him　far　into　a　secluded　valley　like　a　fairy　village；　very　unlike　any　ordinary　spot。　Soon　a　lad　came　to　receive　the　visitor。

〃You　are　surely　Chen　Zhen。〃

Chen　Zhen　was　startled　that　the　lad　knew　him；　and　still　more　so　at　the　familiar　address；　and　said；　〃O　superhuman　boy；　how　do　you　know　my　name　so　well？〃

〃Last　evening　my　master　told　me　that　a　messenger　with　an　imperial　mand　would　e　today　and　mentioned　your　name。〃

〃Truly　he　is　more　than　wise；〃　said　Chen　Zhen。　〃His　reputation　is　not　unfounded。〃

So　the　two　proceeded　to　the　old　man's　abode；　and　Chen　Zhen　declared　his　errand。　The　old　man　said　he　was　too　aged　to　travel。

〃But　the　Emperor　anxiously　desires　to　see　you　face　to　face；　if　haply　you　would　not　mind　making　the　effort。〃

In　the　end；　and　after　much　persuasion；　Li　Yin　consented　and　went。　The　First　Ruler　received　him　affably；　surprised　at　the　contrast　between　his　hoary　head　and　fresh　boyish　plexion。　The　venerable　one　had　green　eyes；　with　square　and　sparkling　pupils。　His　carriage　was　erect；　and　he　stood　straight　as　a　pine　tree。

〃This　is　no　mon　man；〃　thought　the　First　Ruler；　and　he　treated　him　with　distinguished　courtesy。

The　seer　said；　〃I　am　but　an　old　man　of　the　barren　hill　country；　without　learning　or　wisdom。　You　shame　me；　O　Emperor；　by　calling　me；　and　I　know　not　why。〃

〃My　two　brothers　and　I　swore　a　mutual　oath　some　thirty　years　ago。　But　now　my　both　brothers　have　gone；　both　by　violent　deaths。　I　would　lead　a　great　army　to　avenge　them　and　wish　to　know　how　the　expedition　will　end。　Hearing　that　you；　Venerable　Sir；　are　learned　in　the　deeper　mysteries；　I　sent　for　you　and　beg　you　to　tell　me。〃

〃But　this　is　fate。　It　is　not　for　an　old　man　like　me　to　know。〃

But　the　First　Ruler　pressed　him　to　say。　Howeve