Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/320

 “Sisters, do not let him blind you to the truth. Real loyalty prefers death to dishonour. No good man can serve two masters.”

Kuan Yü said, “Brother, cease to wrong me I pray you.”

Sun Ch‘ien said, “Yün-ch‘ang came expressly to seek you.”

“How much more nonsense will you talk?” roared Chang Fei. “How can he be true-hearted? He came to capture me, I say.”

“Had I come to capture you, I should have come with men and horses,” said Kuan Yü.

“And are there not men and horses?” said Chang Fei pointing to a point behind Kuan Yü.

Kuan Yü turned and there he saw a cloud of dust rising as though a squadron of horse was coming. And soon they were near enough and from their trumpets and banners they showed themselves to be of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s army.

“Now will you try to cajole me further?” cried Chang Fei in a rage.

He set his long spear and was just coming on when Kuan Yü said, “Brother, wait a while; see me slay the leader of these that I may prove myself no traitor.”

“Well, if you are really true, prove it by slaying that leader, whoever he may be, before I have finished three rolls of the drum.”

Chang Fei’s condition was accepted. Soon the attacking force was near enough to make out the leader to be Ts‘ai Yang. Sword in hand he rode at full speed, crying, “So I have found you, slayer of my nephew! I have a command to capture you and will execute it.”

Kuan Yü made no reply. Raising his sword ready to strike he moved out and the drums began to beat. Before a roll could be completed the fight was over and Ts‘ai Yang’s head had rolled on the ground. His men scattered and fled. Kuan Yü, however, captured the young ensign-bearer and questioned him. The youth said that in very truth the Minister had not given an order. Incensed at the loss of his nephew, Ts‘ai wished to pursue and attack Kuan Yü although the Minister refused permission. To satisfy him he had sent Ts‘ai to attack Junan and the meeting at this place was entirely an accident.

Kuan Yü bade him repeat this story to his brother. Chang Fei also questioned him concerning all that had happened in the capital and the recital of the whole story satisfied him of the fidelity of Kuan Yü.

Just then messengers came from the city to Chang Fei to say that some scores of horsemen had arrived at the south gate. They seemed in a great hurry but no one knew them. Chang Fei, with still a lingering doubt in his mind, went to look at the newcomers and there saw a score or two of mounted archers with light bows and short arrows. Hastily