Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/350

 “Now am I a dead man,” said T‘ien.

“Why say you that, Sir, when all men give you joy?”

“The General appears liberal but he is jealous and forgetful of honest advice. Had he been victorious he might have pardoned me; now that he has been defeated and put to shame I may not hope to live.”

But the gaoler did not believe him. Before long came the letter and the sword with the fatal order. The gaoler was dismayed, but the victim said, “I knew all too well that I should have to die.”

The gaoler wept. T‘ien Fêng said, “An able man born into this world who does not recognise and serve his true lord is ignorant. To-day I die, but I am not deserving of pity.”

Whereupon he committed suicide in the prison.

Thus died T‘ien Fêng, pitied of all who heard of his fate. When Yüan Shao came home it was with troubled mind and distorted thoughts. He could not attend to the business of government and became so ill that his wife, who came of the Liu family, besought him to make his last dispositions.

Now three sons had been born to him, T‘an the eldest, who was commander at Ch‘ingchou; Hsi, who ruled over Yuchou; and Shang, borne to him by his second wife, who still lived. This youngest son was very handsome and noble looking, and his father’s favourite. So he was kept at home. After the defeat at Kuantu the lad’s mother was constantly urging that her son should be named as successor and Shao called together four of his counsellors to consider this matter. These four happened to be divided in their sympathies, Shên P‘ei and Fêng Chi being in favour of the youngest son, and Hsin P‘ing and Kuo T‘u supporters of the eldest.

When they met to consult, Yüan Shao said, “As there is nought but war and trouble outside our borders it is necessary that tranquillity within be early provided for and I wish to appoint my successor. My eldest son is hard and cruel, my second is mild and unfit. The third has the outward form of a hero, appreciates the wise and is courteous to his subordinates. I wish him to succeed, but I would that you tell me your opinions.”

Kuo T‘u said, “T‘an is your first born and he is in a position of authority beyond your control. If you pass over the eldest in favour of the youngest you sow the seeds of turbulence. The prestige of the army has been somewhat lowered and enemies are on our border. Should you add to our weakness by making strife between father and son, elder and younger