三国演义英文版-第96部分

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With　this　admonition　Liu　Bei　came　to　Jingzhou　and　was　lodged　in　the　guest…house。　Zhang　Fei　and　the　escort　camped　without　the　walls。　In　due　course　Liu　Bei　and　Zhuge　Liang　were　received；　and　after　the　customary　salutations；　Liu　Bei　apologized　for　his　conduct　at　the　banquet。
The　host　said；　〃Worthy　brother；　I　know　you　were　the　victim　of　a　vile　plot；　and　I　should　have　put　the　prime　mover　to　death　for　it；　had　there　not　been　so　universal　a　prayer　for　mercy。　However；　I　remitted　that　penalty。　I　hope　you　do　not　consider　that　I　was　wrong。〃
〃Cai　Mao　hall　little　to　do　with　it。　I　think　it　was　due　to　his　subordinates；〃　replied　Liu　Bei。
Liu　Biao　said；　〃Jiangxia　is　lost；　as　you　know；　and　Huang　Zu　is　dead。　So　I　have　asked　you　to　e　that　we　might　take　measures　of　vengeance。〃
〃Huang　Zu　was　harsh　and　cruel　and　never　used　his　people　in　the　proper　way：　That　was　the　real　cause　of　his　fall。　But　have　you　reflected　what　Cao　Cao　may　do　on　the　north　if　we　attack　the　south？〃
〃I　am　getting　old　and　weak；　and　I　am　unable　to　manage　affairs　properly。　Will　you　aid　me；　brother？　After　I　am　gone　you　will　have　this　region。〃
〃Why　do　you　say　this；　my　brother？　Think　you　that　I　am　equal　to　such　a　task？〃
Here　Zhuge　Liang　glanced　at　Liu　Bei　who　continued；　〃But　give　me　a　little　time　to　think　it　over。〃
And　at　this　point　he　took　his　leave。
When　they　had　reached　their　lodging；　Zhuge　Liang　said；　〃Why　did　you　decline　his　offer　of　the　region。〃
〃He　has　always　been　most　kind　and　courteous。　I　could　not　take　advantage　of　his　weakness。〃
〃A　perfectly　kind　and　gracious　lord；〃　sighed　Zhuge　Liang。
Soon　after　the　son　of　the　Imperial　Protector；　Liu　Qi；　was　announced；　and　Liu　Bei　received　him　and　led　him　in。
The　young　man　began　to　weep；　saying；　〃My　mother　cannot　bear　the　sight　of　me。　My　very　life　is　in　danger。　Can　you　not　save　me；　Uncle？〃
〃My　worthy　nephew；　this　is　a　family　affair。　You　should　not　e　to　me。〃
Zhuge　Liang　who　was　present；　smiled。　Liu　Bei　turned　to　him　to　know　what　he　should　do。
〃This　is　a　family　affair。　I　cannot　touch　it！〃　replied　Zhuge　Liang。
The　young　man　soon　left；　and　when　Liu　Bei　was　saying　good…bye；　he　whispered；　〃I　will　get　Zhuge　Liang　to　return　your　call；　and　you　can　do　so　and　so。　He　will　advise　you。〃
Liu　Qi　thanked　him　and　left。　Next　day　when　the　call　was　to　be　returned；　Liu　Bei　pretended　to　be　suffering　from　colic　and　made　that　an　excuse　to　send　Zhuge　Liang　to　return　the　call。
The　adviser　went；　and　when　he　had　reached　the　palace；　dismounted；　and　was　led　in；　Liu　Qi　conducted　him　into　one　of　the　inner　rooms。
When　the　tea　had　been　brought；　Liu　Qi　said；　〃I　am　an　object　of　my　stepmother's　dislike。　Can　you　advise　me　what　to　do？〃
〃As　a　mere　stranger　guest；　I　can　hardly　have　anything　to　do　with　your　own　'bone　and　flesh'　matters。　If　I　did；　and　the　story　got　abroad；　much　harm　might　ensue。〃
With　this　he　rose　to　take　leave。
But　Liu　Qi　was　unwilling　to　say　farewell；　and　he　said；　〃Your　glory　has　turned　in　my　direction。　You　cannot　mean　to　go　away　so　pointlessly。〃
Liu　Qi　led　his　visitor　into　a　private　chamber　and　had　refreshments　brought。　While　they　ate　and　drank；　Liu　Qi　repeated　his　first　request：　What　was　he　to　do　since　his　stepmother　disliked　him。
〃It　is　not　the　sort　of　thing　I　can　advise　in；〃　replied　Zhuge　Liang；　as　he　rose　for　the　second　time　to　take　leave。
〃Master；　if　you　will　not　reply；　that　is　well。　But　why　incontinently　leave　me？〃
So　the　adviser　once　more　seated　himself；　and　Liu　Qi　said；　〃There　is　an　ancient　writing　I　should　like　to　show　you。〃
And　he　led　his　visitor　to　a　small　upper　room。
〃Where　is　the　writing？〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。
Instead　of　answering　Liu　Qi　wept；　saying；　〃My　stepmother　cannot　bear　me。　My　life　is　in　danger。　O　Master；　will　you　not　say　a　word　to　save　me？〃
Zhuge　Liang　flushed　and　rose　to　go　away。　But　he　found　the　ladder　by　which　they　had　mounted　had　been　removed。
Again　Liu　Qi　besought　some　advice；　saying；　〃Master；　you　fear　lest　it　may　get　abroad！　Is　that　why　you　are　silent？　Here　we　are　between　earth　and　sky；　and　what　you　say　will　e　out　of　your　mouth　directly　into　my　ear。　No　other　soul　can　hear。　Now　can　you　tell　me　what　to　do？〃
〃Sow　not　dissension　among　relatives；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。　〃Is　it　possible　for　me　to　make　any　plan　for　you？〃
〃Then　is　my　life　indeed　in　danger；〃　said　the　young　man。　〃I　will　die　at　your　feet。〃
So　saying；　Liu　Qi　pulled　out　a　dagger　and　threatened　to　make　an　end　of　himself。
Zhuge　Liang　checked　him；　saying；　〃There　is　a　way。〃
〃I　pray　you　tell　me。〃

＇e＇　Shen　Sheng　was　the　eldest　son　of　Duke　Xiao　of　Jin　in　the　Spring　and　Autumn　period。　But　Duke　Xiao　wanted　the　son　of　his　favorite　concubine；　Li　Ji；　to　succeed　him　as　the　ruler　of　Jin。　So　Duke　Xiao　falsely　accused　Shen　Sheng　of　trying　to　murder　him。　Shen　Sheng　mitted　suidcide　rather　than　flee。　The　second　eldest　son　Chong　Er　would　have　suffered　the　same；　but　he　knew　of　this　and　fled。　。。。。。
〃You　have　heard　of　the　old　tale　of　the　brothers　Shen　Sheng　and　Chong　Er*；　have　you　not？　Shen　Sheng　stayed　at　home　and　died；　his　brother　Chong　Er　went　away　and　lived　in　peace。　Now　that　Huang　Zu　is　gone　and　Jiangxia　is　weakly　defended；　why　do　you　not　ask　to　be　sent　there　to　guard　it？　Then　you　would　be　out　of　the　way　of　harm。〃
Liu　Qi　thanked　him。　Then　he　called　to　his　people　to　restore　the　ladder；　and　he　escorted　Zhuge　Liang　down　to　the　level　ground。
Zhuge　Liang　returned　to　Liu　Bei　and　related　the　whole　interview。　The　young　man　soon　acted　on　the　advice　given　him；　but　his　father　would　not　at　first　consent　to　let　him　go。
To　settle　his　doubts　Liu　Biao　sent　for　Liu　Bei；　who　said；　〃Jiangxia　is　important；　and　your　son　is　the　most　suitable　man　to　defend　it。　You　must　let　him　go。　The　southeast　will　be　defended　by　your　son。　The　northwest　I　will　look　after。〃
〃I　hear　that　Cao　Cao　has　been　training　a　naval　force；　and　I　am　afraid　he　has　intentions　against　us。　We　must　be　on　our　guard。〃
〃I　know　all　about　it。　You　need　feel　no　anxiety；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
He　took　leave　of　his　relative　and　went　home　while　Liu　Qi　received　mand　of　three　thousand　soldiers　and　went　to　guard　Jiangxia。
At　this　time　Cao　Cao　suppressed　the　three　highest　officers　of　state　and　exercised　their　functions　himself　as　the　Prime　Minister。　He　appointed　as　his　general　secretaries　Mao　Jie　and　Cui　Yan；　and　as　literary　secretary　Sima　Yi。　Sima　Yi　of　Henei　was　grandson　of　Sima　Juan；　Governor　of　Yingchuan；　son　of　Sima　Fang；　Governor　of　Jingzhao；　and　younger　brother　of　Sima　Lang；　Secretary　General。
Cao　Cao　then　called　his　officers　to　a　council　to　discuss　an　expedition　against　the　south。
Xiahou　Dun　opened　the　debate；　saying；　〃Liu　Bei　is　drilling　his　army　at　Xinye；　and　is　a　source　of　danger。　He　should　be　destroyed。〃
Accordingly　Xiahou　Dun　was　appointed　manding　General；　and　four　assistants………Yu　Jin；　Li　Dian；　Xiahou　Lan；　and　Han　Hao………were　given　him。　With　these　he　led　one　hundred　thousand　troops　to　Bowang；　whence　he　could　observe　Xinye。
Xun　Yu　was　opposed　to　this　and　said；　〃Liu　Bei　is　a　famous　warrior；　and　he　has　lately　taken　to　himself　as　his　Directing　Instructor　Zhuge　Liang。　Caution　is　needed。〃
Xiahou　Dun　replied；　〃Liu　Bei　is　a　mean　rat。　I　will　certainly　take　him　prisoner。〃
〃Do　not　despise　him；〃　said　Xu　Shu。　〃Remember　he　has　Zhuge　Liang　to　help　him；　and　so　he　is　like　a　tiger　who　has　grown　wings。〃
Cao　Cao　said；　〃Who　is　this　Zhuge　Liang？〃
〃He　has　taken　a　Taoist　cognomen　of　Sleeping　Dragon。　He　is　a　perfect　genius；　god　and　devil　bined；　the　greatest　marvel　of　the　age。　Do　not　despise　him。〃
〃How　does　he　stand　as　pared　with　you？〃　asked　Cao　Cao。
〃There　is　no　parison。　I　am　a　mere　glow…worm　spark；　he　is　the　glory　of　the　full　moon；〃　replied　Xu　Shu。
〃You　are　mistaken；〃　replied　Xiahou　Dun。　〃This　Zhuge　Liang　of　yours　is　of　no　account。　Who　would　fear　him？　If　I　do　not　take　him　and　his　master　prisoners　in　the　first　battle；　then　here　is　my　head；　a　free　gift　to　our　lord；　the　Prime　Minister。〃
〃Hasten　to　fort　me　with　news　of　victory；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
Xiahou　Dun　hastened　to　depart。
The　advent　of　Zhuge　Liang　and　the　extravagant　deference　shown　him　did　not　please　Liu　Bei's　sworn　brothers　who　grumbled；　saying；　〃He　is　very　young；　although　he　is　clever　and　learned。　Our　brother　really　treats　him　too　well。　We　have　not　seen　any　evidence　of　his　wonderful　skill。〃
Liu　Bei　replied；　〃You　do　not　know　his　worth。　I　have　him　as　if　the　fish　has　got　into　the　water　again。　Pray　do　not　discuss　this　matter　further；　my　brothers。〃
They　withdrew；　silent　but　dissatisfied。
One　day　a　man　presented　Liu　Bei　with　a　yak's　tail；　and　he　at　once　put　it　in　his　cap　as　an　ornament。　Zhuge　Liang　came　in　and　noticed　it　at　once。
〃Then　you　have　renounced　all　ambitions；　my　lord。　You　are　just　going　to　attend　to　this　sort　of　thing；〃　Zhuge　Liang　quietly　remarked。
Liu　Bei　snatched　off　his　cap　and　flung　it　away；　saying；　〃I　was　only　amusing　myself　with　the　thing。〃
〃How　do　you　think　you　stand　pared　with　Cao　Cao？〃　asked　Zhuge　Liang。
〃Inferior。〃
〃Yes；　your　army　is　less　than　ten　thousand；　and　the　chances　are　ten　thousand　to　one　that　he　will　attack。　How　can　we　meet　him？〃
〃I　am　greatly　distressed　about　it；　but　I　see　no　way。〃
〃You　might　recruit；　and　I　will　train　them。　Then　we　might　be　able　to　oppose　him。〃
So　recruiting　began　and　three　thousand　were　enlisted。　Zhuge　Liang　set　about　drilling　them　diligently。
Soon　they　heard　that　Xiahou　Dun　was　leading　an　army　of　one　hundred　thousand　troops　against　them。
When　he　heard　it；　Zhang　Fei　said　to　his　brother；　Guan　Yu；　〃We　will　get　this　Zhuge　Liang　to　go　and　fight　them。〃
Just　at　that　moment　they　were　summoned　to　their　brother；　who　asked　their　advice。
〃Why　not　send　the　'Water；'　brother？〃　said　Zhang　Fei。
〃For　method　I　rely　on　Zhuge　Liang；　but　for　action　I　put　my　faith　in　you；　my　brothers。　Are　you　going　to　fail　me？〃
They　went　out；　and　Zhuge　Liang　was　called。
〃I　fear　your　brothers　will　not　obey　me；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。　〃Wherefore；　if　I　am　to　direct　the　campaign；　you　must　give　me　a　seal　of　office　and　a　sword　of　authority。〃
So　Liu　Bei　gave　him　both。　Armed　with　these　ensigns　of　power；　Zhuge　Liang　assembled　the　officers　to　receive　their　orders。
〃We　will　go　just　to　see　what　he　will　do；〃　said　Zhang　Fei　to　Guan　Yu。
In　the　assembly　Zhuge　Liang　spoke；　saying；　〃On　the　left　of　Bowang　are　Yushan　Hills。　On　the　right　is　Anlin　Forest。　There　we　will　prepare　an　ambush。　Guan　Yu　will　go　to　Yushan　Hills　with　one　thousand　soldiers。　He　is　to　remain　there　quiescent　till　the　enemy　has　passed；　but　when　he　sees　a　flame　in　the　south；　that　will　be　the　signal　to　attack。　He　will　first　burn　their　baggage　train。　Zhang　Fei　will　go　to　a　valley　behind　Anlin　Forest。　When　he　sees　the　signal；　he　is　to　go　to　the　old　stores　depot　at　Bowang　and　burn　that。　Liu　Feng　and　Guan　Ping　will　take　five　hundred　soldiers　each　to　the　south；　prepare　bustibles　and　be　ready　with　them　beyond　Bowang　Slope。　The　enemy　will　arrive　about　dusk；　and　then　the　two　generals　can　start　the　blare。　Zhao　Yun；　now　recalled　from　Fancheng；　is　to　lead　the　attack；　but　he　is　to　lose　and　not　win。　And　our　lord　is　to　mand　the　reserve。　See　that　each　one　obeys　these　orders　and　let　there　be　no　mistakes。〃
Then　said　Guan　Yu；　〃All　of　us　are　to　go　out　to　meet　the　enemy；　but　I　have　not　yet　heard　what　you　are　going　to　do。〃
〃I　am　going　to　guard　the　city。〃
Zhang　Fei　burst　into　a　laugh；　〃We　are　to　go　out　to　bloody　battle；　and　you　are　to　stay　quietly　at　home　quite　fortable。〃
〃Here　is　the　sword　and　here　the　seal！〃　replied　the　strategist；　displaying　the　emblems　of　aut