Yüan Shang was puffed up with pride after his victory over Shih Huan and, without deigning to wait the arrival of his brothers, he marched out to Liyang to meet the army of Tsʻao Tsʻao. Chang Liao came out to challenge him, and Yüan Shang, accepting the challenge rode out with spear set. But he only lasted to the third bout when he had to give way. Chang Liao smote with full force and Shang, quite broken, fled pell mell to Chʻichou. His defeat was a heavy shock to his father, who had a severe fit of hemorrhage at the news and swooned.

The Lady Liu, his wife, got him to bed as quickly as possible, but he did not rally and she soon saw it was necessary to prepare for the end. So she sent for Shên Pʻei and Fêng Chi that the succession might be settled. They came and stood by the sick man’s bed, but by this time he could no longer speak; he only made motions with his hands. When his wife put the formal question, whether Shang was to succeed, he nodded his head. Shên Pʻei at the bedside wrote out the dying man’s testament. Presently he uttered a loud moan, a fresh fit of bleeding followed and he passed away.

Shên Pʻei and some others set about the mourning ceremonies for the dead man. His wife, the Lady Liu, put to death five of his favourite concubines, and such was the bitterness of her jealousy that, not content with this, she shaved off the hair and slashed the faces of their poor corpses lest their spirits should meet and rejoin her late husband in the land of shades beneath the Nine Springs. Her son followed up this piece of cruelty by slaying all the relatives of the unhappy concubines lest they should avenge their death.

Shên Pʻei and Fêng Chi declared Yüan Shang successor with the titles of Minister of War and General Governor of the four [336]prefectures of Chʻi, Chʻing, Yu and Ping and sent in a report of the death of the late governor.

At this time Yüan Tʻan, the eldest son, had already marched out his army to oppose Tsʻao Tsʻao, but hearing of his father’s death he called in Kuo Tʻu and Hsin Pʻing to consult as to his course of action.

“In your absence, my lord,” said Kuo Tʻu, “the two advisers of your younger brother will certainly set him up as lord, wherefore you must act quickly.”

“Those two, Shên and Fêng, have already laid their plans,” said Hsin Pʻing. “If you go you will meet with some misfortune.”

“Then what should I do?” asked Tʻan.

Kuo Tʻu replied, “Go and camp near the city and watch what is taking place while I enter and enquire.”

Accordingly Kuo Tʻu entered the city and sought an interview with the young governor.

“Why did not my brother come?” asked Shang after the usual salutes.

Kuo Tʻu said, “He cannot come as he is in the camp unwell.”

“By the command of my late father I take the lordship. Now I confer upon my brother the rank of General of Cavalry and I wish him to go at once to attack Tsʻao Tsʻao, who is pressing on the borders. I will follow as soon as my army is in order.”

“There is no one in our camp to give advice,” said Kuo Tʻu. “I wish to have the services of Shên Pʻei and Fêng Chi.”

“I also need the help of these two,” said Shang, “And as I am always working at schemes I do not see how I can do without them.”

“Then let one of these two go,” replied Tʻu.

Shang could do no other than accede to this request so he bade the two men cast lots who should go. Fêng Chi drew the lot and was appointed, receiving a seal of office. Then he accompanied Kuo Tʻu to the camp. But when he arrived and found Tʻan in perfect health he grew suspicious and resigned. Tʻan angrily refused to accept his resignation and was disposed to put him to death, but Kuo Tʻu privately dissuaded him saying, “Tsʻao Tsʻao is on the borders and he must be kept here to allay your brother’s suspicions. After we have beaten Tsʻao we can at once make an attempt on Chʻichou.”

Yüan Tʻan agreed and forthwith broke up his camp to march against the enemy. He reached Liyang and lost no time in offering battle. He chose for his champion Wang Chao and, when he rode out, Tsʻao Tsʻao sent Hsü Huang to meet him. These two had fought but a few bouts when Wang Chao was slain. At once Tsʻao’s army pressed forward and Tʻan suffered a severe defeat. He drew off his army and retired into Liyang, whence he sent to his brother for reinforcements. [337]

Shang and his adviser Shên Pʻei discussed the matter and half a legion only was sent. Tsʻao hearing of the despatch of this meagre force sent two generals to waylay them and the half legion was destroyed. When Tan heard of the inadequate force sent and their destruction he was very wrath and roundly abused Fêng Chi. Fêng replied, “Let me write to my lord and pray him to come himself.”

So Fêng Chi wrote and the letter was sent. When it arrived Shang again consulted Shên Pʻei who said, “Kuo Tʻu, your elder brother’s adviser, is very guileful. Formerly he left without discussion because Tsʻao was on the border. If Tsʻao be defeated there will certainly be an attempt on you. The better plan is to withhold assistance and use Tsʻao’s hand to destroy your rival.”

Shang took his advice and no help was sent. When the messenger returned without success Tʻan was very angry and showed it by putting Fêng Chi to death. He also began to talk of surrendering to Tsʻao. Soon spies brought news of this to Shang and again Shên Pʻei was called in. Said he, “If he goes over to Tsʻao they will both attack Chʻichou and we shall be in great danger.” Finally Shên Pʻei and Su Yu were left to take care of the defence of the city and Yüan Shang marched his army to the rescue of his brother.

“Who dares lead the van?” said Yüan Shang.

Two brothers named Lü volunteered and three legions were given them. They were the first to reach Liyang.

Tʻan was pleased that his brother had made up his mind to play a brotherly part and come to his aid, so he at once abandoned all thought of going over to the enemy. He being in the city, Yüan Shang camped outside, making that an angle of their strategic position. Before long Yüan Hsi, the second brother, and their cousin, Kao Kan, arrived with their legions and also camped outside the city.

Engagements took place daily and Shang suffered many defeats. On the other hand Tsʻao was victorious and elated. In the second month of the eighth year, Tsʻao made separate attacks on all four armies and won the day against each. Then they abandoned Liyang and Tsʻao pursued them to Chʻichou, where Tʻan and Shang went into the city to defend it, while their brother and cousin camped about thirty li away making a show of great force. When Tsʻao had made many attacks without success Kuo Chia proffered the following plan.

He said, “There is dissension among the Yüans because the elder has been superseded in the succession. The brothers are about equally strong and each has his party. If we oppose them they unite to assist each other, but if we have patience they will be weakened by family strife. Wherefore send first a force to reduce Liu Piao in Chingchou and let the fraternal [338]quarrels develop. When they have fully developed we can smite them and settle the matter.”

Tsʻao approved of the plan. So leaving Chia Hsü as Prefect of Liyang and Tsʻao Hung as guard at Kuantu the army went away toward Chingchou.

The two brothers Tʻan and Shang congratulated each other on the withdrawal of their enemy, and their brother Hsi and cousin marched their armies back to their own districts.

Then the quarrels began. Tʻan said to his confidants, “I, the eldest, have been prevented from succeeding my father, while the youngest son, born of a second wife, received the main heritage. My heart is bitter.”

Said Kuo Tʻu, “Camp your men outside, invite your brother and Shên Pʻei to a banquet and assassinate them. The whole matter is easily settled.”

And Tʻan agreed. It happened that a certain Wang Hsiu came just then from Chʻingchou whom Tʻan took into his confidence. Wang opposed the murder plan saying, “Brothers are as one’s limbs. How can you possibly succeed if at a moment of conflict with an enemy you cut off one of your hands? If you abandon your brother and sever relationship, whom will you take in all the world as a relation? That fellow Kuo is a dangerous mischief-maker, who would sow dissension between brothers for a momentary advantage, and I beg you to shut your ears and not listen to his persuasions.”

This was displeasing to Tʻan and he angrily dismissed Wang, while he sent the treacherous invitation to his brother.

His brother and Shên Pʻei talked over the matter. Shên Pʻei said, “I recognise one of Kuo Tʻu’s stratagems and if you go, my lord, you will be the victim of their plot. Rather strike at them at once.”

Whereupon Shang rode out to battle. His brother Tʻan, seeing him come with five legions, knew that his treachery had been discovered, so he also took the field, and when the forces were near enough Tʻan opened on Shang with a volley of abuse.

“You poisoned my father and usurped the succession; now you come out to slay your elder brother?”

The battle went against Tʻan. Shang himself took part in the fight, risking the arrows and the stones. He urged on his men and drove his brother off the field. He took refuge in Pʻingyüan. Yüan Shang drew off his men to his own city.

Yüan Tʻan and Kuo Tʻu decided upon a new attack and this time they chose Tsʻên Pi as leader. Yüan Shang went to meet him. When both sides had been arrayed and the banners were flying and the drums beating, Tsʻên Pi rode out to challenge and railed at his opponent. At first Shang was going to answer the challenge himself but Lü Kʻuang actually went out. Lü and Tsʻên met but had fought only a few bouts when the latter [339]fell. Tʻan’s men were once more defeated and ran away to Pʻingyüan. Shên Pʻei urged his master to press home the advantage and Tʻan was driven into the city, where he fortified himself and would not go out. So the city was besieged on three sides.

Tʻan asked his strategist what should be done next and he said, “The city is short of food, the enemy is flushed with victory and we cannot stand against them. My idea is to send some one to offer surrender to Tsʻao Tsʻao and thus get him to attack Chʻichou. Your brother will be forced to return thither, which will leave you free to join in the attack. We may capture Shang. Should Tsʻao begin to get the better of your brother’s army we will lend our force to help him against Tsʻao Tsʻao, and as Tsʻao’s base of supply is distant we shall drive him off. And we can seize on Chʻichou and begin our real career.”

“Supposing this scheme be attempted, who is the man for a messenger?”

“I have one, Hsin Pʻi, Hsin Pʻing’s younger brother; he is magistrate here in this very place. He is a fluent speaker and good scholar and suited to your purpose.”

So Hsin Pʻi was summoned and came readily enough. Letters were given him and an escort of three companies took him beyond the border. He travelled as quickly as possible.

At that time Tsʻao’s camp was at Hsipʻing and he was attacking Liu Piao, who had sent Yüan-tê out to offer the first resistance. No battle had yet taken place.

Soon after his arrival Hsin Pʻi was admitted to the Minister’s presence, and after the ceremonies of greeting Tsʻao asked the object of the visit. Hsin Pʻi explained that Yüan Tʻan wanted assistance and presented his despatches. Tsʻao read them and told the messenger to wait in his camp while he called his officers to a council.

The council met. Chʻêng Yu said, “Yüan Tʻan has been forced into making this offer because of the pressure of his brother’s attack. Put no trust in him.”

Lü Chʻien and Man Chʻung said, “You have led your armies here for a special purpose; how can you abandon that and go to assist Yüan Tʻan?”

“Gentlemen, not one of you is giving good advice,” interposed Hsün Yu. “This is how I regard it. Since there is universal trouble, in the midst of which Liu Piao remains quietly content with his position between Chiang and Han, it is evident that he has no ambition to enlarge his borders. The Yüans hold four Chou and have many legions of soldiers. Harmony between the two brothers means success for the family and none can foresee what will happen in the Empire. Now take advantage of this fraternal conflict and let them fight till they are weakened and have to yield to our Minister. [340]Then Yüan Shang can be removed, and when the times are suitable, Yüan Tʻan can be destroyed in his turn. Thus peace will ensue. This present combination of circumstances is to be taken advantage of to full measure.”

Tsʻao realised the truth of this and treated the messenger well. At a banquet he said, “But is this surrender of Yüan Tʻan real or false? Do you really think that Shang’s army is sure to overcome him?”

Hsin Pʻi replied, “Illustrious one, do not enquire into the degree of sincerity; rather regard the situation. The Yüans have been suffering military losses for years and are powerless without, while their strategists are put to death within. The brothers seize every chance to speak evil of each other and their country is divided. Add to this famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion, and everybody, wise as well as simple, can see that the catastrophe is near, the time ordained of Heaven for the destruction of the Yüans is at hand. Now you have a force attacking Yeh, and if Yüan Shang will not return to give aid the place of refuge is lost. If he help, then Tʻan will follow up and smite him, making use of your power to destroy the remnant of his brother’s army, just as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves. If he do not, then he will attack Chingchou. Now Chingchou is rich, the government peaceful, the people submissive and it cannot be shaken. Moreover, there is no greater threat to it than Hopei. If that be reduced then the task is complete. I pray you, Sir, think of it.”

“I am sorry that I did not meet you earlier,” said Tsʻao, much gratified with this speech.

Forthwith orders were given to return and attack Chʻichou. Yüan-tê, fearing this retirement was only a ruse, allowed it to proceed without interference and himself returned to Chingchou.

When Yüan Shang heard that Tsʻao had crossed the river he hastily led his army back to Yeh, ordering the two Lüs to guard the rear. His brother Tʻan started from Pʻingyüan with a force in pursuit. He had not proceeded far when he heard a bomb and two bodies of men came out in front of him and checked his progress. Their leaders were Lü Kʻuang and Lü Hsiang. Tʻan reined in and addressed them, saying, “While my father lived I never treated you badly; why do you support my brother and try to injure me?”

The two men had no reply to make, but they dismounted and bowed before him yielding submission.

Tʻan said, “Do not surrender to me but to the Minister,” and he led them back to camp, where he waited the arrival of Tsʻao and then presented the pair. Tsʻao received them well. He promised his daughter to Tʻan to wife and he appointed the two brothers as advisers. [341]

When Tʻan asked Tsʻao to attack Chʻichou the reply was “Supplies are short and difficult to transport. I must turn the waters of the Chishui into the Paiho from Chiho whereby to convey my grain and afterwards I can advance.”

Ordering Tʻan to remain in Pʻingyüan, Tsʻao retired into camp at Liyang. The two brothers Lü, who were renegades from Yüan Shang, were now raised to noble rank and followed the army as supernumeraries.

Kuo Tʻu noted this advancement and said to Tʻan, “He has promised you a daughter to wife. I fear that bodes no good. Now he has given titles of nobility to the two Lüs and taken them with him. This is a trap for the northern people but he intends evil toward us. You, my lord, should have two generals’ seals engraved and send them secretly to the brothers so that you may have friends at court ready for the day when Tsʻao shall have broken your brother’s power and we can begin to work against him.”

The seals were engraved and sent. As soon as the brothers received them they informed Tsʻao Tsʻao, who smiled saying, “He wants your support so he sends you seals as officers. I will consider it as soon as Yüan Shang has been dealt with. In the meantime you may accept the seals till I shall decide what to do.”

Thenceforward Tʻan was doomed. Shên Pʻei and his master also discussed the situation.

“Tsʻao is getting grain into Paikou, which means an attack on Chʻichou; what is to be done?” asked Shang.

Shên Pʻei replied, “Send letters to Yin Kai, Chief of Wuan, bidding him camp at Maochʻêng to secure the road to Shangtang and direct Chu Ku to maintain Hantan as a distant auxiliary. Then you may advance on Pʻingyüan and attack Tsʻao Tsʻao.”

The plan seemed good. Yüan Shang left Shên Pʻei and Chʻên Lin in charge of Chʻichou, appointed two captains Ma Yen and Chang Kʻai as van leaders, and set out hastily for Pʻingyüan.

When Tʻan heard of the approach of his brother’s army he sent urgent messages to Tsʻao, who said to himself, “I am going to get Chʻichou this time.”

Just at this time it happened that Hsü Yu came down from the capital. When he heard that Yüan Shang was attacking his brother Tʻan he sought Tsʻao and said, “You, Sir Minister, sit here on guard; are you waiting till Heaven’s thunder shall strike the two Yüans?”

“I have thought it all out,” said Tsʻao.

Then he ordered Tsʻao Hung to go and fight against Yeh, while he led another army against Yin Kai. Kai could make no adequate defence and was killed by Hsü Chʻu. His men ran away and presently joined Tsʻao’s army. Next he led the [342]army to Hantan and Chu Ku came out to fight him. Chang Liao advanced to fight with Chu and after the third encounter the latter was defeated and fled. Liao went after him and when their two horses were not far apart, Liao took his bow and shot. The fleeing soldier fell as the bowstring twanged. Tsʻao sent Ma Yen to complete the rout and Chu Ku’s force was broken up.

Now Tsʻao led his armies to an attack on Chʻichou. Tsʻao Hung went close to the city and a regular siege began. The army encompassed the city and began by throwing up great mounds. They also tunnelled subterranean ways.

Within the city Shên Pʻei turned his whole care to the defence and issued the severest commands. The captain of the east gate, one Fêng Li, got intoxicated and failed to keep his watch for which he was severely punished. He resented this, sneaked out of the city, went over to the besiegers and told them how the place could be attacked.

“The earth within the Tʻumên is solid enough to be tunnelled and entrance can be effected there,” said the traitor.

So Fêng Li was sent with three hundred men to carry out his plan under cover of darkness.

After Fêng Li had deserted to the enemy Shên Pʻei went every night to the wall to inspect the men on duty. The night of the sapping he went there as usual and saw that there were no lights outside the city and all was perfectly quiet. So he said to himself, “Fêng is certain to try to come into the city by an underground road.” Whereupon he ordered his men to bring up stones and pile them on the cover of the tunnel opening. The opening was stopped up and the attacking party perished in the tunnel they had excavated. Tsʻao having failed in this attempt abandoned the scheme of underground attack. He drew off the army to a place above the Hêngshui to await till Yüan Shang should return to relieve the city.

Yüan Shang heard of the defeat of Yin Kai and Chu Ku, and the siege of his own city, and bethought himself of relieving it. One of his captains, Ma Yen, said, “The high road will surely be ambushed; we must find some other way. We can take a bye-road from the Western Hills and get through at Fushuikʻou, whence we can fall upon Tsʻao’s camp.”

The plan was acceptable and Shang started off with the main body, Ma Yen and Chang Kʻai being rear guard.

Tsʻao’s spies soon found out this move and when they reported it he said, “If he comes by the high road I shall have to keep out of the way; if by the Western Hills bye-road I can settle him in one battle. And I think he will show a blaze as a signal to the besieged that they may make a sortie. I shall prepare to attack both.” So he made his preparations.

Now Yüan Shang went out by the Fushui Pass east toward Yangpʻing and near this he camped. Thence to his own city [343]was seventeen li. The Fushui stream ran beside the camp. He ordered his men to collect firewood and grass ready for the blaze he intended to make at night as his signal. He also sent Li Fu, a civil officer, disguised as an officer of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army, to inform Shên Pʻei of his intentions.

Fu reached the city wall safely and called out to the guards to open. Shên Pʻei recognised his voice and let him in. Thus Shên Pʻei knew of the arrangements for his relief and it was agreed that a blaze should be raised within the city so that the sortie could be simultaneous with Shang’s attack. Orders were given to collect inflammables.

Then said Fu, “As your food supply is short it would be well for the old men, the feeble soldiers and the women to surrender. This will come upon them as a surprise and we will send the soldiers out behind them.”

Shên Pʻei promised to do all this and next day they hoisted on the wall a white flag with the words “The populace of Chʻichou surrender” on it.

“Ho ho! This means no food,” said Tsʻao. “They are sending away the non-combatants to escape feeding them. And the soldiers will follow behind them.”

So on two sides he laid an ambush of three companies while he went near the wall in full state. Presently the gates were opened and out came the people supporting their aged folk and leading their little ones by the hand. Each carried a white flag. As soon as the people had passed the gate the soldiers followed with a rush.

Then Tsʻao Tsʻao showed a red flag and the ambushed soldiers fell upon the sortie. The men tried to return and Tsʻao’s men made a direct attack. The chase continued to the drawbridge, but there they met with a tremendous shower of arrows and crossbow bolts which checked the advance. Tsʻao’s helmet was struck and the crest carried away.

So the men retired. As soon as Tsʻao had changed his dress and mounted a fresh horse he set out at the head of the army to attack Yüan Shang’s camp.

Yüan Shang led the defence. The attack came simultaneously from many directions, the defenders were quite disorganised and presently defeated. Shang led his men back by the hills and made a camp under their shelter. Thence he sent messengers to urge Ma Yen and Chang Kʻai to bring up the supports. He did not know that Tsʻao had sent the two Lüs to persuade these two into surrender and that they had already passed under Tsʻao’s banner, and he had made them marquises.

Just before going to attack the Western Hills he sent the two Lüs with Ma Yen and Chang Kʻai to seize the source of Yüan Shang’s supplies. Shang had realised he could not hold the hills so he went by night to Ikʻou. Before he could get camped he saw flaring lights springing up all around him and [344]soon an attack began. He was taken aback and had to oppose the enemy with his men half armed, his steeds unsaddled. His army suffered and he had to retreat another fifty li. By that time his force was too enfeebled to show any resistance and as no other course was possible he sent to ask that he might surrender. Tsʻao feigned to consent, but that night he sent a force to raid Shang’s camp. Then it became flight, abandoning everything, seals, emblems of office and even personal clothing. He made for the hills.

Then came an attack on Chʻichou and to help out this Hsü Yu suggested drowning the city by turning the course of the River Chang. Tsʻao adopted the suggestion and at once sent a small number of men to dig a channel to lead the water to the city. All told, it was forty li.

Shên Pʻei saw the diggers from the city wall and noticed that they made only a shallow channel. He chuckled, saying to himself, “What is the use of such a channel to drown out the city from a deep river?”

So he made no preparations to keep out the water.

But as soon as night came on Tsʻao increased his army of diggers tenfold and by daylight the channel was deepened to twenty feet and the water was flowing in a great stream into the city where it already stood some feet deep. So this misfortune was added to the lack of food.

Hsin Pʻi now displayed the captured seal and garments of Yüan Shang hung out on spears, to the great shame of their late owner, and called upon the people of the city to surrender. This angered Shên Pʻei, who avenged the insult by putting to death on the city wall the whole of the Hsin family who were within the city. There were nearly a hundred of them and their severed heads were cast down from the walls. Hsin Pʻi wept exceedingly.

Shên Pʻei’s nephew Shên Yung, one of the gate wardens, was a dear friend of Hsin Pʻi and the murder of Pʻi’s family greatly distressed him. He wrote a secret letter offering to betray the city and tied it to an arrow, which he shot out among the besiegers. The soldiers found it, gave it to Hsin Pʻi and he took it to his chief.

Tsʻao issued an order that the family of the Yüans should be spared when the city should be taken and that no one who surrendered should be put to death. The next day the soldiers entered by the west gate, opened for them by Shên’s nephew. Hsin Pʻi was the first to prance in on horseback and the men followed.

When Shên, who was on the southeast of the city, saw the enemy within the gates he placed himself at the head of some horsemen and dashed toward them. He was met and captured by Hsü Huang who bound him and led him outside the city. On the road they met Hsin Pʻi, who ground his teeth with rage [345]at the murderer of his relatives and then struck the prisoner over the head with his whip and abused him as a murderer. Shên retorted by calling him traitor and saying how sorry he was not to have slain him before.

When the captive was taken into Tsʻao’s presence Tsʻao said, “Do you know who opened the gate to let me in?”

“No; I know not.”

“It was your nephew Shên Yung who gave up the gate,” said Tsʻao.

“He was always unprincipled; and it has come to this!” said Shên.

“The other day when I approached the city why did you shoot so hard at me?”

“I am sorry we shot too little.”

“As a faithful adherent of the Yüans you could do no otherwise. Now will you come over to me?”

“Never; I will never surrender.”

Hsin Pʻi threw himself on the ground with lamentations, saying, “Eighty of my people murdered by this ruffian; I pray you slay him, O Minister!”

“Alive, I have served the Yüans,” said Shên, “dead, I will be their ghost. I am no flattering time-server as you are. Kill me!”

Tsʻao gave the order; they led him away to put him to death. On the execution ground he said to the executioners, “My lord is in the north, I pray you not to make me face the south.” So he knelt facing the north and extended his neck for the fatal stroke.

Thus died Shên Pʻei and from respect for his character Tsʻao ordered that he be buried honourably on the north of the city.

Tsʻao Tsʻao then entered the city. As he was starting he saw the executioners hurrying forward a prisoner who proved to be Chʻên Lin.

“You wrote that manifesto for Yüan Shao. If you had only directed your diatribe against me, it would not have mattered. But why did you shame my forefathers?” said Tsʻao.

“When the arrow is on the string, it must fly,” replied Lin.

Those about Tsʻao urged him to put Chʻên Lin to death, but he was spared on account of his genius and given a small civil post. [346]

Now Tsʻao’s eldest son was named Pʻei, otherwise Tzŭ-hêng. At the taking of the city he was eighteen years of age. When he was born a dark purplish halo hung over the house for a whole day. One who understood the meaning of such manifestations had secretly told Tsʻao that the halo belonged to the Imperial class and portended honours which could not be put into words.

At eight the lad could compose very skilfully and he was well read in ancient history. Now he was an adept at all military arts and very fond of fencing. He had gone with his father on the expedition to Chʻichou. He led his escort in the direction of the Yüan family dwelling, and when he reached it he strode in sword in hand. When some one would have stayed him, saying that by order of the Minister no one was to enter the house, he bade them begone. The guards fell back and he made his way into the private rooms, where he saw two women weeping in each other’s arms. He went forward to slay them.

The fate of the two women will be told in the next chapter. [347]