三国演义英文版-第149部分

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Soon　Cao　Hong　reported：　〃The　enemy's　fleet　blankets　the　river；　but　no　sign　of　movements。〃
Feeling　suspicious；　Cao　Cao　led　his　army　to　the　river　to　watch　the　enemy　and　deploy　his　troops。　On　the　river　he　saw　displayed　a　fleet　of　ships　all　arranged　in　admirable　order；　the　divisions　being　marked　by　distinctive　flags。　The　equipment　glittered　in　the　sunlight。　In　the　center　was　a　large　ship　whereon　was　a　huge　umbrella；　and　beneath　the　shade　sat　Sun　Quan　in　the　midst　of　his　staff。
〃That　is　the　sort　of　son　to　have；〃　said　Cao　Cao　in　admiration；　〃not　such　piglets　and　puppies　as　Liu　Biao's。〃
Suddenly；　at　the　explosion　of　a　bomb；　the　ships　got　under　way　and　came　flying　toward　him；　while　a　force　moved　out　of　River　Ruxu。　Cao　Cao's　soldiers　at　once　retired　in　great　haste。　A　pany　led　by　the　green…eyed；　purple…bearded　Sun　Quan　made　straight　for　Cao　Cao；　who　hastily　retreated。　But　Cao　Cao　was　sore　pressed　by　other　Sun　Quan's　manders；　Han　Dang　and　Zhou　Tai；　and　it　had　gone　hard　with　him　but　that　Xu　Chu　came　to　his　rescue　and　fought　with　the　troops　of　the　South　Land　till　his　master　could　escape。　Xu　Chu　fought　some　score　bouts　before　he　could　draw　off　and　return　to　his　own　aide。
When　Cao　Cao　returned　to　camp；　he　conferred　rich　rewards　upon　his　henchman　who　had　saved　him；　and　he　reprimanded　his　other　leaders　for　their　too　hasty　retirement。
〃You　blunt　the　keen　spirits　of　the　army。　And　if　you　do　such　a　thing　again；　I　will　put　you　to　death；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
About　midnight　that　night　there　arose　great　motion　at　the　gates　of　the　camp。　When　Cao　Cao　went　outside；　he　found　that　the　enemy　had　crept　up　secretly　and　started　a　conflagration。　The　soldiers　of　the　South　Land　forced　their　way　into　the　stockade　and　went　hither　and　thither；　slaying　till　morning　broke。　Then　Cao　Cao　and　his　army　retired。
Cao　Cao　was　greatly　distressed　by　this　misfortune。　He　was　sitting　in　his　tent　poring　over　the　Book　of　War　when　Cheng　Yu　came　in　to　see　him。
〃O　Prime　Minister；〃　said　Cheng　Yu；　〃you　who　know　so　thoroughly　the　art　of　war；　have　you　forgotten　the　maxim　to　strike　quickly？　You　had　your　army　ready；　but　you　postponed　action　and　allowed　your　enemies　to　build　the　ramparts　at　River　Ruxu。　Now　you　will　find　it　hard　to　capture　the　place。　It　would　be　better　now　to　retreat　on　the　capital　and　await　a　more　propitious　moment。〃
Cao　Cao　listened；　but　said　nothing。　After　a　time　Cheng　Yu　went　away。　Cao　Cao　remained　seated　in　his　tent；　leaning　on　a　small　table　by　his　side。　And　he　fell　asleep。　Suddenly　he　heard　a　sound　as　of　a　rushing　stream　or　galloping　squadrons　of　horse；　and　out　of　the　river　in　front　of　him　arose　a　huge　red　sun；　so　bright　that　his　eyes　were　dazzled　by　it。　Looking　up　at　the　sky；　he　saw　two　other　suns　as　if　reflections　of　this　one。　And　as　he　wondered；　the　first　sun　suddenly　flew　up　and　then　dropped　among　the　hills　in　front　of　his　camp　with　a　roar　like　thunder。
This　woke　him。　He　was　in　his　tent　and　had　been　dreaming；　and　the　sentry　at　his　tent　door　was　just　reporting　noon。
Soon　he　had　his　horse　saddled　and　rode　out；　with　a　small　escort　of　fifty　riders；　toward　the　spot　he　had　seen　in　his　dream。　As　he　stood　gazing　around　him；　an　army　of　horse　came　along　with　Sun　Quan　at　their　head。　Sun　Quan　wore　a　glittering　helmet　and　was　clad　in　silver　armor。
Seeing　his　chief　enemy；　Sun　Quan　showed　no　sign　of　haste　or　dismay；　but　reined　in　his　steed　on　a　rise。
Pointing　with　his　whip　at　Cao　Cao；　Sun　Quan　said；　〃Behold　the　all…powerful　minister　who　holds　the　Middle　Land　in　the　hollow　of　his　hand！　He　has　reached　the　acme　of　wealth　and　good　fortune　and　yet　he　is　not　content；　but　must　e　to　encroach　upon　our　South　Land。〃
Cao　Cao　replied；　〃You　are　disobedient；　and　the　mand　of　the　Emperor　is　to　exterminate　you！〃
〃What　words！〃　cried　Sun　Quan　with　a　laugh。　〃Are　you　not　ashamed？　Everyone　knows　that　you　control　every　act　of　the　Emperor　and　you　tyrannize　over　the　nobles。　I　am　no　rebel　against　the　dynasty；　but　I　do　desire　to　capture　you　and　reform　the　government。〃
Cao　Cao　grew　angry　at　this　speech　and　bade　his　generals　go　over　and　take　Sun　Quan　prisoner。　But　before　they　could　obey；　Han　Dang　and　Zhou　Tai；　Chen　Wu　and　Pan　Zhang　led　out　two　armies　of　soldiers　from　left　and　right　at　the　sound　of　beating　drums；　and　arrows　and　crossbow　bolts　began　to　fall　like　raindrops　around　Cao　Cao。　He　turned　to　retire；　and　the　archers　and　bowmen　followed　him。　However；　presently　appeared　Xu　Chu；　with　the　Tiger　Guards；　who　rescued　Cao　Cao　and　took　him　back　to　his　camp。　The　army　of　the　South　Land　had　scored　a　victory；　and　they　marched　back　to　River　Ruxu。
Alone　in　his　camp；　Cao　Cao　thought；　〃This　Sun　Quan　certainly　is　no　ordinary　man；　and　by　the　presage　of　the　sun　in　my　dream　he　will　bee　an　emperor。〃
He　began　to　think　it　would　be　well　to　retire　from　the　expedition；　only　that　he　feared　the　troops　of　the　South　Land　would　exult　over　him。　So　the　two　armies　remained　facing　each　other　a　whole　month；　fighting　occasional　skirmishes　and　battles　in　which　victory　fell　sometimes　to　the　one　and　sometimes　to　the　other。
And　so　it　went　on　till　the　new　year；　and　the　spring　rains　filled　the　watercourses　to　overflowing；　and　the　soldiers　were　wading　in　deep　mud。　Their　sufferings　were　extreme；　and　Cao　Cao　became　sad　at　heart。　At　the　council　board　his　officers　were　divided；　some　being　for　retirement　and　others　anxious　to　hold　on　till　the　warm　weather。　Their　chief　could　not　make　up　his　mind。
Then　there　came　a　messenger　from　the　South　Land　bearing　a　letter　of　Sun　Quan；　which　read：
〃You　and　I；　O　Prime　Minister；　are　both　servants　of　Han；　but　you　are　careless　for　the　tranquillity　of　the　people　and　think　only　of　battle；　thereby　causing　great　suffering。　Is　this　conduct　worthy　of　a　kindly　person？
〃But　spring　with　its　heavy　rains　is　at　hand；　and　you　would　be　wise　to　retire　while　you　can。　If　not；　you　may　expect　a　repetition　of　the　misfortune　at　the　Red　Cliffs。　It　would　be　well　to　consider　this。〃
And　on　the　back　of　the　letter　was　a　note　in　a　line　running　thus：　〃No　tranquillity　for　me　while　you　live！〃
Cao　Cao　read　the　letter　and　laughed。
〃Sun　Quan　speaks　the　truth！〃　said　he。
He　rewarded　the　messenger　and　issued　orders　to　retreat。　The　Governor　of　Lujiang；　Zhu　Guang；　was　left　to　guard　Huancheng。　The　army　marched　for　the　capital。
Sun　Quan　returned　to　Jianye。
At　a　meeting　of　his　advisers　Sun　Quan　said；　〃Cao　Cao　has　marched　north；　Liu　Bei　is　at　Jiameng　Pass。　Why　should　I　not　lead　the　army　that　has　just　repulsed　the　northern　forces　to　take　Jingzhou？〃
Thereupon　Zhang　Zhao　offered　another　plan；　saying；　〃Do　not　move　a　soldier。　I　know　how　to　keep　Liu　Bei　from　returning　to　Jingzhou。〃

Cao　Cao's　army　march　away；
Sun　Quan's　thoughts　then　southward　stray。

The　scheme　proposed　by　Zhang　Zhao　will　be　unfolded　in　the　next　chapter。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　62　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　62
　Chapter　62
Taking　Of　River　Fu　Pass；　Yang　Huai　and　Gao　Pei　Are　Slain；
Siege　Of　Luocheng；　Huang　Zhong　and　Wei　Yan　Rival。
Zhang　Zhao　proceeded　to　unfold　his　device：　〃If　you　undertake　any　expedition　farther　west；　Cao　Cao　will　undoubtedly　return　to　the　attack。　Rather　write　two　letters；　one　to　Liu　Zhang　saying　that　Liu　Bei　has　leagued　himself　with　you　against　the　west；　which　will　raise　suspicions　in　the　mind　of　Liu　Zhang　and　cause　him　to　attack　his　guest；　and　another　letter　persuading　Zhang　Lu　to　march　upon　Jingzhou；　which　will　uproot　Liu　Bei。　Between　these　two　conflicting　matters；　Liu　Bei　cannot　give　supports　to　all　fronts；　and　we　can　march　against　Jingzhou。〃
Sun　Quan　approved；　wrote　the　two　letters；　and　sent　them　by　two　messengers。
In　the　meantime；　Liu　Bei　had　been　winning　the　hearts　of　the　people　about　Jiameng　Pass；　where　his　army　lay。　When　he　received　the　news　of　his　wife's　flight　and　of　Cao　Cao's　attack　on　Ruxu；　he　called　in　Pang　Tong　and　laid　the　matter　before　him。
〃The　victor　of　Ruxu；　whoever　it　is；　will　assuredly　possess　himself　of　our　region　of　Jingzhou；〃　said　Liu　Bei　at　the　close。
〃You　need　not　trouble　about　that　region；〃　said　Pang　Tong。　〃I　do　not　think　the　South　Land　or　the　Middle　Land　will　try　to　take　it　so　long　as　Zhuge　Liang　is　there。　But；　my　lord；　write　to　Liu　Zhang　telling　him　you　wish　to　return　on　account　of　this　threatening　danger。　It　will　be　a　plausible　excuse。　You　may　say　that　on　account　of　Cao　Cao's　attack；　Sun　Quan　has　sent　to　you　for　help；　and　that　as　his　country　and　yours　are　neighbors　and　dependent　upon　each　other　for　safety　you　cannot　refuse。　Further；　you　will　assure　him　that　there　is　no　danger　of　any　invasion　by　Zhang　Lu。　However；　we　have　too　few　troops　for　our　purpose　and　insufficient　grain；　so　you　must　also　urge　your　relative　to　send　you　thirty　or　forty　thousand　of　veterans　and　a　plentiful　supply　of　food。　He　will　not　refuse；　and　with　more　soldiers　and　provisions　we　can　do　as　we　please。〃
Liu　Bei　agreed　to　this　and　sent　a　messenger　to　Chengdu。　When　his　messenger　reached　the　River　Fu　Pass；　Yang　Huai　and　Gao　Pei；　who　manded　the　garrison；　already　knew　of　the　design；　and　the　former　of　the　two　generals　went　with　him　to　the　city。
After　reading　the　letter；　the　Imperial　Protector　asked　Yang　Huai；　〃Why　did　you　e　with　the　messenger？〃
〃Only　because　of　that　letter；〃　Yang　Huai　replied。　〃This　Liu　Bei；　from　the　day　he　first　entered　Yizhou；　has　been　trying　to　win　over　the　hearts　of　your　people　by　a　display　of　kindness　and　virtue。　He　certainly　intends　no　good；　and　I　think　you　should　refuse　both　the　troops　and　the　supplies　he　asks。　To　help　him　is　like　adding　fuel　to　a　fire。〃
〃We　are　affectionate　brothers；　and　I　must　help　him；〃　said　the　Imperial　Protector。
〃Liu　Bei　is　nothing　but　a　vagabond　swashbuckler；〃　someone　cried；　〃and　if　you　keep　him　here　in　the　west；　you　are　loosing　a　tiger　in　your　household。　If　you　give　him　the　troops　and　supplies　he　asks；　you　are　adding　wings　to　your　tiger。〃
Turning　whence　the　voice　proceeded；　they　recognized　the　speaker　as　one　Liu　Ba；　a　native　of　Lingling。　His　words　threw　the　Imperial　Protector　into　a　state　of　doubt　and　hesitation。　Huang　Quan　also　dissuaded　him　most　earnestly；　and　finally　Liu　Zhang　actually　decided　to　send　only　four　thousand　of　worn…out　soldiers　and　a　paltry　supply　of　grain。　At　the　same　time　fresh　orders　enjoining　a　diligent　watchfulness　were　sent　to　the　guardians　of　the　passes。
When　Liu　Bei　read　the　letter　that　acpanied　the　Imperial　Protector's　miserable　contribution　to　his　strength；　he　was　furious　and　cried；　〃I　have　been　spending　myself　in　your　defense；　and　this　is　my　reward！　You　are　mean　and　greedy　enough　to　stint　my　supplies。　How　can　you　expect　generous　service？〃
Liu　Bei　tore　the　letter　to　fragments　and　execrated　the　writer　thereof。　The　bearer　of　the　letter　fled　back　to　the　capital。
Then　said　Pang　Tong；　〃You　have　hitherto　laid　too　much　stress　on　humanity　and　righteousness。　However；　that　is　all　over　now；　and　all　affection　between　you　two　is　at　an　end；　now　that　you　have　torn　up　that　letter。〃
〃Yes。　And　since　that　is　so；　what　next？〃　asked　Liu　Bei。
〃I　have　three　schemes　ready　in　my　mind。　You　may　choose　which　pleases　you。〃
〃What　are　your　three　schemes？〃
〃The　first；　and　best；　is　to　send　an　army　forthwith　and　seize　Chengdu。　The　second　is　to　capture　and　put　to　death　the　two　generals　of　the　River　Fu　Pass。　They　are　the　two　most　famous　fighting　men　in　this　land。　If　you　give　out　that　you　are　returning　to　Jingzhou；　they　will　assuredly　e　to　say　farewell。　Seize　and　put　them　to　death；　and　the　Pass