Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/304

 “Of course you have come to take me back, Wên-yüan?” said he.

“No; the Minister, seeing that you are going a long journey, wishes to see you on your way and told me to hasten forward and beg you to wait till he can come up. That is the only thing.”

“Seeing that he is coming along with mailed men I shall fight to the very last,” said Kuan Yü and he took up his position on a bridge where he waited the approach of the party, who advanced quickly. Four of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s captains followed close. Seeing Kuan Yü was ready to fight, Ts‘ao ordered his escort to open out in two lines and then it was seen they carried no arms. This relieved his mind; for it proved to Kuan Yü they meant no attack.

“Why do you go in such haste, Yün-ch‘ang?” asked Ts‘ao.

Kuan Yü inclined his head but did not dismount.

“I informed you in writing that since my lord was in Hopei I had to leave at once. I went to your palace again and again but was refused admittance. So I wrote a letter of farewell, sealed up the treasure, resigned my marquis seal and left everything for you. I hope you recall the promise you once made me.”

Tsʻao replied, “My desire is to keep my troth with all men; I cannot go back on my word. However, you may find the journey expensive and therefore I have here prepared a sum of money to help you.”

Then from horseback he held out a packet of gold.

“I have sufficient left from your former bounty; keep that for presents to your soldiers.”

“Why should you refuse this? It is but an insignificant return for great services.”

“My services have been all trifling, not worth mentioning.”

“Really, Yün-ch‘ang, you are the most high-principled of men. I am very sorry my luck is too poor to retain you at my side. Pray accept just this robe to show you I am not quite ungrateful,” said Ts‘ao, and one of his captains, dismounting, held up a silken coat in both hands. Kuan Yü even still fearful of what might happen, would not dismount, but he reached down his sword and took the robe on its point. Then he threw it over his shoulders and turned to thank the giver saying, “I thank you, Sir Minister, for the robe and trust we shall meet again.”

So saying he went down from the bridge and bore away to the north.

“He is a very rude man,” said Hsü Ch‘u, who was of the escort. “Why do you not take him prisoner?”

Ts‘ao replied, “He was absolutely alone facing scores of us; he was justified in being suspicious. But my word has gone forth and he is not to be pursued.”