Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/181

 of his army he came to the Ch‘ang Gate and summoned the warden. An officer of inconsiderable rank came out and stood with one hand resting on a beam while with the other he gave point to his abuse of those below. Quickly T‘aishih Tzŭ’s hands sought his bow and an arrow was on the string.

“See me hit that fellow’s hand,” said he, turning to his companions.

Even as the sound of his voice died away, the bowstring twanged, the arrow sped and lodged in the beam, firmly pinning thereto the officer’s hand. Both sides, those on the wall and those below it, marvelled at such marksmanship.

The wounded man was taken away and when the White Tiger heard of the exploit he said, “How can we hope to withstand an army with such men as this in it?”

And his thoughts turned toward a peace. He sent his brother YuYü [sic] out to see Sun Ts‘ê, who received him civilly, invited him into the tent and set wine before him.

“And what does your brother propose?” said Sun.

“He is willing to share this district with you,” was the reply.

“The rat! how dare he put himself on a level with me?” cried Sun.

He commanded to put the messenger to death. Yü started up and drew his sword, but out flew Sun Ts‘ê’s blade and the unhappy messenger fell to the ground. His head was hacked off and sent into the city to his brother.

This had its effect. The White Tiger saw resistance was hopeless, so he abandoned the city and fled. Sun Ts‘ê pressed the attack. Huang Kai captured Chiahsing (Kashing) and T‘aishih Tzŭ took Wuch‘êng. The district was quickly subdued. The White Tiger rushed off toward Hangchow in the east, plundering on all sides, till a band of villagers under the leadership of one Ling Ts‘ao checked his career of robbery there. He then went toward Kueichi.

The Lings, father and son, then went to meet Sun Ts‘ê, who took them into his service as a reward for their service and the joint forces crossed the river.

The White Tiger gathered his scattered forces and took up a position at the western ford, but Ch‘êng P‘u attacked him there and scattered the defenders, chasing them as far as Huichi. The Prefect of the place, Wang Lang, was on their side and inclined to support them actively. But, when he proposed this, one of his men stood forth saying, “No! No! Sun Ts‘ê as a leader is humane and upright, while the White Tiger is a savage ruffian. Rather capture him and offer his person as a peace offering to Sun Ts‘ê.”

The Prefect turned angrily toward the speaker, who was an official named Yü Fan, and bade him be silent. He withdrew sighing deeply. And the Prefect went to the help of the White Tiger with whom he joined forces at Shanyin.