Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/271

 plans for the destruction of their enemy. But they could see no chance to attack. At the new year audience Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was odiously arrogant and overweening and the chief conspirator’s disgust was so intense that he fell ill. Hearing of his indisposition the Emperor sent the Court physician to see his “State Uncle.”

The Court physician at this time was a native of Loyang, named Chi T‘ai, more commonly known as Chi P‘ing. He was very famous. He devoted himself wholly to the treatment of his Court patient. Living in his Palace and seeing him at all times he soon found that some secret grief was sorely troubling Tung Ch‘êng. But he dared not ask questions.

One evening, when the physician was just taking his leave, Tung Ch‘êng kept him and the two men had supper together. They sat talking for some time and Tung by and by dropped off to sleep dressed as he was.

Presently Wang Tzŭ-fu and the others were announced. As they were coming in Wang cried, “Our business is settled!”

“I should be glad to hear how,” said Tung.

“Liu Piao has joined Yüan Shao and fifty legions are on their way here by different routes. More than this, Ma T‘êng and Han Sui are coming from the north with seventy-two legions. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao has moved every soldier outside Hsütu to meet the combined armies. There is a great banquet in the Palace to night and if we get together our young men and slaves, we can muster more than a thousand, and we can surround the palace, while Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is at the banquet, and finish him off. We must not miss this.”

Tung Ch‘êng was more than delighted. He called his slaves and armed them, put on his own armour and mounted his horse. The conspirators met, as they had arranged, just at the inner gate. It was the first watch. The small army marched straight in, Tung Ch‘êng leading with his sword drawn. His intended victim was at table in one of the private rooms. Tung rushed in crying, “Tsʻao you rebel, stay!” and dashed at Ts‘ao Ts‘ao who fell at the first blow.

And just then he woke up and found it was all a dream, a dream as unreal as that of life in the kingdom of the ants. But his mouth was still full of curses.

“Do you really wish to destroy Ts‘ao Ts‘ao?” said Chi P‘ing, going forward to his half awakened patient.

This brought him to his senses. Tung stopped, terror stricken, and made no reply.

“Do not be frightened, O Uncle,” said the doctor, “Although I am a physician I am also a man, and I never forget my Emperor. You have seemed sad for many days but I have never ventured to ask the reason. Now you have shown it in your dream and I know your real feelings. If I can be of any use I will help. Nothing can daunt me.”