Page:History of Corea, ancient and modern; with description of manners and customs, language and geography (1879).djvu/275

 r 1 GBKAT WEALTH AND LITTLE WISDOM. 251 would be a guarantee that the people, in defending themselves from the Eon, would be supported by their government The red-tape ambassador became very angry, saying that he had come with orders to receive territory, not to defend cities ! The governor in vain reasoned, that if the east of the river (Shansi) fell, the north (Chihli and Shantung) could not stand. When he saw all was useless, he sighed and said : '' It is a losing gama'' The Kin had, meantime, taken Swochow and Taichow, in the north of Shansi, and soon besieged Taiyuen ; which was, however, gallantly defended by its governor. Another Kin army marched south from their capital, passing by Tanchow and Kichow, as not affecting their line of march. When they got to his vicinity, Losu deserted to them with Tushan foo ; and all the cities under its jurisdiction opened their gates. Next year a Chinese army was sent north to keep the south bank of the River, towards the north bank of which the Kin pressed, leaving several cities in their rear untaken ; for Losu knew the hoUowness of all the defencea As soon as the Kin got to the north of the river, and floated their banners along its banks, the southern defenders fled, all except one Yen man! The Kin took five days in crossing, as it was difficult to find boats. When they got across they laughed, and said that the southern court might be said to be without a single man ; for that one or two thousand men at the river bank could have effectually prevented them from crossing. Thus where men were many, arms strong, and money plentiful, a large and wealthy empire was going to pieces from want of a head to guide. We cannot too emphatically repeat that the one great lesson taught by Chinese history is, that extent of country, the strength of numbers and of unbounded wealth cannot save a country, without wisdom to guide those resources ; and it is no nursery tale to be laughed at^ that the wise or the cunning Jack becomes the killer of the strong but stupid giant The histories of all nations repeat the same story. No one can say that want of bravery or enthusiasm prevented the French from realising their hearts'