Chinese Merry Tales (1909)/The Man Who Had More Right

Chapter XII.— The Man Who Had More Right.  (有理.)

THERE was a mandarin who was exceedingly greedy. Whenever there is a trial, he sends for the plaintiff and defendant a few days ahead to talk with them. One day there were two parties who had a law suit. The accuser first sent in a present of fifty taels of silver. When the accused heard of this, he doubled the amount and presented 100 taels of silver. "When the date of trial arrived, the magistrate did not ask which was right or wrong, but ordered the plaintiff to be beaten. The plaintiff made a sign with his fingers, the sign of five, and said: "I have more right." The magistrate said: "You slave, why do you say you have more right?"

He made signs with his fingers, turning the palm of his hand up and down, representing the amount 100. Permitting the plaintiff to see this, the magistrate said: "The defendant has more right."