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132 GAOGOWLI. tempered monarch was not slow to ax^t on this suggestion ; and on such a scale were the preparations for war carried on, that a horse sold at 100,000 cash,* the price of a capital horse even now. There were many murmurs in court and countiy against this enormous expenditure ; for the nation was still staggering under the results of its former wars, and at that moment, famine was carrying off myriads of the people in many places throughout the empire. But orders were given to have the first man beheaded, who dared oppose this war; and in 611, aU preparations were about complete. But instead of marching on Gaoli, the army had to go northwards against Choolo (or Molo), son and successor of C!himin, who had offended by abstaining from presenting his new year's salutations and tribute. He suffered a defeat and had to flee with a few thousand men. This brought him to reason and to Court, where the Emperor graciously received him, and the army was free to march agaimt the east Shantung had been deluged on the preceding year by floods which had all but annihilated the crops, and the people were in tiie greatest straits for food. Notwithstanding which, an imperative mandate, admitting of no evasion or delay, was sent to the governor of that province, ordering him to fiU the granaries of two given cities with grain. That grain was not only to be sent out of the famishing province, but sent by the labour and at the expense of the people. One of these stores was Loo ho, or Port of Loo, said to be in LiaosL The other was Whaiyuen,"f- or Whiloo, said to be 7 li north of Loyang ; to which locality, however, it is unlikely that Shantung would be required to send grain. The Loo port is apparently to be looked for in the north-east of Chihli, on the Peiho or the Lan ho. The stores at Whaiyuen amounted to twenty-four million Dan; each of about four cwt of grain ; and Loo ho stores were to be a tithe of that quantity. This grain, and the amount
- 1,000 to a tad or Hang of silver, worth abont 6/.
t There was a Whaiyuen to the N.E. of Kingchow of liaod, which is likely the dep6t referred to.
