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respectful and deferential, and may be set up. You, Sir, and the high officers of state might favourably consider this."

Then spake one, saying, "Her Majesty speaks well; he should be raised to the throne."

All eyes turned toward the speaker, who was Ssuma Fu, uncle of Ssŭma Shih.

The duke was summoned to the capital. The Empress called King Ts'ao Fang into her presence in the Hall of Eternity and blamed him, saying, "You are vicious beyond measure, a companion of lewd men and a friend of vile women. You are unfitted to rule. Therefore resign the imperial seal and revert to your status of Prince Ch'i. You are forbidden to present yourself at court without special command." Ts'ao Fang, weeping, threw himself at her feet. He gave up the seal, got into his carriage and went away. Only a few faithful ministers restrained their tears and bade him farewell.

Ts'ao Ts'ao, the mighty minister of Han
Oppressed the helpless; little then thought he
That only two score swiftly passing years
Would bring like fate to his posterity.

The Emperor-elect Ts'ao Mao, who also bore the name Yenshih, was the grandson of the Emperor Wên, and son of Ts'ao Lin, Prince Ting of Tunghai. When he was nearing the capital all the officers attended to receive him at the Nanyeh Gate, where an imperial carriage awaited him. He hastily returned their salutations.

"The ruler ought not to return these salutations," said Wang Shu, one of the officers.

"I also am a minister and must respond," replied he.

They conducted him to the carriage to ride into the palace, but he refused to mount it, saying, "Her Majesty has commanded my presence, I know not for what reason. How dare I enter the palace in such a carriage?"

He went on foot to the Hall, where Ssuma Shih awaited him. He prostrated himself before the minister. Ssuma hastily raised him and led him into the presence.

The Empress-Dowager said, "In your youth I noticed that you bore the impress of majesty. Now you are to be the Ruler of the Empire. You must be respectful and moderate, diffusing virtue and benevolence. You must do honour to your ancestors the former emperors.'

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Ts'ao Mao modestly declined the proposed honour, but he was compelled to accept it. He was led out of the presence of the Empress-Dowager and placed in the seat of empire.

The style of the reign was proclaimed as Chêng-Yuan. amnesty was granted. Honours were heaped upon Ssuma Shih, who also received the golden axes, with the right to proceed leisurely within the precincts, to address the Throne without using his prænom and to wear arms at court.

But in the spring it was reported at court that the General Wuch'iu Chien and the Governor of Yangchou, Wên Ch'in, were raising armies with the declared design of restoring the deposed emperor.

Ssuma Shih was disconcerted.

If ministers of Han have always faithful been,
Wei leaders, too, to prove their loyalty are keen.

How this new menace was met will appear in the next chapter.

CHAPTER CX.

WEN YANG REPULSES THE ENEMY;

CHIANG WEI DEFEATS HIS OPPONENT.

It has been said that in the second year of Cheng-Yuan, Wên

Ch'in, Governor of Yangchou, and General Wuch'iu Chien, a distinguished officer who commanded the forces in Huainan, were reported to be raising armies to avenge the deposition of Ts'ao Fang.

Wuch'iu Chien was a native of Wênhsi in Honan. He was moved to great anger against the minister who had deposed the king, and his son Tien fomented his father's wrath, saying, "Father, you are chief of all this district. With this Ssuma Shih in such a position the country is in danger, and you cannot sit still and look on."

"My son, you speak well," replied he.

Whereupon he requested Governor Wên to come and consult with him. This Wên Ch'in had been a client of Ts'ao Shuang's, and he hastened at the call of the general. When he arrived he was led into the private apartments, and, the salutations at an end, the two began to talk over the situation. Presently the host began to weep, and his visitor asked the cause of his tears. "Think you that this conduct of Ssuma Shih does not tear my heart? He has deposed the king and now holds in his grip all the authority of the state. Things are all upside down."

Wen replied, "You are a Warden of the Marches. If you are willing to play the part, you ought to take arms and slay this rebel. I will help you, regardless of consequences. My second son, Shu, is a good soldier and a man of great valour, Moreover, he hates Ssuma Shih and wishes to avenge on him and his brother the death of Ts'ao Shuang. He would make an excellent leader of the van."

Wuch'iu was delighted to get such ready and willing support, and the two poured a libation in pledge of mutual good faith. Then, pretending that they held an edict from the EmpressDowager, they summoned all the officers to Shouch'un, where they built an altar on the west side and sacrificed a white horse, smearing their lips with its blood in token of their oath.

They made this declaration:-"Ssuma Shih is a rebel and devoid of rectitude. We have a secret edict commanding us to muster the forces of Huainan and put down this rebellion."

Thus supported, Wuch'iu led six legions to Hsiangch'êng, where he camped, while his fellow-conspirator Wên Ch'in took two legions to the front to go to and fro lending help where it was needed. Letters were sent all through the district calling for assistance.

Now that mole below the left eye of Ssuma Shih used to pain at times, and he decided to have it removed. The surgeon. excised it, closed and dressed the wound, and the patient rested quietly in his palace till it should heal.

It was at this time that he received the disquieting news of opposition to his authority. Whereupon he called in the T'ai-yü Wang Su to discuss the matter.

Said Wang, quoting Kuan Yü as an example, "When Kuan Yü was most famous, Sun Ch'üan sent Lü Mêng to capture Chingchou. What did he do? He first won over the officers by taking care of their families and thus broke the power of his enemy like a tile. Now the families of all the officers of Huainan are here in your hands. Treat them well, at the same time taking care that they do not get away, and you will be irresistible."

"Your words are good," said Ssuma. "However, I cannot go out to war till I have recovered. Yet, to send another is to take great risks, and I shall feel insecure.'

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There was also present Chung Hui, who here interposed, saying, "The forces of Huai and Ch'u are very formidable. If you send another there is danger whatever happens, and if your lieutenant make a serious mistake your whole policy will fail."

"No one but myself can succeed," cried Ssuma, starting from his couch. "I must go."

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So, in spite of illness, he resolved to lead in person. He left his brother in charge of affairs at Loyang and set out, travelling in a padded carriage.

Chuko Tan was given command over all the forces of Yüchou and ordered to take possession of Shouch'un, while Hu Tsun, with the Chingchou forces, was sent to bar any retreat. The Governor of Yüchou, Wang Chi, was sent to capture Chênnan and the district south.

To his camp at Hsiangyang, Ssuma summoned all his officers to a council. Chêng Pao spoke first, saying, "Wuch'iu Chien is fond of laying plans, but slow to come to any decision. His fellow-conspirator Wên Ch'in is bold, but imprudent. Now this scheme of theirs is too large for their minds, but as their men are full of spirit they should not be engaged lightly. We should remain on the uefensive till their ardour has burned out. This is what Ya Fu did."

But Wang Chi objected, saying, "This is not a rising of the people, nor of the soldiers, but is the work of Wuch'iu Chien. The people are merely his tools and cannot help themselves.

The rebellion will go to pieces as soon as an army approaches the district."

“I agree with you," replied Ssŭma.

Then he advanced upon the Yinshui River and camped by the bridge.

Wang Chi said, "Nant'un is an excellent camping ground; occupy it at once, for if not the enemy will do so.'

He was sent to carry out his own plan.

Reports of these movements of the enemy came to Wuch'iu in Hsiangch'êng, and an assembly of officers was called. The leader of the van, Ho Yung, said, "Nant'un is an excellent site for a camp, with a river beside it and hills at the rear. If the Wei armies camp there we shall be unable to dislodge them. Let us occupy it."

So the army set out. But before they drew near, the scouts reported a camp already there. It was incredible, and the leader rode to the front to reconnoitre. He was convinced by the sight of flags and banners over all the plain, fluttering above an orderly array of tents and huts. The sight disconcerted him, and he rode back to the main body not knowing what to do. Just then a scout came in to say that Sun Hsün of Wu had crossed the river to attack Shouch'un.

"If we lose that city we shall have no base," cried Wuch'iu. That same night he retreated upon Hsiangch'êng. Seeing the enemy retreat, Ssuma called together his officers to talk it over. Fu Ku, a President, who was of the expedition, said the retirement was obviously due to Wu's threatened attack upon Shouch'un, and he advised their own attack upon Hsiangch'êng, another on Lochia and sending an army to capture Shouch'un. He also proposed that Têng Ai, the Governor of Yenchou, should attack Lochia jointly with their own army.

His plan was acceptable to Ssuma, who sent letters to Yenchou telling Têng Ai to march against Lochia, where Ssuma himself would soon meet him.

Camped at Hsiangch'êng, Wuch'iu sent spies to Lochia to see what might be happening there, for he feared it would be attacked. When he spoke of his fears to Wên Ch'in, the latter said, "General, you need not be anxious. I and my son will answer for its safety. Give us but half a legion."

Father and son, with the half legion, went to Lochia. Before the main body arrived it was seen that Wei banners were flying on the west of the city. By and by they made out that the leader was no other than Ssuma himself. His camp was forming rapidly, but was not yet complete. When this was reported to Wên Ch'in, his son Yang, bearing his famous whip of steel, was by his father's side.

"We should attack before they have settled down in camp, father," said he. "Let us go quickly and attack on two sides." "When can we start?" said the father.

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