Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/163

 The Emperor dared not oppose and the officials were too overawed to have any independent opinion so they chose a day to set out. Ts‘ao commanded the escort and the officials all followed. When they had travelled a few stages they saw before them a high mound and from behind this there arose the beating of drums. Then Yang and Han came out and barred the way. In front of all stood Hsü Huang, who shouted, “Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is stealing away the Emperor!”

Ts‘ao rode out and took a good look at this man. He seemed a fine fellow and in his secret soul Ts‘ao greatly admired him, although he was an enemy. Then he ordered Hsü Ch‘u to go and fight him. The combat was axe against broadsword and the two men fought more than half a hundred bouts without advantage to either side. Ts‘ao then beat the gongs and drew off his men.

In the camp a council was called. Ts‘ao said, “The two rebels themselves need not be discussed; but Hsü Huang is a fine captain and I was unwilling to use any great force against him. I want to win him over to our side.”

An officer, Man Ch‘ung, replied, “Do not let that trouble you; I will have a word with him. I shall disguise myself as a soldier this evening and steal over to the enemy’s camp to talk to him. I shall incline his heart toward you.”

That night Man Ch‘ung, duly disguised, got over to the other side and made his way to the tent of Hsü Huang, who sat there by the light of a candle. He was still wearing his coat of mail. Suddenly Ch‘ung ran out in front and saluted saying, “You have been well since we parted, old friend?”

Hsü jumped up in surprise, gazed into the face of the speaker a long time and presently said, “What! you are Man Po-ning of Shanyang? What are you doing here?”

“I am an officer in General Ts‘ao’s army. Seeing my old friend out in front of the army to-day I wanted to say a word to him. So I took the risk of stealing in this evening and here I am.”

Hsü Huang invited him in and they sat down. Then said Man Ch‘ung, “There are very few as bold as you on the earth; why then do you serve such as your present chiefs? My master is the most prominent man in the world, a man who delights in wise men and appreciates soldiers as every one knows. Your valour to-day won his entire admiration and so he took care that the attack was not vigorous enough to sacrifice you. Now he has sent me to invite you to join him. Will you not leave darkness for light and help him in his magnificent task?”

Hsü Huang sat a long time pondering over the offer. Then he said, with a sigh, “I know my masters are doomed to failure, but I have followed their fortunes a long time and do not like to leave them.”