Free Romance of the Three Kingdoms II by Lo Kuan-Chung

any risings that may take place. There will be no need for any especial precautions in the neighbourhood of Ch'engtu."
    The two warriors went their ways, and then K'ung-ming began to make careful enquiries concerning the road to Ch'eng-tu. Certain of those who had given in their allegiance to the invaders said that the only place where they could expect any serious defence was Mienchu. Once they had passed this the capital lay at their mercy.
    Then Fa Cheng was consulted. Said he, "With the fall of Loch'eng the land of Shu passed to you. Let our lord only deal with the people kindly and justly and there will be no need of weapons. I can write such a letter to the Prefect Liu Chang as shall make him surrender at call."
    'That would be most excellent," said K'ung-ming.
    The letter was written and sent by the hand of a messenger.
    Liu Hsun, son of the Prefect, presently reached Ch'engtu and told his father of the loss of Loch'eng. The Prefect at once called his counsellors together, and the Secretary Ch'eng Tu said, "Although Liu Pei has been successful end captured cities and towns, yet his army is but small, his hosts are not near him, he depends upon chance for his grain and has no proper supplies. Therefore our best plan is to remove the people of Pahsi and Tzuchang to the farther side of the River Fou, burn all the granaries, fortify the city and let starvation defeat him. Let us reject all challenges to battle and in a hundred days his men will go off of their own accord. Then we can do with him as we will."
    "I like not the plan," said Liu Chang. "Oppose invaders in order that tranquillity may prevail," is a well-worn maxim, but till now I have never heard of disturbing the people in order to oppose the march of an enemy. Your words are not such as mean safety."
    Just at the moment the letter from Fa Cheng arrived. It was opened and the Prefect read: "I was sent to Chingchou to negotiate an alliance, but the opposition of those about you to its lord has resulted in the present situation. However, the ruler of Chingchou still remembers old friendship and is mindful of the ties of relationship. If you, my master, could reverse your policy and lend your support to your relative, I think you would be generously treated. I hope you will consider this carefully."
    Liu Chang flew into a passion. He tore the letter to fragments and began to abuse its writer as a traitor, an ingrate a renegade, and drove the bearer of the letter from his presence. He then sent an army under the leadership of Fei Kuan, his wife's brother, to reinforce Mienchu.
    Fei Kuan at once recommended as his assistant one Li Yen and the two mustered their men, three legions, and set out for the city. At this Juncture the Prefect of Ichou wrote advising to borrow aid from HanChung, but Liu Chang rejected this plan, saying it would be useless to try to obtain help from a district under the influence of his relentless enemy Chang Lu. Tung Ho, of Ichou, replied, "He may be an enemy, but Liu Pei is in possession of Loch'eng and the situation is extremely dangerous. When the lips are gone the teeth are cold. If you clearly indicate the dangers to him he must come to our help."
    So a letter was written.
    Two years had elapsed since Ma Ch'ao had been defeated and gone over to the Ch'iang tribes of Tangut. He had made friends with them and with their aid had conquered portions of Shensi. His expeditions had been very successful, the people opening their gates at the first summons. Only Chichou had stood out, but ever this was on the point of yielding. The Governor of the district had sent many urgent appeals for help to Hsiahou Yuan, who, however, would do nothing without his master's order. Wei K'ang, the Governor, was in despair, and at a council his officers advised him to yield. However, one of them, Yang Fou, earnestly opposed yielding, saying they could not surrender to a lot of rebels such as were Ma and his colleagues.
    "What is there to hope for?" asked Wei