CHAPTER IX.

LU PU HELPS TO SUPPRESS DISORDER:

CHIA HSU COUNSELS AN ATTACK ON THE CAPITAL.

The person who collided with the irate Tung Cho was his

most trusty adviser Li Ju. Li had not fallen in spite of the shock and at once helped his master to regain his feet and led him inside to the library, where they sat down.

"What were you coming about?"

"Happening to be passing your gates I heard that you had gone into your private garden to look for your adopted son. Then came Lü Pu running and crying out that you wanted to kill him, and I was coming in as fast as I could to intercede for him when I accidentally collided with you. I am very sorry. I deserve death."

"The wretch! How could I bear to see him toying with my fair one? I will be the death of him yet."

"Your Graciousness is making a mistake. It is the 'plucked tassel' story over again. But if you remember Prince Chuang of Ch'u made no fuss about the liberties taken with his lady love, although the hat-tassel in her hand betrayed the culprit. His restraint stood him in good stead, for the same man saved his life when he was hemmed in by the hosts of Ts'in. After all Cicada is only a woman, but Lü Pu is your trustiest friend and most dreaded commander. If you took this chance of making the girl over to him, your kindness would win his undying gratitude. I beg you, Sir, to think over it well."

Tung Cho hesitated a long time; he sat murmuring to himself. Presently he said, "What you say is right. I must think over it."

Li Ju felt satisfied. He took leave of his master and went away. Cho went to his private rooms and called Cicada. "What were you doing there with Lü Pu?" said he. She began to weep. "Thy handmaid was in the garden among the flowers, when he rushed in on me. I was frightened and ran away. He asked why I ran away from a son of the family and pursued me right to the pavilion, where you saw us. He had that halberd in his hand all the time. I felt he was a vicious man and would force me to his will so I tried to throw myself into the lily pond, but he caught me in his arms and held me so that I was helpless. Luckily just at that mo

ment you came and saved my life." "Suppose I send you to him."

She shrieked with terror.

"After having been yours to be given to a mere slave! Never! I would rather die."

And with this she snatched down a dagger hanging on the wall to kill herself. Tung Cho plucked it from her hand and, throwing his arms about her, cried, "I was only joking."

She lay back on his breast hiding her face and sobbing bitterly. "This is the doing of that Li Ju," said she. "He is much too thick with Lü Pu. He suggested that, I know. Little he cares for your reputation or my life. Oh! I would like to eat him alive."

"Do you think I could bear to lose you?"

"Though you love me yet I must not stay here. That Lü Pu will do me some harm if I do. I fear him."

"We will go to Meiwu to-morrow, you and I, and we will be happy together and have no cares."

Next day Li Ju came

She dried her tears and thanked him again to persuade Tung Cho to send the damsel to Lü Pu. "This is a propitious day," said he.

"He and I standing in the relation of father and son I cannot very well do that," said Tung Cho. "But I will say no more about his fault. You may tell him so and soothe him as well as you can."

"You are not being beguiled by the woman, are you?" said Li.

Tung Cho coloured.

"Would you like to give your wife to some body else? Do not talk about this any further. It would be better not to."

Li left the chamber. When he got outside he cast his eyes up to heaven, saying, "We are dead men, slain by the hand of this girl."

When a certain student of history reached this episode he wrote a verse or two:—

Just introduce a woman,

Conspiracies succeed;

Of soldiers, or their weapons,
There really is no need.

They fought their bloody battles,
And doughty deeds were done;
But in a garden summer house
The victory was won.

The order was given to journey to Meiwu and the whole body of officers assembled to add lustre to the start. Cicada, from her carriage, saw Lü Pu among the crowd. She at once. dropped her eyes and assumed an appearance of deepest melancholy. After the cavalcade started and when her carriage had almost disappeared in the distance, the disappointed lover reined in his steed on a mount whence he could watch the dust that rose around it. Unutterable sadness filled his heart.

Suddenly a voice said, "Why do you not accompany the Minister, Marquis, instead of standing here and sighing?"

It was Wan Yün. "I have been confined to the house by illness these few days," continued he, "so I have not seen you. But I had to struggle out to-day to see the Minister set off. This meeting is most fortunate. But why were you sighing?" "Just on account of that damsel of yours," said Lü Pu.

Feigning great astonishment he said, "So long a time and yet not given to you!"

"The old ruffian has fallen in love with her himself." "Surely this cannot be true."

Lü Pu related the whole story while Wang Yün listened, silent, but stamping on the ground as with irritation and perplexity. After a long time he said, "I did not think he was such a beast."

Taking Lü Pu by the hand he said, "Come to my house and we will talk it over."

So they went away togther to the house and retired to a secret room. After some refreshments, Lü Pu told the whole story of the episode in the garden just as it happened.

"He seems to have corrupted my little girl and has stolen your wife. He will be an object of shame and ridicule to the whole world. And those who do not laugh at him will laugh at you and me. Alas! I am old and powerless and can do nothing. More's the pity! But you, Commander, you are a warrior, the greatest hero in the world. Yet you have been put to this shame and exposed to this contempt.'

A wave of fierce wrath rolled up in Lü Pu. Banging the table he shouted and roared. His host ostentatiously tried to calm him saying, "I forgot myself. I should not have spoken like that. Do not be so angry, I pray."

"I will kill the wretch, I swear it. In no other way can I wash away my shame."

"No, no! Do not say such a thing," said Wang, putting his hand over the other's mouth. "You will bring trouble on poor me."

"When a man is born great he cannot be patient for long under another man's domination," said Lü Pu.

"It needs some one greater than the Minister to limit the scope of such talents as yours."

Lü Pu said, "I would not mind killing the old wretch were it not for the relation in which we stand. I fear to provoke the hostile criticism of posterity."

His host smiled. "Your name is Lü; his is Tung. Where was the paternal feeling when he threw the halberd at you?" "I had been misled if you had not said that," said Lü hotly. Wang Yün saw the effect of his words and continued, "It would be a loyal deed to restore the House of Han, and history would hand down your name to posterity perpetually fragrant.

If you lend your aid to Tung Cho you will be a traitor and your name will stink through all the ages.'

Lü Pu rose from his place and bowed to Wang Yün. “I have decided," said he. "You need not fear, Sir."

"But yet you may fail and bring upon yourself misfortune," said Wang.

Lü Pu drew his dagger and pricking his arm swore by the blood that flowed.

Wang fell on his knees and thanked him. "Then the Han sacrifices will not be cut off and you will be their saviour. But this must remain a secret and I will tell you how the plot shall be worked out."

Lü Pu took leave with great emotion.

Wang Yün took into his confidence two colleagues, Sun Jui and Huang Yüan. The former said, "The moment is favourable. The Emperor has just recovered from his illness and we can despatch an able talker to Meiwu to persuade Tung Cho to come here to discuss affairs. Meanwhile we will obtain a secret decree as authority for Lü Pu. Lay an ambush just inside the palace gates to kill Cho as he enters. This is the best plan to adopt."

"But who would dare to go?"

"Li Su would go. He belongs to the same district as Lü Pu and is very angry with the Minister for not advancing him. His going would excite no suspicions."

"Good," said Wang Yün. "Let us see what Lü Pu thinks of it."

When Pu was consulted he told them that this man's persuasion had led him to kill Ting, his former benefactor. refuse this mission I will kill him," said he.

"If he

So they sent for Li Su. When he arrived Lü Pu said, "Formerly you talked me into killing Ting and going over to Tung Cho. Now we find Tung Cho means evil for the Emperor and is an oppressor of the people. His iniquities are many and he is hated of gods and men. You go to Meiwu, say you have a command from the Emperor to summon Tung Cho to the palace. He will come and he will be put to death. You will have the credit of being loyal and restoring the Hans. Will you undertake this?"

"I also wish to slay him," was the reply. "But I could not find any to assist me. How can I hesitate? Your interven

tion is directly from heaven."

And he snapped an arrow in twain as register of his oath. "If this succeed, what glorious rank will be yours!" said Wang Yün.

Next day Li Su, with a small escort, set out for Meiwu and announced himself as bearer of a decree. He was conducted into Tung Cho's presence. After he had made his obeisance Tung asked what the decree was.

"His Majesty has recovered and wishes his ministers to meet him in the palace to consider the question of his abdication in your favour. That is what this summons means.'

"What does Wang Yün think of the scheme?" "Wang Yün has already begun the construction of the Terrace of Abdication and only awaits my lord's arrival."

"Last night I dreamed a dragon coiled round my body," said Tung Cho greatly pleased, "and now I get this happy tidings! I must not neglect the opportunity."

So he gave instructions for the safekeeping of his city and announced his intention of starting on the morrow.

"When I am Emperor you shall be my Precursor," said he. "Your minister thanks you," said Li.

Cho went to bid farewell to his aged mother. "Whither are you going, my son?"

"I go to receive the abdication of Han; and soon you will be Empress Dowager."

"I have been feeling nervous and creepy these few days. It is a bad sign."

"Any one about to become the mother of the State must have premonitions," said her son.

He left her with these words. Just before starting he said to Cicada, "When I am Emperor, you shall be Kuei-fei, the first of my ladies." She bowed low thanking him, but she knew and inwardly rejoiced.

He went out and mounted his carriage, and began his journey to the Capital with an imposing escort. Less than half way the wheel of his carriage broke. He left it and mounted a horse. Soon after the horse snorted and neighed, threw up his head and snapped the reins.

Tung Cho turned to Li Su and asked what these things portended.

"It means that you are going to receive the abdication of the Hans, which is to renew all things, to mount the jewelled chariot and sit in the golden saddle.'

And Cho believed him. During the second day's journey a violent gale sprang up and the sky became covered with a thick mist. The wily Li Su had an interpretation for this also. "You are ascending to the place of the dragon; there must be bright light and lurid vapour to dignify your majestic approach."

Cho had no more doubts. He presently arrived and found many officials waiting without the city gate to receive him, all but Li Ju who was ill and unable to leave his chamber. He entered and proceeded to his own palace, where Lü Pu came to congratulate him.

"When I sit on the throne, you shall command the whole armies of the Empire, horse and foot," said he.