last in order, accompanying them. Holy Auntie first addressed a question to Zhang Ying.

"Have you ever met a young woman by the name of Mei'r?" she wanted to know.

Zhang Ying then began to tell how, thirteen years earlier, Mei'r had descended on the wind into that quiet garden, continuing to her being reincarnated and raised in the home of Squire Hu. He related all the details of everything that had happened and Holy Auntie expressed her deep gratitude.

"I'm sure it's because of your feeling for her that she's been constantly reborn as a human!" she said.

She then turned to Quezi.

"Remember what Yan Sandian told me? What a godly physician he is!"

"Do you by any chance mean Yan Banxian of Yizhou District?" asked Zhang Ying.

"Have you also happened to meet him?"

"Back in the capital I once stole a life-booster pill from an official's home and gave it to Squire Hu's wife Mama at childbirth, to get her past danger. At the time I learnt that it had come from the great physician Yan of the Banxiantang, but I've never met him. I know only the name."

Quezi interrupted them. "Why don't you cut the serious discussion and talk about some light stuff?"

Zhang Ying then brought up the matter of Beizhou, and Holy Auntie told him all about the dream in which she'd met Granny Wu Zetian. "This is already set in motion by Heaven and cannot be stopped!" she finally said.

Zhang Ying then mentioned the lines about a daughter of the Hu family becoming queen in an imperial house of Wang.

"The first part of the prophecy has come true with her rebirth in Squire Hu's family," he said, "but what about about her becoming queen of some Wang family's dynasty?"

"You'll find out in the days after we arrive in Beizhou!" said Holy Auntie.

"And just when do we start this undertaking?" asked Zhang.

"Fifteen years from now, and you, a Daoist master, will be the first. You'll get things started and then the others should arrive to assist you. We'll see what's fated to happen, and then we'll use all our strength to help things along in their course and ensure success!"

They talked for a long time and Bonze Dan told a novice to take care of tea. The graceful acolyte came forth bearing a red dish loaded with apricots bigger than pears and brighter than oranges.

"The golden apricots this youngster is serving are the same sort that Han Wudi loved best, and warriors today still call them Han Imperials. Now, enough talk; how about a spot of tea?"

There were eight slices on the plate, just enough for them to have two each. The young acolyte could only stand aside and watch them eat the delicious fruit. His mouth naturally began to water and the plate slipped from his hands, fell to the earthen floor and shattered. Bonze Dan was furious and picked up the novice with one hand, running him out of the hut and throwing him for a somersault in the night sky. Just as Zhang Ying was thinking of flying up to catch the boy he could already be seen and heard falling to earth with a sharp noise, and he just lay stretched out in silence. But when Zhang Ying looked closely he saw only a short carrying staff lying there, and what was more that broken red plate had changed into a bouquet of pomegranate flowers.

"Who dares wield an axe in front of the greatest carpenter of them all!" exclaimed Holy Auntie. This was clearly meant to imply that though Zhang Ying was likewise a wizard, he was still no match for the likes of one such as Bonze Dan.

"Master Dan's powers are truly miraculous, far beyond my own!" said Zhang Ying.

By this time the moon was waning in the western sky and the east was beginning to brighten with dawn's light. Holy Auntie rose up slowly from her place.

"I guess I'll be off to the capital now to check up on my daughter. In a little while I'll call you and we'll all get together again."

Having spoken she then soared up into the sky and was gone. Zhang Ying and the others each went on their own ways as well; nobody knows where. And here is a poem:

As has been written, Squire Hu invited a scholar into his home to teach Yong'r to read. The girl was intelligent and clever, superior to many boys, able to read after one look and to remember after being told only once. Suddenly we see her grown to thirteen years of age, with the beauty and bearing of a flower as well as mastery of writing and sums, incomparably perceptive and quick-witted.

Many of the other leading families of commerce so admired and loved her talent and beauty that they sought matchmakers to try and arrange her betrothal as their daughter-in-law. Squire Hu was too protective in his love, however, and was far too fussy in choosing among the candidates, and as a result no match could be made. That's just the way it is with your pre-destined marriages; sooner or later there will be somebody!

As things would have it Holy Auntie arrived in Dongjing, as the capital was known in those days, and gave Squire Hu's house a good looking over, inside and out. And as she left no traces coming or going his family would never know, either. Having seen with her own eyes how mature and intelligent Yong'r had grown she got the idea of teaching and inducing her into the craft of secret law. She then pondered the wealthy home in which Mei'r was living, with the women's quarters deep inside its labyrinthine halls. How hard it would be to meet her, and even if they were able to talk she wondered if her daughter could take such teachings of the heart very seriously. Better that she make a little misfortune happen and snatch up the family's entire wealth and affairs in her hands, placing everything in peril and causing her daughter a bit of hardship and privation as a result, so that the girl would be sure to fall under the spell of the craft.

Now let's take our leave of Holy Auntie for now and get back to Squire Hu. It was now the eighth lunar month and as usual at this time his family was preparing a drinking party for the mid-autumn festival. It would be a private gathering for the three, as Professor Chen had left the household with Yong's reaching womanhood and no others were invited. Squire Hu instructed for the wine to be served at the octagonal pavilion in the rear garden, and father,

mother and daughter enjoyed the scene together. The night sky was clear and bright and in the east the moon was just rising like a large jade dish. But beware:

Squire Hu finished work early that day, sent his managers away and went home to conduct the mid autumn festivities. He ordered the buildings and stables brightly decorated with strings of candles. He then sat drinking wine with Mama and Yong'r on that octagonal pavilion in back, with the old wet-nurse looking on and a slave-girl serving; there were no pageboys to be seen. Suddenly at the stroke of the first watch a slight wind blew and what did they hear but the guard running over and shouting wildly.

"Disaster, my lord!" he gasped upon reaching the pavilion.

"What disaster?" asked the surprised Squire Hu. "Where?"

"A fire's started in the middle warehouse!" answered the guard. Now Squire Hu, Mama and Yong'r were terrified, and on clambering down from the pavilion they saw that it surely was a huge conflagration. How can it best be described?

After having broken out in the warehouse the fire spread to the rooms of the main hall. Now for a fire to spread so quickly takes some preparation, and as this particular blaze was created out of Holy Auntie's magic lightning from Heaven it could spread through windows and walls with ease, toppling the strongest uprights and beams. Even the powder on your average professional fireworks display doesn't go off and spread this fast! And she had combined it with a fierce wind: the gale behind the hungry flames drove them forward to devour all in their path so very ferociously! Squire Hu fell to the ground crying out bitterly, calling on spirits and fairies and summoning his ancestors.

He then ordered the nurse and slave-girl over to the servants' quarters to spread the word that a rich reward would be given to anyone fighting the fire. He also had the men and women of his own family enter the endangered house and rescue what family heirlooms and possessions, wicker trunks and drawers that they could. The neighbors crowded over to wield the hooks and axes and man the bucket brigade, climbing over the fire scene like ants on a fallen leaf, but there was no saving the place from the hungry flames. Within the hour a great ball of fire soared into the night sky with an accompanying earth-splitting roar, and the terrified crowd fled screaming. From front to back the entire compound was transformed in a single instant into a mass of flame and smoke, with heat so intense that no man or woman could go near. Mama and Yong'r just sat holding their heads in their hands and sobbing. Squire Hu was deeply touched by the sight of their tears and knelt to comfort them.

"There's nothing to fret over," he murmured optimistically. "When the flames are out we'll simply pick up and begin the second half of our lives!"

Then they only watched the leaping flames that roared and raged on and on the whole night through. It was all they could do to try and get some rest on that little pavilion, their only surviving property. Upon awakening at dawn they called on the assembled folks to help comb the site of the blaze. A number of people fanned out searching through the smoking rubble but soon their mouths and eyes were agape in disbelief, so complete was the destruction. It's commonly said that people may keep double accounts but Heaven's got a stricter set of books. Why, if Heaven were as sentimental as people, the world would soon be overflowing with humanity! Squire Hu still did not quite realize that this fire of Heaven's had not left a single inch-long blade of grass, to say nothing of the main hall, rear quarters, corridors, kitchen and scales rooms, all completely gone. He now instructed them to look for bits of gold, silver, tin and brass that may have survived the blaze merely covered with soot and might still be laying about in addition to the few family heirlooms and the little in baskets and trunks that had been saved, Little did he realize that Holy Auntie had stripped the place for the enrichment of those on high. So thorough had she been that not a trace of anything was to be found. Squire Hu, his wife and daughter just watched as the searchers and those he had placed in charge gave up and left.

Now, the nature of a wealthy mogul was always present in Squire Hu and thrift never completely relaxed its hold on him, so he had never spent his money on much of anything aside from coal. But now before very long his money was gone and there was no providing for their customary three meals a day. Well-intentioned friends and neighbors sent over a few dishes but gave it up shortly. They were driven to borrowing rice and kindling: one special occasion became twice, one day turned into three days and three days into nine, six months lengthened into a full year's anniversary and finally they had no more credit and nothing to eat or wear. Reduced to begging, they were eager to sell off parcels of their land to the adjoining two neighbors for cash.

"Land burnt over by Heaven's fire is ten years' barren!" they only objected. "Fires set by lightning leave the land dry and damaged for a decade!" Alas, such was the taboo on their treasured land! They were now dressed in rags, and when they went calling on old acquaintances everybody pretended not to be home. Once-familiar people no longer recognized them. When hailed on the street they would cover their faces with their fans, unable to bear looking at them. As the old saying goes, "Amidst the bustle of the town the pauper is alone; to a rich man in the mountains every relative is known!" And it is also said that "Spring winds are followed by summer rains!"

In normal times Squire Hu, who had been born into bitter poverty, could turn one coin into ten and ten into a hundred with his business acumen and so built his fortune. Self-made men like that are often reluctant to give out anything in the way of kindness or largess to others and prefer the company of their successful peers, and they prefer glib happy talk to utterances of pity. His old acquaintances from his wealthy days found him repulsive and he had no sympathetic and trusting friends like Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya of olden times. He was truly stuck in poverty and anyone considering helping him back up to his feet might themselves fear stigmatization and total ruin and be forced to reconsider.

Squire Hu thus continued living on the wide open pavilion. It was good enough on fair days but what could they do to protect themselves from wind, rain and snow? They had to go around begging for a place to live in like the free apartments for the lonely elderly of today. One day in mid winter, Shortly after moving into such solitary beggars quarters dark clouds gathered and a bitingly cold, fierce wind blew up, bringing with it out of the heavens a heavy and continuous blizzard. What can we make of that great snowfall? Consider:

Now those who love snow are gentlemen of wealth and leisure in their big places, while those that detest it are the poor folks in their narrow spaces. Our down-and-out Squire Hu of the capital city Dongjing was once a man of great wealth and influence who had lost it all in that Heaven-sent fire that completely bankrupted him and forced him to move into solitary beggar's quarters. And just now to make matters worse Heaven sends a mid-winter blizzard! The three of them sat all night huddled round the stove with all six hands tending the fire and come daybreak they had no rice for breakfast. Mama pointed at her husband's head, causing him to nod and come over for a look.

"It's no big thing, Mama!" he said.

"A blizzard and no food on hand! All that food and fine clothing you provided us and now we're starving with you. Our account is even I guess!" She then pointed at Yong'r. "She'll be fourteen this year. What sort of parents can just sit by and let their daughter suffer like this!"

"It can't be helped! If you've got any ideas for me to try, please tell me!"

"You're the head of this family! It's been freezing like this for half a day now since sunrise and if you don't get going and do what you have to do, and fast, we three are all going to be facing death from starvation! If you can maybe corner just one or two of your old associates and hit them up for three or four hundred coins we'll be all right for a few days."

"Surely you know what things are like now! Nobody will even look me in the face!"

"Still," countered Mama, "one day's shame means three days' eating! If you don't go I will!"

Now nothing could ever force Squire Hu to live off of Mama.

"Better tighten up your belts a bit, cause this might take longer than a day!" he said, rising to his feet. "Today's world is all dazzled by luxurious trimmings and nobody cares about the poor. Trying to get sympathy these days is harder than taking on a tiger barehanded. You two wait here patiently and don't think for one moment this is going to be easy!"

And so having said his piece he opened the gate and went out, eyes brimming with tears. He seemed to slip and fall backwards three steps for every two he took. "It's really cold!" he muttered, that icy wind stabbing at his face like arrows and the cold air cutting like knives into his body! The northwesterly wind blew him back a few paces and when he tried to return home he found that Mama had already bolted the gate. He could only press on silently in the wind and snow, away from the shelter in hope of arousing pity in someone. And here is a poem:

Squire Hu was desperately searching for an old associate and had no use for pride or shame. He just went right down a small street to the left of his old estate and as he was well known in the city many people recognized him at once. "There goes that ruined Squire Hu," they remarked cuttingly, "all washed up forever!"

And there were others who openly poked fun at him with rhymes like this:

"Old man Hu was once Esquire Down from Heaven came a fire Sent his good days up in smoke Hard times now that he is broke!" And there were those as well who had suffered losses in their dealings with his warehouses:

Squire Hu was just walking along with his head bowed low when he suddenly found himself face to face with somebody holding a small umbrella.

"Why, Squire Hu! Where are you going in this snowy weather?" the man asked.

It was none other than that long-haired scholar Chen, the very same Chen Shan he had invited into his house in happier times to teach Yong'r the classics. Squire Hu's face flushed with embarrassment and shame as he bowed and spoke.

"To tell the truth, Professor, our household has taken a big fall and now we're starving. I've come here to find an acquaintance or two to help, that's how bad it is."

"If you're that hard up why don't you rush on over to see that fellow who lives below the gate to the Four Memorial Arches District?"

"Which one was he?"

The scholar leaned over and whispered a few words into his ear and Squire Hu beamed with happiness, clasping his hands together gratefully.

"You've been a support in my hour of deepest need and I'll never forget this!"

"It's nothing, just what anyone would do!" said the scholar humbly. He then tugged at Squire Hu's to come and share his umbrella. This helped renew his strength as they turned out of his old street and headed for the gateway of the Four Arches District to search for this fellow named Mi Bida, a former loafer who had won the heart and support of a Privy Councilor who sponsored him for an official post. Three years earlier he had been angling for a promotion but didn't have enough cash on hand to make it happen. He knew however that his old friend Chen Shan was teaching in Squire Hu's home and made use of his trust to help in securing a loan of 300 ounces of silver which he made available to the yamen to take care of things. As a result of this he rose to the rank of Superintendent for Jizhou District, where he served for a bit over two years before disputes with his associates got him reposted to office in Qingzhou. He was now conveniently stopping off at home to pick up his wife and children on his way to taking up his new posting, and as we look in on him he has been home for two days. Now Chen Shan had originally signed for his loan as guarantor, so although Squire Hu's contract had been burned in the fire he was delighted to have the original co-signer with him as a witness. Moreover as it was a loan granted as a special favor there was no refusing to pay it back.

Professor Chen was really going to pay this call on behalf of Squire Hu, ever so tactfully going in first to greet his old friend. Squire Hu was filled with glee as they approached the gate where a few lower officials and servant folk were coming and going, none too busily. But there was also a burly guard inside the gate who caught sight of Squire Hu's tattered gown and took him at once for a beggar, shouting a stern warning. Who would want to go forth and defy such a character? And so Chen handed Squire Hu the umbrella, explaining that they had arrived unexpected but that everything would be all right once he'd gotten in to see Superintendent Mi and raise the matter as he surely would, and telling him to wait outside in the street until he was called. After the professor entered, however, a number of people began to taunt Squire Hu, saying that a beggar was defiling an official's presence and so he drew himself away to the outside of the gate and only bowed his head in shame as he waited. Chen Shan entered the official's residence and met with District Superintendent Mi, exchanging formal pleasantries over tea before being invited into the study to sit at ease. He felt it the right time to raise the matter.

"I've got a friend of ours outside waiting to see you" he said.

"Who?"

"A man you once visited named Hu Dahong."

"Isn't that the Squire Hu with the banking business and warehouses in Pingan Street?"

"Indeed it is."

"Well, let's call him in at once!" said the official. A page boy was hurriedly instructed to run out and fetch him.

"I haven't seen the likes of any Squire Hu," said the guard. But the squire, hanging down his head at the outside opening of the gateway tunnel overheard and came over.

"I'm Squire Hu" he announced to the astonished laughter of the onlookers.

"Well, in all my days!" said one of the crowd. "I've set foot in four hundred district commanderies all around this land and never seen a "squire" like you! Hah! If you're a Squire, I'm a Grand Secretary"!

The guard blocked him from entering. Squire Hu then shouted loudly for Professor Chen, but at that moment who should appear coming out of the dwelling but an old man by the name of Liu Yi, Mi Bida's trusted servant long known for his loyalty. He had accompanied Mi on his last assignment and just recently returned. He had been present on that day three years before when Mi Bida borrowed the silver and it was he who received it and carried it home, making a few journeys there and back in the process. Although the Squire had been through some changes the old servant still recognized his face at once. Telling the guard to stand aside he came forth and welcomed Squire Hu, who then explained in brief the disaster that had befallen him and the reason for that day's visit.

"Our master has called for you, so I'm sure there'll be some good news!" said Liu Yi. He then led the Squire into the residence, where our local scholar Chen spotted him and hurriedly stood. Now when Superintendent Mi first caught sight of that poor fellow dressed in rags he felt deceived for a moment and did a double-take. Squire Hu walked over and bowed ever so respectfully and deeply, clasping his hands before him.

"Your excellency, it's been a long time!" he said dramatically.

The official wave his hand lightly as if to dismiss him, then sat as before.

"Who is this man?" he asked Professor Chen.

"Why, it's Squire Hu Dahong!" answered Chen Shan.

Mi Bida deliberately rubbed his eyes and stared repeatedly. "Three years since we last parted and already I don't recognize you." Not bowing and looking away from the visitor, Mi Bida told him to be seated. This left Chen Shan as a sort of go-between, half guest and half host, and Mi seated himself facing them both. Squire Hu was uneasy with Superintendent Mi's long silence and stated his business.

"Your lowly subject has a matter to discuss that he's been unsure about raising with your excellency."

Mi Bida feigned ignorance. "And what might that business be?"

"To start at the beginning, three years ago when I had my warehouses and my family was in good straits your excellency contracted with me to borrow three hundred ounces of silver at twenty percent interest. When your excellency took up official duties in Jizhou I, your subject, didn't dare mention it. I'm here today only because my fate has taken such a bitter turn. My warehouses, home and land have been wiped out or else made worthless by a fire sent by Heaven's own lightning. It burnt everything and left not a blade of grass, leaving us hungry and dressed in rags. We live from hand to mouth in constant hardship, from day to day. As your excellency has now returned for a visit I've come just to plead for your understanding with this matter. I don't dare ask for the interest, only the principal so that I may have it available as capital to reconstruct my life, with your excellency's usual kindness and grace."

"When I needed funds to gain office I only borrowed a hundred ounces for the purpose, certainly not as much as you claim. I paid it back with interest a year after I arrived in Jizhou. What's all this talk of so many ounces of silver?"

"Your highness doesn't remember well, as it was indeed three hundred ounces and it hasn't yet been repaid!"

"If I haven't paid it back you must still have the contract. Why don't you produce it so we can have a look and know for sure?"

"The contract was burnt up in the fire too." Squire Hu then pointed at scholar Chen. "The witness and guarantor of the contract is here to back me up."

"I handled everything, and I can say it hasn't been repaid," said Chen Shan; "I think that maybe your excellency doesn't recall correctly..."

"That's why common sense dictates to get it in writing!" exclaimed Mi, his face changing. "That's the only way to prevent these disputes. Without the original contract you two can say I owe you three hundred, three thousand or whatever you like!"

Chen Shan knew that the official had simply forgotten all about it. "I beg your honor to reconsider!" he pleaded. "I swear by Heaven that our reckoning is correct. Please take your time to think about the matter!"

"Look!" said Squire Hu, laughing, I 'don't dare insist on three hundred or even two hundred for that matter. Anything your excellency can offer would be fine!"

Mi Bida was furious and rose in a huff. "You two wheedle and whine the same beggar's act, just after my cash for no good reason. If you came by with a contract of mine I'd even give you three thousand if that's what it said. Without a contract don't even think about getting your hands on one broken copper coin of mine!"

Having spoken he turned and went back into his quarters. Old Liu Yi heard that the master sounded unhappy and just tried to be agreeable, although he knew the truth of the matter from the beginning and still had a bit of a conscience. So he waited for the pair at the main gate where Squire Hu and Scholar Chen angrily exited.

"Squire, please relax, let me take care of everything and get the master to reconsider. It's sure to come out all right in the end. Anyway, I guess you're hungry after half a day here so if you don't mind I'd like to treat you both to noodles at my favorite shop. Come on, Professor, how about joining us?"

Now Chen Shan was filled with anger and had no desire to eat Liu Yi's food. But seeing the hunger on Squire Hu's face he feared that declining the invitation might cause his friend to miss this meal. He had no choice but to go along with them for Squire Hu's sake. And so Liu Yi led the squire and the scholar both down a side-street and into a secluded nearby restaurant where Squire Hu was really to be rescued from his dire straits, to be saved in fact from the clutches of death. It was like this: