was a son of General Kungsun Tu, "the Warlike," as his title ran. He was a native of Hsiangp'ing. When he heard that the Yuans were on their way to his territory he called a council to decide upon his plan. At the council Kungsun Kung rose saying, "When Yüan Shao was alive he nourished the plan of adding this district to his own. Now his sons, homeless, with a broken army and no officers, are coming here; it seems to me like the dove stealing the magpie's nest. If we offer them shelter they will assuredly intrigue against us. I advise that they be inveigled into the city, put to death and their heads sent to Ts'ao, who will be most grateful to us."

Said the Prefect, “I have one fear; Ts'ao will come against us. If so, it would be better to have the help of the Yüans against him.”

"Then you can send spies to ascertain whether the army is preparing to attack us. If it is then save them alive; if not, then follow my advice.'

It was decided to wait till the spies came back. In the meantime the two Yüans had taken counsel together as they approached Liaotung, saying, "Liaotung has a large army strong enough to oppose Ts'ao Ts'ao. We will go thither and submit till we can slay the Prefect and take possession. Then when we are strong enough we will attack and recover our own land."

With these intentions they went into the city. They were received and lodged in the guests' quarters, but when they wished to see Kungsun K'ang he put them off with the excuse of indisposition. However, before many days the spies returned with the news that Ts'ao Ts'ao's army was quiescent and there was no hint of any attack.

Then Kungsun K'ang called the Yüans into his presence. But before they came he hid swordmen and axemen behind the arras in the hall. When the visitors came and had made their salutations, K'ang bade them be seated.

Now it was bitterly cold and on the couch where Shang was sitting were no coverings. So he asked for a cushion. The host surlily said, "When your heads take that long, long journey, will there be any cushions?"

Before Shang could recover from his fright K'ang shouted, "Why do you not begin?"

At this out rushed the assassins and the heads of the two brothers were cut off as they sat. Packed in a small wooden box they were sent to Ts'ao Ts'ao at Ichou.

All this time Ts'ao had been calmly waiting, and when his impatient officers had petitioned in a body that he would march to the capital if he intended no attack on the east, he told them what he was waiting for. He would go as soon as the heads arrived.

In their secret hearts they laughed. But then, surely enough, a messenger soon came from Liaotung bringing the heads. Then they were greatly surprised and when the messenger presented his letters Ts'ao cried, "Just as Fêng-hsiao said!"

He amply rewarded the messenger and the Governor of Liaotung was made a marquis and General of the Left Wing; and when the officers asked what had happened, Ts'ao told them what the late adviser had predicted. He read to them the dead officer's testament, which ran something like this:"Yüan Shang and his brother are going to Liaotung. Illustrious Sir, you are on no account to attack for Kungsun K'ang has long lived in fear lest the Yüans should absorb his country. When they arrive K'ang will hesitate. If you attack, he will save the Yuans to help him; if you wait, they will work against each other. This is evident."

The officers simply jumped with surprise to see how perfectly events had been foreseen.

Then Ts'ao at the head of all his officers performed a grand sacrifice before the coffin of the wise Kuo Chia. He had died at the age of thirty-eight, after eleven years of meritorious and wonderful service in the wars.

When Heaven permitted Kuo Chia's birth,
It made him ablest man on earth.

He knew by rote all histories,

From him war kept no mysteries.

Like Fan's, his plans were quite decisive,
As Ch'ên's, his strokes were most incisive.

Too soon he ran his earthly race,

Too soon the great beam fell from place.

When Ts'ao returned to Ch'ichou he sent off the coffin of his late adviser to the capital where it was interred.

Then certain of his officers said that as the north had been overcome it was time to settle Chiangnan. Ts'ao was pleased and said that had long occupied his thoughts.

The last night he spent in Ch'ichou he went to one of the corner towers and stood there regarding the sky. His only companion was Hsün Yu. Presently Ts'ao said, "That is a very brilliant glow there in the south. It seems too strong for me to do anything there."

"What is there that can oppose your heaven-high prestige?" said Yu.

Suddenly a beam of golden light shot up out of the earth. "Surely a treasure is buried there," remarked Yu.

They went down from the city wall, called some men and led them to the point whence the light proceeded. There the men were ordered to dig.

The southern skies with portents glow,

The northern lands their treasures show.

What the diggers found will appear in the next chapter.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

A WOMAN OVERHEARS A SECRET:

A WARRIOR LEAPS A STREAM.

The story says that the diggers at the spot whence the golden light proceeded presently unearthed a bronze bird. Looking at it, Ts'ao turned to his companion, saying, "What is the portent?"

"You will remember that Shun's mother dreamed of a jade bird before his birth, so certainly it is a felicitous omen," said Hsün Yü.

Ts'ao was very pleased and he ordered forthwith the building of a lofty tower to celebrate the find, and they began to dig foundations and cut timber, to burn tiles and to smooth bricks for the Bronze Bird Tower on the banks of the Chang River. Ts'ao set a year for the building.

His younger son, Chih, said, "If you build a terraced tower you should add two others, one on each side. The centre tower and the tallest should be called The Bronze Bird Tower; the side towers named Jade Dragon Tower and Golden Phoenix Tower. Then connect these by flying bridges and the effect will be noble."

"My son, your words are very good and by and bye when the building is complete I can solace my old age therein."

Ts'ao Ts'ao had five sons, but this one Chih was the most clever and his essays were particularly elegant. His father was very fond of him and, seeing that the young man took an interest in the building, Ts'ao left him with his brother P'ei at Yehchün to superintend the work, while he led the army that had recently conquered the Yüans back to the capital. When he arrived he distributed rewards liberally and memorialised the throne obtaining the title of "The Pure Marquis" for the late Kuo Chia. And he took Kuo's son to be brought up in his own family.

Next he began to consider the reduction of Liu Piao's power. Hsün Yü said, "The Grand Army has only just returned from the north and needs rest. Wait half a year that the men may recover from the fatigue of the campaign and both Liu Piao and Sun Ch'ûan will fall at the first roll of the drums."

Presently Ts'ao approved of this plan and to rest his men he assigned certain lands to them to till while they rested.

Liu Piao had been very generous to Liu Pei ever since he had come, a fugitive seeking shelter. One day at a banquet

there came news that two captains, who had tendered their submission, had suddenly begun plundering the people in Chianghsia. They evidently meant rebellion. "If they really rebel it will cause a lot of trouble," said Piao, rather dismayed. "Do not let that trouble you, I will go and settle it," said P'ei. Pleased with this proposal, Piao told off three legions and placed them under his friend, and the army marched as soon as the orders were issued In a short time it reached the scene and the two malcontents came out to fight. Yüan-tê and his two brothers took their stond beneath the gical hanner and looked over at the enemy. The two leaders were riding handsome prancing horses and Yuan-tê said, “They certainly have fine steeds."

As he spoke Chao Yün galloped out with his spear set and dashed toward the enemy. Chang Wu, one of the leaders, came out to meet him, but the combat was very brief for Chang was soon killed. Thereupon Chau Yün laid a hand upon the bridie of the fallen man's horse to lead him back to his own side. The slain rebel's companion Chên Sun at once rode after him, whereupon Chang Fei uttered a loud shout and rode out to meet him. With one thrust he slew the rebel. Their followers now scattered and Yuan-tê speedily restored order and returned.

Liu Piao, grateful for this service, rode out to the boundary to welcome the victors. They re-entered the city and grand banquets were instituted, at which they emptied great goblets in congratulations over the victory. At one of these banquets the Prefect said, "With such heroism as my brother has shown Chingchou has one upon whom to rely. But a source of sorrow is the south country Yueh, from which a raid may come at any time. Chang Lu and Sun Ch'üan are to be feared."

"But I have three bold captains," said Yüan-tê, "quite equal to any task you can set them. Send Chang Fei to keep ward on the southern marches, Kuan Yü to guard the city against Chang Lu and Chao Yün will protect you from Sun Ch'üan. Why need you grieve?"

The scheme appealed strongly to the Prefect, but Ts'ai Mao did not approve. So he spoke to his sister, Liu Piao's wife, and insisted on the danger of putting these men in such commanding positions all round the prefecture. The lady Ts'ai, thus influenced by her brother, undertook to remonstrate and that night began by saying, "The Chingchou men seem to have a great liking for Liu Pei; they are always coming and going. You ought to take precautions. I do not think you should let them stay in the city. Why not send them on some mission?" "Yüan-tê is a good man," replied the Prefect.

"I think others differ from you," said the lady.

The Prefect said nothing but muttered to himself. Soon after he went out of the city to see Yüan-tê and noticed he was

riding a very handsome horse. They told him it was a prize taken from the recently conquered rebels, and as he praised it very warmly, the horse was presented to him. Liu Piao was delighted and rode it back to the city. K'uai Yüeh saw it and asked where it had come from. The Prefect told him it was a gift from Liu P'ei and Yüeh said, "My brother knew horses very well and I am not a bad judge. This horse has tear-tracks running down from his eyes and a white blaze on his forehead. He is called a tilu and he is a danger to his master. That is why Chang Wu was killed. I advise you not to ride him."

The Prefect began to think. Soon after he asked Yuan-tê to a banquet and in the course of it said, "You kindly presented me with a horse lately and I am most grateful, but you may need him on some of your expeditions and, if you do not mind, I would like to return him.”

Yüan-tê rose and thanked him. The Prefect continued, "You have been here a long time and I fear I am spoiling your career as a warrior. Now Hsinyeh in Hsiangjang is no poverty-stricken town; how would you like to garrison it with your own men?"

Yüan-tê naturally took the offer as a command and set out as soon as he could, taking leave of the Prefect the next day. And so he took up his quarters in Hsinyeh. When he left the city he noticed in the gate a person making him emphatic salutations and the man presently said, "You should not ride that horse."

Yüan-tě looked at the man and recognised in the speaker one of the secretaries named I Chi, a native of Shanyang. So he hastily dismounted and asked why. I Chi replied, "Yesterday I heard that K'uai Yüeh told the Prefect that that horse was a tilu and brought disaster to its owner. That is why it was returned to you. How can you mount it again?" "I am deeply touched by your affection," replied Yüan-tê, "but a man's life is governed by fate and what horse can interfere with that?"

I Chi admitted his superior view, but thereafter he followed Yüan-tê wherever he went.

The arrival of Liu P'ei in Hsinyeh was a matter of rejoicing to all the inhabitants and the whole administration was reformed.

In the spring of the twelfth year the Lady Kan gave birth to a son who was named Ch'an. The night of his birth a crane settled on the roof of the house, screeched some forty times. and then flew away westward.

Just at the time of birth a miraculous incense filled the chamber. Lady Kan one night had dreamed that she was looking up at the sky and the constellation of the Great Bear, Peitou, had fallen down her throat. As she conceived soon after she gave her son the milk-name of O-tou.