1842.
History of the Southern Sung Dynasty.
5:3
dispatching other generals to different parts of the empire, who had elated his hopes by promises of certain victory, when he heard the dismal news, that the Tartars were approaching the capital. Instead of thinking about the means of defense, he set fire to the palace, and drove the inmates of his harem into the flames, Whilst thus barbarously employed, a message arrived from the Ketan khan, promising him life and protection if he would descend from the throne. He immediately endeavored to quench the flames, put off the robes of state, and went to meet the victor with his whole family. The city was then exposed for two days to plunder, and the emperor confined to a narrow temple, where he remained without even the necessaries of life. The conquerors however showed great moderation, and even punished some base traitors.
Whilst the Ketans were elated with this success, an envoy arrived in the Tartar camp, announcing the assumption of the throne by Liú Chíyuen. This man was a soldier of fortune, one of the bravest generals in the Chinese army, who on hearing of the overthrow of the dynasty declared himself the founder of a new line of rulers, (which was afterwards named the Hau Hán, or After Hin dynasty,) and called upon every true Chinese to fight for his country, A. D. 947. He ordered all the feudal princes to forward their tribute. The prince of Tang readily yielded to the summons, and instead of precious jewels, sent three opera singers, the fairest damsels in his whole ter- itory. The ministers were very indignant at their appearance at court, and foretold the consequences which must ensue from harbor- ing such sirens. To these remonstrances, the emperor turned a deaf ear and erected a stage, where they might perform for the amusement of the public.
We must now turn our attention to a lad, whose deeds henceforth engross many pages of the history. This was Cháu Kwangyin, the son of the officer before mentioned. Few persons would have thought, that anything noble would have spring from so wild a sprig as this lad. His father, being anxious to bring him up to a learned profes- sion, sent him to his maternal grandfather to study the classics; but instead of plaguing his head with books, he spent his days in loitering about, and getting into broils. After a year's absence from his pa- ternal roof, he returned without leave to seek his former boon com- panions. They were once strolling about the streets bent upon mis- chief, when they stopped at a shop where bows were sold. The artisan had given a challenge, that whosoever could draw the cross bows he offered for sale, should have them as a present.
All the gay