wept. One man spoke, saying, "You speak as Heaven guides you."
Turning toward him they recognised a man of Pahsi named Ch'iao Chou, who had the reputation of being an astrologer.
"I have studied the aspect of the heavens and a multitude of stars gathered over Shu, one of which shone as the full moon; a right royal star. And I recall a popular couplet of last year.—
When comes the ruler from the east,
Then may you on new rice feast.
This is a sort of presage. None can withstand the decree of the Most High."
Huang and Liu, who heard these words, were very angry at such a speech and rose up to smite the speaker. But Liu Chang stayed them.
Next came news that Hsu Ching, Prefect of me metropolitan district, had gone over to the invaders. This was the last blow. Liu Chang went home weeping.
Next day they reported that Liu Pei, the Imperial Uncle, had sent a secretary to visit Liu Chang and he was even then at the city gate. He was admitted, and Chien Yung entered, riding in a carriage and looking about him most haughtily. Suddenly he was hailed from the street by a man with a sword in his hand, who cried, "You have got your wish, wretched creature, and seem to think there is no one to compare with you. But do not look so contemptuously at us of Shu."
Chien quickly got out of his carriage to speak to the speaker, who was a man of Mienchu named Ts'in Mi.
"Worthy brother," said he, "I did not recognise you. I pray you not to be angry."
Both then went to visit Liu Chang, and they spoke of the liberality and broad-mindedness of Liu Pei, said he had no intention to harm any one, and praised him to such effect that Liu Chang then and there made up his mind finally that he would give up the struggle. So he treated Chien very honourably that day. And the next day, taking his seal and insignia of office and his archives, he accompanied Chien out of the city and went to Yuan-te's camp. Yuan-te came out in person to receive him. Taking Liu Chang by the hand, he wept, saying, "It is not that I wish to act cruelly or wrongly; I am the victim of circumstances and cannot help it."
They entered the camp together, where the seal of office and the documents changed hands. Afterwards they rode into the city side by side. The people gave Yuan-te a cordial welcome, burning incense and illuminating the city. The victor went to the residence of the chief of the province, where he took his seat and was saluted by all the subordinate officials.
However, Huang Ch'uan and Liu Pa stayed away from the ceremony. This annoyed the more violent of Yuan-te's supporters, and they wished to kill the delinquents. But Yuan-te would not allow violence and threatened condign punishment to any one who might interfere with these two. When the reception was over he went to visit the two recalcitrants, whereupon both came out and made their obeisance.
Said K'ung-ming, "We have vanquished, and all opposition is at an end. But there cannot be two rulers, so you must remove Liu Chang to Chingchou."
"But I do not wish to exile him," said Yuan-te.
"He lost his prestige through weakness. If you are effeminately weak and undecided you also will not last long."
Yuan-te saw his advice was good, and so he gave a great banquet whereat he begged Liu Chang to pack up his treasures and prepare to move. He gave the dispossessed Prefect the title Chen-wei Chiang-Chun (Captain of Wide spread Prestige). Liu Chang went away to Chingchou, taking with him his family and all his possessions.
Yuan-te thus became Governor of Ichou. He conferred gifts on the inferior officers who joined him, confirming their ranks and titles. Yen Yen was given a high rank in the army. Fa Cheng became Prefect of the District of Shu. Others of the Shu officers whose aid had been conspicuous were given high ranks and finer titles under the new rule, while the services of minor men to the number of three score or more were well rewarded.
Naturally, honours were distributed freely to Yuan-te's immediate
Turning toward him they recognised a man of Pahsi named Ch'iao Chou, who had the reputation of being an astrologer.
"I have studied the aspect of the heavens and a multitude of stars gathered over Shu, one of which shone as the full moon; a right royal star. And I recall a popular couplet of last year.—
When comes the ruler from the east,
Then may you on new rice feast.
This is a sort of presage. None can withstand the decree of the Most High."
Huang and Liu, who heard these words, were very angry at such a speech and rose up to smite the speaker. But Liu Chang stayed them.
Next came news that Hsu Ching, Prefect of me metropolitan district, had gone over to the invaders. This was the last blow. Liu Chang went home weeping.
Next day they reported that Liu Pei, the Imperial Uncle, had sent a secretary to visit Liu Chang and he was even then at the city gate. He was admitted, and Chien Yung entered, riding in a carriage and looking about him most haughtily. Suddenly he was hailed from the street by a man with a sword in his hand, who cried, "You have got your wish, wretched creature, and seem to think there is no one to compare with you. But do not look so contemptuously at us of Shu."
Chien quickly got out of his carriage to speak to the speaker, who was a man of Mienchu named Ts'in Mi.
"Worthy brother," said he, "I did not recognise you. I pray you not to be angry."
Both then went to visit Liu Chang, and they spoke of the liberality and broad-mindedness of Liu Pei, said he had no intention to harm any one, and praised him to such effect that Liu Chang then and there made up his mind finally that he would give up the struggle. So he treated Chien very honourably that day. And the next day, taking his seal and insignia of office and his archives, he accompanied Chien out of the city and went to Yuan-te's camp. Yuan-te came out in person to receive him. Taking Liu Chang by the hand, he wept, saying, "It is not that I wish to act cruelly or wrongly; I am the victim of circumstances and cannot help it."
They entered the camp together, where the seal of office and the documents changed hands. Afterwards they rode into the city side by side. The people gave Yuan-te a cordial welcome, burning incense and illuminating the city. The victor went to the residence of the chief of the province, where he took his seat and was saluted by all the subordinate officials.
However, Huang Ch'uan and Liu Pa stayed away from the ceremony. This annoyed the more violent of Yuan-te's supporters, and they wished to kill the delinquents. But Yuan-te would not allow violence and threatened condign punishment to any one who might interfere with these two. When the reception was over he went to visit the two recalcitrants, whereupon both came out and made their obeisance.
Said K'ung-ming, "We have vanquished, and all opposition is at an end. But there cannot be two rulers, so you must remove Liu Chang to Chingchou."
"But I do not wish to exile him," said Yuan-te.
"He lost his prestige through weakness. If you are effeminately weak and undecided you also will not last long."
Yuan-te saw his advice was good, and so he gave a great banquet whereat he begged Liu Chang to pack up his treasures and prepare to move. He gave the dispossessed Prefect the title Chen-wei Chiang-Chun (Captain of Wide spread Prestige). Liu Chang went away to Chingchou, taking with him his family and all his possessions.
Yuan-te thus became Governor of Ichou. He conferred gifts on the inferior officers who joined him, confirming their ranks and titles. Yen Yen was given a high rank in the army. Fa Cheng became Prefect of the District of Shu. Others of the Shu officers whose aid had been conspicuous were given high ranks and finer titles under the new rule, while the services of minor men to the number of three score or more were well rewarded.
Naturally, honours were distributed freely to Yuan-te's immediate
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