tice of the charge. The energetic woman
wasted no time in this critical state of affairs, but, drawing her
sword, severed the head of the traitor from his body with one vigorous
blow. This act put an end to all thoughts of treason in the garrison of
Tsetong.

The courage of Lieouchi was not greater than her judgment and decision
in an emergency. There was but a single well to supply the garrison with
water, and this the enemy succeeded in cutting off. The ready wit of the
woman overcame this serious loss. It was the rainy season, and she
succeeded in collecting a considerable supply of rain-water in vases,
while linen and the clothes of the soldiers were also utilized as
water-catching devices. In the end the imperial forces, baffled in their
every effort by this heroic woman, abandoned the siege in disgust.

As for Houchi, the ruler of Wei, her ability was of a different kind,
yet in her ambitious designs she displayed unusual powers. Deposed and
imprisoned on account of the failure of the war, she soon overthrew her
enemies and rose to the head of affairs again, and for several years
continued to wage war with the emperor. But the war went against her,
and trouble arose within her kingdom. Here and there were movements of
rebellion, and the generals of the realm were at daggers' points to
supplant one another.

Amid these distractions the queen balanced herself with marked skill,
playing off one enemy against another, but her position daily grew more
insecure. Her power was brought to an end by her final act, which was to
depose her son and place herself in sole control of the realm. Erchu
Jong, a general of ability and decision, now rose in revolt, marched on
the capital, made Houchi his prisoner, and in the same moment ended her
reign and her life by drowning her in the waters of the Hoang-ho. Then,
gathering two thousand of the notables of the city, her aids and
supporters, on a plain outside the walls, he ordered his cavalry to kill
them all. Other steps of the same stern character were taken by this
fierce soldier, whose power grew so great as to excite official dread.
A general sent against him by Vouti, the emperor, who boasted of having
gained forty-seven victories, was completely defeated, and all the
results of his campaign were lost. Erchu Jong now formed the design of
reuniting the empire and driving Vouti from the throne, but his enemies
brought this ambitious scheme to an end. Invited to the palace on