opportunity to build up his fighting forces to magnificent power. His personal chariot was painted gold with red wheels and when the army marched, he carried a banner emblazoned with a dragon in a yellow field.
However, although he was celebrated for his military strategy, he could not keep Yang Kuei-fei from invading his thoughts. Common sense argued that it was dangerous to permit a concubine to wreck his intricately wrought plans. Nevertheless, within his body a battle raged, physical lust fought with lust for power. Even though Yang Kuei-fei was ever near at hand, and found his company stimulating, she belonged to the Emperor. If only she was his, and his alone, he could level mountains, fight the wind or stop the course of the sun. Nothing could block his triumphs, urged on by the sweetness of her smile. He laughed harshly. What use were dreams unless they could be hewn into truth? As it was, the night air was bitter. He longed for stimulation. As though he were drunk, swaying as he walked, he went unto the Palace gardens, the private gardens, to search for Yang Kuei-fei. And there he found her.
Her mood was wistful, pensive, almost sad. He had no way of knowing that she had assumed it hurriedly at his approach.
"Tonight," she sighed, "his Majesty is with Lady Kuo Kuo and I am lonely."
8.
But not all the members of the Yang family were
pleased over the advancement of An Lu-shan. Kuo-
272
