Next they burned the camp, after which they all took the road back to Kuchʻêng where they were welcomed. They exchanged the stories of their several adventures and the two ladies related the valiant deeds of Kuan Yü whereat Yüan-tê was too affected to speak. Then they performed a great sacrifice to Heaven and Earth with the slaughter of a bull and a horse. The soldiers also were recompensed for their toils. Yüan-tê surveyed the conditions around him and found therein much to rejoice at. His two brothers were restored to his side and none of his helpers were missing. Moreover he had gained Chao Yün, and his brother Kuan Yü had acquired an adopted son Pʻing. Another captain had joined his ranks in the person of Chou Tsʻang. There was every occasion for feasting and gratification. Scattered wide were the brothers, none knew another’s retreat, Joyfully now they foregather, dragon and tiger meet. At this time the forces under the command of the three brothers and their adherents numbered four or five thousand men. Yüan-tê was in favour of leaving Kuchʻêng and occupying Junan and just then Liu Pʻei and Kung Tu, commanders of that city, sent to invite him to go there. So they went. There they devoted all their efforts to strengthen their army, both horse and foot, but nothing will be said of the recruiting, purchase of horses and such matters. However it must be noted that Yüan Shao was much annoyed when Yüan-tê did not return and at first was for sending a force after him. However Kuo Tʻu dissuaded him. “Liu Pʻei need cause you no anxiety; Tsʻao Tsʻao is your one enemy and must be destroyed. Even Liu Piao, though strongly posted on the river, is none too terrible. There is Sun Po-fu on the east of the river, strong, feared, with wide territory, a large army and able counsellors and leaders; you should make an alliance there against Tsʻao Tsʻao.” He won his chief to his view and wrote to Sun, sending the letter by Chʻên Chên. Just as one warrior leaves the north, Another from the east comes forth. Future chapters will reveal the outcome of these dispositions. CHAPTER XXIX. THE “LITTLE CHIEF OF THE FEUDAL LORDS” SLAYS YÜ CHI: THE “BLUE-EYED BOY” LAYS HOLD ON CHIANGTUNG. We may tell here how Sun Tsʻê gradually became supreme on the east of the river. In the fourth year of the period “Established Peace,” [12] he took Luchiang by the defeat of the Prefect Liu Hsün. He despatched Yu Fan with a despatch to the Prefect of Yuchang, [13] Hua Hsin, and he surrendered. Thence his renown increased and he boldly sent a memorial on his military successes to the Emperor by the hand of Chang Hung. Tsʻao Tsʻao saw in him a powerful rival and said he was a lion difficult to contend with. So he betrothed his niece, daughter of Tsʻao Jên, to Sun Kʻuang, the youngest brother of Sun Tsʻê, thus connecting the two families by marriage. He also retained Chang Hung near him in the capital.