Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/67



t the close of the last chapter Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s companion was about to slay him. But the memory of why he had decided to join his fortunes with his companion’s stayed his hand. Rising from his bed before dawn he mounted his horse and rode away toward his home in the east. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao awoke with the day and missed his companion. Thought he, “He thinks me brutal because of a couple of egoistic phrases I used and so he has gone. I ought to push on too and not linger here.”

So he travelled as quickly as possible toward home. When he saw his father he related what had happened and said he wanted to dispose of all the property and enlist soldiers with the money.

“Our possessions are but small”; said his father, “and not enough to do anything with. However, there is a graduate here, one Wei Hung, careless of wealth but careful of virtue, whose family is very rich. With his help we might hope for success.”

A feast was prepared and the rich man invited. Ts‘ao made him a speech:—“The Hans have lost their lordship and Tung Cho is really a tyrant. He flouts his prince and is cruel to the people, who gnash their teeth with rage. I would restore the Hans but my means are insufficient. Sir, I appeal to your loyalty and public-spirit.”

He replied, “I have long desired this but, so far, have not found a man fit to undertake the task. Since you, Meng-tê, have so noble a desire I willingly devote all my property to the cause.”

This was joyful news and the call to arms was forthwith prepared and sent far and near. So they established a corps of volunteers and set up a large white recruiting banner with the words “Loyalty and Right” inscribed thereon. The response was rapid and volunteers came in like rain drops in number.

One day came a certain Yo Chin, whose minor name was Wên-ch‘ien, and another Li Tien, also known as Man-ch‘êng. These two were appointed to Ts‘ao’s personal staff. Another was one Hsiahou Tun. He was descended from Hsiahou Ying