Cao Cao Murdered The Consort1 Dong;
Liu Bei Flees To Yuan Shao.
the last chapter closed with the discovery of the “girdle” decree and the assembly of Cao Cao's advisers2 to consider the deposition3 of Emperor Xian.
Cheng Yu spoke4 strongly against this, saying, “Illustrious Sir, the means by which you impress the world and direct the government is the command of the House of Han. In these times of turmoil5 and rivalry6 among the nobles, such a step as the deposition of the ruler will certainly bring about civil war and is much to be deprecated.”
After reflection Cao Cao abandoned the project. But Dong Cheng's plot was not to go unpunished. All five of the conspirators7 with every member of their households, seven hundred at least, were taken and put to death at one or another of the gates of the city. The people wept at such merciless and wholesale8 slaughter9.
[hip10, hip, hip] A secret decree in a girdle sewn, In red blood written, the Emperor's own, To the staunch and faithful Dong Cheng addressed, Who had saved him once when enemies pressed. And who, sore grieved at his Sovereign's fate, Expressed in dreams his ceaseless hate, Carried misfortune and death in its train, But glory to him who died in vain. [yip, yip, yip]
Another poet wrote of the sad fate of Wang Zifu and his friends：
[hip, hip, hip] GREatheartedly these signed the silken roll, And pledged themselves to save their king from shame. Alas11！ Black death of them took heavy toll12, To write their names upon the roll of fame. [yip, yip, yip]
But the slaughter of the conspirators and their whole households did not appease13 the wrath14 of the Prime Minister. The Emperor's consort was a sister of Dong Cheng； and, sword in hand, Cao Cao went into the Forbidden City determined15 to slay16 her also. The Emperor cherished her tenderly, the more so as she was then in the fifth month of pregnancy17. That day, as they often did, the Emperor, Consort Dong, and Empress Fu were sitting in their private apartment secretly talking of the decree entrusted18 to Dong Cheng and asking each other why nothing seemed to have been done. The sudden appearance of the angry Prime Minister, armed as he was, frightened them GREatly.
“Does Your Majesty19 know that Dong Cheng conspired20 against me？” said he.
“Dong Zhuo died long ago,” replied the Emperor.
“Not Dong Zhuo——Dong Cheng！” roared Cao Cao.
the Emperor's heart trembled, but he gasped21 out, “Really I did not know！”
“So the cut finger and the blood written decree are all forgotten, eh？”
the Emperor was silent. Cao Cao bade his lictors seize Consort Dong. The Emperor interposed asking pity for her condition.
But Cao Cao said, “If Heaven had not interposed and defeated the plot, I should be a dead man. How could I leave this woman to work evil to me by and by？”
Said the Emperor, “Immure her in one of the palaces till her confinement22. Do not harm her now！”
“Do you wish me to spare her offspring to avenge23 the mother？” said Cao Cao.
“I pray that my body may be spared mutilation and not put to shame,” said Consort Dong.
Cao Cao bade his men show her the white silk cord. The Emperor wept bitterly.
“Do not hate me in the below realms of the Nine Golden Springs,” said the Emperor to her.
His tears fell like rain. Empress Fu also joined in the lament24, but Cao Cao said, “You are behaving like a lot of children.”
And he told the lictors to take Consort Dong away and strangle her in the courtyard.
[hip, hip, hip] In vain had the fair girl found favor in the sight of her lord. She died, and the fruit of her womb perished. Stern and calm her lord sat, powerless to save. Hiding his face while tears gushed26 forth27. [yip, yip, yip]
When leaving the Palace, Cao Cao gave strict orders to the keepers, saying “Anyone of the imperial relatives by marriage who enter the Palace will be put to death, and the guards will share the same punishment for lack of zeal28.”
To make more sure he appointed three thousand Imperial Guards from his own troops and appointed Cao Hong to the command.
then said Cao Cao to his counselor29 Cheng Yu, “The conspirators in the capital have been removed, it is true, but there are yet two others, Ma Teng and Liu Bei. These must not be left.”
Cheng Yu replied, “Ma Teng is strong in the west and would not be easily captured. He might be enticed30 to the capital by suave31 words and kindly32 praises, when he would be at your mercy. Liu Bei is at Xuzhou, strongly posted in an ox-horn formation, and not to be lightly attacked. More than this, Yuan Shao is at Guandu, and his one desire is to attack you. Any attempt on the east will send Liu Bei to Yuan Shao for help, and Yuan Shao will come here at once. Then what will you do？”
“You are at fault,” replied Cao Cao. “Liu Bei is a bold warrior33. If we wait till he is fully34 fledged and winged, he will be more difficult to deal with. Yuan Shao may be strong, but he is not to be feared. He is too undeciding to act.”
As they were discussing these things, Guo Jia came in, and Cao Cao suddenly referred the matter to him.
“If I attack Liu Bei, then Yuan Shao is to be feared. What do you think of it？”
Guo Jia said, “Yuan Shao by nature is dilatory35 and hesitating, and his various advisers are jealous of each other. He is not to be feared. Liu Bei is getting together a new army and has not yet won their hearts. You could settle the east in one battle.”
“This advice is in harmony with my thinking,” said Cao Cao.
And he prepared an army of two hundred thousand troops, to move in five divisions against Xuzhou.
Scouts took the news of these preparations to Xuzhou. Sun Qian first went to Xiapi to tell Guan Yu and then went to Xiaopei to tell Liu Bei. The two discussed the position and decided36 that help must be sought. So letters were written to Yuan Shao and given to Sun Qian, who went north, sought Tian Feng, and asked him to arrange an interview with Yuan Shao. Sun Qian was introduced and presented his letters.
But Yuan Shao was of melancholy37 countenance38, and his dress was all awry39. Tian Feng said, “Why this disarray40, my lord？”
“I am about to die,” replied Yuan Shao.
“But why do you utter such words？”
“I have three sons, but only the youngest is clever enough to understand my ideas. Now he is suffering from scabies which places his life in jeopardy41. Think you that I have any heart to talk over any other affairs？”
“But,” said Tian Feng, “the present combination of circumstances is unparalleled. Cao Cao is going to attack the east, and Xuchang will be empty. You can enter it with a few volunteers and so perform good service to the Emperor and save the people from sorrow. You have only to make up your mind to act.”
“I know the chance is excellent, but I am worried and distressed42 and fear failure.”
“What are you distressed about？” said Tian Feng.
“Among my sons only this special one is remarkable； and if anything happens, I am done.”
Thus it became evident that no army would be dispatched.
In confirmation43 of this, Yuan Shao said to Sun Qian, “Go home and tell Liu Bei the real reason, and say that if anything untoward44 happen, he can come over to me, and I will find some means of helping45 him.”
Tian Feng struck the ground with his staff.
“It is such a pity！” cried he. “Just as a unique opportunity presents itself, everything is spoiled by the illness of a child.”
He went out. Sun Qian saw that no help could be hoped for and set out to return. When he had arrived and related what he had seen, Liu Bei was quite alarmed and asked what could be done.
“Do not be troubled, brother,” said Zhang Fei. “We can destroy Cao Cao merely by a sudden attack before his army shall have time to camp.”
“That would be according to the rules of war,” said Liu Bei. “You have always been a bold warrior, and that move against Liu Dai shows that you are becoming a strategist too.”
So Liu Bei gave Zhang Fei command of enough soldiers to carry out this plan.
Now while Cao Cao was in the midst of his march toward Xiaopei, a tornado46 sprang up and the howling gale47 tore down one of the banners and broke the staff. Cao Cao called together his advisers and leaders to ask them what this portended48.
Xun Yu said, “From what direction was the wind at the time, and what was the color of the flag？”
“the wind was from the southeast, and the flag was blue and red.”
“there is only one interpretation： A raid on the camp will occur tonight.”
Cao Cao nodded. At that moment Mao Jie entered and reported a similar incident. Cao Cao asked him the portent49.
“My thinking tells me it means a night raid,” replied he.
[hip, hip, hip] Alas for the weakness of this descendant of kings！
He placed his faith on a night raid. But the broken staff of a banner warned his enemy. Why should the ancient of days favor the wicked？
[yip, yip, yip]
“This is evidently providence,” said Cao Cao.
And he began to make preparations. He told off nine bodies of troops to take stations, leaving only one of them as if camped while he placed the others in ambush50 at eight points.
there was but little moonlight as Liu Bei and Zhang Fei marched their respective armies toward Cao Cao's camp. They had left Sun Qian to guard Xiaopei. Zhang Fei, since he was the originator of the stratagem51, led the way with some light horse. As they drew near, everything seemed very quiet and no one seemed moving. Then suddenly lights FLASHed out all about them, and Zhang Fei saw he had fallen into a trap. At once from all the eight directions came out the ambushing52 troops. From east, west, north, south were Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, Li Dian, and Yu Jin. From northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest were Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Xu Huang, and Yue Jing.
Zhang Fei, dashing this way and rushing that, guarding his van and protecting his rear, vainly tried to clear himself. the soldiers he had, being originally Cao Cao's troops, soon gave in and returned to their old leader. The position became very desperate.
Zhang Fei met Xu Huang and engaged him, but his rear was also attacked by Yue Jing. At length he cut an alley53 out and with a half score of his troops started to return to Xiaopei. the retreat was cut off. He thought to make for Xuzhou but felt certain that way was also barred. No other way seemed open, and so he made for the Mangdang Hills.
As Liu Bei drew near the camp, he intended to attack when he heard the din25 of battle. Then he was attacked in the rear and very soon had lost half his force. Next Xiahou Dun came to attack. Thereupon Liu Bei bolted. He was pursued by Xiahou Yuan. Presently Liu Bei looked about him and found he had less than half a hundred soldiers following him. He set his face in the direction of Xiaopei.
But before long Liu Bei saw that place was in flames. So he changed his plan and went toward Xiapi. However he found the whole countryside full of the enemy, and he could not get through. So he bethought himself of the promise of Yuan Shao, that he would find refuge if things went unfavorable, and determined to go to Yuan Shao till he could form some other plan. Wherefore he took the Qingzhou road. But it also was blocked, and he went into the open country and made his way north, not without being pursued and losing the remainder of his few followers54.
He hastened toward Qingzhou City, traveling one hundred miles a day. When he reached the city and summoned the gate, the guards asked who he was and they told the Governor, who was Yuan Shao's eldest55 son, Yuan Tan. Yuan Tan was GREatly surprised, but he opened the gates and went to meet Liu Bei, whom he treated with due consideration.
Liu Bei told the story of his defeat and said he wished for harbor. He was given suitable quarters and hospitably56 entertained, while the young man wrote to inform his father. Then Yuan Tan provided an escort and sent Liu Bei on his journey as far as the boundary of Pingyuan.
At the city of Yejun, Liu Bei was met by Yuan Shao in person ten miles outside the city, with a GREat escort. Liu Bei made a humble57 obeisance58 which Yuan Shao hastened to return and said, “I have been very distressed that, on account of my son's illness, I did not come to your aid. It is a great joy to see you； the one desire of my life is satisfied.”
Liu Bei replied, “the poor Liu Bei you see here has long desired to take refuge with you, but fate has hitherto denied him that privilege. Now attacked by Cao Cao, my family lost, I remembered that you, General, would receive good people from all sides. Wherefore I put my pride in my pocket. I trust that I may be found worthy59 and one day I will prove my gratitude60.”
Yuan Shao received him with much pleasure and treated him exceedingly well. And they both lived in Yuan Shao's home region Jizhou.
After the capture of Xiaopei, Cao Cao pressed on toward Xuzhou City, which, after a short defense61 and the flight of Mi Zhu and Jian Yong, was surrendered by Chen Deng. Cao Cao led his army into the city, restored order, and pacified62 the people. Next he wanted to press on to Xiapi, where Guan Yu was holding out and keeping guard of Liu Bei's family.
Xun Yu said, “Guan Yu is there, in charge of his brother's family, and he will defend the city to the last. If you do not take it quickly, Yuan Shao will get it.”
Cao Cao said, “I have always loved Guan Yu, both for his warlike abilities and his principles. I would engage him to enter my service. I would rather send someone to talk him into surrender.”
“He will not do that,” said Guo Jia. “His sense of right is too solid. I fear anyone who went to speak with him would suffer.”
then suddenly a man stepped out, saying, “I know him slightly, and I will go.”
the speaker was Zhang Liao.
Cheng Yu looked at him and said, “Though you are an old acquaintance, I do not think you are equal to talking over Guan Yu. But I have a scheme that will so entangle63 him that he will have no alternative. He will have to enter the service of the Prime Minister.”
[hip, hip, hip] they set the fatal spring beside the lordly tiger's trail, They hide the hook with fragrant64 bait to catch the mighty65 whale. [yip, yip, yip]
How Guan Yu was to be entrapped66 will be told in the next chapter.
收听单词发音 |
1
consort
|
|
| v.相伴；结交 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
advisers
|
|
| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
deposition
|
|
| n.免职，罢官；作证；沉淀；沉淀物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
turmoil
|
|
| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
rivalry
|
|
| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
conspirators
|
|
| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
wholesale
|
|
| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
slaughter
|
|
| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
hip
|
|
| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
toll
|
|
| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
appease
|
|
| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
slay
|
|
| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
pregnancy
|
|
| n.怀孕，怀孕期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
entrusted
|
|
| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
conspired
|
|
| 密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
confinement
|
|
| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
avenge
|
|
| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
lament
|
|
| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
din
|
|
| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
gushed
|
|
| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
zeal
|
|
| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
counselor
|
|
| n.顾问，法律顾问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
enticed
|
|
| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
suave
|
|
| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
dilatory
|
|
| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
awry
|
|
| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
disarray
|
|
| n.混乱，紊乱，凌乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
jeopardy
|
|
| n.危险；危难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
distressed
|
|
| 痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
confirmation
|
|
| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
untoward
|
|
| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
helping
|
|
| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
tornado
|
|
| n.飓风，龙卷风 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
gale
|
|
| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
portended
|
|
| v.预示( portend的过去式和过去分词 )；预兆；给…以警告；预告 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
portent
|
|
| n.预兆；恶兆；怪事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
ambush
|
|
| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
stratagem
|
|
| n.诡计，计谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
ambushing
|
|
| v.埋伏( ambush的现在分词 )；埋伏着 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
alley
|
|
| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
eldest
|
|
| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
hospitably
|
|
| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
obeisance
|
|
| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
defense
|
|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
pacified
|
|
| 使（某人）安静( pacify的过去式和过去分词 )； 息怒； 抚慰； 在（有战争的地区、国家等）实现和平 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
entangle
|
|
| vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
fragrant
|
|
| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
entrapped
|
|
| v.使陷入圈套，使入陷阱( entrap的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |