32 CHAOSIEN. and attack. Su Ma, the commander;, reasoned yriih them that the main object of the rampart was to provoke attack, and wear out the army ; and concluded, that as so large an army held the ramparts, there must be few left to garrison the city. He, therefore, gave the order to outflank the ramparts, and march direct on the city. He flied his banners to the south of the ramparts, as if he intended to cross there ; compelling Tuen's men, under Bi, a Hienbi man, to issue southwards, beyond their fortifications, to prevent his landing. But while carrying on this manoeuvre, his chief object was accomplished ; for the main body of the Chinese army crossed the river to the north of the ramparts, and marched straight for the capital, Hiangping.* Bi soon discovered his mistake ; and, in great alarm, hasted on after the army which had already pitched camp under Showshan. His furious attack was easily repelled. He had to retreat, and found no resource except to enter the city, which was then besieged. For two months rain fell in torrents, and the land was deluged. Boats came overland from the ferry to the very walls of Hiangping. The Wei army was in terror, and began to move away, for the water was three + feet deep on the level ground. The commander threatened to behead the first man who spoke of moving from the ranks, — a threat which he executed on the person of a superior officer. In discussing the matter with his generals. Ma said that they were few, and the foe numerous ; they had provisions in superabundance, the besieged must be already in a famishing state; before leaving Changan they were afraid the enemy would fly and not fight, and now they themselves talked of retreat ; and concluded saying that a short time must now bring the siege to an end. This speech rallied the spirits of his men. The besieged were indeed in great straits; for two months within closely invested walls had reduced them to live by
- Where Liaoyang now is.
fin Aug. -Sept, 1873, the ootintry of Liaotong was exactly suuOar. In some places, for nearly a month, boats were sailing oyer the fields to save the windings of the river.
