Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/389

 "Really I am unfit for such responsibilities," said Yüan-tê, "But my brother's command must be obeyed."

Next day it was reported that the officials from the forty-one departments of the nine districts had all arrived.

Then Ts'ai Mao said to K'uai Yüeh, "This Liu P'ei is the villain of the age and if left alive will certainly work harm to us. He must be got rid of now."

"I fear you would forfeit everybody's favour if you harmed him," replied K'uai.

"I have already secretly spoken in these terms to Prefect Liu," said Ts'ai, “and I have his word here."

"So it may be regarded as settled; then we can prepare."

Ts'ai Mao said, "One of my brothers is posted on the road to the Hsien Hills from the east gate and the others are on the north and south roads. No guard is needed on the west as the T'an Torrent is quite safeguard enough. Even with legions he could not get over that."

K'uai replied, "I notice that Chao Yün never leaves him. I feel sure he expects some attack."

"I have placed five hundred men in ambush in the city."

"We will tell Wên P'ing and Wang Wei to invite all the military officers to a banquet at one of the pavilions outside the city, and Chao Yün will be among them. Then will be our opportunity."

Ts'ai Mao thought this a good device for getting Chao Yün out of the way.

Now oxen and horses had been slaughtered and a grand banquet prepared. Yüan-tê rode to the residence on the horse of ill omen and when he arrived the steed was led into the back part of the enclosure and tethered there. Soon the guests arrived and Yüan-tê took his place as master of the feast, with the two sons of the Prefect, one on each side. The guests were all arranged in order of rank. Chao Yün stood near his lord sword in hand as a faithful henchman should do.

Then Wên and Wang came to invite Chao Yün to the banquet they had prepared for the military officers. But he declined. However, Yüan-tê told him to go, and, after some demur, he went. Then Ts'ai Mao perfected his final arrangements, placing his men surrounding the place like a ring of iron. The three hundred guards that formed the escort of Yüan-tê were sent away to the guest-house.

All were ready and awaiting the signal. At the third course, I Chi took a goblet of wine in his hands and approached Yüan-tê, at the same time giving him a meaning look. Then in a low voice he said, "Make an excuse to get away."

Yüan-tê understood and presently rose as if stiff with long sitting and went outside. There he found I Chi, who had gone