Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/113

 12th day of the 7th moon of the 13th year of the Emperor Kang-hi.

Having divined by lot for a propitious day, the army celebrated the victory, and marched back to the Capital, Ou the day of their return, the Civil and Military Officials went outside the city to receive and welcome the conquerors, and as the brethren passed the gate of the fifth Court, a man came forward, and in a loud voice addressed the 128 priests :

"Behold the invincible heroes of the highest rank.

"Their courage and valour have never been equalled.

At the proper time, the priests were presented at Court, and passed in review before their Sovereign Lord. The whole army received rewards, but the Emperor specially called before him the brethren, and wished to invest them with titles of nobility; but on hearing of this intention, all the priests excused themselves, and the Abbot on behalf of the brethren humbly addressed His Majesty as follows.

"Your servants having left their families, and retired from the world, do not desire an illustrious worldly reputation; they only pray that they may be allowed to return to their monastery, and pass their lives in the cultivation of virtue by the performance of good works; this being granted, they can never be sufficiently grateful for your Majesty's kindness and condescension."

The Emperor hearing this, could not but accede to their request, but at the same time he presented them with 10,000 taels of gold, and having entertained them at a feast, gave permission for the priests to return to their monastery. Kang-Hi appointed the Minister, Teⁿ Kun Tat, (who as before narrated accompanied the army as Commissioner), to the Military Command of the O-Kong Province, and ordered him to proceed to his new post on the same day as the priests were leaving the Capital.

Having thanked the Emperor, the priests withdrew from the Palace, and the Civil and Military Officials returned to their respective Yamens. Teⁿ-Kun-Tat entertained the priests, his late comrades, at a farewell feast, where they talked over the dangers lately undergone while subduing the Eleuths, and congratulated each other on the splendid results of their labours. In view of separation, they could scarcely find words to express their thoughts, so after taking a solemn oath of mutual brotherhood, they bade farewell, and each party went its way.

Who would have imagined, that during the feast, two old ras-