Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/138

 pass. Wherefore Tien Wei alone went in, butting through the smoke and dashing through the flames. But he got in and searched on every side.

When Tsʻao Tsʻao saw his sturdy protector cut his way out and disappear leaving him surrounded, he again made an attempt to reach the north gate. On the way, sharply outlined against the glow, he saw the figure of Lü Pu coming toward him with his halberd ready to kill. Tsʻao Tsʻao covered his face with his hand, whipped up his steed and galloped past. But Lü Pu came galloping up behind him and tapping him on the helmet with the halberd cried, “Where is Tsʻao Tsʻao?”

Tsʻao turned and, pointing to a dun horse well ahead, cried, “There; on that dun! that’s he.”

Hearing this Lü Pu left pursuing Tsʻao Tsʻao to gallop after the rider of the dun.

Thus relieved Tsʻao Tsʻao set off for the east gate. Then he fell in with Tien Wei, who took him under his protection and fought through the press leaving a trail of death behind till they reached the gate. Here the fire was raging fiercely and burning beams were falling on all sides. The earth element seemed to have interchanged with the fire element. Tien Wei warded off the burning pieces of wood with his lance and rode into the smoke making a way for his lord. Just as they were passing through the gate a flaming beam fell from the gate tower. Tsʻao just warded it off with his arm but it struck his steed on the quarters and knocked him down. Ts‘ao’s hand and arm were badly burned and his hair and beard singed.

Tien Wei turned back to his rescue. Luckily Hsiahou Yüan came along just then and the two raised Tsʻao and set him on Yüan’s horse. And thus they got him out of the burning city. But the fighting went on till daybreak.

Tsʻao Tsʻao returned to his camp. His officers crowded about his tent, anxious for news of his health. He soon recovered and laughed when he thought of his escape.

“I blundered into that fool’s trap, but I will have my revenge,” said he.

“Let us have a new plan soon,” said Kuo Chia.

“I will turn his trick to my own use. I will spread the false report that I was burned in the fire and that I died at the fifth watch. He will come to attack as soon as the news gets abroad and I will have an ambush ready for him in Maling Hills. I will get him this time.”

“Really a fine stratagem!” said Kuo.

So the soldiers were put into mourning and the report went everywhere that Tsʻao Tsʻao was dead. And soon Lü Pu heard it and he assembled his men at once to make a surprise attack, taking the road by the Maling Hills to his enemy’s camp.

As he was passing the hills he heard the drums beating for an advance and the ambushed soldiers leapt out all round him.