三国演义英文版-第148部分

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The　warrior　sheathed　his　sword　and　said　humbly；　〃Whither　may　my　mistress　be　going；　and　why　goes　she　privily？〃
〃My　mother　is　ill　and　on　the　point　of　death。　I　had　no　time　to　inform　any　person　of　my　departure；〃　said　Lady　Sun。
〃But　why　take　the　young　master　if　you　are　going　merely　to　see　a　sick　person？〃　said　Zhao　Yun。
〃Liu　Shan　is　my　son；　and　I　would　not　leave　him　behind　to　be　neglected。〃
〃Mistress；　you　have　acted　wrongly。　My　lord　has　but　this　one　son　of　his　body；　and　I　rescued　the　child　lord　from　among　many　thousand　troops　of　Cao　Cao　in　the　great　battle　at　Long　Slope　Bridge　in　Dangyang。　There　is　no　reason　for　you　to　take　him　away。〃
Lady　Sun　took　refuge　in　anger。　〃You　leave　my　family　affairs　alone；　you　mon　soldier！〃　cried　she。
〃My　lady；　if　you　will　go；　then　go；　but　leave　the　young　master　behind。〃
〃You　are　a　rebel；　jumping　on　board　the　ship　like　that！〃　cried　Lady　Sun。
〃If　you　will　not　leave　the　young　lord　behind；　I　refuse　to　let　you　go；　e　what　may；〃　said　Zhao　Yun。
Lady　Sun　called　in　her　maids　to　seize　him；　but　he　just　pushed　them　off。　Then　he　took　the　boy　from　her　arms　and　ran　out　to　the　prow　of　the　ship。　He　tried　to　get　the　vessel　in　to　the　bank；　but　no　one　would　aid　him；　and　he　thought　it　would　be　wrong　to　begin　to　slay　indiscriminately。　He　knew　not　what　to　do　in　such　a　quandary。　And　Lady　Sun　was　screaming　to　her　maids　to　take　the　boy　away　from　him。　But　he　kept　too　firm　a　grip　on　the　child；　and　the　good　sword　in　his　other　hand　kept　everyone　at　bay。
Zhou　Shan　was　at　the　helm；　giving　all　his　attention　to　getting　the　ship　out　into　the　current　and　away　down　the　river。　He　steered　for　the　middle　of　the　stream；　where　the　wind　was　strong。　Zhao　Yun；　one　hand　taken　up　with　holding　the　boy；　was　quite　unable　to　get　the　vessel　in　toward　the　shore。
Just　as　things　looked　most　desperate；　Zhao　Yun　saw　a　string　of　ships　filing　out　from　a　creek　lower　down　the　stream；　flags　fluttering　and　drums　beating。　He　thought　that　certainly　all　was　over　and　he　was　about　to　fall　a　victim　to　a　stratagem　of　the　South　Land；　when　he　noticed　a　mighty　warrior　standing　in　the　prow　of　the　leading　craft。　He　was　armed　with　a　long　spear；　and　it　was　Zhang　Fei。
Zhang　Fei　also　shouted；　〃Sister…in…law！　Leave　the　child　lord。〃
Zhang　Fei　had　been　out　scouting　when　he　heard　the　news　of　his　sister…in…law's　sudden　departure；　and　he　at　once　made　for　the　River　Yu　with　the　intention　of　intercepting　her　flight。　He　had　arrived　just　in　the　nick　of　time　to　cut　off　the　ships　of　the　South　Land。　Very　soon；　sword　in　hand；　he　had　boarded　the　vessel。　As　Zhang　Fei　came　on　board；　Zhou　Shan　drew　his　sword　and　advanced　toward　him；　but　one　sweep　of　Zhang　Fei's　blade　laid　him　on　the　deck　dead。　And　the　grim　warrior　hung　his　head　at　the　feet　of　Lady　Sun。
〃Why　this　very　unseemly　behavior？〃　cried　Lady　Sun；　now　quite　frightened。
〃Sister；〃　said　Zhang　Fei；　〃you　thought　very　little　of　my　brother　when　you　set　out　on　this　mad　journey。　That　was　behaving　rudely。〃
〃My　mother　is　very　ill。　It　is　a　matter　of　life　and　death；〃　cried　she。　〃If　I　had　waited　for　your　brother's　permission　to　go；　I　should　have　been　too　late。　If　you　do　not　let　me　go　now；　I　will　throw　myself　into　the　river。〃
Zhao　Yun　and　Zhang　Fei　took　counsel　together。　They　said　to　each　other；　〃It　is　hardly　the　correct　thing　for　servants　to　force　their　lord's　wife　into　mitting　suicide。　Suppose　we　keep　the　child　and　let　the　vessel　go。〃
Then　they　said；　〃O　Lady；　we　cannot　allow　the　wife　of　our　exalted　brother　to　die　a　death　of　shame；　and　so　we　will　take　our　leave。　We　trust　you　will　not　forget　our　brother　and　that　you　will　return　quickly。〃
Taking　the　child　with　them；　they　left　the　vessel；　and　the　five　ships　of　the　South　Land　continued　their　voyage　down　stream。　One　poet　has　praised　the　conduct　of　Zhao　Yun：

Before；　Zhao　Yun　saved　Liu　Shan；
What　time　his　mother　died；
Again　like　service　he　performs；
Upon　the　Great　River's　tide。
The　soldiers　of　Wu　all　in　the　ship；
Were　stricken　down　with　fear
Search　all　the　world；　you　never　find
Of　bold　Zhao　Yun　the　peer。

Another　has　eulogized　Zhang　Fei：

At　Long　Slope　Bridge；
With　rage　Zhang　Fei　boiled；
Like　wild　beast　roared；
And　warriors　recoiled。
From　danger　now
His　prince　is　saved。
On　history's　page
His　name　is　graved。

Quite　satisfied　with　their　success；　the　two　warriors　sailed　homeward。　Before　they　had　gone　far；　they　met　Zhuge　Liang　with　a　squadron　of　ships。　He　was　very　pleased　to　find　they　had　recovered　the　child；　and　they　three　joyfully　returned　to　Jingzhou；　whence　an　account　of　the　whole　adventure　was　written　to　Liu　Bei。
When　Lady　Sun　reached　her　home；　she　related　the　story　of　the　death　of　Zhou　Shan　and　the　carrying　off　of　the　child。　Naturally　Sun　Quan　was　very　wrath　at　the　miscarriage　of　his　scheme；　and　he　resolved　to　attack　Jingzhou　in　revenge　for　his　messenger's　murder。
〃Now　that　my　sister　has　returned　home；　there　is　no　longer　any　family　tie　to　prevent　the　attack；　and　I　will　take　full　measure　of　revenge　for　the　death　of　my　general；〃　said　Sun　Quan。
So　he　called　the　council　to　consider　the　expedition。
But　before　they　could　decide　upon　any　plan；　their　deliberations　were　suddenly　cut　short　by　the　news　that　Cao　Cao　was　ing　down　upon　the　South　Land　with　four　hundred　thousand　troops；　burning　to　avenge　his　defeat　at　the　Red　Cliffs。　All　thoughts　now　turned　toward　repelling　his　attack。
Adviser　Zhang　Hong；　who　had　retired　to　his　home　ill；　had　just　died；　and　his　testament　was　sent　to　his　lord　to　read。　Therein　he　advised　Sun　Quan：
〃My　lord；　the　seat　of　government　should　be　removed　to　the　old　land　of　Moling；　where　the　scenery　seems　to　bear　the　impress　of　kingly　dignity；　befitting　a　person　who　cherishes　the　ambition　of　founding　an　enduring　dynasty。〃
Sun　Quan　read　this　document　out　to　his　councilors　at　this　meeting；　not　without　many　tears　in　memory　of　the　writer。
He　told　them；　saying；　〃Zhang　Hong　was　sincere　till　his　death。　I　cannot　withstand　his　last　advice！〃

＇e＇　Jianye　since　then　has　been　a　southern　capital　of　China　for　successive　dynasties。　A　beautiful　place；　Jianye　was　considered　a　treasure　by　the　emperors　of　Yuan　Dynasty　（Mongol　rule）。　Located　near　Shanghai　where　the　Great　River　meets　the　East　Sea；　Jianye's　modern　name　is　Nanjing。
And　Sun　Quan　at　once　gave　orders　to　build　a　walled　city　named　Shidou　in　Moling；　and　changed　the　name　of　the　land　to　Jianye*。　Henceforth　he　intended　to　make　his　capital　there。
As　a　protection　against　Cao　Cao；　Admiral　Lu　Meng　proposed　building　a　rampart　at　River　Ruxu。
Some　other　officers　opposed　this；　saying；　〃When　the　enemy　appears；　you　will　have　to　land　in　order　to　attack　him；　and　after　that　you　will　return　to　your　ships。　What　is　the　use　of　a　rampart？〃
Lu　Meng　replied；　〃One　must　prepare　against　possibilities。　Soldiers　vary　in　keenness　and　sometimes　lose　battles。　If　an　urgent　occasion　arises；　the　soldiers　may　be　unable　to　reach　the　water's　edge；　and　how　then　are　they　to　embark？　They　will　then　need　shelter。〃

＇e＇　Duke　of　Zhou　was　brother　of　King　Wu；　who　was　the　founder　of　Zhou　Dynasty。　After　King　Wu's　death；　the　Duke　of　Zhou　served　his　young　son　as　regent。　The　Duke　of　Zhou　pletely　ended　the　Shang　domination；　and　he　helped　establish　the　Zhou　administrative　framework；　which　served　as　a　model　for　future　Chinese　dynasties。　Zhou　Dynasty　lasted　for　800　years　（BC　1050…221）。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Lu　Wang　was　a　master　strategist；　founding　minister　of　Zhou　Dynasty；　counselor　to　King　Wen。　Before　joining　King　Wen；　Lu　Wang　had　been　a　fisher；　who　mediated　on　the　river　bank　on　political　events。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Wei　was　a　state　in　the　Warring　States　period。　Wei　came　into　existence　after　the　partition　of　Jin。　Succeeded　Jin　in　dominating　the　empire　for　some　time。　。。。。。
Sun　Quan　said；　〃Provision　against　eventualities；　such　as　he　proposes；　is　good。　Against　a　distant　risk　provide；　and　sorrow　walks　not　by　your　side。〃
So　they　sent　soldiers　to　build　ramparts　at　River　Ruxu；　and　as　the　work　ceased　not　day　or　night　the　wall　was　soon　pleted。
In　the　capital　Cao　Cao's　influence　and　glory　waxed　daily　greater。　High　Counselor　Dong　Zhao　proposed　that　the　title　of　duke　should　be　conferred　upon　him。
Dong　Zhao　said；　〃In　all　history；　no　one　has　rendered　such　services　as　you　have；　O　Prime　Minister；　not　even　Duke　of　Zhou*　or　Lu　Wang*。　These　thirty　years　you　have　exposed　yourself　to　all　risks；　been　bed　by　the　wind　and　bathed　by　the　rain；　and　you　have　swept　evil　from　the　empire；　succored　the　distressed；　and　restored　the　Hans。　Who　of　all　statesmen　can　rank　with　you？　It　would　be　fitting　for　you　to　bee　the　Duke　of　Wei*　and　receive　the　Nine　Dignities；　that　your　merit　and　virtue　be　known　to　all。〃
Now　the　Nine　Dignities；　or　signs　of　honor；　were：

1。　Chariots：　Gilded　chariots　drawn　by　eight　horses
2。　Court　dresses：　Dragon…embroidered　robes；　headdresses；　and　shoes
3。　Music　at　banquets：　By　royal　bands
4。　Red　doors：　Symbols　of　wealth
5。　Inner　staircase：　Protection　for　every　step
6。　Imperial　Tiger　Guard：　Three　hundred　at　the　gates
7。　Imperial　axes：　manding　and　ceremonial　symbols
8。　Bow　and　arrows：　Red…lacquered　bow　with　a　hundred　arrows
9。　Libation　vessels：　Jade　tablets　and　libation　cups

However；　all　the　courtiers　were　not　of　one　mind。
Said　High　Adviser　Xun　Yu；　〃This　should　not　be　done；　O　Prime　Minister。　You　raised　a　force　by　an　appeal　to　the　innate　sense　of　righteousness　of　the　people；　and　with　that　force　you　restored　the　Han　authority。　Now　you　should　remain　loyal　and　humble。　The　virtuous　person　loves　people　with　a　virtuous　love　and　would　not　act　in　this　way。〃
Cao　Cao　did　not　take　this　opposition　kindly。
Dong　Zhao　said；　〃How　can　we　disappoint　the　hopes　of　many　because　of　the　words　of　one？〃
So　a　memorial　went　to　the　Throne；　and　Cao　Cao's　ambitions　and　desires　were　gratified　with　the　title　of　Duke　of　Wei。　The　Nine　Dignities　were　added。
〃I　did　not　think　to　see　this　day！〃　said　Xun　Yu；　sighing。
This　remark　was　repeated　to　the　newly　created　Duke　and　angered　him。　He　took　it　to　mean　that　Xun　Yu　would　no　longer　aid　him　or　favor　his　designs。

＇e＇　In　previous　campaigns；　Cao　Cao　always　left　Xun　Yu　at　the　capital　and　appointed　Xun　Yu　Court　Administrator；　who　managed　Cao　Cao's　affair　in　his　absence。
In　the　winter　of　the　seventeenth　year　of　Rebuilt　Tranquillity　（AD　212）；　Cao　Cao　decided　to　send　an　army　to　conquer　the　South　Land；　and　he　ordered　Xun　Yu　to　go　with　it*。　Xun　Yu　understood　from　this　that　Cao　Cao　wished　his　death；　so　he　declined　the　appointment　on　the　plea　of　illness。　While　Xun　Yu　was　at　home；　he　received　one　day　a　box　such　as　one　sent　with　presents　of　dainties。　It　was　addressed　in　Cao　Cao's　own　handwriting。　Opening　it；　Xun　Yu　found　therein　nothing。　He　understood；　so　he　took　poison　and　died。　He　was　fifty…two　years　of　age。

Xun　Yu's　talents　were　to　all　people　known；
That　was　sad　that　at　the　door　of　power　he　tripped。
Posterity　is　wrong　to　class　him　with　the　noble　Zhang　Liang；
For；　nearing　death；　he　dared　not　face　his　lord　of　Han。

News　of　Xun　Yu's　death　came　to　Cao　Cao　in　the　form　of　the　ordinary　letter　of　mourning　by　his　son；　Xun　Yun。　Then　Cao　Cao　was　sorry　and　gave　orders　for　an　imposing　funeral。　He　also　obtained　for　the　dead　man　the　posthumous　title　of　lordship。
The　northern　army　reached　River　Ruxu；　whence　Cao　Cao　sent　a　reconnaissance　of　thirty　thousand　troops　led　by　Cao　Hong　down　to　the　river。
Soon　Cao　Hong　reported：　〃The　enemy's　fleet　blankets　the　river；　but　no　sign　of　movements。〃
Feeling　suspicious；