of his violent temper, and he went to live with the broker, a man named Kao, whose surname he adopted. About a year later he got into the palace once more, and made himself so acceptable to the Heir Apparent, by warmly espousing his cause against the party of the T'ai-p'ing Princess, that the former, on mounting the throne in 713, at once appointed him to high office. His power and influence gradually increased until all the great officials of the empire found themselves obliged to pay court to him, while the new Heir Apparent was instructed to behave towards him as towards an elder brother. In 748 he was appointed Generalissimo of the empire. He appears to hare shown much foresight and discretion on many points involving the welfare of the State. He protested against his master's over-fondness for Yang Kuei-fei; he warned his Majesty against An Lu-shan; and he opposed Li Fu-kuo. When all was lost, he remained faithful to the fallen Emperor, accompanying him in his flight to Ssŭch'uan; and the same hand which had once drawn off the boots of the port Li Po, now tightened the noose which cut off the beautiful Yang Kuei-fei from the light of day. In 760 he was banished by Li Fu-kuo to 巫 Wu-chou in Kueichou, but in 763 he was pardoned and allowed to return. Then, when he saw the dying statements of the last two Emperors, he turned towards the north, and in the bitterness of his grief vomited blood and died.
957
