Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/260

 The five legions sent against Liu Pei went into camp a hundred li from Hsüchou. The camp made an imposing display of the banners of the Prime Minister but no attacks followed. Their spies were very busy north of the river. On the defensive side, Liu Pei, as he was uncertain of the strength of the force against him, dared not move.

Suddenly orders came for the Ts‘ao army to attack and then discord showed itself.

Liu Tai said, “The Minister orders an attack; you advance.”

Wang Chung replied, “You were named first.”

“I am the Commander in Chief; it is not my place to go first.”

“I will go with you in joint command,” said Chung.

“Let us cast lots and he upon whom the lot falls must go,” said Tai.

They drew lots and it fell to Wang Chung, who advanced toward Hsüchou with half the force.

When Yüan-tê heard of the threatened attack he called Ch‘ên Têng to consult.

Yüan-tê said, “There is dissension in Yüan Shao’s camp at Liyang so they do not advance. We do not know where Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is but his own banner is not displayed in his Liyang camp. Why then is it shown here?”

Ch‘ên Têng replied, “His tricks take a hundred forms. It must be that he regards the north as most important and has gone there to look after its defence. He dares not show his flag there and I feel sure it is only meant to mislead us. He is not here.”

Yüan-tê then asked whether one of his brothers would find out the truth and Chang Fei volunteered to go.

“I fear you are unsuited for this,” said Yüan-tê. “You are too impetuous.”

“If Ts‘ao is there I will haul him over here,” said Fei.

“Let me go first and find out,” said Kuan Yü.

“If you go I shall feel more at ease,” said Yüan-tê.

So Kuan Yü set out with three companies to reconnoitre. It was then early winter and snow was falling from a gloomy sky. They marched regardless of the snow and came near Wang Chung’s camp with arms all ready to attack. Kuan Yü summoned Wang Chung to a parley.

“The Minister is here: why do you not surrender?” said Wang Chung.

“Beg him to come to the front for I would speak with him,” replied Kuan Yü.

“Is he likely to come out to see such as you?”

Kuan Yü angrily dashed forward and Wang Chung set his spear to meet him. Yü rode till he came close to his antagonist, then suddenly wheeled away. Wang Chung went after him and followed up a slope. Just as they passed the crest, Yü