t began to struggle。 However； Liu Feng and Guan Ping each seized one man and held him。
〃Your lord and I are of the same house；〃 said Liu Bei。 〃Why then have you plotted against me and conspired to sow enmity between us？〃
Pang Tong bade them search the captives； and the hidden daggers were found。 So both were ordered to immediate execution。 However； Liu Bei hesitated and was unwilling to confirm the sentence and put them to death。 But his adviser insisted that they were worthy of death for the assassination they had penned； and bade the executioners fall on。 So the two men were beheaded。 Of their following not one had been allowed to slip away。
Liu Bei summoned the soldiers of the escort to his tent； gave them wine to fort them； and said； 〃Your leaders conspired to sow dissension between brothers and were found with daggers hidden beneath their clothing。 They were assassins in intent and have met the fate they merited。 You have mitted no crime and need feel no alarm。〃
The soldiers thanked him for his clemency with low obeisance。
Then said Pang Tong； 〃If you will now show the way so that our troops may capture the Pass； you shall even be rewarded。〃
They consented。 That same night the army set out； with the soldiers of the renegade escort leading the way。
When they reached the Pass they hailed the gate； saying； 〃Open the gate quickly！ The generals have returned earlier than they expected because of important business。〃
Hearing the voices of their rades； the gate guards had no suspicion of treachery and threw open the gates。 In rushed the enemy soldiers and so gained possession of River Fu Pass without shedding a drop of blood。 The defenders came over to the side of Liu Bei and were liberally rewarded。 This done； the a