Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/330

RV 325 (VICTORY) cut to pieces or scattered far and wide in utter confusion. He himself was captured and put to death.

That night An Lu-shan feasted well. There was nothing to seriously oppose his march on Changan.

Before long he would be with Yang Kuei-fei, to reclaim his sword, and to make her his Empress.

News of the defeat of Ko-shu-han struck Ming Huang a mortal blow. This was the end. The Palace troops had been scattered by the defeat. There were none to defend Changan.

Kuo-chung voiced the thought that Ming Huang dared not put into words, "We must take flight, Your Majesty."

Kao Li-shih grieved for his Emperor. Silently he waited.

"Yes, we will have to leave Changan," said the Emperor, "but I will leave at the head of troops. An Emperor who cannot lead his men, cannot hold his throne."

"But there are no troops."

"Send emissaries throughout the city, shout far and wide that China needs patriotic multitudes. All true men are to rally at once to their Emperor's aid. We will flee temporarily by the Great Shu Road to Chengtu. There we will gather an army from all quarters of the Empire, so large that An Lu-shan will tremble at its approach and sue for peace." RV 325 (325)