Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Liu Qi said to Liu Bei, “My father is feeling unwell and could not come, wherefore he begs you, Uncle Liu Bei, to preside at the various ceremonies and give encouragement to the officers who administer the region.”

  “Really I am unfit for such responsibilities,” said Liu Bei. “But my brother's command must be obeyed.”

  Next day it was reported that the officials from forty-one counties of nine territories of Jingzhou had all arrived.

  Then Cai Mao said to Kuai Yue, “This Liu Bei is the villain of the age and if left alive will certainly work harm to us. He must be got rid of now.”

  “I fear you would forfeit everybody's favor if you harmed him,” replied Kuai Yue.

  “I have already secretly spoken in these terms to Imperial Protector Liu Biao,” said Cai Mao, “and I have his word here.”

  “So it may be regarded as settled; then we can prepare.”

  Cai Mao added, “My brothers are ready. Cai He is posted on the road to the Xian Hills from the east gate; Cai Zhong and Cai Xun are on the north and south roads. No guard is needed on the west as the Tan Torrent is quite safeguard enough. Even with legions, he could not get over that.”

  Kuai Yue replied, “I notice that Zhao Yun never leaves him. I feel sure he expects some attack.”

  “I have placed five hundred men in ambush in the city.”

  “We will tell Wen Ping and Wang Wei to invite all the military officers to a banquet at one of the pavilions outside the city, and Zhao Yun will be among them. Then will be our opportunity.”

  Cai Mao thought this a good device for getting Zhao Yun out of the way.

  Now oxen and horses had been slaughtered and a grand banquet prepared. Liu Bei rode to the residence on the horse of ill omen, and when he arrived, the steed was led into the back part of the enclosure and tethered there. Soon the guests arrived, and Liu Bei took his place as master of the feast, with the two sons of the Imperial Protector, one on each side. The guests were all arranged in order of rank. Zhao Yun stood near his lord sword in hand as a faithful henchman should do.

  Then Wen Ping and Wang Wei came to invite Zhao Yun to the banquet they had prepared for the military officers. But he declined. However, Liu Bei told him to go, and, after some demur, he went. Then Cai Mao perfected his final arrangements, placing his people surrounding the place like a ring of iron. The three hundred guards that formed the escort of Liu Bei were sent away to the guest-house.

  All were ready and awaiting the signal. At the third course, Yi Ji took a goblet of wine in his hands and approached Liu Bei, at the same time giving him a meaningful look. Then in a low voice he said, “Make an excuse to get sway.” Liu Bei understood and presently rose and went to the inner chamber, and then he went to the backyard. There he found Yi Ji, who had gone thither after presenting the cup of wine.

  Yi Ji then told him, saying, “Cai Mao plots to kill you, and all the roads have been guarded except that to the west. My lord must to lose no time to depart.”

  Liu Bei was quite taken aback. However, he got hold of the Dilu horse, opened the door of the garden, and led it out. Then he took a flying leap into the saddle and galloped off without waiting for the escort. He made for the west gate. At the gate the wardens wanted to question him, but he only whipped up his steed and rode through. The guards at the gate ran off to report to Cai Mao, who quickly went in pursuit with five hundred soldiers.

  As has been said Liu Bei burst out at the west gate. Before he had gone far there rolled before him a river barring the way. It was the Tan Torrent, many score spans in width, which pours its waters into the River Xiang. Its current was very swift.

  Liu Bei reached the bank and saw the river was unfordable. So he turned his horse and rode back. Then, not far off, he saw a cloud of dust and knew that his pursuers were therein. He thought that it was all over. However, he turned again toward the swift river, and seeing the soldiers now quite near, plunged into the stream. A few paces, and he felt the horse's fore legs floundering in front while the water rose over the skirt of his robe.

  Then he plied the whip furiously, crying, “Dilu, Dilu, why betray me?”

  Whereupon the good steed suddenly reared up out of the water and, with one tremendous leap, was on the western bank. Liu Bei felt as if he had come out of the clouds.

  In after years the famous court official, Su Dongpo, wrote a poem on this leap over the Tan Torrent:

  I'm growing old, the leaves are sere,

  My sun slopes westward, soon will sink,

  And I recall that yesteryear

  I wandered by Tan River brink.

  Irresolute, anon I paused,

  Anon advanced, and gazed around,

  I marked the autumn's reddened leaves,

  And watched them eddying to the ground.

  I thought of all the mighty deeds

  Of him who set the House of Han

  On high, and all the struggles since,

  The battlefields, the blood that ran.

  I saw the nobles gathered round

  The board, set in the Banquet Hall;

  Amid them, one, above whose head

  There hung a sword about to fall.

  I saw him quit that festive throng

  And westward ride, a lonely way;

  I saw a squadron follow swift,

  Intent the fugitive to slay.

  I saw him reach the River Tan,

  Whose swirling current rushes by;

  Adown the bank he galloped fast,

  “Now leap, my steed!” I heard him cry.

  His steed's hoofs churn the swollen stream;

  What chills he that the waves run high?

  He hears the sound of clashing steel,

  Of thundering squadrons coming nigh.

  And upward from the foaming waves

  I saw two peerless beings soar;

  One was a destined western king,

  And him another dragon bore.

  The Tan still rolls from east to west.

  Its roaring torrent never dry.

  Those dragons twain, ah! Where are they?

  Yes, where? But there is no reply.

  The setting sun, in dark relief

  Against the glowing western sky.

  Throws out the everlasting hills

  While, saddened, here I stand and sigh.

  Humans died to found the kingdoms three,

  Which now as misty dreams remain.

  Of greatest deeds the traces oft

  Are faint that fleeting years retain.

  Thus Liu Bei crossed the rolling river. Then he turned and looked back at the other bank which his pursuers had just gained.

  “Why did you run sway from the feast?” called out Cai Mao.

  “Why did you wish to harm one who has done you no injury?” replied Liu Bei.

  “I have never thought of such a thing; do not listen to what people say to you.”

  But Liu Bei saw that his enemy was fitting an arrow to his bowstring, so he whipped up his steed and rode away southwest.

  “What spirits aided him?” said Cai Mao to his followers.

  Then Cai Mao turned to go back to the city, but in the gate he saw Zhao Yun coming out at the head of his company of guards.

  By wondrous leap the dragon steed his rider's life could save,

  Now follows him, on vengeance bent, his master's henchman brave.

  The next chapters will tell what fate befell the traitor.

  CHAPTER 35. Liu Bei Meets A Recluse At Nanzhang; Shan Fu Sees A Noble Lord At Xinye

  Just as Cai Mao was going into the city, he met Zhao Yun and his three hundred coming out. It had happened that, while at the banquet, Zhao Yun had noticed some movement of soldiers and horses and had at once gone to the banquet-hall to see if all was well with his lord. Missing Liu Bei from his place, Zhao Yun had become anxious and gone to the guest-house. There he heard that Cai Mao had gone off to the west gate with troops. So he quickly took his spear, mounted and went, he and the escort, in hot ha
ste along the same road.

  Meeting Cai Mao near the gate, he said, “Where is my lord?”

  “He left the banquet-hall quite suddenly, and I know not whither he has gone,” was the reply.

  Now Zhao Yun was cautious and careful and had no desire to act hastily, so he urged his horse forward till he came to the river. There he was checked by a torrent without ford or bridge. At once he turned back and shouted after Cai Mao, “You invited my lord to a feast; what means this going after him with a squadron of horse?”

  Cai Mao replied, “It is my duty to guard the officials of forty-one counties who have assembled here as I am the Chief Commander.”

  “Whither have you driven my lord?” asked Zhao Yun.

  “They tell me he rode quite alone out through the west gate, but I have not seen him.”

  Zhao Yun was anxious and doubtful. Again he rode to the river and looked around. This time he noticed a wet track on the farther side. He thought to himself that it was almost an impossible crossing for a person and a horse, so he ordered his followers to scatter and search. But they also could find no trace of Liu Bei.

  Zhao Yun turned again to the city. By the time he had reached the wall, Cai Mao had gone within. He then questioned the gate wardens, and they all agreed in saying that Liu Bei had ridden out at full gallop. That was all they knew. Fearing to reenter the city lest he should fall into an ambush, Zhao Yun started for Xinye.

  After that marvelous life-saving leap over the Tan Torrent, Liu Bei felt elated but rather dazed. He could not help telling himself, “My safety is due to an especial interposition of Providence.”

  Following a tortuous path, he urged his steed toward Nanzhang. But the sun sank to the west and his destination seemed yet a long way off. Then he saw a young cowherd seated on the back of a buffalo and playing on a short flute.

  “If I were only as happy!” sighed Liu Bei.

  He checked his horse and looked at the lad, who stopped his beast, ceased playing on the pipe, and stared fixedly at the stranger. “You must be Liu Bei, the general who fought the Yellow Scarves,” said the boy presently.

  Liu Bei was taken aback.

  “How can you know my name, a young rustic like you living in such a secluded place?” said he.

  “Of course I do not know you, but my master often has visitors, and they all talk about Liu Bei, the tall man whose hands hang down below his knees and whose eyes are very prominent. They say he is the most famous man of the day. Now you, General, are just such a man as they talk about, and surely you are he.”

  “Well, who is your master?”

  “My master's name is Sima Hui. He belongs to Yingchuan and his Taoist appellation is Water-Mirror.”

  “Who are your master's friends that you mentioned?”

  “They are Pang Degong and Pang Tong of Xiangyang.”

  “And who are they?”

  “Uncle and nephew. Pang Degong is ten years older than my master; the other is five years younger. One day my master was up in a tree picking mulberries when Pang Tong arrived. They began to talk and kept it up all day, my master did not come down till the evening. My master is very fond of Pang Tong and calls him brother.”

  “And where does your master live?”

  “In that wood there, in front,” said the cowherd pointing to it. “There he has a farmstead.”

  “I really am Liu Bei, and you might lead me to your master that I may salute him.”

  The cowherd led the way for about one mile, when Liu Bei found himself in front of a farm house. He dismounted and went to the center door. Suddenly came to his ear the sound of a lute most skillfully played and the air was extremely beautiful. He stopped his guide and would not allow him to announce a visitor, but stood there rapt by the melody.

  Suddenly the music ceased. He heard a deep laugh and a man appeared, saying, “Amidst the clear and subtle sounds of the lute, there suddenly rang out a high note as though some noble man was near.”

  “That is my master,” said the lad pointing.

  Liu Bei saw before him a tall figure, slender and straight as a pine tree, a very “chosen vessel.” Hastening forward he saluted. The skirt of his robe was still wet from the river.

  “You have escaped from a grave danger today, Sir,” said Water-Mirror.

  Liu Bei was startled into silence, and the cowherd said to his master, “This is Liu Bei.”

  Water-Mirror asked him to enter; and when they were seated in their relative positions as host and guest, Liu Bei glanced round the room. Upon the bookshelves were piled books and manuscripts. The window opened upon an exquisite picture of pines and bamboos and a lute lay upon a stone couch. The room showed refinement in its last degree.

  “Whence come you, Illustrious Sir?” asked the host.

  “By chance I was passing this way and the lad pointed you out to me. So I came to bow in your honored presence. I cannot tell what pleasure it gives me.”

  Water-Mirror laughed, saying, “Why this mystery? Why must you conceal the truth? You have certainly just escaped from a grave danger.”

  Then Liu Bei told the story of the banquet and the flight.

  “I knew it all from your appearance,” said his host. “Your name has long been familiar, but whence comes it that, up to the present, you are only a homeless devil?”

  “I have suffered many a check during my life,” said Liu Bei, “and through one of them am I here now.”

  “It should not be so; but the reason is that you still lack the one person to aid you.”

  “I am simple enough in myself, I know; but I have Sun Qian, Mi Zhu, and Jian Yong on the civil side, and for warriors I have Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun. These are all most loyal helpers, and I depend upon them not a little.”

  “Your fighting generals are good: fit to oppose a legion. The pity is you have no really able adviser. Your civilians are but pallid students of books, not humans fitted to weave and control destiny.”

  “I have always yearned to find one of those marvelous recluses who live among the hills till their day arrive. So far I have sought in vain.”

  “You know what the Teacher Confucius said, 'In a hamlet of ten households there must be one true human.' Can you say there is no one?”

  “I am simple and uninstructed; I pray you enlighten me.”

  “You have heard what the street children sing:

  “In eight and nine years begins decay,

  Four years, then comes the fateful day,

  When destiny will show the way,

  And the dragon flies out of the mire!

  “This song was first heard when the new reign style was adopted. The first line was fulfilled when Imperial Protector Liu Biao lost his first wife, and when his family troubles began. The next line relates to the approaching death of Liu Biao and there is not a single person among all his crowd of officers who has the least ability. The last two lines will be fulfilled in you, General.”

  Liu Bei started up in surprise, crying, “How could such a thing be?”

  Water-Mirror continued, “At this moment the marvelously clever ones of the earth are all here and you, Sir, ought to seek them.”

  “Where are they? Who are they?” said Liu Bei quickly.

  “If you could find either Sleeping-Dragon or Blooming-Phoenix, you could restore order in the empire.”

  “But who are these two?”

  His host clapped his hands, smiled and said, “Good; very good!”

  When Liu Bei persisted and pressed home his questions, Water-Mirror said, “It is getting late. You might stay the night here, General, and we will talk over these things tomorrow.”

  He called to a lad to bring wine and food for his guest and his horse was taken to the stable and fed. After Liu Bei had eaten, he was shown to a chamber opening off the main room and went to bed. But the words of his host would not be banished, and he lay there only dozing till far into the night.

  Suddenly he became fully awake at the sound of a knock at the door and
a person entering. And he heard his host say, “Where are you from?”

  Liu Bei rose from his couch and listened secretly. He heard the visitor reply, “It has long been said that Liu Biao treated good humans as good humans should be treated and bad humans as they should be treated. So I went to see for myself. But that reputation is undeserved. He does treat good people correctly but he cannot use them, and he treats wicked people in the right way, all but dismissing them. So I left a letter for him and went away; and here I am.”

  Water-Mirror replied, “You, capable enough to be the adviser of a king, ought to be able to find some one fit to serve. Why did you cheapen yourself so far as to go to Liu Biao? Beside, there is a real hero right under your eyes and you do not know him.”

  “It is just as you say,” replied the stranger.

  Liu Bei listened with great joy for he thought this visitor was certainly one of the two he was advised to look for. Liu Bei would have shown himself then and there, but he thought that would look strange. So he waited till daylight, when he sought out his host and said. “Who was it came last night?”

  “A friend of mine,” was the reply.

  Liu Bei begged for an introduction. Water-Mirror said, “He wants to find an enlightened master, and so he has gone elsewhere.”

  When Liu Bei asked his name, his host only replied, “Good, good!”

  And when Liu Bei asked who they were who went by the names of Sleeping-Dragon and Blooming-Phoenix, he only elicited the same reply.

  Liu Bei then, bowing low before his host, begged him to leave the hills and help him to bring about the restoration of the ruling house to its prerogatives.

  But Water-Mirror replied, “Humans of the hills and woods are unequal to such a task. However, there must be many far abler than I who will help you if you seek them.”

  While they were talking, they heard outside the farm the shouts of troops and neighing of horses, and a servant came in to say that a general with a large company of soldiers had arrived. Liu Bei went out hastily to see who these were and found Zhao Yun. He was much relieved, and Zhao Yun dismounted and entered the house.