ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡
my name is red-ÎÒµÄÃû×ֽкì-µÚ3²¿·Ö
¿ì½Ý²Ù×÷: °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿! Èç¹û±¾ÊéûÓÐÔĶÁÍ꣬ÏëÏ´μÌÐø½Ó×ÅÔĶÁ£¬¿ÉʹÓÃÉÏ·½ "Êղص½ÎÒµÄä¯ÀÀÆ÷" ¹¦ÄÜ ºÍ "¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©" ¹¦ÄÜ£¡
woman£¿¡¡Only¡¡tinsmiths¡¡could¡¡be¡¡responsible¡¡for¡¡the¡¡slander¡¡that¡¡a¡¡pot¡¡licked¡¡
by¡¡a¡¡dog¡¡must¡¡be¡¡thrown¡¡away¡¡or¡¡retinned¡£¡¡Or¡¡perhaps£»¡¡yes£»¡¡cats¡¡¡
When¡¡people¡¡left¡¡their¡¡villages¡¡for¡¡the¡¡sedentary¡¡life¡¡of¡¡the¡¡city£»¡¡shepherd¡¡
dogs¡¡remained¡¡in¡¡the¡¡provinces£»¡¡that¡¯s¡¡when¡¡rumors¡¡of¡¡the¡¡filthiness¡¡of¡¡dogs¡¡
like¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡began¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡spread¡£¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡advent¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Islam£»¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡twelve¡¡
months¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡year¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡°months¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡dog¡£¡±¡¡¡¡Now£»¡¡¡¡however£»¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡is¡¡
considered¡¡a¡¡bad¡¡omen¡£¡¡I¡¡don¡¯t¡¡want¡¡to¡¡burden¡¡you¡¡with¡¡my¡¡own¡¡problems£»¡¡
my¡¡dear¡¡friends¡¡who¡¡have¡¡e¡¡to¡¡hear¡¡a¡¡story¡¡and¡¡ponder¡¡its¡¡moral¡ªto¡¡be¡¡
honest£»¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡anger¡¡¡¡arises¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡esteemed¡¡¡¡cleric¡¯s¡¡¡¡attacks¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡our¡¡
coffeehouses¡£¡¡
15¡¡
¡¡
What¡¡would¡¡you¡¡think¡¡if¡¡I¡¡said¡¡that¡¡this¡¡Husret¡¡of¡¡Erzurum¡¡was¡¡of¡¡dubious¡¡
birth£¿¡¡But¡¡they¡¯ve¡¡also¡¡said¡¡of¡¡me£»¡¡¡°What¡¡kind¡¡of¡¡dog¡¡do¡¡you¡¡think¡¡you¡¡are£¿¡¡
You¡¯re¡¡attacking¡¡the¡¡venerable¡¡cleric¡¡because¡¡your¡¡master¡¡is¡¡a¡¡picture¡hanging¡¡
storyteller¡¡who¡¡tells¡¡tales¡¡at¡¡a¡¡coffeehouse¡¡and¡¡you¡¡want¡¡to¡¡protect¡¡him¡£¡¡Go¡¡
on£»¡¡scat£¡¡±¡¡God¡¡forbid£»¡¡I¡¯m¡¡not¡¡denigrating¡¡anyone¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¯m¡¡a¡¡great¡¡admirer¡¡of¡¡
our¡¡coffeehouses¡£¡¡You¡¡know£»¡¡I¡¡have¡¡no¡¡problem¡¡with¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡that¡¡my¡¡portrait¡¡
was¡¡drawn¡¡on¡¡such¡¡cheap¡¡paper¡¡or¡¡that¡¡I¡¯m¡¡a¡¡four¡legged¡¡beast£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡do¡¡regret¡¡
that¡¡I¡¡can¡¯t¡¡sit¡¡down¡¡like¡¡a¡¡man¡¡and¡¡have¡¡a¡¡cup¡¡of¡¡coffee¡¡with¡¡you¡£¡¡We¡¯d¡¡die¡¡
for¡¡our¡¡coffee¡¡and¡¡our¡¡coffeehouses¡ªwhat¡¯s¡¡this£¿¡¡See£»¡¡my¡¡master¡¡is¡¡pouring¡¡
coffee¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡small¡¡¡¡coffeepot¡£¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡picture¡¡¡¡can¡¯t¡¡¡¡drink¡¡¡¡coffee£»¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡say£¿¡¡
Please£¡¡¡See¡¡for¡¡yourselves£»¡¡this¡¡dog¡¡is¡¡happily¡¡lapping¡¡away¡£¡¡
Ah£»¡¡¡¡yes£»¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡hit¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡spot£»¡¡¡¡it¡¯s¡¡¡¡warmed¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡up£»¡¡¡¡sharpened¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡sight¡¡¡¡and¡¡
quickened¡¡my¡¡thoughts¡£¡¡Now¡¡listen¡¡to¡¡what¡¡I¡¡have¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡you£º¡¡Besides¡¡bolts¡¡of¡¡
Chinese¡¡¡¡silks¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡Chinese¡¡¡¡pottery¡¡¡¡adorned¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡blue¡¡¡¡flowers£»¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡the¡¡
Veian¡¡¡¡Doge¡¡¡¡send¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡Nurhayat¡¡¡¡Sultan£»¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡esteemed¡¡¡¡daughter¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡our¡¡
respected¡¡Sultan£¿¡¡A¡¡soft¡¡and¡¡cuddly¡¡Veian¡¡she¡dog¡¡with¡¡a¡¡coat¡¡of¡¡silk¡¡and¡¡
sable¡£¡¡I¡¡heard¡¡that¡¡this¡¡bitch¡¡is¡¡so¡¡spoiled¡¡she¡¡has¡¡a¡¡red¡¡silk¡¡dress¡¡as¡¡well¡£¡¡One¡¡of¡¡
our¡¡friends¡¡actually¡¡fucked¡¡her£»¡¡that¡¯s¡¡how¡¡I¡¡know£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡can¡¯t¡¡even¡¡engage¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡act¡¡without¡¡her¡¡dress¡£¡¡In¡¡that¡¡Frankish¡¡land¡¡of¡¡hers£»¡¡all¡¡dogs¡¡wear¡¡outfits¡¡
like¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡anyway¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¯ve¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡tell¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡so¡called¡¡¡¡elegant¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡well¡
bred¡¡Veian¡¡woman¡¡saw¡¡a¡¡naked¡¡dog¡ªor¡¡maybe¡¡she¡¡saw¡¡its¡¡thing£»¡¡I¡¯m¡¡not¡¡
sure¡ªanyway£»¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡screamed£»¡¡¡¡¡°My¡¡¡¡dear¡¡¡¡God£»¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡naked£¡¡±¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡fainted¡¡
dead¡¡away¡£¡¡
In¡¡the¡¡lands¡¡of¡¡the¡¡infidel¡¡Franks£»¡¡the¡¡so¡called¡¡Europeans£»¡¡every¡¡dog¡¡has¡¡an¡¡
owner¡£¡¡These¡¡poor¡¡animals¡¡are¡¡paraded¡¡on¡¡the¡¡streets¡¡with¡¡chains¡¡around¡¡their¡¡
necks£»¡¡they¡¯re¡¡fettered¡¡like¡¡the¡¡most¡¡miserable¡¡of¡¡slaves¡¡and¡¡dragged¡¡around¡¡in¡¡
isolation¡£¡¡These¡¡Franks¡¡force¡¡the¡¡poor¡¡beasts¡¡into¡¡their¡¡homes¡¡and¡¡even¡¡into¡¡
their¡¡beds¡£¡¡Dogs¡¡aren¡¯t¡¡permitted¡¡to¡¡walk¡¡with¡¡one¡¡another£»¡¡let¡¡alone¡¡sniff¡¡and¡¡
frolic¡¡together¡£¡¡In¡¡that¡¡despicable¡¡state£»¡¡in¡¡chains£»¡¡they¡¡can¡¡do¡¡nothing¡¡but¡¡gaze¡¡
forlornly¡¡at¡¡each¡¡other¡¡from¡¡a¡¡distance¡¡when¡¡they¡¡pass¡¡on¡¡the¡¡street¡£¡¡Dogs¡¡who¡¡
roam¡¡the¡¡streets¡¡of¡¡Istanbul¡¡freely¡¡in¡¡packs¡¡and¡¡munities£»¡¡the¡¡way¡¡we¡¡do£»¡¡
dogs¡¡who¡¡threaten¡¡people¡¡if¡¡necessary£»¡¡who¡¡can¡¡curl¡¡up¡¡in¡¡a¡¡warm¡¡corner¡¡or¡¡
stretch¡¡out¡¡in¡¡the¡¡shade¡¡and¡¡sleep¡¡peacefully£»¡¡and¡¡who¡¡can¡¡shit¡¡wherever¡¡they¡¡
want¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡bite¡¡¡¡whomever¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡want£»¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡dogs¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡beyond¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡infidels¡¯¡¡
conception¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¯s¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡haven¡¯t¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡the¡¡
followers¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Erzurumi¡¡oppose¡¡praying¡¡for¡¡dogs¡¡and¡¡feeding¡¡them¡¡meat¡¡on¡¡
the¡¡streets¡¡of¡¡Istanbul¡¡in¡¡exchange¡¡for¡¡divine¡¡favors¡¡and¡¡even¡¡why¡¡they¡¡oppose¡¡
the¡¡establishment¡¡of¡¡charities¡¡that¡¡perform¡¡such¡¡services¡£¡¡If¡¡they¡¡intend¡¡both¡¡
16¡¡
¡¡
to¡¡treat¡¡us¡¡as¡¡enemies¡¡and¡¡make¡¡infidels¡¡of¡¡us£»¡¡let¡¡me¡¡remind¡¡them¡¡that¡¡being¡¡
an¡¡enemy¡¡to¡¡dogs¡¡and¡¡being¡¡an¡¡infidel¡¡are¡¡one¡¡and¡¡the¡¡same¡£¡¡At¡¡the£»¡¡I¡¡hope£»¡¡
not¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡distant¡¡¡¡executions¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡disgraceful¡¡¡¡men£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡pray¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡executioner¡¡
friends¡¡¡¡invite¡¡¡¡us¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡bite£»¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡sometimes¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡set¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡deterring¡¡
example¡£¡¡
Before¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡finish£»¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡this£º¡¡¡¡My¡¡¡¡previous¡¡¡¡master¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡man¡£¡¡
When¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡set¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡thieve£»¡¡¡¡we¡¯d¡¡¡¡cooperate£º¡¡¡¡I¡¯d¡¡¡¡begin¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡bark£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡
he¡¯d¡¡cut¡¡the¡¡throat¡¡of¡¡our¡¡victim¡¡whose¡¡screams¡¡would¡¡be¡¡drowned¡¡out¡¡by¡¡my¡¡
barking¡£¡¡In¡¡return¡¡for¡¡my¡¡help£»¡¡he¡¯d¡¡cut¡¡up¡¡the¡¡guilty¡¡men¡¡that¡¡he¡¯d¡¡punished£»¡¡
boil¡¡them¡¡and¡¡feed¡¡them¡¡to¡¡me¡£¡¡I¡¡don¡¯t¡¡like¡¡raw¡¡meat¡£¡¡God¡¡willing£»¡¡the¡¡would¡
be¡¡¡¡executioner¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡cleric¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡Erzurum¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡account¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡I¡¡
won¡¯t¡¡upset¡¡my¡¡stomach¡¡with¡¡that¡¡scoundrel¡¯s¡¡raw¡¡flesh¡£¡¡
¡¡
¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡
17¡¡
¡¡
I¡¡WILL¡¡BE¡¡CALLED¡¡A¡¡MURDERER¡¡
¡¡
Nay£»¡¡I¡¡wouldn¡¯t¡¡have¡¡believed¡¡I¡¡could¡¡take¡¡anyone¡¯s¡¡life£»¡¡even¡¡if¡¡I¡¯d¡¡been¡¡told¡¡
so¡¡moments¡¡before¡¡I¡¡murdered¡¡that¡¡fool£»¡¡and¡¡thus£»¡¡my¡¡offense¡¡at¡¡times¡¡recedes¡¡
from¡¡me¡¡like¡¡a¡¡foreign¡¡galleon¡¡disappearing¡¡on¡¡the¡¡horizon¡£¡¡Now¡¡and¡¡again£»¡¡I¡¡
even¡¡¡¡feel¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡haven¡¯t¡¡¡¡mitted¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡crime¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡all¡£¡¡¡¡Four¡¡¡¡days¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡passed¡¡
since¡¡I¡¡was¡¡forced¡¡to¡¡do¡¡away¡¡with¡¡hapless¡¡Elegant£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡a¡¡brother¡¡to¡¡me£»¡¡
and¡¡only¡¡now¡¡have¡¡I£»¡¡to¡¡some¡¡extent£»¡¡accepted¡¡my¡¡situation¡£¡¡
I¡¡would¡¯ve¡¡preferred¡¡to¡¡resolve¡¡this¡¡unexpected¡¡and¡¡awful¡¡dilemma¡¡without¡¡
having¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡anybody£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡choice¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡
handled¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡matter¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡there£»¡¡¡¡assuming¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡burden¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡responsibility¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡
couldn¡¯t¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡false¡¡¡¡accusations¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡foolhardy¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡endanger¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡entire¡¡
society¡¡of¡¡miniaturists¡£¡¡
Nevertheless£»¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡murderer¡¡¡¡takes¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡getting¡¡¡¡used¡¡¡¡to¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡can¡¯t¡¡¡¡stand¡¡
being¡¡at¡¡home£»¡¡so¡¡I¡¡head¡¡out¡¡to¡¡the¡¡street¡£¡¡I¡¡can¡¯t¡¡stand¡¡my¡¡street£»¡¡so¡¡I¡¡walk¡¡on¡¡
to¡¡another£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡another¡£¡¡As¡¡I¡¡stare¡¡at¡¡people¡¯s¡¡faces£»¡¡I¡¡realize¡¡that¡¡many¡¡of¡¡
them¡¡believe¡¡they¡¯re¡¡innocent¡¡because¡¡they¡¡haven¡¯t¡¡yet¡¡had¡¡the¡¡opportunity¡¡to¡¡
snuff¡¡out¡¡a¡¡life¡£¡¡It¡¯s¡¡hard¡¡to¡¡believe¡¡that¡¡most¡¡men¡¡are¡¡more¡¡moral¡¡or¡¡better¡¡
than¡¡me¡¡simply¡¡on¡¡account¡¡of¡¡some¡¡minor¡¡twist¡¡of¡¡fate¡£¡¡At¡¡most£»¡¡they¡¡wear¡¡
somewhat¡¡¡¡stupider¡¡¡¡expressions¡¡¡¡because¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡haven¡¯t¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡killed£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡all¡¡
fools£»¡¡they¡¡appear¡¡to¡¡have¡¡good¡¡intentions¡£¡¡After¡¡I¡¡took¡¡care¡¡of¡¡that¡¡pathetic¡¡
man£»¡¡wandering¡¡the¡¡streets¡¡of¡¡Istanbul¡¡for¡¡four¡¡days¡¡was¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡confirm¡¡
that¡¡everyone¡¡with¡¡a¡¡gleam¡¡of¡¡cleverness¡¡in¡¡his¡¡eye¡¡and¡¡the¡¡shadow¡¡of¡¡his¡¡soul¡¡
cast¡¡across¡¡his¡¡face¡¡was¡¡a¡¡hidden¡¡assassin¡£¡¡Only¡¡imbeciles¡¡are¡¡innocent¡£¡¡
Tonight£»¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡example£»¡¡¡¡while¡¡¡¡warming¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡steaming¡¡¡¡coffee¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡
coffeehouse¡¡located¡¡in¡¡the¡¡back¡¡streets¡¡of¡¡the¡¡slave¡¡market£»¡¡gazing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡sketch¡¡
of¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡hanging¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡wall£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡gradually¡¡¡¡forgetting¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡plight¡¡¡¡and¡¡
laughing¡¡with¡¡the¡¡rest¡¡of¡¡them¡¡at¡¡everything¡¡the¡¡dog¡¡recounted¡£¡¡Then£»¡¡I¡¡had¡¡
the¡¡¡¡sensation¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡beside¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡mon¡¡¡¡murderer¡¡¡¡like¡¡
myself¡£¡¡Though¡¡he¡¡was¡¡simply¡¡laughing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡storyteller¡¡as¡¡I¡¡was£»¡¡my¡¡intuition¡¡
was¡¡¡¡sparked£»¡¡¡¡either¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡arm¡¡¡¡rested¡¡¡¡near¡¡¡¡mine¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡he¡¡
restlessly¡¡¡¡rapped¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡fingers¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡cup¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¯m¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡sure¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡knew£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡I¡¡
suddenly¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡directly¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡eye¡£¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡gave¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡start¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡his¡¡
face¡¡contorted¡£¡¡As¡¡the¡¡crowd¡¡dispersed£»¡¡an¡¡acquaintance¡¡of¡¡his¡¡took¡¡him¡¡by¡¡the¡¡
arm¡¡and¡¡said£»¡¡¡°Nusret¡¡Hoja¡¯s¡¡men¡¡will¡¡surely¡¡raid¡¡this¡¡place¡£¡±¡¡
18¡¡
¡¡
Raising¡¡an¡¡eyebrow£»¡¡he¡¡signaled¡¡the¡¡man¡¡quiet¡£¡¡Their¡¡fear¡¡infected¡¡me¡£¡¡No¡¡
one¡¡trusted¡¡anyone£»¡¡everyone¡¡expected¡¡to¡¡be¡¡done¡¡in¡¡at¡¡any¡¡moment¡¡by¡¡the¡¡
man¡¡next¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡
It¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡bee¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡colder£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡snow¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡accumulated¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡street¡¡¡¡corners¡¡
and¡¡at¡¡the¡¡bases¡¡of¡¡walls¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡¡blindness¡¡of¡¡night£»¡¡I¡¡could¡¡find¡¡my¡¡way¡¡along¡¡
the¡¡narrow¡¡streets¡¡only¡¡by¡¡groping¡¡with¡¡my¡¡hands¡£¡¡At¡¡times£»¡¡the¡¡dim¡¡light¡¡of¡¡
an¡¡oil¡¡lamp¡¡still¡¡burning¡¡somewhere¡¡inside¡¡a¡¡wooden¡¡house¡¡filtered¡¡out¡¡from¡¡
behind¡¡¡¡blackened¡¡¡¡windows¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡drawn¡¡¡¡shutters£»¡¡¡¡reflecting¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡snow£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡
mostly£»¡¡I¡¡could¡¡see¡¡nothing£»¡¡and¡¡found¡¡my¡¡way¡¡by¡¡listening¡¡for¡¡the¡¡sounds¡¡of¡¡
watchmen¡¡banging¡¡their¡¡sticks¡¡on¡¡stones£»¡¡for¡¡the¡¡howling¡¡of¡¡mad¡¡dogs£»¡¡or¡¡the¡¡
sounds¡¡ing¡¡from¡¡houses¡£¡¡At¡¡times¡¡the¡¡narrow¡¡and¡¡dreadful¡¡streets¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
city¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡lit¡¡up¡¡by¡¡a¡¡wondrous¡¡light¡¡ing¡¡from¡¡the¡¡snow¡¡itself£»¡¡and¡¡
in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡darkness£»¡¡¡¡amid¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡ruins¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡trees£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡spotted¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡those¡¡
ghosts¡¡that¡¡have¡¡made¡¡Istanbul¡¡such¡¡an¡¡ominous¡¡place¡¡for¡¡thousands¡¡of¡¡years¡£¡¡
From¡¡¡¡within¡¡¡¡houses£»¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡again£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡noises¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡miserable¡¡¡¡people¡¡
having¡¡coughing¡¡fits¡¡or¡¡snorting¡¡or¡¡wailing¡¡as¡¡they¡¡cried¡¡out¡¡in¡¡their¡¡dreams£»¡¡
or¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡shouts¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡husbands¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡wives¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡tried¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡strangle¡¡¡¡each¡¡
other£»¡¡their¡¡children¡¡sobbing¡¡at¡¡their¡¡feet¡£¡¡
For¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡couple¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡nights¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡row£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡coffeehouse¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡relive¡¡¡¡the¡¡
happiness¡¡I¡¯d¡¡felt¡¡before¡¡being¡¡a¡¡murderer£»¡¡to¡¡raise¡¡my¡¡spirits¡¡and¡¡to¡¡listen¡¡
to¡¡the¡¡storyteller¡£¡¡Most¡¡of¡¡my¡¡miniaturist¡¡friends£»¡¡the¡¡brethren¡¡with¡¡whom¡¡I¡¯d¡¡
spent¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡entire¡¡¡¡life£»¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡night¡£¡¡¡¡Since¡¡¡¡I¡¯d¡¡¡¡silenced¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡lout¡¡¡¡with¡¡
whom¡¡I¡¯d¡¡made¡¡illustrations¡¡since¡¡childhood¡¡I¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡want¡¡to¡¡see¡¡any¡¡of¡¡them¡£¡¡
Much¡¡embarrasses¡¡me¡¡about¡¡the¡¡lives¡¡of¡¡my¡¡brethren£»¡¡who¡¡can¡¯t¡¡do¡¡without¡¡
gossiping£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡disgraceful¡¡¡¡atmosphere¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡joviality¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡place¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡
even¡¡sketched¡¡a¡¡few¡¡pictures¡¡for¡¡the¡¡storyteller¡¡so¡¡they¡¡wouldn¡¯t¡¡accuse¡¡me¡¡of¡¡
conceit£»¡¡but¡¡that¡¡failed¡¡to¡¡put¡¡an¡¡end¡¡to¡¡their¡¡envy¡£¡¡
They¡¯re¡¡¡¡justified¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡jealous¡£¡¡¡¡Not¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡surpass¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡in¡¡
mixing¡¡¡¡¡¡colors£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡creating¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡embellishing¡¡¡¡¡¡borders£»¡¡¡¡¡¡posing¡¡¡¡¡¡pages£»¡¡
selecting¡¡¡¡subjects£»¡¡¡¡drawing¡¡¡¡faces£»¡¡¡¡arranging¡¡¡¡bustling¡¡¡¡war¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡hunting¡¡¡¡scenes¡¡
and¡¡depicting¡¡beasts£»¡¡sultans£»¡¡ships£»¡¡horses£»¡¡warriors¡¡and¡¡lovers¡£¡¡Not¡¡one¡¡could¡¡
approach¡¡my¡¡mastery¡¡in¡¡imbuing¡¡illustrations¡¡with¡¡the¡¡poetry¡¡of¡¡the¡¡soul£»¡¡not¡¡
even¡¡in¡¡gilding¡£¡¡I¡¯m¡¡not¡¡bragging£»¡¡but¡¡explaining¡¡this¡¡to¡¡you¡¡so¡¡you¡¡might¡¡fully¡¡
understand¡¡me¡£¡¡Over¡¡time£»¡¡jealousy¡¡bees¡¡an¡¡element¡¡as¡¡indispensable¡¡as¡¡
paint¡¡in¡¡the¡¡life¡¡of¡¡the¡¡master¡¡artist¡£¡¡
During¡¡my¡¡walks£»¡¡which¡¡grow¡¡increasingly¡¡longer¡¡due¡¡to¡¡my¡¡restlessness£»¡¡I¡¡
e¡¡¡¡face¡to¡face¡¡¡¡occasionally¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡pure¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡innocent¡¡
religious¡¡countrymen£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡strange¡¡notion¡¡suddenly¡¡enters¡¡my¡¡head£º¡¡If¡¡I¡¡think¡¡
19¡¡
¡¡
about¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡that¡¡I¡¯m¡¡a¡¡murderer£»¡¡the¡¡man¡¡before¡¡me¡¡will¡¡read¡¡it¡¡on¡¡my¡¡face¡£¡¡
Therefore£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡force¡¡¡¡myself¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡think¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡different¡¡¡¡things£»¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡forced¡¡¡¡myself£»¡¡
writhing¡¡in¡¡embarrassment£»¡¡to¡¡banish¡¡thoughts¡¡of¡¡women¡¡when¡¡performing¡¡
prayers¡¡as¡¡an¡¡adolescent¡£¡¡But¡¡unlike¡¡those¡¡days¡¡of¡¡youthful¡¡fits¡¡when¡¡I¡¡couldn¡¯t¡¡
get¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡act¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡copulation¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡thoughts£»¡¡¡¡now£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡can¡¡¡¡indeed¡¡¡¡forget¡¡¡¡the¡¡
murder¡¡that¡¡I¡¯ve¡¡mitted¡£¡¡
You¡¡realize£»¡¡in¡¡fact£»¡¡that¡¡I¡¯m¡¡explaining¡¡all¡¡these¡¡things¡¡because¡¡they¡¡relate¡¡
to¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡predicament¡£¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡divulge¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡detail¡¡¡¡related¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡
killing¡¡¡¡itself£»¡¡¡¡you¡¯d¡¡¡¡figure¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡relieve¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡a¡¡
nameless£»¡¡¡¡faceless¡¡¡¡murderer¡¡¡¡roaming¡¡¡¡among¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡apparition¡¡¡¡and¡¡
relegate¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡status¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡ordinary£»¡¡¡¡confessed¡¡¡¡criminal¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡given¡¡
himself¡¡up£»¡¡soon¡¡to¡¡pay¡¡for¡¡his¡¡crime¡¡with¡¡his¡¡head¡£¡¡Give¡¡me¡¡the¡¡license¡¡not¡¡to¡¡
dwell¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡single¡¡¡¡detail£»¡¡¡¡allow¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡keep¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡clues¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡myself£º¡¡¡¡Try¡¡¡¡to¡¡
discover¡¡who¡¡I¡¡am¡¡from¡¡my¡¡choice¡¡of¡¡words¡¡and¡¡colors£»¡¡as¡¡attentive¡¡people¡¡like¡¡
yourselves¡¡might¡¡examine¡¡footprints¡¡to¡¡catch¡¡a¡¡thief¡£¡¡This£»¡¡in¡¡turn£»¡¡brings¡¡us¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡issue¡¡of¡¡¡°style£»¡±¡¡which¡¡is¡¡now¡¡of¡¡widespread¡¡interest£º¡¡Does¡¡a¡¡miniaturist£»¡¡
ought¡¡a¡¡miniaturist£»¡¡have¡¡his¡¡own¡¡personal¡¡style£¿¡¡A¡¡use¡¡of¡¡color£»¡¡a¡¡voice¡¡all¡¡his¡¡
own£¿¡¡
Let¡¯s¡¡consider¡¡a¡¡piece¡¡by¡¡Bihzad£»¡¡the¡¡master¡¡of¡¡masters£»¡¡patron¡¡saint¡¡of¡¡all¡¡
miniaturists¡£¡¡I¡¡happened¡¡across¡¡this¡¡masterpiece£»¡¡which¡¡also¡¡nicely¡¡pertains¡¡to¡¡
my¡¡situation¡¡because¡¡it¡¯s¡¡a¡¡depiction¡¡of¡¡murder£»¡¡among¡¡the¡¡pages¡¡of¡¡a¡¡flawless¡¡
niy¡year¡old¡¡¡¡book¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Herat¡¡¡¡school¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡emerged¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡library¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡a¡¡
Persian¡¡prince¡¡killed¡¡in¡¡a¡¡merciless¡¡battle¡¡of¡¡succession¡¡and¡¡recounts¡¡the¡¡story¡¡
of¡¡H¨¹srev¡¡and¡¡Shirin¡£¡¡You£»¡¡of¡¡course£»¡¡know¡¡the¡¡fate¡¡of¡¡H¨¹srev¡¡and¡¡Shirin£»¡¡I¡¡refer¡¡
to¡¡Nizami¡¯s¡¡version£»¡¡not¡¡Firdusi¡¯s£º¡¡
The¡¡two¡¡lovers¡¡finally¡¡marry¡¡after¡¡a¡¡host¡¡of¡¡trials¡¡and¡¡tribulations£»¡¡however£»¡¡
the¡¡young¡¡and¡¡diabolical¡¡Shiruye£»¡¡H¨¹srev¡¯s¡¡son¡¡by¡¡his¡¡previous¡¡wife£»¡¡won¡¯t¡¡give¡¡
them¡¡any¡¡peace¡£¡¡The¡¡prince¡¡has¡¡his¡¡eye¡¡on¡¡not¡¡only¡¡his¡¡father¡¯s¡¡throne¡¡but¡¡also¡¡
his¡¡father¡¯s¡¡young¡¡wife£»¡¡Shirin¡£¡¡Shiruye£»¡¡of¡¡whom¡¡Nizami¡¡writes£»¡¡¡°His¡¡breath¡¡
had¡¡the¡¡stench¡¡of¡¡a¡¡lion¡¯s¡¡mouth£»¡±¡¡by¡¡hook¡¡or¡¡crook¡¡imprisons¡¡his¡¡father¡¡and¡¡
succeeds¡¡to¡¡the¡¡throne¡£¡¡One¡¡night£»¡¡entering¡¡the¡¡bedchamber¡¡of¡¡his¡¡father¡¡and¡¡
Shirin£»¡¡he¡¡feels¡¡his¡¡way¡¡in¡¡the¡¡dark£»¡¡and¡¡on¡¡finding¡¡the¡¡pair¡¡in¡¡bed£»¡¡stabs¡¡his¡¡
father¡¡in¡¡the¡¡chest¡¡with¡¡his¡¡dagger¡£¡¡Thus£»¡¡the¡¡father¡¯s¡¡blood¡¡flows¡¡till¡¡dawn¡¡and¡¡
he¡¡slowly¡¡dies¡¡in¡¡the¡¡bed¡¡that¡¡he¡¡shares¡¡with¡¡the¡¡beautiful¡¡Shirin£»¡¡who¡¡remains¡¡
sleeping¡¡peacefully¡¡beside¡¡him¡£¡¡
This¡¡picture¡¡by¡¡the¡¡great¡¡master¡¡Bihzad£»¡¡as¡¡much¡¡as¡¡the¡¡tale¡¡itself£»¡¡addresses¡¡
a¡¡grave¡¡fear¡¡I¡¯ve¡¡carried¡¡within¡¡me¡¡for¡¡years£º¡¡The¡¡horror¡¡of¡¡waking¡¡in¡¡the¡¡black¡¡
of¡¡night¡¡to¡¡realize¡¡there¡¯s¡¡a¡¡stranger¡¡making¡¡faint¡¡sounds¡¡as¡¡he¡¡creeps¡¡about¡¡
20¡¡
¡¡
the¡¡blackness¡¡of¡¡the¡¡room£¡¡¡Imagine¡¡that¡¡the¡¡intruder¡¡wields¡¡a¡¡dagger¡¡in¡¡one¡¡
hand¡¡as¡¡he¡¡strangles¡¡you¡¡with¡¡the¡¡other¡£¡¡Every¡¡detail£»¡¡the¡¡finely¡¡wrought¡¡wall£»¡¡
window¡¡and¡¡frame¡¡ornamentation£»¡¡the¡¡curves¡¡and¡¡circular¡¡designs¡¡in¡¡the¡¡red¡¡
rug£»¡¡the¡¡color¡¡of¡¡the¡¡silent¡¡scream¡¡emanating¡¡from¡¡your¡¡clamped¡¡throat¡¡and¡¡
the¡¡yellow¡¡and¡¡purple¡¡flowers¡¡embroidered¡¡with¡¡incredible¡¡finesse¡¡and¡¡vigor¡¡
on¡¡the¡¡magnificent¡¡quilt¡¡upon¡¡which¡¡the¡¡bare¡¡and¡¡vile¡¡foot¡¡of¡¡your¡¡murderer¡¡
mercilessly¡¡¡¡steps¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡ends¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡life£»¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡details¡¡¡¡serve¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡same¡¡
purpose£º¡¡While¡¡augmenting¡¡the¡¡beauty¡¡of¡¡the¡¡painting£»¡¡they¡¡remind¡¡you¡¡just¡¡
ho¡¡in¡¡which¡¡you¡¡will¡¡soon¡¡die¡¡and¡¡the¡¡world¡¡you¡¡will¡¡
soon¡¡leave¡£¡¡The¡¡indifference¡¡of¡¡the¡¡painting¡¯s¡¡beauty¡¡and¡¡of¡¡the¡¡world¡¡to¡¡your¡¡
death£»¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡of¡¡your¡¡being¡¡totally¡¡alone¡¡in¡¡death¡¡despite¡¡the¡¡presence¡¡of¡¡your¡¡
wife£»¡¡this¡¡is¡¡the¡¡inescapable¡¡meaning¡¡that¡¡strikes¡¡you¡£¡¡
¡°This¡¡is¡¡by¡¡Bihzad£»¡±¡¡the¡¡aging¡¡master¡¡said¡¡twenty¡¡years¡¡ago¡¡as¡¡we¡¡examined¡¡
the¡¡¡¡book¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡trembling¡¡¡¡hands¡£¡¡¡¡His¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡illuminated¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡the¡¡
nearby¡¡candle£»¡¡but¡¡by¡¡the¡¡pleasure¡¡of¡¡observation¡¡itself¡£¡¡¡°This¡¡is¡¡so¡¡Bihzad¡¡that¡¡
there¡¯s¡¡no¡¡need¡¡for¡¡a¡¡signature¡£¡±¡¡
Bihzad¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡well¡¡¡¡aware¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡fact¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡¡¡hide¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡signature¡¡
anywhere¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡painting¡£¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡according¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡elderly¡¡¡¡master£»¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡a¡¡
sense¡¡of¡¡embarrassment¡¡and¡¡a¡¡feeling¡¡of¡¡shame¡¡in¡¡this¡¡decision¡¡of¡¡his¡£¡¡Where¡¡
there¡¡is¡¡true¡¡art¡¡and¡¡genuine¡¡virtuosity¡¡the¡¡artist¡¡can¡¡paint¡¡an¡¡inparable¡¡
masterpiece¡¡without¡¡leaving¡¡even¡¡a¡¡trace¡¡of¡¡his¡¡identity¡£¡¡
Fearing¡¡for¡¡my¡¡life£»¡¡I¡¡murdered¡¡my¡¡unfortunate¡¡victim¡¡in¡¡an¡¡ordinary¡¡and¡¡
crude¡¡¡¡manner¡£¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡returned¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡fire¡ravaged¡¡¡¡area¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡to¡¡
ascertain¡¡whether¡¡I¡¯d¡¡left¡¡behind¡¡any¡¡traces¡¡that¡¡might¡¡betray¡¡me£»¡¡questions¡¡of¡¡
style¡¡increasingly¡¡arose¡¡in¡¡my¡¡head¡£¡¡What¡¡was¡¡venerated¡¡as¡¡style¡¡was¡¡nothing¡¡
more¡¡than¡¡an¡¡imperfection¡¡or¡¡flaw¡¡that¡¡revealed¡¡the¡¡guilty¡¡hand¡£¡¡
I¡¡could¡¯ve¡¡located¡¡this¡¡place¡¡even¡¡without¡¡the¡¡brilliance¡¡of¡¡the¡¡falling¡¡snow£»¡¡
for¡¡this¡¡spot£»¡¡razed¡¡by¡¡fire£»
¿ì½Ý²Ù×÷: °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿!
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԴ´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡