三国演义英文版-第77部分

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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　well　that　I　should　have　to　die。〃
The　gaoler　wept。
Tian　Feng　said；　〃An　able　person　born　into　this　world　who　does　not　recognize　and　serve　the　right　lord　is　ignorant。　Today　I　die；　but　I　am　not　deserving　of　pity。〃
Whereupon　he　cut　his　throat　in　the　prison。

Ju　Shou　but　yesterday　was　killed；
Tian　Feng　ends　his　life　his　fate　fulfilled；
The　Yellow　River's　main　beams　break　one　by　one；
Mourn　ye　that　Yuan　House！　Its　day　is　done。

Thus　died　Tian　Feng；　pitied　of　all　who　heard　of　his　fate。
When　Yuan　Shao　came　home　in　Jizhou；　he　was　with　troubled　mind　and　distorted　thoughts。　He　could　not　attend　to　the　business　of　government　and　became　so　ill　that　his　second　wife；　who　came　of　the　Liu　family　and　had　replaced　the　first　wife　after　her　death；　besought　him　to　make　his　last　dispositions。
Now　three　sons　had　been　born　to　Yuan　Shao：　Yuan　Tan　the　eldest；　who　was　mander　at　Qingzhou；　Yuan　Xi；　who　ruled　over　Youzhou；　and　Yuan　Shang；　borne　to　him　by　Lady　Liu。　This　youngest　son　was　very　handsome　and　noble　looking；　and　his　father's　favorite。　So　he　was　kept　at　home。
After　the　defeat　at　Guandu；　the　lad's　mother　was　constantly　urging　that　her　son　should　be　named　as　successor；　and　Yuan　Shao　called　together　four　of　his　counselors　to　consider　this　matter。　These　four　happened　to　be　divided　in　their　sympathies：　Shen　Pei　and　Peng　Ji　being　in　favor　of　the　youngest　son；　and　Xin　Ping　and　Guo　Tu　supporters　of　the　eldest。
When　they　met　to　consult；　Yuan　Shao　said；　〃As　there　is　nought　but　war　and　trouble　outside　our　borders；　it　is　necessary　that　tranquillity　within　be　early　provided　for；　and　I　wish　to　appoint　my　successor。　My　eldest　son　is　hard　and　cruel；　my　second　is　mild　and　unfit。　The　third　has　the　outward　form　of　a　hero；　appreciates　the　wise；　and　is　courteous　to　his　subordinates。　I　wish　him　to　succeed；　but　I　wish　that　you　tell　me　your　opinions。〃
Guo　Tu　said；　〃Yuan　Tan　is　your　first　born；　and　he　is　in　a　position　of　authority　beyond　your　control。　If　you　pass　over　the　eldest　in　favor　of　the　youngest；　you　sow　the　seeds　of　turbulence。　The　prestige　of　the　army　has　been　somewhat　lowered　and　enemies　are　on　our　border。　Should　you　add　to　our　weakness　by　making　strife　between　father　and　son；　elder　and　younger　brothers？　Rather　consider　how　the　enemy　may　be　repulsed　and　turn　to　the　question　of　the　heirship　later。〃
Then　the　natural　hesitation　of　Yuan　Shao　asserted　itself；　and　he　could　not　make　up　his　mind。　Soon　came　news　that　his　sons　Yuan　Tan　was　ing　from　Qingzhou　with　sixty　thousand　troops；　Yuan　Xi　ing　from　Youzhou　with　fifty　thousand　troops；　and　his　nephew　Gao　Gan　ing　from　Bingzhou　with　fifty　thousand　troops　to　help　him；　and　he　turned　his　attention　to　preparations　for　fighting　Cao　Cao。
When　Cao　Cao　drew　up　his　victorious　army　on　the　banks　of　Yellow　River；　the　aged　natives　brought　an　offering　of　food　and　sauce　to　bid　him　wele。　Their　venerable　and　hoary　appearances　led　Cao　Cao　to　treat　them　with　the　highest　respect。
He　invited　them　to　be　seated　and　said　to　them；　〃Venerable　Sirs；　what　may　be　your　age？〃
〃We　are　nearly　a　hundred；〃　replied　the　old　villagers。
〃I　should　be　very　sorry　if　my　army　had　disturbed　your　village；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
One　of　them　said；　〃In　the　days　of　the　Emperor　Huan　a　yellow　star　was　seen　over　by　way　of　the　ancient　states　of　Chu　and　Song　in　the　southwest。　Yin　Kui　of　Liaodong；　who　was　learned　in　astrology；　happened　to　be　passing　the　night　here；　and　he　told　us　that　the　star　foretold　the　arrival　in　these　parts；　fifty　years　hence；　of　a　true　and　honest　man　here　in　the　Yellow　River。　Lo！　That　is　exactly　fifty　years　ago。　Now　Yuan　Shao　is　very　hard　on　the　people　and　they　hate　him。　You；　Sir；　having　raised　this　army　in　the　cause　of　humanity　and　righteousness；　out　of　pity　for　the　people　and　to　punish　crimes；　and　having　destroyed　the　hordes　of　Yuan　Shao　at　Guandu；　just　fulfill　the　prophecy　of　Yin　Kui。　The　millions　of　the　land　may　look　now　for　tranquillity。〃
〃How　dare　I　presume　that　I　am　he？〃　said　Cao　Cao　with　a　smile。
Wine　was　served　and　refreshments　brought　in；　and　the　old　gentlemen　was　sent　away　with　presents　of　silk　stuffs。　And　an　order　was　issued　to　the　army　that　if　anyone　killed　so　much　as　a　fowl　or　a　dog　belonging　to　the　villagers；　he　should　be　punished　as　for　murder。　And　the　soldiers　obeyed　with　fear　and　trembling　while　Cao　Cao　rejoiced　in　his　heart。
It　was　told　Cao　Cao　that　the　total　army　from　the　four　regions　under　the　Yuan　family　amounted　to　two　hundred　thirty　thousand　soldiers　and　they　were　camped　at　Cangting。　Cao　Cao　then　advanced　nearer　to　them　and　made　a　strong　camp。
Next　day　the　two　armies　were　arrayed　over　against　each　other。　On　one　side　Cao　Cao　rode　to　the　front　surrounded　by　his　manders；　and　on　the　other　appeared　Yuan　Shao　supported　by　his　three　sons；　his　nephew；　and　his　leaders。
Cao　Cao　spoke　first；　〃Yuan　Shao；　your　schemes　are　poor；　your　strength　is　exhausted；　why　still　refuse　to　think　of　surrender？　Are　you　waiting　till　the　sword　shall　be　upon　your　neck？　Then　it　will　be　too　late。〃
Yuan　Shao　turned　to　those　about　him；　saying；　〃Who　dares　go　out？〃
His　son　Yuan　Shang　was　anxious　to　exhibit　his　prowess　in　the　presence　of　his　father；　so　he　flourished　his　pair　of　swords　and　rode　forth。
Cao　Cao　pointed　him　out　to　his　officers　and　asked；　〃Anyone　knows　him？〃
〃He　is　the　youngest　son　of　Yuan　Shao；〃　was　the　reply。
Before　they　had　finished　speaking；　from　their　own　side　rode　out　Shi　Huan；　armed　with　a　spear。　The　two　champions　fought　a　little　while　and　suddenly　Yuan　Shang　whipped　up　his　horse；　made　a　feint　and　fled。　His　opponent　followed。　Yuan　Shang　took　his　bow；　fitted　an　arrow；　turned　in　his　saddle；　and　shot　at　Shi　Huan；　wounding　him　in　the　left　eye。　Shi　Huan　fell　from　the　saddle　and　died　on　the　spot。
Yuan　Shao　seeing　his　son　thus　get　the　better　of　his　opponent；　gave　the　signal　for　attack；　and　the　whole　army　thundered　forward。　The　onslaught　was　heavy；　but　presently　the　gongs　on　both　sides　sounded　the　retire　and　the　battle　ceased。
When　he　had　returned　to　camp；　Cao　Cao　took　counsel　to　find　a　plan　to　overe　Yuan　Shao。　Then　Cheng　Yu　proposed　the　plan　of　the　〃Ten　Ambushes〃　and　persuaded　Cao　Cao　to　retire　upon　the　river；　placing　troops　in　ambush　as　he　went。　Thus　would　Yuan　Shao　be　inveigled　into　pursuit　as　far　as　the　river；　when　Cao　Cao's　army　would　be　forced　to　make　a　desperate　stand　or　be　driven　into　the　water。
Cao　Cao　accepted　this　suggestion　and　told　off　ten　panies　of　five　thousand　soldiers　each　to　lie　in　ten　ambush　on　two　sides　of　the　road　of　retreat。　The　arrangement　of　the　ambushes　were　thus：　On　the　left；　first　pany　under　Xiahou　Dun；　second　pany；　Zhang　Liao；　third　pany；　Li　Dian；　fourth　pany；　Yue　Jing；　fifth　pany；　Xiahou　Yuan；　on　the　right；　first　pany　was　under　Cao　Hong；　second　pany；　Zhang　He；　third　pany；　Xu　Huang；　fourth　pany；　Yu　Jin；　fifth　pany；　Gao　Lan。　Xu　Chu　manded　the　advanced　front。
Next　day　the　ten　panies　started　first　and　placed　themselves　right　and　left　as　ordered。　In　the　night　Cao　Cao　ordered　the　advanced　front　to　feign　an　attack　on　the　camp；　which　roused　all　the　enemy　in　all　their　camps。　This　done；　Xu　Chu　retreated　and　Yuan　Shao's　army　came　in　pursuit。　The　roar　of　battle　went　on　without　cessation；　and　at　dawn　Cao　Cao's　army　rested　on　the　river　and　could　retreat　no　farther。
Then　Cao　Cao　shouted；　〃There　is　no　road　in　front；　so　all　must　fight　or　die。〃
The　retreating　army　turned　about　and　advanced　vigorously。　Xu　Chu　simply　flew　to　the　front；　smote　and　killed　ten　generals　and　threw　Yuan　Shao's　army　into　confusion。　They　tried　to　turn　and　march　back；　but　Cao　Cao　was　close　behind。　Then　the　drums　of　the　enemy　were　heard；　and　right　and　left　there　appeared　two　ambush　panies　of　Gao　Lan　and　Xiahou　Yuan。　Yuan　Shao　collected　about　him　his　three　sons　and　his　nephew；　and　they　were　enabled　to　cut　an　alley　out　and　flee。　Three　miles　further　on　they　fell　into　another　ambush　of　Yue　Jing　and　Yu　Jin；　and　here　many　troops　of　Yuan　Shao　were　lost　so　that　their　corpses　lay　over　the　countryside　and　the　blood　filled　the　water　courses。　Another　three　miles　and　they　met　the　third　pair　of　Li　Dian　and　Xu　Huang　barring　their　road。
Here　they　lost　heart　and　bolted　for　an　old　camp　of　their　own　that　was　near；　and　bade　their　men　prepare　a　meal。　But　just　as　the　food　was　ready　to　eat；　down　came　Zhang　Liao　and　Zhang　He　and　burst　into　the　camp。
Yuan　Shao　mounted　and　fled　as　far　as　Cangting；　when　he　was　tired　and　his　steed　spent。　But　there　was　no　rest；　for　Cao　Cao　came　in　close　pursuit。　It　seemed　now　a　race　for　life。　But　presently　Yuan　Shao　found　his　onward　course　again　blocked　by　Xiahou　Dun　and　Cao　Hong；　and　he　groaned　aloud。
〃If　we　do　not　make　most　desperate　efforts；　we　are　all　captives！〃　said　he。
And　they　plunged　forward。　His　second　son　Yuan　Xi　and　his　nephew　Gao　Gan　were　wounded　by　arrows；　and　most　of　his　soldiers　were　dead　or　had　disappeared。　He　gathered　his　sons　into　his　arms　and　wept　bitterly。　Then　he　fell　into　a　swoon。　He　was　picked　up；　but　his　mouth　was　full　of　blood　which　ran　forth　in　a　bright　scarlet　stream。
He　sighed；　saying；　〃Many　battles　have　I　fought；　and　little　did　I　think　to　be　driven　to　this。　Heaven　is　afflicting　me。　You　had　better　return　each　to　his　own　territory　and　swear　to　fight　this　Cao　Cao　to　the　end。〃
Then　Yuan　Shao　bade　Xin　Ping　and　Guo　Tu　as　quickly　as　possible　follow　Yuan　Tan　to　Qingzhou　and　prepare　to　give　battle　to　Cao　Cao　lest　he　should　invade。　Yuan　Xi　was　told　to　go　to　Youzhou　and　Gao　Gan　to　Bingzhou。
So　each　started　to　prepare　armies　and　horses　for　repulsing　Cao　Cao。　Yuan　Shao　with　his　youngest　son　Yuan　Shang　and　the　remnant　of　his　officers　went　away　to　Jizhou；　and　military　operations　were　suspended　for　a　time。
Meanwhile　Cao　Cao　was　distributing　rewards　to　his　army　for　the