Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/179

 orders not to kill them but their leaders fell, one from a spear thrust as he turned to run away, another wounded by an arrow, and the commander in chief was slain in the first rush. Thus Sun Ts‘ê got possession of Moling. Having calmed the people he sent his soldiers away to Chinghsien, where T‘aishih Tzŭ was in command.

T‘aishih Tzŭ had assembled two companies of veterans in addition to his own troop for the purpose of avenging his master. Sun Ts‘ê and Chou Yü on the other hand consulted how to capture him alive. The latter’s plan was to attack the city on three sides, leaving the east gate free for flight. Some distance off an ambush would be prepared, when their victim, his men fatigued and horses spent, would fall an easy victim.

The latest recruits under T‘aishih Tzŭ’s banner were mostly hillmen and unaccustomed to discipline. Beside the walls of the city were pitiably low. One night Sun ordered one Ch‘ên Wu to strip off his long dress, leave his arms save a dagger, clamber up the ramparts and set fire to the city. Seeing the flames spreading the commander made for the east gate and, as soon as he got outside, Sun Ts‘ê followed in pursuit. The pursuit was maintained for some thirty li when the pursuers stopped. T‘aishih Tzŭ went on as long as possible, finally halting to rest in a spot surrounded by reeds. Suddenly a tremendous shouting arose. T‘aishih was just starting when tripping ropes arose all round, his horse was thrown and he found himself a prisoner.

He was taken to camp. As soon as Sun Ts‘ê heard the news he himself rode out to meet the successful man and ordered the guards to leave the prisoner, whose bonds he loosened with his own hands. Then he took off his own embroidered robe and put it on the captive. They entered the camp together.

“I knew you were a real hero,” said Sun. “That worm of a Liu Yu had no use for such as you and so he got beaten.”

The prisoner, overcome by this kindness and good treatment, then formally surrendered.

Sun Ts‘ê seized his hand and said, laughing, “If you had taken me at that fight we had near the shrine, would you have killed me?”

“Who can say?” said T‘aishih smiling.

Sun Ts‘ê laughed also and they entered his tent, where the captive leader was placed in the seat of honour at a banquet.

T‘aishih said, “Can you trust me so far as to let me go to muster as many as I can of the soldiers of my late master? Under the smart of this defeat they will turn against him and they would be a great help to you.”

“Exactly what I most desire. I will make an agreement with you that at midday to-morrow you will return.”

T‘aishih agreed and went off. All the captains said he would never return.