and had been trained from his early boyhood to use the spear and the club. When only fourteen he had been attached to a certain master-in-arms. One day some one spoke disrespectfully of his master and Tun killed him. For this deed, however, he had to flee and had been an exile for some time. Now he came to offer his services, accompanied by his brother. Each brought a company of trained men.
Really these two were brothers of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao by birth since his father was originally of the Hsiahou family, and had only been adopted into the Ts‘ao family.
A few days later came two other brothers, Ts‘ao Jên and Ts‘ao Hung, each with a company. These two were accomplished horsemen and trained in the use of arms. Then drill began and Wei Hung spent his treasure freely in buying clothing, armour, flags and banners. From all sides poured in gifts of grain.
When Yüan Shao received Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s call to arms he collected all those under his command to the number of three legions. He came to take the oath to Ts‘ao. Next a manifesto was issued:—
“Ts‘ao and his associates, moved by a sense of duty, now make this proclamation. Tung Cho defies heaven and earth. He is destroying the State and injuring his prince. He pollutes the palace and oppresses the people. He is vicious and cruel. His crimes are heaped up. Now we have received a secret command to call up soldiers and we are pledged to cleanse the Empire and destroy the evil-doers. We will raise a volunteer army and exert all our efforts to maintain the dynasty and succour the people. Respond to this, O Nobles, by mustering your soldiers.”
Many from every side answered the summons as the following list shows:—
- The Prefect of Nanyang, Yüan Shu.
- The Governor of Ichow, Han Fu.
- The Governor of Yüchow, K‘ung Yu.
- The Governor of Yenchow, Liu Tai.
- The Prefect of Honei, Wang Kʻuang.
- The Prefect of Ch‘ên-liu, Chang Mo.
- The Prefect of Tungchun, Chiao Mao.
- The Prefect of Shanyang, Yüan I.
- The Hsiang of Chipei, Pao Hsin.
- The Prefect of Peihai, Kʻung Yung.
- The Prefect of Kuangling, Chang Chʻao.
- The Governor of Hsüchow, Tʻao Ch‘ien.
- The Prefect of Hsiliang, Ma Tʻêng.
- The Prefect of Peipʻing, Kungsun Tsan.
- The Prefect of Shangtang, Chang Yang.
- The Prefect of Chʻangsha, Sun Chien.
- The Prefect of Pohai, Yüan Shao.
