Now the force sent against Hsiaop‘ei went thither as quickly as possible and soon the country to the southeast fluttered with pennons by day and blazed with watch fires by night, while the rolling of the drums reverberated from heaven to earth.
The few men at Liu Pei’s disposal were led out of the city and arranged to make a brave show, but it was good news to him to hear that Lü Pu had arrived and was quite near. He camped only a li away to the south-west. When Yüan Shu’s general, Chi Ling, heard of his arrival he wrote letters reproaching Lü Pu for his treachery. Lü Pu smiled as he read them.
“I know how to make both of them love me,” said he. So he sent invitations to both leaders to come to a banquet. Liu Pei was for accepting the invitation and going, but his brothers dissuaded him saying, “There is some treachery in his heart.”
“I have treated him too well for him to do me any harm,” said Yüan-tê.
So he mounted and rode away, the two brothers following. They came to the camp.
The host said, “Now by a special effort I have got you out of danger; I hope you will not forget that when you come into your own.”
Yüan-tê thanked him heartily and was invited to take a seat. The two brothers took up their usual place as guards.
But when Chi Ling was announced Yüan-tê felt a spasm of fear and got up to go away.
“You two are invited for the particular purpose of a discussion,” said the host. “Do not take it amiss.”
Yüan-tê, being quite ignorant of his intentions, was very uneasy. Presently his fellow guest entered. Seeing Yüan-tê in the tent, and in the seat of honour, he was puzzled, hesitated and tried to withdraw. But the attendants prevented this and Lü Pu, advancing, laid hold of him and drew him into the tent as he had been a child.
“Do you wish to slay me?” asked he.
“Not at all,” replied Lü Pu.
“Then you are going to slay Long-ears?”
“No; not that.”
“Then what does it mean?”
“Yüan-tê and I are brothers. Now, General, you are besieging him and so I have come to the rescue.”
“Then slay me,” said Chi Ling.
“There would be no sense in that. All my life I have disliked fighting and quarrels, but have loved making peace. And now I want to settle the quarrel between you two.”
“May I ask how you think of doing so?”
“I have a means and one approved of heaven itself.”
