Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/173

 to celebrate the victory over Lu K‘ang, Sun Ts‘ê returned to his camp very bitter over the arrogant and patronising airs of his patron. Instead of retiring to his tent he walked up and down by the light of the moon.

“Here am I, a mere nobody and yet my father was such a hero!” And he cried out and wept in spite of himself.

Then suddenly appeared one who said, laughing loudly, “What is this, O Po-fu? While your noble father enjoyed the light of the sun he made free use of me and if his son has any difficulty to resolve why does he not refer it to me also instead of weeping here alone?”

Looking at the speaker Sun Ts‘ê saw it was one Chu Chih, whose less formal name was Chün-li, a native of that district, who had been in his father’s service. Sun Ts‘ê then ceased weeping and they two sat down.

“I was weeping from regret at being unable to continue my father’s work,” said he.

“Why stay here bound to the service of a master? Why not get command of an army under the pretence of an expedition to relieve Chiangtung? Then you can accomplish great things.”

While these two were talking another man suddenly entered saying, “I know what you two are planning, noble Sirs. Under my hand is a band of bold fellows ready to help Po-fu in whatever he wishes to do.”

The speaker was one of Yüan Shu’s advisers named Lü Fan. They three then sat and discussed schemes.

“The one fear is that the soldiers will be refused,” said the newcomer.

“I still have the Imperial Seal that my father left me; that should be good security.”

“Yüan Shu earnestly desires that jewel,” said Chu Chih. “He will certainly lend you men on that pledge.”

The three talked over their plans, gradually settling the details, and not many days after Sun Ts‘ê obtained an interview with his patron. Assuming the appearance of deep grief he said, “I have been unable to avenge my father. Now the Prefect of Yangchow is opposing my mother’s brother and my mother and her family are in danger. Wherefore I would borrow a few companies of fighting men to rescue them. As perhaps, Illustrious Sir, you may lack confidence in me I am willing to deposit the Imperial Seal, left me by my late father, as a pledge.”

“Let me see it, if you have it,” said Shu. “I do not want the jewel really, but you may as well leave it with me. I will lend you three companies and five hundred horses. Return as soon as peace can be made. As your rank is hardly sufficient for such powers I will memorialise to obtain for you higher rank with the title of General, ‘Exterminator of Brigands,’ and you can soon start.”