Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/233

 But just then the Prefect of Pohai, K‘ung Jung, was at the capital and he remonstrated with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao saying, “Yang comes from a family famed for virtue for at least four generations; you cannot trump up so foolish a charge as that against him.”

“It is the Court,” retorted Ts‘ao.

“If Prince Ch‘êng had put Duke Chao to death, could Duke Chou have pretended ignorance?”

So Ts‘ao had to relinquish the attempt, but he took away Yang’s offices and banished him to his family estate in the country.

A certain Chao Yen, a minor official but an opponent of the Minister, sent up a memorial impeaching Ts‘ao for having removed a Minister of State from office without a decree. Ts‘ao’s reply to this was the arrest of Chao and his execution, a bold stroke which terrified the bulk of officers and reduced them to silence.

Ch‘êng Yü advised Ts‘ao to assume a more definite position. He said, “Illustrious Sir, your prestige grows daily; why not seize the opportunity to take the position of Chief of the Feudatory Princes?”

“There are still too many supporters of the Court,” was the reply. “I must be careful. I am going to propose a royal hunt to try to find out the best line to follow.”

This expedition being decided upon they got together fleet horses, famous falcons and pedigree hounds, and prepared bows and arrows in readiness. They mustered a strong force of guards outside the city.

When the Minister proposed the hunting expedition the Emperor said he feared it was an improper thing to do.

Ts‘ao replied, “In ancient times rulers made four expeditions yearly at each of the four seasons in order to show their strength. They were called Sou, Miao, Hsien and Shou, in the order of the seasons. Now that the whole country is in confusion it would be wise to inaugurate a hunt in order to train the army. I am sure Your Majesty will approve.”

So the Emperor with the full paraphernalia for an Imperial hunt joined the expedition. He rode a saddle horse, carried an inlaid bow, and his quiver was filled with gold-tipped arrows. His chariot followed behind. The three brothers were in the Imperial train, each with his bow and quiver. Each wore a breastplate under the outer robe and held his especial weapon, while their escort followed them. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao rode a dun horse called “Flying Lightning” and the army was ten legions strong.

The hunt took place in Hsütʻien and the legions spread out as guards round the hunting arena which extended over some two hundred square li. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao rode even with the Emperor, the horses’ heads alternating in the lead. The imperial suite immediately following were all in Ts‘ao’s confidence.