Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/220

 Kung to whom he said, “Ts‘ao’s men have found a secret way through the pass and I fear Hsüchou is already lost. You ought to go back at once.”

At this the pass was abandoned and Kung began to retreat. Then the prearranged signal was given.

Lü Pu advanced in the darkness to the relief of the pass. Presently he met Ch‘ên Kun’s men, and as neither recognised the other in the darkness a fierce battle ensued. Nor was the trick discovered till daylight came.

While these things were going on Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had noted the signal and advanced as fast as possible. The bandits, who alone remained to hold the pass, were easily driven out and scattered in all directions.

When daylight came and the trick was discovered Lü Pu and Ch‘ên Kung set off together for Hsüchou. But when they arrived and summoned the gate, instead of opening the doors the men on the wall saluted them with a thick flight of arrows. At the same time Mi Chu appeared on the defence tower and shouted, “You stole our master’s city and now we are going to give it back to him. You will not enter here again.”

“Where is Ch‘ên Kuei?” cried Lü Pu, angrily.

“We have slain him,” was the reply.

“Where is that son of his?” said Pu turning to Ch‘ên Kung.

“Do you still hold to your delusion, General, that you ask where this specious rogue is?”

Lü Pu bade them search through all the ranks, but he was not to be found. Then they decided to go to Hsiaop‘ei. But ere they had got half way there suddenly appeared the troops under the command of Kao Shun and Chang Liao. They said Ch‘ên Têng had come to them saying their lord was surrounded and wanted help so they had come at once.

“Another trick of that false rogue!” said Lü Pu. “Surely he shall die for this.”

They went with all speed to the city, only to see as they drew near the ensigns of the enemy displayed all along the walls, for the city had been taken by Ts‘ao Jên.

While Lü Pu stood at the foot of the rampart reviling the traitor Ch‘ên Têng, Têng himself appeared on the wall and pointing to Lü Pu cried, “Did you think that I, a Minister of the Dynasty, would serve a rebel like you?”

Lü Pu in his wrath was about to make a desperate attack but suddenly a great noise was heard and an army came up behind him. It was led by no other than Chang Fei.

Kao Shun went to engage him, but he had no chance of success. Lü Pu then joined in the fray. Then another army appeared, and the leader this time was Tsʻao Ts‘ao himself, and his army rushed to the attack. Seeing that he had no hope of victory Lü Pu went away toward the east, with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao in pursuit. His army marched till they were worn out.