Читаем Three Kingdoms Romance полностью

“What unpleasantness?” asked Zhuge Liang. The guest replied, “When Liu Bei was in serious straits at Dangyang, I conducted you across the river and introduced you to my lord. I opposed Zhou Yu when he was going to capture Jingzhou, and then it came to agreement that the place was to be ours when the young man died. And I pledged myself to that. Now how can I go back and say you break your promise? Both my lord and Zhou Yu will hold me guilty. I would not mind death so much, but I fear that my master will be very wrathful and make war on the Imperial Uncle, who will have no place of refuge and he will look ridiculous in the eyes of the world for no reason.”

Replied Zhuge Liang, “I care not for Cao Cao with his million troops and the Emperor in name at his back, and do you think I fear such a youngster as Zhou Yu? However, as it may cause you some loss of consideration, I will try to persuade my master to put the matter in writing and give you a paper to the effect that he is temporarily occupying Jingzhou as a base; and when he can obtain possession of some other city, this shall be returned to you. What think you the South Land would say to this?”

“Wait till what other place was obtained?” said Lu Su.

“My master can scarcely think of attacking the Middle Land yet, but Liu Zhang in Yiazhou is ignorant and weak, and my master will attack him. If he gets the western region, then this place will be given up to you.”

Lu Su had no alternative and accepted the offer. Liu Bei with his own hand wrote the pledge and sealed it. Zhuge Liang being named as guarantor also signed the document.

“Since I belong to this side of the compact and one can hardly have a guarantor of the same party, I would trouble you, Lu Su, also to sign. It will look better when you reach the South Land again,” said Zhuge Liang.

Lu Su said, “I know that your master is perfectly honorable and will adhere to the bargain.”

And so Lu Su signed. Then he received the document in formal style and took his departure. He was sent off with every mark of great respect, both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang attending him to his boat.

There the Directing Instructor delivered him a last exhortation, “When you see your master, speak discreetly and explain fully so as not to create a bad impression. If he rejects our document, we may get angry and we will take his whole country. The one thing now is for our two houses to live in harmony and not give our common enemy, Cao Cao, an opportunity against us.”

Lu Su went down into his ship. He reached Chaisang and there saw Zhou Yu, who said, “Well, how did you speed with your demand for Jingzhou?”

“Here is the document,” said Lu Su, giving it to Zhou Yu to read.

“You have been victimized by Zhuge Liang,” said Zhou Yu, stamping his foot with irritation. “In name it may be temporary occupation, but in fact it is humbug. They say the place is to be returned when they get the west. Who knows when that will be? Suppose ten years; then it will be ten years before they give us Jingzhou. What is the use of such a document as this? And you are a guarantor of its due performance! If they do not give us the city, you get into trouble. Suppose our lord finds you in the wrong, what then?”

Lu Su was dumbfounded. When he had somewhat recovered his self-possession, he said, “I think Liu Bei will be true to me.”

“You, my friend, are simple and sincere; Liu Bei is a scoundrel adventurer; and Zhuge Liang is a slippery customer. They and you are utterly different.” “What then is to be done?” cried Lu Su distressfully.

“You are my dear friend, and your kindness in freely offering your store of grain to relieve my army is still fresh in my memory. Of course I will save you. Do not be anxious, but wait a few days till we get news of what is doing on the north of the river, and then we can decide upon a plan.”

Lu Su passed some very uneasy days. Then the scouts came back saying that in Jingzhou everything seemed in excellent order and the white flags were flying everywhere, while outside the city they were building a magnificent mausoleum for Lady Gan, wife of Liu Bei. All the soldiers were in mourning.

When Zhou Yu knew who was dead, he said to Lu Su, “My scheme is made. You will see Liu Bei just stand still to be bound, and we shall get Jingzhou like turning a hand.”

“What is the main spring of your plan?” said Lu Su.

“Liu Bei will want to remarry, and our lord has a sister, Princess Sun Ren. She is a veritable amazon, whose women guards number many hundreds, all armed with weapons of war. Her apartments also are full of such things. I will write to our lord to send an intermediary to arrange that the lady shall wed Liu Bei at her family home, and thus we shall entice Liu Bei to Nanxu. But instead of marrying a wife, Liu Bei will find himself a prisoner, and then we will demand Jingzhou as ransom. When they have handed over the region, I shall find something else to say and nothing will fall on your head.”