三国演义英文版-第90部分

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〃After　you　are　gone；　I　shall　only　bury　myself　in　the　hills　and　hide　in　the　forests；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
Xu　Shu　said；　〃I　had　in　my　heart　for　you　the　position　of　leader　of　the　chieftains；　but　my　plans　have　been　altogether　upset　by　my　mother。　I　have　been　of　no　advantage　to　you；　nor　should　I　do　any　good　by　remaining。　But　you　ought　to　seek　some　person　of　lofty　wisdom　to　help　you　in　your　great　enterprise。　It　is　unseemly　to　be　downcast。〃
〃I　shall　find　none　to　help　better　than　you；　my　master。〃
〃How　can　I　permit　such　extravagant　praise？〃　said　Xu　Shu。　〃I　am　only　a　useless　blockhead。〃
As　he　moved　off；　he　said　to　the　followers；　〃Officers；　I　hope　you　will　render　the　Princely　One　good　service；　whereby　to　write　his　name　large　in　the　country's　annals　and　cause　his　fame　to　glow　in　the　pages　of　history。　Do　not　be　like　me；　a　person　who　has　left　his　work　half　done。〃
They　were　all　deeply　affected。　Liu　Bei　could　not　bring　himself　to　part　from　his　friend。　He　escorted　him　a　little　further；　and　yet　a　little　further；　till　Xu　Shu　said；　〃I　will　not　trouble　you；　O　Princely　One；　to　e　further。　Let　us　say　our　farewell　here。〃
Liu　Bei　dismounted；　took　Xu　Shu　by　the　hands；　and　said；　〃Alas！　We　part。　Each　goes　his　way；　and　who　knows　if　we　shall　meet　again？〃
His　tears　fell　like　rain　and　Xu　Shu　wept　also。　But　the　last　goodbyes　were　said。　When　the　traveler　had　gone；　Liu　Bei　stood　gazing　after　the　little　party　and　watched　it　slowly　disappear。　At　the　last　glimpse　he　broke　into　lamentation。
〃He　is　gone！　What　shall　I　do？〃
One　of　the　trees　shut　out　the　traveler　from　his　sight；　and　Liu　Bei　pointed　at　it；　saying；　〃Wish　that　I　could　cut　down　every　tree　in　the　countryside！〃
〃Why？〃　said　his　officers。
〃Because　they　hinder　my　sight　of　Xu　Shu。〃
Suddenly　they　saw　Xu　Shu　galloping　back。
Said　Liu　Bei；　〃He　is　returning：　Can　it　he　that　he　is　going　to　stay？〃
So　he　hastened　forward　to　meet　Xu　Shu；　and　when　they　got　near　enough；　he　cried；　〃This　return　is　surely　for　no　slight　reason。〃
Checking　his　horse；　Xu　Shu　said；　〃In　the　turmoil　of　my　feelings；　I　forgot　to　say　one　word。　There　is　a　person　of　wonderful　skill　living　about　seven　miles　from　the　city　of　Xiangyang。　Why　not　seek　him？〃
〃Can　I　trouble　you　to　ask　him　to　visit　me？〃

＇e＇　Lu　Wang　was　a　master　strategist；　founding　minister　of　Zhou　Dynasty；　counselor　to　King　Wen。　Before　joining　King　Wen；　Lu　Wang　had　been　a　fisher；　who　mediated　on　the　river　bank　on　political　events。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Zhang　Liang　was　Liu　Bang's　counselor。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Guan　Zhong　was　priminister　of　Duke　Huan　of　Qi。　Guan　Zhong　made　Qi　a　powerful　state　during　the　Spring　and　Autumn　period。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Yue　Yi　was　a　great　general　of　Yan。　Yue　Yi　helped　Yan　overe　Qi；　which　was　a　dominant　state　during　the　Warring　States　period。　。。。。。
〃He　will　not　condescend　to　visit　you。　You　must　go　to　him。　But　if　he　consents；　you　will　be　as　fortunate　as　the　Zhou　when　they　got　the　aid　of　Lu　Wang*；　or　the　Han　when　Zhang　Liang*　came　to　help。〃
〃How　does　the　unknown　pare　with　yourself？〃
〃With　me？　pared　with　him　I　am　as　a　worn…out　carthorse　to　a　palomino；　an　old　duck　to　a　phoenix。　This　man　often　pares　himself　with　the　ancient　sages　Guan　Zhong*　and　Yue　Yi*　but；　in　my　opinion；　he　is　far　their　superior。　He　has　the　talent　to　measure　the　heavens　and　mete　the　earth。　He　is　a　man　who　overshadows　every　other　in　the　world。〃
〃I　would　know　his　name。〃
〃He　belongs　to　Langye；　and　his　name　is　Zhuge　Liang。　He　is　of　the　family　of　the　former　General　Zhuge　Feng。　His　father；　Zhuge　Gui；　was　the　Deputy　Governor　of　Taishan　but　died　young；　and　the　young　fellow　went　with　his　uncle　Zhuge　Xuan　to　Jingzhou。　Imperial　Protector　Liu　Biao　was　an　old　friend　of　his　uncle；　and　Zhuge　Liang　became　settled　in　Xiangyang。　Then　his　uncle　died；　and　he　and　his　younger　brother；　Zhuge　Jun；　returned　to　their　farm　in　Nanyang　and　worked　as　farmers。　They　used　to　amuse　themselves　with　the　position　of　songs　in　the　Liangfu　style。
〃On　their　land　was　a　ridge　of　hills　called　the　Sleeping　Dragon；　and　the　elder　of　the　brothers　took　it　as　a　name　and　called　himself　Master　Sleeping　Dragon。　This　is　your　man。　He　is　a　veritable　genius。　You　ought　really　to　visit　him。　And　if　he　will　help　you；　you　need　feel　no　more　anxiety　about　peace　in　the　empire。〃
〃Water　Mirror　spoke　that　time　of　two　persons；　Sleeping　Dragon　and　Young　Phoenix；　and　said　if　only　one　of　them　could　be　got　to　help　me　all　would　be　well。　Surely　he；　whom　you　speak　of；　is　one　of　them。〃
〃Young　Phoenix　is　Pang　Tong　of　Xiangyang；　and　Sleeping　Dragon　is　Zhuge　Liang。〃
Liu　Bei　jumped　with　delight；　〃Now　at　last　I　know　who　the　mysterious　ones　are。　How　I　wish　they　were　here！　But　for　you　I　should　have　still　been　an　unclued　man；〃　said　he。
Someone　has　celebrated　in　verse　this　interview　where　Xu　Shu　from　horseback　remended　Zhuge　Liang：

Liu　Bei　heard　that　his　able　friend
Must　leave　him；　with　saddened　heart；
For　each　to　the　other　had　grown　very　dear；
Both　wept　when　it　came　to　part。
But　the　parting　guest　then　mentioned　a　name
That　echoed　both　loud　and　deep；
Like　a　thunder　clap　in　a　spring…time　sky；
And　there　wakened　a　dragon　from　sleep。

Thus　was　Zhuge　Liang　remended　to　Liu　Bei；　and　Xu　Shu　rode　away。
Now　Liu　Bei　understood　the　speech　of　the　hermit　Water　Mirror；　and　he　woke　as　one　from　a　drunken　sleep。　At　the　head　of　his　officers；　he　retook　the　road　to　the　city　and　having　prepared　rich　gifts　set　out；　with　his　brothers；　for　Nanyang。
Under　the　influence　of　his　emotions　at　parting；　Xu　Shu　had　mentioned　the　name　and　betrayed　the　retreat　of　his　friend。　Now　he　thought　of　the　possibility　that　Zhuge　Liang　would　be　unwilling　to　play　the　part　of　helper　in　Liu　Bei's　scheme；　so　Xu　Shu　determined　to　go　to　visit　him。　He　therefore　took　his　way　to　Sleeping　Dragon　Ridge　and　dismounted　at　the　cottage。
Asked　why　he　had　e；　Xu　Shu　replied；　〃I　wished　to　serve　Liu　Bei　of　Yuzhou；　but　my　mother　has　been　imprisoned　by　Cao　Cao；　and　has　sent　to　call　me。　Therefore　I　have　had　to　leave　him。　At　the　moment　of　parting　I　mended　you　to　him。　You　may　expect　him　speedily　and　I　hope；　Sir；　you　will　not　refuse　your　aid　but　will　consent　to　use　your　great　talents　to　help　him。〃
Zhuge　Liang　showed　annoyance　and　said；　〃And　so　you　have　made　me　a　victim　of　the　world's　sacrifice。〃
So　saying；　Zhuge　Liang　shook　out　his　sleeves　and　left　the　room。　The　guest　shamefacedly　retired；　mounted　his　horse；　and　hastened　on　his　way　to　the　capital　to　see　his　mother。

To　help　the　lord　he　loved　right　well；
He　summoned　the　aid　of　another
When　he　took　the　distant　homeward　way
At　the　call　of　a　loving　mother。

What　was　the　sequel　will　appear　in　the　following　chapters。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　37　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　37
　Chapter　37
Sima　Hui　Remends　A　Scholar　To　Liu　Bei；
Liu　Bei　Pays　Three　Visits　To　The　Sleeping　Dragon　Ridge。
As　has　been　said　Xu　Shu　hastened　to　the　capital。　When　Cao　Cao　knew　Xu　Shu　had　arrived；　he　sent　two　of　his　confidants；　Xun　Yu　and　Cheng　Yu　to　receive　the　newer　at　the　city　gate；　and　so　Xu　Shu　was　led　first　to　the　Prime　Minister's　palace。
〃Why　did　such　an　illustrious　scholar　as　you　bow　the　knee　to　Liu　Bei？〃　said　Cao　Cao。
〃I　am　young；　and　I　fled　to　avoid　the　results　of　certain　escapades。　I　spent　some　time　as　a　wanderer　and　so　came　to　Xinye　where　I　became　good　friends　with　him。　But　my　mother　is　here；　and　when　I　thought　of　all　her　affection；　I　could　no　longer　remain　absent。〃
〃Now　you　will　be　able　to　take　care　of　your　mother　at　all　times。　And　I　may　have　the　privilege　of　receiving　your　instructions。〃
Xu　Shu　then　took　his　leave　and　hastened　to　his　mother's　dwelling。　Weeping　with　emotion；　he　made　his　obeisance　to　her　at　the　door　of　her　room。
But　she　was　greatly　surprised　to　see　him　and　said；　〃What　have　you　e　here　for？〃
〃I　was　at　Xinye；　in　the　service　of　Liu　Bei　of　Yuzhou；　when　I　received　your　letter。　I　came　immediately。〃
His　mother　suddenly　grew　very　angry。
Striking　the　table　she　cried；　〃You　shameful　and　degenerate　son！　For　years　you　have　been　a　vagabond　in　spite　of　all　my　teaching。　You　are　a　student　and　know　the　books。　You　must　then　know　that　loyalty　and　filial　piety　are　often　opposed。　Did　you　not　recognize　in　Cao　Cao　a　traitor；　a　man　who　flouts　his　king　and　insults　the　mighty　ones？　Did　you　not　see　that　Liu　Bei　was　virtuous　and　upright　as　all　the　world　knows？　Moreover；　he　is　of　the　House　of　Han；　and　when　you　were　with　him　you　were　serving　a　fitting　master。　Now　on　the　strength　of　a　scrap　of　forged　writing；　with　no　attempt　at　any　inquiry；　you　have　left　the　light　and　plunged　into　darkness　and　earned　a　disgraceful　reputation。　Truly　you　are　stupid。　How　can　I　bear　to　look　upon　you？　You　have　besmirched　the　fair　fame　of　your　forefathers　and　are　of　no　use　in　the　world！〃
The　son　remained　bowed　to　the　earth；　not　daring　to　lift　his　eyes　while　his　mother　delivered　this　vilifying　tirade。　As　she　said　the　last　word；　she　rose　suddenly　and　left　the　room。　Soon　after　one　of　the　servants　came　out　to　say　Lady　Xun　had　hanged　herself。　Xu　Shu　rushed　in　to　try　to　save　her；　but　was　too　late。　A　eulogy　of　her　conduct　has　been　written　thus：

Wise　Mother　Xun；　fair　is　your　fame；
The　storied　page　glows　with　your　name；
From　duty's　path　you　never　strayed；
The　family's　renown　you　made。
To　train　your　son　no　pains　you　spared；
For　your　own　body　nothing　cared。
You　stand　sublime；　from　us　apart；
Through　simple　purity　of　heart。
Brave　Liu　Bei's　virtues　you　extolled；
You　blamed　Cao　Cao；　the　basely　bold。
Of　blazing　fire　you　felt　no　fear；
You　blenched　not　when　the　sword　came　neat；
But　dreaded　lest　a　willful　son
Should　dim　the　fame　his　fathers　won。
Yes；　Mother　Xun　was　of　one　mold
With　famous　heroes　of　old；
Who　never　shrank　from　injury；
And　even　were　content　to　die。
Fair　meed　of　praise；　while　still　alive；
Was　yours；　and　ever　will　survive。
Hail！　Mother　Xun；　your　memory；
While　time　rolls　on；　shall　never。

At　sight　of　his　mother　dead；　Xu　Shu　fell　in　a　swoon　and　only　recovered　consciousness　after　a　long　time。　By　and　bye　Cao　Cao　heard　of　it　and　sent　mourning　gifts；　and　in　due　course　went　in　person　to　condole　and　sacrifice。　The　body　was　interred　on　the　south　of　the　capital；　and　the　dead　woman's　unhappy　son　kept　vigil　at　her　tomb。　He　steadily　rejected　all　gifts　from　Cao　Cao。
At　that　time　Cao　Cao　was　contemplating　an　attack　on　the　south。
His　adviser　Xun　Yu　dissuaded　him；　saying；　〃The　winter　is　not　favorable　for　this　campaign。　My　lord　should　await　milder　weather。〃
And　Cao　Cao　yielded。　But　he　began　to　prepare；　and　led　the　River　Zhang's　waters　aside　to　form　a　lake；　which　he　called　the　Aquamarine　Lake；　where　he　could　accustom　his　soldiers　to　fight　on　the　water。
As　has　been　said；　Liu　Bei　prepared　gifts　to　offer　to　Zhuge　Liang　on　his　visit。　One　day　his　servants　announced　a　stranger　of　extraordinary　appearance；　wearing　a　lofty　headdress　and　a　wide　belt。
〃Surely　this　is　he；〃　said　Liu　Bei；　and；　hastily　arranging　his　dress；　he　went　to　wele　the　visitor。
But　the　first　glance　showed　him　that　it　was　the　recluse　of　the　mountains；　Sima　Hui。　However；　Liu　Bei　was　glad　to　see　him　and　led　him　into　the　inner　apartment　as　he　would　an　old　friend。
There　Liu　Bei　conducted　him　to　the　seat　of　honor　and　made　his　obeisance；　saying；　〃Since　leaving　you　that　day　in　the　mountains；　I　have　been　overwhelmed　with　military　preparations　and　so　have　failed　to　visit　you　as　courtesy　demanded。　Now　that　the　brightness　has　descended　upon　me；　I　hope　this　dereliction　of　duty　may