San kuo; or, Romance of the three kingdoms (volume 1 of 2)Luo, Guanzhong
History
San kuo; or, Romance of the three kingdoms (volume 1 of 2)
Luo, Guanzhong
China -- History -- Three kingdoms, 220-265 -- Fiction
Then he sent forth Han Tang to take up the challenge. Just as he
reached the bridge, Chiang Chʻin and Chʻên Wu, who had dropped down the
river in a small boat, passed under the bridge. Though the arrows fell
in clouds on the bank, the two men rushed up and fiercely attacked Yen
Yü as he stood on the bridge. He fled and Han Tang went in pursuit
smiting up to the gate of the city into which he entered.
Sun Tsʻê laid siege to Soochow both by land and water. For three days
no one came out to offer battle. Then at the head of his army he came
to the Chʻang Gate and summoned the warden. An officer of
inconsiderable rank came out and stood with one hand resting on a beam
while with the other he gave point to his abuse of those below. Quickly
Tʻaishih Tzŭ’s hands sought his bow and an arrow was on the string.
“See me hit that fellow’s hand,” said he, turning to his companions.
Even as the sound of his voice died away, the bowstring twanged, the
arrow sped and lodged in the beam, firmly pinning thereto the officer’s
hand. Both sides, those on the wall and those below it, marvelled at
such marksmanship.
The wounded man was taken away and when the White Tiger heard of the
exploit he said, “How can we hope to withstand an army with such men as
this in it?”
And his thoughts turned toward a peace. He sent his brother Yü out to
see Sun Tsʻê, who received him civilly, invited him into the tent and
set wine before him.
“And what does your brother propose?” said Sun.
“He is willing to share this district with you,” was the reply.
“The rat! how dare he put himself on a level with me?” cried Sun.
He commanded to put the messenger to death. Yü started up and drew his
sword, but out flew Sun Tsʻê’s blade and the unhappy messenger fell to
the ground. His head was hacked off and sent into the city to his
brother.
This had its effect. The White Tiger saw resistance was hopeless, so he
abandoned the city and fled. Sun Tsʻê pressed the attack. Huang Kai
captured Chiahsing (Kashing) and Tʻaishih Tzŭ took Wuchʻêng. The
district was quickly subdued. The White Tiger rushed off toward
Hangchow in the east, plundering on all sides, till a band of villagers
under the leadership of one Ling Tsʻao checked his career of robbery
there. He then went toward Kueichi.
The Lings, father and son, then went to meet Sun Tsʻê, who took them
into his service as a reward for their service and the joint forces
crossed the river.
The White Tiger gathered his scattered forces and took up a position at
the western ford, but Chʻêng Pʻu attacked him there and scattered the
defenders, chasing them as far as Huichi. The Prefect of the place,
Wang Lang, was on their side and inclined to support them actively.
But, when he proposed this, one of his men stood forth saying, “No! No!
Sun Tsʻê as a leader is humane and upright, while the White Tiger is a
savage ruffian. Rather capture him and offer his person as a peace
offering to Sun Tsʻê.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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