CHINESE SECRET SOCIETIES. 75 



to propose, by which the band of conspirators should b? utterly 

 exterminated. 



Kien-Chhiu repressing his joy at the Emperor's intentions, 

 made his proposal as follows : — 



" Your Minister has a plan ; if it be followed out, though they 

 make themselves wings, they will not be able to escape. 



" Wait till the feast of the new year, and then send an Official 

 with a proper escort of soldiers, to pretend that Your Majesty 

 has sent an Imperial gift of wine with which the priests may 

 keep the festival. At the same time, let the escort be provided 

 with sulphur, saltpetre, gunpowder, and all kinds of combusti- 

 bles. Depend upon it, the priests will take in this scheme — 

 At the same time, a Minister should be sent to Kun-Tat, with 

 the red scarf.'" as a punishment for his heinous crime of -conspi- 

 racy to rebel. By thus doing, at one cast of the net we shall 

 secure the whole party." 



Kang-hi joyfully expressed his approval, and ordered the 

 scheme to be carried out according to the suggestions of the two 

 men. 



These two officials having received the sacred commands, on the 

 morrow arranged their troops, and having put all things in or- 

 der, each proceeded to his separate Province. Kien-Chhiu went 

 straight to Hok-Kien, towards the Siau-litn monastery; on 

 arriving at a place called the " Yellow Spring," lie met on the 

 road, a carter named Ma-ji-hok. Kien-Chhiu availing himself 

 of the opportunity, employed the man ; s carriage, and quietly ques- 

 tioned him as to the most important road to the monastery. 

 By gradual and careful enquiries, Kien- Dhhiu got the most com- 

 plete information from Ji-Hok, who replied to his questions 

 in a most straightforward manner, and kept nothing back ; 

 and besides this, he was quite glad to act as informer and guide, 

 in order to avenge a blow he had received some time before, from 

 an inmate of the monaster). 



Kien-Chhiu was extremely pleased to find this out, and he felt 

 very happy at seeing everything progressing so favourably ; on 

 approaching the monastery, the priests having received intelli- 

 gence of his arrival, came forward to pay due respect to the 

 Imperial Envoy, and to reverently receive His Majesty's Sacred 

 Commands. The Abbot brought Kien-Chhiu into the Hall, and 

 having invited him to take his seat in the most honourable 



* To strangle him. 



