Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 557

1842.

History of the Southern Sung Dynasty.

539

But as soon as they

flowers, which he most graciously received. commenced lecturing him on his effeminacy, he immediately sent them away,

for he was tenderly attached to the ladies, and would not hear a single word of reproof. They therefore went about to concert a plan to rescue their master from the snare of these Delilahs. But here, as in many others instances, their remedy proved worse than the disease. Having taken their resolution, they set fire to the newly built palace in the night, and as the wind blew strong, the whole building was soon on fire. Kwáng's friend stood at the avenue, from whence the emperor was to issue, and receiving the monarch into his arms, carried him away. The damsels were seen walking on the terrace, and imploring the assistance of the bystanders, when Kwáng rushed forward and immediately carried them off, and threw them into the hottest of the flames, where they miserably perished. This shock was so severe as to deprive the emperor of his health. When he heard that the ladies had been burned in the palace, he heaved a deep sigh, and was inconsolable at their loss; he refused all food, and died of a broken heart in A. D. 960.

Scarcely was the breath out of him, when the ministers elevated to the throne his son, Hiente, a mere boy, who is known in history as Kungtí. He had enjoyed this dignity only a few days, when the grandees consulted amongst themselves to raise a more influential personage, and not to allow a beardless youth to sway them. Kwáng overheard this conversation, and was not at all pleased with this ex- hibition of a mutinous spirit. He therefore declared, that if any body repeated the proposal, he would cut him down. With this threat- ening speech they were little pleased, and one amongst them, took a yellow robe, and throwing it upon Kwáng, exclaimed, "Be thou our emperor!" This appeal was supported by drawn swords, and Kwang, though in his heart liking the thing, continued to make a show of resistance until he reluctantly yielded. But the officers soon found to their cost, that they had given themselves a master indeed. Being at the head of a powerful army, Kwáng could firmly support his title; he adopted the name of Sung for his dynasty; his reign. was successively named Kienlung, Kánte, and Káipáu, but in history he is known as Táitsú; this was in A. D. 960.

War was his element, and to wage it against the opposing forces was now his duty. At the head of his army, he obtained many a battle, which most effectually contributed to his renown. But such a state of things could uot always last, he saw whole provinces laid waste, and people dying of pestilential diseases. He himself was