三国演义英文版-第66部分

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ion　that　made　Yangjue　Ai　and　Zuo　Botao　die　rather　than　separate。　I　was　in　charge　of　Xiapi；　but　the　place　lacked　provision　and　there　was　no　help。　I　would　have　fought　to　the　death；　but　there　was　on　my　shoulders　the　responsibility　for　my　sisters…in…law。　Wherefore　I　had　to　take　care　of　my　body　lest　I　betrayed　your　trust。　And　so　I　made　a　prisoner　of　myself；　hoping　to　find　a　way　of　release。　I　heard　of　you　lately　in　Runan。　I　must；　however；　bid　farewell　to　Cao　Cao　and　bring　the　ladies　with　me　when　I　e。　May　I　perish；　victim　to　the　superhuman　powers；　if　I　have　harbored　any　traitorous　thought。　Ink　and　paper　are　poor　substitutes　for　what　I　would　say；　but　I　look　to　see　you　soon。〃
Chen　Zhen　left　with　this　missive；　and　Guan　Yu　went　to　tell　the　women。　Then　he　proceeded　to　the　Prime　Minister's　palace　to　say　farewell。　But　Cao　Cao　knew　what　he　was　ing　for；　and　at　the　gate　Guan　Yu　found　the　board　intimating　that　no　one　could　be　received。　So　he　had　to　return。　However；　he　bade　his　own　few　soldiers　prepare　to　start　at　any　moment。　He　also　gave　orders　that　everything　received　from　Cao　Cao　was　to　be　left　in　the　quarters。　Nothing　was　to　be　taken。
Next　day　he　again　proceeded　to　the　palace　to　say　farewell　to　his　patron；　but　again　found　the　board　hanging　there　to　show　there　was　no　admission。　So　it　was　several　times；　he　could　never　enter。　Then　he　went　to　see　Zhang　Liao；　but　Zhang　Liao　was　indisposed。
〃This　means　Cao　Cao　will　not　let　me　go；〃　thought　Guan　Yu。　〃But　I　am　going；　and　I　shall　hesitate　no　longer。〃
So　he　wrote　this　letter：
〃As　a　young　man　I　entered　the　service　of　the　Imperial　Uncle；　and　pledged　myself　to　share　his　fortunes。　Heaven　and　Earth　witnessed　this　oath。　When　I　lost　the　city；　I　made　three　requests　which　you　granted。　Now　I　hear　my　brother　is　with　Yuan　Shao　and　I；　remembering　our　pledge；　cannot　but　go　to　him。　Though　your　bounty　is　great；　I　forget　not　the　bond　of　the　past；　wherefore　I　write　this　letter　of　farewell　trusting　that　when　you　have　read　it；　you　will　be　content　for　me　to　postpone　to　another　season　the　proof　of　my　gratitude。〃
Guan　Yu　sealed　and　sent　it　to　the　palace。　Then　he　deposited　in　the　treasury　of　his　dwelling　all　the　gold　and　silver　he　had　received；　hung　his　seal　of　lordship　of　Hanshou　in　the　middle　of　the　reception　hall　and　left；　taking　his　sisters…in…law　with　him　in　a　carriage。　He　rode　Red　Hare　and　carried　the　green…dragon　saber　in　his　hand。　With　a　small　escort　of　guards；　those　formerly　under　his　mand；　he　left　the　city　by　the　north　gate。
The　wardens　would　have　stopped　him；　but　Guan　Yu　frightened　them　with　a　fierce　shout。　Having　got　out；　he　told　the　escort　to　go　in　front　with　the　carriage　while　he　would　remain　behind　to　guard　against　pursuit。　So　they　pushed　the　carriage　toward　the　high　road。
In　the　city；　Guan　Yu's　letter　reached　the　Prime　Minister　while　he　was　consulting　about　what　to　do。　He　read　it　and　exclaimed；　〃So　he　has　left！〃
Then　the　warden　of　the　gate　came　to　report　that　Guan　Yu　had　forced　his　way　out；　and　was　gone　with　a　carriage；　a　horse；　and　a　score　of　guards。　Next　came　the　servants　from　his　house　to　report　that　he　had　left；　taking　nothing　of　the　treasure；　nor　anyone　of　the　waiting　maids。　Everything　was　left　in　the　house。　Even　his　seal　was　there。　His　only　escort　were　the　few　soldiers　of　his　original　force。
Suddenly　from　the　assembly　of　officers　rose　a　voice；　saying；　〃With　three　thousand　of　mailed　horse；　I　will　bring　him　back　alive。〃
Their　eyes　turned　to　the　speaker；　who　was　General　Cai　Yang。

On　the　dragon's　cave　he　turns　his　back；
But　numberless　wolves　infest　his　track。

What　came　of　this　offer　to　pursue　will　be　seen　in　the　next　chapter。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　27　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　27
　Chapter　27
The　Man　of　Beautiful　Beard　Rides　On　A　Solitary　Journey；
Guan　Yu　Slays　Six　Generals　Through　Five　Passes。
Now　of　all　the　officers　in　Cao　Cao's　army；　the　two　friendly　toward　Guan　Yu　were　Zhang　Liao　and　Xu　Huang。　The　others　treated　Guan　Yu　with　respect；　except　Cai　Yang　who　was　decidedly　inimical。　So　this　Cai　Yang　was　ready　to　pursue　and　capture　Guan　Yu　as　soon　as　he　heard　of　his　departure。　But　Cao　Cao　accepted　Guan　Yu's　going　as　natural。
〃He　does　not　forget　his　old　leader；　and　he　was　perfectly　open　in　all　his　actions。　He　is　a　gentleman；　and　you　would　do　well　to　follow　his　example；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
So　Cao　Cao　bade　the　would…be　pursuer　be　gone　and　say　no　more　about　pursuit。
〃You　were　exceedingly　good　to　Guan　Yu；〃　said　Cheng　Yu；　〃but　he　went　off　very　rudely。　He　certainly　left　a　screed　behind　with　his　reasons；　but　he　affronted　you；　and　that　is　no　light　matter。　Now　to　let　him　join　Yuan　Shao　is　to　add　wings　to　a　tiger。　You　had　better　catch　him　and　put　him　to　death　so　as　to　guard　against　future　evil。〃
Cao　Cao　replied；　〃But　he　had　my　promise；　and　can　I　break　my　word？　Each　has　his　master。　Do　not　pursue。〃
But　Cao　Cao　said　to　Zhang　Liao；　〃He　has　rejected　all　I　gave　him；　so　bribes　were　powerless　with　him　in　whatever　shape。　I　have　the　greatest　respect　for　such　as　him。　He　has　not　yet　gone　far；　and　I　will　try　to　strengthen　his　attachment　to　me　and　make　one　appeal　to　sentiment。　Ride　after　him　and　beg　him　to　stop　till　I　can　e　up　and　bid　farewell　and　offer　him　a　sum　of　money　for　his　expenses　and　a　fighting　robe；　that　he　may　remember　me　kindly　in　after　days。〃
So　Zhang　Liao　rode　out　quite　alone。　Cao　Cao　followed　him　leisurely　with　an　escort　of　a　score　or　so。
Now　the　steed　that　Guan　Yu　rode　was　Red　Hare；　and　it　was　very　fast。　No　one　could　have　e　up　with　him　but　that　there　was　the　ladies'　carriage　to　escort；　and　so　Red　Hare　had　to　be　held　in　and　go　slow。　Suddenly　Guan　Yu　heard　a　shout　behind　him；　a　voice　crying；　〃Go　slowly；　Guan　Yu！〃
He　turned　and　made　out　the　person　to　be　Zhang　Liao。　Ordering　the　pushers　of　the　carriage　to　press　on　along　the　high　road；　he　reined　in　his　steed；　held　the　green…dragon　saber　ready　for　a　stroke；　and　waited　for　Zhang　Liao　to　e　up。
〃Of　course　you　have　e　to　take　me　back；　Zhang　Liao？〃　said　Guan　Yu。
〃No；　the　Prime　Minister；　seeing　that　you　are　going　a　long　journey；　wishes　to　see　you　on　your　way　and　told　me　to　hasten　forward　and　beg　you　to　wait　till　he　can　e　up。　That　is　the　only　thing。〃
〃Seeing　that　he　is　ing　along　with　mailed　men；　I　shall　fight　to　the　very　last；〃　said　Guan　Yu。
And　he　took　up　his　position　on　a　bridge　where　he　waited　the　approach　of　the　party；　who　advanced　quickly。　Four　of　Cao　Cao's　generals；　Xu　Chu；　Xu　Huang；　Yu　Jin；　and　Li　Dian；　followed　close。　Seeing　Guan　Yu　was　ready　to　fight；　Cao　Cao　ordered　his　escort　to　open　out　in　two　lines；　and　then　it　was　seen　they　carried　no　arms。　This　relieved　his　mind；　for　it　proved　to　Guan　Yu　they　meant　no　attack。
〃Why　do　you　go　in　such　haste；　Guan　Yu？〃　asked　Cao　Cao。
Guan　Yu　inclined　his　head　but　did　not　dismount；　saying；　〃I　informed　you　in　writing　that　since　my　lord　was　in　the　North　of　Yellow　River；　I　had　to　leave　at　once。　I　went　to　your　palace　again　and　again　but　was　refused　admittance。　So　I　wrote　a　letter　of　farewell；　sealed　up　the　treasure；　resigned　my　lordship　seal；　and　left　everything　for　you。　I　hope　you　recall　the　promise　you　once　made　me。〃
Cao　Cao　replied；　〃My　desire　is　to　keep　my　troth　with　all　people。　I　cannot　go　back　on　my　word。　However；　you　may　find　the　journey　expensive；　and　therefore　I　have　here　prepared　a　sum　of　money　to　help　you。〃
Then　from　horseback　Cao　Cao　held　out　a　packet　of　gold。
Guan　Yu　said；　〃I　have　sufficient　left　from　your　former　bounty。　Keep　that　for　presents　to　your　soldiers。〃
〃Why　should　you　refuse　this？　It　is　but　an　insignificant　return　for　great　services。〃
〃My　services　have　been　all　trifling；　not　worth　mentioning。〃
〃Really；　Guan　Yu；　you　are　the　most　high…principled　of　humans。　I　am　very　sorry　my　luck　is　too　poor　to　retain　you　at　my　side。　Pray　accept　just　this　robe　to　show　you　I　am　not　quite　ungrateful；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
And　one　of　his　generals；　dismounting；　held　up　a　silken　coat　in　both　hands。　Guan　Yu　even　still　fearful　of　what　might　happen；　would　not　dismount；　but　he　reached　down　his　sword　and　took　the　robe　on　its　point。　Then　he　threw　it　over　his　shoulders　and　turned　to　thank　the　giver。
〃I　thank　you；　Sir　Prime　Minister；　for　the　robe　and　trust　we　shall　meet　again。〃
So　saying；　Guan　Yu　went　down　from　the　bridge　and　bore　away　to　the　north。
〃He　is　a　very　rude　man；〃　said　Xu　Chu；　who　was　of　the　escort。　〃Why　do　you　not　take　him　prisoner？〃
Cao　Cao　replied；　〃He　was　absolutely　alone　facing　scores　of　us。　He　was　justified　in　being　suspicious。　But　my　word　has　gone　forth；　and　he　is　not　to　be　pursued。〃
Cao　Cao　and　his　escort　returned；　the　Prime　Minister　very　sad　when　he　thought　of　the　man　who　had　gone。
Guan　Yu　went　down　from　the　bridge　and　started　in　the　wake　of　the　carriage　carrying　the　two　ladies；　which　should　have　gone　about　ten　miles　while　this　interview　had　been　going　on。　He　could　see　no　signs　of　it　and　rode　hither　and　thither　looking　on　all　sides。
Presently　he　heard　someone　shouting　from　a　hill；　calling　him　by　name　to　halt。　He　saw　a　youth　wearing　a　yellow　turban　and　dressed　in　a　silk　robe。　He　held　a　spear　in　his　hand　and　was　mounted　on　a　horse　from　the　neck　of　which　dangled　a　bloody　head。　Behind　him　were　a　hundred　or　so　men　on　foot；　and　they　advanced　quickly。
〃Who　are　you？〃　asked　Guan　Yu。
The　young　man　dropped　his　spear；　dismounted；　and　made　a　low　bow。　Guan　Yu　feared　this　was　some　ruse；　so　he　only　checked　his　horse　and　gripped　his　sword　the　more　firmly；　saying；　〃Sir；　I　desire　you　to　tell　me　your　name！〃
〃My　name　is　Liao　Hua。　I　belong　to　a　Xiangyang　family。　Since　these　troubled　times　began　I　have　been　an　outlaw　among　the　rivers　and　lakes；　and　I　and　my　rades　have　lived　by　plunder。　We　are　about　five　hundred　in　all。　By　chance　my　friend　Du　Yuan　came　across　two　ladies　in　a　carriage　just　now；　and；　quite　wrongly；　he　took　them　prisoners　and　brought　them　to　the　hold　in　the　hills。　I　questioned　the　servants　and　so　found　out　who　they　were　and　who　was　escorting　them。　So　I　wished　them　to　be　set　free　to　pursue　their　journey。　Du　Yuan　opposed　this　and　spoke　so　ill…mannerly　that　I　killed　him。　And　here　is　his　head。　I　pray　you　pardon　me。〃
〃Where　are　the　two　ladies？〃
〃They　are　among　the　hills；〃　replied　Liao　Hua。
〃Bring　them　down　here；　at　once；〃　said　Guan　Yu。
In　a　short　time　a　party　of　the　brigands　pushed　the　carriage　down　the　hill；　and　the　ladies　sat　there　before　him。
Then　Guan　Yu　dismounted；　laid　aside　his　sword；　and　stood　respectfully　before　them　with　his　arms　crossed。
〃Sisters；　have　you　been　alarmed？〃　asked　he。
They　replied；　〃We　should　have　suffered　at　the　hands　of　Du　Yuan　had　it　not　been　for　Liao　Hua。〃
〃How　did　Liao　Hua　e　to　save　the　ladies？〃　asked　Guan　Yu　of　those　who　stood　by。
They　said；　〃Du　Yuan　carried　off　the　ladies　and　proposed　that　he　and　Liao　Hua　should　have　one　each　as　wife。　But　Liao　Hua　had　found　out　they　were　of　gentle　birth　and　worthy；　and　was　for　treating　them　with　respect。　When　Du　Yuan　disagreed；　Liao　Hua　slew　him。〃
Hearing　this　Guan　Yu　bowed　to　Liao　Hua　and　thanked　him。　Liao　Hua　then　wanted　to　join　himself　and　his　troop　to　Guan　Yu；　but　Guan　Yu；　seeing　he　was　a　Yellow　Scarf；　would　have　nothing　to　do　with　him。　So　Guan　Yu　simply　thanked　him　for　his　kindness　to　the　ladies。　Liao　Hua　offered　some　presents；　but　these　were　also　declined。
So　Liao　Hua　took　his　leave　and　presently　disappeared　in　a　valley　among　the　hills。　Guan　Yu　told　his　sisters　the　story　of　his　interview　with　Cao　Cao　and　the　gif