Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/219

RV 214 (LI PO) to hesitate to attach his seal to anything his Premier fostered?

Kao Li-shih was saddened by the dismissal of Chang, the Conqueror. It was like destroying part of the very foundation of the Empire. He wept in secret, but what matter? Eunuchs are highly emotional. For him to oppose Li Lin-fu would be as ridiculous as to strive to raise a beard.

Soon afterwards, Chang Shou-kuei had died. Officially it was stated that he had died of a carbuncle. Kao Li-shih wondered if he hadn't been destroyed by the very government he had striven so long to defend.

There were numerous other instances of Li Lin-fu's abuse of power. He had always opposed Chang Kui-ling who had made up the "Golden Mirror of Precepts for the Emperor's Birthday." Kui-ling belonged among the sages of China. Secretly Li Lin-fu acknowledged his strength of character, and so he hated him. He never lost an opportunity to attempt to poison the Emperor's mind against Kui-ling. However, Kui-ling continued in office. He was a dangerous opponent because he was a brilliant poet. He feared Li Lin-fu no more than he feared a lizard by the roadside. He was incorruptible, and without fear.

Gradually the tentacles of the octopus, Li Lin-fu, wrapped themselves around every province of the Empire. There was no one thing that could be used against him to pry away his grip. It was the result of countless small things, many insignificant in themselves. For instance how could Chang Kui-ling or Kao Li-shih RV 214 (214)