Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/146



he last chapter told of the defeat of Lü Pu, and his gathering the remnant of his army at Haipin. When all his lieutenants had joined him he began to feel strong enough to try conclusions with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao once again.

Said Ch‘ên Kung, who was opposed to this course, “He is too strong; seek some place where you can rest a time before trying.”

“Suppose I went to Yüan Shao,” said Lü Pu.

“Send first to make enquiries.”

Lü Pu agreed. The news of the fighting between Ts‘ao and Lü Pu had reached Ichou and one of Yüan’s advisers, Shên P‘ei, warned him saying, “If this savage Lü Pu gets possession of Yenchou he will certainly attempt to add this district to it. For your own safety you should help to crush him.”

Wherefore Yen Liang, with five legions, was sent. The spies heard this and at once told Lü Pu, who was greatly disturbed and called in the faithful Ch‘ên Kung.

“Go over to Liu Pei, who has lately succeeded to Hsüchou.”

Hence Lü Pu went thither. Some one urged Liu Pei to go out to meet such a warrior and receive him with honour. Mi Chu was strongly against receiving him at all saying he was a cruel, bloodthirsty beast.

But Pei replied, “How would misfortune have been averted from this place if he had not attacked Yenchou? He cannot be our enemy now that he comes seeking an asylum.”

“Brother, your heart is really too good. Although it may be as you say yet it would be well to prepare,” said Chang Fei.

The new Prefect with a great following met Lü a long way outside the city gates and the two chiefs rode in side by side. They proceeded to the residence and there, after the elaborate ceremonies of reception were over, they sat down to converse.

“After Wang Yün’s plot to slay Tung Cho and my misfortune in the Li–Kuo sedition, I drifted about from one place to another and none of the nobles seemed willing to receive me. When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao wickedly invaded this district and you, Sir, came to its rescue, I aided you by attacking Yenchou and thus diverting a portion of his force. I did not think then that I should be the victim of a vile plot and lose my leaders and my