Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/168

 However, many of their men came privately into Liu Pei’s camp to try to do what mischief they could and many, so found, were slain.

But the armies will be left facing each other while we relate what happened in Hsüchou.

After Liu Pei had started on his expedition Chang Fei placed his colleague and helper in charge of the administration of Hsüchou, keeping military affairs under his own supervision. After thinking over the matter for some time he gave a banquet to all the military officers and when they were all seated he made a speech. “Before my brother left he bade me keep clear of the wine cup for fear of accidents. Now, gentlemen, you may drink deep to-day but from tomorrow wine is forbidden for we must keep the city safe. So take your fill.” And with this he and all his guests rose to drink together.

The wine bearer came to one Ts‘ao Pao who declined it, saying he never drank as he was forbidden of heaven.

“What a fighting man not drink wine!” said the host. “I want you to take just one cup.”

Ts‘ao Pao was afraid to offend so he drank.

Now the host drank huge goblets with all his guests on every hand and so swallowed a huge quantity of liquor. He became quite intoxicated. Yet he would drink more and insisted on a cup with every guest. It came to the turn of Ts‘ao Pao who declined.

“Really, I cannot drink,” said Pao.

“You drank just now: why refuse this time?”

Chang Fei pressed him, but still Ts‘ao Pao resisted. Then Fei in his drunken madness lost control of his temper and said, “If you disobey the orders of your general you shall be beaten.” And he called in his guards.

Here Ch‘ên Yuan-lung interfered reminding him of the strict injunctions of his brother.

“You civilians attend to your civil business and leave us alone,” said Fei.

The only way of escape for the guest was to beg remission and he did so, but added, “Sir, if you saw my son-in-law’s face you would pardon me.”

“Who is your son-in-law?”

“Lü Pu.”

“I did not mean to have you really beaten, but if you think to frighten me with Lü Pu I will. I will beat you as if I was beating him,” said Fei.

The guests interposed to beg him off, but their drunken host was obdurate and the unhappy guest received fifty blows. Then at the earnest prayers of the others the remainder of the punishment was remitted.

The banquet came to an end and the beaten man went away burning with resentment. That night he sent a letter to