a bribe. I told him how hard pressed we were and asked him where, in the circumstances, I could find a gift for him. He went away in wrath and reported that I was hiding behind my ramparts and would not give battle and I disheartened my men. So I was superseded by one Tung Cho and I have to go to the capital to answer the charge.”
This story put Chang Fei into a rage. He was for slaying the escort and setting free the prisoner. But Yüan-tê checked him.
“The Government will take the proper course,” said he. “You must not act hastily.” And they went their ways.
It was useless to continue on that road so Kuan Yü proposed to go back and they retook the road. Two days later they heard the thunder of battle behind some hills. Hastening to the top they beheld the government soldiers suffering great loss and they saw the countryside was full of Yellow Turbans. On their banners were the words, “Celestial Duke,” writ large.
“We will attack this Chang Chio,” said Yüan-tê and they galloped out to join in the battle.
Chang Chio had worsted Tung Cho and was following up his advantage. He was in hot pursuit when the three brothers dashed into his army, threw his ranks into confusion and drove him back. Then they returned with the rescued general to his camp.
“What officers have you?” asked Tung Cho, when he had leisure to speak to the brothers.
“None,” was the reply. And Tung treated them with disrespect. Yüan-tê retired calmly, but Chang Fei was furious.
“We have just rescued this menial in a bloody fight,” cried he, “and now he is rude to us! Nothing but his death can slake my anger.”
He would have dashed into the tent and slain the insulter had not his elder brothers held him back.
As it was in olden time so it is to-day,
The simple wight may merit well,
officialdom holds sway;
Chang Fei, the blunt and hasty,
where can you find his peer?
But slaying the ungrateful would
mean many deaths a year.
Tung Cho’s fate will be unrolled in later chapters.
