YÜAN AND TSʻAO BOTH TAKE THE FIELD:
THE TWO BROTHERS CAPTURE TWO CAPTAINS.
This was the plan proposed to Yüan-tê: “Yüan Shao is Tsʻao Tsʻao’s
terror. He is strongly posted in an extensive district with a hundred
legions of fighting men and many able officers. Write letters and pray
him to rescue you.”
Liu Pei replied, “But we have never had any dealings with each other
and he is unlikely to do such a thing for one who has just destroyed
his brother.”
“There is some one here whose family have been on intimate terms with
the Yüans for a hundred years. Shao would surely come if he wrote.”
“And who is this?”
“A man you know well and respect greatly; can you not guess?”
“You surely mean Chêng Kʻang-chʻêng,” said Liu Pei suddenly.
“That is he,” said Chʻên Têng smiling.
Now Chêng Kʻang-chʻêng’s ming was Yüan. He was a student and a man of
great talent, who had long studied under Ma Jung. Ma Jung was peculiar
as a teacher. Whenever he lectured he let fall a curtain behind which
were a circle of singing girls. The students were assembled in front of
this curtain. Chêng Yüan attended these lectures for three years and
never once let his eyes wander to the curtain.
Naturally the master admired his pupil. After Chêng Yüan had finished
his studies and gone home Ma Jung praised him to the others, saying,
“Only one man has penetrated the inner meaning of my instructions and
that one is Chêng Yüan.”
In the Chêng household the waiting maids were familiar with Mao’s
edition of the Odes. Once one of the maids opposed Yüan’s wishes, so as
punishment she was made to kneel in front of the steps. Another girl
made fun of her, quoting from an ode;—
“What are you doing there in the mire?”
The kneeling girl capped the verse from another ode; quoth she:—
“’Twas but a simple word I said,
Yet brought it wrath upon my head.”
Such was the family in which he had been born. In the reign of the
Emperor Huan he rose to the rank of President of a Board, but when the
Ten Eunuchs began to control the government he gave up office and
retired into the country to Hsüchou. Liu Pei had known him before, had
consulted him on many occasions and greatly respected him.
Liu Pei was glad that he had remembered this man and without loss of
time, in company with Chʻên Têng, he went to his house to ask him to
draft this letter, which he generously consented to do.
Sun Chʻien was entrusted with the task of delivery and set out at once.
Shao read it and considered the matter long before speaking. “Liu Pei
destroyed my brother and I ought not to help him, but out of
consideration for the writer of this letter I must.”
Whereupon he assembled his officers to consider an attack upon Tsʻao
Tsʻao.
Tʻien Fêng said, “Do not raise an army. The people are worn out and the
granaries are empty with these constant wars. Let us rather report the
recent victory of Kungsun Tsan to the Throne. If that does not reach
the Emperor, then memorialise that Tsʻao Tsʻao is hindering the
government. Then raise an army: occupy Liyang, assemble a fleet in
Honan, prepare weapons, send out your various divisions and within
three years you will win all round.”
The adviser Shên Pʻei replied, “I do not agree. The military genius of
our illustrious lord having overcome the hordes of the north, to
dispose of Tsʻao is as simple as turning one’s hand; it is not a matter
of months.”
Chü Shou said, “Victory is not always to the many. Tsʻao Tsʻao’s
discipline is excellent; his soldiers are brave and well drilled. He
will not sit down quietly waiting to be surrounded as Kungsun Tsan did.
Now you abandon the intention to inform the Throne of our success,
which I find a good plan, but you intend to send out an army without
any valid excuse. Our lord should not do that.”
Then followed adviser Kuo Tʻu, “You are wrong. No expedition against
Tsʻao Tsʻao can lack excuse. But if our master would take the chance
now offering itself of coming into his own, he will accede to the
request in the letter and ally himself with Liu Pei for the destruction
of Tsʻao. This would win the approval of heaven and the affections of
the people, a double blessing.”
Thus the four advisers differed and wrangled and Yüan Shao could not
decide which to follow. Then there came two others, Hsü Yu and Hsün
Shên, and, seeing them, Shao said, “You two have wide experience, how
would you decide?”
The two made their obeisance and Yüan Shao said, “A letter from Chêng
the President has arrived, counselling me to support Liu Pei in an
attack on Tsʻao Tsʻao. Now am I to send an army or not send an army?”
They both cried with one voice, “Send! Your armies are numerous enough
and strong enough; you will destroy a traitor and help the dynasty.”
“Your words just express my desire,” said Shao and thenceforward the
discussion turned on the expedition.
First Sun Chʻien was sent back with Yüan Shao’s consent and
instructions for Liu Pei to make ready to co-operate. Officers were
assigned divisions and advisers were told off. The army was to be
composed of thirty legions, horse and foot in equal numbers. They were
to march on Liyang.
When the arrangements were complete Kuo Tʻu went to his chief saying,
“In order to manifest the righteousness of your attack on Tsʻao it
would be well to issue a manifesto with a summary of his various
crimes.”
Yüan Shao approved of this and a certain Chʻên Lin, well known as a
scholar, who had been a Recorder in the late Emperor’s reign, was
entrusted to compose such a document. This is the manifesto:—
“A perspicacious ruler wisely provides against political vicissitudes;
a loyal minister carefully foresees the difficulties in the assertion
of authority. Wherefore a man of unusual parts precedes an
extraordinary situation, and of such a man the achievements will be
extraordinary. For indeed the ordinary man is quite unequal to an
extraordinary situation.
“In former days, after having gained ascendancy over a weakling King of
the powerful Tsʻin Dynasty, Chao Kao wielded the whole authority of the
Throne, overruling the government. All dignity and fortune came through
him and his contemporaries were restrained so that none dared to speak
openly. Slowly but surely evolved the tragedy of the Wangi Temple, when
the Emperor was slain and the Imperial tablets perished in the flames.
He, the author of these crimes, has ever since been held up to obloquy
as the arch example of an evil-doer.
“In the later days of the Empress Lü of the Hans the world saw Lü Chan
and Lü Lu, brothers of the Empress and fellows in wickedness,
monopolising the powers of government. Within the capital they
commanded two armies and without they ruled the feudal states of Liang
and Chao. They arbitrarily controlled all State affairs and decided all
questions in the council chamber and the Court. This dominance of the
base and declension of the noble continued till the hearts of the
people grew cold within them.
“Thereupon Chou Pʻo, Marquis of Chiang, and Liu Chang, Marquis of
Chuhsü, asserted their dignity and let loose their wrath. They
destroyed the contumacious ministers and restored their Ruler to his
royal state. Thus they enabled the kingly way to be re-established and
the glory to be manifested. Here are two instances where ministers
asserted their authority.
“This Tsʻao, now a minister, forsooth, had for ancestor a certain
eunuch named Tʻêng, fitting companion of Tso Kuan and Hsü Huang. All
three were prodigies of wickedness and insatiably avaricious and, let
loose on the world, they hindered ethical progress and preyed upon the
populace. This Tʻêng begged for and adopted Tsʻao’s father who, by
wholesale bribery, wagons of gold and cartloads of jewels presented at
the gates of the influential, contrived to sneak his way into
considerable office where he could subvert authority. Thus Tsʻao is the
depraved bantling of a monstrous excrescence, devoid of all virtue in
himself, ferocious and cunning, delighting in disorder and revelling in
public calamity.
“Now I, Mu-fu, a man of war, have mustered my armies and displayed my
might that I may sweep away and destroy the evil opponents of
government. I have already had to deal with Tung Cho, the ruffian who
invaded the official circle and wrested the government. At that time I
grasped my sword and beat the drums to restore order in the east. I
assembled warriors, selected the best and took them into my service. In
this matter I came into relations with this Tsʻao and conferred with
him to further my scheme. I gave him command of a subordinate force and
looked to him to render such petty service as he was equal to. I
suffered his stupidities and condoned his shortcomings, his rash
attacks and facile retreats, his losses and shameful defeats, his
repeated destruction of whole armies. Again and again I sent him more
troops and filled the gaps in his depleted ranks. I even addressed a
memorial to the Throne for him to be appointed Governor of Yenchou. I
made him feared as he were a tiger. I added to his honours and
increased his authority, hoping that eventually he would justify
himself by a victory such as fell to Mêng Ming of Tsʻin.
“But Tsʻao availed himself of the opportunity to overstep all bounds,
to give free rein to violence and evil. He stripped the common people,
outraged the good and injured the virtuous. Pien Jang, Prefect of
Kiukiang, was a man of conspicuous talent and of world-wide reputation.
He was honest in speech and correct in demeanour. He spoke without
flattery. He was put to death and his head exposed, and his family
utterly destroyed. From that day to this scholars have deeply mourned
and popular resentment has steadily grown. One man raised his arm in
anger and the whole countryside followed him. Whereupon Tsʻao was
smitten at Hsüchou and his district was snatched by Lü Pu. He fled
eastward without shelter or refuge.
“My policy is a strong trunk and weak branches, a commanding central
government and obedient feudal lords. Also I am no partizan. Therefore
I again raised my banners, donned my armour and moved forward to
attack. My drums rolled for an assault on Lü Pu and his multitudes
incontinently fled. I saved Tsʻao from destruction and restored him to
a position of authority. Wherein I must confess to showing no kindness
to the people of Yenchou although it was a great matter for Tsʻao.
“Later it happened that the imperial cortège moved west and a horde of
rebels rose and attacked. The course of government was hindered. At
that moment my territory was threatened from the north and I could not
leave it. Wherefore I sent one of my officers to Tsʻao to see to the
repair of the temples and the protection of the youthful sovereign.
Thereupon Tsʻao gave the rein to his inclinations. He arbitrarily
ordered the removal of the Court. He brought shame upon the ruling
House and subverted the laws. He engrossed the presidency of the three
highest offices and monopolised the control of the administration.
Offices and rewards were conferred according to his will; punishment
was at his word. He glorified whole families of those he loved; he
exterminated whole clans of those he hated. Open critics were executed;
secret opponents were assassinated. Officials locked their lips;
wayfarers only exchanged glances. Presidents of Boards recorded levies
and every government official held a sinecure.
“The late Yang Piao, a man who had filled two of the highest offices of
State as President of two Boards, because of some petty grudge was,
though guiltless, charged with a crime. He was beaten and suffered
every form of cruelty. This arbitrary and impulsive act was a flagrant
disregard of constitutional rules.
“Another victim was the Councillor Chao Yan. He was faithful in
remonstrance, honest in speech, endowed with the highest principles of
rectitude. He was listened to at Court. His words carried enough weight
with the Emperor to cause him to modify his intention and confer reward
for outspokenness. Desirous of diverting all power into his own hands
and stifle all criticism, Tsʻao presumed to arrest and put to death
this censor, in defiance of all legal procedure.
“Another evil deed was the destruction of the tomb of Prince Liang
Hsiao, the brother of the late Emperor. His tomb should certainly have
been respected, even its mulberries and lindera trees, its cypresses
and its pines. Tsʻao led soldiers to the cemetery and stood by while it
was desecrated, the coffin destroyed and the poor corpse exposed. They
stole the gold and jewels of the dead. This deed brought tears to the
eyes of the Emperor and rent the hearts of all men. Tsʻao also
appointed ‘Openers-of-Grave-Mounds’ and ‘Seekers-for-Gold’ whose tracks
were marked by desecrated graves and exhumed bodies. Indeed, while
assuming the position of the highest officer of State, he indulged the
inclination of a bandit, polluting the State, oppressing the people, a
bane to gods and men.
“He added to this by setting up minute and vexatious prohibitions so
that there were nets and snares spread in every pathway, traps and
pitfalls laid in every road. A hand raised was caught in a net, a foot
advanced was taken in an entanglement. Wherefore the men of Yen and Yü
waxed desperate and the inhabitants of the metropolis groaned and
murmured in anger.
Read down the names through all the years
Of ministers that all men curse
For greed and cruelty and lust;
Than Tsʻao you will not find a worse.
“I have investigated the cases of evil deeds in the provinces, but I
have been unable to reform him. I have given him repeated opportunities
hoping that he would repent. But he has the heart of a wolf, the nature
of a wild beast. He nourishes evil in his bosom and desires to pull
down the pillars of the State, to weaken the House of Han, to destroy
the loyal and true and to stand himself conspicuous as the chiefest of
criminals.
“Formerly, when I attacked the north, Kungsun Tsan, that obstinate
bandit and perverse bravo, resisted my might for a year. Before he
could be destroyed this Tsʻao wrote to him that, under the pretence of
assisting the Imperial armies, he would covertly lead them to
destruction. The plot was discovered through his messengers and Tsan
also perished. This blunted Tsʻao’s ardour and his plans failed.
“Now he is camped at the Ao Granaries with the river to strengthen his
position. Like the mantis in the story, who threatened the chariot with
its forelegs, he thinks himself terrible. But with the dignity and
prestige of Han to support me I confront the whole world. I have
spearmen by millions, horsemen by thousands of squadrons, fierce and
vigorous warriors strong as Chung Huang, Hsia Yu and Wu Huo, those
heroes of antiquity. I have enlisted expert archers and strong bowmen.
In Pingchou my armies have crossed the Tʻaihang Range and in Chingchou
they have forded the Chi and Tʻa Rivers. They have coasted down the
Yellow River to attack his van, and from Chingchou they have descended
to Wanyeh to smite his rearguard. Thunder-like in the weight of their
march, tiger-like in the alertness of their advance, they converge on
Lotʻing. They are as flames let loose among light grass, as the blue
ocean poured on glowing embers. Is there any hope that he escape
destruction?
“Of the hordes of Tsʻao, those who can fight are from the north or from
other camps and they all desire to return home. They weep whenever they
look to the north. The others belong to Yen or Yü, being remnants of
the armies of Lü Pu and Chang Yang. Beaten, stern necessity forced them
to accept service, but they take it only as a temporary expedient.
Every man who has been wounded is an enemy. If I give the signal to
return and send my drums and shawms to the mountain tops, and wave the
white flag to show them they may surrender, they will melt away like
dew before the sun and no blood will be shed. The victory will be mine.
“Now the Hans are failing and the bonds of Empire are relaxed. The
sacred Dynasty has no supporter, the Ministers are not strong enough to
cope with the difficulties. Within the capital the responsible
Ministers are crestfallen and helpless. There is no one to rely upon.
Such loyal and high principled men as are left are browbeaten by a
tyrannical Minister. How can they manifest their virtue?
“Tsʻao has surrounded the Palace with seven hundred veterans, the
ostensible object being to guard the Emperor, but the covert design
being to hold him prisoner. I fear this is but the first step in
usurpation and so I take my part. Now is the time for loyal Ministers
to sacrifice their lives, the opportunity for officers to perform
meritorious deeds. Can I fail to urge you?
“Tsʻao has forged commands to himself to undertake the control of
government affairs and, in the name of the State, sends out calls for
military assistance. I fear lest distant districts may obey his behest
and send troops to help him, to the detriment of the multitude and
their everlasting shame. No wise man will do so.
“The forces of four prefectures are moving out simultaneously. When
this call reaches Chingchou you will see their forces co-operate with
those of Chang Hsiu. All districts and departments ought to organise
volunteers and set them along their borders to demonstrate their force
and prove their loyal support of the Dynasty. Will not this be
rendering extraordinary service?
“The rank of Marquis, with feudal rights over five thousand households
and a money reward of fifty millions, will be the reward of him who
brings the head of Tsʻao. No questions will be asked of those who
surrender. I publish abroad this notice of my bounty and the rewards
offered that you may realise that the Dynasty is in real danger.”
Shao read this effusion with great joy. He at once ordered copies to be
posted everywhere, in towns and cities, at gates (tax stations) and
ferries and passes. Copies found their way to the capital and one got
into Tsʻao Tsʻao’s palace. That day he happened to be in bed with a bad
headache. The servants took the paper to the sick man’s room. He read
it and was frightened from the tips of his hair to the marrow of his
very bones. He broke out into a cold perspiration and his headache
vanished. He bounded out of bed and said to Tsʻao Hung, “Who wrote
this?”
“They say it is Chʻên Lin’s pencil,” replied he.
Tsʻao laughed “They have the literary gift; they had better have the
military too to back it up. This fellow may be a very elegant writer,
but what if Yüan Shao’s fighting capacity falls short?”
He called his advisers together to consider the next move. Kʻung Jung
heard of the summons and went to his master saying, “You should not
fight with Yüan Shao; he is too strong. Make peace.”
Hsün Yü said, “He is despicable: do not make peace.”
Jung replied, “His land is wide and his people strong. He has many
skilful strategists and he has loyal and able captains. You cannot say
he is despicable.”
Yü laughed saying, “His army is a rabble. One captain, Tʻien Fêng, is
bold but treacherous; another, Hsü Yu, is greedy and ignorant; Shên
Pʻei is devoted but stupid; Fêng Chi is steady but useless. And these
four of such different temperaments, mutually incompatible, will make
for confusion rather than efficiency. Yen Liang and Wên Chʻou are
worthless and can be disposed of in the first battle and the others are
poor, rough stuff. What is the use even of their legions?”
Kʻung Jung was silent and Tsʻao smiled. “They are even as Hsün Wen-jo
describes,” said he.
Then Tsʻao issued orders. Generals Liu Tai and Wang Chung were to lead
an army of five legions, displaying the minister’s banners, and march
against Hsüchou to attack Liu Pei.
This Liu Tai had been governor of Yenchou but had surrendered and
entered Tsʻao Tsʻao’s service after the fall of the city. Tsʻao had
given him a rank as supernumerary leader and now was disposed to make
use of him.
Tsʻao Tsʻao himself took command of a large army of twenty legions for
a simultaneous attack on Yüan Shao at Liyang.
A certain adviser said he thought the two captains sent against Liu Pei
were unequal to their task.
“I know,” said Tsʻao. “They are not meant to fight Liu Pei; it is
merely a feint. They have orders not to make any real attack till I
have overcome Yüan Shao. Then Liu Pei will be next.”
Liu Tai and Wang Chung went their way and Tsʻao Tsʻao marched out his
grand army, which came into touch with the enemy, then eighty li
distant, at Liyang. Both sides made fortified camps and waited watching
each other. This went on for two months.
There was dissension in Yüan Shao’s camp. Hsü Yu was at enmity with his
colleague, Shên Pʻei, and the strategist Chu Shou resented the
rejection of his plan. So they would not attack. Yüan Shao also could
not make up his mind. Tired of this state of inaction Tsʻao Tsʻao then
gave certain commanders definite points to hold and marched back to
Hsütu.
The five legions sent against Liu Pei went into camp a hundred li from
Hsüchou. The camp made an imposing display of the banners of the Prime
Minister but no attacks followed. Their spies were very busy north of
the river. On the defensive side, Liu Pei, as he was uncertain of the
strength of the force against him, dared not move.
Suddenly orders came for the Tsʻao army to attack and then discord
showed itself.
Liu Tai said, “The Minister orders an attack; you advance.”
Wang Chung replied, “You were named first.”
“I am the Commander in Chief; it is not my place to go first.”
“I will go with you in joint command,” said Chung.
“Let us cast lots and he upon whom the lot falls must go,” said Tai.
They drew lots and it fell to Wang Chung, who advanced toward Hsüchou
with half the force.
When Yüan-tê heard of the threatened attack he called Chʻên Têng to
consult.
Yüan-tê said, “There is dissension in Yüan Shao’s camp at Liyang so
they do not advance. We do not know where Tsʻao Tsʻao is but his own
banner is not displayed in his Liyang camp. Why then is it shown here?”
Chʻên Têng replied, “His tricks take a hundred forms. It must be that
he regards the north as most important and has gone there to look after
its defence. He dares not show his flag there and I feel sure it is
only meant to mislead us. He is not here.”
Yüan-tê then asked whether one of his brothers would find out the truth
and Chang Fei volunteered to go.
“I fear you are unsuited for this,” said Yüan-tê. “You are too
impetuous.”
“If Tsʻao is there I will haul him over here,” said Fei.
“Let me go first and find out,” said Kuan Yü.
“If you go I shall feel more at ease,” said Yüan-tê.
So Kuan Yü set out with three companies to reconnoitre. It was then
early winter and snow was falling from a gloomy sky. They marched
regardless of the snow and came near Wang Chung’s camp with arms all
ready to attack. Kuan Yü summoned Wang Chung to a parley.
“The Minister is here: why do you not surrender?” said Wang Chung.
“Beg him to come to the front for I would speak with him,” replied Kuan
Yü.
“Is he likely to come out to see such as you?”
Kuan Yü angrily dashed forward and Wang Chung set his spear to meet
him. Yü rode till he came close to his antagonist, then suddenly
wheeled away. Wang Chung went after him and followed up a slope. Just
as they passed the crest, Yü suddenly wheeled again, shouted and came
on flourishing the mighty sword. Wang Chung could not withstand that
and fled. But Kuan Yü, changing the huge sword to his left hand, with
his right laid hold of his victim by the straps of his breastplate,
lifted him out of the saddle and rode away to his own lines with the
captive laid across the pommel of his saddle. Wang Chung’s men
scattered.
The captive was sent to Hsüchou, where he was summoned into the
presence of Liu Pei.
“Who are you? What office do you hold? How dare you falsely display the
ensigns of the Minister Tsʻao Tsʻao?” said Liu Pei.
“What do you mean by falsely when I simply obeyed my orders?” said
Wang. “My master wanted to produce the impression that he was present.
Really he was not there.”
Liu Pei treated him kindly, giving him food and clothing; but put him
in prison till his colleague could be captured. Kuan Yü said that,
knowing his brother had peaceful intentions in his mind, he captured
the man instead of slaying him.
“I was afraid of Chang Fei’s hasty and impulsive temper,” said Liu Pei.
“He would have slain this man. So I could not send him. There is no
advantage in killing persons of this sort and while alive they are
often useful in amicable settlements.”
Here Chang Fei said, “You have got this Wang; now I will go and get the
other man.”
“Be careful,” said his brother. “Liu Tai was once governor of Yenchou
and he was one of the nobles who met at Tigertrap Pass to destroy Tung
Cho. He is not to be despised.”
“I do not think him worth talking about so much. I will bring him in
alive just as my brother did this other.”
“I fear that if his life be lost it may upset our designs,” said Liu
Pei.
“If I kill him I will forfeit my own life,” said Fei.
So he was given three companies and went off quickly.
The capture of his colleague made Liu Tai careful. He strengthened his
defences and kept behind them. He took no notice of the daily
challenges and continual insults which began with Chang Fei’s arrival.
After some days Fei evolved a ruse. He issued orders to prepare to rush
the enemy’s camp at night, but he himself spent the day drinking.
Pretending to be very intoxicated he held a court martial and one
soldier was severely flogged for a breach of discipline. The man was
left bound in the midst of the camp, Fei saying, “Wait till I am ready
to start to-night; you shall be sacrificed to the flag.” At the same
time he gave secret orders to the custodians to let the man escape.
The man found his opportunity, crept out of camp and went over to the
enemy, to whom he betrayed the plan of a night attack. As the man bore
signs of savage punishment Liu Tai was the more disposed to credit his
desertion and tale and made his arrangements, putting the greater part
of his men in ambush outside his camp so that it was empty.
That night, having divided his men into three parties, Chang Fei went
to attack the camp. A few men were ordered to advance directly, dash in
and set fire going. Two larger bodies of men were to go round to the
rear of the camp and attack when they saw the fire well started. At the
third watch (midnight) Chang Fei, with his veterans, went to cut off
Liu Tai’s road to the rear.
The thirty men told off to start a conflagration made their way into
the camp and were successful. When the flames arose the ambushed men
rushed out but only to find themselves attacked on both sides. This
confused them and as they knew nothing of the number of their
assailants they were panic-stricken and scattered.
Liu Tai, with a company of footmen got clear of the fight and fled, but
he went straight toward Chang Fei. Escape was impossible and the two
men rode up each to attack the other. Chang Fei captured his opponent
and the men surrendered.
Chang Fei sent news of this success to his brothers.
Yüan-tê said, “Hitherto I-tê has been rather violent, but this time he
has acted wisely and I am very pleased.”
They rode out to welcome their brother.
“You said I was too rough; how now?” said Fei to his brothers.
“If I had not put you on your mettle you would not have evolved this
stratagem,” said Liu Pei.
Fei laughed. Then appeared the captive Liu Tai, in bonds. Yüan-tê at
once dismounted and loosed the cords, saying, “My young brother was
rather nasty, but you must pardon him.”
So he was freed. He was taken into the city, his colleague was released
and both were cared for.
Yüan-tê said to them, “I could not help putting Chʻê Chou to death when
he tried to kill me, but Tsʻao Tsʻao took it as disaffection and sent
you two generals to punish me. I have received much kindness from him
and certainly would not show ingratitude by killing you. I wish you to
speak for me and explain when you get back.”
“We are deeply grateful that you spare our lives and we will certainly
do so in gratitude for what our wives and children owe you.”
Next day the two leaders and their army were allowed to depart
unscathed. But before they had got ten li from the boundary they heard
a mighty shouting and there appeared Chang Fei barring the road.
“My brother made a mistake in letting you go: he did not understand.
How could he give freedom to two rebels?”
This made the two men quake with fear, but as the fierce-eyed warrior
with uplifted sword was bearing down upon them they heard another man
galloping up and shouting, “Do not behave so disgracefully!”
The newcomer was Kuan Yü and his appearance relieved the unhappy men of
all fear.
“Why do you stop them since our brother set them free?” cried he.
“If they are let go to-day they will surely come back,” cried Fei.
“Wait till they do, then you may kill them,” replied Kuan Yü.
The two leaders with one voice cried, “Even if the Minister slay our
whole clan we will never come again. We pray you pardon us.”
Said Fei, “If Tsʻao Tsʻao himself had come I would have slain him. Not
a breastplate should have gone back. But for this time I leave you your
heads.”
Clapping their hands to their heads the two men scuttled off while the
two brothers returned to the city.
“Tsʻao Tsʻao will certainly come,” they said.
Sun Chʻien said, “This is not a city that can hold out for long. We
should send part of our forces to Hsiaopʻei and guard Pʻeichʻêng as a
corner stone of our position.”
Yüan-tê agreed and told off his brothers to guard Pʻeichʻêng whither he
also sent his two wives, the Ladies Kan and Mi. The former was a native
of the place; the latter was Mi Chu’s sister.
Four captains were left to defend Hsüchou and Yüan-tê with Chang Fei
went to Hsiaopʻei.
The two released leaders hastened home to Tsʻao Tsʻao and explained to
him that Liu Pei was not disaffected. But their master was exceeding
angry with them, crying “You shameful traitors, what use are you?”
He roared to the lictors to take them away to instant execution.
How can a dog or a pig expect
To conquer in tiger strife?
Minnows and shrimps that with dragons contend
Already have done with life.
The fate of the two leaders will be told in the next chapter.