h to the work.

How many thousands or hundreds of thousands of the industrious laborers
of China spent their lives upon this stupendous work history does not
tell. It stands as a striking monument of the magnificent conceptions of
Hoangti, and of the patient industry of his subjects, beside which the
building of the great pyramid of Egypt sinks into insignificance. Yet,
as history has abundantly proved, it was a waste of labor so far as
answering its purpose was concerned. In the hands of a strong emperor
like Hoangti it might well defy the Tartar foe. In the hands of many of
his weak successors it proved of no avail, the hordes of the desert
swarming like ants over its undefended reaches, and pouring upon the
feeble country that sought defence in walls, not in men.

While this vast building operation was going on, Hoangti had his hands
so full with internal wars that he adopted the custom of sitting on his
throne with a naked sword in his hand, significant of his unceasing
alertness against his foes. Not until his reign was near its end was he
able to return this emblem of war to its scabbard and enjoy for a few
years the peace he had so ably won.

No sooner had the great emperor finished his campaign of victory
against the Heung-nou Tartars than he found himself confronted by
enemies at home, the adherents of the remaining feudal princes whose
independent power was threatened. The first with whom he came in contact
was the powerful prince of Chow, several of whose cities he captured,
the neighboring prince of Han being so terrified by this success that he
surrendered without a contest. In accordance with Hoangti's method, the
prince was forced to yield his power and retire to private life in the
dominions of the conqueror.

Chow still held out, under an able general, Limou, who defied the
emperor and defeated his armies. Hoangti, finding himself opposed by an
abler man than any he had under his command, employed against him the
same secret arts by which he had before disposed of the valiant Ouki. A
courtier was bribed to malign the absent general and poison the mind of
the prince against the faithful commander of his forces. The intrigue
was successful, Limou was recalled from his command, and on his refusing
to obey was assassinated by order of the prince.

Hoangti had gained his end, and his adversary soon paid dearly for his
lack of wisdom and justice. His dominions were overrun, his capital,
Hantan, was taken