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and led into the presence of the Lady Sun and presently gave her the secret letter. When she read that her mother was in danger of death she began to weep bitterly and questioned the messenger closely. Chou invented a long story that the Dowager was really fretting for a sight of her daughter and if she did not go quickly it would be too late. He added that she was to take little O-tou with her that her mother might see him once before she died.

The Lady Sun replied, "You know that the Imperial Uncle is far away on military service and I ought to inform the chief of the army before returning home."

"But what will you do if he says he must inform your husband and await his consent?" said Chou.

"If I went without asking permission-but I fear that is impossible."

"My ships are all ready in the river and you have only to drive through the city," said Chou.

Naturally the news of her mother's illness greatly disturbed the young wife. In a short time her carriage was ready and she mounted, taking O-tou with her. She took an escort of thirty men, all armed, and was soon at the river side and had embarked before the palace people could report what she was doing. But just as the ships were starting, a voice was heard, shouting, "Do not start yet; let me bid my lady farewell."

The voice was Chao Yün's; he had just returned from an inspection trip and they had at once told him of Lady Sun's sudden departure. As soon as he had recovered from his surprise he dashed down to the river bank like a whirlwind, with only half a dozen followers. He arrived only just in time; the boat was starting and Chou Shan stood in the prow, a long spear in his hand.

"Who are you that you dare hinder the movements of your mistress?" cried Chou.

Chou bade his men cast off and get under way, and also to prepare their weapons to fight. The ship moved off with a fair wind and a strong current beneath her keel.

But Chao Yün followed along the bank. "My lady may go or not as she pleases," cried he, "but I have one word to say to her."

Chou Shan turned a deaf ear and only urged his men to get greater speed on the ship. Chao Yün followed down the bank for some ten or more li. Then he saw a fishing boat made fast to the bank. He at once dismounted, cast off the rope, took his spear and leaped into the boat. Then he made the two men row him toward the vessel in which sat Lady Sun. As he approached, the men of Wu threatened him with their spears. Thereupon he threw his spear into the bottom of the boat, drew the glittering steel blade he wore, dashed aside the opposing spears and leaped upon the larger vessel. The men

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of Wu fell back in surprise and fear, and Chao went down into the body of the ship. There sat the Lady Sun with little O-tou in her arms.

"Why this rude intrusion?" said she angrily.

The warrior sheathed his sword and said humbly, "Whither may my mistress be going, and why goes she privily?"

"My mother is ill and on the point of death; I had no time to inform any person of my departure," said the Lady Sun. "But why take the young master if you are going merely to see a sick person?" said Chao.

"O-tou is my son and I would not leave him behind to be neglected."

"Mistress, you have acted wrongly. My lord has but this one son of his body and I rescued him from among many legions in the great battle at Ch'angpan Slope. There is no reason for you to take him away.”

The Lady Sun took refuge in anger. "You leave my family affairs alone, you common soldier," cried she.

"My lady, if you will go, then go, but leave the young master behind."

"You are a rebel, jumping on board the ship like that!" shrieked the Lady Sun.

"If you will not leave the young lord behind I refuse to let you go, come what may," said Chao.

The Lady Sun called in her maids to seize him, but he just pushed them off. Then he took the boy from her arms and ran out to the prow of the ship. He tried to get the vessel in to the bank, but no one would aid him, and he thought it would be wrong to begin to slay indiscriminately. He knew not what to do in such a quandary. And the Lady Sun was screaming to her maids to take the boy away from Chao. But he kept too firm a grip on the child, and the good sword in his other hand kept every one at bay.

Chou Shan was at the helm, giving all his attention to getting the ship out into the current and away down the river. He steered for the middle of the stream, where the wind was strong. Chao Yün, one hand taken up with holding the boy, was quite unable to get the vessel in toward the shore.

Just as things looked most desperate, Chao saw a string of ships filing out from a creek lower down the stream, flags fluttering and drums beating. He thought that certainly all was over and he was about to fall a victim to a stratagem of Wu, when he noticed a mighty warrior standing in the prow of the leading craft. He was armed with a long spear, and it was Chang Fei. He also shouted to his sister-in-law to leave the child.

Chang Fei had been out scouting when he heard the news of his sister-in-law's sudden departure, and he at once made for the Yu River with the intention of intercepting her flight.

He had arrived just in the nick of time to cut off the ships of Wu. Very soon, sword in hand, he had boarded the vessel. As he came on board Chou drew his sword and advanced toward him, but one sweep of Chang's blade laid him on the deck dead. And the grim warrior flung his head at the feet of the Lady Sun.

"Why this very unseemly behaviour?" cried the Lady Sun, now quite frightened.

"Sister," said Chang, "you thought very little of my brother when you set out on this mad journey. That was behaving rudely."

"My mother is very ill; it is a matter of life and death," cried she. "If I had waited for your brother's permission to go I should have been too late. If you do not let me go now

I will throw myself into the river."

The two soldiers took counsel together. It was hardly the correct thing for servants to force their lord's wife into committing suicide. Suppose they kept the child and let the vessel go.

Then they said, "O Lady, we cannot allow the wife of our exalted brother to die a death of shame and so we will take our leave. We trust you will not forget our brother and that you will return quickly.'

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Taking the child with them they left the vessel, and the five ships of Wu continued their voyage down stream. One poet has praised the conduct of Chao Yün:

Some years before, Chao saved O-tou,

What time his mother died;

Again like service he performs,

Upon the Yangtse's tide.

The men of Wu all in the ship,
Were stricken down with fear,
Search all the world, you never find
Of bold Chao Yün the peer.

Another has eulogised Chang Fei:

At Long Slope Bridge,
With rage Fei boiled,
Like wild beast roared,
And men recoiled.

From danger now

His prince is saved.
On history's page
His name is graved.

Quite satisfied with their success the two warriors sailed homeward. Before they had gone far they met K'ung-ming with a squadron of ships. He was very pleased to find they had recovered the child and they three joyfully returned to Chingchou, whence an account of the whole adventure was written to Liu Pei.

When the Lady Sun reached her home she related the story of the death of Chou Shan and the carrying off of the child. Naturally Sun Ch'üan was very wrath at the miscarriage of his scheme and he resolved to attack Chingchou in revenge for his messenger's murder.

"Now that my sister has returned home there is no longer any family tie to prevent the attack, and I will take full measure of revenge for the death of my henchman," said Sun. So he called the council to consider the expedition.

But before they could decide upon any plan_their_deliberations were suddenly cut short by the news that Ts'ao Ts'ao was coming down upon the south with forty legions, burning to avenge his defeat at Ch'ihpi (Red Wall). All thoughts now turned toward repelling his attack.

The Recorder Chang Hung, who had retired to his home ill, had just died and his testament was sent to his lord to read. Therein he advised Sun Ch'üan to remove the seat of government to Moling, where the scenery seemed to bear the impress of kingly dignity, befitting a man who cherished the ambition. of founding an enduring dynasty. Sun read this document out to his councillors at this meeting, not without some tears in memory of the writer. He told them he could not withstand such advice, and he at once gave orders to surround with a wall the city which he intended henceforth to make his capital.

As a protection against Ts'ao the Admiral Lu Mêng proposed building a rampart at Port Juhsü. Some other officers opposed this, saying, "When the enemy appears you will have to land in order to attack him, and after that you will return to your ships. What is the use of a rampart?"

If an

Lü Mêng replied, "One must prepare against possibilities. Soldiers vary in keenness and sometimes lose battles. urgent occasion arises the men may be unable to reach the water's edge, and how then are they to embark? They will then need shelter."

Sun Ch'üan said, "Provision against eventualities, such as he proposes, is good. Against a distant risk provide, and sorrow walks not by your side."

So they sent many legions of men to build ramparts at Juhsü, and as the work ceased not day or night the wall was soon completed.

In the capital Ts'ao Ts'ao's influence and glory waxed daily greater. Tung Chao proposed that the title of Kung (Duke) should be conferred upon him. He said, "In all history no one has rendered such services as you have, O Minister, not even Duke Chou or Lü Wang. These thirty years you have exposed yourself to all risks, been combed by the wind and bathed by the rain' and you have swept evil from the land, succoured the distressed and restored the Hans. Who of all statesmen can rank with you? It would be fitting for you to become the

Duke of Wei and receive the Nine Gifts, that your merit and virtue be known to all.”

Now the Nine Gifts, or signs of honour, were:

Chariots and Horses (gilt chariots and war chariots drawn by eight horses);

Court Dress;

Music at Banquets, etc.;

Red Doors;

Steps to the Daïs;

Guards (300 at the gates);

Axes;

Bow and Arrows (red-lacquered bow with 100 arrows);
Libation Vessels.

However, all the courtiers were not of one mind. Said Hsün Yü, "This should not be done, O Minister. You raised a force by an appeal to the innate sense of righteousness of the people, and with that force you restored the Han authority. Now you should remain loyal and humble. The virtuous man loves men with a virtuous love and would not act in this way." Ts'ao Ts'ao did not take this opposition kindly. Tung Chao said, "How can we disappoint the hopes of many because of the words of one?"

So a memorial went to the Throne and Ts'ao's ambitions and desires were gratified with the title of Duke of Wei. The Nine Gifts were added.

"I did not think to see this day," said Hsün, sighing.

This remark was repeated to the newly created Duke and angered him. He took it to mean that Hsün Yü would no longer aid him or favour his designs.

In the winter of the seventeenth year, Ts'ao decided to send an army to conquer Wu, and he ordered Hsün Yü to go with it. Hsün Yü understood from this that Ts'ao wished his death, so he declined the appointment on the plea of illness. While he was at home he received one day a box such as one sent with presents of dainties. It was addressed in Ts'ao's own handwriting. Opening it he found therein nothing. He understood; he took poison and died. He was fifty-two years of age.

Wên-jo's talents were to all men known,

'Twas sad that at the door of power he tripped.
Posterity is wrong to class him with the noble Liu,
For, nearing death, he dared not face his lord of Han.

News of his death came to Ts'ao in the form of the ordinary letter of mourning. Then he was sorry and gave orders for an imposing funeral. He also obtained for the dead man the posthumous title of Marquis.

The northern army reached Juhsü, whence he sent a reconnaisance of three legions down to the river. On the river he saw displayed a fleet of ships all arranged in admirable order,

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