gained a great victory to-day and the enemy are far away. You might doff your armour and get some repose.'

But Chang Liao replied, "That is not the way of a leader. A victory is no reason for rejoicing, nor should a defeat cause sadness. If the men of Wu suspect that I am unprepared, they will attack and we must be ready to repel them. Be ready to-night and be doubly careful."

Scarcely had he said this than a fire started and cries of "Treachery!" arose. Many rushed to tell the leader, who went out and called together his guard of about half a score. They took up a commanding position in the way.

Those about him said, "The shouts are insistent; you ought to go and see what it means."

"A whole city cannot be traitors," said he. "Some discontented person has frightened the soldiers. If I see any one doing so I will slay him."

Soon after this Li Tien dragged up Ko Ting and his fellowtraitor. After a few brief questions they were beheaded. Then arose a great noise, shouting and the rolling of drums was heard outside the gate.

"That means the men of Wu are there to help," said Chang Liao. "But we will destroy them by a simple ruse."

He bade them light torches and yell "Treachery! Rebellion!" and throw open the city gates and let down the drawbridge.

When T'aishih Tzu saw the gates swing open he thought his scheme was going well and in full confidence rode in at the gate. But just at the entrance a signal bomb suddenly exploded and the enemy arrows came down on him like pelting rain. Then he knew he had fallen into a snare and turned to ride out. But he was wounded in many places. And in the pursuit that followed more than half the men of Wu were cut off. As he drew near his own lines a rescue force came to his aid and the Ts'ao soldiers ceased from pursuit.

Sun Ch'üan was exceedingly sad when he learned that his faithful captain had been grievously wounded and when Chang Chao prayed him to cease from war he was content. They gathered in their men to their ships and sailed to Nanhsü and Junchou where they camped.

Meanwhile T'aishih Tzu was dying. When his lord sent to ask how he fared, he cried, "When a worthy man is born into a turbulent world, he has to be a soldier and gird on a three feet sword. I have not rendered great service. Why must I die before I have attained my desire?"]

These were his last words; he was forty-one years of age.

Single minded and perfectly loyal,

Such was T'aishih, in Tunglai born,

Far distant frontiers rang with his exploits,
Riding or archery, all men he excelled,

One in Pohai who admired his valour

i

Cared for his mother while he was fighting,
How he joyed in the battle at Shênt'ing!
Dying, he spake as a hero;

All through the ages men sigh for his fate.

Sun Ch'üan was exceedingly grieved when this second of his leaders died. He gave orders to bury his remains most honourably outside the north wall on Ku Hill and took his son, T'aishih Hsiang, into his own palace to be brought up.

When Yuan-tê heard of the series of misfortunes that had befallen Wu and of their retirement to Nanhsü, he and K'ungming discussed their plans. Said K'ung-ming, "I was studying the sky and saw a falling star in the north-west. The Imperial family is to suffer a loss."

He had scarcely said this when they brought news of the death of Liu Ch'i, son of Liu Piao.

Yuan-tê at once began to wail bitterly. But his adviser said to him, "Life and death are beyond our control, wherefore weep not, my lord, for grief harms the body. Rather consider what is necessary to be done. Send some one to assume control and make arrangements for the interment."

"Who can go?" asked Yüan-tê.

"No other than Kuan Yü."

So they sent him to guard the city of Hsiangyang.

Liu Pei at once began to feel troubled about his promise to surrender Chingchou on the death of Liu Ch'i, but K'ung-ming did not consider this a matter of moment. He said he would have somewhat to say to any one who came to ask fulfilment of the promise. In half a month it was announced that Lu Su would come to mourn at the funeral.

To claim the promise one will come,

But they will send him empty home.

What reply K'ung-ming made may be read in the next chapter.

CHAPTER LIV.

THE DOWAGER MARCHIONESS SEES HER SON-IN-LAW

AT A TEMPLE:

LIU, THE IMPERIAL UNCLE, TAKES A WORTHY CONSORT.

Yuan

üan-tê and K'ung-ming went out of the city to welcome the envoy of Wu and led him to the guest-house. After the usual greetings, Lu Su said, "Hearing of the death of your nephew, my lord has prepared some gifts and sent me to take his place at the funeral sacrifices. General Chou Yü also sends greetings to the Imperial Uncle and to you, Master Chuko."

Both rose at once and thanked him for the courtesy. Then the gifts were handed over and a banquet prepared, and while it was in progress, the guest brought up the real object of his visit.

"You said, Sir, that Chingchou should be returned to us after the death of Liu Ch'i. Now that that event has happened rendition becomes due and I should be glad to know when the transfer can take place."

"We will discuss that later; in the meantime let us go on with our wine," said Yüan-tê.

So the feasting continued. Some time later Lu Su returned to the subject, but this time his host remained silent. However, K'ung-ming, changing colour, said, “Tzu-ching, you are unreasonable. You should have waited till some other spoke of this matter. From the very foundation of the empire by our illustrious ancestor the great heritage has descended in due course till to-day when, unhappily, evil doers have risen among the powerful and they have seized upon such portions as they could. But with God's favour and help unity is nearly restored. My lord is a scion of the Imperial house, a great great grandson of the Emperor Hsiao-Ching. Now, as the Emperor's Uncle, should he not have a share of the Empire? Moreover, Liu Ching-hsing (Liu Piao) was my lord's elder brother and there is certainly nothing extraordinary in one brother's succession to another's estate. What is your master? The son of a petty official on the banks of the Ch'ient'ang River, absolutely without merit so far as the State is concerned. Just because he is powerful he holds actual possession of a certain amount of territory, which has whetted his insatiable appetite till he now desires to swallow the whole country. The land is the estate of the Liu family and my lord, who is of that name, has no share thereof, while your master, whose name is Sun,

would dispute with, and even fight him. Beside, at the battle at Ch'ihpi (Red Wall) my lord did good service and acquired great merit while his captains risked their lives. Was it solely the strength of your men of Wu that won that fight? Had I not brought that south-east wind that meant so much for Chou Yü, could he have done anything? Had Chiangnan been conquered, it is needless to say that two beauties you wot of would now be gracing the Bronze Bird Palace, and as for yourself, insignificant though your family be, could you have been sure to survive? Just now my lord did not reply because he was willing to believe rather that a scholar of your abilities would understand without a detailed explanation, and I trust now that you will."

This speech absolutely shut the guest's mouth for a time and he said no word in reply. But after an interval he said, "What you say, K‘ung-ming, I think is devoid of reason, and means much unpleasantness for me."

"What unpleasantness?" asked K'ung-ming.

The guest replied, "When Liu Pei was in serious straits at Tangyang I conducted you across the river and introduced you to my lord. I opposed Chou Yü when he was going to capture Chingchou, and then it came about that the place was to be ours when the young man died. And I pledged myself to that. Now how can I go back and say you break your promise? Both my lord and Chou Yü will hold me guilty. I would not mind death so much, but I fear that my master will be very wrathful and make war on the Imperial Uncle, who will have no place of refuge and he will look ridiculous in the eyes of the world for no reason."

Replied K'ung-ming, "I care not for Ts'ao Ts'ao with his hundred legions and the Emperor in name at his back, and do you think I fear such a youngster as your Chou Yü? However, as it may cause you some loss of consideration I will try to persuade my master to put the matter in writing and give you a paper to the effect that he is temporarily occupying Chingchou as a base and when he can obtain possession of some other city this shall be returned to you. What think you Wu would say to this?"

"Wait till what other place was obtained?" said Lu Su.

"My master can scarcely think of attacking the capital yet, but Liu Chang in Ssuch'uan is ignorant and weak and my master will attack him. If he get the western province then this place will be given up to you."

Lu Su had no alternative and accepted the offer. Yüan-tê with his own hand wrote the pledge and sealed it. Chuko K'ung-ming being named as guarantor also signed the document.

"Since I belong to this side of the compact and one can hardly have a guarantor of the same party I would trouble

you, Tzuching, also to sign. It will look better when you reach Wu again," said K'ung-ming. Lu Su said, "I know that your master is perfectly honourable and will adhere to the bargain."

And so he signed. Then he received the document in formal style and took his departure. He was sent off with every mark of great respect, both Yüan-tê and K‘ung-ming attending him to his boat. There the adviser delivered him a last exhortation, "When you see your master, speak discreetly and explain fully so as not to create a bad impression. If he reject our document we may get angry and we will take his whole country. The one thing now is for our two houses to live in harmony and not give our common enemy an opportunity against us."

Lu Su went down into his ship. He reached Ch'aisang and there saw Chou Yü, who said, "Well, how did you speed with your demand for Chingchou?"

"Here is the document," said Lu Su, giving it to Chou Yü to read.

"You have been victimised by Chuko," said Chou, stamping his foot with irritation. "In name it may be temporary occupation but in fact it is humbug. They say the place is to be returned when they get the west. Who knows when that will be? Suppose ten years; then it will be ten years before they give us Chingchou. What is the use of such a document as this? And you are a guarantor of its due performance! If they do not give us the city, you get into trouble. Suppose our lord finds you in the wrong, what then?" Lu Su was dumbfounded. When he had somewhat recovered his self-possession, he said, "I think Yüan-tê will be true to me."

"You, my friend, are simple and sincere; Liu Pei is a scoundrelly adventurer; and Chuko Liang is a slippery customer. They and you are utterly different."

"What then is to be done?" cried Lu Su distressfully. "You are my dear friend and your kindness in freely offering your store of grain to relieve my necessity is still fresh in my memory. Of course I will save you. Do not be anxious, but wait a few days till we get news of what is doing on the north of the river and then we can decide upon a plan."

Lu Su passed some very uneasy days. Then the scouts came back saying that in Chingchou everything seemed in excellent order and the flags were flying everywhere, while outside the city they were building a magnificent mausoleum for the Lady Kan, wife of Liu Pei. All the soldiers were in mourning.

When Chou Yü knew who was dead, he said to his friend, "My scheme is made. You will see Liu Pei just stand still to be bound and we shall get Chingchou like turning a hand." "What is the main-spring of your plan?" said Lu Su.