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History of the Southern Sung Dynasty.
Oct.
death of the present ruler, he would become a relation of theirs. Scarcely were the words spoken, when a storm arose, and the foxes vanished, but their words left a deep impression upon his mind.
Some time after this incident, a provincial officer rebelled, and the famous Kingtảng was sent to subdue him. On the day of the departure of the army, one of his officer's wives bore a son, the future founder of the Sung dynasty, and a man celebrated in history. The mother had long prayed to heaven to grant the birth of a sage, who might put a stop to the intestine wars that distracted the empire. Her supplications were heard, and the child was born under these auspicious circumstances.
The 20,000 men under Kingtång's command marched joyously to battle, but were nearly cut to pieces by the enemy. The generalis- simo was accused of incapacity, when he was fortunate to capture the son of the rebel chief. Afterwards he retreated, much to the displeasure of the emperor, and would have been punished as a trait- or, if the Ketan Tartars had not made an inroad into China; where upon he was ordered to expel the barbarians. King thought it better to negotiate, than to fight; a horse was killed before the gate of a fortress, he partook of the blood with the Tartar chief, and conclud- ed a lasting treaty. From that time they no longer invaded the Chi- nese territory. Some years after this, a celebrated leader, cffended at the insolence of the minister, penetrated with an army to the pɛ- lace, and there dethroned the reigning emperor Ming tí, and substitut- ed his brother as his successor (a. d. 934), with the ominous name of Fí tí, or emperor Abrogation. King was too good a politician not to send in his adherence; he even went to the capital, where he got en- tangled in intrigues, and scarcely escaped with his life.
Under the existing government, it was impossible to remain faith- ful. There was so much intrigue and favoritism, that the most up- right statesmen could never make sure of their offices. Kingtáng was moreover popular with the army, which is a crime with a sus picious prince. His wife and children lived at the capital as hostages. The former was very much attached to her husband, and asked her imperial relation, whether she might not join her lord.
“What !" said the emperor, "do you wish to have intercourse with a rebel?" These words sunk deep into her heart, and that very night she dis- patched a messenger to warn him of the impending danger. Thus was a breach made, which could never be repaired. Kingting had interceded for the sufferers of his district, and had received largesses from the emperor himself to supply their wants. By their careful
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