Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/114

 cally Officials who had not returned with rest to their Yamen, bad introduced themselves amongst the company, and leard everything. The names of these Officers were Tiuⁿ-Kien-Chhiu, and Tan-Hiong, both were of the highest rank of Prefect, and were on very bad terms with Kun-Tat, whom they had for a long time wished to ruin. Teⁿ-Kun-lat, was however a most honourable and much respected man, and as yet they had not been able to bring any charge against, [sic] him. The two Officials had now seen him pledge himself to the priests by a solemn oath of brotherhood, so full of the affair, they returned to their Yamens, and concerted a most treacherous scheme.

The next morning they obtained an Audience of the Emperor, and petitioned His Majesty as follows.

"In your servant's opinion, the priests of the Siau-Lim monastery, by thus subduing the Eleuths, as easily as one could put on a suit of armour, have covered themselves with glory, and deserve to be handed down as heroes to thousands of generations. Truly these men are as fierce as wolves, and courageous as tigers; if their hearts only remain unchanged, then the Government will be safe and we may rest in peace; but on the contrary, if their minds should change, then indeed the State will be endangered."

"Besides this, Teⁿ-Kun-Tat a man full of craft and intrigue, has cherished schemes of ambition and rebellion, but not having resources or power, and being also without confederates, he has not as yet dared to shew openly disaffection."

"Now, however, he has obtained an oath of life and death, from the priests, and your Majesty has given him command over, and the power of 10,000 soldiers; truly he is now as a tiger with the additional strength of wings, and as a fierce fire increased by oil; he will immediately carry into practice his ambitious schemes, and the priests will respond to his call without fail. With all these auxiliaries, who will be able to oppose a man of such wolf-and-tiger-like disposition?"

"Your ministers having pondered over this matter, are most anxious, and at the risk of their lives, must represent the state of things to your Majesty; they beg that you will carefully enquire into the case, and avoid the necessity of repenting when it shall be too late."

The Emperor being deceived by the specious words of these two men, praised their zeal and fidelity in representing the affair, and immediately demanded of the nobles if they had any good scheme