Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/306

 but the latter, seeing he was a Yellow Turban, would have nothing to do with him. So he simply thanked him for his kindness to the ladies. Liao offered some presents but these were also declined.

So Liao Hua took his leave and presently disappeared in a valley among the hills. Kuan Yü told his sisters the story of his interview with Ts‘ao and the gift of a robe and then he urged the carriage on its way. Towards dark they came to a farm where they would rest. The farmer, an old greybeard, came out to welcome the party and asked who they were. Kuan Yü described himself as the brother of Liu Pei, and said his name was Kuan.

“Surely you are no other than the slayer of Yen Liang and Wên Ch‘ou,” said the venerable host.

“That is so,” replied Kuan Yü.

“Come in,” said the old man, joyfully.

“My two sisters-in-law are in the carriage,” said Kuan Yü, “will you let your women-folk go out to receive them?”

As Kuan Yü remained standing there the host asked him to be seated, but he would not sit while the women were present and remained standing in a respectful attitude till the old man’s wife had returned and ushered the ladies into the inner apartments. Then the old man set to the entertainment of his guest in the guest hall. Kuan Yü asked his name.

He replied, “I am called Hu Hua. In the days of the Emperor Huan I was an officer of the Court but I resigned and retired into private life. I have a son with the Prefect of Yungyang (in Szechuan) and if you should be going that way, General, I should like to send him a letter by you.”

Kuan Yü said he would take the letter. Next day, after an early meal, the ladies got into their carriage, the host handed his letter to Kuan Yü, and the little party once more took the road. They went toward Loyang.

Presently they approached a pass known as the Tungling Pass, guarded by one Kʻung Hsiu and half a company. When the soldiers saw a carriage being pushed toward the pass they ran to tell their commander, who came out to accost the travellers. Kuan Yü dismounted and returned the officer’s salute and the latter said, “Whither are you going?”

“I have left the Minister to go into Hopei to find my brother.”

“But Yüan Shao is my master’s rival. You have authority from him to go thither?”

“I left hurriedly and could not get it.”

“If you have no authority you must wait while I send to request orders.”

“To remain while you send and receive an answer will delay me greatly,” said Kuan.