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Here Wei Yen stepped forward, saying, "But we should seize the occasion of their retreat to smite them. Are they tigers that you fear to move? How the world will laugh at us.'

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But Ssuma was obstinate and ignored the protest.

When K'ung-ming knew that the Ch'ishan men had got away safely, he called Yang I and Ma Chung and gave them secret orders to lead a legion of bowmen and crossbowmen out by the Wooden Gate of Chienko and place them in ambush on both sides of the road.

"If the men of Wei pursue, wait till you hear a bomb. When you hear the bomb, at once barricade the road with timber and stones so as to impede them. When they halt, shoot at them with the bows and the crossbows."

Wei Yen and Kuan Hsing were told to attack the rear of the enemy.

These orders given, the walls of the city were decorated lavishly with flags, and at various points within the city were piled straw and kindling wood ready to raise a blaze as though the city was on fire. The soldiers were sent out along the road from the Wooden Gate.

The spies of Wei returned to headquarters to say that most of the Shu soldiers had left, only a few being in the city. In doubt, Ssuma went himself to look, and when he saw the smoke rising from within the walls and the fluttering flags he said, "The city is deserted." He sent men in to confirm this, and they said the place was empty.

"Then K‘ung-ming is really gone; who will pursue?" "Let me," replied Chang Ho.

"You are too impulsive," said Ssuma.

"I have been leader of the van fro... the first day of this expedition; why not use me to-day, when there is work to be done and glory to be gained?"

"Because the utmost caution is necessary. They are retreating, and they will leave an ambush at every possible point."

"I know that, and you need not be afraid."

"Well; you wish to go and may, but whatever happens you must be prepared for."

"A really noble man is prepared to sacrifice self for country; never mind what happens."

"Then take half a legion and start; Wei P'ing shall follow with two legions of horse and foot to deal with any ambush that may discover itself. I will follow later with three companies to help where need be."

So Chang Ho set out and advanced quickly. Thirty li out he heard a roll of drums, and suddenly appeared from a wood a cohort led by a captain of high rank, who galloped to the front crying, "Whither would you go, O rebel leader?"

Chang Ho swiftly turned and engaged Wei Yen, for it was he who led, but after a few passes Wei fled. Chang rode after him along the road he had come by and then stopped and turned again. All went well till he came to a slope, when there arose shouts and yells and another body of soldiers came out.

"Chang Ho, do not run away!" cried this leader, who was Kuan Hsing.

Kuan galloped close, and Chang did not flee. They fought, and after half a score of passes Kuan seemed to have the worst of the encounter and fled. Chang Ho followed. Presently they neared a dense wood. Chang was fearful of entering in, so he sent forward men to search the thickets. They could find no danger, and Chang again pursued.

But quite unexpectedly Wei Yen, who had formerly fled, got round ahead of Chang and now appeared again. The two fought a half score bouts and again Wei ran. Chang followed, but Kuan also got round to the front by a side road and so stopped the pursuit of Wei. Chang attacked furiously as soon as he was checked, this time so successfully that the men of Shu threw away their war-gear and ran. The road was thus littered with spoil, and the Wei men could not resist the temptation to gather it. They slipped from their horses and

began to collect the arms.

The manœuvres just described continued, Yen and Kuan one after the other engaging Chang and Chang pressing on after each one, but achieving nothing. And as evening fell the running fight had led both sides close to the Wooden Gate Road. Then suddenly Wei's men made a real stand, and he rode to the front yelling, "Yield, rebel! I have not fought yet and you have had it all your own way so far. Now we will fight to the death."

Chang was furious and nothing loth, so he came on with his spear to meet Wei, who was flourishing his sword. They met; yet again, after a few bouts, Wei threw aside weapons, armour, helmet and all his gear, and even left his horse and went away along the Wooden Gate Road.

Chang Ho was filled with the lust to kill, and he could not let Wei escape. So he set out after him, although it was already dark. But suddenly lights appeared, and the sky became aglow, and at the same time huge boulders and great baulks of timber came rolling down the slopes and blocked the way.

Fear gripped Chang, for he saw he had blundered into an ambush. The road was blocked in front and behind and bordered by craggy precipices. Then, rat-tat-tat! came the sound of a rattle, and therewith flew clouds of arrows and showers of bolts. Chang Ho and many of his officers were killed.

With myriad shining bolts the air was filled,
The road was littered with brave soldiers killed;
The force to Chienko faring perished here;
The tale of valour grows from year to year.

Soon the second army of Wei came up, but too late to help. From the signs they knew that their comrades had been victims of a cruel trick, and they turned back. But as they faced about a shout was heard, and from the hill-tops came, "I, Chuko Liang, am here!"

Looking up they saw his figure outlined against a fire. Pointing to the slain, he cried, "I have been hunting, as you see; only instead of slaying a horse (Ma, for Ssŭma) I have killed a deer (Chang). But you may go in peace, and when you see your general, tell him that he will be my quarry one day."

The soldiers told this to Ssuma when they returned, and he was deeply mortified, and blamed himself as the cause of the death of his colleague Chang Ho. And when he returned to Loyang the king wept at the death of his brave leader and had his body honourably buried.

K'ung-ming had no sooner reached Hanchung than he prepared to go on to the capital and see his lord.

But Li Yen, who was in charge of the capital beside being responsible for supplying the army, said to the king, "Why does the Prime Minister return, for I have kept him fully supplied with all things needed for the army?"

Then the king sent Fei I into Hanchung to enquire why the army had retired. And when he had arrived and showed the cause of his coming, K'ung-ming was greatly surprised and showed the letter from Li telling of the alliance and threatened invasion from Wu. Then Fei related the gist of Li's memorial to the Throne. So K'ung-ming enquired carefully, and then it came out that Li had failed to find sufficient grain to keep the army supplied and so had sent the first lying letter to the army that it might retire before the shortage showed itself. His memorial to the Throne was designed to cover the former fault.

"The fool has ruined the great design of the state just to save his own skin," cried K'ung-ming bitterly.

He called in the offender and sentenced him to death. But Fei I interceded, saying that the late Emperor had loved and trusted Li Yen, and so his life was spared. However, when Fei made his report the king was wroth and ordered Li Yen to suffer death.

But this time Chiang Wan intervened, saying, "Your late father named Li Yen as one of the guardians of your youth." And the king relented. However, Li was stripped of all rank and exiled. But K'ung-ming gave Li's sons employment.

Preparations then began for an expedition to start in three years. Plans were discussed, provisions were accumulated, weapons put in order and officers and men kept fit and trained. By his kindness to all men K'ung-ming won great popularity, and the time passed quickly.

In the second month of the thirteenth year K'ung-ming presented a memorial saying, "I have been training the army for three years; supplies are ample and all is in order for an expedition. We may now attack Wei. If I cannot destroy these rebels, sweep away the evil hordes and bring about a glorious entry into the capital, then may I never again enter your Majesty's presence."

The king replied, "Our state is now firmly established, and Wei troubles us not at all; why not enjoy the present tranquillity, O Father-Minister?"

"Because of the mission left me by your father. I am ever scheming to destroy Wei, even in my dreams. I must strive my best and do my utmost to restore you to the ancient capital of your race and replace the Hans in their old palace."

As he said this a voice cried, "An army may not go forth, O Minister!"

Ch'iao Chou had raised a last protest.

K'ung-ming's sole thought was service,
Himself he would not spare;

But Ch'iao had watched the starry sky,
And read misfortune there.

The next chapter will give the arguments against fighting.

CHAPTER CII.

SSUMA OCCUPIES THE RIVER BANKS;

CHUKO CONSTRUCTS "BULLOCKS" AND "HORSES."

Ch'iao Chou, who protested against the war, was Grand Historian. He was also a student of astrology. He opposed the war, saying, "My present office involves the direction of the observations on the Astrological Terrace, and I am bound to report whether the aspect forebodes misfortune or promises happiness. Not long since, several flights of orioles came from the south, plunged into the Han Waters and were drowned. This is an evil augury. Moreover, I have studied the aspect of the sky, and the 'Wolf' constellation is influencing the aspect of the planet Venus. An aura of prosperity pervades the north. To attack Wei will not be to our profit. Again, the people say that the cypress trees moan in the night. With so many evil omens, I would that the Prime Minister should not go forth to war, but remain at home to guard what we have."

"How can I?" said K'ung-ming. "His late Majesty laid upon me a heavy responsibility, and I must exert myself to the utmost in the endeavour to destroy these rebels. The policy of a state cannot be changed because of vain and irresponsible talk of inauspicious signs."

K'ung-ming was not to be deterred. He instructed the officials to prepare the Great Bovine Sacrifice in the Dynastic Temple. Then, weeping, he prostrated himself and made this declaration: "Thy servant Liang has made five expeditions to Ch'ishan without gaining any extension of territory. His fault weighs heavily upon him. Now once again he is about to march, pledged to use every effort of body and mind to exterminate the rebels against the Han House, and to restore to the Dynasty its ancient glory in its old capital. To achieve this end he would use the last remnant of his strength and could die content."

The sacrifice ended, he took leave of the king and set out for Hanchung to make the final arrangements for his march. While so engaged, he received the unexpected news of the death of Kuan Hsing. He was greatly shocked, and fainted. When he had recovered consciousness his officers did their utmost to console him.

"How pitiful! Why does Heaven deny long life to the loyal and good? I have lost a most able captain just as I am setting out and need him most."

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