They at once mounted and rode away. Soon they met their host coming home and over the saddle in front of him they saw two vessels of wine. In his hands he carried fruit and vegetables. “Why are you going, Sirs?” he called to them. “Accused people dare not linger,” said Tsʻao. “But I have bidden them kill a pig! Why do you refuse my poor hospitality? I pray you ride back with me.” Tsʻao Tsʻao paid no heed. Urging his horse forward he suddenly drew his sword and rode after Lu. “Who is that coming along?” Lu turned and looked back and Tsʻao at the same instant cut him down. His companion was frightened. “You were wrong enough before,” cried he. “What now is this?” “When he got home and saw his family killed, think you he would bear it patiently? If he had raised an alarm and followed us we should have been killed.” “To kill deliberately is very wrong,” said Chʻên Kung. “I would rather betray the world then let the world betray me,” was the reply. Chʻên Kung only thought. They rode on some distance by moonlight and presently knocked up an inn for shelter. Having first fed their horses, Tsʻao Tsʻao was soon asleep, but his companion lay thinking. “I took him for a true man and left all to follow him, but he is cruel as a wolf. If I spare him he will do more harm,” thought Chʻên. And he rose intending to kill his companion. In his heart lie cruelty and venom, he is no true man; In nought doth he differ from his enemy Tung Cho. The further fortunes of Tsʻao Tsʻao will be told in later chapters. CHAPTER V. SENDING OUT THE CALL: MANY RESPOND: DESTROYING AN ARMY: THE THREE BROTHERS FIGHT AGAINST LÜ PU. At the close of the last chapter Tsʻao Tsʻao’s companion was about to slay him. But the memory of why he had decided to join his fortunes with his companion’s stayed his hand. Rising from his bed before dawn he mounted his horse and rode away toward his home in the east. Tsʻao Tsʻao awoke with the day and missed his companion. Thought he, “He thinks me brutal because of a couple of egoistic phrases I used and so he has gone. I ought to push on too and not linger here.” So he travelled as quickly as possible toward home. When he saw his father he related what had happened and said he wanted to dispose of all the property and enlist soldiers with the money. “Our possessions are but small”; said his father, “and not enough to do anything with. However, there is a graduate here, one Wei Hung, careless of wealth but careful of virtue, whose family is very rich. With his help we might hope for success.” A feast was prepared and the rich man invited. Tsʻao made him a speech:—“The Hans have lost their lordship and Tung Cho is really a tyrant. He flouts his prince and is cruel to the people, who gnash their teeth with rage. I would restore the Hans but my means are insufficient. Sir, I appeal to your loyalty and public-spirit.”