Lu Bu was a conspicuous figure in front of the line. On his head was a triple curved headdress of ruddy gold with pheasant tails. He wore a warring velvet-red robe of Xichuan silk embroidered with thousand flowers, which was overlapped by golden mail adorned with a gaping animal’s head, joined by rings at the sides and girt to his waist with a belt fastened by a beautiful lion-head clasp. His bow and arrows were slung on his shoulders, and…
“If you hold a mere magistrate in such honor, then I simply withdraw,” said Yuan Shu. “Is a word enough to defeat a grand enterprise？” said Cao Cao. then he told Gongsun Zan to lead the three brothers back to their own camp, and the other chiefs then dispersed. That night Cao Cao secretly sent presents of meat and wine to soothe the three after this adventure. When Hua Xiong’s troops straggled back and told the story of defeat and…
“This man looks no common person. And how can the enemy know he is but a bowman？” said Cao Cao. “If I fail, then can you take my head,” spoke Guan Yu. Cao Cao bade them heat some wine and offered a cup to Guan Yu as he went out. “Pour it out,” said Guan Yu. “I shall return in a little space.” Guan Yu went with his weapon in his hand and vaulted into the saddle. Those in the…
“Who dares go out to give battle？” said Yuan Shao. “I will go,” said Yu She, a renown general of Yuan Shu, stepping forward. So Yu She went, and almost immediately one came back to say that Yu She had fallen in the third bout of Hua Xiong. Fear began to lay its cold hand on the assembly. then Imperial Protector Han Fu said, “I have a brave warrior among my army. Pan Feng is his name, and he could…
When all were seated in the tent Yuan Shao said, “The brother of General Bao Xin, disobeying the rules we made for our guidance, rashly went to attack the enemy： He was slain and with him many of our soldiers. Now Sun Jian has been defeated. Thus our fighting spirit has suffered and what is to be done？” Everyone was silent. Lifting his eyes, Yuan Shao looked round from one to another till he came to Gongsun Zan, and then…
Hua Xiong bade Hu Zhen lead five thousand out against Sun Jian. Cheng Pu with the snaky lance rode out from Sun Jian’s side and engaged. After a very few bouts, Cheng Pu killed Hu Zhen on the spot by a thrust through the throat. Then Sun Jian gave the signal for the main army to advance. But from the Pass, Hua Xiong’s troops rained down showers of stones, which proved too much for the assailants, and they retired into…
then the Governor of Changsha, Sun Jian, offered himself for this service. “You are valiant and fierce, and equal to this service！” said Yuan Shao. the force under Sun Jian set out and presently came to River Si Pass. The guard there sent a swift rider to the capital to announce to the Prime Minister the urgency of the situation. Ever since Dong Zhuo had secured his position, he had given himself up to luxury without stint. When the urgent…
then spoke the Governor of Henei, Wang Kuang, “We have been moved by a noble sense of right to assemble here. Now must we first choose a chief and bind ourselves to obedience.” then said Cao Cao, “For four generations the highest offices of state have been filled by members of the Yuan family, and their clients and supporters are everywhere. As a descendant of ancient ministers of Han, Yuan Shao is a suitable man to be our chief lord.”…
the Governor of Beiping, Gongsun Zan, while on his way with his force of fifteen thousand, passed through the county of Pingyuan. There he saw among the mulberry trees a yellow flag under which marched a small company. When they drew nearer, he saw the leader was Liu Bei. “Good brother, what do you here？” asked Gongsun Zan. “You were kind to me once, and on your recommendation I was made the magistrate of this county. I heard you were…
A few days later came Cao Cao’s two cousins, Cao Ren and Cao Hong, each with one thousand followers. these two were accomplished horsemen and trained in the use of arms. then drill began, and Wei Hong spent his treasure freely in buying clothing, armor, flags, and banners. From all sides poured in gifts of grain. When Yuan Shao received Cao Cao’s call to arms, he collected all those under his command to the number of thirty thousand. Then he…