racks in Szechwan. Though he had no endurance, and was a miserable leader, he had been promoted to a position of authority because of the influence at Court of the Yang family. His Uncle had always been admired because of the elegance of his person, and because he bestowed gifts of the finest almonds upon all whom he trusted or could use. He was friendly, tolerant, lazy and ambitious. Though his bill for almonds was large, it was not nearly as enormous as the homage he exacted.
Kuo-chung speculated in delusion. He would prove that in military leadership he could parallel even the robust An Lu-shan. What he lacked in physical stature would more than be offset by the power of his strategy. He would rule an army greater even than that of An Lu-shan and he would do it without leaving the Palace. From a sheltered spot in the perfumed gardens, where the breeze was gentle, he would devise a plan that would astound the world.
In his new found love of country, he had the grace to regret his disastrous venture into trading in counterfeit coin. It may be that his most acute distress was in being found out.
It was an error of judgment, nothing more. He had not meant to harm anyone. He was an adept at believing what he wished to believe.
"Among mortals," he mused, "who is faultless?"
