Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/201

 “You shall take the letters yourself,” said Lü.

He agreed and a memorial detailing his intentions was sent to the capital, letters to Yüchou to Liu Pei, and finally Ch‘ên Têng was sent, with a small escort, to wait for Han Hsien on the road to Hsiap‘ei. When Han Hsien’s army had halted and pitched camp Ch‘ên Têng went to see Han Hsien who said, “What are you here for? You belong to Lü Pu.”

“I am a noble of the Court of the great Hans. Why do you call me a [sic] Lü Pu’s man? If you, General, hitherto a Minister of State, now serve a traitor you nullify the grand services you rendered in protecting the Emperor and I despise you. Beside the suspicious Yüan Shu will assuredly do you some harm and you will regret not having taken this opportunity to work against him.”

Han Hsien sighed. “I would return to my allegiance if there should be any opportunity.”

Thereupon Ch‘ên Têng gave him the letter. Han read it and said, “Yes; I know. You may return to your master and say General Yang and I will turn our weapons and smite him. Look out for a signal-flare and let your master come to our aid.”

As soon as Ch‘ên Têng had got back and reported his success, Lü Pu divided his men into five divisions and sent them to five points to meet his enemies. He himself led against the main body under Chang Hsün, leaving a guard in the city.

Lü Pu camped thirty li from the walls. When the enemy came up their leader thought Lü Pu too strong to attack with the force he had, so he retired twenty li to await reinforcements.

That night, in the second watch, Han Hsien and Yang Fêng arrived and soon the flare was lighted as arranged. Lü Pu’s men were admitted to the camp and caused great confusion. Then Lü Pu himself attacked and Chang Hsün was routed and fled. Lü Pu pursued till daylight when he fell in with one of the other bodies led by Chi Ling. Both sides faced each other, but at the very beginning of the engagement the two traitors also attacked and Chi Ling was forced to fly.

Lü Pu went in pursuit but soon another force came out from the rear of some hills. These looked very imposing. As the ranks opened he saw a leader’s guard with flags bearing dragons and phœnixes and representations of the sun and moon, the four “measures,” the five directions, golden gourds, silver axes, yellow halberds, white yaks’ tails, all Imperial emblems. And beneath a yellow silken parasol sat Yüan Shu on horseback, clad in silver mail with a sword handle showing at each wrist.