Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/323

RV 318 (VICTORY) Loyang, and protected the gates not a man of the enemy could break through."

"Li Mi," quavered Kuo-chung, "is dead. Foolishly, without thought, his army attempted to subdue the barbarous State of Nan Chao. Two hundred thousand men were destroyed."

Ming Huang groaned in anguish, but he was beyond anger. "Why was I not told of this?" he asked, wearily.

"I did not know of it, My Emperor," said Kao sadly.

"I wanted to keep unpleasant news from you," whined Kuo-chung. "Li Mi proceeded without consulting anyone. When I heard of the defeat I was confounded. As Premier I attempted to carry this leaden burden."

"This would not have happened had Li Lin-fu lived."

"I, too, have failed," said Kao. "You conferred upon me the title of Generalissimo, but I neglected my duties. I was out of touch with military affairs. Until this moment I did not know that Li Mi was dead. However, the faults of one man cannot destroy a great people. China will survive, and life will be sweetened once more."

"Faithful Kao, what would I do without you?"

"If you accompany a man at all," said Kao, ill at ease, "accompany him all the way."

"I'll raise a new army!" cried the Emperor. "And lead it into battle!"

"You cannot do that!" said Yang Kuei-fei. "You are Emperor of China!" RV 318 (318)