Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/376

 Then he questioned Kuo Chia, who named certain officers who should be sent to bring about the surrender of the Yüans. Then five captains, to attack Yuchou along three routes, and other armies, were sent against Pingchou.

The two brothers Shang and Hsi heard of Tsʻao’s advance with dismay for they had no hope of successful resistance. Therefore they abandoned the city and hastily marched into Liaohsi to the Governor Wuhuan Chʻu. But the governor was not disposed to incur the enmity of the powerful Tsʻao Tsʻao so he called his subordinates together to swear them to support him and said, “I understand that Tsʻao Tsʻao is the most powerful man of the day and I am going to support him and those who do not go with me I shall put to death.”

Each in turn smeared his lips with the blood of sacrifice and took the oath till it came to the turn of Han Hêng. Instead he dashed his sword to the ground crying, “I have received great benefits from the Yüans. Now my lord has been vanquished; my knowledge was powerless to save him, my bravery insufficient to cause me to die for him; I have failed in my duty. But I refuse to commit the crowning act of treachery and ally myself with Tsʻao.”

This speech made the others turn pale. The chief said, “For a great undertaking there must be lofty principles. However, success does not necessarily depend upon universal support and since Han Hêng is actuated by such sentiments then let him follow his conscience.” So he turned Han Hêng out of the assembly.

Wuhuan Ch‘u then went out of the city to meet and welcome Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army and rendered his submission. He was well received and the title given him of Guardian of the North.

Then the scouts came to say that the three captains had marched to Pingchou but that Kao Kau had occupied Hukuan Pass and could not be dislodged. So Tsʻao marched thither himself. The defender still maintaining his position Tsʻao asked for plans. Hsün Yu proposed that a band should go over pretending to be deserters. Tsʻao assented and then called the two brothers Lü, to whom he gave whispered orders. They left with their companies.

Soon they came near the pass and called out, saying, “We are old officers in Yüan’s armies forced into surrender to Tsʻao. We find him so false and he treats us so meanly that we want to return to help our old master. Wherefore quickly open your gates to us.”

Kao Kan was suspicious, but he let the two officers come up to the pass, and when they had stripped off their armour and left their horses they were permitted to enter. And they said to Kao Kan, “Tsʻao’s men are new to the country and not settled; you ought to fall upon their camp this very evening. If you approve we will lead the attack.”