Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/164

 “But you know the prudent bird selects its tree and the wise servant chooses his master. When one meets a worthy master and lets him go one is a fool.”

“I am willing to do what you say," said Hsü, rising.

“Why not put these two to death as an introductory gift?” said Man.

“It is very wrong for a servant to slay his master. I will not do that.”

“True; you are really a good man.”

Then Hsü, taking only a few horsemen of his own men with him, left that night and deserted to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Soon some one took the news to Yang Fêng, who at the head of a strong company of horsemen, set out to capture the deserter. He called out to him to come back.

But when Yang was getting near he fell into an ambush. Suddenly the whole mountain-side was lit up with torches and out sprang Ts‘ao’s men, he himself being in command. “I have been waiting here a long time; do not run away,” cried he.

Yang Fêng was completely surprised and tried to draw off, but was quickly surrounded. His colleague came to his rescue and a confused battle began. Yang Fêng succeeded in escaping, while Ts‘ao Ts‘ao kept up the attack on the disordered army. A great number of the rebels gave in and the leaders found they had too few men left to maintain their independence so they betook themselves to Yüan Shu.

When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao returned to camp the newly surrendered man was presented and well received. Then again the cavalcade set out for the new capital. In due time they reached it and they built palaces and halls and an ancestral temple and an altar, terraces and public offices. The walls were repaired, storehouses built and all put in order.

Then came the rewards for Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s adherents. Thirteen were raised to rank of hou, or marquis. All good service was rewarded; certain others again, who deserved it, were punished, all according to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s sole decision. He himself was made a Generalissimo and Marquis of Wup‘ing. The advisers became Presidents of Boards and filled such offices. Mao Chieh and Jên Hsün were put over the military stores. Tung Chao was made magistrate of Loyang and Man Ch‘ung of Hsütu. All good service received full recognition.

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was then the one man of the Court. All memorials went first to him and were then submitted to the Throne.

When State matters were in order a great banquet was given in his private quarters to all Ts‘ao’s advisers, and affairs outside the capital were the subject of discussion. Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “Liu Pei has his army at Hsüchou and he carries on the administration of the prefecture. Lü Pu fled to him