Читаем Three Kingdoms Romance полностью

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!”