三国演义英文版-第91部分

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ed。　Now　that　the　brightness　has　descended　upon　me；　I　hope　this　dereliction　of　duty　may　be　pardoned。〃
〃I　hear　Xu　Shu　is　here。　I　have　e　expressly　to　see　him；〃　replied　Water　Mirror　bluntly。
〃He　has　lately　left　for　Xuchang。　A　messenger　came　with　a　letter　telling　of　the　imprisonment　of　his　mother。〃
〃Then　he　has　just　fallen　into　Cao　Cao's　trap；　for　that　letter　was　a　forgery。　I　have　known　his　mother　to　be　a　very　noble　woman。　Even　if　she　were　imprisoned　by　Cao　Cao；　she　would　not　summon　her　son　like　that。　Certainly　the　letter　was　a　forgery。　If　the　son　did　not　go；　the　mother　would　be　safe；　if　he　went；　she　would　be　a　dead　woman。〃
〃But　how？〃　asked　Liu　Bei　dismayed。
〃She　is　a　woman　of　the　highest　principles；　who　would　be　greatly　mortified　at　the　sight　of　her　son　under　such　conditions。〃
Liu　Bei　said；　〃Just　as　your　friend　was　leaving；　he　mentioned　the　name　of　a　certain　Zhuge　Liang。　What　think　you　of　him？〃
Water　Mirror　laughed；　saying；　〃If　Xu　Shu　wanted　to　go；　he　was　free　to　go。　But　why　did　he　want　to　provoke　Zhuge　Liang　into　ing　out　and　showing　passion　for　someone　else？〃
〃Why　do　you　speak　like　that？〃　asked　Liu　Bei
He　replied；　〃Five　persons；　Zhuge　Liang　of　Nanyang；　Cui　Zhouping　of　Boling；　Shi　Guangyuan　of　Yingchuan；　Meng　Gongwei　of　Runan；　and　Xu　Shu　of　Yingchuan　were　the　closest　of　friends。　They　formed　a　little　coterie　devoted　to　meditation　on　essential　refinement。　Only　Zhuge　Liang　arrived　at　a　perception　of　its　meaning。　He　used　to　sit　among　them　with　his　arms　about　his　knees　muttering　and　then；　pointing　to　his　panions；　he　would　say；　'You；　gentlemen；　would　bee　governors　and　protectors　if　you　were　in　official　life。'
〃When　they　asked　him　what　was　his　ambition；　he　would　only　smile　and　always　pared　himself　with　the　great　ancient　scholars　Guan　Zhong　and　Yue　Yi。　No　one　could　gauge　his　talents。〃
〃How　es　it　that　Yingchuan　produces　so　many　able　humans？〃　said　Liu　Bei。
〃That　old　astrologer；　Yin　Kui；　used　to　say　that　the　stars　clustered　thick　over　the　region；　and　so　there　were　many　wise　people。〃

＇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。　。。。。。
Now　Guan　Yu　was　there。　When　he　heard　Zhuge　Liang　so　highly　praised；　he　said；　〃Guan　Zhong*　and　Yue　Yi*　are　the　two　most　famous　leaders　mentioned　in　the　Spring　and　Autumn　and　the　Warring　States　Periods。　They　well　overtopped　the　rest　of　humankind。　Is　it　not　a　little　too　much　to　say　that　Zhuge　Liang　pares　with　these　two？〃
〃In　my　opinion　he　should　not　be　pared　with　these　two；　but　rather　with　two　others；〃　said　Water　Mirror。
〃Who　are　these　two？〃　asked　Guan　Yu。
〃One　of　them　is　Lu　Wang；　who　laid　the　foundations　of　the　Zhou　Dynasty　so　firmly　that　it　lasted　eight　hundred　years；　and　the　other　Zhang　Liang；　who　made　the　Han　glorious　for　four　centuries。〃
Before　the　surprise　called　forth　by　this　startling　statement　had　subsided；　Water　Mirror　walked　down　the　steps　and　took　his　leave。　Liu　Bei　would　have　kept　him　if　he　could；　but　he　was　obdurate。
As　he　stalked　proudly　away；　he　threw　up　his　head　and　said；　〃Though　Sleeping　Dragon　has　found　his　lord；　he　has　not　been　born　at　the　right　time。　It　is　a　pity！〃
〃What　a　wise　hermit！〃　was　Liu　Bei's　ment。
Soon　after　the　three　brothers　set　out　to　find　the　abode　of　the　wise　man。　When　they　drew　near　the　Sleeping　Dragon　Ridge；　they　saw　a　number　of　peasants　in　a　field　hoeing　up　the　weeds；　and　as　they　worked　they　sang：

〃The　earth　is　a　checkered　board；
And　the　sky　hangs　over　all；
Under　it　humans　are　contending；
Some　rise；　but　a　many　fall。
For　those　who　succeed　this　is　well；
But　for　those　who　go　under　rough。
There's　a　dozing　dragon　hard　by；
But　his　sleep　is　not　deep　enough。〃

Liu　Bei　and　his　brothers　stopped　to　listen　to　the　song　and；　calling　up　one　of　the　peasants；　asked　who　made　it。
〃It　was　made　by　Master　Sleeping　Dragon；〃　said　the　laborer。
〃Then　he　lives　hereabout。　Where？〃
〃South　of　this　hill　there　is　a　ridge　called　the　Sleeping　Dragon；　and　close　by　is　a　sparse　wood。　In　it　stands　a　modest　cottage。　That　is　where　Master　Zhuge　Liang　takes　his　repose。〃
Liu　Bei　thanked　him　and　the　party　rode　on。　Soon　they　came　to　the　ridge；　most　aptly　named；　for　indeed　it　lay　wrapped　in　an　atmosphere　of　calm　beauty。
A　poet　wrote　of　it　thus：

Not　far　from　Xiangyang
There　stands；　clear　cut　against　the　sky；
A　lofty　ridge；　and　at　its　foot
A　gentle　stream　goes　gliding　by。
The　contour；　curving　up　and　down；
Although　by　resting　cloud　it's　marred；
Arrests　the　eye；　and　here　and　there
The　flank　by　waterfalls　is　scarred。
There；　like　a　sleeping　dragon　coiled；
Or　phoenix　hid　among　thick　pines；
You　see；　secure　from　prying　eyes；
A　cot；　reed…built　on　rustic　lines。
The　rough…joined　doors；　pushed　by　the　wind；
Swing　idly　open　and　disclose
The　greatest　genius　of　the　world
Enjoying　still　his　calm　repose。
The　air　is　full　of　woodland　scents；
Around　are　hedgerows　trim　and　green；
Close…growing　intercrossed　bamboos
Replace　the　painted　doorway　screen。
But　look　within　and　books　you　see
By　every　couch；　near　every　chair；
And　you　may　guess　that　mon　persons
Are　very　seldom　weled　there。
The　hut　seems　far　from　human　ken；
So　far　one　might　expect　to　find
Wild　forest　denizens　there；　trained
To　serve　in　place　of　humankind。
Without　a　hoary　crane　might　stand
As　warden　of　the　outer　gate；
Within　a　long…armed　gibbon　e
To　offer　fruit　upon　a　plate。
But　enter；　there　refinement　reigns；
Brocaded　silk　the　lutes　protect；
And　burnished　weapons　on　the　walls
The　green　of　pines　outside　reflect。
For　he　who　dwells　within　that　hut
Is　talented　beyond　pare；
Although　he　lives　the　simple　life
And　harvest　seems　his　only　care。
He　waits　until　the　thunderous　call
Shall　bid　him　wake；　nor　sleep　again；
Then　will　he　forth　and　at　his　word
Peace　over　all　the　land　shall　reign。

Liu　Bei　soon　arrived　at　the　door　of　the　retreat；　dismounted；　and　knocked　at　the　rough　door　of　the　cottage。　A　youth　appeared　and　asked　what　he　wanted。
Liu　Bei　replied；　〃I　am　Liu　Bei；　General　of　the　Han　Dynasty；　Lord　of　Yicheng；　Imperial　Protector　of　Yuzhou；　and　Uncle　of　the　Emperor。　I　am　e　to　salute　the　Master。〃
〃I　cannot　remember　so　many　titles；〃　said　the　lad。
〃Then　simply　say　that　Liu　Bei　has　e　to　inquire　after　him。〃
〃The　Master　left　this　morning　early。〃
〃Whither　has　he　gone？〃
〃His　movements　are　very　uncertain。　I　do　not　know　whither　he　has　gone。〃
〃When　will　he　return？〃
〃That　also　is　uncertain。　Perhaps　in　three　days；　perhaps　in　ten。〃
The　disappointment　was　keen。
〃Let　us　go　back；　since　we　cannot　see　him；〃　said　Zhang　Fei。
〃Wait　a　little　time；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
〃It　would　be　better　to　return；〃　said　Guan　Yu；　〃then　we　might　send　to　find　out　when　this　man　had　e　back。〃
So　Liu　Bei　agreed；　first　saying　to　the　boy；　〃When　the　Master　returns；　tell　him　that　Liu　Bei　has　been　here。〃
They　rode　away　for　some　miles。　Presently　Liu　Bei　stopped　and　looked　back　at　the　surroundings　of　the　little　cottage　in　the　wood。
The　mountains　were　picturesque　rather　than　grand；　the　water　clear　rather　than　profound；　the　plain　was　level　rather　than　extensive；　the　woods　luxuriant　rather　than　thick。　Gibbons　ranged　through　the　trees；　and　cranes　waded　in　the　shallow　water。　The　pines　and　the　bamboos　vied　with　each　other　in　verdure。　It　was　a　scene　to　linger　upon。
While　Liu　Bei　stood　regarding　it；　he　saw　a　figure　ing　down　a　mountain　path。　The　man's　bearing　was　lofty。　He　was　handsome　and　dignified。　He　wore　a　fortable…looking　bonnet　on　his　head；　and　a　black　robe　hung　about　his　figure　in　easy　folds。　He　used　a　staff　to　help　him　down　the　steep　path。
〃Surely　that　is　he！〃　said　Liu　Bei。
He　dismounted　and　walked　over　to　greet　the　stranger；　whom　he　saluted　deferentially；　saying；　〃Are　you　not　Master　Sleeping　Dragon；　Sir？〃
〃Who　are　you；　General？〃　said　the　stranger。
〃I　am　Liu　Bei。〃
〃I　am　not　Zhuge　Liang；　but　I　am　a　friend　of　his。　My　name　is　Cui　Zhouping。〃
〃Long　have　I　known　of　you！　I　am　very　glad　to　see　you；〃　replied　Liu　Bei。　〃And　now　I　pray　you　be　seated　just　where　we　are；　and　let　me　receive　your　instruction。〃
The　two　men　sat　down　in　the　wood　on　a　stone；　and　the　two　brothers　ranged　themselves　by　Liu　Bei's　side。
Cui　Zhouping　began；　saying；　〃General；　for　what　reason　do　you　wish　to　see　Zhuge　Liang？〃
Liu　Bei　replied；　〃The　empire　is　in　confusion；　and　troubles　gather　everywhere。　I　want　your　friend　to　tell　me　how　to　restore　order。〃
〃You；　Sir；　wish　to　arrest　the　present　disorder；　although　you　are　a　kindly　man　and；　from　the　oldest　antiquity；　the　correction　of　disorder　has　demanded　stern　measures。　On　the　day　that　Liu　Bang　first　put　his　hand　to　the　work　and　slew　the　wicked　ruler　of　Qin；　order　began　to　replace　disorder。　Good　government　began　with　the　Supreme　Ancestor　（BC　206）；　and　endured　two　hundred　years………two　centuries　of　tranquillity。　Then　came　Wang　Mang's　rebellion；　and　disorder　took　the　place　of　order。　Anon；　arose　Liu　Xiu；　who　restored　the　Han　Dynasty；　and　order　once　more　prevailed。　We　have　had　two　centuries　of　order　and　tranquillity；　and　the　time　of　trouble　and　battles　is　due。　The　restoration　of　peace　will　take　time。　It　cannot　be　quickly　acplished。　You；　Sir；　wish　to　get　Zhuge　Liang　to　regulate　times　and　seasons；　to　repair　the　cosmos；　but　I　fear　the　task　is　indeed　difficult；　and　to　attempt　it　would　be　a　vain　expenditure　of　mental　energy。　You　know　well　that　he　who　goes　with　the　favor　of　Heaven　travels　an　easy　road；　he　who　goes　contrary　meets　difficulties。　One　cannot　escape　one's　lot；　one　cannot　evade　fate。〃
〃Master；〃　replied　Liu　Bei；　〃your　insight　is　indeed　deep；　and　your　words　of　wide　meaning。　But　I　am　a　scion　of　the　House　of　Han　and　must　help　it。　Dare　I　talk　of　the　inevitable　and　trust　to　fate？〃
Cui　Zhouping　replied；　〃A　simple　denizen　of　the　mountain　wilds　is　unfitted　to　discuss　the　affairs　of　empire。　But　you　bade　me　speak　and　I　have　spoken………perhaps　somewhat　madly。〃
〃Master；　I　am　grateful　for　your　instruction。　But　know　you　whither　Zhuge　Liang　has　gone？〃
〃I　also　came　to　see　him；　and　I　know　not　where　he　is；〃　said　Cui　Zhouping。
〃If　I　asked　you；　Master；　to　acpany　me　to　my　poor　bit　of　territory；　would　you　e？〃
〃I　am　too　dilatory；　too　fond　of　leisure　and　ease；　and　no　longer　have　any　ambitions。　But　I　will　see　you　another　time。〃
And　with　these　words　Cui　Zhouping　saluted　and　left。　The　three　brothers　also　mounted　and　started　homeward。
Presently　Zhang　Fei　said；　〃We　have　not　found　Zhuge　Liang；　and　we　have　had　to　listen　to　the　wild　ravings　of　this　so…called　scholar。　There　is　the　whole　result　of　this　journey。〃
〃His　words　were　those　of　a　deep　thinker；〃　replied　Liu　Bei。
Some　days　after　the　return　to　Xinye；　Liu　Bei　sent　to　find　out　whether　Zhuge　Liang　had　returned；　and　the　messenger　came　back　saying　that　he　had。　Wherefore　Liu　Bei　prepared　for　another　visit。
Again　Zhang　Fei　showed　his　irritation　by　remarking；　〃Why　must　you　go　hunting　after　this　villager？　Send　and　tell　him　to　e。〃
〃Silence！〃　said　Liu　Bei；　〃The　Teacher　Mencius　said；　'To　try　to　see　the　sage　without　going　his　way　is　like　barring　a　door　you　wish　to　enter。'　Zhuge　Liang　is　the　greatest　sage　of　the　day。　How　can　I　summon　him？〃
So　Liu　Bei　rode　away　to　make　his　visit；　his　two　brothers　with　him　as　before。　It　was　winter　and　exceedingly　cold。　Floating　clouds　covered　the　whole　sky。　Before　they　had　gone　far；　a　bitter　wind　began　to　blow　i