Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/193

 the dangers represented by one man and thereby injure yourself in the eyes of all mankind is a sure means of destruction. These conditions need careful consideration.”

“What you say exactly fits in with what I think,” said Ts‘ao, greatly pleased with these remarks.

His next step was to memorialise the Emperor to give Liu Pei the governorship of Yüchou.

Again Ch‘êng Yü said, “Liu Pei is certain to rise to the top; he will never remain in a subordinate position. You had better remove him.”

“Now is just the time to make use of good men. I will not forfeit the regard of the world for the sake of removing one individual. Kuo Fêng-hsiao and I both see this in the same light.”

Wherefore he rejected all persuasion to work against Liu Pei but sent him soldiers and a large supply of grain, and set him on his way to Yü (Honan). He was to march to Hsiaop‘ei, occupy it, call together his former soldiers and attack Lü Pu.

When Liu Pei reached Yüchou he sent to inform Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who prepared to march an army to subjugate Lü Pu. But just then hasty news came that Chang Chi, who had gone to the attack of Nanyang, had been wounded by a stray arrow and had died. His nephew Hsiu had succeeded to the command of his army and with Chia Hsü as strategist, had joined Liu Piao and camped at Wanch‘êng. They intended to attack the capital and get possession of the Emperor’s person.

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was placed in a quandary. He would go to attack this combination but he feared lest Lü Pu would attack the capital if he left it. So he sought the advice of Hsün Yü.

“Lü Pu has no notion of a policy. He is led astray by any little advantage that presents itself to his eyes. All you need do is to obtain promotion for him, giving him some additional title, and tell him to make peace with Yüan-tê and he will do it.”

“Good,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and he acted upon the hint and sent an officer with the official announcement and a letter urging peace, while he went on with preparations to meet the other danger. When ready he marched out in three divisions. Hsiahou Tun was the van-leader and they went to Yüshui River and camped there.

Chia Hsü succeeded in persuading Chang Hsiu of the hopelessness of resistance.

“You would do well to surrender since his army is too large for you to oppose,” said he.

Seeing the truth of this Hsiu sent his adviser to propose submission. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was greatly pleased with the messenger, admiring his ready and fluent repartee, and tried to win him to his service.

“I was formerly with Li Ts‘ui and was held guilty with him. Now I am with Chang who accepts my advice and I should not like to abandon him,” said Chia Hsü.