“Why do you, a minister of Han, secrete the Emperor’s special seal? Leave it with me at once and you go free,” said Kʻuai Yüeh. Sun Chien angrily ordered out a leader Huang Kai, who exchanged a few bouts with Tsʻao Mao and presently dealt him a blow with the iron whip just over the heart. Mao turned his steed and fled and Sun Chien got through with a sudden rush. However, there arose the sound of gongs and drums on the hills behind and there was Prefect Liu in person with a large army. Sun Chien rode straight up to him and bowing low spoke thus. “Why did you, on the faith of a letter from Yüan Shao, try to coerce the chief of a neighbouring district?” “You have concealed the State jewel and I want you to restore it,” was Liu’s reply. “If I have this thing may I die a violent death!” “If you want me to believe you let me search your baggage.” “What force have you that you dare come to flout me thus?” And only the Prefect’s prompt retirement prevented a battle. Sun Chien proceeded on his way. But from the rear of the second hill an ambush suddenly discovered itself and Kʻuai and Tsʻai were still following. Sun Chien seemed entirely hemmed in. What doth it advantage a man to hold the imperial seal if its possession lead to strife? How Sun Chien got clear of the difficulty will presently be told. CHAPTER VII. YÜAN SHAO FIGHTS WITH KUNGSUN TSAN AT PʻANHO: SUN CHIEN ATTACKS LIU PIAO. At the close of the last chapter Sun Chien was surrounded. However he eventually fought his way through, though with the loss of three of his best leaders and more than half his men and he returned to Chiangtung. Henceforward he and Liu Piao were open enemies. Yüan Shao was in Honei. Being short of supplies he sent to borrow from Ichou, whence he obtained the wherewithal to support his army. Then his adviser, Fêng Chi, said to him, “You are really the strongest power here about, why then depend upon another for food? Ichou is rich and wide; why not seize it?” “I have no good plan,” replied Yüan. “You could secretly send a letter to Kungsun Tsan to attack, promising him your support. The Prefect Han Fu being incapable must ask you to take over his country and you will get it without lifting a finger.” So the letter was sent, and when Kungsun Tsan saw therein the proposal to make a joint attack and divide the territory, he agreed to give his help. In the meantime Yüan Shao had sent to warn Han Fu of his danger. Han sought advice from Hsün Shên and Hsin Pʻing. The former said that if Kungsun came to attack them they could not stand against him, especially if he had the help of Liu and Chang. So he counselled getting aid from their powerful neighbour. “Yüan Pên-chʻu is bolder than most and he has many able and famous leaders under him. You cannot do better than ask him to assist in administering this district. He will certainly treat you with generosity and you need have no fear from Kungsun Tsan.”