Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/161

 Next a general move forward was made, Hsiahou Tun and Ts‘ao Jên leading the two wings and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao in the centre. They advanced to the roll of the drum. The rebels fell back before them and presently fled. They were pursued, Ts‘ao himself leading, sword in hand. Many were killed and many more surrendered. The two leaders went west, flying in panic like dogs from a falling house. Having no place of refuge they took to the hills and hid among the brushwood.

The army returned and camped again near the city. Then Yang Fêng and Han Hsien said one to another, “This Ts‘ao has done a great service and he will be the man in power. There will be no place for us.” So they represented to the Emperor that they wished to pursue the rebels and under this excuse withdrew and camped at Taliang.

One day the Emperor sent to summon Ts‘ao Ts‘ao to audience. The messenger was called in. Ts‘ao noticed that he looked remarkably well and could not understand it seeing that everyone else looked hungry and famine stricken. So he said, “You look plump and well, Sir, how do you manage it?”

“Only this; I have lived maigre for thirty years.”

Ts‘ao nodded. “What office do you hold?”

“I am a graduate. I had an office under Yüan Shao, but came here when the Emperor returned. Now I am one of the secretaries. I am a native of Tingt‘ao called Tung Chao.”

Tsʻao got up from his place and crossed over saying, “I have heard of you. How happy I am to meet you!”

Then wine was brought into the tent and Hsün Yü was called in and introduced. While they were talking a man came in to report that a party was moving eastward. Orders were given to find out whose men these were but the visitor knew at once. “They are old leaders under the rebels, Yang Fêng and the “White Wave General” Han. They are running off because you have come, Illustrious Sir!”

“Do they mistrust me?” said Ts‘ao.

“They are not worthy of your attention. They are a poor lot.”

“What of this departure of Li and Kuo?”

“Tigers without claws, birds without wings will not escape you very long. They are not worth thinking about.”

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao saw that he and his guest had much in common so he began to talk of affairs of State.

Said Tung Chao, “You, Illustrious Sir, with your noble army have swept away rebellion and have become the mainstay of the throne, an achievement worthy of the five chieftains. But the officials will look at it in very different ways and not all favourably to you. I think you would not be wise to remain here and I advise a change of capital to Hsütu in Honan. However, it must be remembered that the restoration of the capital has been published far and wide and the attention of