Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/348

 Among the papers of Yüan Shao was found a bundle of letters showing secret correspondence between him and many persons in the capital and army. Ts‘ao’s personal staff suggested that the names of those concerned should be abstracted and the persons arrested, but their lord said, “Shao was so strong that even I could not be sure of safety; how much less other men?”

So he ordered the papers to be burned and nothing more was said.

Now when Yüan Shao’s men ran away Chü Shou, being a prisoner, could not get away and was captured. Taken before Ts‘ao, who knew him, he cried aloud, “I will not surrender.”

Said Ts‘ao, “Yüan Shao was foolish and neglected your advice; why still cling to the path of delusion? Had I had you to help me I should have been sure of the Empire.”

The prisoner was well treated in the camp but he stole a horse and tried to get away to Yüan Shao. This angered Ts‘ao who put him to death, which he met with brave composure.

“I have slain a faithful and righteous man,” then said Ts‘ao sadly. And the victim was honourably buried at Kuantu.

His tomb bore the inscription “This is the tomb of Chü the loyal and virtuous.”

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao now gave orders to attack Ch‘ichou.

The following chapter will tell who won the next campaign.