Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/215

 man, and if he joined forces with Yüan Shu and they set themselves to conquer Huai and Ssŭ the problem would be difficult.”

Then spoke Kuo Chia, “Let us take advantage of the moment before they have fully made up their mind. Smite before they are fully prepared.” And Ts‘ao Ts‘ao did so. Five legions with four captains were sent in advance. Ts‘ao commanded the rear army, which marched by divisions, and Chien Yung brought up the rear.

Soon the scouts informed Kao Shun. He sent flying messengers to Lü Pu, who detached two hundred horse to assist him. Kao Shun posted this reinforcement about thirty li from the city to meet Ts‘ao’s army. He followed close.

When Liu Pei saw the enemy retiring from the city he knew Ts‘ao’s army was close at hand. So, making arrangements for guarding the city within, he and his two brothers marched their men out of the city and made a camp, that they might be ready to assist.

Now the division of Ts‘ao’s army under Hsiahou Tun, having marched out in advance, first came into touch with Kao Shun. The former captain at once rode out with spear set and offered a challenge. It was accepted and the two leaders fought half a hundred bouts. Then Kao Shun began to weaken and had to own he had lost the day. His adversary pressed him hard and he rode round to the rear of his array. Tun was not the man to quail so he followed right into the enemy’s country. Then Ts‘ao Hsing, one of the captains, secretly strung his bow, fitted an arrow and, when Tun had come quite near, shot at him. The arrow hit Hsiahou Tun full in the left eye. He shrieked, and putting up his head, pulled out the arrow and with it the eye.

“Essence of my father, blood of my mother, I cannot throw this away,” cried he, and he put the eye into his mouth and swallowed it.

Then resuming his firm grip of his spear he went after this new enemy.

There was no escape for Ts‘ao Hsing. He was overtaken and fell with a spear wound full in the face. Both sides were stricken dumb with amazement.

Having thus slain the man who had wounded him Tun rode back toward his own side. Kao Shun went in pursuit and, waving on his men, attacked so vigorously that he won the day. Hsiahou Tun saved his elder brother, with whom he fled. The various divisions rallied at Chipei and made a camp there.

Kau Shun having scored this victory, returned to attack Liu Pei, and as Lü Pu opportunely arrived with Chang Liao,