Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/116



n the last chapter the two arch rebels proposed to murder the Emperor Hsien, but their followers Chang and Fan opposed this.

“No; the people will not approve of his death now. Restore him to power and get the leaguers inside the gates. Remove his supporters and then we can compass his death. And we shall be able to do what we wish.”

So they ceased the attack. The Emperor again spoke from the tower, saying, “Why do you still remain? You have slain Wang Yün now withdraw these soldiers.”

Then Li and Kuo replied, “Your servants desire rank us a reward for their good service to your dynasty.”

“And what rank, Sirs?”

All four wrote their wishes and handed them up to the Emperor who had no choice but to accede to the request and they were created “Generals” (Chiang-chün) and received ranks of nobility and thereupon they went away and camped at Ssŭnung. The inferior leaders also were gratified with ranks. And once more the capital was free of troops.

Tung Cho’s followers having so far succeeded did not forget their late leader. They sought his corpse for burial, but only a few fragments were discoverable. Then they graved an image of fragrant wood in his likeness, laid that out in proper form and instituted a noble’s sacrifices and prayers. The remains were dressed in the robes of a prince laid in a princely coffin for burial. They selected Meiwu for his tomb and having found an auspicious day conveyed the coffin thither.

But a terrific thunder storm came on at the time of inhumation and the ground was flooded. The coffin was riven asunder and the poor remains thrown out. A second time they buried the coffin, but a similar thing happened in the night. And yet a third time in another place but the earth rejected the remains. Meanwhile the thunder-fire had entirely consumed them. So it may be said justly that Heaven was exceeding angry with Tung Cho.

So now Li Ts‘ui and Kuo Ssŭ wielded the real power of the sceptre and they were hard upon the people. They also removed the attendants from the palace and replaced them by their own creatures, who maintained a most perfect watch