One day, Song Hong walked through the market. He saw some fans.
“Oh, Politician Song!” the old man selling fans exclaimed.
Song Hong smiled.
Anything new?” Song Hong asked.
The old man picked up a fan and opened it.
“How is this drawing?”
“Hmm, nice. How much does it cost?”
“Oh, if you like it, you can have it!”
“How can I? You must receive pay.” Song Hong exclaimed.
Song Hong took out a handful of money and paid the old man.
“Oh no, this is too much.” the old man said.
“Oh well, you deserve it.” Song Hong replied.
“But you helped us so much!”
“I’m supposed to. You can go buy some wine, or go to a restaurant. ” Song Hong smiled, took the fan, and walked away.
Just then, a homeless ran to the old man.
“Is that Song Hong?” he asked, out of breath.
“Yes, the great politician. He’s so wealthy, but he still cares for an old man like me.”
The homeless ran down the street.
Song Hong passed the carriage of the King’s sister herself.
Did he know it? Probably not.
The king’s sister stared at him in awe.
Just then, the homeless called, ” Song Hong! Politician!”
“Song Hong?” she repeated quietly as her carriage sped away.
“Xiao Liu?” Song Hong exclaimed.” Is it you? It’s been years! Do you have a home?”
Xiao Liu stayed quiet.
“Why don’t you move in? ” Song Hong offered after a while.
“I can’t! How could I?”
“Oh come on, you’re a person too.”
When the king’s sister returned to the palace, the king asked her:
“How about politician Liu?” he asked, with the same answer.
She shook her head.
“Even if Politician Liu has good looks, he’s nothing compared to Song Hong.”
“Song Hong?” the king repeated.
The king had a talk with Song Hong, and brought up the marriage to his sister.
Song Hong refused.
Later in the day, the king’s sister asked,
“ I heard you met with Song Hong. What did he say?”
“*Sigh* You’d best forget it.”
“WHY?!” she demanded.
“He refused.”
Back at Song Hong’s house, he poured wine for Xiao Liu.
“Politician Song! I could really do this myself.”
“What are you calling me? Please just call me Song Hong or Brother Song.”
“Brother Song…”
“Ah, that’s right.”
The two chatted and ate, and Xiao Liu knew that Song Hong was a great politician.
Translated by Liana. 8/13/12.
