Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/348

RV 343 (VICTORY) Kao could not hide the anguish that shone in his eyes.

Ming Huang lifted his head, as though listening.

"The trees are weeping. Why do the trees weep?"

"They weep for Yang Kuei-fei," said Kao. "All Nature weeps, for Yang Kuei-fei is dead."

Yang Kuei-fei was buried in a simple grave by the roadside in Ma Wei, in a coffin which for years the owner of the tea-house had kept in the corner of his bed room, waiting to receive his own body. It was the only possible way he could honor his Emperor.

The rabble troops were satisfied. A few hung their heads in shame. They returned their scurrilous allegiance to Ming Huang, who paid them no heed whatsoever. No longer was he concerned with the affairs of men. But Kao watched over him and rode beside him at the head of the troops, and so they proceeded without incident to Chengtu where Ming Huang took up residence in comparative obscurity.

While this was happening, An Lu-shan rode in triumph into Changan. His troops, weary of warfare, bewildered by the magnificence of the city, entered upon a period of looting and dissipation. They gave themselves over to sexual excess. Thousands of Palace ladies had elected to remain in ease at the Palace, refusing to take seriously the danger from the mighty rebel who RV 343 (343)