to be removed into Hochien and was to depart immediately. And while they sent an escort to remove the lady a strong guard was placed about her brother's dwelling. They took away his seal of office and he, knowing this was the end, committed suicide in his private apartments. His dependents, who wailed his death, were driven off by the guards.

Two of the eunuchs having lost their patroness, sent large gifts to Ho Chin's younger brother Miao and his mother, and thus got them to put in a good word to the Empress Dowager Ho so as to gain her protection. And so they gained favour once more at court.

A few months later the secret emissaries of Ho Chin murdered Tung T'ai-hou in her residence in the country. Her remains were brought to the capital and buried. Ho Chin feigned illness and did not attend the funeral.

Yüan Shao went one day to see Ho Chin to tell him that two eunuchs, Chang Jang and Tuan Kuei, were spreading the report outside that Ho Chin had caused the death of the late empress dowager and was aiming at the throne. He urged Ho to make this an excuse to put them finally out of the way. Shao pointed out how Tou Wu had missed his chance because the secret had not been kept and urged upon him the ease with which they could be destroyed under the then favourable conditions. It was a heaven-sent opportunity.

But Ho Chin replied, "Let me think it over.'

His servants secretly told the intended victims, who sent further gifts to the younger brother. Corrupted by these he went in to speak with his sister and said, "The General is the chief support of the new Emperor, yet he is not gracious and merciful but thinks wholly of slaughter. If he slay the eunuchs without cause, it may bring about revolution."

Soon after her brother entered and told her of his design to put the eunuchs to death. She argued with him. She said that they looked after palace affairs and were old servants. To kill the old servants just after the death of their master would appear disrespectful to the Dynasty. And as Ho was of a vacillating mind he murmured assent and left her. "What about it?" said Shao on meeting him. "She will not consent; what can be done?" "Call up an army and slay them; it is imperative. mind her consent.'

"That is an excellent plan," said Ho.

Never

And he sent orders all round to march soldiers to the capital. But the Recorder, Ch'ên Lin, said, "Nay; do not act blindly. The proverb says 'To cover the eyes and snatch at swallows is to fool one's self.' If in so small a matter you cannot attain your wish, what of great affairs? Now by virtue of the imperial prestige and with the army under your hand you may do as you please. To use such enormous powers against the

eunuchs would resemble lighting up a furnace to burn a hair. But act promptly; use your powers and smite at once and all the Empire will be with you. But to summon forces to the capital, to gather many bold men into one spot, each with his own schemes, is to turn one's weapons against one's own person, to place one's self in the power of another. Nothing but failure can come of it, nothing but confusion."

"The view of a mere book-worm," said Ho with a smile. Then one of those about him suddenly clapped his hands, crying

"It is as easy as turning over one's hand! why so much talk?" The speaker was Ts'ao Ts'ao.

Wouldst thou withdraw wicked men from thy prince's side
Then seek counsel of the wise men of the State.

What Ts'ao Ts'ao said will be disclosed in later chapters.

CHAPTER III.

TUNG CHO SILENCES TING YUAN:

LI SU BRIBES LU PU.

What Ts'ao Ts'ao said was this: "The eunuch evil is of very

old standing, but the real cause of the present trouble is in the improper influence allowed them by the ruler, and the misplaced favouritism they have enjoyed. But a gaoler would be ample force to employ against the evil. Why increase confusion by summoning troops from the provinces? Any desire to slay them will speedily become known and the plan will fail." "Then Mêng-tê, you have some scheme of your own to further," said Ho with a sneer.

"Ho Chin is the man to throw the empire into confusion," retorted Ts'ao.

Then Ho Chin sent swift, secret letters far and wide.

It must be recalled here that the now powerful Tung Cho had failed in his attempt to destroy the Yellow Turban rebellion and would have been punished but for the protection of the Ten Eunuchs, whom he had bribed heavily. Later he obtained an important military command in the west. But he was treacherous and disloyal at heart. So when he received the summons to the capital he rejoiced greatly and lost no time in obeying it. He left a son-in-law Niu Fu to hold Shênsi and set out for Loyang.

Li Ju, his adviser and son-in-law said, "Though a formal summons has come there are many obscurities in it. It would be well to send up a memorial stating plainly our aims and intentions. Then we can proceed." So he composed one something like this: "Thy servant knows that the continual rebellions owe their origin to the eunuchs who act counter to all recognised precept. Now to stop the ebullition of a pot the best way is to withdraw the fire; to cut out an abscess, though painful, is better than to nourish the evil. I have dared to undertake a military advance on the capital, and now pray that Chang Jang and the other eunuchs be removed for the happiness of the Dynasty and of the whole land."

Ho Chin read this memorial and showed it to his partisans. Then said Cheng T'ai, “A fierce wild beast; if he come his prey will be men."

Ho Chin replied, "You are too timorous; you are unequal to great schemes."

But Lu Chih also said, "Long have I known this man; in appearance innocent, he is a very wolf at heart. Let him in and calamity enters with him. Stop him; do not let him come and thus will you avoid confusion."

Ho Chin was obstinate and both these men gave up their posts and retired, as did more than half the ministers of State, while Ho Chin sent a warm welcome to Tung Cho, who soon camped at Ying Pool.

The eunuchs knew this move was directed against them and recognised that their only chance for safety was to strike the first blow. So they first hid a band of armed ruffians in the palace at the Gate of Abundant Virtue and then went in to see the Empress.

They said, "The General, feigning to act under command, has called up armies to the capital to destroy us. We pray you, Grandmother, to pity and save us."

Rather

"Go to the General and confess your faults," said she. "If we did then should we be cut to mincemeat. summon the General into your presence and command him to cease. If he will not, then we pray but to die in your presence."

She issued the requisite command and Ho was just going to her when Ch'ên Lin advised him not to enter, saying the eunuchs were certainly behind the order and meant him harm. But Ho could only see the command of the Empress and was blind to all else.

"The plot is no longer a secret"; and Yüan Shan, "still you may go if you are ready to fight your way in."

"Get the eunuchs out first," said Ts'ao Ts'ao.

"Silly children!" said Ho. "What can they do against the man who holds the forces of the Empire in the palm of his hand?"

Shao said, "If you will go, then we will come as a guard, just as a precaution."

Whereupon both he and Ts'ao chose a half company of the best men under their command, at whose head they placed a brother of Yüan Shao, named Shu.

Yüan Shu, clad in mail, drew up his men outside the Chingso Gate while the other two went as escort. When Ho Chin neared the palace the eunuchs said, "The orders are to admit the General and none other." So the escort was detained outside.

Ho Chin went in proudly. At the Gate of Abundant Virtue he was met by the two chief eunuchs and their followers quickly closed in around him. Ho began to feel alarmed. Then Chang Jang in a harsh voice began to revile him.

"What crime had Tung T'ai-hou committed that she should have been put to death? And when the Mother of the Country was buried, who feigned sickness and did not attend? We raised you and your paltry, huckstering family to all the

dignity and wealth you have, and this is your gratitude! You would slay us. You call us sordid and dirty; who is the

cleaner?"

Ho Chin was panic stricken and looked about for a way to escape, but the eunuchs closed him in and then the assassins appeared and did their bloody work.

Closing the days of the Hans, and the years of their rule were
near spent,

Stupid and tactless was Ho Chin, yet stood he highest in office;
Many were they who advised him, but he was deaf as he heard not;
Wherefore fell he a victim under the swords of the eunuchs.

So Ho Chin died. Yüan Shao waited long. By and by, impatient at the delay, he called through the Gate, "Thy carriage waits, O General." For reply the head of the murdered officer was flung over the wall.

A decree was proclaimed that Ho Chin had contemplated treachery and therefore had been slain. It pardoned his adherents. Yüan Shao shouted, "The eunuchs have slain the minister. Let those who will slay this wicked party come and help me."

Then one of Ho Chin's officers set fire to the gate. Yüan Shu at the head of his men burst in and fell to slaying the eunuchs without regard to age or rank. Yüan Shao and Ts'ao Ts'ao broke into the inner part of the palace. Four of the eunuchs fled to the Blue Flower Lodge where they were hacked to pieces. Fire raged, destroying the buildings. Four of the eunuchs led by Chang Jang carried off the Empress, the heir apparent and the Prince of Ch'ên-liu toward the north palace.

Lu Chih, since he had resigned office, was at home, but hearing of the revolution in the palace he donned his armour, took his spear and prepared to fight. He saw the eunuch Tuan Kuei hurrying the Empress along and called out "You rebels, how dare you abduct the Empress?" The eunuch fled. The Empress leaped out of a window and was taken to a place of safety.

Wu K'uang burst into one of the inner halls where he found Ho Miao, sword in hand.

"You also were in the plot to slay your brother," cried he. "You shall die with the others."

"Let us kill the plotter against his elder brother," cried many.

Miao looked around; his enemies hemmed him in on every side. He was hacked to pieces.

Shao bade his soldiers scatter and seek out all the families of the eunuchs, sparing none. In that slaughter many beardless men were killed in error.

Ts'ao Ts'ao set himself to extinguish the fires. He then begged Ho T'ai-hou to undertake the direction of affairs and