Page:Chinese account of the Opium war (IA chineseaccountof00parkrich).pdf/63

 having thus possessed themselves of Amoy, did not keep it, but proceeded in a few days with the greater part of their fleet on to Ningpo, leaving only a few ships anchored off Kulang Sü. Accordingly, about the 22nd of September, Admiral YEN reported the "recapture" of Amoy to the Emporor; but the sub- prefect of the place remained in hiding notwith- standing, and did not venture to re-assume his official duties. The Emperor degraded the Admiral to the third rank, but left him at his post, and despatched the under-secretary TWANHWA to ascertain the true facts for his information. Meanwhile the foreigners on Kulang Sü were employing workmen to build for them more boats, with a view to reconnoitring up the river. With thirty of these, and five larger vessels, they ad- vanced up the Muh-chwang Creek, and sank five of our war-junks with their guns. Two of our captains were killed, but a resistance was offered by the Admiral and Rear-Admiral in charge, who succeeded in sinking one large foreign vessel. The enemy then withdrew out into the open sea. They dared not venture up the Five Tiger Passage of the Foochow River, for this only contains enough water when the tide is in.

To return to Ningpo. The foreign fleet had already left Ting-hai when YüK'IEN arrived in January as Imperial Commissioner in succession to