Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/388

 Ts'ai Mao saw his brother-in-law's hesitation and again sought his sister. She said, "Soon there is to be the great gathering at Hsiangyang and we can arrange something for that day."

Next day Ts'ai Mao petitioned the Prefect, saying, "I pray you, Sir, to attend the Full Harvest Festival at Hsiangyang; it would be an encouragement to the people."

"I have been feeling my old trouble lately; I certainly cannot go," replied he, "but my two sons can go to represent me and receive the guests."

"They are full young," replied Mao, "They may make some mistakes."

"Then go to Hsinyeh and request Liu P'ei to receive the guests," said Piao.

Nothing could have pleased Ts'ai Mao more, for this would bring Liu P'ei within reach of his plot. Without loss of time he sent to Yüan-tê requesting him to go to preside at the Festival.

It has been said that Yüan-tê made the best of his way home to Hsinyeh. He felt that he had offended by that slip in speech, but determined to keep silence about it and attempt no explanation.

So he discussed it with nobody. Then came the message asking him to preside at the Festival, and he needed counsel.

Sun Ch'ien said, "You have seemed worried and preoccupied lately and I think something untoward happened at Chingchou. You should consider well before you accept this invitation."

Thereupon Yüan-tê told his confidants the whole story.

Kuan Yü said, "You yourself think your speech offended the Prefect, but he said nothing to show displeasure. You need pay no attention to the babble of outsiders. Hsiangyang is quite near and, if you do not go, Liu Chinchou will begin to suspect something really is wrong."

"You speak well," said Yüan-tê.

Said Chang Fei, "Banquets are no good; gatherings are no better; it is best not to go."

"Let me take three hundred horse and foot as escort; there will be no trouble then," said Chao Yün.

"That is the best course," said Yüan-tê.

They soon set out for the gathering place and Ts'ai Mao met them at the boundary and was most affable and courteous. Soon arrived the Prefect's sons at the head of a great company of officers, civil and military. Their appearance put Yüan-tê more at ease. He was conducted to the guest-house and Chao Yün posted his men so as to guard it completely, while he himself, armed, remained close to his chief.

Liu Ch'i said to Yüan-tê, “My father is feeling unwell and could not come, wherefore he begs you, Uncle Liu, to preside at the various ceremonies and conduct the inspections."