Page:History of Corea, ancient and modern; with description of manners and customs, language and geography (1879).djvu/176

 152 SINLO. war. The ambassador was honourably received by the king, but found Gaisoowun already gone with his army, before which two Sinlo cities had then fallen. His king sent for him. He returned, and in self-justification said that Sinlo had taken advantage of the troubles of Gaoli in her western borders during the Swi dynasty, to cut off 500 li * of land on her east side ; and that Gaoli wanted now only the restoration of her own land. The ambassador replied that the occupation of that land was now of long standing and the matter should be let slip ; that all Liaotung lands were once Chinese soil ; but though now in Gaoli hands, the C!hinese said nothing about it Gaisoowun did not see the force of the reasoning. He knew if Liaotung was not recovered to China, it was not from want of effort ; and he was well aware that if the Tang Emperor did not press for its restoration, it was not from want of will. If Tang were then able to take Liaotung, as Gaoli could compel Sinlo to disgorge, he would not be slow in putting in his claim, on the ground that it was Chinese soil centuries ago. He was not ignorant that Tang had the will, but not the power to take Liaotung ; while he himself had the power as well as the will to recover Gaoli bounderies, and to push back the lines of an enemy, and to weaken him in the rear, before the great approaching struggle came on in front His refusal to obey the imperial mandate still further enraged his majesty, who as usual consulted with his ministers, of whom one took one view, one another ; though they were aware that he was as bent on this war as ever was Emperor Yang. He was also determined to go in person, though it was universally objected to ; for it was urged that it was highly improper for him, after restoring rest to China, to abandon bis well earned repose, and to again take the field. He objected on his part that the ministers never spoke of the righteousness of his cause. Just then Gaisoowun sent in a quantity of silver as tribute. A minister said that this man had slain his prince, that the and Sinlo had for long the north of the present Corea in her borders ; so that the north of Sinlo wotdd be east of Graoli, and the centre of Sinlo east of Baiji
 * Thi8 land would be in the north-east of Graoli, as Baiji was immediately east;