Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/169

 Hsiaop‘ei relating the insults he had received from Chang Fei. The letter told Lü Pu of the prefect’s absence and proposed that a sudden raid should be made that very night before Chang Fei had recovered from his drunken fit. Lü Pu at once summoned Ch‘ên Kung and told him.

“This is only a place to occupy temporarily,” said Kung. “If you can seize Hsüchou, do so. It is a good chance.”

Lü Pu got ready at once and soon on the way with half a company, ordering Ch‘ên Kung to follow him with the main body. Kao Shun was to follow him.

Hsiaop‘ei being only about forty li away, one gets there almost as soon as one is mounted and Lü Pu was under the walls at the fourth watch. It was clear moonlight. No one on the ramparts saw him. Pu came up close to the wall and called out, “Liu Pei’s secret messenger has arrived.”

The guards on the wall were Ts‘ao Pao’s men and they called him. He came and when he saw who was there he ordered the gates to be opened. Lü Pu gave the secret signal and the soldiers entered shouting.

Chang Fei was in his apartment sleeping off the fumes of wine. His servants hastened to arouse him and told him an enemy had got the gates open and was in the city. Chang savagely got into his armour and laid hold of his mighty spear, but as he was mounting his horse at the gate the soldiers came up. He rushed at them but being still half intoxicated made but a poor fight. Lü Pu knowing his prowess did not press him hard and Chang Fei made his way, with a small escort, to the east gate, and there went out, leaving his brother’s family to their fate.

Ts‘ao Pao, seeing Chang had but a very small force and was still half drunk as well, came in pursuit. Fei saw who it was and was mad with rage. He galloped toward him and drove him off after a few passes. He followed Pao to the moat and wounded him in the back. His frightened steed carried him into the moat and he was drowned.

Once well outside the city Chang Fei collected his men and they rode off toward the south.

Lü Pu having surprised the city set himself to restore order. He put a guard over the residence of Liu Pei so that no one should disturb the family.

Chang Fei with his few followers went to his brother’s camp and told his story of treachery and surprise. All were greatly distressed.

“Success is not worth rejoicing over; failure is not worth grieving over,” said Liu Pei with a sigh.

“Where are our sisters?” asked Kuan.

“They shared the fate of the city.”

Liu Pei nodded his head and was silent.