1842.
History of the Southern Sung Dynasty.
537
Kwóh to assume the imperial diadem. Thus he became a mighty monarch, the founder of a new dynasty, known in history as the Hau Chau, or After Chau dynasty. The name of his reign was Kwangshun, and his ancestorial designation Táitsú, a. d. 951.
As soon as Liú heard of Kwóh's election, he resolved upon the most vigorous measures, and in imitation of King, he concluded a treaty with the Ketans, who were only too anxious to make a diver- sion into China. But all their bravery was of no avail against the well disciplined troops of the new emperor. Instead of meeting them in the open field, he allowed them to fritter away their strength in a protracted siege, and when the besiegers had become weakened by famine and disease, he attacked them and drove them back to their native deserts. Liú was then in a helpless condition, and owed his existence to his generous rival.
In misfortune as well as prosperity, Kwoh remained the same. He forgave his enemies but treated mean informers with great harsh- ness, though with all his care and kindness he could not give satis- faction to all the officers who had helped him to the throne.
Our hero Kwangyin, contrary to his custom, kept aloof from the court, and joined himself to the prince of Tsin, the heir of the crown, who administered his own principality. On a certain day it happened, that one of the companions of Kwáng stole his horse. Exasperated at this act, he hastened to the palace, and exposed the conduct of the chief, who was a great favorite at the little court. About this time, the emperor dreamed that he was hit by an arrow, which a rosy cheeked youth aimed at him from the city wall. The circum- stance made such a deep impression upon the monarch, that he fell sick, and as the disorder increased, the prince of Tsin hastened to the capital and took Kwáng with him. Wishing to introduce him to the notice of the sovereign, he brought him to the bedside of the patient. As soon as the latter observed him, he, in a fit of rage, exclaimed, "this is the identical youth that shot the arrow at me in the dream." He instantly gave orders to decapitate the intruder ; but on the representations and prayers of the crown-prince, the pu- nishment was commuted into banishment from the court.
The ambitious designs of Kwang were thus again frustrated, and he betook himself to his paternal home, to avoid future trouble. His father was greatly delighted to recover the truant, and recommend- ed him to observe the strictest retirement. Kwang, anxious to com- ply with his father's wishes, began to study tactics in company with one of his comrades.
But still he could not abstain from sauntering
VOL. XI. NO. A
68
Page 555Page 556