第五十四回

第五十四回 吴国太佛寺看新郎 刘皇叔洞房续佳偶

却说孔明闻鲁肃到，与玄德出城迎接。接到公廨，相见毕，肃曰：“主公闻令侄弃世，特具薄礼，遣某前来致祭。周都督再三致意刘皇叔、诸葛先生。”玄德、孔明起身称谢，收了礼物，置酒相待。肃曰：“前者皇叔有言：‘公子不在，即还荆州。’今公子已去世，必然见还。不识几时可以交割？”玄德曰：“公且饮酒，有一个商议。”肃强饮数杯，又开言相问。玄德未及回答，孔明变色曰：“子敬好不通理，直须待人开口！自我高皇帝斩蛇起义，开基立业，传至于今，不幸奸雄并起，各据一方。少不得天道好还，复归正统。我主人乃中山靖王之后，孝景皇帝玄孙，今皇上之叔，岂不可分茅裂土[1]？况刘景升乃我主之兄也，弟承兄业，有何不顺？汝主乃钱塘小吏之子，素无功德于朝廷，今倚势力，占据六郡八十一州，尚自贪心不足，而欲并吞汉土。刘氏天下，我主姓刘倒无分，汝主姓孙反要强争？且赤壁之战，我主多负勤劳，众将并皆用命，岂独是汝东吴之力？若非我借东南风，周郎安能展半筹之功？江南一破，休说二乔置于铜雀宫，虽公等家小，亦不能保。适来我主人不即答应者，以子敬乃高明之士，不待细说。何公不察之甚也！”

一席话，说得鲁子敬缄口无言，半晌乃曰：“孔明之言，怕不有理，争奈鲁肃身上甚是不便。”孔明曰：“有何不便处？”肃曰：“昔日皇叔当阳受难时，是肃引孔明渡江，见我主公；后来周公瑾要兴兵取荆州，又是肃挡住；至说待公子去世还荆州，又是肃担承：今却不应前言，教鲁肃如何回覆？我主与周公瑾必然见罪。肃死不恨，只恐惹恼东吴，兴动干戈，皇叔亦不能安坐荆州，空为天下耻笑耳。”孔明曰：“曹操统百万之众，动以天子为名，吾亦不以为意，岂惧周郎一小儿乎！若恐先生面上不好看，我劝主人立纸文书，暂借荆州为本，待我主别图得城池之时，便交付还东吴。此论如何？”肃曰：“孔明待夺得何处，还我荆州？”孔明曰：“中原急未可图，西川刘璋弱，我主将图之。若图得西川，那时便还。”肃无奈，只得听从。玄德亲笔写成文书一纸，押了字，保人诸葛孔明也押了字。孔明曰：“亮是皇叔这里人，难道自家作保？烦子敬先生也押个字，回见吴侯也好看。”肃曰：“某知皇叔乃仁义之人，必不相负。”遂押了字，收了文书，宴罢辞回。玄德与孔明送到船边，孔明嘱曰：“子敬回见吴侯，善言伸意，休生妄想。若不准我文书，我翻了面皮，连八十一州都夺了。今只要两家和气，休教曹贼笑话。”

肃作别下船而回，先到柴桑郡见周瑜。瑜问曰：“子敬讨荆州如何？”肃曰：“有文书在此。”呈与周瑜。瑜顿足曰：“子敬中诸葛之谋也！名为借地，实是混赖。他说取了西川便还，知他几时取西川？假如十年不得西川，十年不还？这等文书，如何中用，你却与他做保！他若不还时，必须连累足下，主公见罪奈何？”肃闻言，呆了半晌，曰：“恐玄德不负我。”瑜曰：“子敬乃诚实人也。刘备枭雄之辈，诸葛亮奸猾之徒，恐不似先生心地。”肃曰：“若此，如之奈何？”瑜曰：“子敬是我恩人，想昔日指囷相赠之情，如何不救你？你且宽心住数日，待江北探细的回，别有区处。”鲁肃跼蹐[2]不安。

过了数日，细作回报：“荆州城中扬起布旛做好事，城外别建新坟，军士各挂孝。”瑜惊问曰：“没了甚人？”细作曰：“刘玄德没了甘夫人，即日安排殡葬。”瑜谓鲁肃曰：“吾计成矣：使刘备束手就缚，荆州反掌可得！”肃曰：“计将安出？”瑜曰：“刘备丧妻，必将续娶。主公有一妹，极其刚勇，侍婢数百，居常带刀，房中军器摆列遍满，虽男子不及。我今上书主公，教人去荆州为媒，说刘备来入赘。赚到南徐，妻子不能勾得，幽囚在狱中，却使人去讨荆州换刘备。等他交割了荆州城池，我别有主意。于子敬身上，须无事也。”鲁肃拜谢。周瑜写了书呈，选快船送鲁肃投南徐见孙权，先说借荆州一事，呈上文书。权曰：“你却如此糊涂！这样文书，要他何用！”肃曰：“周都督有书呈在此，说用此计，可得荆州。”权看毕，点头暗喜，寻思谁人可去。猛然省曰：“非吕范不可。”遂召吕范至，谓曰：“近闻刘玄德丧妇。吾有一妹，欲招赘玄德为婿，永结姻亲，同心破曹，以扶汉室。非子衡不可为媒，望即往荆州一言。”范领命，即日收拾船只，带数个从人，望荆州来。

却说玄德自没了甘夫人，昼夜烦恼。一日，正与孔明闲叙，人报东吴差吕范到来。孔明笑曰：“此乃周瑜之计，必为荆州之故。亮只在屏风后潜听，但有甚说话，主公都应承了。留来人在馆驿中安歇，别作商议。”玄德教请吕范入。礼毕坐定，茶罢，玄德问曰：“子衡来，必有所谕？”范曰：“范近闻皇叔失偶，有一门好亲，故不避嫌，特来作媒。未知尊意若何？”玄德曰：“中年丧妻，大不幸也。骨肉未寒，安忍便议亲？”范曰：“人若无妻，如屋无梁，岂可中道而废人伦？吾主吴侯有一妹，美而贤，堪奉箕帚。若两家共结秦、晋之好，则曹贼不敢正视东南也。此事家国两便，请皇叔勿疑。但我国太吴夫人甚爱幼女，不肯远嫁，必求皇叔到东吴就婚。”玄德曰：“此事吴侯知否？”范曰：“不先禀吴侯，如何敢造次来说！”玄德曰：“吾年已半百，鬓发斑白，吴侯之妹，正当妙龄[3]，恐非配偶。”范曰：“吴侯之妹，身虽女子，志胜男儿。常言：‘若非天下英雄，吾不事之。’今皇叔名闻四海，正所谓淑女配君子，岂以年齿上下相嫌乎！”玄德曰：“公且少留，来日回报。”是日设宴相待，留于馆舍。至晚，与孔明商议，孔明曰：“来意亮已知道了。适间卜《易》，得一大吉大利之兆。主公便可应允。先教孙乾和吕范回见吴侯，面许已定，择日便去就亲。”玄德曰：“周瑜定计欲害刘备，岂可以身轻入危险之地？”孔明大笑曰：“周瑜虽能用计，岂能出诸葛亮之料乎！略用小谋，使周瑜半筹不展，吴侯之妹，又属主公，荆州万无一失。”玄德怀疑未决。孔明竟教孙乾往江南说合亲事。孙乾领了言语，与吕范同到江南，来见孙权。权曰：“吾愿将小妹招赘玄德，并无异心。”孙乾拜谢，回荆州见玄德，言：“吴侯专候主公去结亲。”玄德怀疑不敢往。孔明曰：“吾已定下三条计策，非子龙不可行也。”遂唤赵云近前，附耳言曰：“汝保主公入吴，当领此三个锦囊。囊中有三条妙计，依次而行。”即将三个锦囊，与云贴肉收藏。孔明先使人往东吴纳了聘，一切完备。

时建安十四年冬十月，玄德与赵云、孙乾取快船十只，随行五百馀人，离了荆州，前往南徐进发。荆州之事，皆听孔明裁处。玄德心中怏怏不安。到南徐州，船已傍岸，云曰：“军师分付三条妙计，依次而行。今已到此，当先开第一个锦囊来看。”于是开囊看了计策。便唤五百随行军士，一一分付如此如此，众军领命而去。又教玄德先往见乔国老。那乔国老乃二乔之父，居于南徐。玄德牵羊担酒，先往拜见，说吕范为媒、娶夫人之事。随行五百军士，俱披红挂彩，入南徐买办物件，传说玄德入赘东吴，城中人尽知其事。孙权知玄德已到，教吕范相待，且就馆舍安歇。

却说乔国老既见玄德，便入见吴国太贺喜。国太曰：“有何喜事？”乔国老曰：“令爱已许刘玄德为夫人，今玄德已到，何故相瞒？”国太惊曰：“老身不知此事！”便使人请吴侯问虚实，一面先使人于城中探听。人皆回报：“果有此事。女婿已在馆驿安歇，五百随行军士都在城中买猪羊果品，准备成亲。做媒的女家是吕范，男家是孙乾，俱在馆驿中相待。”国太吃了一惊。少顷，孙权入后堂见母亲，国太捶胸大哭。权曰：“母亲何故烦恼？”国太曰：“你直如此将我看承得如无物！我姐姐临危之时，分付你甚么话来！”孙权失惊曰：“母亲有话明说，何苦如此？”国太曰：“男大须婚，女大须嫁，古今常理。我为你母亲，事当禀命于我。你招刘玄德为婿，如何瞒我？女儿须是我的！”权吃了一惊，问曰：“那里得这话来？”国太曰：“若要不知，除非莫为。满城百姓，那一个不知？你倒瞒我！”乔国老曰：“老夫已知多日了，今特来贺喜。”权曰：“非也。此是周瑜之计，因要取荆州，故将此为名，赚刘备来拘囚在此，要他把荆州来换，若其不从，先斩刘备。此是计策，非实意也。”国太大怒，骂周瑜曰：“汝做六郡八十一州大都督，直恁[4]无条计策去取荆州，却将我女儿为名，使美人计！杀了刘备，我女便是望门寡[5]，明日再怎的说亲？须误了我女儿一世！你们好做作！”乔国老曰：“若用此计，便得荆州，也被天下人耻笑。此事如何行得！”说得孙权默然无语。

国太不住口的骂周瑜。乔国老劝曰：“事已如此，刘皇叔乃汉室宗亲，不如真个招他为婿，免得出丑。”权曰：“年纪恐不相当。”国老曰：“刘皇叔乃当世豪杰，若招得这个女婿，也不辱了令妹。”国太曰：“我不曾认得刘皇叔。明日约在甘露寺相见，如不中我意，任从你们行事，若中我的意，我自把女儿嫁他！”孙权乃大孝之人，见母亲如此言语，随即应承，出外唤吕范，分付来日甘露寺方丈[6]设宴，国太要见刘备。吕范曰：“何不令贾华部领三百刀斧手，伏于两廊。若国太不喜时，一声号举，两边齐出，将他拿下。”权遂唤贾华，分付预先准备，只看国太举动。

却说乔国老辞吴国太归，使人去报玄德，言：“来日吴侯、国太亲自要见，好生在意！”玄德与孙乾、赵云商议。云曰：“来日此会，多凶少吉，云自引五百军保护。”次日，吴国太、乔国老先在甘露寺方丈里坐定。孙权引一班谋士，随后都到，却教吕范来馆驿中请玄德。玄德内披细铠，外穿锦袍，从人背剑紧随，上马投甘露寺来。赵云全装惯带，引五百军随行。来到寺前下马，先见孙权。权观玄德仪表非凡，心中有畏惧之意。二人叙礼毕，遂入方丈见国太。国太见了玄德，大喜，谓乔国老曰：“真吾婿也！”国老曰：“玄德有龙凤之姿，天日之表[7]，更兼仁德布于天下，国太得此佳婿，真可庆也！”玄德拜谢，共宴于方丈之中。少刻，子龙带剑而入，立于玄德之侧。国太问曰：“此是何人？”玄德答曰：“常山赵子龙也。”国太曰：“莫非当阳长坂抱阿斗者乎？”玄德曰：“然。”国太曰：“真将军也！”遂赐以酒。赵云谓玄德曰：“却才某于廊下巡视，见房内有刀斧手埋伏，必无好意。可告知国太。”玄德乃跪于国太席前，泣而告曰：“若杀刘备，就此请诛。”国太曰：“何出此言？”玄德曰：“廊下暗伏刀斧手，非杀备而何？”国太大怒，责骂孙权：“今日玄德既为我婿，即我之儿女也。何故伏刀斧手于廊下！”权推不知，唤吕范问之，范推贾华，国太唤贾华责骂，华默然无言，国太喝令斩之。玄德告曰：“若斩大将，于亲不利，备难久居膝下[8]矣。”乔国老也相劝。国太方叱退贾华，刀斧手皆抱头鼠窜而去。

玄德更衣出殿前，见庭下有一石块。玄德拔从者所佩之剑，仰天祝曰：“若刘备能勾回荆州，成王霸之业，一剑挥石为两段。如死于此地，剑剁石不开。”言讫，手起剑落，火光迸溅，砍石为两段。孙权在后面看见，问曰：“玄德公如何恨此石？”玄德曰：“备年近五旬，不能为国家剿除贼党，心常自恨。今蒙国太招为女婿，此平生之际遇也。恰才问天买卦，如破曹兴汉，砍断此石。今果然如此。”权暗思：“刘备莫非用此言瞒我？”亦掣剑谓玄德曰：“吾亦问天买卦。若破得曹贼，亦断此石。”却暗暗祝告曰：“若再取得荆州，兴旺东吴，砍石为两半！”手起剑落，巨石亦开。至今有十字纹“恨石”尚存。后人观此胜迹，作诗赞曰：

宝剑落时山石断，金环响处火光生。两朝旺气皆天数，从此乾坤鼎足成。

二人弃剑，相携入席。又饮数巡，孙乾目视玄德，玄德辞曰：“备不胜酒力，告退。”孙权送出寺前，二人并立，观江山之景。玄德曰：“此乃天下第一江山也！”至今甘露寺牌上云：“天下第一江山”。后人有诗赞曰：

江山雨霁拥青螺，境界无忧乐最多。昔日英雄凝目处，岩崖依旧抵风波。

二人共览之次[9]，江风浩荡，洪波滚雪，白浪掀天。忽见波上一叶小舟，行于江面上，如行平地。玄德叹曰：“‘南人驾船，北人乘马’，信有之也。”孙权闻言自思曰：“刘备此言，戏我不惯乘马耳。”乃令左右牵过马来，飞身上马，驰骤下山，复加鞭上岭，笑谓玄德曰：“南人不能乘马乎？”玄德闻言，撩衣一跃，跃上马背，飞走下山，复驰骋而上。二人立马于山坡之上，扬鞭大笑。至今此处名为“驻马坡”。后人有诗曰：

驰骤龙驹气概多，二人并辔望山河。东吴西蜀成王霸，千古犹存驻马坡。

当日二人并辔而回。南徐之民，无不称贺。

玄德自回馆驿，与孙乾商议。乾曰：“主公只是哀求乔国老，早早毕姻，免生别事。”次日，玄德复至乔国老宅前下马。国老接入，礼毕茶罢，玄德告曰：“江左之人，多有要害刘备者，恐不能久居。”国老曰：“玄德宽心。吾为公告国太，令作护持。”玄德拜谢自回。乔国老入见国太，言玄德恐人谋害，急急要回。国太大怒曰：“我的女婿，谁敢害他！”即时便教搬入书院暂住，择日毕姻。玄德自入告国太曰：“只恐赵云在外不便，军士无人约束。”国太教尽搬入府中安歇，休留在馆驿中，免得生事。玄德暗喜。

数日之内，大排筵会，孙夫人与玄德结亲。至晚客散，两行红炬，接引玄德入房。灯光之下，但见枪刀簇满，侍婢皆佩剑悬刀，立于两傍，唬得玄德魂不附体。正是：惊看侍女横刀立，疑是东吴设伏兵。毕竟是何缘故，且看下文分解。

[1] 分茅裂土——封建时代天子分封诸侯，举行一定的仪式，用白茅包些土给他，表示分封土地的意思。

[2] 跼蹐（jú　jí）——畏缩、惧怕的样子。

[3] 妙龄——青春少年。

[4] 直恁（nèn）——竟然如此。

[5] 望门寡——订婚而未“过门”的亲事中，男方死亡，女方遵从封建礼教，不另嫁人，就在娘家守“节”，叫做“望门寡”。

[6] 方丈——寺院中主持僧人所住的房屋，也用指庙中接待尊贵客人的地方。

[7] 龙凤之姿，天日之表——这是封建迷信的相面术所谓的“贵相”，意思是有注定要做帝王的相貌。

[8] 膝下——本是子女对双亲的用语，指幼年儿童跟在父母的腿边。这里是借用。

[9] 之次——之间，这个当儿。

CHAPTER 54. The Dowager Marchioness Sees Her Son-In-Law At A Temple; The Imperial Uncle Takes A Worthy Consort.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang went out of the city to welcome the envoy of the South Land and led him to the guest-house. After the usual greetings, Lu Su said, “Hearing of the death of your nephew, my lord Sun Quan has prepared some gifts and sent me to take his place at the funeral sacrifices. General Zhou Yu also sends regards to the Imperial Uncle and to you, Master Zhuge Liang.”

Both rose at once and thanked him for the courtesy. Then the gifts were handed over and a banquet prepared, and while it was in progress, the guest brought up the real object of his visit.

“You said, Sir, that Jingzhou should be returned to us after the death of Liu Qi. Now that that event has happened, rendition becomes due, and I should be glad to know when the transfer can take place.”

“We will discuss that later; in the meantime let us go on with our wine,” said Liu Bei.

So the feasting continued. Some time later Lu Su returned to the subject, but this time his host remained silent.

However, Zhuge Liang, changing color, said, “Lu Su, you are unreasonable. You could not wait till some other has to explain this matter to you. From the very foundation of the empire by our illustrious ancestor, the great heritage has descended in due course till today when, unhappily, evil doers have risen among the powerful and they have seized upon such portions as they could. But with God's favor and help, unity is nearly restored. My lord is a scion of the Imperial House, a great great grandson of Emperor Myers. Now, as the Emperor's Uncle, should he not have a share of the empire? Moreover, Liu Biao was my lord's elder brother, and there is certainly nothing extraordinary in one brother's succession to another's estate.

“What is your master? The son of a petty official on the banks of the River Qiantang, absolutely without merit so far as the state is concerned. Just because he is powerful, he holds actual possession of six territories and eighty-one counties, which has whetted his insatiable appetite till he now desires to swallow the whole empire. The land is the estate of the Liu family and my lord, who is of that name, has no share thereof, while your master, whose name is Sun, would dispute with, and even fight him. Beside, at the battle at the Red Cliffs my lord did good service and acquired great merit while his commanders risked their lives. Was it solely the strength of your southern soldiers that won that fight? Had I not brought that southeast wind that meant so much for Zhou Yu, could he have done anything? Had the South Land been conquered, it is needless to say that the two paramount beauties would now be gracing the Bronze Bird Palace, and as for yourself and other officers, insignificant though your families be, could you have been sure to survive? Just now my lord did not reply because he was willing to believe rather that a scholar of your abilities would understand without a detailed explanation, and I trust now that you will.”

This speech absolutely shut the guest's mouth for a time, and he said no word in reply. But after an interval he said, “What you say, Zhuge Liang, I think is devoid of reason, and means much unpleasantness for me.”

“What unpleasantness?” asked Zhuge Liang. The guest replied, “When Liu Bei was in serious straits at Dangyang, I conducted you across the river and introduced you to my lord. I opposed Zhou Yu when he was going to capture Jingzhou, and then it came to agreement that the place was to be ours when the young man died. And I pledged myself to that. Now how can I go back and say you break your promise? Both my lord and Zhou Yu will hold me guilty. I would not mind death so much, but I fear that my master will be very wrathful and make war on the Imperial Uncle, who will have no place of refuge and he will look ridiculous in the eyes of the world for no reason.”

Replied Zhuge Liang, “I care not for Cao Cao with his million troops and the Emperor in name at his back, and do you think I fear such a youngster as Zhou Yu? However, as it may cause you some loss of consideration, I will try to persuade my master to put the matter in writing and give you a paper to the effect that he is temporarily occupying Jingzhou as a base; and when he can obtain possession of some other city, this shall be returned to you. What think you the South Land would say to this?”

“Wait till what other place was obtained?” said Lu Su.

“My master can scarcely think of attacking the Middle Land yet, but Liu Zhang in Yiazhou is ignorant and weak, and my master will attack him. If he gets the western region, then this place will be given up to you.”

Lu Su had no alternative and accepted the offer. Liu Bei with his own hand wrote the pledge and sealed it. Zhuge Liang being named as guarantor also signed the document.

“Since I belong to this side of the compact and one can hardly have a guarantor of the same party, I would trouble you, Lu Su, also to sign. It will look better when you reach the South Land again,” said Zhuge Liang.

Lu Su said, “I know that your master is perfectly honorable and will adhere to the bargain.”

And so Lu Su signed. Then he received the document in formal style and took his departure. He was sent off with every mark of great respect, both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang attending him to his boat.

There the Directing Instructor delivered him a last exhortation, “When you see your master, speak discreetly and explain fully so as not to create a bad impression. If he rejects our document, we may get angry and we will take his whole country. The one thing now is for our two houses to live in harmony and not give our common enemy, Cao Cao, an opportunity against us.”

Lu Su went down into his ship. He reached Chaisang and there saw Zhou Yu, who said, “Well, how did you speed with your demand for Jingzhou?”

“Here is the document,” said Lu Su, giving it to Zhou Yu to read.

“You have been victimized by Zhuge Liang,” said Zhou Yu, stamping his foot with irritation. “In name it may be temporary occupation, but in fact it is humbug. They say the place is to be returned when they get the west. Who knows when that will be? Suppose ten years; then it will be ten years before they give us Jingzhou. What is the use of such a document as this? And you are a guarantor of its due performance! If they do not give us the city, you get into trouble. Suppose our lord finds you in the wrong, what then?”

Lu Su was dumbfounded. When he had somewhat recovered his self-possession, he said, “I think Liu Bei will be true to me.”

“You, my friend, are simple and sincere; Liu Bei is a scoundrel adventurer; and Zhuge Liang is a slippery customer. They and you are utterly different.” “What then is to be done?” cried Lu Su distressfully.

“You are my dear friend, and your kindness in freely offering your store of grain to relieve my army is still fresh in my memory. Of course I will save you. Do not be anxious, but wait a few days till we get news of what is doing on the north of the river, and then we can decide upon a plan.”

Lu Su passed some very uneasy days. Then the scouts came back saying that in Jingzhou everything seemed in excellent order and the white flags were flying everywhere, while outside the city they were building a magnificent mausoleum for Lady Gan, wife of Liu Bei. All the soldiers were in mourning.

When Zhou Yu knew who was dead, he said to Lu Su, “My scheme is made. You will see Liu Bei just stand still to be bound, and we shall get Jingzhou like turning a hand.”

“What is the main spring of your plan?” said Lu Su.

“Liu Bei will want to remarry, and our lord has a sister, Princess Sun Ren. She is a veritable amazon, whose women guards number many hundreds, all armed with weapons of war. Her apartments also are full of such things. I will write to our lord to send an intermediary to arrange that the lady shall wed Liu Bei at her family home, and thus we shall entice Liu Bei to Nanxu. But instead of marrying a wife, Liu Bei will find himself a prisoner, and then we will demand Jingzhou as ransom. When they have handed over the region, I shall find something else to say and nothing will fall on your head.”

Lu Su was very grateful. Then Zhou Yu wrote letters to his master, and a swift boat was chosen to take Lu Su to see the Marquis of Wu.

After the lending of Jingzhou had been discussed, Lu Su presented the document given him by Liu Bei.

“What is the use of such nonsense as this?” said Sun Quan, when he had read it.

“There is another letter from General Zhou Yu; and he says that if you will employ his scheme, you can recover Jingzhou,” replied Lu Su.

Having read that letter, Sun Quan was more pleased and began to consider who was the best person to send. Suddenly he cried, “I have it; Lu Fan is the man to send.”

Sun Quan called Lu Fan and said to him, “I have just heard that Liu Bei has lost his wife. I have a sister whom I should like to marry to him and so make a bond of union between our two houses. Thus we should be united against Cao Cao and in support of the House of Han. You are the one man to be intermediary, and I hope you will go to Jingzhou and see to this.”

Under these orders, Lu Fan at once began to prepare his ships for the voyage and soon started.

Liu Bei was greatly distressed at the death of Lady Gan, fretting for her day and night. One day when he was talking with his adviser, they announced the arrival of Lu Fan who had come on a mission from the South Land.

“One of Zhou Yu's devices,” said Zhuge Liang smiling, “and it is all on account of this region. I will just retire behind the screen and listen. But you, my lord, agree to whatever the messenger proposes. Then let the messenger be taken to the guest-house while we arrange what is to be done.”

So the envoy was introduced. Bows having been exchanged, host and guest being seated in due order and the tea drunk; Liu Bei opened the interview.

“You must have some commands for me, Sir, since you come thus.”

“News has just been received that you, O Imperial Uncle, have just been bereaved of your consort. I venture to hope you would not object to an advantageous match, and I have come to propose one. Are you disposed to listen?”

“To lose one's wife in middle age is truly a great misfortune,” said Liu Bei. “While her body is still warm, I cannot listen to proposals for another marriage.”

Lu Fan said, “A man without a wife is like a house without a ridge pole. At your age, one should not live an incomplete life. I am come on the part of Marquis Sun Quan, who has a sister, beautiful as she is, accomplished and well fitted to be a mate for you. Should the two families become allied as formerly were Qin and Jin, then that ruffian Cao Cao would never dare so much as look this way. Such an alliance would be to the benefit of both our houses and of the state. I hope, O Imperial Uncle, that you will fairly consider the proposal. However, since the young girl's mother is dotingly fond of her, the mother does not wish her to go far away, and so I must ask you to come into our country for the wedding.”

“Does the Marquis know of your coming?”

“How dare I come without his knowledge?”

“I am no longer young,” said Liu Bei. “I am fifty and grizzled. This fair damsel, the sister of the Marquis, is now in the flower of her youth and no mate for me.”

“Although the damsel is a woman, yet in mind she surpasses many a man, and she has said she will never wed any one who is unknown to fame. Now, Sir, you are renowned throughout the four seas. Marriage with you would be the chaste maiden mating with the born gentleman. Of what consequence is the difference in age?”

“Sir, stay here awhile and I will give you a reply tomorrow,” said Liu Bei.

So that day the envoy was entertained at a banquet and then conducted to the guest-house to repose, while, late as it was, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang discussed their plans.

“I knew what he had come about,” said the adviser. “While he was talking, I consulted the oracle and obtained an excellent sign. Wherefore you may accept the proposal and send Sun Qian back with this envoy to arrange the details. When the promise has been ratified, we will choose a day and you shall go to complete the ceremony.”

“How can I thus go into enemy territory? Zhou Yu has wanted to slay me for a long time.”

“Let Zhou Yu employ all his ruses; think you he can get beyond me? Let me act for you, and his calculations will always fail halfway. Once Sun Quan's sister is in your power, there will be no fear for Jingzhou.”

Still Liu Bei doubted in his mind. However, Sun Qian was sent to the South Land, with definite instructions, and traveled thither with Lu Fan. At the interview Sun Quan said, “I wish my sister could induce Liu Bei to live here with us. He would come to no harm.”

Sun Qian took his leave; and returning to Jingzhou, he told the bridegroom elect, saying, “Sun Quan's sole desire is for our lord to go over and complete the marriage.”

However, Liu Bei feared and would not go.

Zhuge Liang said, “I have prepared three plans, but I need Zhao Yun to carry them out. He will be sent as your guard.”

So Zhuge Liang called in Zhao Yun, gave him three silken bags, and whispered in his ear, saying, “Here are three schemes enclosed in three bags. When you escort our lord to the South Land, you will take these with you and act as they direct.”

Zhao Yun hid the three silken bags in his breast so that they should be at hand when required.

Zhuge Liang next sent the wedding gifts, and when these had been received, the preliminaries were settled.

It was then the early winter of the fourteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 209); and the bridegroom elect, his escort, and the intermediary, left the city of Jingzhou with a fleet of ten fast ships to sail down the river to Nanxu. Zhuge Liang remained to guard and rule the region.

But Liu Bei was far from feeling comfortable. They arrived and the ships were made fast. This done, the time had come for the first of the silken bags to be opened. And so it was; and thereupon Zhao Yun gave each of his five hundred guards his instructions, and they went their several ways. Next Zhao Yun told Liu Bei what he was to do: to pay his visit first to the State Patriarch Qiao, who was the father-in-law of Sun Ce and of Zhou Yu.

The State Patriarch Qiao resided in Nanxu and to his house, leading sheep and bearing wine jars, went the bridegroom elect. Having made his obeisance, Liu Bei explained that as Lu Fan had arranged, he had come to marry a wife.

In the meantime the five hundred guards, all in gala dress, had scattered over the city place buying all sorts of things, as they said, for the wedding of Liu Bei with the daughter of the Sun House. They spread the news far and wide and the whole town talked about it.

When Sun Quan heard of Liu Bei's arrival, he bade Lu Fan wait upon him and take him to the guest-house. Meanwhile the State Patriarch Qiao went to the Dowager Marchioness, mother of Sun Quan, to congratulate her on the happy event.

“What happy event?” ejaculated the old lady.

“The betrothal of your beloved daughter to Liu Bei. And he has arrived too, as surely you know.”

“My poor old self does not know;” said the Dowager, “I have heard nothing of all this.”

She at once summoned her son and also sent her servants out into the town to see what was going about. They quickly returned to say: “The whole city know of the coming wedding, and the bridegroom is now at the guest-house. Moreover, he has come with a large escort, and they are spending freely, buying pork and mutton and fruits, all in readiness for the wedding feasting. Lu Fan and Sun Qian are the intermediaries on each side, and they are in the guest-house too.”

The Dowager Marchioness was terribly taken aback and upset so that, when Sun Quan arrived, he found his mother beating her breast and weeping bitterly.

“What has disturbed you, Mother?” asked he.

“What you have just done,” said she. “You have treated me as a nonentity. When my elder sister lay dying, what did she tell you?”

Sun Quan began to be frightened, but he said boldly, “Please speak out plainly, Mother; what is this great sorrow?”

“When a son is grown he takes a wife, and when a girl is old enough she goes to her husband. And that is right and proper. But I am the mother, and you ought to have told me that your sister was to become the wife of Liu Bei. Why did you keep me in the dark? It was my place to promise her in marriage.”

“Whence comes this story?” said the Marquis, really much frightened.

“Do you pretend ignorance? There is not a soul in the city who does not know! But you have succeeded in keeping me in the dark.”

“I heard it several days ago,” said the State Patriarch Qiao. “And I came just now to offer my felicitations.”

“There is no such thing,” said Sun Quan. “It is just one of the ruses of Zhou Yu to get hold of Jingzhou. He has used this means to inveigle Liu Bei here and hold him captive till Jingzhou is restored to us. And if they will not give it back, then Liu Bei will be put to death. That is the plot. There is no real marriage.”

But the Dowager was in a rage and vented her wrath in abusing Zhou Yu.

She said, “Zhou Yu is a pretty sort of governor over the six territories and eighty-one counties if he cannot find any means of recovering one region except making use of my child as a decoy. Truly this is a fine deed, to spoil the whole of my child's life and condemn her to perpetual widowhood, because he wants to use the fair damsel ruse to slay a man! Who will ever come to talk of marriage with her after this?”

Said the State Patriarch Qiao, “By this means you may indeed recover Jingzhou, but you will be a shameful laughing stock to all the world. What can be done?”

Sun Quan had nothing to say; he could only hang his head, while the Dowager abused his general.

The State Patriarch Qiao tried to soothe her, saying, “After all Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle, is a scion of the reigning family. You can do nothing better now than to welcome him as a son-in-law and not let this ugly story get abroad.”

“I am afraid their ages do not match,” interposed Sun Quan.

“Liu Bei is a very famous man,” said the State Patriarch Qiao. “There can be no shame in having such a son-in-law.”

“I have never seen him,” said the Dowager. “Arrange that I may get a look at him tomorrow at the Sweet Dew Temple. If he displeases me, you may work your will on him. But if I am satisfied with him, then I shall simply let the girl marry him.”

Now Sun Quan was above all things filial and at once agreed to what his mother said. He went out, called in Lu Fan, and told him to arrange a banquet for the morrow at the temple so that the Dowager Marchioness might see the bridegroom.

“Why not order Jia Hua to station some men in the wings of the temple? Then if the Dowager be not pleased, we can call them out and fall upon him,” said Lu Fan.

Accordingly the ambush was prepared and five hundred ruffians posted to act as the Dowager's attitude might determine.

When the State Patriarch Qiao took his leave and had reached his house, he sent to tell Liu Bei, saying, “Tomorrow the Marquis and the Dowager Marchioness wished to see you. So be careful!”

Liu Bei and his faithful henchman discussed their plans.

Zhao Yun said, “The morrow bodes rather ill than well. However, your escort shall be there.”

Next day the Dowager Marchioness and the State Patriarch Qiao went to the Temple of Sweet Dew as had been arranged. Sun Quan came with a number of his strategists; and when all were assembled, Lu Fan was sent to the guest-house to request Liu Bei to come. He obeyed the summons, but as a precaution he put on a light coat of mail under his brocaded robe. His followers too took their swords upon their backs and followed close. He mounted his steed, and the cavalcade set out for the temple. At the door of the temple he met Sun Quan on whom the visitor's brave demeanor was not lost. After they had exchanged salutations, Sun Quan led Liu Bei into the presence of his mother.

“Just the son-in-law for me!” said the Dowager delighted with the appearance of Liu Bei.

“He has the air of an emperor and a look like the sun,” remarked the State Patriarch Qiao. “When one remembers also that his fair fame has spread over the whole earth, you may well be congratulated on getting such a noble son-in-law.”

Liu Bei bowed, in acknowledgment of his reception. Soon after they were all seated at the banquet in the temple, Zhao Yun entered and took his place beside Liu Bei.

“Who is this?” asked the Dowager.

“This is Zhao Yun of Changshan.”

“Then he must be the hero of Dangyang, who saved the little Liu Shan.”

“Yes; this is he,” replied Liu Bei.

“A fine general!” said the Dowager, and she gave him wine.

Presently Zhao Yun said to his master, “I have seen a lot of armed ruffians hidden away in the purlieus of the temple. They can be there for no good, and you should ask the Dowager to get them sent away.”

Thereupon Liu Bei knelt at the feet of the Dowager and, weeping, said, “If you would slay me, let it be here.” “Why do you say this?” asked she.

“Because there are assassins in hiding in the wings of the temple; what are they there for if not to kill me?”

The Dowager wrathfully turned on Sun Quan, “What are armed men doing there today when Liu Bei is to become my son-in-law and the pair are my son and daughter?”

Sun Quan said he did not know and sent Lu Fan to inquire. Lu Fan put the blame on Jia Hua. The Dowager summoned him and upbraided him severely. He had nothing to say, and she told them to put him to death.

But Liu Bei interceded, saying, “The general's death will do me harm and make it hard for me to stay at your side.”

The State Patriarch Qiao also interceded, and she only ordered the general out of her presence. His subordinates also scattered and ran like frightened rats.

By and bye, strolling out of the banquet room into the temple grounds, Liu Bei came to a boulder. Drawing his sword he looked up to heaven and prayed, saying, “If I am to return to Jingzhou and achieve my intent to become a chief ruler, then may I cleave this boulder asunder with my sword; but if I am to meet my doom in this place, then may the sword fail to cut this stone.”

Raising his sword he smote the boulder. Sparks flew in all directions, and the boulder lay split in twain.

It happened that Sun Quan had seen the blow, and he said, “Why do you thus hate that stone?”

Liu Bei replied, “I am near my fifth decade and have so far failed to rid the state of evil; I greatly regret my failure. Now I have been accepted by the Dowager as her son-in-law, and this is a critical moment in my life. So I implored of Heaven a portent that I might destroy Cao Cao as I would that boulder and restore the dynasty. You saw what happened.”

“That is only to blind me,” thought Sun Quan. Drawing his own sword, he said, “And I also ask of Heaven an omen, that if I am to destroy Cao Cao, I may also cut this rock.”

So he spoke. But in his secret heart he prayed, “If I am to recover Jingzhou and extend my borders, may the stone be cut in twain.”

He smote the stone and it split in twain. And to this day there are cross cuts in the stone, which is still preserved.

One who saw this relic wrote a poem:

The shining blades fell and the rock was shorn through,

The metal rang clear and the sparks widely flew.

Thus fate then declared for the dynasties two

And the tripartite rule there began.

Both put up their swords and returned hand in hand to the banquet hall. After some more courses, Sun Qian gave his master a warning look, and Liu Bei said, “I pray you excuse me as my drinking powers are very small.”

Wherefore Sun Quan escorted him to the gate. As they walked down looking at high land and rolling river spreading in glorious panorama before their eyes, Liu Bei exclaimed, “Really this is the finest scene in the whole world! 1”

These words are recorded on a tablet in the Temple of the Sweet Dew, and one who read them wrote a poem:

From the river-side hills the rain clears off,

And the black clouds roll away,

And this is the place of joy and mirth

And never can sorrow stay.

And here two heroes of ages past

Decided their parts to play,

And the lofty heights flung back wind and wave

Then, as they do today.

Yes, they stood both entranced by the beautiful scene. And gradually along the vast river the wind whipped the waves into snowy foam and raised them high toward heaven. And in the midst of the waves appeared a tiny leaf of a boat riding over the waves as if all was perfect calm.

“The northern people are riders and the southern people sailors; it is said quite true,” sighed Liu Bei.

Sun Quan hearing this remark took it as a reproach to his horsemanship. Bidding his servants lead up his steed, Sun Quan leaped into the saddle and set off, full gallop, down the hill. Then wheeling he came up again at the same speed.

“So the southerners cannot ride, eh?” said Sun Quan laughing.

Not to be outdone, Liu Bei lifted the skirts of his robe, jumped upon his horse and repeated the feat.

The two steeds stood side by side on the declivity, the riders flourishing their whips and laughing.

Thence forward that hillside was known as the “Slope Where the Horses Stood,” and a poem was written about it:

Their galloping steeds were of noble breed,

And both of spirit high,

And the riders twain from the hill-crest gazed

At the river rolling by.

One of them mastered the western mountains.

One ruled by the eastern sea;

And the hill to this very day

Still is the Slope Where the Horses Stood.

When they rode side by side into Nanxu, the people met them with acclamations. Liu Bei made his way to the guest-house and there sought advice from Sun Qian as to the date of the wedding.

Sun Qian advised, “It should be fixed as early as possible so that no further complications could arise.”

So next day Liu Bei went to the State Patriarch Qiao and told him in plain words, “Many the people of the place mean harm to me, and I cannot stay here long. I must return soon.”

“Do not be anxious,” said the State Patriarch Qiao. “I will tell the Dowager Marchioness, and she will protect you.” Liu Bei bowed to express his thanks.

The State Patriarch Qiao saw the Dowager, and she was very angry when she heard the reason for Liu Bei's desire to leave.

“Who would dare harm my son-in-law?” cried she.

But she made Liu Bei move into the library of the Palace as a precaution, and she chose a day for the celebration of the wedding. But his soldiers could not keep guard at the library and were removed from his commands. Liu Bei explained to his hostess, and when she understood this, she gave her son-in-law and his people rooms in her own Palace so that he might be quite safe.

Liu Bei was very happy, and there were fine banquets, and the bride and bridegroom duly plighted their troth. And when it grew late and the guests had gone, the newly wedded pair walked through the two lines of red torches to the nuptial apartment.

To his extreme surprise, Liu Bei found the chambers furnished with spears and swords and banners and flags, while every waiting-maid had girded on a sword.

Walls hung with spears the bridegroom saw,

And armed waiting-maids;

His heart fell back on all its fears

Of well-laid ambuscades.

What happened will be related in the next chapter.