Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/48

 But Lu Chih also said, “Long have I known this man; in appearance innocent, he is a very wolf at heart. Let him in and calamity enters with him. Stop him; do not let him come and thus will you avoid confusion.”

Ho Chin was obstinate and both these men gave up their posts and retired, as did more than half the ministers of State, while Ho Chin sent a warm welcome to Tung Cho, who soon camped at Ying Pool.

The eunuchs knew this move was directed against them and recognised that their only chance for safety was to strike the first blow. So they first hid a band of armed ruffians in the palace at the Gate of Abundant Virtue and then went in to see the Empress.

They said, “The General, feigning to act under command, has called up armies to the capital to destroy us. We pray you, Grandmother, to pity and save us.”

“Go to the General and confess your faults,” said she.

“If we did then should we be cut to mincemeat. Rather summon the General into your presence and command him to cease. If he will not, then we pray but to die in your presence.”

She issued the requisite command and Ho was just going to her when Ch‘ên Lin advised him not to enter, saying the eunuchs were certainly behind the order and meant him harm. But Ho could only see the command of the Empress and was blind to all else.

“The plot is no longer a secret”; and Yüan Shan, “still you may go if you are ready to fight your way in.”

“Get the eunuchs out first,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.

“Silly children!” said Ho. “What can they do against the man who holds the forces of the Empire in the palm of his hand?”

Shao said, “If you will go, then we will come as a guard, just as a precaution.”

Whereupon both he and Ts‘ao chose a half company of the best men under their command, at whose head they placed a brother of Yüan Shao, named Shu.

Yüan Shu, clad in mail, drew up his men outside the Chingso Gate while the other two went as escort. When Ho Chin neared the palace the eunuchs said, “The orders are to admit the General and none other.” So the escort was detained outside.

Ho Chin went in proudly. At the Gate of Abundant Virtue he was met by the two chief eunuchs and their followers quickly closed in around him. Ho began to feel alarmed. Then Chang Jang in a harsh voice began to revile him.

“What crime had Tung T‘ai-hou committed that she should have been put to death? And when the Mother of the Country was buried, who feigned sickness and did not attend? We raised you and your paltry, huckstering family to all the