Again arose the voice of the peevish Yüan Shu, "We high officials are too meek and yielding. Here is the petty follower of a small magistrate daring to flaunt his prowess before us! Expel him from the tent, I say."

But again Ts'ao Ts'ao interposed, "Shall we consider the station of him who has done a great service?"

"If you hold a mere magistrate in such honour then I simply withdraw," said Yuan Shu.

"Is a word enough to defeat a grand enterprise?" said Ts'ao Ts'ao.

He told Kungsun Tsan to lead his three companions back to their own camp and the other chiefs then dispersed. That night he secretly sent presents of flesh and wine to soothe the three after this adventure.

When Hua Hsiung's men straggled back and told the story of defeat and death Li Su was greatly distressed. He wrote urgent letters to his master who called in his trusted advisers to a council. Li Ju summed up the situation. "We have lost our best leader and the rebel power has thereby become very great. Yüan Shao is at the head of this confederacy and Yuan Wei of the same family is holder of high office in the government. If those in the capital combine with those in the country we may suffer. Therefore we must remove them. So I request you, Sir Minister, to place yourself at the head of your army and break this confederation."

Tung Cho agreed and at once ordered Li Ts'ui and Kuo Ssu to take half a company and surround the residence of Yüan Wei, the T'ai-fu, slay every soul, and hang the head of the high officer outside the gate as a trophy. And Cho commanded twenty legions to advance in two armies. The first five legions were under Li Ts'ui and Kuo Ssŭ and they were to hold Ssushui Pass. They should not necessarily fight. The other fifteen legions under Tung Cho himself went to Tigertrap Pass.

This Pass is fifty li from Loyang and as soon as they arrived Tung Cho bade Lü Pu take three legions and make a strong stockade on the outside of the Pass. The main body with Cho would occupy the Pass.

News of this movement reaching the confederate lords the chief summoned a council. Said Ts'ao Ts'ao, "The occupation of the Pass would cut our armies in two, therefore must we oppose Tung Cho's army on the way."

So eight of the confederate lords went in the direction of the Pass to oppose their enemy. Ts'ao Ts'ao and his men were a reserve to render help where needed.

Of the eight, the Prefect of Honei was the first to arrive and Lü Pu went to give battle with three companies of mailed horsemen.

On his head was a He wore a robe of

When Wang K'uang, Prefect of Honei, had ordered his army, horse and foot, in battle array he took his station under the great banner and looked over at his foe. There he saw Lü Pu, a conspicuous figure in front of the line. triple curved headdress of ruddy gold. Ssuch'uan silk embroidered with flowers and over that breast and back mail adorned with a gaping animal's head, joined by rings at the sides and girt to his waist with a belt fastened by a beautiful lion-head clasp. His bow and arrows were slung on his shoulders and he carried a trident-halberd (hua-chi). He was seated on his snorting steed "The Hare". Indeed he was the man among men, as his steed was the horse among horses.

"Who dares go out to fight him?" asked Wang K'uang turning to those behind him. In response a tried warrior named Fang spurred to the front, his spear set ready for battle. The two met: before the fifth bout Fang fell under a thrust of the halberd and Lü Pu dashed forward. Wang K'uang's men could not stand and scattered in all directions. Lü Pu went to and fro slaying all he met. He was quite irresistible.

Happily two other troops came up and rescued the wounded leader and his opponent retreated. The three having lost many men withdrew thirty li and made a stockade. And before long the remaining five lords came up and joined them. They held a council.

"This Lü Pu is irresistible," said they.

And while they sat there anxious and uncertain, it was announced that Lü Pu had returned to challenge them. Each mounted his horse and placed himself each body in its station on iofty cliffs. opposing army, innumerable horse and banners waving in the breeze.

the head of his force, Around them was the foot, their embroidered

They attacked. Mu Shun, a leader from Shangtang, rode out, but fell at the first encounter with Lü Pu. This frightened the others. Then galloped forth Wu An-kuo of the iron mace. Lü Pu whirling his halberd and urging on his steed came to meet him. The two fought, well matched for half a score bouts, when a blow from the halberd broke Wu An-kuo's wrist. Letting his mace fall to the ground he fled. Then all eight of the lords led forth their men to his rescue and Lü Pu retired. The fighting then ceased and after their return to camp another council met.

Ts'ao Ts'ao said, "No one can stand against the prowess of Lü Pu. Let us call up all the lords and evolve some good plan. If only Lü Pu were taken, his master could easily be killed."

While the council was in progress again came Lü Pu to challenge them and again they moved out against him. This time Kungsun Tsan, flourishing his spear, went to meet the

enemy. After a very few bouts Tsan turned and fled, Lü Pu following at the topmost speed of "The Hare."

"The Hare" was a thousand-li-a-day horse, swift as the wind. As they watched "The Hare" gained rapidly upon the flying horseman and his rider's spear was poised ready to strike Tsan just behind the heart. Just then dashed in a third rider with round glaring eyes and a bristling moustache, and armed with a long snake-like spear.

"Stay, O thrice named slave!" roared he, "I, Chang Fei, await you."

Seeing this opponent Lü Pu left the pursuit of Tsan and engaged the new adversary. Fei fought with all his energies. They two were worthily matched and they exchanged half a hundred bouts with no advantage to either side. Then Kuan Yü rode out with his huge and weighty moon-curved sword and attacked Lü Pu on the other flank. The three steeds stood like the letter T and their riders battered away at each other for nearly two score bouts, yet still Lü Pu stood firm. Then Liu Yüan-tê rode out to his brothers' aid, his double sword raised ready to strike. The steed with the flowing mane was urged in at an angle and now Lü Pu had to contend with three warriors at whom he struck one after another, and they at him, the flashing of the warriors' weapons looking like the revolving lamps suspended at the new year. And the spectators gazed rapt with amazement at such a battle.

But Lü Pu's guard began to weaken and fatigue seized him. Looking hard in the face of Yüan-tê he feigned a fierce thrust thus making him suddenly draw back. Then, lowering his halberd, Lü dashed through the angle thus opened and got away.

But was it likely they would allow him to escape? They whipped their steeds and followed hard. The men of the eight armies cracked their throats with thunderous cheers and all dashed forward, pressing after Lü Pu as he made for the shelter of the Pass. And first among his pursuers were the three heroic brothers.

An ancient poet has told of this famous fight in these lines:

The fateful day of Han came in the reigns of Huan and Ling,
Their glory declined as the sun sinks at the close of day.
Tung Cho, infamous minister of state, pulled down the youthful
sovereign from his throne.

It is true Liu Hsieh was a weakling, too timid for his times.
Then Ts'ao Ts'ao proclaimed abroad these wicked deeds,
And the great lords, moved with anger, assembled their forces.
In council met they and chose as their oath-chief Yüan Shao,
Pledged themselves to maintain the ruling house and tranquillity.
Of the warriors of that time peerless Lü Pu was the boldest.
His valour and prowess are sung by all within the four seas.
He clothed his body in silver armour like the scales of a dragon,
On his head was a golden headdress, fastened with a massive pin,

About his waist a shaggy belt, the clasp, two wild beasts' heads with gripping jaws,

His flowing, broidered robe fluttered about his form,

His swift courser bounded over the plain, a mighty wind following,
His terrible halberd flashed in the sunlight, bright as a placid lake.
Who dared face him as he rode forth to challenge?

The bowels of the confederate lords were torn with fear and their
hearts trembled within them.

Then leaped forth Chang Fei, the valiant warrior of the north,
Gripped in his mighty hand the long snakelike spear,

His moustache bristled with anger, standing stiff like wire.
His round eyes glared, lightning flashes darted from them.
Neither quailed in the fight, but the issue was undecided.
Kuan Yün-ch'ang stood out in front, his soul vexed within him,
Black Dragon his sword shone white as hoar frost in the sunlight,
His bright coloured fighting robe fluttered like butterfly wings,
Demons and angels shrieked at the thunder of his horse hoofs,
In his eyes was fierce anger, a fire to be quenched only in blood.
Next Yuan-tê joined the battle, gripping his twin sword blades,
The heavens themselves trembled at the majesty of his wrath.
These three closely beset Lü Pu and long drawn out was the battle,
Always he warded their blows, never faltering a moment.
The noise of their shouting rose to the sky, and the earth
re-echoed it,

The heat of battle ranged to the frozen pole star.

Worn out, feeling his strength fast ebbing, Lü Pu thought to flee,
He glanced at the hills around and thither would fly for shelter,
Then, reversing his halberd and lowering its lofty point,

Hastily he fled, loosing himself from the battle;

With head low bent, he gave the rein to his courser,

Turned his face away and fled to Hulaokuan.

The three brothers maintained the pursuit to the Pass. Looking up they saw an immense umbrella of black gauze fluttering in the west wind.

"Certainly there is Tung Cho," cried Chang Fei. "What is the use of pursuing Lü Pu? Better far seize the chief rebel and so pluck up the evil by the roots."

And he whipped up his steed toward the Pass.

To quell rebellion seize the leader if you can;

If you need a wondrous service then first find a wondrous man.

The following chapters will unfold the result of the battle.

CHAPTER VI.

BURNING THE CAPITAL, TUNG CHO COMMITS AN ATROCITY: HIDING THE SEAL, SUN CHIEN BREAKS FAITH.

Chang Fei rode hard up to the Pass but the defenders sent

down stones and arrows like rain so that he could not enter and he returned. The eight lords all joined in felicitations to the three heroes for their services and the story of victory was sent to Yuan Shao, who ordered Sun Chien to advance.

Thereupon Sun with two trusty friends went over to the camp of Yuan Shu. Tracing figures on the ground with his staff Sun Chien said, " Tung Cho and I had no personal quarrel. Yet now I have thrown myself into the battle regardless of consequences, exposed my person to the risk of wounds and fought bloody battles to their bitter end. And why? That I might be the means of ridding my country of a rebel and-for the private advantage of your family. Yet you, heeding the slanderous tongues of certain enemies, formerly withheld the supplies absolutely necessary to me, and so I suffered defeat. How can you explain, General?"

Yüan Shu, confused and frightened, had no word to reply. He ordered the death of the slanderers to placate Sun.

Then suddenly they told Sun, "Some officer has come riding down from the Pass to see you, General; he is in the camp."

Sun Chien therefore took his leave and returned to his own camp where he found the visitor was an officer, much beloved of Tung Cho, named Li Ts‘ui.

"Wherefore come you?" said Chien.

He replied, "You are the one person for whom my master has respect and admiration, and he sends me to arrange a matrimonial alliance between the two families. He wishes that his daughter may become the wife of your son."

"What! Tung Cho, that rebel and renegade, that subverter of the throne! Would that I could destroy his nine generations as a thank-offering to the Empire! Think you I would be willing to have an alliance with such a family? I will not slay you as I ought, but go, and go quickly! Yield the Pass and I may spare your lives. If you delay I will grind your bones to powder and make mincemeat of your flesh."

Li Ts'ui threw his arms over his head and ran out. He returned to his master and told him what a rude reception he had met with. Cho asked his adviser Li Ju how to reply to this and he said that as Lü Pu's late defeat had somewhat blunted the edge of his desire for battle it would be well to