Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Adviser Yang Dajiang knew how to remove Liu Bei.

  “What is your plan of attack on Liu Bei?” said Yuan Shu.

  Yang Dajiang replied, “Though Liu Bei, now camped at Xiaopei, could easily be taken, yet Lu Bu is strongly posted at the chief city near. And I think Lu Bu would help Liu Bei if it was only for the grudge he bears against you for not having given him the gold and studs, grain and horses you promised. First of all you should send Lu Bu a present whereby to engage his affections and keep him quiet while you deal with Liu Bei. You can see to Lu Bu after this is done, and Xuzhou is yours.”

  Thereupon two hundred thousand carts of millet was sent, with letters, by the hand of Han Yin. The gift pleased Lu Bu greatly; and he treated the messenger with great cordiality. Feeling sure of no trouble from that quarter, Yuan Shu told off one hundred thousand troops against Xiaopei. The army was led by Ji Ling as commanding general, and Lei Bo and Chen Lan as generals.

  When Liu Bei heard these things he called his officers to take counsel. Zhang Fei was for open war forthwith. But Sun Qian said, “Our resources were too small; therefore, we must lay the position before Lu Bu and ask help.”

  “Do you think that fellow will do anything?” said Zhang Fei cynically.

  Liu Bei decided in favor of Sun Qian's proposal and wrote as follows:

  “Humbly I venture to remind you that I am here by your orders and enjoy repose as the result of your kindness,

  extensive as the heavens. Now Yuan Shu, moved by a desire for revenge, is sending a force against this place, and its destruction is imminent unless you intervene to save it. I trust you will send an army quickly to protect the town, and our happiness will be inexpressible.”

  Receiving this Lu Bu called in Chen Gong to whom he said, “I have just received gifts from Yuan Shu and a letter, with the intent of restraining me from helping Liu Bei. Now comes a letter from Liu Bei asking help. It seems to me that Liu Bei where he is can do me no harm; but if Yuan Shu overcomes Liu Bei and comes to an understanding with the leaders around the Huashang Mountains, then the power of the north is so much nearer, and I should be unable to resist the attacks of so many leaders and should never sleep secure. I will aid Liu Bei; that is the better course for me.”

  Now Yuan Shu's force sent against Xiaopei went thither as quickly as possible, and soon the country to the southeast fluttered with pennons by day and blazed with watch fires by night, while the rolling of the drums reverberated from heaven to earth.

  The five thousand troops at Liu Bei's disposal were led out of the city and arranged to make a brave show, but it was good news to him to hear that Lu Bu had arrived and was quite near. Lu Bu camped only half a mile away to the southwest. When Yuan Shu's general, Ji Ling, heard of his arrival, he wrote letters reproaching Lu Bu for his treachery. Lu Bu smiled as he read them.

  “I know how to make both of them love me,” said Lu Bu.

  So he sent invitations to both Liu Bei and Ji Ling to come to a banquet.

  Liu Bei was for accepting the invitation and going, but his brothers dissuaded him, saying, “There is some treachery in his heart.”

  “I have treated him too well for him to do me any harm,” said Liu Bei.

  So he mounted and rode away, the two brothers following. They came to the camp.

  The host said, “Now by a special effort I have got you out of danger; I hope you will not forget that when you come into your own.”

  Liu Bei thanked him heartily and was invited to take a seat. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei took up their usual place as guards.

  But when Ji Ling was announced, Liu Bei felt a spasm of fear and got up to go away.

  “You two are invited for the particular purpose of a discussion,” said the host. “Do not take it amiss.”

  Liu Bei, being quite ignorant of his intentions, was very uneasy. Presently his fellow guest entered. Seeing Liu Bei in the tent, and in the seat of honor, Ji Ling was puzzled, hesitated and tried to withdraw. But the attendants prevented this and Lu Bu, advancing, laid hold of him and drew him into the tent as he had been a child.

  “Do you wish to slay me?” asked Ji Ling.

  “Not at all,” replied Lu Bu.

  “Then you are going to slay Long-Ears?”

  “No; not that.”

  “Then what does it mean?”

  “Liu Bei and I are brothers. Now, General, you are besieging him, and so I have come to the rescue.”

  “Then slay me,” said Ji Ling.

  “There would be no sense in that. All my life I have disliked fighting and quarrels, but have loved making peace. And now I want to settle the quarrel between you two.”

  “May I ask how you think of doing so?”

  “I have a means and one approved of Heaven itself.”

  Then Lu Bu drew Ji Ling within the tent and led him up to Liu Bei. The two men faced each other, full of mutual suspicion, but their host placed himself between them and they took their seats, Liu Bei on the right hand of the host.

  The banquet began. After a number of courses almost in silence, Lu Bu spoke, saying, “I wish you two gentlemen to listen to me and put an end to your strife.”

  Liu Bei made no reply, but Ji Ling said, “I have come with an army of one hundred thousand at the express bidding of my master to take Liu Bei. How can I cease the strife? I must fight.”

  “What!” exclaimed Zhang Fei drawing his sword. “Few as we are, we regard you no more than a lot of children. What are you compared with a million Yellow Scarves? You dare hurt our brother!”

  Guan Yu urged him to be silent, saying, “Let us see what General Lu Bu has to say first; after that there will be time to go to our tents and fight.”

  “I beg you both to come to an understanding. I cannot let you fight,” said Lu Bu.

  Now on one side Ji Ling was discontented and angry; on the other Zhang Fei was dying for a fight; and neither of the two chiefly concerned would signify assent. Then suddenly the host turned to his attendants, saying, “Bring my trident halberd!”

  They did so, and he sat there gripping that graceful but effective weapon in his right hand. Both guests felt very ill at ease and turned pale.

  Lu Bu went on, saying, “I have tried to persuade you to make peace, for that is the command of the Most High. It shall be put to the test.”

  He then bade his servants take the halberd outside beyond the gate and set it up. Then speaking to his two guests, he said, “That gate is one hundred and fifty paces distant. If I can hit that left branch of the halberd-head with an arrow, you will both withdraw your armies. If I miss, you can go away and prepare for immediate battle. I shall stand against either of you who does not abide by what I say.”

  Ji Ling thought to himself, “That small mark at that distance! How could any one hit it?”

  So he assented, thinking he would have plenty of fighting after his host had missed the mark. Of course Liu Bei was willing.

  They all sat down again and wine was served. When this had been drunk the host called for his bow and arrows. Liu Bei silently prayed that he would hit the mark.

  Lu Bu turned back his sleeves, carefully fitted an arrow to the string and pulled the bow to its utmost stretch. A slight exclamation escaped him as the bow curved like the harvest moon sailing through the sky. “Twang!” went the bowstring, and the arrow sped like a falling star. And it struck the slender tongue of the halberd head full and square. A roar of acclamation from all sides greeted the exploit.

  The multitude people often hail their praise:

  O Lu Bu was a wonderful archer,

  And the arrow he shot sped straight;

  By hitting the mark he saved his friend

  That day at his camp gate.

  Hou Yi, the archer of ancient days,

  Brought down each mocking sun,

  And the apes that gibbered to fright Yang Youji

  Were slain by him, one by one.

  But we sing of Lu Bu that drew the bow,

  And his feathered shaft th
at flew;

  For one hundred thousand soldiers could doff their mails

  When he hit the mark so true.

  Lu Bu laughed loud at the success of his shot. Dropping his bow he seized his guests by the hands, saying, “The command of Heaven indeed! And now you cease from fighting!”

  He ordered the soldier attendants to pour out great goblets of wine and each drank. Liu Bei in his inmost heart felt rather lucky; his fellow guest sat silent, nodding his head. Presently he said, “I cannot disobey your command, General, but let me depart. What will my master say and will he believe me?”

  “I will write a letter and confirm it,” said Lu Bu.

  After a few more rounds of the wine, Ji Ling asked that he might have the letter and after that departed. When the brothers took their leave, Lu Bu again reminded Liu Bei, saying, “Do not forget I have delivered you today!”

  Liu Bei thanked him and departed. Next day the leaders broke camps, and the soldiers were gone. When Ji Ling had got back to the South of River Huai and told the story of the feat of archery and the peace making that followed, and had presented the letter, his lord was very wroth.

  “Lu Bu repays me for all my grain with this bit of play acting!” cried Yuan Shu. “He has saved Liu Bei, but I will lead a large army myself and settle both Liu Bei and him.”

  “Be careful, my lord,” said Ji Ling. “Lu Bu is braver and stronger than most leaders and has wide territory. He and Liu Bei together make a powerful combination, not easy to break. But there is another course. I have found out that his wife, Lady Yan, has a daughter just of marriageable age; and as you have a son, you could arrange a marriage alliance with Lu Bu. If his daughter wedded your son, Lu Bu would certainly slay your enemy for you. This is called 'Relative-above-Stranger' plan.”

  This scheme appealed to Yuan Shu, who soon set about its accomplishment. He sent presents by the hand of Han Yin, who was to discuss the question.

  When Han Yin saw Lu Bu, he said, “My master has an immense respect for you, Illustrious Sir, and he desires to ensure perpetual alliance between the two families by a marriage, an alliance such as existed between the ancient states of Qin and Jin.”

  Lu Bu was well disposed toward the scheme, but went in to consult his wife. Now Lu Bu had two wives and one concubine. He first married a lady of the Yan family, and she was the legal wife. Then he took Diao Chan as a concubine. And while he was living at Xiaopei, he had married a secondary wife, a daughter of Cao Bao. Lady Cao had died quite young leaving no issue. Neither had Diao Chan borne any children. So that Lu Bu had but one child, this daughter, of whom he was dotingly fond.

  When he broached the subject, his wife said, “The Yuans have dominated the regions around the River Huai these many years. They have a large army and are very prosperous. One day a Yuan will become emperor, and our daughter may hope to be an empress. But how many sons has Yuan Shu?”

  “Only this one.” “Then we should accept the offer. Even if our daughter does not become an Empress, Xuzhou has a new ally.”

  Lu Bu decided to accept and so treated the messenger with extreme generosity. Han Yin went back with a favorable answer. The wedding gifts were then prepared ready for Han Yin to take to the bride's family. They were received and banquets and merry-making filled all the time.

  Next day Chen Gong went to see the messenger in his lodging, and when the usual ceremonies and greetings had been exchanged, the two men sat down to talk. When the servants had been sent out of earshot, Chen Gong said, “Who originated this scheme by which Yuan Shu and Lu Bu are to become connections by this marriage so that Liu Bei's head may fall?”

  Han Yin was terrified.

  “I pray you not to let it get abroad,” said he.

  “I certainly shall keep it secret. But if there be any delay, some other person will find it out and that spells failure,” said Chen Gong.

  “What would best be done?”

  “I will see Lu Bu and get him to send the girl immediately so that the marriage may be concluded quickly.”

  “If it happened thus, my master would indeed hold you in high respect.”

  With this Chen Gong took his leave and sought an interview with Lu Bu.

  “I hear your daughter is to be married to Yuan Shu's son. That is capital, but no one knows when.”

  “That has yet to be considered.”

  “There were certain fixed rules as to the period between sending presents and consummation of the marriage; emperors, a year; nobles, half a year; high officers, three months; and common people, one month.”

  Lu Bu replied, “As to Yuan Shu, Heaven has already put into his hands the Imperial Hereditary Seal and he will surely arrive at the dignity one day. So, I should think the imperial rule would apply.”

  “No; it will not.”

  “The nobles' rule, then?”

  “No; nor that.”

  “The high officers'?”

  “Not even that.”

  Lu Bu laughed, saying, “Then you mean me to go by the rule for common people.”

  “Nor that either.” “Then what do you mean?”

  “In the midst of the present troubles, when there is great rivalry among the nobles, do you not see that the others will be exceedingly jealous of your marriage alliance with such a high family as the Yuans? Suppose you postpone the choice of the day, most likely when your fine morning arrives, the wedding party will fall into an ambush on the road and the bride be carried off. Then what could be done? My opinion is that you would have done better to refuse. But since you have consented, then carry out the plan at once before the lords hear of it, and so send the girl over without delay to Shouchun. You can hire a lodging there till you have selected the wedding day, and the odds are greatly against any failure.”

  “What you say is quite to the point,” replied Lu Bu.

  He went into the private apartments to see his wife and told her the bride elect would set out immediately and the trousseau was to be prepared as far as it could be. On his side he chose some good horses and had a wedding carriage got ready. The escort consisted of Han Yin and two of Lu Bu's generals, Song Xian and Wei Xu. The procession went out of the city to the sound of music.

  Now at this time Chen Gui, father of Chen Deng, was placidly waiting till the evening of his life passed into night. Hearing this burst of music he inquired the occasion, and the servants told him.

  “They are working on the 'Relative-above-Stranger' device, then,” said Chen Gui. “Liu Bei is in danger.”

  Thereupon in spite of his many infirmities he went to see Lu Bu.

  “Noble Sir, what brings you here?” asked Lu Bu.

  “I heard you were dead and I came to mourn,” quavered the old man.

  “Who said that?” exclaimed his host.

  “Once upon a time you received grand presents from Yuan Shu that you might slay Liu Bei, but you got out by that clever shot at your halberd. Now they suddenly seek a marriage alliance thinking to get hold of your daughter as a pledge. The next move will be an attack on Xiaopei and, that gone, where are you? Whatever they ask in future, grain or troops or anything else, and you yield, will bring your own end nearer, and make you hated all round. If you refuse, then you are false to the duties of a relative, and that will be an excuse to attack you openly. Beside this Yuan Shu intends to call himself emperor, which would be rebellion, and you would be of the rebel's family; something abominable, which the multitude people would not suffer.”

  Lu Bu was much disturbed to hear this.

  “I have been misled!” cried he.

  So he hurriedly sent Zhang Liao to bring the wedding party, which had been ten miles away, back to the city. When they had come, Lu Bu threw Han Yin into prison and sent a reply to Yuan Shu saying curtly that the girl's trousseau was not ready and she could not be married till it was.

  Chen Gui wanted Han Yin to be sent to the capital, Xuchang. But Lu Bu was hesitating what course to adopt, when he heard that Liu Bei was enlisting soldiers and buying horse
s for no apparent reason.

  “He is simply doing his duty; there is nothing to be surprised at,” said Lu Bu at first. Then came two officers, Song Xian and Wei Xu, saying, “As you ordered us, we went into the Huashang Mountains to purchase horses. We had got three hundred when, on our way back, on the borders of Xiaopei some robbers stole half of them. We hear that the real robbers were Zhang Fei and his soldiers, who took on the guise of brigands.”

  Lu Bu was very angry at this and began to prepare an expedition against Xiaopei. When Liu Bei heard that an attack threatened, he led out his army to oppose it, and the two armies were arrayed. Liu Bei rode to the front and said, “Elder Brother, why have you brought an army against me?”

  Lu Bu began abusing him, saying, “That shot of mine at the Archery Feast saved you from grave danger; why then did you steal my horses?”

  “I wanted horses and I sent out to buy them. Should I dare to take yours?” said Liu Bei.

  “You stole a hundred and fifty in the person of your brother Zhang Fei. You only used another man's hand.”

  Thereupon Zhang Fei, with his spear set, rode out, saying, “Yes; I stole your good horses, and what more do you expect?”

  Lu Bu replied, “You goggled-eyed thief! You are always treating me with contempt.”

  “Yes; I took your horses and you get angry. You did not say any thing when you stole my brother's Xuzhou.”

  Lu Bu rode forward to give battle, and Zhang Fei advanced. A reckless fight began, and the two warriors kept it up for a hundred bouts without a decisive stroke. Then Liu Bei, fearing some accident to his brother, hastily beat the gongs as a signal to retire and led his army into the city. Lu Bu then invested it.

  Liu Bei called his brother and chided him as the cause of all this misfortune.

  “Where are the horses?” said Liu Bei.

  “In some of the temples and courts,” replied Zhang Fei.

  Liu Bei sent a messenger out to speak softly and offer to restore the stolen horses if hostilities were to cease. Lu Bu was disposed to agree but Chen Gong opposed.

  “You will suffer by and by if you do not remove this Liu Bei.”

  Under Chen Gong's influence the request for peace was rejected, and the attackers on the city pressed harder.