The Emperor sent to find out who it was. But it was Kuo Ssŭ, and the sadness fell again. Presently arose a great din. For Li had gone out to do battle with Kuo, whom he abused by name. “I treated you well and why did you try to kill me?” said Li. “You are a rebel, why should I not slay you?” cried Kuo. “You call me rebel when I am guarding the Emperor?” “You have abducted him; do you call that guarding?” “Why so many words? Let us forgo a battle and settle the matter in single combat, the winner to take the Emperor and go.” They two fought in front of their armies but neither could prevail over the other. Then they saw Yang Piao come riding up to them, crying, “Rest a while, O Commanders! for I have invited a party of officers to arrange a peace.” Wherefore the two leaders retired to their camps. Soon Yang Piao, Sun Chʻien and three score other officials came up and went to Kuo’s camp. They were all thrown into confinement. “We came with good intentions,” they moaned, “and we are treated like this.” “Li Tsʻui has run off with the Emperor but I have got his officers,” said Kuo. “What does it mean? One has the Emperor, the other his officers. What do you want?” said the peace-maker, Yang Piao. Kuo lost patience and drew his sword, but a certain Yang Mi persuaded him not to slay the speaker. Then he released Yang Piao and Sun Chʻien; but kept the others in the camp, “Here are we two officers of the throne and we cannot help our lord. We have been born in vain,” said Yang Piao. Throwing their arms about each other they wept and fell swooning to the earth. Sun Chʻien went home, fell seriously ill and died. Thereafter the two adversaries fought every day for nearly three months each losing many men. Now Li Tsʻui was irreligious and practised magic. He often called witches to beat drums and summon spirits, even when in camp. Chia Hsü used to remonstrate with him, but quite uselessly. A certain Yang Chi said to the Emperor, “That Chia Hsü, although a friend of Li’s, never seems to have lost the sense of loyalty to Your Majesty.” Soon after Chia Hsü himself arrived. The Emperor sent away his attendants and said to him weeping the while, “Can you not pity the Hans and help me?” Chia prostrated himself, saying, “That is my dearest wish. But, Sire, say no more, let they servant work out a plan.” The Emperor dried his tears and soon Li Tsʻui came in. He wore a sword by his side and strode straight up to the Emperor, whose face became the colour of clay. Then he spoke. “Kuo Ssŭ has failed in his duty and imprisoned the court officers. He wished to slay Your Majesty and you would have been captured but for me.”