Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/214

 Sun Ch‘ien advised sending a message to the capital to inform Ts‘ao Ts‘ao of their danger and, in response to the chief’s call, Chien Yung, a fellow-townsman of Liu Pei’s, offered to take the message. Up to that moment he had served as a secretary. So a letter was written and the late secretary set out at once on his journey.

Then preparations were made for defence, Yüan-tê commanding at the south gate and the two brothers and Sun Ch‘ien taking each a gate. Mi Chu and his brother Fang commanded the family guard.

The two Mi’sMis [sic] were put in command of the house guard because they were Liu Pei’s brothers-in-law, he having taken a sister of Mi Chu as a second wife. Hence they were suitable men to guard the family.

In due course Kao Shun came to the south gate. Liu Pei ascended the tower and said, “I have no quarrel with your master, why do you come here with an army?”

“You have plotted with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao to injure my master as we know now; why should I not ‘bind’ you?”

So saying he gave the signal to attack. But Yüan-tê did not go out to repulse him; he only kept the gate fast closed.

Soon after Chang Liao led an attack on the west gate, then kept by Yün-ch‘ang, who addressed him from the wall.

“You are too good a man to waste yourself on rebels,” said he.

Chang hung his head and made no reply.

Kuan Yü knew that he had a sound heart and high principles and said no more as he was unwilling to wound him. Nor did he go out to attack.

Chang Liao then drew off and proceeded to the east gate, and Chang Fei went out to give battle. Soon it was told Kuan Yü, who came over quickly. He saw Chang Fei going out, but Chang Liao was already withdrawing. Fei wished to pursue, but his brother held him back.

“He is afraid and so has gone away; it would be best to pursue,” said Fei.

“No,” said his brother. “As a warrior he is not inferior to either of us, but I have spoken a few straight words and they have sunk deep. He is repentant and that is why he will not meet us.”

So Chang Fei understood and the gates were shut and orders given for careful defence.

When Liu Pei’s messenger reached the capital he saw Ts‘ao Ts‘ao who told him what had happened. The advisers were called to discuss a plan. Ts‘ao said, “I wish to attack Lü Pu. I fear not Yüan Shao, but Liu Piao and Chang Hsiu may attack me in the rear.”

Hsün Yü replied. “Both these latter have been too recently defeated to do anything so rash. But Lü Pu is a bold fighting