Chapter Seventy Just like a river of spring waters flowing eastward (V)

　　He spake:　　Spears and shields o’erspread the earth, yet the wanderer returns home;　　Mountains and rivers dwell in dreams, like blossoms mirrored in glass.　　Wan moon and morning breeze sweep the southern ford;　　A single carriage rocks its dream past Longhua.　　It is told that in the first year of Shenlong (705 AD), on the twenty-second day of the first month, the eastern wind indeed blew softly, and the Empress’s malady grew ever graver. Zhang Yizhi, beholding this, conceived a thought, and spake unto his brother Zhang Changzong: “The Sovereign is gravely ill. Why should we not, like Cao Mengde of old, hold the Son of Heaven in our grasp to command the lords?”　　Zhang Changzong, hearing this, was at first aghast, then answered: “Brother, is not this design too audacious, reckless beyond bounds? A single misstep, and we fall into eternal damnation!”　　Zhang Yizhi gave a cold smile and retorted: “Sixth Brother, is not our plight now already naught but eternal damnation?”　　Hearing this, Zhang Changzong thought on the recent perils, sighed, and yielded to fate. Together they escorted the Empress into the Hall of Immortal Longevity for her sickness, and by false decree forbade the ministers an audience.　　*　　The civil and military