Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/167

 “You will fail,” said Pei. “After one of your drinking bouts you will get savage and flog the soldiers. Beside you are rash and will not listen to any one’s advice. I shall be uneasy all the time.”

“Henceforth I drink no more wine. I will not beat the soldiers and I will always listen to advice,” said Fei.

“I fear the mouth does not correspond to the heart,” said Mi Chu.

“I have followed my elder brother these many years and never broken faith; why should you be contemptuous?” said Fei.

Yüan-tê said, “Though you say this I do not feel quite satisfied. I will order friend Yüan-lung to help you and keep you sober. Then you will not make any mistake.”

Ch‘ên Têng was willing to undertake this duty and the final orders were given. The army of three legions, horse and foot, left Hsüchou and marched toward Nanyang.

When Yüan Shu heard that a memorial had been presented proposing to take possession of this district he broke out into abuse of Liu Pei. “You weaver of mats! You plaiter of straw shoes! You have been smart enough to get possession of a large district and elbow your way into the ranks of the nobles. I was just going to attack you and now you dare to scheme against me! How I detest you!”

So he at once gave orders to prepare an army of ten legions, under Chi Ling, to attack Hsüchou. The armies met at Hsüi, where Liu Pei was encamped in a plain with hills behind and a stream on his flank, for his army was small.

Chi Ling, his opponent, was a native of Shantung. He used a very heavy three-edged sword. After he had made his camp he rode out and began abusing his opponents “Liu Pei, you rustic bumpkin, how dare you invade this land?”

“I have a decree ordering me to destroy the minister who behaves improperly. If you oppose you will be assuredly punished” replied Pei.

Chi angrily rode out brandishing his weapon. But Kuan Yü cried, “Fool, do not attempt to fight!” and rode out to meet him. Then they two fought and after thirty bouts neither had an advantage. Then Chi cried out for a rest. So Kuan turned his horse away, rode back to his own array and waited for him.

When the moment came to renew the combat Chi sent out one of his officers to take his place. But Kuan said, “Tell Chi Ling to come: I must settle with him who shall be cock and who shall be hen.”

“You a reputationless leader and unworthy to fight with our general,” replied the officer, Hsün Chêng.

This reply angered Kuan, who made just one attack on Hsün and brought him to the ground. At this success Liu Pei urged on the army and Chi Ling’s men were defeated. They retired to the mouth of the Huaiyin River and declined all challenges.