So he was freed. He was taken into the city, his colleague was released and both were cared for. Yüan-tê said to them, “I could not help putting Chʻê Chou to death when he tried to kill me, but Tsʻao Tsʻao took it as disaffection and sent you two generals to punish me. I have received much kindness from him and certainly would not show ingratitude by killing you. I wish you to speak for me and explain when you get back.” “We are deeply grateful that you spare our lives and we will certainly do so in gratitude for what our wives and children owe you.” Next day the two leaders and their army were allowed to depart unscathed. But before they had got ten li from the boundary they heard a mighty shouting and there appeared Chang Fei barring the road. “My brother made a mistake in letting you go: he did not understand. How could he give freedom to two rebels?” This made the two men quake with fear, but as the fierce-eyed warrior with uplifted sword was bearing down upon them they heard another man galloping up and shouting, “Do not behave so disgracefully!” The newcomer was Kuan Yü and his appearance relieved the unhappy men of all fear. “Why do you stop them since our brother set them free?” cried he. “If they are let go to-day they will surely come back,” cried Fei. “Wait till they do, then you may kill them,” replied Kuan Yü. The two leaders with one voice cried, “Even if the Minister slay our whole clan we will never come again. We pray you pardon us.” Said Fei, “If Tsʻao Tsʻao himself had come I would have slain him. Not a breastplate should have gone back. But for this time I leave you your heads.” Clapping their hands to their heads the two men scuttled off while the two brothers returned to the city. “Tsʻao Tsʻao will certainly come,” they said. Sun Chʻien said, “This is not a city that can hold out for long. We should send part of our forces to Hsiaopʻei and guard Pʻeichʻêng as a corner stone of our position.” Yüan-tê agreed and told off his brothers to guard Pʻeichʻêng whither he also sent his two wives, the Ladies Kan and Mi. The former was a native of the place; the latter was Mi Chu’s sister. Four captains were left to defend Hsüchou and Yüan-tê with Chang Fei went to Hsiaopʻei. The two released leaders hastened home to Tsʻao Tsʻao and explained to him that Liu Pei was not disaffected. But their master was exceeding angry with them, crying “You shameful traitors, what use are you?” He roared to the lictors to take them away to instant execution. How can a dog or a pig expect To conquer in tiger strife? Minnows and shrimps that with dragons contend Already have done with life. The fate of the two leaders will be told in the next chapter. CHAPTER XXIII. MI HÊNG SLIPS HIS GARMENT AND RAILS AT TRAITORS: CRUEL PUNISHMENT OF THE PHYSICIAN CHI.