rth； a relative cut off。 And each beat his breast and wept。
And all said； 〃Had he but listened to Tian Feng； we had not met this disaster！〃
Yuan Shao； very remorseful； said； 〃I did not hearken unto Tian Feng； and now my soldiers have been beaten and I was nearly lost。 How can I return and look him in the face？〃
Next day the march was resumed； and Yuan Shao met Peng Ji with reinforcements； to whom he said； 〃I disregarded Tian Feng's advice and have brought myself to defeat。 Now shall I be greatly ashamed to look him in the face。〃
This tribute to Tian Feng's prescience roused the jealousy of Peng Ji； who replied； 〃Yes； when he heard the news of your defeat； though he was a prisoner； he clapped his hands for joy and said； 'Indeed； just as I foretold！'〃
〃How dare he laugh at me； the blockhead？ Assuredly he shall die；〃 said Yuan Shao。
Whereupon Yuan Shao wrote a letter and sent therewith a sword to slay the prisoner。
Meanwhile Tian Feng's gaoler came to him one day； saying； 〃Above all humans I felicitate you。〃
〃What is the joyful occasion and why felicitate？〃 said Tian Feng。
The gaoler replied； 〃Imperial Protector Yuan Shao has been defeated and is on his way back。 He will treat you with redoubled respect。〃
〃Now am I a dead man！〃 said Tian Feng。
〃Why say you that； Sir； when all people give you joy？〃
〃The Imperial Protector appears liberal； but he is jealous and forgetful of honest advice。 Had he been victorious； he might have pardoned me。 Now that he has been defeated and put to shame； I may not hope to live。〃
But the gaoler did not believe Tian Feng。 Before long came the letter and the sword with the fatal order。
The gaoler was dismayed； but the victim said； 〃I knew all too