“His Majesty has recovered and wishes his ministers to meet him in the palace to consider the question of his abdication in your favour. That is what this summons means.”
“What does Wang Yün think of the scheme?”
“Wang Yün has already begun the construction of the Terrace of Abdication and only awaits my lord’s arrival.”
“Last night I dreamed a dragon coiled round my body,” said Tung Cho greatly pleased, “and now I get this happy tidings! I must not neglect the opportunity.”
So he gave instructions for the safekeeping of his city and announced his intention of starting on the morrow.
“When I am Emperor you shall be my Precursor,” said he.
“Your minister thanks you,” said Li.
Cho went to bid farewell to his aged mother. “Whither are you going, my son?”
“I go to receive the abdication of Han; and soon you will be Empress Dowager.”
“I have been feeling nervous and creepy these few days. It is a bad sign.”
“Any one about to become the mother of the State must have premonitions,” said her son.
He left her with these words. Just before starting he said to Cicada, “When I am Emperor, you shall be Kuei-fei, the first of my ladies.” She bowed low thanking him, but she knew and inwardly rejoiced.
He went out and mounted his carriage, and began his journey to the Capital with an imposing escort. Less than half way the wheel of his carriage broke. He left it and mounted a horse. Soon after the horse snorted and neighed, threw up his head and snapped the reins.
Tung Cho turned to Li Su and asked what these things portended.
“It means that you are going to receive the abdication of the Hans, which is to renew all things, to mount the jewelled chariot and sit in the golden saddle.”
And Cho believed him. During the second day’s journey a violent gale sprang up and the sky became covered with a thick mist. The wily Li Su had an interpretation for this also. “You are ascending to the place of the dragon; there must be bright light and lurid vapour to dignify your majestic approach.”
Cho had no more doubts. He presently arrived and found many officials waiting without the city gate to receive him, all but Li Ju who was ill and unable to leave his chamber. He entered and proceeded to his own palace, where Lü Pu came to congratulate him.
“When I sit on the throne, you shall command the whole armies of the Empire, horse and foot,” said he.
