Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/134

 him approach Hsiahou and Yo both fled, but Lü Pu pressed on after them and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s army lost the day. Retiring a long way they made a new camp. Lü Pu called in and mustered his men.

The day having gone against him Ts‘ao Ts‘ao called a council and Yü Chin said, “From the hill tops to-day I saw a camp of our enemies on the west of Puyang. They were but few men therein, and to-night after to-day’s victory, it will not be defended. Let us attack and if we can take the camp we shall strike fear into the heart of Lü Pu. This is our best plan.”

Ts‘ao thought so too. He and six of his lieutenants and two legions left that night by a secret road for the camp.

In Lü Pu’s camp was rejoicing for that day’s victory when Ch‘ên Kung reminded him of the west camp and its importance, and said that it might be attacked, Lü Pu replied that the enemy would not dare approach after that day’s defeat.

“Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is a very able commander,” replied Kung. “You must keep a good lookout for him lest he attack our weak spot.”

So arrangements were made for defence. At dusk Ts‘ao Tsʻao reached the camp and began an immediate attack on all four sides. The defenders could not hold him off. They ran in all directions and the camp was captured. Near the fourth watch, when the party told off to help defend the camp reached it, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao sallied forth to meet them and met Kao Shun. Another battle then began and waged till dawn. About that time a rolling of drums was heard in the west and they told Ts‘ao that Lü Pu himself was at hand. Thereupon Ts‘ao Ts‘ao abandoned the attack and fled.

They pursued him, Lü Pu taking the lead. Two of Ts‘ao’s lieutenants attacked the pursuers but could not check them. Ts‘ao went away north. But from behind some hills came out more of Lü Pu’s army and as they could not be beaten off Ts‘ao sought safety in the west. Here again his retreat was barred.

The fight became desperate. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao dashed at the enemy’s array. The din was terrible. Arrows fell like pelting rain upon them and they could make no headway. He was desperate and cried out in fear, “Who can save me?”

Then from the crush dashed out Tien Wei with his double lance, crying “Fear not, my master.” He leapt from his steed, leaned his double lance against a wall and laid hold of a handful of darts. Turning to his followers he said, “When the ruffians are at ten paces, call out to me.”

Then he set off with mighty strides, plunging forward careless of the flying arrows. Lü Pu’s horsemen followed and when they got near the follorers shouted, “Ten paces!”

“Five, then call!” shouted back Tien Wei, and went on.

Presently, “Five paces!”