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The judges found that: “Soldiers are not proper persons to administer a punishment to a woman, and the face is not a portion of the body to be mortified; the author of this crime ought to be put to death.”

Wherefore Liu Yan was beheaded.

As time went on the Latter Ruler indulged in unbridled sensuality, and gradually all good people left the government, giving place to the meanest, who soon swarmed there.

Among the sycophants of Huang Hao was Yan Yu, General of the Right Army, whose lack of merit had not stood in the way of preferment. Hearing of Jiang Wei's defeats at Qishan, Yan Yu got his friend Huang Hao to propose to the Latter Ruler, saying, “Jiang Wei should be recalled as he has not been able to score a decisive victory. Yan Yu can be sent to replace him.”

The Latter Ruler agreed, and the edict was issued.

One day, as Jiang Wei was working out his plan of attack on the camps of Wei, three edicts came, all to the same effect, recalling him to the capital. Disobedience being out of the question, Jiang Wei ceased all operations and sent the Taoyang force back first. Then gradually he withdrew the others.

Deng Ai in his camp wondered at the rolling of drums one night, but next day he heard that the Shu camps were empty. However, he suspected some ruse and did not pursue.

Arrived in Hanzhong, the army halted, and Jiang Wei went on to the capital in company with the messenger who had brought his orders. Here he waited ten days, and still the Latter Ruler held no court. He began to suspect mischief.

One day near the palace gate he met Secretary General Xi Zheng, and asked, “Do you know the reason for my recall?”

“What General! Do you not know? Huang Hao wanted to push Yan Yu into favor, so he intrigued for your recall. Now they have found out Deng Ai is too clever to be tackled, and so they are not fighting any more.”

“I shall certainly have to put this eunuch fellow out of the way,” said Jiang Wei.

“Hush! You are the successor of the Martial Lord, Zhuge Liang, the man to whom he bequeathed his unfinished task. You are too important to act hastily or indiscreetly. If the Emperor withdrew his support, it would go ill with you.”

“Sir, what you say is true,” replied Jiang Wei.

However, soon after this Jiang Wei, with a small party, got into the Palace. The Latter Ruler was enjoying himself with Huang Hao in the gardens. They told Huang Hao, who at once hid himself.

Jiang Wei approached his master and prostrated himself, saying, “Why did Your Majesty recall me? I had the enemy in my power at Qishan when the triple edict came.”

The Latter Ruler hummed and hawed, but made no reply. Then Jiang Wei began his real grievance.

“This Huang Hao is wicked and artful and seems to have the last say in everything. The times of the Emperor Ling and the Ten Regular Attendants have returned. Your Majesty may recall Zhang Rang recently or Zhao Gao in the old time; but if you will only slay this man, the court will be purified and you may return gloriously to the home of your fathers.”

The Latter Ruler smiled, saying, “Huang Hao is but a minor servant, one who runs errands for me. If he tried to do as you say, he could not. I always wondered why Dong Yun seemed to hate poor Huang Hao so much. Now you are the same. I pray you, noble Sir, take no notice of him.”

“Unless Your Majesty gets rid of him, evil is very close,” said Jiang Wei, beating his head upon the ground.

The Latter Ruler replied, “If you love anyone, you want him to live; if you dislike him, you desire his death; can you not bear with my one poor eunuch?”

The Latter Ruler bade one of the attendants go and call Huang Hao. When Huang Hao approached the pavilion, the Latter Ruler told him to ask pardon of Jiang Wei.

Huang Hao prostrated himself and wept, saying, “I am always in attendance upon the Sacred One; that is all I do. I never meddle in state affairs. I pray you, General, pay no heed to what people say. If you desire my death, I am in your hands, but pity me.”

And tears ran down his cheeks. Jiang Wei went away in ill humor. Outside he sought his friend Xi Zheng and told him what had happened.

“General, you are in grave danger,” said Xi Zheng. “And if you fall, the country falls with you.”

“Can you advise me?” said Jiang Wei. “How can I secure the state and myself?”

Xi Zheng replied, “There is a place of refuge for you in Longxi, and that is Tazhong. It is a rich country, and you can make a cantonment there like the Martial Lord did. Request the Emperor to let you go thither. You can gather in corn and wheat for your armies, you can secure all the west of Longyou, you can keep Wei from troubling Hanzhong, you will retain your military authority, so that no one will dare intrigue against you, and you will be safe. Thus you can ensure the safety of the state and yourself. You should lose no time.”

“Your speech is gold and jewels,” said Jiang Wei, gratefully.