Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/222

 satisfied that he could maintain his defence. So he allowed Ts‘ao’s army to approach without molestation.

“You ought to attack Ts‘ao’s army as they come up before they have time to make camps and defences. They will only have fatigued men to oppose to your fresh troops and you will certainly defeat them.”

So said Ch‘ên Kung but Lü Pu replied, “I have suffered too many defeats lately to take any risk. Wait till they actually attack and you will see them floating away on the waters.”

So he neglected the confidant’s advice and waited till the enemy had settled into their camp. This done, the attackers advanced against the city. From the foot of the wall Ts‘ao Ts‘ao called to Lü Pu to listen while he spoke. Lü Pu ascended to the wall where he stood.

Ts‘ao addressed him, saying, “When I heard that your family and that of Yüan Shu were likely to be united by marriage I sent an army against you, for Yüan was guilty of treason while you had to your credit the destruction of Tung Cho. For what reason have you sacrificed all your merits to throw in your lot with a rebel? It will be over late to regret when this city shall have fallen. But if you surrender and help me to support the ruling house you shall not lose your rank of Marquis.”

Lü Pu replied, “If the Minister will retire we may be able to discuss the matter.”

But Ch‘ên Kung, standing near his master, began to rail at Ts‘ao Ts‘ao for a rebel and shot an arrow that struck his plumed helmet.

“My oath, but I will slay you at least!” cried Ts‘ao, pointing his finger at Ch‘ên Kung.

Then the attack on the walls began.

“They have come from far and cannot maintain this for long,” said Ch‘ên Kung. “General, go out with your horse and foot and take up a position outside, leaving me to maintain the defence with the remainder of our men. If he engages you, I will come out and strike at his rear ranks; if he attacks the city, you can come to our aid. In a few days their stores will fail and we can beat them off. This will place them between the horns.”

“The advice seems good,” said Lü Pu.

He went back to his palace and prepared his weapons. As it was the depth of winter he made his men take plenty of wadded clothing to keep them warm. His wife heard of it and came to ask whither he was going. He told her of Ch‘ên Kung’s plan.

She said, “My lord, you are leaving an undamaged city, abandoning your wife and little ones and going with a paltry force. Should any untoward event happen will your handmaid and her lord ever meet again?”