Page:Leaves from my Chinese Scrapbook - Balfour, 1887.djvu/133

 The Patriot Friends.

Kuan Chung and Pao Shu were bosom friends, living together in the State of Ts'i. The former was in the service of the young Prince Chiu; the latter served his brother, the young Prince Hsiao Pŏ. Now, the reigning Duke, their father, had a large family, on whom he doted fondly, the Duchess and the ladies of his harem being all considered of equal rank. The people of Ts'i feared lest grave disorders might arise from this weakness of the Duke's; so Kuan Chung, accompanied by one Shao Wu, attended Prince Chiu to the State of Lu, while Pao Shu escorted Prince Hsiao Pŏ to Chii. Their escape having been effected, the smouldering rebellion broke out; the Duke was killed, and the state left without a sovereign. Then both the young Princes contended for the throne; and Kuan Chung, on behalf of his master. Prince Chiu, gave battle to Prince Hsiao Pŏ in the State of Chii, in the course of which engagement he shot an arrow that struck the Prince in the clasp of his belt. Hsiao Pŏ, however, was eventually successful; and afterwards, when he ascended the throne, he brought pressure to bear upon the State of Lü with a view to the execution, by being minced, of his brother and Shao Wu. The former was put to death, and the latter committed suicide, while Kuan Chung was thrown into prison. Then Pao Shu said to his royal master, "Kuan Chung has abilities which fit him to administer a state." "But he's my enemy," replied the young Duke, "and I should like to kill him." "I have heard," rejoined Pao Shu, "that virtuous sovereigns never bear private grudges. Besides, a man who is able to serve one master is also able to serve another, if he chooses. If your Highness wishes to become Chief of the Feudal Princes, it is absolutely necessary for you to secure the aid of Kuan Chung; so you really must set him at liberty." Thereupon the Duke commanded Kuan Chung to be brought before him, and he was accordingly given up by the authorities of Lu. Pao Shu went to meet him on the road, and brought him to the Duke, who received him with great honour, and gave him a post higher than that occupied by the two