Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/93

 Chien replied, “Brother, say no more. I desire to make my strength felt everywhere and shall I not avenge my injuries?”

“Then father, if you must go, let me accompany you,” said the eldest son.

His request was granted, and father and son embarked to go to ravage Fanch‘êng.

Now Huang Tsu had placed archers and crossbowmen along the river bank. When the ships approached a flight of arrows met them. Sun ordered his men to remain under cover in the ships, which then sailed to and fro drawing the fire for three days. Several times a landing was tried, but showers of arrows repulsed each attempt. At last the arrows of the defenders were all shot away and Sun, who collected them, found he had many myriads. Then with a fair wind Sun’s men shot them back at the enemy. Those on the bank were thrown into great disorder and retired. The army then landed and two divisions set out for Huang Tsu’s camp along different roads. Between them marched Han Tang and under this triple attack Huang Tsu was worsted. He left Fanch‘êng and hastened to Têngch‘êng.

Leaving the ships under the command of Huang Kai, Sun led the pursuing force. Huang Tsu came out of his city and drew up for battle in the open country. When Sun had disposed his army he rode out to the standard. His son, clad in armour, placed himself beside his father.

Huang Tsu rode out with two captains Chang Hu and Ch‘ên Shêng. Flourishing his whip, the chief abused his enemy, “You swarm of rebels from Chiangtung, why do you invade the land of a scion of the ruling house?”

Chang Hu challenged to combat and Han Tang went out to accept. The two champions fought two score bouts and then Ch‘ên Shêng, seeing his fellow captain becoming exhausted, rode to his aid. Sun Chien saw him coming, laid aside his spear, reached for his bow and shot an arrow wounding Ch‘ên Shêng in the face. He fell from his horse. Panic seized upon Chang at the fall of his comrade and he could no longer defend himself. Then Han Tang with a slash of his sword clove his skull in twain.

Both having fallen, Ch‘êng P‘u galloped up to make prisoner of Huang Tsu, who threw off his helmet, slipped from his steed and mingled for safety among his men. Sun Chien led on the attack and drove the enemy to the Han water, where he ordered Huang Kai to make an immediate attack on Hanchiang.

Huang Tsu led his defeated men back and told Liu Piao they were nomatch for Sun Chien. K‘uai Liang was called in to advise and he said, “Our newly defeated men have no heart for fighting now. Therefore we must fortify our position, while we seek help from Yüan Shao. Then we can extricate ourselves.”