Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/281

 in and returned to their old leader. The position became very desperate.

Chang Fei met Hsü Huang and engaged him but his rear was also attacked by Yo Chin. At length he cut his own way out and with a half score of his men started to return to Hsiaop‘ei. The retreat was cut off. He thought to make for Hsüchou but felt certain that way was also barred. No other way seemed open and so he made for the Mangyang Hills.

As Yüan-tê drew near the camp he intended to attack he heard the din of battle. Then he was attacked in the rear and very soon had lost half his force. Next Hsiahou Tun came to attack. Thereupon Yüan-tê bolted. He was pursued by Hsiahou Yüan. Presently he looked about him and found he had less than half a hundred men following him. He set his face in the direction of Hsiaop‘ei.

But before long he saw that place was in flames. So he changed his plan and went toward Hsiapʻi. However he found the whole countryside full of the enemy and he could not get through. So he bethought himself of the promise of Yüan Shao, that he would find refuge if things went agley, and determined to go to him till he could form some other plan. Wherefore he took the Ch‘ingchou road. But it also was blocked and he went into the open country and made his way north, not without being pursued and losing the remainder of his few followers.

He hastened toward Ch‘ingchou, travelling three hundred li a day. When he reached the city and summoned the gate the guards asked who he was and they told the governor, who was Yüan Shao’s eldest son, T‘an. Yüan T‘an was greatly surprised, but he opened the gates and went to meet Yüan-tê, whom he treated with due consideration.

Liu Pei told the story of his defeat and said he wished for harbour. He was given suitable quarters and hospitably entertained, while the young man wrote to inform his father. Then he provided an escort and sent Yüan-tê on his journey as far as the boundary of P‘ingyüan.

At Yehchün he was met by Yüan Shao in person, with a great escort. Yüan-tê made a humble obeisance which Yüan Shao hastened to return and said, “I have been very distressed that, on account of my son’s illness, I did not come to your aid. It is great joy to see you; the one desire of my life is satisfied.”

Yüan-tê replied, “The poor Liu Pei you see here has long desired to take refuge with you, but fate has hitherto denied him that privilege. Now, attacked by Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, my family lost, I remembered that you, General, would receive gentlemen from all sides. Wherefore I put my pride in my pocket. I trust that I may be found worthy and one day I will prove my gratitude.”