Read Online Romance of the Three Kingdoms II by Lo Kuan-Chung - Free Book Online
Authors: Lo Kuan-Chung
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the west gate, sending his two lieutenants to attack the east. The south gate was left to give the besieged a chance to escape if they would.
Now, outside the south gate of Loch'eng the country was rough and hilly, while the swift Fou River ran past the north. For this reason the city could not be surrounded. From the city wall Chang Jen watched the progress of the attack and saw Yuan-te the whole day indefatigably going to and fro directing the assault. He also saw that as the sun dropped toward the west the attacking force showed signs of weariness. Wherefore he sent his two captains, Wu Lan and Lei T'ung, out of the city by the north gate with orders to make their way around and attack Liu Pei's two lieutenants. He said he himself would go out by the south gate and steal round to attack Liu Pei. Lest the withdrawal of men from the ramparts should discover his plans, he sent the populace up on the walls to make a show and bade them shout loudly to reinforce the rolling of the drums.
At sundown Yuan-te ordered the retirement of his army, and the rearmost company turned about to march back to camp. At this moment arose still louder shouting from the ramparts, and out at the south gate burst Chang Jen and his force. Chang made straight for Yuan-te, who was in the middle of his army. His men were thrown into confusion. As his two lieutenants on the east side were also attacked, they could render no help, and Yuan-te fled to the hills. Chang followed and soon got very near. They were a whole company pursuing one solitary man, and as Yuan-te plied his whip he felt that the odds were much against him. Just then he saw another company of soldiers ahead, emerging from a hill path.
"An ambush in front; pursuers in rear! Surely Heaven wishes to destroy me!" cried he.
But all was not lost. As they drew nearer he recognised his own men, and the leader who dashed to meet him was his brother Chang Fei.
Chang Fei and Yen Yen had happened to take that road and Chang Fei had hastened forward when he saw the dust of conflict.
The two Changs soon came up with each other and they fought a half score bouts. By this time Yen Yen with the main body had come up and Chang Jen turned and fled. Chang Fei followed and chased him as far as the city wall. The gate was opened to allow Chang Jen to enter and at once shut. The drawbridge was raised.
Then Chang Fei returned to his elder brother to report his arrival and the incidents of the way. Hearing that K'ung-ming had not yet arrived, he rejoiced, saying, "So I have the credit of first arrival although he is travelling by river."
Yuan-te said, "But how is it you have come so quickly seeing the precipitous road you had to travel? Did you meet no opposition?"
Chang replied, "The fact is I have taken the forty-five places on the way by making use of the veteran general Yen, whom I captured. It was not my own merit at all. I have come all the way without the least effort."
He told the story of Yen's capture and services from beginning to end, and then presented the man himself.
Yuan-te said, "General, my brothers speedy arrival is certainly owing to your help." Whereupon he took off the golden chain mantlet he was wearing and gave it to his new ally.
Orders were given for a banquet. While it was being prepared a messenger came to say that Huang and Wei had been fighting with the two captains Wu and Lei and had held their own till enemy reinforcements had arrived. They had then gone away eastward. Chang Fei at once asked his brother to go with him to rescue them. Both went. When Wu and Lei saw the men of Han coming they retired into the city. The other two continued the pursuit.
The coming of Yuan-te and Chang Fei threatened their rear and the fugitives turned and recommenced the battle. The two captains were thus between two fires and helpless. They offered to surrender and were received. Yuan-te returned to his own camp near the city.
The loss of his two captains grieved Chang Jen sorely. He
Now, outside the south gate of Loch'eng the country was rough and hilly, while the swift Fou River ran past the north. For this reason the city could not be surrounded. From the city wall Chang Jen watched the progress of the attack and saw Yuan-te the whole day indefatigably going to and fro directing the assault. He also saw that as the sun dropped toward the west the attacking force showed signs of weariness. Wherefore he sent his two captains, Wu Lan and Lei T'ung, out of the city by the north gate with orders to make their way around and attack Liu Pei's two lieutenants. He said he himself would go out by the south gate and steal round to attack Liu Pei. Lest the withdrawal of men from the ramparts should discover his plans, he sent the populace up on the walls to make a show and bade them shout loudly to reinforce the rolling of the drums.
At sundown Yuan-te ordered the retirement of his army, and the rearmost company turned about to march back to camp. At this moment arose still louder shouting from the ramparts, and out at the south gate burst Chang Jen and his force. Chang made straight for Yuan-te, who was in the middle of his army. His men were thrown into confusion. As his two lieutenants on the east side were also attacked, they could render no help, and Yuan-te fled to the hills. Chang followed and soon got very near. They were a whole company pursuing one solitary man, and as Yuan-te plied his whip he felt that the odds were much against him. Just then he saw another company of soldiers ahead, emerging from a hill path.
"An ambush in front; pursuers in rear! Surely Heaven wishes to destroy me!" cried he.
But all was not lost. As they drew nearer he recognised his own men, and the leader who dashed to meet him was his brother Chang Fei.
Chang Fei and Yen Yen had happened to take that road and Chang Fei had hastened forward when he saw the dust of conflict.
The two Changs soon came up with each other and they fought a half score bouts. By this time Yen Yen with the main body had come up and Chang Jen turned and fled. Chang Fei followed and chased him as far as the city wall. The gate was opened to allow Chang Jen to enter and at once shut. The drawbridge was raised.
Then Chang Fei returned to his elder brother to report his arrival and the incidents of the way. Hearing that K'ung-ming had not yet arrived, he rejoiced, saying, "So I have the credit of first arrival although he is travelling by river."
Yuan-te said, "But how is it you have come so quickly seeing the precipitous road you had to travel? Did you meet no opposition?"
Chang replied, "The fact is I have taken the forty-five places on the way by making use of the veteran general Yen, whom I captured. It was not my own merit at all. I have come all the way without the least effort."
He told the story of Yen's capture and services from beginning to end, and then presented the man himself.
Yuan-te said, "General, my brothers speedy arrival is certainly owing to your help." Whereupon he took off the golden chain mantlet he was wearing and gave it to his new ally.
Orders were given for a banquet. While it was being prepared a messenger came to say that Huang and Wei had been fighting with the two captains Wu and Lei and had held their own till enemy reinforcements had arrived. They had then gone away eastward. Chang Fei at once asked his brother to go with him to rescue them. Both went. When Wu and Lei saw the men of Han coming they retired into the city. The other two continued the pursuit.
The coming of Yuan-te and Chang Fei threatened their rear and the fugitives turned and recommenced the battle. The two captains were thus between two fires and helpless. They offered to surrender and were received. Yuan-te returned to his own camp near the city.
The loss of his two captains grieved Chang Jen sorely. He
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