“I shall prove unworthy of your recommendation,” said he to his friend Hsün, “for I am rough and ignorant. But have you forgotten a fellow villager of yours, Kuo Chia? He is really able. Why not spread the net to catch him?” “I had nearly forgotten,” said Hsün Yü suddenly. So he told his master of this man, who was at once invited. Kuo, discussing the world at large with his master, spoke in high terms of one Liu Yeh; and when he had arrived he was the means of inviting two more, Man Chʻung and Lü Chʻien, who were already known to Tsʻao Tsʻao by reputation. These two brought to their new master’s notice the name of Mao Chieh, who also came and was given office. Then a famous leader, with his troop of some hundreds, arrived to offer service. This was Yü Chin of Tʻaishan, an expert horseman and archer, and skilled beyond his fellows in every form of military exercise. He was made an army inspector. Then another day Hsiahou Tun brought a really fine, handsome fellow to present to Tsʻao Tsʻao. “Who is he?” asked Tsʻao. “He is from Chʻên-liu and is named Tien Wei. He is the boldest of the bold, the strongest of the strong. He was one of Chang Mo’s men, but quarrelled with his tent companions and killed a lot of them with his fists. Then he fled to the mountains where I found him. I was out shooting and saw him follow a tiger across a stream. I persuaded him to join my troop and I recommend him.” “I see he is no ordinary man,” said Tsʻao. “He is handsome and straight and looks very powerful and bold.” “He is. He killed a man once to avenge a friend and carried his head through the whole market place. Hundreds saw him, but dared not come near. The weapon he uses now is a two-branched spear over a hundred pounds in weight, and he vaults into the saddle with this under his arm.” Tsʻao Tsʻao bade the man give proof of his skill so he galloped to and fro carrying the spear. Then he saw away among the tents a huge banner swaying dangerously with the force of the wind and on the point of falling. A crowd of soldiers were vainly struggling to keep it steady. Down he leaped, shouted to the men to clear out and held the staff quite steady with one hand, keeping it perfectly upright in spite of the strong wind. “This is old Wu Lai again,” said Tsʻao Tsʻao. He gave the strong man a post in the army and besides made him presents of an embroidered robe and a swift steed with a handsome saddle. Thus Tsʻao Tsʻao encouraged able men to assist him and he had advisers on the civil side and valiant captains in the army. He became famous through all Shantung. Tsʻao’s father, Sung, was living at Langya, whither he had gone as a place free from the turmoil of the partizan struggles and, as a dutiful son, Tsʻao sent the Prefect of Tʻaishan to escort his father to Yenchow. The old man read the letter with joy and the family prepared to move. They were some forty in all, with a train of a hundred servants and many carts.