So Vanchu And Chenchu, Having Come To This Conclusion, Proceeded To
Communicate It To The Chief People Among The Cathayans,
And then by common
consent sent word to their friends in many other cities that they had
determined on such
A day, at the signal given by a beacon, to massacre all
the men with beards, and that the other cities should stand ready to do
the like on seeing the signal fires. The reason why they spoke of
massacring the bearded men was that the Cathayans naturally have no beard,
whilst beards are worn by the Tartars, Saracens, and Christians. And you
should know that all the Cathayans detested the Grand Kaan's rule because
he set over them governors who were Tartars, or still more frequently
Saracens, and these they could not endure, for they were treated by them
just like slaves. You see the Great Kaan had not succeeded to the dominion
of Cathay by hereditary right, but held it by conquest; and thus having no
confidence in the natives, he put all authority into the hands of Tartars,
Saracens, or Christians who were attached to his household and devoted to
his service, and were foreigners in Cathay.
Wherefore, on the day appointed, the aforesaid Vanchu and Chenchu having
entered the palace at night, Vanchu sat down and caused a number of lights
to be kindled before him. He then sent a messenger to Achmath the Bailo,
who lived in the Old City, as if to summon him to the presence of Chinkin,
the Great Kaan's son, who (it was pretended) had arrived unexpectedly.
When Achmath heard this he was much surprised, but made haste to go, for
he feared the Prince greatly.
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