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240 240 STRANGE STORIES FROM

The Imperial rescript to this document was " Banishment to Yunnan," his son, who was Governor of P'ing-yan^^ being also implicated in his guilt. When Tseng heard the news, he was overcome with fear ; but an armed guard was already at his gate, and the lictors were forcing their way into his innermost apartments. They tore off his robe and official hat, and bound him and his wife with cords. Then they collected together in the hall his gold, his silver, and bank-notes,' to the value of many hundred thousands of taels. His pearls, and jade, and precious stones fiUed many bushel baskets. His curtains, and screens, and beds, and other articles of furniture were brought out by thousands; while the swaddling-clothes of his infant boy and the shoes of his little girl were lying littered about the steps. It was a sad sight for Tseng ; but a worse blow was that of his concubine carried off almost Hfeless before his eyes, himself not daring to utter a word. Then all the apartments, store-rooms, and treasuries were sealed up ; and, with a volley of curses, the soldiers bade Tseng begone, and proceeded to leave the place, dragging him with them. The husband and wife prayed that they might be allowed some old cart, but this favour was denied them. After about ten It, Tseng's wife could barely walk, her feet being swollen and sore. Tseng helped her along as best he could, but another ten li reduced him to a state of abject fatigue. By-and-by they saw before them a great mountain, the summit of which was lost in the clouds ; and, fearing they should be made to ascend it, Tseng and his wife stood still and began to weep; The lictors, however, clamoured round them, and would permit of no rest. The sun was rapidly sinking, and there was no place at hand where they could obtain shelter for the night. So they continued on their weary way until about half-way up the hill, when his wife's strength was quite exhausted, and she sat down by the roadside. Tseng, too, halted to rest in spite of the soldiers atnd their abuse ; but they had hardly stopped a moment before down came a band of robbers upon them,

the Chinese have always regarded as semi-barbarous.
 * A land journey of about three months, endmg in a region which

' From A.D. 1 1 54 the use of paper money became quite common in China.