Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/159

 Now Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is very strong in Shantung and it would be well to associate him in the government that he might support the ruling house.”

The Emperor replied, “There was no need to refer to the matter again. Send a messenger when you will.”

So the decree went forth and a messenger bore it into Shantung. Now when Ts‘ao had heard that the Court had returned to Loyang he called together his advisers to consult. Hsün Yü laid the matter before him and the council thus:—“Of old Duke Wen supported Prince Hsiang of the Chou dynasty and all the feudal lords backed him. The founder of the Hans won the popular favour by wearing mourning for the Emperor I (who never really sat on the throne). Now the Emperor has been a fugitive on the dusty roads. To take the lead in offering an army to restore him to honour is to have an unrivalled opportunity to win universal regard. But you must act quickly or some one will get in before you.”

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao understood and at once prepared his army to move. Just at this moment an imperial messenger was announced with the very command he wanted and he immediately set out.

At Loyang everything was desolate. The walls had fallen and there were no means of rebuilding them, while rumours and reports of the coming of Li and Kuo kept up a state of constant anxiety.

The frightened Emperor spoke with Yang Fêng saying, “What can be done? There is no answer from Shantung and our enemies are near.”

Then Yang Fêng and Han Hsien said, “We, your ministers, will fight to the death for you.”

Tung Ch‘êng said, “The fortifications are weak and our military resources small, so that we cannot hope for victory and what does defeat mean? I see nothing better to propose than a move into Shantung.”

The Emperor agreed to this and the journey began without further preparation. There being few horses, the officers of the Court had to march afoot. Hardly a bowshot outside the gate they saw a thick cloud of dust out of which came all the clash and clamour of an advancing army. The Emperor and his Consort were dumb with fear. Then appeared a horseman; he was the messenger returning from Shantung. He rode up to the chariot, made an obeisance and said, “General Ts‘ao, as commanded, is coming with all the military force of Shantung, but hearing that Li and Kuo had again approached the capital he has sent Hsiahou Tun in advance. With him are many capable leaders and five legions of proved soldiers. They will guard Your Majesty.”

All fear was swept away. Soon after Hsiahou Tun and his staff arrived and they were presented to the Emperor who graciously addressed them.