三国演义英文版-第13部分

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〃Who　is　he？〃　asked　Yuan　Shao。
Gongsun　Zan　told　them　it　was　Guan　Yu；　brother　of　Liu　Bei。
〃And　what　is　he？〃　asked　Yuan　Shao。
〃He　is　in　the　train　of　Liu　Bei　as　a　mounted　archer。〃
〃What！　An　insult　to　us　all！〃　roared　Yuan　Shu　from　his　place。　〃Have　we　no　leader？　How　dare　an　archer　speak　thus　before　us？　Let　us　beat　him　forth！〃
But　Cao　Cao　intervened。　〃Peace；　O　Yuan　Shu！　Since　this　man　speaks　great　words；　he　is　certainly　valiant。　Let　him　try。　If　he　fails；　then　we　may　reproach　him。〃
〃Hua　Xiong　will　laugh　at　us　if　we　send　a　mere　archer　to　fight　him；〃　said　Yuan　Shao。
〃This　man　looks　no　mon　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　tent　heard　the　fierce　roll　of　the　drums　and　then　a　mighty　sound　as　if　skies　were　falling　and　earth　rising；　hills　trembling　and　mountains　tearing　asunder。　And　they　were　sore　afraid。　And　while　they　were　listening　with　ears　intent；　lo！　the　gentle　tinkle　of　horse　bells；　and　Guan　Yu　returned；　throwing　at　their　feet　the　head　of　the　slain　leader；　their　enemy　Hua　Xiong。
The　wine　was　still　warm！
This　doughty　deed　has　been　celebrated　in　verse：

The　power　of　the　man　stands　first　in　all　the　world；
At　the　gate　of　the　camp　was　heard　the　rolling　of　the　battle　drums；
Then　Guan　Yu　set　aside　the　wine　cup　till　he　should　have　displayed　his　valor；
And　the　wine　was　still　warm　when　Hua　Xiong　had　been　slain。

Cao　Cao　was　greatly　excited　at　this　success。
But　Zhang　Fei's　voice　was　heard；　shouting；　〃My　brother　has　slain　Hua　Xiong。　What　are　we　waiting　for？　Why　not　break　through　the　Pass　and　seize　Dong　Zhuo？　Could　there　have　been　a　better　time？〃
Again　arose　the　angry　voice　of　Yuan　Shu；　〃We　high　officials　are　too　meek　and　yielding。　Here　is　the　petty　follower　of　a　small　magistrate　daring　to　flaunt　his　prowess　before　us！　Expel　him　from　the　tent；　I　say。〃
But　again　Cao　Cao　interposed；　〃Shall　we　consider　the　station　of　him　who　has　done　a　great　service？〃
〃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　death；　Li　Ru　was　greatly　distressed。　He　wrote　urgent　letters　to　his　master　who　called　in　his　trusted　advisers　to　a　council。
Li　Ru　summed　up　the　situation；　saying；　〃We　have　lost　our　best　leader；　and　the　rebel　power　has　thereby　bee　very　great。　Yuan　Shao　is　at　the　head　of　this　confederacy；　and　his　uncle；　Yuan　Wei；　is　holder　of　the　office　of　Imperial　Guardianship。　If　those　in　the　capital　bine　with　those　in　the　country；　we　may　suffer。　Therefore　we　must　remove　them。　So　I　request　you；　Sir　Prime　Minister；　to　place　yourself　at　the　head　of　your　army　and　break　this　confederation。〃
Dong　Zhuo　agreed　and　at　once　ordered　his　two　generals；　Li　Jue　and　Guo　Si；　to　take　five　hundred　troops　and　surround　the　residence　of　Imperial　Guardian　Yuan　Wei；　slay　every　soul　regardless　of　age；　and　hang　the　head　of　Yuan　Wei　outside　the　gate　as　trophy。　And　Dong　Zhuo　manded　two　hundred　thousand　troops　to　advance　in　two　armies。　The　first　fifty　thousand　were　under　Li　Jue　and　Guo　Si；　and　they　were　to　hold　River　Si　Pass。　They　should　not　necessarily　fight。　The　other　one　hundred　fifty　thousand　under　Dong　Zhuo　himself　went　to　Tiger　Trap　Pass。　His　counselors　and　manders………Li　Ru；　Lu　Bu；　Fan　Chou；　Zhang　Ji；　and　others………marched　with　the　main　army。
Tiger　Trap　Pass　is　fifteen　miles　from　Capital　Luoyang。　As　soon　as　they　arrived；　Dong　Zhuo　bade　Lu　Bu　take　thirty　thousand　soldiers　and　make　a　strong　stockade　on　the　outside　of　the　Pass。　The　main　body　with　Dong　Zhuo　would　occupy　the　Pass。
News　of　this　movement　reaching　the　confederate　lords。　Yuan　Shao　summoned　a　council。
Said　Cao　Cao；　〃The　occupation　of　the　Pass　would　cut　our　armies　in　two；　therefore；　we　must　oppose　Dong　Zhuo's　army　on　the　way。〃
So　eight　of　the　manders………Wang　Kuang；　Qiao　Mao；　Bao　Xin；　Yuan　Yi；　Kong　Rong；　Zhang　Yang；　Tao　Qian；　and　Gongsun　Zan………were　ordered　to　go　in　the　direction　of　the　Tiger　Trap　Pass　to　oppose　their　enemy。　Cao　Cao　and　his　troops　moved　among　them　as　reserve　to　render　help　where　needed。
Of　the　eight；　Wang　Kuang；　the　Governor　of　Henei；　was　the　first　to　arrive；　and　Lu　Bu　went　to　give　battle　with　three　thousand　armored　horsemen。　When　Wang　Kuang　had　ordered　his　army；　horse　and　foot；　in　battle　array；　he　took　his　station　under　the　great　banner　and　looked　over　at　his　foe。
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　he　carried　a　long　heavy　trident　halberd。　He　was　seated　on　his　snorting　steed　Red　Hare。　Indeed　Lu　Bu　was　the　man　among　humans；　as　Red　Hare　was　the　horse　among　horses。
〃Who　dares　go　out　to　fight　him？〃　asked　Wang　Kuang　turning　to　those　behind　him。
In　response　a　valiant　general　from　Henei　named　Fang　Yue　spurred　to　the　front；　his　spear　set　ready　for　battle。　Lu　Bu　and　Fang　Yue　met：　Before　the　fifth　bout　Fang　Yue　fell　under　a　thrust　of　the　trident　halberd；　and　Lu　Bu　dashed　forward。　Wang　Kuang's　troops　could　not　stand　and　scattered　in　all　directions。　Lu　Bu　went　to　and　fro　slaying　all　he　met。　He　was　irresistible。
Luckily；　two　other　troops　led　by　Qiao　Mao　and　Yuan　Yi　came　up　and　rescued　the　wounded　Wang　Kuang；　and　Lu　Bu　pulled　back。　The　three；　having　lost　many　troops；　withdrew　ten　miles　and　made　a　stockade。　And　before　long　the　remaining　five　manders　came　up　and　joined　them。　They　held　a　council　and　agreed　Lu　Bu　was　a　hero　no　one　could　match。
And　while　they　sat　there　anxious　and　uncertain；　it　was　announced　that　Lu　Bu　had　returned　to　challenge　them。　They　mounted　their　horses　and　placed　themselves　at　the　heads　of　eight　forces；　each　body　in　its　station　on　the　high　ground。　Around　them　was　the　opposing　army　in　formation；　manded　by　Lu　Bu；　innumerable　horse　and　foot；　with　splendid　embroidered　banners　waving　in　the　breeze。
They　attacked　Lu　Bu。　Mu　Shun；　a　general　of　Governor　Zhang　Yang；　rode　out　with　his　spear　set；　but　soon　fell　at　the　first　encounter　with　Lu　Bu。　This　frightened　the　others。　Then　galloped　forth　Wu　Anguo；　a　general　under　Governor　Kong　Rong。　Wu　Anguo　raised　his　iron　mace　ready　at　his　rival。　Lu　Bu　whirling　his　halberd　and　urging　on　his　steed　came　to　meet　Wu　Anguo。　The　two　fought；　well　matched　for　ten　bouts；　when　a　blow　from　the　trident　halberd　broke　Wu　Anguo's　wrist。　Letting　his　mace　fall　to　the　ground　he　fled。　Then　all　eight　of　the　lords　led　forth　their　armies　to　his　rescue；　and　Lu　Bu　retired　to　his　line。
The　fighting　then　ceased；　and　after　their　return　to　camp　another　council　met。
Cao　Cao　said；　〃No　one　can　stand　against　the　prowess　of　Lu　Bu。　Let　us　call　up　all　the　lords　and　evolve　some　good　plan。　If　only　Lu　Bu　were　taken；　Dong　Zhuo　could　easily　be　killed。〃
While　the　council　was　in　progress　again　came　Lu　Bu　to　challenge　them；　and　again　the　manders　moved　out　against　him。　This　time　Gongsun　Zan；　flourishing　his　spear；　went　to　meet　the　enemy。　After　a　very　few　bouts　Gongsun　Zan　turned　and　fled；　Lu　Bu　following　at　the　topmost　speed　of　Red　Hare。　Red　Hare　was　a　five…hundred…mile…a…day　horse；　swift　as　the　wind。　The　lords　watched　Red　Hare　gained　rapidly　upon　the　flying　horseman；　and　Lu　Bu's　halberd　was　poised　ready　to　strike　Gongsun　Zan　just　behind　the　heart。　Just　then　dashed　in　a　third　rider　with　round　glaring　eyes　and　a　bristling　mustache；　and　armed　with　a　ten…foot　serpent　halberd。

＇e＇　Yan　was　a　state　in　the　Warring　States　period。　Located　in　the　northeast；　and　north　of　Qi。　。。。。。
〃Stay；　O　twice　bastard！〃　roared　he；　〃I；　Zhang　Fei　of　Yan*；　await　you！〃
Seeing　this　opponent；　Lu　Bu　left　the　pursuit　of　Gongsun　Zan　and　engaged　the　new　adversary。　Zhang　Fei　was　elated；　and　he　rode　forth　with　all　his　energies。　They　two　were　worthily　matched；　and　they　exchanged　half　a　hundred　bouts　with　no　advantage　to　either　side。　Then　Guan　Yu；　impatient；　rode　out　with　his　huge　and　weighty　green…dragon　saber　and　attacked　Lu　Bu　on　the　other　flank。　The　three　steeds　formed　a　triangle　and　their　riders　battered　away　at　each　other　for　thirty　bouts；　yet　still　Lu　Bu　stood　firm。
Then　Liu　Bei　rode　out　to　his　brothers'　aid；　his　double　swords　raised　ready　to　strike。　The　steed　with　the　flowing　mane　was　urged　in　at　an　angle；　and　now　Lu　Bu　had　to　contend　with　three　surrounding　warriors　at　whom　he　struck　one　after　another；　and　they　at　him；　the　flashing　of　the　warriors'　weapons　looking　like　the　revolving　lamps　suspended　at　the　new　year。　And　the　warriors　of　the　eight　armies　gazed　rapt　with　amazement　at　such　a　battle。
But　Lu　Bu's　guard　began　to　weaken　and　fatigue　seized　him。　Looking　hard　in　the　face　of　Liu　Bei；　Lu　Bu　feigned　a　fierce　thrust　thus　making　Liu　Bei　suddenly　draw　back。　Then；　lowering　his　halberd；　Lu　Bu　dashed　through　the　angle　thus　opened　and　got　away。
But　was　it　likely　they　would　allow　him　to　escape？　They　whipped　their　steeds　and　followed　hard。　The　soldiers　of　the　eight　armies　cracked　their　throats　with　thunderous　cheers　and　all　dashed　forward；　pressing　after　Lu　Bu　as　he　made　for　the　shelter　of　the　Tiger　Trap　Pass。　And　first　among　his　pursuers　were　the　three　brothers。
An　ancient　poet　has　told　of　this　famous　fight　in　these　lines：

The　fateful　day　of　Han　came　in　the　reigns　of　Huan　and　Ling；
Their　glory　declined　as　the　sun　sinks　at　the　close　of　day。
Dong　Zhuo；　infamous　minister　of　state；　pulled　down　the　youthful　Bian。
It　is　true　the　new　Xian　was　a　weakling；　too　timid　for　his　times。
Then　Cao　Cao　proclaimed　abroad　these　wicked　deeds；
And　the　great　lords；　moved　with　anger；　assembled　their　forces。
In　council　met　they　and　chose　as　their　oath…chief　Yuan　Shao；
Pledged　themselves　to　maintain　the　ruling　house　and　tranquillity。
Of　the　warriors　of　that　time　matchless　Lu　Bu　was　the　boldest。
His　valor　and　prowess　are　sung　by　all　within　the　four　seas。
He　clothed　his　body　in　silver　armor　like　the　scales　of　a　dragon；
On　his　head　was　a　golden　headdress　with　pheasant　tails；
About　his　waist　a　shaggy　belt；　the　clasp；　two　wild　beasts'　heads　with　gripping　jaws；
His　flowing；　embroidered　robe　fluttered　about　his　form；
His　swift　courser　bounded　over　the　plain；　a　mighty　wind　following；
His　terrible　trident　halberd　flashed　in　the　sunlight；　bright　as　a　placid　lake。
Who　dared　face　him　as　he　rode　forth　to　challenge？
The　bowels　of　the　confederate　lords　were　torn　with　fear　and　their　hearts　trembled。
Then　leaped　forth　Zhang　Fei；　the　valiant　warrior　of　the　north；
Gripped　in　his　mighty　hand　the　long　serpent　halberd；
His　mustache　bristled　with　anger；　standing　stiff　like　wire。
His　round　eyes　glared；　lightning　flashes　darted　from　them。
Neither　quailed　in　the　fight；　but　the　is