Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 553

1842.

History of the Southern Sung Dynasty.

535

here? I was sent to kill the butcher's son, but am happy to discover my mistake."

Kwang was not much discomposed at this speech, and rejoiced at the renewed assurance of his future success.

About this time the founder of the Hau Hán died, and his son, a boy of 18 years, known in history as Yin ti, ascended the throne in A. D. 948. He promulgated a general amnesty, and Kwang therefore set out for the capital, elated with his prospects of a rapid advance-

ment.

But as soon as he had reached his parent's house, his father, who knew the boy too well to trust him any longer out of his sight, kept him at home. The restraint proved ineffectual; for on a court day, when the way was open, he appeared amongst the joyous crowd of spectators. When every one had dispersed, he managed to find his way into the imperial kitchen, where the smoking viands invited him to satisfy the cravings of appetite. Perceiving a golden goblet filled with spiced wine, he quaffed it off, and then hastened to the imperial throne, upon which he seated himself with all the dignity he could assume. Here he was observed by some of the guards, but made a timely escape. The ministers were enraged at this pre- sumption, and put a price on his head, and would, failing to seize him, have seized and executed his father, had not the most conside- rate amongst them proved that he was entirely ignorant of his son's freak. Kwang, notwithstanding the strictest search, could not be found, when suddenly he appeared at the army; here in action, he performed such exploits, that his fame grew till he began to be re- garded as the bravest general of his age.

There was, at this time, a parasite at court, who hated every man of real merit. It happened that the commander on the frontier, ge- neral Kwóh Wei, had so well kept the Ketans in check, that they had not dared to invade the empire. He was a straightforward man, who never troubled himself about courtiers and politics, and from his rigid virtue, had incurred the hatred of this minion, who denounc- ed him as a traitor, and obtained an order for his appearance at court. When these summons arrived, Kwóh Wei refused to obey them, pleading the necessity of his stay on account of the proximity of a powerful enemy. This excuse was considered by the emperor as an act of contumacy, and he therefore sent a silken cord, a hemloc po- tion, and a sword, to the general, leaving to his choice to use either, and ordering his envoy to bring back the general's head. Kwóh Wei, being a very loyal subject, on receiving these directions, went into his tent, to take the poisoned cup At this moment two of his