Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/187

 Then he drew Ling within the tent and led him up to Pei. The two men faced each other, full of mutual suspicion, but their host placed himself between them and they took their seats, Liu Pei on the right hand of the host.

The banquet began. After a number of courses almost in silence, Lü Pu spoke, saying, “I wish you two gentlemen to listen to me and put an end to your strife.”

Liu Pei made no reply but Chi Ling said, “I have come with an army of ten legions at the express bidding of my master to take Liu Pei. How can I cease the strife? I must fight.”

“What!” exclaimed Chang Fei drawing his sword. “Few as we are we regard you no more than a lot of children. What are you compared with a million Yellow Turbans? You dare to hurt our brother!”

Kuan Yü urged him to be silent. “Let us see what General Lü has to say first; after that there will be time to go to our tents and fight.”

“I beg you both to come to an understanding. I cannot let you fight,” said Lü Pu.

Now on one side Chi Ling was discontented and angry; on the other Chang Fei was dying for a fight and neither of the two chiefly concerned would signify assent. Then suddenly the host turned to his attendants saying, “Bring my halberd!” They did so and he sat there gripping the graceful but effective weapon in his right hand. Both guests felt very ill at ease and turned pale. Lü Pu went on “I have tried to persuade you to make peace for that is the command of the Most High. It shall be put to the test.”

He then bade his servants take the halberd outside beyond the gate and set it up. Then speaking to his two guests he said, “That gate is one hundred and fifty paces distant. If I can hit that centre branch of the halberd-head with an arrow, you will both withdraw your armies. If I miss, you can go away and prepare for immediate battle. I shall compel you to abide by what I say.”

Chi Ling thought to himself, “That small mark at that distance! How could any one hit it?” So he assented, thinking he would have plenty of fighting after his host had missed the mark. Of course Liu Pei was willing.

They all sat down again and wine was served. When this had been drunk the host called for his bow and arrows. Yüan-tê silently prayed that he would hit the mark.

Lü Pu turned back his sleeves, carefully fitted an arrow to the string and pulled the bow to its utmost stretch. A slight exclamation escaped him as the bow curved like the harvest moon sailing through the sky. “Twang!” went the bowstring and the arrow sped like a falling star. And it struck the slender tongue of the halberd head full and square. A roar of acclamation from all sides greeted the exploit.