Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/192

 A messenger was sent out to speak softly and offer to restore the stolen horses if hostilities were to cease. Lü Pu was disposed to agree but Ch‘ên Kung opposed. “You will suffer by and by if you do not remove this Liu Pei.”

Under his influence the request for peace was rejected and the attack on the city pressed harder.

Liu Pei called Mi Chu and Sun Ch‘ien to him to ask advice.

Said the latter, “The one person that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao detests is Lü Pu. Let us then abandon the city and take refuge with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, from whom we may borrow men to destroy him.”

“If we try to get away, who will lead the van?”

“I will do my best,” said Chang Fei.

So he led the way. Kuan Yü was rearguard and in the centre was Liu Pei with the non-fighting portion. The cavalcade started and went out at the north gate. They met some opposition but the soldiers were driven off and the besieging force was passed without difficulty. Chang Liao pursued, but was held off by the rearguard. It seemed Lü Pu was not dissatisfied at the flight for he took no personal trouble to prevent it. He made formal entry into the city, settled local affairs and appointed a governor.

Liu Pei approached Hsütu and encamped outside the city, whence he sent Sun Ch‘ien to see Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and relate the events that brought him there. Ts‘ao was very friendly and said, “Liu Pei is as my brother.” He invited him to enter the city.

Leaving his brothers at the camp Liu Pei, with Sun Ch‘ien and Mi Chu, went to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who received him with the greatest respect. The story of Lü Pu’s perfidy was again related.

“He has no sense of right,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “You and I, my brother, will attack him together.”

Yüan-tê was very grateful. A banquet was then prepared and it was late evening before the visitor left for his own camp.

Hsün Yü then had an interview with his master and said, “If you are not on your guard Liu Pei will be your undoing. You ought to destroy him. He is too much of the hero.”

Ts‘ao made no reply and his adviser retired. Presently Kuo Chia came and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “I have been advised to kill Liu Pei; what of such a scheme?”

“A bad scheme,” said Kuo. “You are the popular champion, pledged to relieve the people from oppression and only by truth and rectitude can you secure the support of the noble-minded. Your only fear is lest they stay away. Now Liu Pei is famous. He has come to you for help and protection and to put him to death would be to alienate all good men and put fear into the hearts of all the able advisers. Hampered by these difficulties where will you find those whose help you need? To remove