Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/291

 So Kuan Yü retired and fifteen legions marched out in three directions. On the road the letters from Liu Yen arrived praying for help and the first five legions went to Paima and took up a position supported by the hills. In the wide plains in front of them Yen Liang was encamped with ten legions of veterans.

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was frightened at the force opposed to him and, returning to camp, spoke to Sung Hsien, who had once served under Lü Pu, saying, “You are one of Lü Pu’s famous veteran generals; can you give battle to this Yen?”

Sung Hsien agreed to try. He armed himself, mounted and rode to the front. Yen Liang was there on horseback his sword lying crossways. Seeing an opponent approaching he uttered a loud shout and galloped toward him. The two met, but after only three bouts, Sung Hsien fell under a mighty slash from the other's sword.

“What a terrible leader!” said Ts‘ao.

“He has slain my comrade, I want to go and avenge him,” then cried Wei Hsü.

Ts‘ao bade him go and he rode out, spear in rest, and in front of the army railed at Yen Liang.

Yen Liang replied not a word, but their two steeds came together and at the first blow from Yen’s sword this second champion fell.

“Now, who again dares face him?” cried Ts‘ao.

Hsü Huang took up the challenge and he went out. The combat endured a score of bouts and then Hsü fled back to his own side. The other captains were now greatly depressed at their failure. Yen Liang however had marched off his men leaving Ts‘ao very sad at the loss of two captains in quick succession.

Then Ch‘êng Yü went to see him saying, “I can produce a man the equal of Yen Liang.”

“Who?” cried Ts‘ao.

“No other than Kuan Yü.”

“I am afraid that if he is given an opportunity to perform that return service he spoke of he will leave me.”

“If Liu Pei is still alive he is with Yüan Shao. If you get Kuan Yü to defeat Yüan Shao’s army Shao will look askance at Liu Pei and put him to death. Liu Pei gone, where can Kuan Yü go?”

This argument appealed to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao at once and he sent to request Kuan Yü to come.

Previous to obeying the call Kuan went to say farewell to his sisters-in-law.

“You may get news of the Uncle on the journey,” said they.

“Yes,” said Kuan and left them.

Armed with his famous Black Dragon, riding on the swift steed “Red Hare,” and having but a slender following, Kuan Yü