Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/387

 screen just now and so heard the words of Liu P'ei. They betray scant regard for other people and mean that he would take your country if he could. If you do not remove him it will go ill with you."

Her husband made no reply, but only shook his head. Then the Lady Ts'ai took counsel with her kinsman Ts'ai Mao, who said, "Let me go to the guest-house and slay him forthwith, and we can report what we have done."

His sister consented and he went out, and that night told off a party of soldiers to do the foul deed.

Now Yüan-tê sat in his lodging by the light of a single candle till about the third watch, when he prepared to retire to bed. He was startled by a knock at his door and in came I Chi, who had heard of the plot against his new master and had come in the darkness to warn him. He related the details of the plot and urged speedy departure.

"I have not said farewell to my host; how can I go away?" said Liu P'ei.

"If you go to bid him farewell you will fall a victim to the Ts'ai faction," said I Chi.

So Yüan-tê said a hasty good-bye to his friend, called up his escort and they all mounted and rode away by the light of the stars toward Hsinyeh. Soon after they had left the soldiers arrived at the guest-house, but their intended victim was already well on his way.

Naturally the failure of the plot chagrined the treacherous Ts'ai Mao, but he took the occasion to scribble some calumnious verses on one of the partitions. Then he went to see Liu Piao to whom he said, "Liu P'ei has treacherous intentions, as can be seen from some lines written on the wall. And his hurried departure is suspicious."

Liu Piao felt doubtful, but he went to the guest-house and there on the wall he read this poem:

Greatly angered by what he read, Liu Piao drew his sword and swore to slay the writer. But before he had gone many paces his anger had already died down and he said to himself, "I have seen much of the man, but have never known him write verses. This is the handiwork of some one who wishes to sow discord between us."

So saying he turned back and with the point of his sword scraped away the poem. Then, putting up his sword, he mounted and rode home. By and bye Ts'ai Mao reminded him that the soldiers were awaiting orders and asked whether they could go to Hsinyeh and arrest Liu P'ei.

"There is no hurry," he replied.