Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/343

 Ts‘ao held him back. “Do not be angry,” said he. “I will tell you the truth. Really I have here only enough for three months.”

“Everybody says you are a marvel of wickedness and indeed it is true,” said Yu.

“But who does not know that in war there is no objection to deceit?” replied Ts‘ao. Then whispering in the other’s ear he said, “Actually here I have only supplies for this month’s use.”

“O do not throw dust in my eyes any more. Your grain is exhausted and I know it.”

Ts‘ao was startled, for he thought no one knew of the straits he was in.

“How did you find that out?” said he.

Hsü Yu produced the letter, saying, “Who wrote that?”

“Where did you get it?”

Whereupon he told Ts‘ao the story of the captured messenger. Ts‘ao seized him by the hand saying, “Since our old friendship has brought you to me I hope you have some plan to suggest to me.”

Hsü Yu said, “To oppose a great army with a small one is to walk in the way of destruction unless you inflict quick defeat. I can propose a plan which will defeat the innumerable hordes of Yüan Shao without fighting a battle. But will you follow my advice?”

“I desire to know your plan,” said Ts‘ao.

“Your enemy’s stores of all kinds are at Wuch‘ao, where the commander of the guard is that drunkard Shunyu Ch‘iung. You can send some of your trusty veterans to pretend they belong to Chiang Chi, one of Yüan’s generals, sent to help guard the depôt. These men can find an opportunity to fire the grain and stores of all kinds, which will upset all Yüan Shao’s calculations.”

Ts‘ao approved. He treated Hsü Yu very liberally and kept him in his camp. Forthwith he chose five companies of horse and foot ready for the expedition. Chang Liao protested the enterprise would be futile as the grain depôt would certainly be well guarded and he suggested treachery on the part of the newly arrived strategist.” [sic]

“Hsü Yu is no traitor,” said Ts‘ao. “He has come sent by Heaven to defeat Yüan Shao. If we do not get grain it will be hard to hold out and I have either to follow his advice or sit still and be hemmed in. If he was a traitor he would hardly remain in my camp. Moreover this raid has been my desire for a long time. Have no doubts; the raid will certainly succeed.”

“Well, then, you must look out for an attack here while the camp is undefended.”

“That is already well provided for,” said Tsʻao gleefully.