Page:Chinese Fables and Folk Stories.djvu/167

Rh weaker kingdoms, and four gave promises of peace and sent gifts to the young king. But one of the kings would not give tribute, neither would he say when he would begin war.

" 'When a year had almost passed, the young king reported to Confucius, "Four kings only have sent me gifts. Does the other nation wish war, or will its king send me a gift as the others have done?"

" ' "Will you not take my fan as a gift from me, and let the small weak nation go?" said Confucius.

" 'Then the king became very angry. He tore his long robe and said, "I will swallow up the nation that is my enemy. We will have war now."

" ' "The year of your promise is not yet gone," said Confucius. "If you do that, you must return the priceless fan." And the young king gave Confucius his fan and went away.

" 'The king gave his general the order to make ready for war. But in a few hours he repented of what he had done, for he prized the fan of Confucius above all gold or jewels, and he ordered his general to cease preparing for battle. And he further ordered that a Jeh-Shung—good talker—be sent with this message to Confucius.

" ' "I, the king, am sick at heart. I wish you to come to me and bring with you the fan which I prize