Tsʻao pointed his finger first at his guest and then at himself, saying, “The only heroes in the world are you and I.” Yüan-tê gasped and the spoon and chopsticks rattled to the floor. Now just at that moment the storm burst with a tremendous peal of thunder and rush of rain. Yüan-tê stooped down to recover the fallen articles, saying, “What a shock! and it was quite close.” “What! are you afraid of thunder?” said Tsʻao. Yüan-tê replied, “The wise man paled at a sudden peal of thunder or fierce gust of wind. Why should one not fear?” Thus he glossed over the real fact, that it was the words he had heard that had so startled him. Constrained to lodge in a tiger’s lair, He played a waiting part, But when Tsʻao talked of breaking men, Then terror gripped his heart. But he cleverly used the thunder peal As excuse for turning pale; O quick to seize occasions thus! He surely must prevail. The shower had passed and there appeared two men rushing through the garden, both armed. In spite of the attendants they forced their way to the pavilion where sat the two friends. They were Kuan Yü and Chang Fei. The two brothers had been outside the city at archery practice when Tsʻao Tsʻao’s invitation had come so peremptorily. On their return they heard that two officers had arrived and led away Yüan-tê to the Minister. They hastened to his palace and were told their brother was with his host in the grounds and they feared something had happened. So they rushed in. Now when they saw their brother quietly talking with Tsʻao and enjoying a cup of wine, they took up their usual places and meekly stood waiting. “Why did you come?” said Tsʻao Tsʻao. “We heard that you, Sir, had invited our brother to a wine party and we came to amuse you with a little sword play,” said they. “This is not a Hungmên banquet,” replied Tsʻao. “What use have we for two Hsiangs?” Yüan-tê smiled. The host ordered wine to be served to the two “Fan Kʻuai” to allay their excitement and, soon after, the three took their leave and returned homeward. “We were nearly frightened to death,” said Kuan Yü. The story of the dropped chopsticks was told. The two asked what their brother intended by his actions and he told them that his learning gardening was to convince Tsʻao Tsʻao of his perfect simplicity and the absence of any ambition. “But,” said he, “when he suddenly pointed to me as one of the heroes I was startled, for I thought he had some suspicions. Happily the thunder at that moment supplied the excuse I wanted.” “Really you are very clever,” said they. Next day Tsʻao again invited Yüan-tê and while the two were drinking, Man Chʻung, who had been despatched to find out what Yüan Shao was doing, came to present his report. He said, “Kungsun Tsan has been completely defeated by Yüan.” “Do you know the details? I should like to know how,” interrupted Liu Pei.