Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/314



un Ch‘ien had joined Kuan Yü in escorting the two ladies and they were on the road to Junan when Hsiahou Tun suddenly determined to pursue. So with a couple of hundred horse he set out. When he was seen approaching, Kuan Yü bade Sun Ch‘ien go ahead with the carriage while he remained to deal with the pursuers. When they were near enough Kuan Yü said, “In coming after me thus you do not reinforce the magnanimity of your master.”

Replied Hsiahou Tun, “The Minister has sent no definite instructions. You have caused the death of several people, among them one of my lieutenants, and so I have come to capture you. You have behaved most grossly. He will decide.”

Thereupon he dashed forward with his spear ready to thrust. But at that moment a rider came up behind him at full gallop crying, “You must not fight with Yün-ch‘ang.”

Kuan Yü stayed his steed at once and waited. The messenger came up, drew from his bosom an official letter and said to Hsiahou Tun, “The Minister loves General Kuan for his loyalty and honour, and fearing lest he might be stopped at the various passes, he sent me with this letter to show when necessary at any point on the road.”

“But this Kuan has slain several commanders of the passes; does the Minister know that?” said Tun.

The messenger said these things were unknown.

“Then,” said Tun, “I will arrest him and take him to the Minister, who may set him free or not as he wills.”

“Do you think I fear anything you can do?” said Kuan Yü getting wrathful.

And he rode forward. Tun, nothing loth, set his spear and prepared for battle. They met and had reached the tenth encounter when a second horseman came up at full speed, crying, “Generals, wait a little!”

Hsiahou Tun stayed his hand and asked the messenger, saying, “Am I to arrest him?”

“No,” replied the messenger. “Fearing lest he should have difficulties at the passes the Minister has sent me with a despatch to say he is to be released.”

“Did the Minister know that he had slain several men on the way?”