Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/377

 Kao Kan decided to trust them and prepared to attack, giving the two brothers the leadership. But as they drew near Tsʻao’s camp a great noise arose behind them and they found themselves in an ambush attacked on all sides. Realising too late that he had been the victim of a ruse, Kao retreated to the pass, but found it occupied by the enemy. Kao Kan then made the best of his way to the barbarian chieftain Shanyu. Tsʻao gave orders to hold the passes and sent companies in pursuit.

When Kao Kan reached the boundary of Shanyu’s territory he met Tso-hsien, Prince of the northern tribesmen. Kao Kan dismounted and made a low obeisance saying, “Tsʻao is conquering and absorbing all the borders and your turn, O Prince, will come quickly. I pray you help me and let us smite together for the safety of the northern regions.”

The Prince replied, “I have no quarrel with Tsʻao, why then should he invade my land? Do you desire to embroil me with him?”

He would have nothing to do with Kao Kan and sent him away. At his wits’ end Kan decided to try to join Liu Piao and got so far on his journey as Shanglu when he was taken prisoner and put to death by Wang Yen. His head was sent to Tsʻao Tsʻao and Wang was created a marquis for this service.

Thus Pingchou was conquered. Then Tsʻao Ts‘ao began to discuss the overthrow of Wuhuan on the west. Tsʻao Hung, speaking in the name of his brother officials, said, “The two brothers Yüan are nearly done for and too weak to be feared. They have fled far into the Sea of Sand and if we pursue them thither it may bring down Liu Piao and Liu Pei upon the capital. Should we be unable to rescue it the misfortune would be immense. Wherefore we beg you to return to Hsütu.”

But Kuo Chia was of different advice. “You are wrong,” said he. “Though the prestige of our lord fills the Empire, yet the men of the desert, relying upon their inaccessibility, will not be prepared against us. Wherefore I say attack, and we shall conquer them. Beside Yüan Shao was kind to the nomads and the two brothers have been more so. They must be destroyed. As for Liu Piao he is a mere gossip, who need not cause the least anxiety. And Liu Pei is unfit for any heavy responsibility and will take no trouble over a light one. You may leave the State with perfect safety and make as long an expedition as you choose. Nothing will happen.”

“You speak well, O Fêng-hsiao,” said Tsʻao. He led his legions, heavy and light, to the edge of the desert, with many waggons.

The expedition marched into the desert. The rolling ocean of yellow sand spread its waves before them and they saw far and near the eddying sand pillars, and felt the fierce winds