Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/132

 Mi Chu said, “You may not refuse. The House of Han is failing, their realm is crumbling and now is the time for doughty deeds and signal services. This is a fertile district, well populated, and you are the man to rule over it.”

“But I dare not accept.”

“The Prefect is a great sufferer,” said Ch‘ên Têng, “and cannot see to matters. You may not decline, Sir.”

Said Yüan-tê, “Yüan Shu belongs to a family of rulers and the highest offices of state were held four times in three generations. The whole empire respects him, why not invite him to this task?”

“Because he is a rotting bone in a dark tomb; not worth talking about. This oportunity is a gift from Heaven and you will never cease to regret its loss,” said K‘ung.

So spake K‘ung Jung, but still Liu Pei obstinately refused. T‘ao Ch‘ien besought him with tears. “I shall die if you leave me and there will be none to close my eyes.”

“Brother, you should accept the offer thus made,” said Kuan Yü.

“Why so much fuss?” said Chang Fei. “We have not taken the place; it is he who wishes to give it you.”

“You all persuade me to do what is wrong,” said Liu Pei.

Thrice did T‘ao entreat Liu Pei and thrice was he refused. Then he said, “As he is set in his determination perhaps he will consent to encamp at Hsiaop‘ei. It is only a little town, but thence he can keep watch and ward over this city.”

They all with one voice prayed Liu Pei to consent so he gave in. The feast of victory being now ended the time came to say farewell. When Chao Yün took his leave Liu Pei held his hands alternately while dashing away the falling tears. K‘ung Jung and his leader went home to their own place.

When Liu Pei and his brothers took up their abode in Hsiaop‘ei, they first repaired the defences and then they put out proclamations in order to calm the inhabitants.

In the meantime Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had marched toward his own district. His cousin, Ts‘ao Jên, met him and told him Lü Pu was very strong and he had Ch‘ên Kung as adviser. Yenchou was as good as lost, with the exception of three small districts which had been desperately defended.

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “I own that Lü Pu is a bold fighter but nothing more; he has no craft. So we need not fear him seriously.”

Then he gave orders to make a strong camp till they could think out some victorious plan. Lü Pu, knowing of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s return, called two of his subordinate captains, Hsüeh Lan and Li Fêng, to him and assigned to them the task of holding Yenchou, saying “I have long waited for opportunity to employ your skill: now I give you a legion and you are to hold the city while I go forth to attack Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.”