第7部分(第2/7 页)

When　He　Jin　neared　the　Palace　of　Happiness；　the　officers　from　the　Inner　Bureau　said；　〃The　orders　are　to　admit　the　Regent　Marshal　and　none　other。〃

So　the　escort　was　detained　outside。　He　Jin　went　in　proudly。　At　the　Gate　of　Grand　Virtue；　he　was　met　by　Zhang　Rang　and　Duan　Gui；　and　their　followers　quickly　closed　in　around　him。　He　Jin　began　to　feel　alarmed。

Then　Zhang　Rang　in　a　harsh　voice　began　to　revile　him：　〃What　crime　had　Empress　Dong　mitted　that　she　should　have　been　put　to　death？　And　when　the　Mother　of　the　Country　was　buried；　who　feigned　sickness　and　did　not　attend？　We　raised　you　and　your　paltry；　huckstering　family　to　all　the　dignity　and　wealth　you　have；　and　this　is　your　gratitude！　You　would　slay　us。　You　call　us　sordid　and　dirty：　Who　is　the　cleaner？〃

He　Jin　was　panic　stricken　and　looked　about　for　a　way　to　escape；　but　all　gates　had　been　shut。　The　eunuchs　closed　him　in；　and　then　the　assassins　appeared　and　cut　He　Jin　into　halves。

Closing　the　days　of　the　Hans；　and　the　years　of　their　rule　were　near　spent；

Stupid　and　tactless　was　He　Jin；　yet　stood　he　highest　in　office；

Many　were　they　who　advised　him；　but　he　was　deaf　as　he　heard　not；

Wherefore　fell　he　a　victim　under　the　swords　of　the　eunuchs。

So　He　Jin　died。　Yuan　Shao　and　Cao　Cao　waited　long。　By　and　by；　impatient　at　the　delay；　they　called　through　the　gate；　〃Thy　carriage　awaits；　O　General！〃

For　reply　the　head　of　He　Jin　was　flung　over　the　wall。　A　decree　was　proclaimed：　〃He　Jin　has　contemplated　treachery　and　therefore　has　been　slain！　It　pardons　his　adherents。〃

Yuan　Shao　shouted；　〃The　eunuchs　have　slain　the　High　Minister。　Let　those　who　will　slay　this　wicked　party　e　and　help　me！〃

Then　one　of　He　Jin's　generals；　Wu　Kuang；　set　fire　to　the　gate。　Yuan　Shu　a