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And even now the western men,
With scornful smile, will say,

"Oh, is my head on my shoulder still?

It was nearly lost to-day."

Now indeed Ssŭma knew that his great rival was no more, so he retook the pursuit. But he never came up with the Shu army. As he took the homeward road he said to his officers, "We can now sleep in comfort."

As they marched back they saw the camps of their enemies, and were amazed at their skilful arrangement.

"Truly a wonderful genius?" sighed Ssuma.

The armies of Wei returned to Ch'angan; leaving officers to guard the various strategical points. Ssuma himself went on to the capital.

Yang I and Chiang Wei retired slowly and in good order till they neared the Tsanko road, when they donned mourning garb and began to wail for their dead. The soldiers threw themselves on the ground and wailed in sorrow. Some even wailed themselves to death.

But as the leading companies entered upon the Tsanko road they saw a great blaze in front, and, with a great shout, a cohort came out barring the way. The leaders were taken aback and sent to inform the general.

The regiments of Wei are nowhere near,

Then who are these soldiers that now appear?

The next chapter will tell who they were.

CHAPTER CV.

THE PLAN OF THE SILKEN BAG;

THE BRONZE STATUE WITH THE DEW BOWL.

Yang I sent forward a man to find out what force this was

that stood in his way, and the scout returned to say they were soldiers of Shu led by Wei Yen. Wei had burned the wooden roads and now barred the way.

Then said Yang, "Just before his death the late minister foretold that this man would one day turn traitor, and here it has come to pass. I did not expect to meet it thus, but now our road of retreat is cut, and what is to be done?"

Then replied Fei I, "He certainly has slandered us to the Emperor and said that we were rebelling, and therefore he has destroyed the wooden roads in order to prevent our progress. First, therefore, we must memorialise the truth about him and then plan his destruction."

Chiang Wei said, "I know a by-way hereabout that will lead us round to the rear of these covered roads. True it is precipitous and dangerous, but it will take us to our destination. It is called the Ch'ashan Path."

So they prepared a memorial and turned off in order to follow the narrow mountain road.

Meanwhile the King of Shu was troubled; he lost his appetite and was sleepless. Then he dreamed that the hill that protected his capital was riven and fell. This dream troubled him till morning, when he called in his officers of all ranks to ask them to interpret his vision.

When he had related his dream, Ch'iao Chou stood forth and said, "I saw a large red star fall yesternight; surely it forebodes a misfortune to the king or to his First Minister. Your Majesty's dream corresponds to what I saw."

The king's anxiety increased. Presently Li Fu returned and was summoned into the king's presence. He bowed his head and wept, saying, "The Prime Minister is dead."

He repeated Chuko's last messages and told all that he knew. The king was overcome with great sorrow, and wailed, crying, "Heaven smites me!" and he fell over and lay upon his couch. They led him within to the inner chambers, and when his Consort heard the sad tidings she also wailed without ceasing. And all the officers were distressed and wept, and the common people showed their grief.

The king was deeply affected, and for many days could hold no Court. And while thus prostrate with grief they told him that Wei Yen had sent up a memorial charging Yang I with rebellion. The astounded courtiers went to the king's chamber to talk over this thing, and his Consort was also there. The memorial was read aloud. It was much like this:—

"I, thy Minister and General, Wei Yen, Corrector of the West' and Marquis Chêng, humbly and with bowed head write that Yang I has assumed command of the army and is in rebellion. He has made off with the coffin of the late Prime Minister and wishes to lead enemies within our borders. As a precaution, and to hinder his progress, I have burned the covered ways and now report these matters."

The Latter Ruler said, "Wei Yen is a valiant warrior and could easily have overcome Yang I; why then did he destroy the covered ways?"

Wu, the T'ai-hou, said, "The late Emperor used to say that K'ung-ming knew that treachery lurked in the heart of Wei Yen, and he wished to put him to death; he only spared him because of his valour. We should not believe too readily this tale of his that Yang I has rebelled. Yang I is a scholar, and the late Prime Minister placed him in a position of great responsibility, thereby proving that he trusted him and valued him. If this statement is true, surely Yang would have gone over to Wei. Nothing should be done without due meditation." As they were discussing this matter, an urgent memorial came from Yang I, and opening it, they read:

"I, Yang I, leader of the retreating army, humbly and with trepidation, present this memorial. In his last moments the late Prime Minister made over to me the charge of the great emprise, and bade me carry out his plan without change. I have respected his charge. I ordered Wei Yen to command the rear-guard with Chiang Wei as his second. But Wei Yen refused obedience and led away his own army into Hanchung. Then he burned the covered ways, tried to steal away the body of the late Commander-in-chief and behaved altogether unseemly. His rebellion came upon me suddenly and unexpectedly. I send this memorial in haste."

The Empress Dowager listened to the end. Then, turning to the nobles, she said, "What is your opinion now?"

Chiang Wan replied, "Yang I is hasty and intolerant, but he has rendered great services in supplying the army. He has long been a trusted colleague of the late Prime Minister, who, being near his end, entrusted to him the conduct of affairs. Certainly he is no rebel. On the other hand, Wei Yen is bold and ambitious and thinks himself everybody's superior. Yang I is the only one who has openly been of different opinion, and hence Wei hates him. When he saw Yang placed over his head in command of the army he refused his support. Then

he burned the covered ways in order to cut off Yang's retreat, and maligned him, hoping to bring about his fall. I am ready to guarantee Yang's fealty to the extent of my whole house, but I would not answer for Wei Yen."

Tung Yün followed, "Wei Yen has always been conceited and discontented. His mouth was full of hate and resentment, and only fear of the late Prime Minister held him in check. The minister's death gave him his opportunity, and he turned traitor. This is certainly the true state of the case. Yang I is able, and his employment by the late minister is proof of his loyalty."

"If this is true and Wei is really a rebel, what should be done?" asked the king.

"I think the late minister has framed some scheme by which to get rid of Wei Yen. If Yang had not felt secure he would scarcely have set out to return through the valleys. Your Majesty may feel sure that Wei will fall into some trap. We have received, almost at the same time, two memorials from two men, each bringing against the other a charge of rebellion. Let us wait."

Just then Fei I arrived. He was summoned into the royal presence and told the story of Wei Yen's revolt.

The king replied, "In that case I should do well to send Tung Yün with temporary authority to clear up the situation and attempt to persuade Wei with kind words."

So Tung Yün left on this mission. At this time Wei Yen was camped at Nanku, which was a commanding position. He thought his plan was succeeding well. It had not occurred to him that Yang and Chiang could get past him by any by-way. On the other hand, Yang, thinking that Hanchung was lost, sent Ho P'ing with three companies on in front while he followed with the coffin.

When this little army had got to the rear of Wei's position they announced their presence with rolling drums. The scouts quickly told Wei, who at once armed himself, took his sword and rode out to confront Ho P'ing. When both sides were arrayed Ho rode to the front and began to revile his opponent.

"Where is that rebel Wei Yen?" cried Ho.

"You aided that traitor Yang," cried Wei, no way backward with his tongue; "how dare you abuse me?"

Ho waxed more indignant. "You rebelled immediately after the late chief's death, before even his body was cold. How could you?"

Then shaking his whip at the followers of Wei, he cried, "And you soldiers are Hsich'uan men. Your fathers and mothers, wives and children and your friends are still in the land. Were you treated unkindly that you have joined a traitor and aid his wicked schemes? You ought to have

returned home and waited quietly the rewards that would have been yours."

The soldiers were touched by his words; they cheered, and more than a half ran away.

Wei was now raging. He whirled up his sword and galloped forward straight for Ho P'ing, who went to meet him with his spear ready. They fought several bouts, and then Ho rode. away as if defeated. Wei followed, but Ho's men began to shoot and Wei was driven backward. As he got near his own men he saw many captains leaving their companies and going away. He rode after them and cut some of them down. But this did not stay the movement; they continued to go. The only steady portion of his own army was that commanded by Ma Tai. They stood their ground.

"Will you really help me?" said Wei Yen. "I will surely remember you in the day of success."

The two then went in pursuit of Ho P'ing, who fled before them. However, it was soon evident that Ho was not to be overtaken, and the pursuers halted. Wei mustered his now small force.

"What if we go over to Wei?" said he.

"I think your words unwise," said Ma. "Why should we join anyone? A really strong man would try to carve out his own fortune and not be ready to crook the knee to another. You are able enough and brave enough to be more than a match for any man in the west. No one would care to stand up to you. I pledge myself to go with you to the seizure of Hanchung, and thence we will attack the west."

So they marched together toward Nanchêng, where was Chiang Wei. From the bridge he saw their approach and marked their proud, martial look. He ordered the drawbridge to be raised and sent to tell his colleague, Yang I.

As they drew near, both Wei and Ma shouted out, "Surrender!"

In spite of the smallness of their following, Chiang Wei felt that Ma Tai acting with Wei Yen was a dangerous combination, and he wanted the advice of Yang.

"How shall we repel them?" asked he.

Yang replied, "Just before his death the minister gave me a silken bag, which he said I was to open when Wei's mutiny reached a critical point. It contains a plan to rid ourselves of this traitor, and it seems that now is the moment to see what should be done."

So he opened the bag and drew forth the letter it held. On the cover he read, "To be opened when Wei Yen is actually arrayed opposite you."

Said Chiang, "As this has all been arranged for I had better go out, and when his line is formed then you can come forth."

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