Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/154

 here. Why do you not retire to let me pass, Gentlemen?” They all shouted, “Long Life! Long Life!” and fell away to allow the cortège through.

But when they reported what they had done Kuo was very angry. “I meant to outwit Chang Chi, seize the Emperor and hold him in Meiwu. Why have you let him get away?”

He put the two officers to death and set out to pursue the cavalcade, and overtook it just at Huayin. The noise of a great shouting arose behind the travellers and a loud voice commanded the chariot to stop. The Emperor burst intr tears

“Out of the wolf’s den into the tiger’s mouth!” said he.

No one knew what to do, they were all too frightened. But when the rebel army was just upon them they heard the beating of drums and from behind some hills came into the open a cohort of soldiers preceded by a great flag bearing the well known name of that trusted leader, Yang Fêng.

Now after Yang Fêng’s defeat he had camped under Chungnanshan and had come up to guard the Emperor as soon as he knew of his journey. Seeing it was necessary to fight now, he drew up his line of battle and Ts‘ui Jung, one of Kuo’s leaders, rode out and began a volley of abuse. Yang Fêng turned and said, “Where is Kung-ming?”

In response out came a valiant warrior gripping a heavy battleaxe. He galloped up on his fleet bay, making directly for Ts‘ui Jung, whom he felled at the first blow. At this the whole force dashed forward and routed Kuo. The defeated army went back some twenty li, while Yang Fêng rode forward to see the Emperor who graciously said, “It is a great service you have rendered; you have saved my life.”

Yang bowed and thanked him and the Emperor asked to see the actual slayer of the rebel leader. So he was led to the chariot where he bowed and was presented as “Hsü Huang, also known as Hsü Kung-ming, of Yangchün.”

Then the cavalcade went forward, Yang Fêng acting as escort as far as Huayin the halting place for the night. The General there supplied them with clothing and food and the Emperor passed the night in Yang Fêng’s camp.

Next day Kuo Ssŭ, having mustered his men, appeared in front of the camp and Hsü Huang rode out to engage. But Kuo threw his men out so that they entirely surrounded the camp and the Emperor was in the middle. The position was very critical, when help appeared in the person of a galloping horseman from the south-east and the rebels fell away. Then Hsü Huang smote them and so scored a victory.

When they had time to see their helper they found him to be Tung Ch‘êng, the “State Uncle.” The Emperor wept as he related his sorrows and dangers.

Said Tung, “Be of good courage, Sire. We pledge ourselves to kill both the rebels and so purify the world.”