Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/56

 “There is one service you can do, and an extremely easy one to perform; but you would not render that.”

Lü Pu pondered long in silence. Then he said, “I might slay Ting Yüan and bring over his soldiers to Tung Cho’s side; what think you of that?”

“If you would do that, there could be no greater service. But such a thing must be done quickly.”

And Lü Pu promised his friend that he would do the deed and come over on the morrow.

So Li Su took his leave. That very night, at the second watch, Lü Pu entered, sword in hand, into his master’s tent. He found Ting Yüan reading by the light of a solitary candle. Seeing who came in he said, “My son, what is afoot?”

“I am a bold hero,” said Pu, “do you think I am willing to be a son of yours?”

“Why this change, Fêng-hsien?”

As a reply Lü Pu made one cut at his protector and his head fell to the earth. Then he called the attendants and said, “He was an unjust man and I have slain him. Let those who back me stay; the others may depart.”

Most ran away. Next day, with the head of the murdered man as his gift, Lü Pu betook himself to Li Su, who led him to Tung Cho. Cho received him with a warm welcome and had wine set before him.

“Your coming is welcome as the gentle dew to the parched grass,” said Tung Cho.

Lü Pu made Cho seat himself and then made his obeisance, saying, “Pray let me bow to you as my adopted father.”

Tung Cho gave his newly won ally gold and armour and silken robes and spread the feast of welcome. They then separated.

Thence Tung Cho’s power and influence increased rapidly. He gave ranks of nobility to his brother and Lü Pu, who were leaders of the two wings, he himself being leader of the centre. The adviser Li Ju never ceased from urging him to carry out the design of deposing the young Emperor.

The now all-powerful general prepared a banquet in the capital at which all the officers of State were guests. He also bade Lü Pu post a company of armed men right and left ready for action. The feast began and several courses were served with nothing to distinguish that banquet from any other. Then suddenly the host arose and drew his sword, saying, “He who is above us being weak and irresolute is unfit for the duties of his high place. Wherefore I, as of old did I Yin and Ho Kuang, will set aside this Emperor giving him the title of Prince Hung-nung and I will place on the throne the present Prince of Ch‘ên-liu. And those who do not support me will suffer death.”