Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/133

 They made no objection. But Ch‘ên Kung, the strategist, came in hastily saying, “You are going away; whither?”

“I am going to camp my men at Puyang, that vantage point.”

“You are making a mistake,” said Ch‘ên Kung. “The two you have chosen to defend this are unequal to the task. For this expedition remember that about one hundred and eighty li due south, on the road to T‘aishan, is a very advantageous position where you should place your best men in ambush. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao will hasten homeward by double marches when he hears what has happened and if you strike when half his men have gone past this point you may seize him.”

Said Lü Pu, “I am going to occupy Puyang and see what develops. How can you guess?”

So he left the two captains in command at Yenchou and went away.

Now when Ts‘ao Ts‘ao approached the dangerous part of the road near T‘aishan, Kuo Chia warned him to take care as there was doubtless an ambush. But his master laughed, “We know all his dispositions. Do you think he has laid an ambush? I shall tell Ts‘ao Jên to besiege Yenchou and I shall go to Puyang.”

When Ch‘ên Kung heard of the enemy’s approach he spoke, saying “The enemy will be fatigued with long marches so attack quickly before they have time to recover.”

Lü Pu replied, “I, a single horseman, am afraid of none. I go and come as I will. Think you I fear this Ts‘ao Ts‘ao? Let him settle his camp; I will take him after that.”

Now Ts‘ao Ts‘ao neared Puyang and he made a camp. And soon after he led out his commanders and they arrayed their men in open and desert country. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao took up his station on horseback between the two standards, watching while his opponents arrived and formed up in a circular area. Lü Pu was in front, followed by eight of his captains, all strong men. Two were called Chang Liao and Tsang Pa; and there were six others. They had five legions.

The drums began their thunderous roll and Ts‘ao, pointing to his opponent, said, “You and I had no quarrel, why then did you invade my land?”

“The Empire of Han is the possession of all; what is your special claim?” said Lü.

So saying he ordered Tsang Pa to ride forth and challenge. From Ts‘ao’s side the challenge was accepted by Yo Chin. The two steeds approached each other, two spears were lifted both together and they exchanged near two score blows with no advantage to either. Then Hsiahou Tun rode out to help his colleague and, in reply, out went Chang Liao from Lü Pu’s side. And they four fought.

Then fierce anger seized upon Lü Pu. Setting his spear he urged his steed forward to where the fight was waging.