Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Liu Bei and his faithful henchman discussed their plans.

  Zhao Yun said, “The morrow bodes rather ill than well. However, your escort shall be there.”

  Next day the Dowager Marchioness and the State Patriarch Qiao went to the Temple of Sweet Dew as had been arranged. Sun Quan came with a number of his strategists; and when all were assembled, Lu Fan was sent to the guest-house to request Liu Bei to come. He obeyed the summons, but as a precaution he put on a light coat of mail under his brocaded robe. His followers too took their swords upon their backs and followed close. He mounted his steed, and the cavalcade set out for the temple. At the door of the temple he met Sun Quan on whom the visitor's brave demeanor was not lost. After they had exchanged salutations, Sun Quan led Liu Bei into the presence of his mother.

  “Just the son-in-law for me!” said the Dowager delighted with the appearance of Liu Bei.

  “He has the air of an emperor and a look like the sun,” remarked the State Patriarch Qiao. “When one remembers also that his fair fame has spread over the whole earth, you may well be congratulated on getting such a noble son-in-law.”

  Liu Bei bowed, in acknowledgment of his reception. Soon after they were all seated at the banquet in the temple, Zhao Yun entered and took his place beside Liu Bei.

  “Who is this?” asked the Dowager.

  “This is Zhao Yun of Changshan.”

  “Then he must be the hero of Dangyang, who saved the little Liu Shan.”

  “Yes; this is he,” replied Liu Bei.

  “A fine general!” said the Dowager, and she gave him wine.

  Presently Zhao Yun said to his master, “I have seen a lot of armed ruffians hidden away in the purlieus of the temple. They can be there for no good, and you should ask the Dowager to get them sent away.”

  Thereupon Liu Bei knelt at the feet of the Dowager and, weeping, said, “If you would slay me, let it be here.” “Why do you say this?” asked she.

  “Because there are assassins in hiding in the wings of the temple; what are they there for if not to kill me?”

  The Dowager wrathfully turned on Sun Quan, “What are armed men doing there today when Liu Bei is to become my son-in-law and the pair are my son and daughter?”

  Sun Quan said he did not know and sent Lu Fan to inquire. Lu Fan put the blame on Jia Hua. The Dowager summoned him and upbraided him severely. He had nothing to say, and she told them to put him to death.

  But Liu Bei interceded, saying, “The general's death will do me harm and make it hard for me to stay at your side.”

  The State Patriarch Qiao also interceded, and she only ordered the general out of her presence. His subordinates also scattered and ran like frightened rats.

  By and bye, strolling out of the banquet room into the temple grounds, Liu Bei came to a boulder. Drawing his sword he looked up to heaven and prayed, saying, “If I am to return to Jingzhou and achieve my intent to become a chief ruler, then may I cleave this boulder asunder with my sword; but if I am to meet my doom in this place, then may the sword fail to cut this stone.”

  Raising his sword he smote the boulder. Sparks flew in all directions, and the boulder lay split in twain.

  It happened that Sun Quan had seen the blow, and he said, “Why do you thus hate that stone?”

  Liu Bei replied, “I am near my fifth decade and have so far failed to rid the state of evil; I greatly regret my failure. Now I have been accepted by the Dowager as her son-in-law, and this is a critical moment in my life. So I implored of Heaven a portent that I might destroy Cao Cao as I would that boulder and restore the dynasty. You saw what happened.”

  “That is only to blind me,” thought Sun Quan. Drawing his own sword, he said, “And I also ask of Heaven an omen, that if I am to destroy Cao Cao, I may also cut this rock.”

  So he spoke. But in his secret heart he prayed, “If I am to recover Jingzhou and extend my borders, may the stone be cut in twain.”

  He smote the stone and it split in twain. And to this day there are cross cuts in the stone, which is still preserved.

  One who saw this relic wrote a poem:

  The shining blades fell and the rock was shorn through,

  The metal rang clear and the sparks widely flew.

  Thus fate then declared for the dynasties two

  And the tripartite rule there began.

  Both put up their swords and returned hand in hand to the banquet hall. After some more courses, Sun Qian gave his master a warning look, and Liu Bei said, “I pray you excuse me as my drinking powers are very small.”

  Wherefore Sun Quan escorted him to the gate. As they walked down looking at high land and rolling river spreading in glorious panorama before their eyes, Liu Bei exclaimed, “Really this is the finest scene in the whole world! 1”

  These words are recorded on a tablet in the Temple of the Sweet Dew, and one who read them wrote a poem:

  From the river-side hills the rain clears off,

  And the black clouds roll away,

  And this is the place of joy and mirth

  And never can sorrow stay.

  And here two heroes of ages past

  Decided their parts to play,

  And the lofty heights flung back wind and wave

  Then, as they do today.

  Yes, they stood both entranced by the beautiful scene. And gradually along the vast river the wind whipped the waves into snowy foam and raised them high toward heaven. And in the midst of the waves appeared a tiny leaf of a boat riding over the waves as if all was perfect calm.

  “The northern people are riders and the southern people sailors; it is said quite true,” sighed Liu Bei.

  Sun Quan hearing this remark took it as a reproach to his horsemanship. Bidding his servants lead up his steed, Sun Quan leaped into the saddle and set off, full gallop, down the hill. Then wheeling he came up again at the same speed.

  “So the southerners cannot ride, eh?” said Sun Quan laughing.

  Not to be outdone, Liu Bei lifted the skirts of his robe, jumped upon his horse and repeated the feat.

  The two steeds stood side by side on the declivity, the riders flourishing their whips and laughing.

  Thence forward that hillside was known as the “Slope Where the Horses Stood,” and a poem was written about it:

  Their galloping steeds were of noble breed,

  And both of spirit high,

  And the riders twain from the hill-crest gazed

  At the river rolling by.

  One of them mastered the western mountains.

  One ruled by the eastern sea;

  And the hill to this very day

  Still is the Slope Where the Horses Stood.

  When they rode side by side into Nanxu, the people met them with acclamations. Liu Bei made his way to the guest-house and there sought advice from Sun Qian as to the date of the wedding.

  Sun Qian advised, “It should be fixed as early as possible so that no further complications could arise.”

  So next day Liu Bei went to the State Patriarch Qiao and told him in plain words, “Many the people of the place mean harm to me, and I cannot stay here long. I must return soon.”

  “Do not be anxious,” said the State Patriarch Qiao. “I will tell the Dowager Marchioness, and she will protect you.” Liu Bei bowed to express his thanks.

  The State Patriarch Qiao saw the Dowager, and she was very angry when she heard the reason for Liu Bei's desire to leave.

  “Who would dare harm my son-in-law?” cried she.

  But she made Liu Bei move into the library of the Palace as a precaution, and she chose a day for the celebration of the wedding. But his soldiers could not keep guard at the library and were removed from his commands. Liu Bei explained to his hostess, and when she understood this, she gave her son-in-law and his people rooms in her own Palace so that he might be quite safe.

  Liu Bei was very happy, and there were fine banquets, and the bride and bridegroom duly plighted their troth. And when it grew late an
d the guests had gone, the newly wedded pair walked through the two lines of red torches to the nuptial apartment.

  To his extreme surprise, Liu Bei found the chambers furnished with spears and swords and banners and flags, while every waiting-maid had girded on a sword.

  Walls hung with spears the bridegroom saw,

  And armed waiting-maids;

  His heart fell back on all its fears

  Of well-laid ambuscades.

  What happened will be related in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 55. Liu Bei Rouses The Spirit Of Lady Sun; Zhuge Liang A Second Time Angers Zhou Yu.

  The bridegroom turned pale: bridal apartments lined with weapons of war and waiting maids armed! But the housekeeper of the princess said, “Do not be frightened, O Honorable One. My lady has always had a taste for warlike things, and her maids have all been taught fencing as a pastime. That is all it is.”

  “Not the sort of thing a wife should ever look at,” said Liu Bei. “It makes me feel cold and you may have them removed for a time.”

  The housekeeper went to her mistress and said, “The weapons in your chamber displease the handsome one; may we remove them?”

  Lady Sun laughed, saying, “Afraid of a few weapons after half a life time spent in slaughter!”

  But she ordered their removal and bade the maids take off their swords while they were at work.

  That night Liu Bei and his wife conversed under the moonlight, and the night passed happily enough.

  Next day Liu Bei distributed gifts among the maids to secure their good will. He also sent Sun Qian to Jingzhou with news of the wedding, while he gave himself up to feasting and enjoyment. The Dowager loved him more every day.

  The results of the plot to destroy Liu Bei were thus very different from the originators' intention. Sun Quan sent to his general:

  “My mother had insisted upon marrying her daughter to Liu Bei; and so by juggling with the fictitious, we had made it

  real. What is to be done?”

  The news troubled Zhou Yu day and night, but eventually he thought but another scheme which he embodied in a letter sent to his master. Here is the outline of the missive:

  “Contrary to expectation, the plot that I, Zhou Yu, contrived has turned the wrong way. However, since by juggling

  with deceit, we have ended in a solid truth; our future plans must start from the actual present facts. To the boldness of the adventurer Liu Bei is added the aid of such great leaders as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, not to mention that he has a strategist like Zhuge Liang. He is not the man to remain long in a lowly position. Wherefore I can think of no better plan than to enervate him by surrounding him with softness and keeping him in the South Land, a prisoner of luxury. Therefore build for him a fine palace to blunt the edge of his determination and surround him with sensuous luxury. In this way the affection of his brothers will be alienated, and Zhuge Liang will be driven away. When this result has been attained, we can smite him and so end a great matter. If we be at all careless, I fear the recumbent dragon may fly to the skies; it is no beast to be kept in a pond. My lord, I pray you consider this thoroughly.”

  The letter was shown to Zhang Zhao who said, “My idea is identical with his. Liu Bei began life in a humble position and for years has been a wanderer. He has never tasted the delights of wealth. Give him the means of luxury, a beautiful dwelling, fair women, gold and silken attire; and as he enjoys them, the thoughts of Zhuge Liang and his brothers will fade away and they, on their side, will be filled with rancor. Thus can we lay our plans for recovering Jingzhou. I recommend action as Zhou Yu says and quickly.”

  Sun Quan then set about redecorating the Eastern Palace and laying out the grounds. He filled the rooms with beautiful furniture for his sister and her husband. He also sent fair damsels and musicians by the score, and many and beautiful vessels in gold and silver, and silken stuffs. And his mother was delighted at his kindness to her son-in-law.

  Indeed Liu Bei was soon so immersed in sensuous pleasure that he gave no thought to return. Zhao Yun and the company under him led an idle life in the front portion of the Eastern Palace, save that at times they went outside the city for archery and horse-racing. And thus passed the year.

  Suddenly Zhao Yun remembered the orders he had received and the three bags with the plans in them. It was time to open the second one for the end of the year was nigh. His orders were only to open the third when danger was very near and there appeared no way out.

  As already remarked, the year was drawing to a close, and Zhao Yun saw his lord daily becoming more and more the slave of pleasure. Liu Bei never appeared among his guards now. So the bag was opened and in pursuance of the wonderful scheme thereby discovered, Zhao Yun went to the hall of the Palace and asked to see his master.

  The maid in attendance went within and said, “Zhao Yun has some important matter on which to see the master.”

  Liu Bei called him in and asked what the business was. Zhao Yun assumed an attitude of great concern and said, “My lord, you are living happily secluded in these beautiful apartments; do you never think of Jingzhou?”

  “But what is the matter that you seem so disturbed?” asked Liu Bei.

  “Today early Zhuge Liang sent a messenger to say that Cao Cao was trying to avenge his last defeat and was leading five hundred thousand troops to attack Jingzhou, which was in great danger. And he wished you to return.”

  “I must speak to my wife,” said Liu Bei.

  “If you consult her, she will be unwilling for you to return. It would be better to say nothing but to start this evening. Delay may do great damage.”

  “Retire for a time; I must act discreetly,” said Liu Bei.

  Zhao Yun urged the need to return several times more, but finally went away.

  Liu Bei went into his wife's rooms and began to weep silently. Seeing his tears, Lady Sun said, “Why are you so sad, my husband?”

  Liu Bei replied, “I have been driven hither and thither all my life. I was never able to do my duty to my parents nor have I been able to sacrifice to my ancestors. I have been very unfilial. The new year is at hand, and its approach disquiets me greatly.”

  “Do not try to deceive me,” said Lady Sun. “I heard and I know all. Just now Zhao Yun came to tell you Jingzhou was threatened and you wish to return home. That is why you put forward this excuse.” Then Liu Bei fell on his knees and said, “Why should I dissemble, O Wife, since you know? I do not wish to go, but if Jingzhou be lost, I shall be an object of ridicule to everyone. I do desire to go, but I cannot leave you. Now you know why I am grieved.”

  She replied, “I am your handmaid, and whithersoever you go, it is my duty to follow.”

  “Yes; your heart is right, but the difficulty is your mother and the Marquis; they will be unwilling. If you would have pity on me and let me go for a time—”

  And again the tears gushed forth.

  “Do not be so sad, my husband,” said Lady Sun. “I will implore my mother to let us go, and she will surely allow it.”

  “Even supposing the Dowager permits, I am sure the Marquis will hinder.”

  Lady Sun said nothing for a long time while she weighed the matter thoroughly.

  Presently she spoke, “On New Year's Day you and I will go to court and present our congratulations. Then we will give the excuse of a sacrifice on the river bank and go away without formal leave. Will that suit you?”

  Liu Bei knelt at her feet and expressed his gratitude.

  “I should be never so grateful,” said he. “Dead or alive I would remember your love. But this must be a perfect secret.”

  This having been decided and the arrangements made; Liu Bei gave Zhao Yun secret orders, saying, “Lead your company out of the city and be on the road on New Year's morn. We are going away.”

  Sun Quan held a grand court on the New Year's Day of the fifteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 210).

  Liu Bei and his bride went into the Dowager Marchioness' presence
, and Lady Sun said, “My husband has been thinking of his ancestors, who lie in the county of Zhuo, and grieves that he cannot do his duty by them. Today we wish to go to the river side and offer sacrifice toward the north. It is our duty to inform you.”

  “A very filial proceeding,” said the Dowager. “I should not think of stopping you. Although you have never known your husband's parents, yet you may go with him to sacrifice as it is proper for a wife to do.”

  Both thanked the Dowager Marchioness and went out, rejoicing at having so far hoodwinked Sun Quan. Lady Sun got into her carriage taking only a little clothing with her, while Liu Bei followed with a small escort. They went out of the city of Nanxu and met Zhao Yun at the place arranged. Then with a guard in front and rear, they left the precincts of the city, traveling as quickly as they could.

  That day, at the new year banquet, Sun Quan drank freely so that he had to be helped to his chamber, and the guests left. Before very long the escape of the fugitives became known, but it was then dark, and when they tried to tell Sun Quan, they could not rouse him. He slept heavily until the fifth watch.

  The next morning, when Sun Quan heard the story, he asked advice of his counselors.

  Zhang Zhao said, “They have got away today, but trouble will surely come of it; therefore, pursue after them without loss of time.” So Chen Wu and Pan Zhang, with five hundred of veterans, were sent out with orders to use all speed both by day and by night and bring back the fugitives.

  They left. Sun Quan's anger burned hot against Liu Bei. In his wrath he seized his jade inkstone and dashed it to the ground where it shivered to pieces.

  Said Cheng Pu, “My lord, your wrath is in vain, for I do not think your generals will catch the runaways.”

  “Will they dare to disobey my order?” said Sun Quan.

  “Our young lady had always delighted to look upon war and is very fierce and determined. All the officers fear her. Now she has gone with her husband of her own free will; and those sent in pursuit, if once they look upon her countenance, will not dare to lay hands on her.”