2 



m * * » m s 



ïffi, # * T ^ 

 # # « « * 4 

 ft # & ^ # T H 



The Chinese annals afford many illustrations of such fraternal honds. ( 2 ) One of the most 

 renowned, to which the Hungleague alludes at every moment, is that sworn between Liu-pi, 

 Chang-fi and Kwan-yü. 



This alliance was sworn during the ei vil wars, that desolated the Chinese empire, between 

 the overthrow of the Han-dynasty and the establishment of the eastern Tsin. These wars las- 

 ted from the years 168 till 265 of our era. It was in the year 184, that the Western Chinese 

 revolted against the Emperor. They wore yellow turbans around their heads and were called, 

 therefore, the h Tellow-cap-rebels" . ( 3 ) As is generally the case in China, the Emperor was too 

 weak to subduo these rebels. He issued a proclamation, calling upon all the valiant of the 

 empire to enlist and fight against the insurgents. 



Two men, Liu-pi and Chang-fi, ha ving read this proclamation, went to a tavern to speak 

 about it. 



Liu-pi himself was an offspring of the reigning dynasty ofHan, Whilst sitting there, a certain 

 Kwan-yü joined them. Animatedby a common spirit, these three men sought to devise the means 

 of restoring peace to the land. 



At the proposal of Chang-fi, they came the next day in the peachgarden behind his house; 

 and being assembled under the blooming peach-trees, they sacrificed a black ox and a white 

 horse, and having offered incense, they knelt down and swore the oath of fraternity. Liu-pi 

 was named ,/first brother" of the league. Having enlisted volunteers, they sneceeded, after a 

 long war, in subduing the ,/Yellow-caps" and in restoring peace to their country. ( 4 ) 



It is impossible to teil with any certainty, whence the Hungleague sprung. It may be, that 

 it was boni of the system of clans, which gave the people the spirit of association. In an- 

 tiquity the Chinese counted only one hundred families, and till the present day they do not pos- 

 sess many more names. When these families separated, each family, as was natural, kept 

 together. The members of each family having the same origin and name, would of course 

 consider each other as brothers. ( 5 ) 



(i) See the M ± IE and tne M F Ü 



( 2 ) As e. g. the sworn family alliance between the states Thsin and Tsin, known by the name: Thsin-Tsin-chi-ming 



(m w z m) 



( 4 ) See the History of the three states. 



( 5 ) Even at the present day a Chinese, if asked if he is a relation of this or that man, will say: „Yesl he 

 bears the same name I do." 



