Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/137

 two of his captains to oppose them. Neither body, however, came on to engage but fell back into the city. By this move the assailants had been drawn close up to the drawbridge. From within the city several soldiers were seen taking any chance of confusion to escape and come outside. To Tsʻao Tsʻao they said they were clients of the Tʻien family and they gave him secret letters stating the signal would be given about watch setting by beating a gong. That would be the time to attack. The gates would be opened.

So the rescuers were stationed and four trusty captains told off to accompany Tsʻao Tsʻao into the city. One of these Li Tien, pressed upon his master the precaution of letting him go first. But Tsʻao Tsʻao bade him be silent. “If I do not go, who will advance?” And so at the time appointed he led the way. The moon had not yet arisen.

As he drew near the west gate they heard a crackling sound, then a loud shouting, and then torches moved hither and thither. Next the gates were thrown wide open and Tsʻao Tsʻao, whipping up his steed, galloped in.

But when he reached the residence he noticed the streets were quite deserted and then he knew he had been tricked. Wheeling round his horse he shouted to his followers to retire. This was the signal for another move. An explosion of a signal-bomb was heard close at hand and it was echoed from every side in a deafening roar. Gongs and drums beat all around with a roar like rivers rushing backward to their source and the ocean boiling up from its depths. From two sides came bodies of soldiers eager to attack.

Tsʻao dashed off toward the north only to find his way barred; he tried for the south gate, but met enemies led by Kao Shun and Hou Chʻêng. His trusty henchman Tien Wei, with fierce eyes and gritting teeth, at last burst through and got out, with the enemy close after him.

But when he reached the drawbridge he glanced behind him and missed his master. Immediately he turned back and cut his way inside. Just within he met Li Tien.

“Where is our lord?” cried he.

“I am looking for him.”

“Quick! get help from outside,” shouted Tien Wei. “I will seek him.”

So one hastened for aid and the other slashed his way in, looking on every side for Tsʻao Tsʻao. He was not to be found. Dashing out of the city Tien Wei ran up against Yo Chin, who asked where their lord was.

“I have entered the city twice in search of him, but cannot find him,” said Tien.

“Let us go in together,” said Yo Chin.

They rode up to the gate. But the noise of bombs from the gate tower frightened Yo Chin’s horse, so that it refused to