Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/292

 was not long in arriving at Paima. He saw Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who told him what had happened. Yen Liang was too valiant for any to face.

“Let me look at him,” said Kuan.

Then wine was served for his refreshment and while they were drinking, it was reported that Yen Liang once again offered a challenge. So Ts‘ao and his guest and staff went to the summit of a hill whence the enemy could be seen. These two sat on the hill top and the captains stood about them. Ts‘ao pointed out Yen Liang’s men arrayed on the plains below. The ensigns and banners waving fresh and bright amid the forest of spears and swords made a grand and imposing spectacle.

“See what fine fellows these northmen are,” said Ts‘ao.

“I regard them as so many clay fowls and mud dogs,” said Kuan.

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao pointed out Yen Liang, saying, “There he is under that umbrella.”

He was wearing an embroidered robe and a silver breastplate and rode on horseback. His hand gripped his sword.

“His head looks as though it was stuck on a pole for sale,” said Kuan, just glancing over the army at his feet.

“You must not despise him,” said Ts‘ao.

Kuan rose, saying, “I am a poor thing but I will go over and bring you his head if you like.”

“Joking is not allowed in this army,” interposed Chang Liao. “Be careful what you say.”

Kuan Yü quickly mounted, turned down his mighty weapon and galloped down the hill, his phoenix eyes rounded and his heavy eyebrows fiercely bristling. He dashed straight into the enemy’s array and the northmen opened like water before him, a wave spreading right and left. He made directly for the general.

Now Yen Liang sitting there in state saw a horseman rushing toward him and just as he began to ask who the rider of the red horse was, lo! the horseman was there. Taken utterly by surprise the leader could make no defence. Kuan’s arm rose and the mighty weapon fell. And with it fell Yen Liang.

Leaping from the saddle Kuan Yü cut off his victim’s head and hung it to his horse’s neck. Then he mounted and rode out, just as if there was no army there.

The northern men, panic stricken, made no fight. Ts‘ao’s army attacked with vigour and slew great numbers of them. They captured many horses and weapons and much military gear. Kuan Yü rode quickly back up the hill and laid the proof of his prowess at the feet of the Minister.

“You are more than human, General!” cried Ts‘ao.

“What have I done to talk about?” said Kuan. “My brother, Chang I-tê, did the same thing in an army of a hundred legions, and did it easily.”