Scared beyond measure his fellow-guest grovelled on the floor. “He was a traitor,” said the host, raising him by the arm, “and he has his deserts; you are my friend and need not fear.” He gave Chang Chi command of the murdered man’s troop with which he returned to Hungnung. No one of the nobles among the leaguers dared attempt an attack on the party newly risen from Tung Cho’s disaffection, while on the other hand Chia Hsü never ceased to urge his masters to exert themselves for the welfare of the people and thus to tempt wise men to join them. And by these means the government began to prosper. However, a new trouble arose in the shape of a resurgence of Yellow Turbans. They came, without apparent head or leader, in large numbers and plundered any place they reached. Chu Chien said he knew of one who could destroy this sedition, and when asked who was the man he proposed he said, “You want to destroy this horde of rebels; you will fail unless you get the services of Tsʻao Mêng-tê.” “And where is he?” asked Li Tsʻui. “He is Prefect of Tung Chün. He has a large army and you have only to order him to act; the rising will be broken.” A messenger went post haste with a command for Tsʻao Tsʻao and Pao Hsin to act together in quelling the rebellion. As soon as Tsʻao Tsʻao received the court command he arranged with his colleague first to attack the rebels at Shouyang. Pao Hsin made a dash right into their midst, inflicting damage wherever he could, and Tsʻao Tsʻao pursued them as they fled. So many surrendered. Then he put his quondam enemies in the van and when his army reached any place many more surrendered and joined him. After three months of these tactics they had won over many thousands, both of soldiers and ordinary folk. Of these new adherents the strongest and boldest were made soldiers and the others were sent home to their fields. In consequence of these successes Tsʻao Tsʻao’s prestige and fame became very great and increased daily. He reported his success to the capital and was rewarded with the title of Commander, “Warden of the East.” At his headquarters in Yenchow Tsʻao Tsʻao welcomed wise counsellors and bold warriors, and many gathered around him. Two clever men, uncle and nephew, came at the same time, both Yingchow men, named Hsün Yü and Hsün Yu. The uncle had once been in the service of Yüan Shao. Tsʻao Tsʻao rejoiced when he had won the elder Hsün to his side saying he was his teacher. The nephew was famed for his ability and had been in the court service but had abandoned that career and retired to his village. The uncle said to Tsʻao Tsʻao, “There is a certain wise man of Yenchow somewhere, but I do not know in whose service he is.” “Who is he?” “Chʻêng Yü; he belongs to the eastern district.” “Yes; I have heard of him,” said Tsʻao. So a messenger was sent to his native place to enquire. He was away in the hills engaged in study, but he came at Tsʻao Tsʻao’s invitation.