TRIPLE ALLIANCE. 49 and Yiiwun to combine, march against^ rain Kwei, and divide his lands among them. This plan the three powers were only too willing to carry out; for not only were the dominions of Ewei conterminous with the Hienbi — south and south-west of them — but the other two portions of Hienbi were as eager as the imperial agent to crush the ever-growing power of Kwei, which threatened them all ; and Gaogowli — small, but compact and ambitious — was eager for spoil The three, therefore, forthwith formed an alliance, summoned their clans, and marched to a common rendezvous in LiaosL Knowing it would be madness to Aink of facing the combined army of the three kingdoms — any one of which had more men than he — ^Ewei had recourse to stratagenL He provided a great and splendid feast ; for which he got ready an unlimited supply of beef and spirits.* He then gave the warmest invitation to the Yiiwun army, officers, and men, to come and partake of the feast provided for them ; the invitation being given as if he and they were on the most friendly terms. The trick had the desired effect; for Dwan and Gaogowli at once suspected Yiiwun of playing them false, and of waiting only till actual fighting had begun, to join Ewei and turn against them. Enowing that the odds — ^wiUi Ewei's generalship and Yiiwun's numbers — ^would then be against them, Dwan and Gaogowli armies believed it most prudent to retreat to a distance. The Yiiwun chiefs were indignant at this imputation on their honour ; and in their angiy vexation, swore they would advance alone, if their allies would not second them. This they did; for several hundred thousands of them (so says history) marched and camped 40 li from Jichung, his capital, where Ewei awaited the storm. As soon as Yiiwun began their independent march, Ewei despatched a summons for Han from Toohof in the north, where he had been stationed ever since his victory over
- The Chlnefle largely use both distilled and brewed liquon. The distilled xs very
strong, bat more resembles Irish than Scotch whisky, for it retains the fusil cSL t As Han had camped at Ghingshan, south of the present Yichow, this Tooho is likely to be Siaoliangha It was within the bounds of the modem Kingchow. D
