Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/295

 Yüan Shao gladly consented and ordered Wên Ch‘ou to share his command with Yüan-tê. But the former objected saying that Yüan-tê had been so often defeated that it would augur ill for success this time. He proposed to give Yüan-tê command of the rear guard, and this being approved, three legions were told off under Liu Pei’s special command to follow the main body.

The prowess displayed by Kuan Yü in the bold attack on Yen Liang redoubled Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s respect for him and he memorialised the throne that Kuan Yü receive the title of Marquis of Hanshout‘ing and a seal was cast for him.

Just then came the unexpected news that Yüan Shao’s army had moved toward the Yellow River and was in position above Yenching. Ts‘ao first sent to transfer the inhabitants to Hsiho and then led out an army to oppose Yuan Shao. He issued an order to face about, thus placing the rear companies in front. The commissariat wagons were also placed in the van.

“What is this reversal for?” asked LuLü [sic] Ch‘ien.

Ts‘ao replied, “When the supplies are in rear they are liable to be plundered. So I have put them first.”

“But if you meet the enemy and they steal them?”

“Wait till the enemy appears; I shall know what to do.”

Lü Ch‘ien was much exercised at this new move of the Minister’s. In the meantime the supply train moved along the river toward Yenching. Presently the foremost troops raised a great shout and Ts‘ao sent to see what it meant. The messenger came back to say Wên Ch‘ou’s army was approaching, and the supply train had been abandoned and was at the mercy of the enemy. Thereupon Ts‘ao pointed to two mounds saying, “We will take refuge here for the present.”

All those near him hastened to the mounds. There Ts‘ao ordered them all to loosen their dress, lay aside their breastplates and rest a time. The horsemen turned their steeds loose.

Wên Ch‘ou’s men approached under cover. As they drew near one after another the officers told Ts‘ao saying, “The rebels are near: we ought to catch the horses and go back to Paima.”

But the adviser, Hsün Yu, checked them saying, “These are a bait for the enemy: why retire?”

Ts‘ao glanced across at him and said, “He understands; do not say anything.”

Now having got possession of the supply carts the enemy next came to seize the horses. By this time they had all broken ranks and were scattered, each man going his own way. Then suddenly Ts‘ao gave the order to go down from the mounds and smite them.

The surprise was complete. Wên Ch‘ou’s army was in confusion and Ts‘ao’s men surrounded them. Wên Ch‘ou