Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/108

 If you lend your aid to Tung Cho you will be a traitor and your name will stink through all the ages.”

Lü Pu rose from his place and bowed to Wang Yün. “I have decided,” said he. “You need not fear, Sir.”

“But yet you may fail and bring upon yourself misfortune,” said Wang.

Lü Pu drew his dagger and pricking his arm swore by the blood that flowed.

Wang fell on his knees and thanked him. “Then the Han sacrifices will not be cut off and you will be their saviour. But this must remain a secret and I will tell you how the plot shall be worked out.”

Lü Pu took leave with great emotion.

Wang Yün took into his confidence two colleagues, Sun Jui and Huang Yüan. The former said, “The moment is favourable. The Emperor has just recovered from his illness and we can despatch an able talker to Meiwu to persuade Tung Cho to come here to discuss affairs. Meanwhile we will obtain a secret decree as authority for Lü Pu. Lay an ambush just inside the palace gates to kill Cho as he enters. This is the best plan to adopt.”

“But who would dare to go?”

“Li Su would go. He belongs to the same district as Lü Pu and is very angry with the Minister for not advancing him. His going would excite no suspicions.”

“Good,” said Wang Yün. “Let us see what Lü Pu thinks of it.”

When Pu was consulted he told them that this man’s persuasion had led him to kill Ting, his former benefactor. “If he refuse this mission I will kill him,” said he.

So they sent for Li Su. When he arrived Lü Pu said, “Formerly you talked me into killing Ting and going over to Tung Cho. Now we find Tung Cho means evil for the Emperor and is an oppressor of the people. His iniquities are many and he is hated of gods and men. You go to Meiwu, say you have a command from the Emperor to summon Tung Cho to the palace. He will come and he will be put to death. You will have the credit of being loyal and restoring the Hans. Will you undertake this?”

“I also wish to slay him,” was the reply. “But I could not find any to assist me. How can I hesitate? Your intervention is directly from heaven.”

And he snapped an arrow in twain as register of his oath.

“If this succeed, what glorious rank will be yours!” said Wang Yün.

Next day Li Su, with a small escort, set out for Meiwu and announced himself as bearer of a decree. He was conducted into Tung Cho’s presence. After he had made his obeisance Tung asked what the decree was.