Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/364

 Then Yüan Shang can be removed, and when the times are suitable, Yüan T‘an can be destroyed in his turn. Thus peace will ensue. This present combination of circumstances is to be taken advantage of to full measure.”

Ts‘ao realised the truth of this and treated the messenger well. At a banquet he said, “But is this surrender of Yuan T‘an real or false? Do you really think that Shang’s army is sure to overcome him?”

Hsin P‘i replied, “Illustrious one, do not enquire into the degree of sincerity; rather regard the situation. The Yüans have been suffering military losses for years and are powerless without, while their strategists are put to death within. The brothers seize every chance to speak evil of each other and their country is divided. Add to this famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion, and everybody, wise as well as simple, can see that the catastrophe is near, the time ordained of Heaven for the destruction of the Yüans is at hand. Now you have a force attacking Yeh, and if Yüan Shang will not return to give aid the place of refuge is lost. If he help, then T‘an will follow up and smite him, making use of your power to destroy the remnant of his brother’s army, just as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves. If he do not, then he will attack Chingchou. Now Chingchou is rich, the government peaceful, the people submissive and it cannot be shaken. Moreover, there is no greater threat to it than Hopei. If that be reduced then the task is complete. I pray you, Sir, think of it.”

“I am sorry that I did not meet you earlier,” said Ts‘ao, much gratified with this speech.

Forthwith orders were given to return and attack Ch‘ichou. Yüan-tê, fearing this retirement was only a ruse, allowed it to proceed without interference and himself returned to Chingchou.

When Yüan Shang heard that Ts‘ao had crossed the river he hastily led his army back to Yeh, ordering the two Lüs to guard the rear. His brother T‘an started from P‘ingyüan with a force in pursuit. He had not proceeded far when he heard a bomb and two bodies of men came out in front of him and checked his progress. Their leaders were Lü K‘uang and Lü Hsiang. T‘an reined in and addressed them, saying, “While my father lived I never treated you badly; why do you support my brother and try to injure me?”

The two men had no reply to make, but they dismounted and bowed before him yielding submission.

T‘an said, “Do not surrender to me but to the Minister,” and he led them back to camp, where he waited the arrival of Ts‘ao and then presented the pair. Ts‘ao received them well. He promised his daughter to T‘an to wife and he appointed the two brothers as advisers.