Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/31

 full of rage, sent out one Têng Mou to begin the battle. At once rode forward Chang Fei, his long spear poised to strike. One thrust and Têng rolled off his horse pierced through the heart. At this the leader himself whipped up his steed and rode forth with sword raised ready to slay Chang. But Kuan Yü swung up his ponderous weapon and rode at him. At the sight fear seized upon Chêng, and ere he could recover himself the great sword fell, cutting him in halves.

Their leader fallen, the rebels threw away their weapons and fled. The official soldiers dashed in among them. Many thousands surrendered and the victory was complete. Thus this part of the rebellion was broken up.

On their return the Prefect met them and distributed rewards. But before long letters came from the prefecture of Chingchou saying that the rebels were laying siege to the chief city and it was near falling. Help was needed quickly.

“I will go,” said Yüan-tê as soon as he heard the news and he set out at once with his own men, reinforced by a large body under Tsou Ching. The rebels seeing help coming at once attacked most fiercely. The relieving force being comparatively small could not prevail and retired some thirty li, where they made a camp.

“They are many and we but few,” said Yüan-tê to his brothers. “We can only beat them by superior strategy.”

So they prepared an ambush. The two younger brothers, each with a goodly party, went behind the hills right and left and there hid. When the gongs beat they were to move out to support the main army.

These preparations made, the drums rolled for the advance. The rebels also came forward. Then Yüan-tê suddenly retired. Thinking this was their chance, the rebels pressed forward and were led over the hills. Then suddenly the gongs sounded for the ambush to discover itself and the rebels were attacked on three sides. They lost heavily and fled to the provincial city. But the Prefect led out the men he had to assist in the battle and the rebels were entirely defeated and many slain. Chingchou was no longer in danger.

After the celebrations in honour of victory were over Tsou Ching proposed to return home, but Yüan-tê preferred to go to the aid of his old master Lu Chih, then struggling with a