The runaway slave was kept in a secret part of the Palace while his late master, only knowing that he had run away, took no special means to find him. Soon after this Tsʻao feigned a headache and sent for Chi Pʻing as usual. “The rebel is done for,” thought Chi Pʻing, and he made a secret package of poison which he took with him to the palace of the Minister. He found Tsʻao in bed. The patient bade the doctor prepare a potion for him. “One draught will cure this disease,” said Pʻing. He bade them bring him a pipkin and he prepared the potion in the room. When it had simmered for some time and was half finished the poison was added, and soon after the physician presented the draught. Tsʻao Tsʻao, knowing it was poisoned, made excuses and would not swallow it. “You should take it hot,” said the doctor. “Then there will be a gentle perspiration and you will be better.” “You are a scholar,” said Tsʻao, sitting up, “and know what is the correct thing to do. When the master is ill and takes drugs, the attendant first tastes them; when a man is ill, his son first tastes the medicine. You are my confidant and should drink first. Then I will swallow the remainder.” “Medicine is to treat disease; what is the use of any one’s tasting it?” said Pʻing. But he guessed now the conspiracy had been discovered so he dashed forward, seized Tsʻao Tsʻao by the ear and tried to pour the potion down his throat. Tsʻao pushed it away and it spilt. The bricks upon which it fell were split asunder. Before Tsʻao Tsʻao could speak his servants had already seized his assailant. Said Tsʻao, “I am not ill: I only wanted to test you. So you really thought to poison me.” He sent for a score of sturdy gaolers who carried off the prisoner to the inner apartments to be interrogated. Tsʻao took his seat in a pavilion and the hapless physician, tightly bound, was thrown to the ground before him. The prisoner maintained a bold front. Tsʻao said “I thought you were a physician; how dared you try to poison me? Some one incited you to this crime and if you tell me I will pardon you.” “You are a rebel; you flout your Prince and injure your betters. The whole world wishes to kill you. Do you think I am the only one?” Tsʻao again and again pressed the prisoner to tell what he knew, but he only replied that no one had sent him; it was his own desire. “And I have failed and I can but die,” added he. Tsʻao angrily bade the gaolers give him a severe beating and they flogged him for two watches. His skin hung in tatters, the flesh was battered and the blood from his wounds ran down the steps. Then fearing he might die and his evidence be lost, Tsʻao Tsʻao bade them cease and remove him. They took him off to a quiet place where he might recover somewhat.