Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/261

 suddenly wheeled again, shouted and came on flourishing the mighty sword. Wang Chung could not withstand that and fled. But Kuan Yü, changing the huge sword to his left hand, with his right laid hold of his victim by the straps of his breastplate, lifted him out of the saddle and rode away to his own lines with the captive laid across the pommel of his saddle. Wang Chung’s men scattered.

The captive was sent to Hsüchou, where he was summoned into the presence of Liu Pei.

“Who are you? What office do you hold? How dare you falsely display the ensigns of the Minister Ts‘ao Ts‘ao?” said Liu Pei.

“What do you mean by falsely when I simply obeyed my orders?” said Wang. “My master wanted to produce the impression that he was present. Really he was not there.”

Liu Pei treated him kindly, giving him food and clothing; but put him in prison till his colleague could be captured. Kuan Yü said that, knowing his brother had peaceful intentions in his mind, he captured the man instead of slaying him.

“I was afraid of Chang Fei’s hasty and impulsive temper,” said Liu Pei. “He would have slain this man. So I could not send him. There is no advantage in killing persons of this sort and while alive they are often useful in amicable settlements.”

Here Chang Fei said, “You have got this Wang; now I will go and get the other man.”

“Be careful,” said his brother. “Liu Tai was once governor of Yenchou and he was one of the nobles who met at Tigertrap Pass to destroy Tung Cho. He is not to be despised.”

“I do not think him worth talking about so much. I will bring him in alive just as my brother did this other.”

“I fear that if his life be lost it may upset our designs,” said Liu Pei.

“If I kill him I will forfeit my own life,” said Fei.

So he was given three companies and went off quickly.

The capture of his colleague made Liu Tai careful. He strengthened his defences and kept behind them. He took no notice of the daily challenges and continual insults which began with Chang Fei’s arrival.

After some days Fei evolved a ruse. He issued orders to prepare to rush the enemy’s camp at night, but he himself spent the day drinking. Pretending to be very intoxicated he held a court martial and one soldier was severely flogged for a breach of discipline. The man was left bound in the midst of the camp, Fei saying, “Wait till I am ready to start to night; you shall be sacrificed to the flag.” At the same time he gave secret orders to the custodians to let the man escape.

The man found his opportunity, crept out of camp and went over to the enemy, to whom he betrayed the plan of a night attack. As the man bore signs of savage punishment Liu Tai