matter in single bat； the winner to take the Emperor and go。〃
The two generals fought in front of their armies； but neither could prevail over the other。
Then they saw Yang Biao e riding up to them； crying； 〃Rest a while； O manders！ For I have invited a party of officers to arrange a peace。〃
Wherefore the two leaders retired to their camps。 Soon Yang Biao； Zhu Jun； and sixty other officials came up and went to Guo Si's camp。 They were all thrown into confinement。
〃We came with good intentions；〃 they moaned； 〃and we are treated like this。〃
〃Li Jue has run off with the Emperor； I have to have the officers；〃 said Guo Si。
〃What does it mean？ One has the Emperor； the other his officers。 What do you want？〃 said Yang Biao。
Guo Si lost patience and drew his sword； but mander Yang Mi persuaded him not to slay the speaker。 Then Guo Si released Yang Biao and Zhu Jun but kept the others in the camp。
〃Here are we two officers of the Throne； and we cannot help our lord。 We have been born in vain；〃 said Yang Biao to Zhu Jun。
Throwing their arms about each other； they wept and fell swooning to the earth。 Zhu Jun went home； fell seriously ill and died。
Thereafter the two adversaries fought every day for nearly three months； each losing many soldiers。
Now Li Jue was irreligious and practiced magic。 He often called witches to beat drums and summon spirits； even when in camp。 Jia Xu used to remonstrate with him； but quite uselessly。
Yang Qi said to the Emperor； 〃That Jia Xu； although a friend of Li Jue； never seems to have lost the sense of loyalty to Your Majesty。〃
Soon after Jia Xu himself arrived。
The Emperor sent away his attendants and said to Jia Xu； weeping the while； 〃Can you not pity