Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/115

 The two leaders looked up and said, “Tung Cho, Your Majesty’s Minister, has been slain by Wang Yün and we are here to avenge him. We are no rebels, Sire. Let us only have Wang Yün and we draw off our men.”

Wang Yün was actually among the courtiers and at the Emperor’s side. Hearing this demand he said, “The plan was made for the benefit of the Throne, but as this evil has grown therefrom Your Majesty will not grudge losing me. I have brought about evil and I will go down to these rebels.”

The Emperor was torn with sorrow and wavered. But the faithful Minister leaped from the wall crying, “Wang Yün is here.”

The two leaders drew their swords, crying, “For what crime was our master slain?”

“His crimes filled the heavens and covered the earth; no tongue can tell them. The day he died was a day of rejoicing in the whole city as you well know,” said Wang.

“And if he was guilty of some crime what had we done not to be forgiven?”

“Seditious rebels, why bandy words? I am ready to die.”

And he was slain at the foot of the tower.

Having done the loyal Minister to death at his master’s feet they proceeded to exterminate also his whole family. Every one mourned.

Then said the ruffians to each other, “Having gone so far what could be better than to make away with the Emperor and complete our scheme?”

The fate of the Emperor will be disclosed in the next chapter.