Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/262

 was the more disposed to credit his desertion and tale and made his arrangements, putting the greater part of his men in ambush outside his camp so that it was empty.

That night, having divided his men into three parties, Chang Fei went to attack the camp. A few men were ordered to advance directly, dash in and set fire going. Two larger bodies of men were to go round to the rear of the camp and attack when they saw the fire well started. At the third watch (midnight) Chang Fei, with his veterans, went to cut off Liu Tai’s road to the rear.

The thirty men told off to start a conflagration made their way into the camp and were successful. When the flames arose the ambushed men rushed out but only to find themselves attacked on both sides. This confused them and as they knew nothing of the number of their assailants they were panic-stricken and scattered.

Liu Tai, with a company of footmen got clear of the fight and fled, but he went straight toward Chang Fei. Escape was impossible and the two men rode up each to attack the other. Chang Fei captured his opponent and the men surrendered.

Chang Fei sent news of this success to his brothers.

Yüan-tê said, “Hitherto I-tê has been rather violent, but this time he has acted wisely and I am very pleased.”

They rode out to welcome their brother.

“You said I was too rough; how now?” said Fei to his brothers.

“If I had not put you on your mettle you would not have evolved this stratagem,” said Liu Pei.

Fei laughed. Then appeared the captive Liu Tai, in bonds. Yüan-tê at once dismounted and loosed the cords, saying, “My young brother was rather hasty, but you must pardon him.”

So he was freed. He was taken into the city, his colleague was released and both were cared for.

Yüan-tê said to them, “I could not help putting Ch‘ê Chou to death when he tried to kill me, but Ts‘ao Ts‘ao took it as disaffection and sent you two generals to punish me. I have received much kindness from him and certainly would not show ingratitude by killing you. I wish you to speak for me and explain when you get back.”

“We are deeply grateful that you spare our lives and we will certainly do so in gratitude for what our wives and children owe you.”

Next day the two leaders and their army were allowed to depart unscathed. But before they had got ten li from the boundary they heard a mighty shouting and there appeared Chang Fei barring the road.

“My brother made a mistake in letting you go: he did not understand. How could he give freedom to two rebels?”