Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 61
Chapter 61
In The River; Zhao Yun Recovers Liu Shan;
With One Letter; Sun Quan Repulses Cao Cao。
In spite of the persuasion of Pang Tong and Fa Zheng; Liu Bei steadily refused to sanction the assassination of his host at the banquet; Imperial Protector Liu Zhang; even if thereby he was to gain possession of West River Land。
The next day there was another banquet; this time in the city of Fucheng; whereat host and guest unbosomed themselves freely to each other and became exceedingly friendly and affectionate。
All were mellow with wine; and Pang Tong; talking with Fa Zheng; said; 〃Since our master will have nothing to do with our scheme; we had better set Wei Yans sword…play to work and take advantage of the confusion to kill Liu Zhang。〃
Wei Yan came in shortly afterward; with his sword drawn; and said; 〃There being no other entertainment at this banquet; may I show you a little fencing to amuse you?〃
Thereupon Pang Tong called up some of the armed guards and ranged them along the lower part of the hall till Wei Yan should fall on。
At these preparations the officers of Liu Zhang stared with questioning eyes toward the chief seats at the upper end。
Then one of them; Zhang Ren; drew his sword; saying; 〃An opponent is needed to make fencing a success; so he and I will display our skill at the same time。〃
So they began。 Presently; at a glance from Wei Yan; Liu Feng came up and took position at his side。
At once three of the manders of the west followed suit; saying; 〃And we three will e in too。 It may add to your amusement and help to raise a laugh。〃
'e' Hongmen Banquet At that time Liu Bang; Governor of Pei; and Xiang Yu; King of West Chu; were fighting Qin under the Chu banner。 Liu Bang was the first mander who entered Qins capital; Xianyang。 The loss of this honor enraged Xiang Yu; and he was set to attack Liu Bangs force。 But his uncle Xiang Ba wanted to mediate the situation; and Xiang Ba invited Liu Bang to visit Xiang Yus camp in Hongmen。 During a banquet at Hongmen; Xiang Yus adviser Fan Zeng ordered Xiang Chang to perform a sword…dance and take the chance to kill Liu Bang。 However; as Xiang Chang closed in Liu Bang; Xiang Ba rose to perform another sword…dance and fend off the attack。 Just then Liu Bangs general Fan Kuai bursted in; armed and angry…looking。 Fan Kuai proclaimed his lords achievements and denounced the murder plot。 In the confusion; Liu Bang slipped away and rushed back to his camp。 。。。。。
But to Liu Bei matters began to take on a serious look。 Drawing a sword of a servant; he stood out in the banquet hall and cried; 〃We brothers have perhaps honored our meeting with a little too much wine。 There is nothing to say against that; but this is no Hongmen Banquet*; where murder was done。 Put up your swords; or I will slay you!〃
〃Why wear swords at all at a meeting of two brothers?〃 cried Liu Zhang; at the same time telling his servants to surround his officers and take away their weapons。
Disarmed; they sulkily withdrew。
Then Liu Bei called all the generals of Liu Zhang to the upper end of the banquet hall; gave them wine; and said; 〃You need have no doubts。 We two brothers; of the same bone and blood; have talked over the great design; and we are one in purpose。〃
The officers bowed and retired。
Liu Zhang took his guest by the hand; saying; 〃Brother; I shall never forget your kindness。〃
They sat drinking till late; both feeling very happy。 When at length Liu Bei reached his camp; he blamed his strategist for having caused the confusion。
〃Why did you endeavor to force me into mitting a great wrong?〃 said Liu Bei。 〃There must be no repetition of this。〃
Pang Tong retired; sighing。
When Liu Zhang reached his own camp; his leaders waited on him and said; 〃Sir; you saw the real meaning of that occurrence at the banquet; we suppose。 We think it prudent for you to retire at once into the city。〃
〃My brother is different from ordinary humans;〃 replied Liu Zhang。
〃He may not incline toward murder himself; but those about him have but one desire………that is to exploit this land of ours to their own advantage。〃
〃Do not try to sow dissension between us and make us quarrel;〃 said their chief。
And Liu Zhang took no heed of their remonstrance。 One day; when he and Liu Bei were enjoying together relaxation from cares of state; the news came that Zhang Lu was about to invade the West River Land at the Jiameng Pass。 Thereupon the Imperial Protector begged Liu Bei to go and defend it。 Liu Bei consented and left immediately with his own especial band。
At once Liu Zhangs officers took advantage of the guests departure to urge the Imperial Protector to place his own trusty generals in mand at various strategic points; so as to guard against any attempts of the visitors to seize the land。 At first Liu Zhang was unwilling and refused; but as they prayed him most earnestly to do this he yielded and consented to take some steps to safeguard himself。 He sent Yang Huai; mander of Baishui; and Gao Pei to garrison River Fu Pass。
So Liu Zhang returned to Chengdu and his guest; Liu Bei; went away to the point where invasion threatened。 Arrived there; Liu Bei soon won the hearts of the people by the strict discipline he maintained over his army and by his gracious manner。
News of these doings in the west duly reached the south; and Sun Quan summoned his counselors as to his countermove。
Then Gu Yong spoke; saying; 〃I have an infallible plan to propose。 Liu Bei and his army are now far away and separated from us by difficult country。 Therefore he cannot return quickly; and my advice is to occupy the passes so that he cannot get through。 Then send all your force against Jingzhou and Xiangyang; and they will surely fall to you。〃
https://www.du8.org https://www.shuhuangxs.com www.baquge.ccabxsw.net dingdianshu.com bxwx9.net
kenshu.tw pashuba.com quanshu.la
tlxsw.cc qudushu.net zaidudu.org
duyidu.org baquge.cc kenshuge.cc
qushumi.com xepzw.com 3dllc.net