It was recorded earlier that the executioners were hustling Chang Liao forward. Pointing to him as he stood there Ts‘ao said, “He has a fine face.”
“You were not likely to forget me; you saw me before in Pʻuyang,” said Liao.
“O, so you remember me, eh?”
“Yes; more’s the pity.”
“Pity for what?”
“That the fire that day was not fierce enough to burn you up, rebel that you are.”
Ts‘ao began to get angry. “How dare you insult me?” cried he and lifted his sword to kill the bold speaker.
The undaunted Chang Liao never changed colour, but stretched out his neck for the blow. Then a man behind Ts‘ao Ts‘ao caught his arm and in front of him another dropped on his knees, saying, “O Minister, I pray thee stay thy hand.”
Lü Pu whining was not spared,
Railing Chang far better fared.
Who was it that saved Chang Liao? The next chapter will show.
