The discredited adviser sighed and went out, saying, “Faithful words offend his ear. He is a pest and unworthy of advice from me. And now that Shên P‘ei has injured my son and nephew how can I look my fellow men in the face again?”
And he drew his sword to end his life. But his people prevented that. They said, “If Yüan Shao rejects your honest words then assuredly he will be taken by Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. You are an old friend of Ts‘ao’s; why not abandon the shade for the sunlight?”
Just these few words awakened him to consciousness of his position and he decided to leave Yüan Shao and go over to Ts‘ao Tsʻao for he was an old friend.
Vainly now for chances lost
Yüan sighs; once he was great.
Had he taken Hsü’s advice,
Ts‘ao had not set up a State.
Hsü Yu stealthily left the camp and set out for Ts‘ao’s lines. He was captured on the way. He told his captors he was an old friend of the Minister’s and asked them to tell him that Hsü Yu of Nanyang wished to see him.
They did so. Ts‘ao was resting in his tent, his clothing loose and comfortable after the toils of the day. When he heard who wished to see him he arose quite joyfully and dressed himself hastily to receive Hsü. He went forth to greet him. They saw each other in the distance and Ts‘ao Tsʻao clapped his hands with gladness bowing to the ground when near enough to his visitor. Hsü Yu hastened to help him rise, saying, “Sir, you, a great Minister, should not thus salute a simple civilian like me.”
“But you are my old friend and no name or office makes any difference to us,” replied Ts‘ao.
“Having been unable to choose the lord I would serve I had to bow my head before Yüan Shao. But he was deaf to my words and disregarded my plans. Wherefore I have left him and come now to see my old friend from whom I hope employment.”
“If Tzŭ-yuan is willing to come then have I indeed a helper,” said Ts‘ao. “I desire you to give me a scheme for the destruction of Yüan Shao.”
“I counselled him to send a light force to take the capital so that head and tail be both attacked.”
Ts‘ao was alarmed. “If he does so, I am lost.”
“How much grain have you in store?” said the new adviser.
“Enough for a year.”
“I think not quite,” said Yu smiling.
“Well, half a year.”
The visitor shook out his sleeves, rose and hurried toward the door of the tent, saying, “I offer him good counsel and he repays me with deceit. Could I have expected it?”
