Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/95

 his escort and soon he found himself alone and close to the enemy. He called out to them to halt. Lü at once turned back and came as if to fight. But they had only exchanged a single pass when he again fled, taking the road among the hills. Sun followed but soon lost sight of his foe.

Sun turned up the hill. Then the gongs clanged and down the hills fell showers of stones, while from among the trees the arrows flew in clouds. Sun was hit by several arrows and a huge stone crushed in his head. Both he and his steed were killed. And so his life ended at the age of thirty seven.

His escort was overpowered and every man of them slain. Then Lü let off a series of bombs, the sign of success, as agreed. At this signal three armies came out of the city and fell upon the Chiangtung men, throwing them into the utmost confusion.

When Huang Kai heard the sound of battle he led up the men from the ships. He met Huang Tsu and took him prisoner after a brief fight.

Ch‘êng P‘u set out tobear the sad news to Sun Ts‘ê. While he was seeking a way out he came across Lü Kung. He at once put his horse at full speed and engaged him. After a few bouts Lü went down under a spear thrust. The battle became general and continued till daylight broke, when each drew off his army. Liu Piao withdrew into the city and when Sun Ts‘ê returned to the river he heard that his father had perished in the fight, and his body had been carried within the enemy’s walls. He uttered a great cry and the army joined him with wailing and tears.

“How can I return home leaving my father’s corpse with them?” cried Sun Ts‘ê.

Huang Kai said, “We have Huang Tsu as our prisoner. Let one enter the city and discuss peace, giving up our prisoner for our lord’s body.”

He had barely finished speaking when Huang K‘ai offered himself as messenger saying he was an old friend of Liu Piao. So he went and peace was discussed. Liu Piao told him the body was already laid in a coffin and ready to be delivered as soon as Huang Tsu returned. “Let us both cease fighting and never again invade each other’s district,” said he.

HuanHuang [sic] K‘ai thanked him and took his leave. But as he went down the steps K‘uai Liang suddenly broke in, saying, “No, No! Let me speak and I will see to it that not a single breastplate returns. I pray you first put this man to death and then employ my means.”

The fate of the ambassador will be disclosed in a later chapter.