Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/273

RV 268 (AN LU-SHAN) "The credit must go to the officer who purchased me. He was kind, considerate. Upon recognizing my ability, he gave me freedom that I might become a soldier of China. My promotion was rapid. After many successes, I met Li Lin-fu. My greatest success, however, was when you adopted me."

Yang Kuei-fei tried to look at him impersonally. How grossly fat he was, yet amusing too. His face was so ugly it fascinated. He was uncouth, untamed. The woman he took into his arms might as well be possessed by an animal. Yes, he held an animal attraction, nothing more. She shuddered. What more could any woman desire? Yang Kuei-fei clutched the back of a marble bench to keep from falling. The truth was like a blow, but she faced it fearlessly. She admired the brilliant mind of the Emperor, and the large, strong body of An Lu-shan. She longed for him to possess her. She was weary of gentleness.

Thereafter, frequently when the Emperor was speaking, she closed her eyes and imagined it was An Lu-shan. For the Emperor, the nights were marvels of abandonment. Never had he been so entirely satisfied with everything. His personal affairs were looked over by Kao Li-shih; affairs of the Empire, by Li Lin-fu; matters concerning the army, by An Lu-shan who was elevated to supreme command of all troops throughout the Province. Naturally the best soldiers were garrisoned near the Capital.

Although the Emperor had unlimited faith in An Lu-shan's military ability, in affairs of the heart he RV 268 (268)