ght be employed to kill pigs and slay dogs； Xiahou Dun should be styled 'Whole Body General；' and Cao Ren should be called 'Money…grubbing Governor。' As for the remainder； they are mere clothes shelves； rice sacks； wine vases； flesh bags。〃
〃And what special gifts have you？〃 said Cao Cao angrily。
＇e＇ Kings Yao and Shun are two ideal rulers； while Confucius and Mencius are two great philosophers。
〃I know everything in heaven above and the earth beneath。 I am conversant with the Three Religions and the Nine Systems of Philosophy。 I could make my prince the rival of Kings Yao and Shun； and I myself could pare in virtue with Confucius and Mencius。* Can I discuss on even terms with mon people？〃
Now Zhang Liao was present； and he raised his sword to strike down the impudent visitor who spoke thus to his master； but Cao Cao said； 〃I want another drummer boy to play on occasions of congratulation in the court。 I will confer this office upon him。〃
Instead of indignantly declining this； Mi Heng accepted the position and went out。
〃He spoke very impertinently；〃 said Zhang Liao。 〃Why did you not put him to death？〃
〃He has something of a reputation； empty； but people have heard of him and so； if I put him to death； they would say I was intolerant。 As he thinks he has ability； I have made him a drummer to mortify him。〃
Soon after Cao Cao instituted a banquet in the capital at which the guests were many。 The drums were to be played； and the old drummers were ordered to wear new clothes。 But the new drummer Mi Heng took his place with the other musicians clad in old and worn garments。 The piece chosen was the 〃Tolling of Yuyang；〃 and from the earliest taps on the drum the effect was exquisite； profound as the notes from metal and s