Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/183

 smoke rising, and the pennons fluttering in the breeze as usual and hesitated.

Chou Hsin said, “He has gone and this is only a stratagem. Let us go out and smite them.”

The White Tiger said, “If he has gone, it is to attack Ch‘atu. Let us pursue.”

“The place is our base of supply,” said Wang Lang, “and must be defended. You lead the way and I will follow with reserves.”

So the White Tiger and Chou Hsin went forth with five companies and drew near their enemy about the first watch, at twenty li from the city. The road led through dense forest. Then suddenly the drums beat and lighted torches sprang up on all sides. The White Tiger was frightened, turned his horse and started to retreat. At once a leader appeared in front in whom, by the glare of the torches, he recognised Sun Ts‘ê. Chou Hsin made a rush at him but fell under Sun Ts‘ê’s spear. The men surrendered. However, the White Tiger managed to cut his way out.

Wang Lang soon heard of the loss and not daring to return to the city retreated in all haste to Haiyü. And so Sun Ts‘ê got possession of the city.

Having restored order, a few days later a man came bringing the head of the White Tiger as an offering to Sun Ts‘ê. This man was a native of the district. He was of medium height, with a square face and wide mouth. He was named Tung Hsi, and was given an office. After this peace reigned in all the east and, having placed his uncle in command of the city and made Chu Chih Prefect, Sun Ts‘ê returned to his own place.

While Sun Ts‘ê was absent a band of brigands suddenly attacked Hsüanch‘êng, left in the care of his brother Ch‘üan and the leader Chou T‘ai. As the onslaught was made on all sides at once, and in the night, the brigands got the upper hand. Chou T‘ai took the youth in his arms and mounted a horse, but as the robbers came on with swords to attack him he dismounted, and though without mail, met the robbers on foot and slew them as they came up. Then came a horseman armed with a spear, but Chou T‘ai laid hold of his spear and pulled him to the earth. Then he mounted the robber’s horse and thrusting this way and that with the spear fought his way out. So Sun Ch‘üan was preserved, but his saviour had received more than a dozen wounds.

These wounds being due to metal would not heal but swelled enormously, and the brave soldier’s life hung in the balance. Sun Ts‘ê was deeply grieved. Then Tung Hsi said, “Once in an engagement with some pirates I received many spear wounds, but a certain wise man named Yü Fan recommended a surgeon who cured me in half a month.”