Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/351

 brothers? Rather consider how the enemy may be repulsed and turn to the question of the heirship later.”

Then the natural hesitation of Yüan Shao asserted itself and he could not make up his mind. Soon came news that his sons, T‘an and Hsi, and his nephew, Kao Kan, were coming with large armies to help him and he turned his attention to preparations for fighting Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.

When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao drew up his victorious army on the banks of the Yellow River a certain aged native brought an offering of food and sauce to bid him welcome. His venerable and hoary appearance led Ts‘ao to treat him with the highest respect and he invited him to be seated and said to him, “Venerabie Sir, what may be your age?”

“I am nearly a hundred,” replied the ancient.

“I should be very sorry if my men had disturbed your village,” said Ts‘ao.

“In the days of the Emperor Huan a yellow star was seen over by way of Ch‘u and Sung in the southwest. A certain man of Liaotung, Yin K‘uei, who was learned in astrology, happened to be passing the night here and he told us that the star foretold the arrival in these parts, fifty years hence, of a true and honest man from Lian and P‘ei. Lo! that is exactly fifty years ago. Now Yüan Pên-ch‘u is very hard on the people and they hate him. You, Sir, having raised this army in the cause of humanity and righteousness, out of pity for the people and to punish crimes, and having destroyed the hordes of Yüan Shao at Kuantu, just fulfil the prophecy of Yin K‘uei and the millions of the land may look now for tranquillity.”

“How dare I presume that I am he?” said Ts‘ao with a smile.

Wine was served and refreshments brought in and the old gentleman was sent away with presents of silk stuffs. And an order was issued to the army that if any one killed so much as a fowl or a dog belonging to the villagers he should be punished as for murder. And the soldiers obeyed with fear and trembling while Ts‘ao rejoiced in his heart.

It was told Ts‘ao that the total army from the four prefectures under the Yüan family amounted to twenty-three legions and they were camped at Ts‘ang-t‘ing. Ts‘ao then advanced nearer them and made a strong camp.

Soon after the two armies were arrayed over against each other. On one side Ts‘ao rode to the front surrounded by his captains, and on the other appeared Yüan Shao supported by his three sons, his nephew and his officers.

Ts‘ao spoke first, “Pên-ch‘u, your schemes are poor, your strength is exhausted, why still refuse to think of surrender? Are you waiting till the sword shall be upon your neck? Then it will be too late.”