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ial　protection　and　saw　that　she　did　not　suffer　from　want。　This　had　won　the　old　lady's　heart　and　she　had　sent　her　son　to　show　her　gratitude。
Kong　Rong　showed　his　appreciation　by　treating　his　guest　with　the　greatest　respect；　making　him　presents　of　clothing　and　armor；　saddles　and　horses。
Presently　said　Taishi　Ci；　〃Give　me　a　thousand　soldiers；　and　I　will　go　out　and　drive　off　these　fellows。〃
〃You　are　a　bold　warrior；　but　they　are　very　numerous。　It　is　a　serious　matter　to　go　out　among　them；〃　said　Kong　Rong。
〃My　mother　sent　me　because　of　your　goodness　to　her。　How　shall　I　be　able　to　look　her　in　the　face　if　I　do　not　raise　the　siege？　I　would　prefer　to　conquer　or　perish。〃
〃I　have　heard　Liu　Bei　is　one　of　the　heroes　in　the　world。　If　we　could　get　his　help；　there　would　be　no　doubt　of　the　result。　But　there　is　no　one　to　send。〃
〃I　will　go　as　soon　as　I　have　received　your　letter。〃
So　Kong　Rong　wrote　letters　and　gave　them　to　his　helper。
Taishi　Ci　put　on　his　armor；　mounted　his　steed；　attached　his　bow　and　quiver　to　his　girdle；　took　his　spear　in　his　hand；　tied　his　packed　haversack　firmly　to　his　saddle　bow；　and　rode　out　at　the　city　gate。　He　went　quite　alone。
Along　the　moat　a　large　party　of　the　besiegers　were　gathered；　and　they　came　to　intercept　the　solitary　rider。　But　Taishi　Ci　dashed　in　among　them　and　cut　down　several　and　so　finally　fought　his　way　through。
Guan　Hai；　hearing　that　a　rider　had　left　the　city；　guessed　what　his　errand　would　be　and　followed　Taishi　Ci　with　a　party　of　horsemen。　Guan　Hai　spread　them　out　so　that　the　messenger　rider　was　entirely　surrounded。　Then　Taishi　Ci　laid　aside　his　spear；　took　his　bow；　adjusted　his　arrows　one　by　one　and　shot　all　round　him。　And　as　a　rider　fell　from　his　steed　with　every　twang　of　Taishi　Ci's　bowstring；　the　pursuers　dared　not　close　in。
Thus　he　got　clear　away　and　rode　in　hot　haste　to　Liu　Bei。　Taishi　Ci　reached　Pingyuan；　and　after　greeting　his　host　in　proper　form　he　told　how　Kong　Rong　was　surrounded　and　had　sent　him　for　help。　Then　he　presented　the　letter　which　Liu　Bei　read。
〃And　who　are　you？〃　asked　Liu　Bei。
〃I　am　Taishi　Ci；　a　fellow　from　Laihuang。　I　am　not　related　by　ties　of　kin　to　Kong　Rong；　nor　even　by　ties　of　neighborhood；　but　I　am　by　the　bonds　of　sentiment　and　I　share　his　sorrows　and　misfortunes。　The　Yellow　Scarves　have　invested　his　city；　and　he　is　distressed　with　none　to　turn　to；　and　destruction　is　very　near。　You　are　known　as　humane；　righteous；　and　eager　to　help　the　distressed。　Therefore　at　his　mand　I　have　braved　all　dangers　and　fought　my　way　through　his　enemies　to　pray　you　save　him。〃
Liu　Bei　smiled；　saying；　〃And　does　he　know　there　is　a　Liu　Bei　in　this　world？〃
So　Liu　Bei；　together　with　Guan　Yu　and　Zhang　Fei；　told　off　three　thousand　troops　and　set　out　to　help　raise　the　siege。　When　the　rebel　leader　Guan　Hai　saw　these　new　forces　arriving；　he　led　out　his　army　to　fight　them；　thinking　he　could　easily　dispose　of　so　small　a　force。
The　brothers　and　Taishi　Ci　with　them　sat　on　their　horses　in　the　forefront　of　their　array。　Guan　Hai　hastened　forward。　Taishi　Ci　was　ready　to　fight；　but　Guan　Yu　had　opened　the　bat。　He　rode　forth　and　the　two　steeds　met。　The　soldiers　set　up　a　great　noise。　After　a　few　bouts　Guan　Yu's　green…dragon　saber　rose　and　fell；　and　with　the　stroke　fell　the　rebel　leader。
This　was　the　signal　for　Zhang　Fei　and　Taishi　Ci　to　take　a　share；　and　they　advanced　side　by　side。　With　their　spears　ready　they　dashed　in；　and　Liu　Bei　urged　forward　his　force。　The　besieged　Governor　saw　his　doughty　rescuers　laying　low　the　rebels　as　tigers　among　a　flock　of　sheep。　None　could　withstand　them；　and　he　then　sent　out　his　own　troops　to　join　in　the　battle　so　that　the　rebels　were　between　two　armies。　The　rebels'　force　was　pletely　broken　and　many　troops　surrendered；　while　the　remainder　scattered　in　all　directions。
The　victors　were　weled　into　the　city；　and　as　soon　as　possible　a　banquet　was　prepared　in　their　honor。　Mi　Zhu　was　presented　to　Liu　Bei。　Mi　Zhu　related　the　story　of　the　murder　of　Cao　Song　by　Zhang　Kai；　Cao　Cao's　vengeful　attack　on　Xuzhou；　and　his　ing　to　beg　for　assistance。
Liu　Bei　said；　〃Imperial　Protector　Tao　Qian　is　a　kindly　man　of　high　character；　and　it　is　a　pity　that　he　should　suffer　this　wrong　for　no　fault　of　his　own。〃
〃You　are　a　scion　of　the　imperial　family；〃　said　Governor　Kong　Rong；　〃and　this　Cao　Cao　is　injuring　the　people；　a　strong　man　abusing　his　strength。　Why　not　go　with　me　to　rescue　the　sufferers？〃
〃I　dare　not　refuse；　but　my　force　is　weak　and　I　must　act　cautiously；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
〃Though　my　desire　to　help　arises　from　an　old　friendship；　yet　it　is　a　righteous　act　as　well。　I　do　not　think　your　heart　is　not　inclined　toward　the　right；〃　said　Kong　Rong。
Liu　Bei　said；　〃This　being　so；　you　go　first　and　give　me　time　to　see　Gongsun　Zan　from　whom　I　may　borrow　more　troops　and　horses。　I　will　e　anon。〃
〃You　surely　will　not　break　your　promise？〃　said　the　Governor。
〃What　manner　of　man　think　you　that　I　am？〃　said　Liu　Bei。　〃The　wise　one　said；　'Death　is　mon　to　all；　the　person　without　truth　cannot　maintain　the　self。'　Whether　I　get　the　troops　or　not；　certainly　I　shall　myself　e。〃
So　the　plan　was　agreed　to。　Mi　Zhu　set　out　to　return　forthwith　while　Kong　Rong　prepared　for　his　expedition。
Taishi　Ci　took　his　leave；　saying；　〃My　mother　bade　me　e　to　your　aid；　and　now　happily　you　are　safe。　Letters　have　e　from　my　fellow　townsman；　Liu　Yao；　Imperial　Protector　of　Yangzhou；　calling　me　thither　and　I　must　go。　I　will　see　you　again。〃
Kong　Rong　pressed　rewards　upon　Taishi　Ci；　but　he　would　accept　nothing　and　departed。　When　his　mother　saw　him；　she　was　pleased　at　his　success　saying　she　rejoiced　that　he　had　been　able　to　prove　his　gratitude；　and　after　this　he　departed　for　Yangzhou。
Liu　Bei　went　away　to　his　friend　Gongsun　Zan　and　laid　before　Gongsun　Zan　his　design　to　help　Xuzhou。
〃Cao　Cao　and　you　are　not　enemies。　Why　do　you　spend　yourself　for　the　sake　of　another？〃　said　Gongsun　Zan。
〃I　have　promised；〃　Liu　Bei　replied；　〃and　dare　not　break　faith。〃
〃I　will　lend　you　two　thousand　horse　and　foot；〃　said　Gongsun　Zan。
〃Also　I　wish　to　have　the　services　of　Zhao　Yun；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
Gongsun　Zan　agreed　to　this　also。　They　marched　away；　Liu　Bei's　own　troops　being　in　the　front；　and　Zhao　Yun；　with　the　borrowed　troops；　being　in　rear。
In　due　course　Mi　Zhu　returned　saying　that　Kong　Rong　had　also　obtained　the　services　of　Liu　Bei。　The　other　messenger；　Chen　Deng；　came　back　and　reported　that　Tien　Kai　would　also　bring　help。　Then　was　Tao　Qian's　heart　set　at　ease。
But　both　the　leaders；　though　they　had　promised　aid；　greatly　dreaded　their　antagonist　and　camped　among　the　hills　at　a　great　distance；　fearful　of　ing　too　close　to　Cao　Cao's　quarters。　Cao　Cao　knew　of　their　ing　and　divided　his　army　into　parts　to　meet　them；　so　postponing　the　attack　on　the　city　itself。
Presently　Liu　Bei　came　up　and　went　to　see　Kong　Rong；　who　said；　〃The　enemy　is　very　powerful；　and　Cao　Cao　handles　his　army　skillfully。　We　must　be　cautious。　Let　us　make　most　careful　observations　before　we　strike　a　blow。〃
〃What　I　fear　is　famine　in　the　city；〃　said　Liu　Bei。　〃They　cannot　hold　out　very　long。　I　will　put　my　troops　with　yours　under　your　mand；　while　I　with　Zhang　Fei　make　a　dash　through　to　see　Tao　Qian　and　consult　with　him。〃
Kong　Rong　approved　of　this；　so　he　and　Tien　Kai　took　up　positions　on　the　ox…horn　formation；　with　Guan　Yu　and　Zhao　Yun　on　either　side　to　support　them。
When　Liu　Bei　and　Zhang　Fei　leading　one　thousand　troops　made　their　dash　to　get　through　Cao　Cao's　army；　they　got　as　far　as　the　flank　of　his　camp　when　there　arose　a　great　beating　of　drums；　and　horse　and　foot　rolled　out　like　billows　on　the　ocean。　The　leader　was　Yu　Jin。
Yu　Jin　checked　his　steed　and　called　out；　〃You　mad　men　from　somewhere；　where　are　you　going？〃
Zhang　Fei　heard　Yu　Jin　but　deigned　no　reply。　He　only　rode　straight　to　attack　the　speaker。　After　they　had　fought　a　few　bouts；　Liu　Bei　waved　his　double　swords　as　signal　for　his　troops　to　e　on；　and　they　drove　Yu　Jin　before　them。　Zhang　Fei　led　the　pursuit　and　in　this　way　they　reached　the　city　wall。
From　the　city　wall；　the　besieged　saw　a　huge　banner　embroidered　in　white　Liu　Bei　of　Pingyuan　；　and　the　Imperial　Protector　bade　them　open　the　gate　for　the　rescuers　to　enter。　Liu　Bei　was　made　very　wele；　conducted　to　the　residency；　and　a　banquet　prepared　in　his　honor。　The　soldiers　also　were　feasted。
Tao　Qian　was　delighted　with　Liu　Bei；　admiring　his　high…spirited　appearance　and　clear　speech。　Tao　Qian　bade　Mi　Zhu　offer　Liu　Bei　the　seal　and　insignia　of　the　protectorship　office。　But　Liu　Bei　shrank　back　startled。
〃What　does　this　mean？〃　said　Liu　Bei。
Tao　Qian　said；　〃There　is　trouble　on　every　side；　and　the　kingly　rule　is　no　longer　maintained。　You；　Sir；　are　a　member　of　the　family　and　eminently　fitted　to　support　them　and　their　prerogatives。　I　am　verging　on　senility；　and　I　wish　to　retire　in　your　favor。　I　pray　you　not　to　decline；　and　I　will　report　my　action　to　the　court。〃
Liu　Bei　started　up　from　his　seat　and　bowed　before　his　host；　saying；　〃Scion　of　the　family　I　may　be；　but　my　merit　is　small　and　my　virtue　meager。　I　doubt　my　fitness　even　for　my　present　post；　and　only　a　feeling　of　doing　right　sent　me　to　your　assistance。　To　hear　such　speech　makes　me　doubt。　Surely　you　think　I　came　with　greed　in　my　heart。　May　God　help　me　no　more　if　I　cherished　such　a　thought。〃
〃It　is　a　poor　old　man's　real　sentiment；〃　said　Tao　Qian。
Time　after　time　Tao　Qian　renewed　his　offer　to　entrust　the　region　of　Xuzhou　to　Liu　Bei；　but　Liu　Bei　kept　refusing。
In　the　midst　of　this　came　Mi　Zhu；　saying；　〃The　enemies　had　reached　the　wall；　and　something　must　be　done　to　drive　them　off。　The　present　matter　could　await　a　more　tranquil　time。〃
Said　Liu　Bei；　〃I　ought　to　write　to　Cao　Cao　to　press　him　to　raise　the　siege。　If　he　refuses；　we　will　attack　forthwith。〃
Orders　were　sent　to　the　three　camps　outside　to　remain　quiescent　till　the　letter　could　reach　Cao　Cao。
It　happened　that　Cao　Cao　was　holding　a　council　when　a　messenger　with　a　war　letter　was　announced。　The　letter　was　brought　in　and　handed　to　him　and；　when　he　had　opened　and　looked　at　it；　he　found　it　was　from　Liu　Bei。
This　is　the　letter；　very　nearly：
〃Since　meeting　you　outside　the　pass；　fate　has　assigned　us　to　different　quarters　of　the　world；　and　I　have　not　been　able　to　pay　my　respects　to　you。　Touching　the　death　of　your　noble　father；　it　was　owing　to　the　vicious　nature　of　Zhang　Kai　and　due　to　no　fault　of　Tao　Qian。　Now　while　the　remnant　of　the　Yellow　Scarves　is　disturbing　the　lands；　and　Dong　Zhuo's　partisans　have　the　upper　hand　in　the　capital；　I　wish　that　you；　Illustrious　Sir；　would　regard　the　critical　position　of　the　court　rather　than　your　personal　grievances；　and　so　divert　your　forces　from　the　attack　on　Xuzhou　to　the　rescue　of　the　state。　Such　would　be　for　the　happiness　of　that　city　and　the　whole　empire。〃
Cao　Cao　gave　vent　to　a　torrent　of　abuse：　〃Who　is　this　Liu　Bei　that　he　dares　write　and　exhort　me？　Beside；　he　means　to　be　satirical。〃
Cao　Cao　issued　orders　to　put　the　bearer　of　the　letter　to　death　and　to　press　on　the　siege。
But　Guo　Jia　remonstrated；　saying；　〃Liu　Bei　has　e　from　afar　to　help　Tao　Qian；　and　he　is　trying　the　effect　of　politeness　before　resorting　to　arms。　I　pray　you；　my　lord；　reply　with　fair　words　that　his　heart　may　be　lulled　with　a　feeling　of　safety。　Then　attack　with　vigor　and　the　city　will　fall。〃
Cao　Cao　found　this　advice　good；　so　he　spared　the　messenger；　telling　him　to　wait　to　carry　back　his　reply。　While　this　was　going　on；　a　horseman　came　with　news　of　misfortune：　〃Lu　Bu　has　invaded　Yanzhou；　now　holding　Puyang。　The　three　counties　left………Juancheng；　Fanxia；　and　Dongjun………are　under　severe　attacks。〃

＇e＇　Zhang　Yang　was　among　the　eighteen　lords　who　rallied　against　Dong　Zhou　at　the　Tiger　Trap　Pass。
When　Li　Jue　and　Guo　Si；　the　two　partisans　of　Dong　Zhuo；　succeeded　in　their　attack　on　the　capital；　Lu　Bu　had　fled　to　Yuan　Shu。　However；　Yuan　Shu　looked　askance　at　him　for　his　instability　and　refused　to　receive　him。　Then　Lu　Bu　went　to　try　Yuan　Shao；　who　was　a　brother　of　Yuan　Shu。　Yuan　Shao　accepted　the　warrior　and　made　use　of　him　in　an　attack　upon　Zhang　Yan　in　Changshan。　But　his　success　filled　him　with　pride；　and　his　arrogant　demeanor　so　annoyed　the　other　manders　that　Yuan　Shao　was　on　the　point　of　putting　him　to　death。　To　escape　this　Lu　Bu　had　gone　away　to　Zhang　Yang*；　Governor　of　Shangdang；　who　accepted　his　services。
About　this　time　Pang　Shu；　who　had　been　hiding　and　protecting　Lu　Bu's　family　in　Changan　since　his　disap