# The Propitious Dissension Between Two Whose General Attributes Have Already Been Sufficiently Described explained — Kai Lung’s Golden Hours > Chapter companion for Kai Lung’s Golden Hours by Ernest Bramah. ## What happens Kai Lung finishes his story of Chang Tao, pleasing Shan Tien, who privately invites him to recount a fuller version. Ming-shu interrupts, accusing Shan Tien of leniency and demanding Kai Lung's execution. A dispute arises over Kai Lung's storytelling prowess, leading Ming-shu to cite the proverb 'even Yuen Yan once cast a missile at the Tablets.' Shan Tien challenges Kai Lung to tell the story behind the proverb, thereby incriminating Ming-shu. Kai Lung begins the tale of Yuen Yan, a once-aspiring mandarin reduced to leading blind beggars, and his rival Ho. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Power of Storytelling and Art Kai Lung's storytelling is central to the chapter, as he uses tales to navigate his perilous situation and even to incriminate Ming-shu, demonstrating the power of narrative. ### Social Class and Hierarchy The tension between Shan Tien's authority and Ming-shu's accusations, along with Yuen Yan's fall from aspiring mandarin to beggar leader, underscores class dynamics. ### Wisdom and Cunning Kai Lung's cleverness in using stories to deflect danger and Shan Tien's strategic test of Ming-shu highlight the value of wit and intelligence. ### Survival and Resilience Yuen Yan's perseverance despite poverty and Kai Lung's ability to survive through storytelling both exemplify resilience in the face of adversity. ## Character check-ins ### Kai Lung Completes the story of Chang Tao, then is challenged by Shan Tien to tell a fuller version; later tasked with telling the story behind the proverb about Yuen Yan. ### Shan Tien Praises Kai Lung's story, invites him privately, and defends his storytelling against Ming-shu's accusations; sets the test for Kai Lung to tell the Yuen Yan story. ### Ming - shu Interrupts the private meeting, accuses Shan Tien of leniency, and demands Kai Lung's execution; cites the proverb about Yuen Yan to challenge Kai Lung. ### Yuen Yan Central figure of the embedded story; a once-ambitious youth reduced to leading blind beggars, known for his unwavering adherence to The Virtues despite poverty. ### Ho A rival beggar leader in the story of Yuen Yan, described as aggressive and unscrupulous, who disrupts merchants and competitors alike. ### Tsae - Che Mentioned in the title of the embedded story as the wife of the barber Chou-Hu, though not yet appearing in the excerpt. ### Chou - Hu Mentioned in the title of the embedded story as the barber, though not yet appearing in the excerpt. ## Key lines > Discretion is the handmaiden of Truth Being careful and tactful helps serve the truth. _Kai Lung uses this proverb to justify omitting certain details from his story for the public audience._ > Do not despair; even Yuen Yan once cast a missile at the Tablets! Don't lose hope; even the most virtuous person can have a moment of rebellion. _Ming-shu cites this proverb to challenge Kai Lung, implying that even the righteous can falter._ > Better an earth-lined cave from which the stars are visible than a golden pagoda roofed over with iniquity It is better to live humbly and honestly than to be wealthy through wrongdoing. _Yuen Yan quotes the philosopher Nin-hyo to justify his contentment with poverty._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kai_lung_s_golden_hours_se/chapters/ix-the-propitious-dissension-between-two-whose-general-attributes-have-already-been-sufficiently-described - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kai_lung_s_golden_hours_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kai_lung_s_golden_hours_se/chapters