Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/333

 So saying he handed his seal to Sun Ch‘üan saying, “For manipulating the might of Chiangtung so as to make it the deciding force between two factions and then obtaining the whole Empire you are not so suited as I; but in encouraging the wise and confiding in the able and getting the best out of every one for the preservation of this district, I should not succeed as you will. Remember with what toil and labour your father and I have won what we possess and take good care thereof.”

Sun Ch‘üan wept as he knelt to receive the seal and the dying chief turned to his mother, “Mother, the days allotted of Heaven have run out and I can no longer serve my tender mother. I have given over the seal to my brother and trust that you will advise him early and late, and see that he lives worthy of his predecessors.”

“Alas! your brother is full young for such a task,” said his mother weeping. “I know not what may happen.”

“He is far abler than I and fully equal to the task of ruling. Should he have doubts upon internal affairs, he must turn to Chang Chao; for outer matters he must consult Chou Yü. It is a pity Chou Yü is absent so that I cannot give him my charge face to face.”

To his brothers he said, “When I am gone you must help your brother. Should any discord arise in the family let the others punish the wrong-doer and let not his ashes mingle with those of his ancestors in the family vaults.”

The young men wept at these words. Then he called for his wife, the famous beauty of the Ch‘iao family, and said, “Unhappily we have to part while still in the full vigour of life. You must care for my mother. Your sister will come to see you presently and you can ask her to tell Chou Yü to help my brother in all things and make him keep to the way I have taught him to walk in.”

Then he closed his eyes and soon after passed away. He was only twenty-six.

As his brother breathed his last Sun Ch‘üan sank by his bed and wept.

“This is not the time to mourn,” said Chang Chao. “First see to the funeral ceremonies and that the government is safe.”

So the new ruler dried his tears. The superintendence of the funeral was confided to Sun Ching and then Chang Chao