Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/88

 Kêng Wu sighed, “Ichou is lost!” said he.

When the news got abroad two score of officers of Ichou left their employment and the city. However Kêng and Kuan hid in the suburbs to await the arrival of Yüan Shao.

They had not long to wait. Soon Yüan Shao with his soldiers came and the two men tried to assassinate him. This attempt failed. Yen Liang killed one of them and Wên Ch‘ou the other. Thus both died and the object of their hatred entered the prefecture.

His first act was to confer on Han Fu a high sounding title, but the administration was entrusted to four of his own confidants who speedily deprived the Prefect of all power. Full of chagrin Han soon abandoned all, even his family, and took refuge with the Prefect of Ch‘ênliu.

Hearing of Shao’s invasion Kungsun Tsan sent his brother, Yüeh, to see the usurper and demand his share of the district. The brother was sent back to request Kungsun himself to come, but on the homeward road he was killed by assassins who loudly proclaimed they belonged to the Minister, Tung Cho. Those of his followers who escaped carried the news to their late master’s brother.

Kungsun Tsan was very angry and said, “He prevailed on me to attack and now he has taken possession. Also he pretends the murderers of my brother were not his men. Shall I not avenge my brother’s injury?”

Then he brought up all his force to the attack. Yüan sent out his army and they met at P‘anho. They halted on opposite sides of a stream, over which was a bridge. Kungsun Tsan took his station on the bridge and cried to his enemy, “Renegade, how dared you mislead me?”

Yüan rode to his end of the bridge and, pointing at Kungsun Tsan, replied, “Han Fu yielded place to me because he was unequal to the rule. What concern is it of yours?”

Kungsun replied, “Formerly you were regarded as loyal and public spirited and we chose you chief of the confederacy. Now your deeds prove you cruel and base, wolf-hearted and currish in behaviour. How can you look the world in the face?”

“Who will capture him?” cried Yüan in a rage.

At once Wên Ch‘ou rode out with his spear set. Kungsun Tsan rode down the bridge to the enemy’s side, where the two engaged. Half a score bouts showed Tsan he had met his master so he drew off. The enemy came on. Tsan took refuge within his formation, but Wên Ch‘ou cut his way in and rode this way and that, slaying right and left. The four best of Tsan’s captains offered joint battle, but one fell under the first stroke of the doughty warrior and the other three fled, Wên Ch‘ou following clear through to the rear of the army.