Page:History of Corea, ancient and modern; with description of manners and customs, language and geography (1879).djvu/277

 SHANSI IN TBOUBLB. 258 Meiho, the Kin general, had been pressing the siege of Taiyuen all this time with vigour, but with no shadow of sucoesa His force against Pingyang of Shansi was more successful ; and when he entered the city, and found the gates and walls in such splendid condition, he could not understand how the city could have been surrendered, and said: ''Of a truth the Sung are without a man/' Loongan (then Loongdua foo) fell immediately. Joongshan and Hokien were as obstinate as Taiyuen, and not one of them would open their gates; — ^thus acting like the Turkish commandants after the treaty of San Stefano. The Chinese ofiSoer, Joong Shwaijoong, defeated the Pingyang army of Ein ; and following up his victoiy, took the two cities of Showyang and Yutsu. In his eagerness he still pressed on, though his commissariat was badly attended to. He got to Shahiwngling (Kill-bear Pass), where Meiho himself, at the head of firesh, strong troops, lay to receive him, well knowing the weakness of his men from want of sufficient food. Meiho ordered an immediate onset, which drove back Joong's right wing, scattered his left» and soon surrounded himself with the small band which clung to him. He fought with desperation ; and even after receiving four great wounds, he fought on till he dropped down dead. Toonggwei, not before time, was executed; and Liangsu, apparently because too urgent in praying for peace. foUowed him. Li Gang was elevated to be governor of the Two Rivers,* and ordered to Taiyuen to strengthen the brave men there ; but he had not got beyond Hwaichow, when other counsels prevailed, and he received orders to disband his army. His men mostly scattered ; but he was able to strengthen the garrisons of the Torious cities— Fungchow, Liaochow, &a He had delayed the disbanding, by an earnest appeal to be permitted to hold his army together. But his prayer was in vain. The cities of the noriii of the river were almost emptied, the citizens flying across to the soutL Li Gang was recalled at his own request, on the ground that he had been unsuccessful; and anoHier governor • Of ''Bart** and *«Noiib» of YeDoW Biver.