H. Bedford-Jones

“ The moon face of Liu Ku was creased in a smile of derision.
"Hei! The wizards are fools, and their visions are inspired by wine!"
Colonel Chou spread these words among his brother nobles, most of whom hated the fat eunuch bitterly, and then went forth on his errand. So the nobles decided to bide their time and see what happened—which was exactly as Liu Ku desired.
Meanwhile the usurper sent fifty of the palace archers out into the hills, to raid the nearest Shan tribe and bring in some girl slaves; and another fifty to meet a trade caravan which was expected from the Yunnan border. ”

“ Furs and silks, inks and brushes, pots and porcelains, weapons and sacred images—everything that could be fetched from ancient China was here.
Once more the old city breathed life and vitality. Sedan chairs swayed through the streets, soldiers swaggered bravely, the wine shops and gambling dens were roaring with trade. ”

“ An observer would have been prompted to ask a question of economics—whence came the money to pay for this huge supply of goods from China? If the answer had been known beforehand, not one but a hundred Frenchmen would have been quartered in the residency.
Upon the following day the city was crowded with country folk. Every one was lat a keen pitch of excitement; for on this day, or never, the prophecy would be fulfilled. If it failed, the eunuch Liu Ku would probably be murdered in the palace, and the strongest of the nobles—who was Colonel Chou—would become the ruler of Ngong. ”