第五十五回

第五十五回 玄德智激孙夫人 孔明二气周公瑾

却说玄德见孙夫人房中两边枪刀森列，侍婢皆佩剑，不觉失色。管家婆进曰：“贵人休得惊惧。夫人自幼好观武事，居常令侍婢击剑为乐，故尔如此。”玄德曰：“非夫人所观之事，吾甚心寒，可命暂去。”管家婆禀覆孙夫人曰：“房中摆列兵器，娇客不安，今且去之。”孙夫人笑曰：“厮杀半生，尚惧兵器乎！”命尽撤去，令侍婢解剑伏侍。当夜玄德与孙夫人成亲，两情欢洽。玄德又将金帛散给侍婢，以买其心，先教孙乾回荆州报喜。自此连日饮酒，国太十分爱敬。

却说孙权差人来柴桑郡报周瑜，说：“我母亲力主，已将吾妹嫁刘备。不想弄假成真，此事还复如何？”瑜闻大惊，行坐不安，乃思一计，修密书付来人持回见孙权。权拆书视之，书略曰：

瑜所谋之事，不想反覆如此。既已弄假成真，又当就此用计。刘备以枭雄之姿，有关、张、赵云之将，更兼诸葛用谋，必非久屈人下者。愚意莫如软困之于吴中：盛为筑宫室，以丧其心志；多送美色玩好，以娱其耳目。使分开关、张之情，隔远诸葛之契，各置一方，然后以兵击之，大事可定矣。今若纵之，恐蛟龙得云雨，终非池中物也。愿明公熟思之。

孙权看毕，以书示张昭。昭曰：“公瑾之谋，正合愚意。刘备起身微末，奔走天下，未尝受享富贵。今若以华堂大厦，子女金帛，令彼享用，自然疏远孔明、关、张等，使彼各生怨望，然后荆州可图也。主公可依公瑾之计而速行之。”权大喜，即日修整东府，广栽花木，盛设器用，请玄德与妹居住，又增女乐数十馀人，并金玉锦绮玩好之物。国太只道孙权好意，喜不自胜。玄德果然被声色所迷，全不想回荆州。

却说赵云与五百军在东府前住，终日无事，只去城外射箭走马。看看年终，云猛省：“孔明分付三个锦囊与我，教我一到南徐开第一个，住到年终开第二个，临到危急无路之时开第三个，于内有神出鬼没之计，可保主公回家。此时岁已将终，主公贪恋女色，并不见面，何不拆开第二个锦囊，看计而行？”遂拆开视之，原来如此神策。即日径到府堂，要见玄德。侍婢报曰：“赵子龙有紧急事来报贵人。”玄德唤入问之，云佯作失惊之状曰：“主公深居画堂，不想荆州耶？”玄德曰：“有甚事如此惊怪？”云曰：“今早孔明使人来报，说曹操要报赤壁鏖兵之恨，起精兵五十万，杀奔荆州，甚是危急，请主公便回。”玄德曰：“必须与夫人商议。”云曰：“若和夫人商议，必不肯教主公回。不如休说，今晚便好起程，迟则误事！”玄德曰：“你且暂退，我自有道理。”云故意催逼数番而出。玄德入见孙夫人，暗暗垂泪。孙夫人曰：“丈夫何故烦恼？”玄德曰：“念备一身飘荡异乡，生不能侍奉二亲，又不能祭祀宗祖，乃大逆不孝也。今岁旦在迩，使备悒怏不已。”孙夫人曰：“你休瞒我，我已听知了也！方才赵子龙报说荆州危急，你欲还乡，故推此意。”玄德跪而告曰：“夫人既知，备安敢相瞒。备欲不去，使荆州有失，被天下人耻笑；欲去，又舍不得夫人。因此烦恼。”夫人曰：“妾已事君，任君所之，妾当相随。”玄德曰：“夫人之心，虽则如此，争奈国太与吴侯安肯容夫人去？夫人若可怜刘备，暂时辞别。”言毕，泪如雨下。孙夫人劝曰：“丈夫休得烦恼。妾当苦告母亲，必放妾与君同去。”玄德曰：“纵然国太肯时，吴侯必然阻挡。”孙夫人沉吟良久，乃曰：“妾与君正旦拜贺时，推称江边祭祖，不告而去，若何？”玄德又跪而谢曰：“若如此，生死难忘！切勿漏泄。”两个商议已定，玄德密唤赵云分付：“正旦日，你先引军士出城，于官道等候。吾推祭祖，与夫人同走。”云领诺。建安十五年春正月元旦，吴侯大会文武于堂上，玄德与孙夫人入拜国太。孙夫人曰：“夫主想父母宗祖坟墓，俱在涿郡，昼夜伤感不已。今日欲往江边，望北遥祭，须告母亲得知。”国太曰：“此孝道也，岂有不从？汝虽不识舅姑，可同汝夫前去祭拜，亦见为妇之礼。”孙夫人同玄德拜谢而出。

此时只瞒着孙权。夫人乘车，止带随身一应细软。玄德上马，引数骑跟随出城，与赵云相会。五百军士前遮后拥，离了南徐，趱程而行。当日，孙权大醉，左右近侍扶入后堂，文武皆散。比及众官探得玄德、夫人逃遁之时，天色已晚。要报孙权，权醉不醒。及至睡觉[1]，已是五更。次日，孙权闻知走了玄德，急唤文武商议。张昭曰：“今日走了此人，早晚必生祸乱。可急追之。”孙权令陈武、潘璋选五百精兵，无分昼夜，务要赶上拿回。二将领命去了。孙权深恨玄德，将案上玉砚摔为粉碎。程普曰：“主公空有冲天之怒，某料陈武、潘璋必擒此人不得。”权曰：“焉敢违我令！”普曰：“郡主自幼好观武事，严毅刚正，诸将皆惧。既然肯顺刘备，必同心而去。所追之将，若见郡主，岂肯下手？”权大怒，掣所佩之剑，唤蒋钦、周泰听令，曰：“汝二人将这口剑去取吾妹并刘备头来！违令者立斩！”蒋钦、周泰领命，随后引一千军赶来。

却说玄德加鞭纵辔，趱程而行，当夜于路暂歇两个更次，慌忙起行。看看来到柴桑界首，望见后面尘头大起，人报：“追兵至矣！”玄德慌问赵云曰：“追兵既至，如之奈何？”赵云曰：“主公先行，某愿当后。”转过前面山脚，一彪军马拦住去路。当先两员大将，厉声高叫曰：“刘备早早下马受缚！吾奉周都督将令，守候多时！”原来周瑜恐玄德走脱，先使徐盛、丁奉引三千军马于冲要之处扎营等候，时常令人登高遥望，料得玄德若投旱路，必经此道而过。当日徐盛、丁奉了望得玄德一行人到，各绰兵器截住去路。玄德惊慌，勒回马问赵云曰：“前有拦截之兵，后有追赶之兵，前后无路，如之奈何？”云曰：“主公休慌。军师有三条妙计，多在锦囊之中。已拆了两个，并皆应验。今尚有第三个在此，分付遇危难之时，方可拆看。今日危急，当拆观之。”便将锦囊拆开，献与玄德。玄德看了，急来车前泣告孙夫人曰：“备有心腹之言，至此尽当实诉。”夫人曰：“丈夫有何言语，实对我说。”玄德曰：“昔日吴侯与周瑜同谋，将夫人招嫁刘备，实非为夫人计，乃欲幽困刘备而夺荆州耳。夺了荆州，必将杀备，是以夫人为香饵而钓备也。备不惧万死而来，盖知夫人有男子之胸襟，必能怜备。昨闻吴侯将欲加害，故托荆州有难，以图归计。幸得夫人不弃，同至于此。今吴侯又令人在后追赶，周瑜又使人于前截住，非夫人莫解此祸。如夫人不允，备请死于车前，以报夫人之德。”夫人怒曰：“吾兄既不以我为亲骨肉，我有何面目重相见乎！今日之危，我当自解。”于是叱从人推车直出，卷起车帘，亲喝徐盛、丁奉曰：“你二人欲造反耶？”徐、丁二将慌忙下马，弃了兵器，声喏于车前曰：“安敢造反。为奉周都督将令，屯兵在此专候刘备。”孙夫人大怒曰：“周瑜逆贼！我东吴不曾亏负你！玄德乃大汉皇叔，是我丈夫。我已对母亲、哥哥说知回荆州去。今你两个于山脚去处，引着军马拦截道路，意欲劫掠我夫妻财物耶？”徐盛、丁奉喏喏连声，口称：“不敢！请夫人息怒。这不干我等之事，乃是周都督的将令。”孙夫人叱曰：“你只怕周瑜，独不怕我？周瑜杀得你，我岂杀不得周瑜？”把周瑜大骂一场，喝令推车前进。徐盛、丁奉自思：“我等是下人，安敢与夫人违拗？”又见赵云十分怒气，只得把军喝住，放条大路教过去。

恰才行不得五六里，背后陈武、潘璋赶到。徐盛、丁奉备言其事。陈、潘二将曰：“你放他过去差了也。我二人奉吴侯旨意，特来追捉他回去。”于是四将合兵一处，趱程赶来。玄德正行间，忽听得背后喊声大起。玄德又告孙夫人曰：“后面追兵又到，如之奈何？”夫人曰：“丈夫先行，我与子龙当后。”玄德先引三百军，望江岸去了。子龙勒马于车傍，将士卒摆开，专候来将。四员将见了孙夫人，只得下马，叉手而立。夫人曰：“陈武、潘璋，来此何干？”二将答曰：“奉主公之命，请夫人、玄德回。”夫人正色叱曰：“都是你这伙匹夫，离间我兄妹不睦！我已嫁他人，今日归去，须不是与人私奔。我奉母亲慈旨，令我夫妇回荆州。便是我哥哥来，也须依礼而行。你二人倚仗兵威，欲待杀害我耶？”骂得四人面面相觑，各自寻思：“他一万年也只是兄妹，更兼国太作主，吴侯乃大孝之人，怎敢违逆母言？明日翻过脸来，只是我等不是。不如做个人情。”军中又不见玄德，但见赵云怒目睁眉，只待厮杀，因此四将喏喏连声而退。孙夫人令推车便行。徐盛曰：“我四人同去见周都督，告禀此事。”四人犹豫未定，忽见一军如旋风而来，视之，乃蒋钦、周泰。二将问曰：“你等曾见刘备否？”四人曰：“早晨过去，已半日矣。”蒋钦曰：“何不拿下？”四人各言孙夫人发话之事。蒋钦曰：“便是吴侯怕道如此，封一口剑在此，教先杀他妹，后斩刘备。违者立斩！”四将曰：“去之已远，怎生奈何？”蒋钦曰：“他终是些步军，急行不上。徐、丁二将军可飞报都督，教水路棹快船追赶，我四人在岸上追赶。无问水旱之路，赶上杀了，休听他言语。”于是徐盛、丁奉飞报周瑜；蒋钦、周泰、陈武、潘璋四个领兵沿江赶来。

却说玄德一行人马，离柴桑较远，来到刘郎浦，心才稍宽。沿着江岸寻渡，一望江水弥漫，并无船只。玄德俯首沉吟，赵云曰：“主公在虎口中逃出，今已近本界，吾料军师必有调度，何用忧疑？”玄德听罢，蓦然想起在吴繁华之事，不觉凄然泪下。后人有诗叹曰：

吴蜀成婚此水浔，明珠步障屋黄金。谁知一女轻天下，欲易刘郎鼎峙心。

玄德令赵云望前哨探船只，忽报后面尘土冲天而起。玄德登高望之，但见军马盖地而来，叹曰：“连日奔走，人困马乏，追兵又到，死无地矣！”看看喊声渐近。正慌急间，忽见江岸边一字儿抛着拖篷船二十馀只。赵云曰：“天幸有船在此！何不速下，棹过对岸，再作区处！”玄德与孙夫人便奔上船。子龙引五百军亦都上船。只见船舱中一人纶巾道服，大笑而出，曰：“主公且喜！诸葛亮在此等候多时。”船中扮作客人的，皆是荆州水军，玄德大喜。不移时，四将赶到。孔明笑指岸上人言曰：“吾已算定多时矣。汝等回去传示周郎，教休再使美人局手段。”岸上乱箭射来，船已开的远了。蒋钦等四将，只好呆看。

玄德与孔明正行间，忽然江声大震。回头视之，只见战船无数，帅字旗下，周瑜自领惯战水军，左有黄盖，右有韩当，势如飞马，疾似流星。看看赶上，孔明教棹船投北岸，弃了船，尽皆上岸而走，车马登程。周瑜赶到江边，亦皆上岸追袭。大小水军，尽是步行，止有为首官军骑马。周瑜当先，黄盖、韩当、徐盛、丁奉紧随。周瑜曰：“此处是那里？”军士答曰：“前面是黄州界首。”望见玄德车马不远，瑜令并力追袭。正赶之间，一声鼓响，山崦内一彪刀手拥出，为首一员大将，乃关云长也。周瑜举止失措，急拨马便走，云长赶来，周瑜纵马逃命。正奔走间，左边黄忠，右边魏延，两军杀出，吴兵大败。周瑜急急下得船时，岸上军士齐声大叫曰：“周郎妙计安天下，陪了夫人又折兵！”瑜怒曰：“可再登岸决一死战！”黄盖、韩当力阻。瑜自思曰：“吾计不成，有何面目去见吴侯！”大叫一声，金疮迸裂，倒于船上。众将急救，却早不省人事。正是：两番弄巧翻成拙，此日含嗔却带羞。未知周郎性命如何，且看下文分解。

[1] 睡觉——睡醒了。

CHAPTER 55. Liu Bei Rouses The Spirit Of Lady Sun; Zhuge Liang A Second Time Angers Zhou Yu.

The bridegroom turned pale: bridal apartments lined with weapons of war and waiting maids armed! But the housekeeper of the princess said, “Do not be frightened, O Honorable One. My lady has always had a taste for warlike things, and her maids have all been taught fencing as a pastime. That is all it is.”

“Not the sort of thing a wife should ever look at,” said Liu Bei. “It makes me feel cold and you may have them removed for a time.”

The housekeeper went to her mistress and said, “The weapons in your chamber displease the handsome one; may we remove them?”

Lady Sun laughed, saying, “Afraid of a few weapons after half a life time spent in slaughter!”

But she ordered their removal and bade the maids take off their swords while they were at work.

That night Liu Bei and his wife conversed under the moonlight, and the night passed happily enough.

Next day Liu Bei distributed gifts among the maids to secure their good will. He also sent Sun Qian to Jingzhou with news of the wedding, while he gave himself up to feasting and enjoyment. The Dowager loved him more every day.

The results of the plot to destroy Liu Bei were thus very different from the originators' intention. Sun Quan sent to his general:

“My mother had insisted upon marrying her daughter to Liu Bei; and so by juggling with the fictitious, we had made it real. What is to be done?”

The news troubled Zhou Yu day and night, but eventually he thought but another scheme which he embodied in a letter sent to his master. Here is the outline of the missive:

“Contrary to expectation, the plot that I, Zhou Yu, contrived has turned the wrong way. However, since by juggling with deceit, we have ended in a solid truth; our future plans must start from the actual present facts. To the boldness of the adventurer Liu Bei is added the aid of such great leaders as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, not to mention that he has a strategist like Zhuge Liang. He is not the man to remain long in a lowly position. Wherefore I can think of no better plan than to enervate him by surrounding him with softness and keeping him in the South Land, a prisoner of luxury. Therefore build for him a fine palace to blunt the edge of his determination and surround him with sensuous luxury. In this way the affection of his brothers will be alienated, and Zhuge Liang will be driven away. When this result has been attained, we can smite him and so end a great matter. If we be at all careless, I fear the recumbent dragon may fly to the skies; it is no beast to be kept in a pond. My lord, I pray you consider this thoroughly.”

The letter was shown to Zhang Zhao who said, “My idea is identical with his. Liu Bei began life in a humble position and for years has been a wanderer. He has never tasted the delights of wealth. Give him the means of luxury, a beautiful dwelling, fair women, gold and silken attire; and as he enjoys them, the thoughts of Zhuge Liang and his brothers will fade away and they, on their side, will be filled with rancor. Thus can we lay our plans for recovering Jingzhou. I recommend action as Zhou Yu says and quickly.”

Sun Quan then set about redecorating the Eastern Palace and laying out the grounds. He filled the rooms with beautiful furniture for his sister and her husband. He also sent fair damsels and musicians by the score, and many and beautiful vessels in gold and silver, and silken stuffs. And his mother was delighted at his kindness to her son-in-law.

Indeed Liu Bei was soon so immersed in sensuous pleasure that he gave no thought to return. Zhao Yun and the company under him led an idle life in the front portion of the Eastern Palace, save that at times they went outside the city for archery and horse-racing. And thus passed the year.

Suddenly Zhao Yun remembered the orders he had received and the three bags with the plans in them. It was time to open the second one for the end of the year was nigh. His orders were only to open the third when danger was very near and there appeared no way out.

As already remarked, the year was drawing to a close, and Zhao Yun saw his lord daily becoming more and more the slave of pleasure. Liu Bei never appeared among his guards now. So the bag was opened and in pursuance of the wonderful scheme thereby discovered, Zhao Yun went to the hall of the Palace and asked to see his master.

The maid in attendance went within and said, “Zhao Yun has some important matter on which to see the master.”

Liu Bei called him in and asked what the business was. Zhao Yun assumed an attitude of great concern and said, “My lord, you are living happily secluded in these beautiful apartments; do you never think of Jingzhou?”

“But what is the matter that you seem so disturbed?” asked Liu Bei.

“Today early Zhuge Liang sent a messenger to say that Cao Cao was trying to avenge his last defeat and was leading five hundred thousand troops to attack Jingzhou, which was in great danger. And he wished you to return.”

“I must speak to my wife,” said Liu Bei.

“If you consult her, she will be unwilling for you to return. It would be better to say nothing but to start this evening. Delay may do great damage.”

“Retire for a time; I must act discreetly,” said Liu Bei.

Zhao Yun urged the need to return several times more, but finally went away.

Liu Bei went into his wife's rooms and began to weep silently. Seeing his tears, Lady Sun said, “Why are you so sad, my husband?”

Liu Bei replied, “I have been driven hither and thither all my life. I was never able to do my duty to my parents nor have I been able to sacrifice to my ancestors. I have been very unfilial. The new year is at hand, and its approach disquiets me greatly.”

“Do not try to deceive me,” said Lady Sun. “I heard and I know all. Just now Zhao Yun came to tell you Jingzhou was threatened and you wish to return home. That is why you put forward this excuse.” Then Liu Bei fell on his knees and said, “Why should I dissemble, O Wife, since you know? I do not wish to go, but if Jingzhou be lost, I shall be an object of ridicule to everyone. I do desire to go, but I cannot leave you. Now you know why I am grieved.”

She replied, “I am your handmaid, and whithersoever you go, it is my duty to follow.”

“Yes; your heart is right, but the difficulty is your mother and the Marquis; they will be unwilling. If you would have pity on me and let me go for a time——”

And again the tears gushed forth.

“Do not be so sad, my husband,” said Lady Sun. “I will implore my mother to let us go, and she will surely allow it.”

“Even supposing the Dowager permits, I am sure the Marquis will hinder.”

Lady Sun said nothing for a long time while she weighed the matter thoroughly.

Presently she spoke, “On New Year's Day you and I will go to court and present our congratulations. Then we will give the excuse of a sacrifice on the river bank and go away without formal leave. Will that suit you?”

Liu Bei knelt at her feet and expressed his gratitude.

“I should be never so grateful,” said he. “Dead or alive I would remember your love. But this must be a perfect secret.”

This having been decided and the arrangements made; Liu Bei gave Zhao Yun secret orders, saying, “Lead your company out of the city and be on the road on New Year's morn. We are going away.”

Sun Quan held a grand court on the New Year's Day of the fifteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 210).

Liu Bei and his bride went into the Dowager Marchioness' presence, and Lady Sun said, “My husband has been thinking of his ancestors, who lie in the county of Zhuo, and grieves that he cannot do his duty by them. Today we wish to go to the river side and offer sacrifice toward the north. It is our duty to inform you.”

“A very filial proceeding,” said the Dowager. “I should not think of stopping you. Although you have never known your husband's parents, yet you may go with him to sacrifice as it is proper for a wife to do.”

Both thanked the Dowager Marchioness and went out, rejoicing at having so far hoodwinked Sun Quan. Lady Sun got into her carriage taking only a little clothing with her, while Liu Bei followed with a small escort. They went out of the city of Nanxu and met Zhao Yun at the place arranged. Then with a guard in front and rear, they left the precincts of the city, traveling as quickly as they could.

That day, at the new year banquet, Sun Quan drank freely so that he had to be helped to his chamber, and the guests left. Before very long the escape of the fugitives became known, but it was then dark, and when they tried to tell Sun Quan, they could not rouse him. He slept heavily until the fifth watch.

The next morning, when Sun Quan heard the story, he asked advice of his counselors.

Zhang Zhao said, “They have got away today, but trouble will surely come of it; therefore, pursue after them without loss of time.” So Chen Wu and Pan Zhang, with five hundred of veterans, were sent out with orders to use all speed both by day and by night and bring back the fugitives.

They left. Sun Quan's anger burned hot against Liu Bei. In his wrath he seized his jade inkstone and dashed it to the ground where it shivered to pieces.

Said Cheng Pu, “My lord, your wrath is in vain, for I do not think your generals will catch the runaways.”

“Will they dare to disobey my order?” said Sun Quan.

“Our young lady had always delighted to look upon war and is very fierce and determined. All the officers fear her. Now she has gone with her husband of her own free will; and those sent in pursuit, if once they look upon her countenance, will not dare to lay hands on her.”

Sun Quan's wrath burned the more fiercely at these words. He drew the sword girded at his side and called up Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai, saying, “You two take this sword and bring back the heads of my sister and Liu Bei. And if you do not, I will put you to death.”

With this order they set out in pursuit, leading a whole thousand troops. Meanwhile Liu Bei and his wife were pressing forward with all speed. When night fell, they rested for a time by the roadside, but not for long. Just as they reached the confines of Chaisang, they turned and saw a great cloud of dust and the soldiers said that a force was coming in pursuit.

“What shall we do if they come up with us?” said Liu Bei excitedly to Zhao Yun.

“My lord, you go on in front and I will prevent pursuit.”

As they turned the foot of a hill, they saw a troop of soldiers blocking their road in front. Two generals were there and they bellowed, “Liu Bei, dismount and yield yourself captive. We are here by order of Commander Zhou Yu, and you have kept us waiting long.”

Now the thought had come to Zhou Yu that Liu Bei would try to flee, and so he had sent Xu Sheng and Ding Feng, with three thousand troops, to intercept him at this critical spot. They had made a camp there and kept a lookout from the hilltops, for Zhou Yu had calculated that Liu Bei would certainly pass that way. So when Liu Bei and his cavalcade appeared, they all buckled on their arms and barred the way.

Greatly fearing, Liu Bei rode back to consult Zhao Yun, to whom he said, “In front a force barring the road; in rear pursuers. There is no escape. What can we do?”

“Do not be alarmed, my lord. The Directing Instructor gave me three plans enclosed in three silken bags. Two have been used and have answered admirably. There is yet the third, and my orders were to open the bag in such a strait as this. This is a day of great danger such as calls me to open the bag.”

Thereupon Zhao Yun opened the bag and handed it to Liu Bei. As soon as Liu Bei had seen the contents, he hastened to Lady Sun's carriage and began to weep, saying, “I have something private to say, and I must tell you.”

“What have you to tell me, my husband? Tell me the whole truth,” replied she.

“Your brother and Zhou Yu formerly made a plot for you to marry me, not for your sake, but to get me into their power and hold me so that they might recover Jingzhou. They were set on my murder, and you were the bait with which to hook me. Careless of consequences I came, for I knew that the spirit of a heroine dwelt in your bosom and you would pity me. Lately I heard that harm was intended me, and so I made danger to Jingzhou the excuse to escape. Happily for me you have remained true and come with me. But now the Marquis is pursuing us, and Zhou Yu's soldiers are in front. Only you, my wife, can extricate us from this danger; and if you refuse, then slay me where I stand that I may thus show my gratitude for your kindness.”

Lady Sun grew angry and said, “Then does my brother forget that I am his sister? How will he ever look me in the face? I can extricate us from this danger.”

Thereupon she bade her people push the carriage to the front. She rolled up the curtains and herself called out, “Xu Sheng, Ding Feng, are you turned traitors then?”

The two generals slid out of their saddles, dropped their arms, and stood meekly in front of the carriage.

“We are no traitors,” said they. “We have the Commander-in-Chief's orders to camp here and await Liu Bei.”

“Zhou Yu is an interfering scoundrel,” cried she. “We of the land of the south have never harmed you, and Liu Bei, the Uncle of the Great Family, is my husband. I have already told my mother and my brother of our journey, and now I find you with an army at the foot of these hills preventing our passage. Is it that you would plunder us of our valuables?”

The two generals mumbled dissent; they would not dare such a thing.

“We pray you, O Lady, stay your anger. This is no plan of ours; we do but obey our General's orders.”

“So you fear Zhou Yu and not me!” cried she scornfully. “Think you that if he slays you, I will not slay him?”

She broke into a torrent of abuse of Zhou Yu. Then she bade them push her carriage forward.

The two leaders thought within themselves, “We are but men of lowly rank, we dare not dispute with Lady Sun.”

Beside they saw Zhao Yun was bursting with wrath. So they ordered their troops to stand aside and leave the road clear.

The cavalcade had only gone a few miles when up came the pursuers. The two generals told the new-comers what had happened.

“You were wrong to let them pass,” said Chen Wu and Pan Zhang. “We have orders from the Marquis himself to arrest them.”

Thereupon all four went in pursuit. When the noise of the approaching force reached the ears of Liu Bei, he said to his wife, “They are again pursuing us; what now?”

“Husband, go on in front. Zhao Yun and I will keep them off.”

So Liu Bei and a small company went on toward the river bank, while Zhao Yun reined up beside the lady's carriage and set out his troops ready for battle. And when the four generals came up, they dismounted and stood with folded arms. “What are you doing here, Generals?” asked Lady Sun.

“We have orders from our lord to request you and Liu Bei to return.”

Calmly but bitterly she said, “So this is the sort of fools you are! You would make dissension between brother and sister. But I am a wife on my way to my husband's home. Nor am I leaving clandestinely, for I had my mother's gracious permission. Now we, husband and wife, are going to Jingzhou; and if even my brother were here himself, he would let us pass in all politeness. But you, because you have weapons in your hands, would slay us!”

She abused the four men to their faces so that they looked from one to another in shame. And each in his heart thought, “Say what one will, after all they two are brother and sister and the Dowager Marchioness is the controlling power. Sun Quan is most obedient and would never dare oppose his mother's decision. When the reaction comes, then indeed we shall certainly be found in the wrong. We would better be kind.”

Another thing was that one of the two they sought, Liu Bei, was not there and Zhao Yun looked angry and dangerous. Finally, muttering to themselves, they gave way and with one accord retired and left the road open. Lady Sun passed through.

“We four will go to see the Commander-in-Chief and report,” said Xu Sheng.

But that did not please them all and they stood irresolute. Presently they saw a column of troops sweeping down on them like a hurricane. These were Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai with their company.

“Have you fellows seen Liu Bei ?” they cried as they rushed up.

“He has just passed along.”

“Why did you not arrest him?”

“Because of what Lady Sun said.”

“That is just as the Marquis feared, and so he gave us this sword and told us first to slay his sister and then Liu Bei. And if we disobey, he will put us to death.”

“What can be done? They are far away by now.”

Jiang Qin said, “After all they are but a few and on foot; they cannot travel very fast. Let Xu Sheng and Ding Feng go to Zhou Yu to tell him, and he can send fast boats to pursue them on the river while we follow up on the bank. We must get them either on water or land, and we must not listen to what they say.”

Whereupon two went back to report and four to the river bank. Meanwhile Liu Bei had got a long way from Chaisang and reached Butterfly Shore. He now felt calmer. He went along the bank of the river seeking a boat, but there was no craft on the broad bosom of the stream. He bowed his head in deep sorrow.

Zhao Yun bade him be of good courage, saying, “My lord, you have just escaped from the tiger's jaws and had not far to go. Moreover, I suspect Zhuge Liang has something prepared for us.”

But his master was despondent. His thoughts were back to the pleasures he had enjoyed but a few hours since in the house of his wife, and the tears rolled down his cheeks. A poem has been written on this episode:

By the bank of the deep flowing Great River

Once was a wedding,

And the ruling houses of two states yet to be

Were allied by marriage.

See the beautiful maiden stepping slowly

To the golden bridal chamber!

Yet was the marriage but a ruse.

Its author vainly imagined that a hero,

Sinking in amorous toils,

Would forget his high intent.

Liu Bei bade Zhao Yun go along the bank to seek some boats. Then the soldiers told him there was a huge cloud of dust on the road. Ascending one of the hills, he looked back whence they had come and saw the whole earth as it were covered with an advancing host. He sighed and said, “We have fled before them now for days, worn out our soldiers and jaded our horses, and all to die in a strange place.”

He watched the enemy coming nearer and nearer. Then as things began to look most desperate, he saw a line of some twenty boats all in the act of setting their sails.

“By good luck here are some ships,” said Zhao Yun. “Let us get on board, row to the further bank, and see what can be done.”

Liu Bei and his bride hastened down the bank and went into a ship. The soldiers were embarked. Then they saw in the hold of the ship some one in Taoist dress, who came up with a smile, saying, “My lord, again you see Zhuge Liang. He has waited a long time.”

All the soldiers on board were from Jingzhou, and Liu Bei rejoiced at the sudden happy turn of affairs.

Before long the four pursuer leaders reached the bank. Zhuge Liang pointed to them and laughed, saying, “I foresaw this a long time ago. You may return and tell Zhou Yu not to use the 'Fair Damsel Trick' again.”

Those on the bank sent a flight of arrows at the ships, but they were already too far away. The four generals on the bank looked very foolish.

As the boats were sailing along, a great noise was heard on the river behind them, and there appeared a huge fleet of war ships, sailing under the flag of Zhou Yu. He also was there in command of the fleet, and he was supported by Huang Gai and Han Dang. They seemed like a drove of horses and came along swift as a falling star. They gained on the fugitives rapidly.

Zhuge Liang ordered the boats to row over to the north bank, and the party landed. They had started off away from the shore before Zhou Yu could land. Zhou Yu's marines, except the leaders, were all afoot, but they kept up the pursuit, following as quickly as they could. Zhou Yu led the pursuit, closely followed by Huang Gai, Han Dang, Xu Sheng, and Ding Feng.

When Zhou Yu's force reached the borders of Huangzhou, Liu Bei and his party were not far away, and so they pressed the pursuit. But there were only horses for a few leaders in front, and suddenly the rolling of drums struck Zhou Yu's ears, and from out a gully dashed a troop of swordsmen led by Guan Yu. Zhou Yu was too surprised and unprepared to do anything but flee.

Zhou Yu fled for his life and Guan Yu pursued. At different points Liu Bei's generals, Huang Zhong and Wei Yan, came out and attacked, so that the troops of the South Land suffered a great defeat and Zhou Yu barely escaped. As he came to the river and was going down into his ship, the soldiers of Liu Bei on the bank jeered at him on account of the miscarriage of his scheme, shouting, “General Zhou Yu has given Uncle Liu Bei a wife and has lost his soldiers.”

Zhou Yu was so annoyed that he would have gone up the bank to fight again, but his generals restrained him. He uttered, “My schemes are a failure and a defeat, and how can I face my master again?”

All at once he cried aloud and fell back in a swoon. His wound had reopened. The generals came to his help, but it was long before he recovered consciousness.

Twice had he played his trick

And twice had he lost the game;

His heart was full of resentment,

He was overwhelmed with shame.

The fate of Zhou Yu will appear in the next chapter.