give Yang Sung the chance to carry out his treacherous scheme, he persuaded his master to go out and fight, leaving him to defend the city. Chang Lu took this advice, although it was opposed by Yen Pu, and went out. But before his van got near the enemy, his rear ranks began to desert, and Chang retreated. Ts'ao pursued him to the city walls, where Chang found the gates shut against him. There being now no way open, Chang dismounted, prostrated himself and gave in. Because of this and his care of the public property, Ts'ao treated him with great kindness and consoled him with the title of General, "Guardian of the South." Yen Pu and many others also were enrolled among the nobles. To each district was appointed a military officer styled Tu-yü, in addition to the Prefect. All the soldiers were feasted and rewarded.

Then the traitor Yang Sung, who had sold his master, came and sued for honours. He was condemned to public execution and exposure.

To harm the wise and compass the death of one's lord may appear signal service,

But the gains thereof are vanity;

No glory clings to the house of him who dies a shameful death;
Wherefore Yang Sung is an object of contempt forever.

When the eastern Ch'üan was quite subdued the Recorder Ssuma I said, "The men of Shu are against Liu Pei because of his treatment of the late ruler, Liu Chang, and if on the strength of your present success you press forward, Liu Pei will become as a shattered tile. The wise man takes the occasion when it serves and this should not be missed."

Ts'ao Ts'ao sighed. "There is no end; now that I have Shênsi I am forced into taking Shu."

Liu Hua supported Ssuma I, saying he spoke well. "If you delay, Chuko Liang will have become minister, while Kuan Yü, Chang Fei and the other bold warriors will be at the head of the army. If the man of Shu once settle down, and the points of vantage are held, you will not be able to overcome them." Ts'ao replied, "My men have marched far and suffered much; beside we must show pity."

Wherefore he rested his army for a time. Meanwhile the populace of West Shu, having heard of Ts'ao's success, concluded that they would suffer next, and fear spread among them. Whereupon Yüan-tê called in the Commander-in-chief and asked his advice. He replied that he could make Ts'ao Ts'ao retreat of his own accord.

"A part of Ts'ao Ts'ao's army is camped at Hofei because of the fear of Sun Ch'üan. If now we restore those three districts they desire so greatly, and send a specious person to talk, we can make Sun Ch'üan attack Hofei, which will lead to Ts'ao going southward."

"Who is a fit person for the messenger?" said Yüan-tê. And I Chi replied, "I will go."

Yüan-tê, well satisfied, wrote letters and prepared gifts, with which I Chi went, calling in at Chingchou on the way to tell Kuan Yü. Then he went on to Moling and saw Sun Ch'üan. After the greetings, Sun Ch'üan asked on what business he had

come.

I Chi replied, "On a former occasion Chuko Chin would. have had the three districts but for the absence of the Commander-in-chief, which prevented the actual transfer. Now I am the bearer of letters giving them back to you. Chingchou, Nanchün and Moling were meant to be restored, and now that Ts'ao Ts'ao has got possession of Eastern Ch'uan they are no place for General Kuan. Hofei is empty and we hope you will attack it so as to make Ts'ao Ts'ao withdraw to the south and let my master take East Ch'uan, when he will restore the whole of the Chingchou district."

"Go back to the guest-house and let me take counsel in this. matter," said Sun Ch'üan.

As soon as I Chi had gone, the marquis turned to his officers and asked what should be done.

Chang Chao said, "All this is because Liu Pei fears that Ts'ao Ts'ao will attack him. However, since Ts'ao is absent in Hanchung it would be well to seize the opportunity and attack Hofei."

Sun Ch'üan accepted the advice. After he had sent the messenger away he began to prepare for the expedition. He left Lu Su in command over the three districts of Changsha, Chianghsia and Kueiyang. Then he encamped at Luk'ou, and withdrew Lü Mêng and Kan Ning and sent to Hangchou (Yühang) for Ling T'ung.

Very soon, Lü Mêng and Kan Ning returned, and the former suggested a plan, saying, "Ts'ao Ts'ao has sent Chu Kuang, Prefect of Luchiang, to camp at Huanch'êng and plant grain for the supply of Hofei. Let us first take Huanch'êng and then attack Hofei."

"This scheme is just after my own heart," said Sun Ch'üan. So he made dispositions accordingly, he himself with several generals, commanding the centre. But the famous warriors Ch'êng P'u, Huang Kai and Han Tang were not called to take part in this expedition as they were guarding certain especial places.

The army crossed the river and captured Hochou on the way. The Prefect of Huanchou sent an urgent message to Hofei for help and set himself to strengthen his fortifications for a siege. Sun Ch'üan went very near the city to observe its defence, and a flight of arrows greeted him, some striking his great official parasol. He went back to camp and asked his officers to offer plans of attack.

Then Tung Hsi said, "Pile up great hills of earth and attack from the summits."

Said Hsü Shêng, "Set up long ladders and construct platforms whence you can look over the city walls and thus attack."

But Lü Mêng said, "All such plans need a long time to prepare, and in the meantime the soldiers will arrive from Hofei. Do not try such long-drawn-out schemes, but take advantage of the fine, fresh spirit of our newly arrived men and attack impetuously. Their élan will carry the wall. If you attack to-morrow at dawn the city will fall before noon."

So the early meal was taken at the fifth watch and the army went to the attack. The defenders sent down showers of arrows and stones. Kan Ning took an iron chain in his hand and climbed up the wall. They shot at him with bows and crossbows, but he turned aside the arrows and bolts and he threw the chain round the Prefect Chu Kuang to pull him down. Lü Mêng beat the drum for the attack. The soldiers made a rush forward to climb the wall, and they slew Chu Kuang. His officers and soldiers gave in, and so the city fell to Sun Ch'üan. It was still a long time to noon.

In the meantime Chang Liao was marching to the aid of the city. Half-way he heard that the city had fallen, and so he returned to Hofei.

Soon after the conqueror's entry into Huanch'êng, Ling T'ung came there with his army. The next few days were devoted to feasting the army. Especial rewards were given to the two captains who had done such good work at the capture, and at the banquet to the officers Kan Ning was seated in the seat of honour, which his colleague, Lü Mêng, readily yielded to him for his late prowess.

But as the cup of felicitation was passing round, Ling T'ung's thoughts turned to the enmity he bore Kan Ning for having slain his father, and the praises which Lü Mêng now heaped upon him filled Ling's heart with bitterness. For some time he glared savagely at Kan Ning, and then he determined on revenge. Drawing his sword, he suddenly rose to his feet and cried, "There is nothing to amuse the assembly. I will give them a display of swordsmanship."

Kan Ning quickly saw his real intention. He pushed back his table and laid hold of a ch'i (halberd) in each hand, crying, "And you may also watch an adept in the use of this weapon.' Lü Mêng saw the evil meaning of both, and assuming his sword and shield he hastily stepped between the two warriors, saying, "Neither of you gentlemen is so dexterous as I." So he forced the two combatants asunder, while some one ran to tell Sun Ch'üan. He hastily jumped into the saddle and rode to the banquet hall. lowered their weapons.

At sight of their lord they all three

"I have bidden you two to forget this old enmity," said Sun Ch'üan. "Why do you revive it to-day?"

Ling T'ung prostrated himself in tears. Sun Ch'üan exhorted him to forget his quarrel, and once again there was

peace.

The next day the army set out for Hofei.

Because of the loss of Huanch'êng, Chang Liao grieved greatly. Ts'ao Ts'ao had sent a small casket sealed with his own seal and bearing outside the words, "If rebels come, open this."

So when he received the news of the coming of a powerful army Chang Liao opened the casket and read the letter therein, which said, "If Sun Ch'üan comes to attack Hofei the two captains Chang and Li are to go out to oppose him and Yüeh is to be left to guard the walls." Chang Liao sent the letter to the two men named therein.

"What do you think to do?" said Yüeh Chin.

Chang Liao replied, "Our lord is away and Wu is coming to attack for certain. We must go out to repel them and exert ourselves to the utmost to inflict defeat upon their advanced guard. Thus we shall appease the fears of the populace and then we can hold as best we may."

But Li Tien was silent, for he was ever unfriendly to Chang Liao. Then seeing his colleague inclined to hold off, Yüeh Chin said, "I am for remaining on the defensive since the enemy is so much more numerous than we."

"Gentlemen, it seems you are selfish and not devoted to the common weal," said Chang Liao. "You may have your private reasons for what you do, but I intend to go out and try to repel the enemy. I will fight them to the death."

Thereupon he bade his servants saddle his steed. At this, Li Tien's better feelings were aroused, and he rose saying, "How can I be careless of the common weal and indulge my private feelings? I am ready to follow you and do as you command."

Chang Liao was elated at this moral victory, and said, "Since I can depend upon your help, my friend, then I would ask you to lie in ambush on the north of the Ch'aoyao Ford in order to destroy the bridge there as soon as the army of Wu has crossed. I, with my friend Yüeh Chin, will smite the enemy. Li Tien went away to muster his men and prepare the ambush.

As has been recorded, the leaders of the advance guard of the Wu army were the veterans Lü Mêng and Kan Ning. Sun Ch'üan and Ling T'ung were in the centre; the other captains followed them. The leaders of the van met Yüeh Chin first, and Kan Ning rode out and challenged him. After a few bouts Yüeh pretended to be defeated and fled. Kan Ning called to his colleague to join in the pursuit.

When Sun Ch'üan heard that this advance guard had been successful he hastened his men to the Ford. But then there came a series of explosions, and up came Chang Liao and Li Tien, one on each flank. Sun Ch'üan was unprepared for this and sent messengers to call off the pursuit and ask for help. Before it could arrived, Chang Liao had come up.

Manifestly, Ling T'ung, who had with him only a small troop of horse, could not long withstand the army of Ts'ao Ts'ao, but he faced them and fought bravely while his lord galloped for the bridge. The southern end had been already broken down and there was a wide breach between the end of the bridge and the shore. Not a single plank was there by which to cross. What could be done? Sun Ch'üan was in a quandary, and helpless.

"Go back and jump for it!" yelled one of the petty officers, Ku Li by name.

He did so. Backing his horse some thirty feet or so, he then gave him his head and lashed him with his whip.

The good beast leaped, cleared the chasm and his master was safe on the southern shore.

Once Tilu leapt across T'an Torrent wide,

And when defeat did Sun of Wu betide,

And death came threateningly at Ch'aoyao Ford,
His steed too leapt, and saved him from the sword.

Having reached the farther shore, Sun Ch'üan embarked on a boat and was rowed to a place of safety, while Chang Liao's army was held at bay. Kan Ning and Lü Mêng, coming to his aid, were pursued by Yüeh Chin, and Li Tien also stayed their progress. But the men of Wu fought bravely, and Ling T'ung's troop of horse perished to a man. While Ling himself was wounded, but found his way to the bridge. Finding it destroyed, he fled along the stream. Presently he was seen by Sun Ch'üan from the boat and taken on board. Kan Ning and Lü Mêng fled into Honan.

The terrible slaughter at this battle put such fear into the minds of the men from Chiangnan that the name of Chang Liao kept the very children quiet at night.

When Sun Ch'üan reached his camp he richly rewarded Ling T'ung and the petty officer Ku Li. Then he led his army back to Juhsü and began to put his ships in order so that the army and navy might act in unison. He also sent home for reinforcements.

Chang Liao reflected that he had insufficient force to meet another attack if it should be supported by the navy of Wu, so he sent an urgent message to his master in Hanchung. When the messenger arrived, Ts'ao Ts'ao saw that his western expedition would have to yield to the urgency of home defence. However, he called in his counsellors and put a direct question. to them.