is the sense in that? I feel it my duty to point out these three faults to you.”
Kuan Yü remained silent and thought for some time. Then he said, “You have spoken of my three faults. What do you desire?”
“You are surrounded with the certainty of death if you do not yield. There is no advantage in a useless death. Wherefore your best course is to yield to Ts‘ao Tsʻao till you hear news of Liu Pei and can rejoin him. Thus you will ensure the safety of the two ladies and also keep inviolate the Peach Garden compact. You will preserve a useful life. Brother, you must reflect on these things.”
“Brother, you have spoken of three advantages; now I have three conditions. If the Minister concede these then will I doff my armour. If he refuse, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die.”
“Why should the Minister not concede them? He is most liberal and large minded. I pray you to let me hear your conditions.”
“The first is that as I and the Imperial Uncle have sworn to support the Hans I now submit to the Emperor and not to his minister Ts‘ao. The second condition is that suitable provision be made for the two ladies under my care and that no one shall be allowed to approach them. The third is that I shall be allowed to set off to rejoin Uncle Liu so soon as I shall hear where he is, whether it be far or near. I require all these to be satisfied; failing a single one, I will not submit. Wherefore, Wên-yüan, I pray you hasten back and announce them.”
Chang Liao lost no time but rode back to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. When he spoke of Kuan Yü’s intention to submit to the Hans but not to Tsʻao Ts‘ao, the latter smiled, saying, “As I am the Minister of Han, so am I Han. I grant that.”
Chang then spoke of provision due to their rank and security from molestation for the ladies, to which Ts‘ao replied, “I will give them twice the regular amount for an Uncle of the Emperor; as for securing them from molestation, that is simple. The ordinary domestic law is enough. Why should there be any doubt.?”
Then said Chang, “Whenever he shall get news of the whereabouts of Yüan-tê, he must go to him.”
At this Ts‘ao shook his head, saying, “Then I am merely to feed Yün-ch‘ang. What is the use of this? I cannot consent.”
Chang replied, “You must know of the difference in Yü Jang’s behaviour brought about by difference of treatment? Yüan-tê treats Yün-ch‘ang just kindly and liberally; you can surely engage his heart and support by being kinder and more liberal.”
