Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/193

RV 188 (LI PO) "If you value your head," cried Chih-chang, brandishing a knife, "you'll have to withdraw those words."

"I meant no offense, Great-Statesman-Who-Sleeps-in-Well," said Li Po, pretending to be frightened. "You are my friend, Oh Governor of Frogs, but I thought that only eunuchs held high office in this preposterous country."

Suddenly he whipped out a sword. "And now for the Death-of-a-Thousand-Cuts. First I will clip off your ears."

Li Po was a great swashbuckler; the affair was much to his liking. It was lots of pleasure to brandish a sword. "Let blood and wine flow freely!" he cried.

Ho Chih-chang had had enough. Ruefully, he said, "My knife is short and blunt. Let us forget the incident. Come, why not accompany me to Changan?"

"Why should I?"

"To meet the Emperor."

"Is the wine of Changan good?"

"The best, and plentiful. Even rose-wine."

Reluctantly, Li Po put away his sword. "I'd like you better without ears," he grumbled.

"How then could I listen to your words? However, I doubt that you have ever killed a man. I suppose next you'll be saying you are a cannibal."

"No, but if I was I'd only marry plump wives. Although I've never been a cannibal, I've read much about them. One story in particular that I found inspiring, perhaps because it pointed out the extreme dangers of drunkenness. An official of Lin-an was RV 188 (188)