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impartial and enlightened administration. Partiality is wrong, as is one law for the court and another for the provinces.

"The high officers Kuo Yu-chih, Fei I and Tung Yün are honest men, devotedly anxious to be loyal to the last degree; wherefore His late Majesty chose them in his testament. My advice is to consult them in all palace matters, great or small, before taking action. Your Majesty will reap the enormous advantage of having any failings corrected.

"General Hsiang Ch'ung is a man of well-balanced temperament, versed in military matters, to whom, after testing him, the late Emperor applied the epithet 'capable.' The concensus of opinion is that he should be Commander-in-chief. My advice is to consult him in all military matters, great or small, whereby your military forces will yield their maximum, each one being employed to the best advantage.

"Attract worthy men; repel mean men. This policy achieved the glory of the Former Hans, while its reversal ruined the Latter Hans. When the late Emperor was with us he often discussed this with your servant, and he took much to heart the story of Huan and Ling.

I

"President Chiên Chên and Historian Chiang Wan are both incorruptible and enlightened men, honest to the death. would that Your Majesty should have them near and hold them in confidence. If this be done, then the glory of the House of Han will be quickly consummated.

"I was originally a private person, a farmer in Nanyang, concerned only to secure personal safety in a troubled age and not seeking conversation with the contending nobles. His late Majesty, overlooking the commonness of my origin, condescended to seek me thrice in my humble cot and consult me on the trend of events. His magnanimity affected me deeply, and I consented to do my utmost for him. Then came defeat, and I took office at a moment of darkest outlook and at a most difficult crisis. This is twenty-one years ago. The late Emperor recognised my diligent care, and when dying he confided the great task to me. From that day I have lived a life of anxiety lest I should fail in my Lust and so dim his glory. That is why I undertook the expedition to the wastes beyond the Lu River. Now the south has been quelled, and our army is in good condition. I ought to lead it against the north, where I may meet with a measure of success in the removal of the wicked ones, the restoration of Han and a return to the old capital. This is my duty out of gratitude to the late Emperor and loyalty to Your Majesty. As to a discussion of the pros and cons and giving a true version of the whole matter, that belongs to Kuo and Chiang and Tung. I desire Your Majesty to confide to me the task of slaying the rebels and restoring the Hans. If I fail, then punish me by

telling the spirit of the late Emperor. If you know not what restoration implies that is the fault of your advisers.

"Your Majesty should take pains to be guided into the right path and examine carefully what is laid before you, carefully remembering the late Emperor's testament.

"I cannot express what would be my delight if you had the goodness to accept and act on my advice.

"Now I am about to depart on a distant expedition I write this with tears and scarce know what I have said."

The king read it through and said, "My Father-Minister, you have only just returned from a distant and faciguing expedition; you are not yet refreshed, and I fear this march to the north will be almost too much even for you."

K'ung-ming replied, "The heaviest responsibility lies upon me, the well-being of Your Majesty confided to me by the late Emperor. My efforts may not be relaxed night or day. The south is at rest, at home is no anxiety; what better time could be hoped for to destroy the rebels and recover the capital?

Forth from the ranks of courtiers stood Ch'iao Chou and said, "I have studied the aspect of the stars; the northern quarter is brilliant and strong. The scheme will not speed." Then turning toward the Prime Minister, he continued, "You, O Minister, understand the mysteries of the skies; why do you oppose the stars?"

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Because the stars are not in their courses," replied K'ungming; "they have been disturbed. One may rely on the stars too much. Moreover, I have already sent the army into Hanchung, where I shall act as soon as I have studied what is afoot.'

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Ch'iao Chou pleaded in vain: K'ung-ming was too strongly set upon his purpose to yield. So Kuo Yu-chik, Tune Yun and Fei were ordered to attend to matters in the palace; Hsiang Ch'ung was to control all military affairs and forces. Many special appointments were made; Ch'ên Chên became Shihchung; Chiang Wan became Ts'an-chün; Chang I, Controller of the Prime Minister's palace; Tu Ch'iung was created Censor; Tu Wei and Yang Hung, Presidents; Mêng Kuang and Lai Min, Libationers; Yin Mo and Li Chuan, Po-shih; Ch'i Chêng and Fei Shih, Private Secretaries; Chiao Chou, a T'aishih; and others to the number of over a hundred, all to control the administration of Shu in the absence of Chuko Liang. After having received his Emperor's command to lead an expedition against the north, K'ung-ming returned to his palace and summoned the officers of the army to listen to the orders. And they came, and to each was appointed a duty in the great army of Chuko Liang, Commander-in-chief of the North-conquering Expedition, Prime Minister of Shu, Marquis of Wu-hsiang, Governor of Ichou, Director of Internal and External Affairs.

Li Yen was given the task of guarding the country against Wu.

All being ready, a day was chosen for the start, the fifth year, the third month on the day ping-yen.

After the appointments had all been made, there came forward a veteran who had listened in vain for the duty assigned him.

"Old I may be," said he, "yet have I still the valour of Lien P'o, the heroism of Ma Yüan. Why am I thought useless any more than these two who refused to acknowledge old age?" It was Chao Yün.

K'ung-ming said, "I have lost my friend Ma Ch'ao by illness since I returned from the south, and I feel as I had lost an arm. Now, General, you must own that the years are mounting up. Any slight lapse would not only shake the life-long reputation of yourself, but might have a bad effect on the whole army."

Chao replied bitterly, "I have never quailed in the presence of the enemy from the day I first joined the late Emperor; I have ever pressed to the front. It is a happy ending for a man of valour to die on the frontier. Think you that I should resent it? Let me lead the van, I pray."

K'ung-ming used all his skill to dissuade the veteran, but in vain; he was set on it, threatening suicide if this honour was refused him. At last K'ung-ming yielded on the condition that he would accept a colleague.

"I will go to help the veteran leader," cried Têng Chih, without a moment's hesitation. "I am not worth much, but I will help lead the attack on the enemy."

Accordingly five companies of veterans were chosen for the advanced guard, and with them, to assist Chao Yün, went Têng Chih and half a score of lesser captains.

After the vanguard had set out, the main body marched by the north gate, the Emperor himself going to see his minister start. The farewell was taken ten li from the gate, in the face of the grand army with its banners and pennons flaunting in the wind, and spears and swords gleaming in the sun. Then they took the road leading to Hanchung.

Naturally, this movement was duly reported in Loyang at a court held by Ts'ao Jui, when a minister said, "A report from the border stations says that Chuko Liang has marched thirty legions into Hanchung. Chao Yün and Têng Chih are leading the advanced guard.'

The report alarmed the king, and he asked who could lead an army to repel the advance. At once out spake one, saying, "My father died in Hanchung, and to my bitter resentment his death is unavenged. Now I desire to lead the army against Shu, and I pray that the armies west of the Pass may be given me for this purpose. As well as taking vengeance for my

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private wrong I shall render a service to the state. I care not what fate may befall me."

The speaker was Hsiahou Yüan's son Mou. He was by nature very impulsive and also very miserly. When young he had been adopted by Hsiahou Tun. When Hsiahou Yüan was killed by Huang Chung, Ts'ao Ts'ao had taken pity on him and married him to one of his daughters, Ching-ho (or Clear River), so that he was an Emperor's son-in-law. As such he enjoyed great deference at court. But although he held a military commission, he had never been with the army. However, as he requested the command he was made Commander-in-chief to get the army ready to march.

The Minister Wang Lang spoke against the appointment, saying, "The appointment is wrong. Hsiahou, the "Son-inlaw," has never seen a battle and is unsuitable for this post, especially when his opponent is the clever and crafty Chuko Liang, a man thoroughly versed in strategy."

"I suppose you have arranged with Chuko Liang to be his ally," sneered Hsiahou. "Ever since I was a boy I have studied strategy, and I am well acquainted with army matters. Why do you despise my youth? Unless I capture this Chuko Liang I pledge myself never again to see the Emperor's face." Wang Lang and his supporters were silenced. Hsiahou took leave of the King of Wei and hastened to Changan to get his army in order. He had a score of legions.

He would go to battle, take the signal flags in grip, But could he play the leader, he a lad with callow lip? The next chapter will deal with this campaign.

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CHAPTER VIIIC.

CHAO YÜN SLAYS FIVE CAPTAINS;

K'UNG-MING CRAFTILY TAKES THREE CITIES.

K'ung-ming's army marched northward, passing through Mienyang, where stood Ma Ch'ao's tomb. In honour of the dead hero, K'ung-ming sacrificed there in person, Ma Ch'ao's brother being chief mourner for the occasion.

After this ceremony, when the Commander-in-chief_was discussing his plans, the spies came in to tell him that Ts'ao Jui had put in motion an army under Hsiahou Mou. Then Wei Yen went in to offer a complicated and lengthy ruse, saying, "Hsiahou Mou is a fatling, soft and stupid. Give me five companies, and I will go out by Paochung, follow the line of the Ts'inling east to the Tzuwu Valley and then turn north. In ten days I can be at Ch'angan. Hearing of my intent, Hsiahou will hasten to get out of my way. He must go by way of Hêngmen and Tiko. I will come in by the east, and you, Sir, can advance by the Hsieh Valley. In this way all west of Hsienyang will be ours."

K'ung-ming smiled at the suggestion. "I do not think the plan quite perfect," said he. "You are misled by thinking there is no one worth considering guarding the capital. If anyone suggest sending a force across by way of Shanpichung we should be lucky if we lost only half a legion, to say nothing of the check to our élan. The ruse will not do."

"If you, O Minister, march by the high road they will bring against you the whole host within the Pass and will thus hold you indefinitely; you will never get to the capital."

Then Chao

"But I shall go along the level road on the right of Shênsi. I cannot fail if I keep to the fixed rules of war." Wei Yen withdrew, gloomy and dissatisfied. Yün sent orders to the advanced guard to move. Hsiahou Mou was at Ch'angan preparing his force. There came to him a certain captain from Hsiliang, named Han Tê, a man of great valour, whose weapon was a mighty battleaxe called "Mountain Splitter. He brought with him eight legions of the Ch'iang and offered his services. They were gladly accepted, and his army was made the van of the attack. This Han Tê had four sons, all very expert in archery and horsemanship. They were named Ying, Yao, Ch'iung and Ch'i, and they came to serve under their father. Han Tê led his sons and the eight legions by the road to Fengming Hill

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