Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/299

 Kuan Yü understood and urged on his men. The leaders of the rebels pretended they were worsted and they all scattered. So the city was taken. Having pacified the people Kuan Yü quickly led his army back to the capital, where he was met by Ts‘ao, congratulated on his success and feasted.

When this was all over Kuan Yü went to the dwelling of his sisters-in-law to pay his respects at their gate.

“Have you been able to get any news of Uncle Liu in your two expeditions?” asked the Lady Kan.

“None,” replied Kuan Yü.

As he retired from the door he heard sounds of bitter weeping within.

“Alas he is dead,” said they. “Our brother-in-law thinks we shall be greatly distressed and hides the truth from us.”

One of the old soldiers, who acted as guard, hearing the sounds of perpetual grief, took pity on them and said, “Do not weep, ladies; your lord is with Yüan Shao in Hopei.”

“How do you know that?” said they.

“I went out with General Kuan and one of the soldiers told me.”

The two ladies summoned Kuan Yü and reproached him saying, “Uncle Liu never betrayed you and yet you remain here enjoying the bounty of Ts‘ao Tsʻao and forgetting the old times. And you tell us falsehoods.”

Kuan Yü bowed his head. “My brother really is in Hopei, but I dared not tell you, lest it should become known. Something must be done but done carefully and it needs time.”

“Brother-in-law, you should hasten,” said the Lady Kan.

Kuan Yü withdrew feeling that he must evolve some scheme of departure without further loss of time. It caused him much uneasiness.

Yü Chin, having found out that Liu Pei was in the north, told Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who at once sent Chang Liao to find out Kuan Yü’s intentions. Chang Liao entered jauntily and congratulated Kuan, saying, “They tell me you obtained news of your brother in the battlefield; I felicitate you.”

“My lord was there indeed but I met him not. I see nothing to be glad about.”

“Is there any difference between the relationship of you two and that of any other two brothers?”

Kuan replied, “You and I stand in the relationship of friends: Yüan-tê and I are friends and brothers beside, and prince and minister in addition to both. Our relationship cannot be discussed in usual terms.”

“Well, now that you know where your brother is, are you going to him?”

“How can I go back on what I said before? I am sure you will explain fully to the Minister.”