第八十一回

第八十一回 急兄仇张飞遇害 雪弟恨先主兴兵

却说先主欲起兵东征，赵云谏曰：“国贼乃曹操，非孙权也。今曹丕篡汉，神人共怒。陛下可早图关中，屯兵渭河上流，以讨凶逆，则关东义士，必裹粮策马以迎王师。若舍魏以伐吴，兵势一交，岂能骤解。愿陛下察之。”先主曰：“孙权害了朕弟，又兼傅士仁、糜芳、潘璋、马忠皆有切齿之仇。啖其肉而灭其族，方雪朕恨！卿何阻耶？”云曰：“汉贼之仇，公也；兄弟之仇，私也。愿以天下为重。”先主答曰：“朕不为弟报仇，虽有万里江山，何足为贵？”遂不听赵云之谏，下令起兵伐吴，且发使往五谿，借番兵五万，共相策应。一面差使往阆中，迁张飞为车骑将军，领司隶校尉，封西乡侯，兼阆中牧。使命赍诏而去。

却说张飞在阆中，闻知关公被东吴所害，旦夕号泣，血湿衣襟。诸将以酒解劝，酒醉，怒气愈加。帐上帐下，但有犯者即鞭挞之，多有鞭死者。每日望南切齿睁目怒恨，放声痛哭不已。忽报使至，慌忙接入，开读诏旨。飞受爵望北拜毕，设酒款待来使。飞曰：“吾兄被害，仇深似海。庙堂之臣，何不早奏兴兵？”使者曰：“多有劝先灭魏而后伐吴者。”飞怒曰：“是何言也！昔我三人桃园结义，誓同生死，今不幸二兄半途而逝，吾安得独享富贵耶！吾当面见天子，愿为前部先锋，挂孝伐吴，生擒逆贼，祭告二兄，以践前盟！”言讫，就同使命望成都而来。

却说先主每日自下教场操演军马，克日兴师，御驾亲征。于是公卿都至丞相府中见孔明，曰：“今天子初临大位，亲统军伍，非所以重社稷也。丞相秉钧衡之职，何不规谏？”孔明曰：“吾苦谏数次，只是不听。今日公等随我入教场谏去。”当下孔明引百官来奏先主曰：“陛下初登宝位，若欲北讨汉贼，以伸大义于天下，方可亲统六师。若只欲伐吴，命一上将统军伐之可也，何必亲劳圣驾？”先主见孔明苦谏，心中稍回。忽报张飞到来，先主急召入。飞至演武厅拜伏于地，抱先主足而哭，先主亦哭。飞曰：“陛下今日为君，早忘了桃园之誓！二兄之仇，如何不报？”先主曰：“多官谏阻，未敢轻举。”飞曰：“他人岂知昔日之盟？若陛下不去，臣舍此躯与二兄报仇！若不能报时，臣宁死不见陛下也！”先主曰：“朕与卿同往：卿提本部兵自阆州而出，朕统精兵会于江州，共伐东吴，以雪此恨！”飞临行，先主嘱曰：“朕素知卿酒后暴怒，鞭挞健儿，而复令在左右：此取祸之道也。今后务宜宽容，不可如前。”飞拜辞而去。

次日，先主整兵要行。学士秦宓奏曰：“陛下舍万乘之躯，而徇小义，古人所不取也。愿陛下思之。”先主曰：“云长与朕，犹一体也。大义尚在，岂可忘耶？”宓伏地不起曰：“陛下不从臣言，诚恐有失。”先主大怒曰：“朕欲兴兵，尔何出此不利之言！”叱武士推出斩之。宓面不改色，回顾先主而笑曰：“臣死无恨，但可惜新创之业，又将颠覆耳！”众官皆为秦宓告免。先主曰：“暂且囚下，待朕报仇回时发落。”孔明闻知，即上表救秦宓。其略曰：

臣亮等切以吴贼逞奸诡之计，致荆州有覆亡之祸，陨将星于斗牛，折天柱于楚地。此情哀痛，诚不可忘。但念迁汉鼎者，罪由曹操；移刘祚者，过非孙权。窃谓魏贼若除，则吴自宾服。愿陛下纳秦宓金石之言，以养士卒之力，别作良图，则社稷幸甚！天下幸甚！

先主看毕，掷表于地曰：“朕意已决，无得再谏！”遂命丞相诸葛亮保太子守两川；骠骑将军马超并弟马岱，助镇北将军魏延守汉中，以当魏兵；虎威将军赵云为后应，兼督粮草；黄权、程畿为参谋；马良、陈震掌理文书；黄忠为前部先锋；冯习、张南为副将；傅彤、张翼为中军护尉；赵融、廖淳为合后。川将数百员，并五谿番将等，共兵七十五万，择定章武元年七月丙寅日出师。

却说张飞回到阆中，下令军中：限三日内制办白旗白甲，三军挂孝伐吴。次日，帐下两员末将范疆、张达入帐告曰：“白旗白甲，一时无措，须宽限方可。”飞大怒曰：“吾急欲报仇，恨不明日便到逆贼之境，汝定敢违我将令！”叱武士缚于树上，各鞭背五十。鞭毕，以手指之曰：“来日俱要完备！若违了限，即杀汝二人示众！”打得二人满口出血，回到营中商议。范疆曰：“今日受了刑责，着我等如何办得？其人性暴如火，倘来日不完，你我皆被杀矣！”张达曰：“比如他杀我，不如我杀他。”疆曰：“怎奈不得近前。”达曰：“我两个若不当死，则他醉于床上；若是当死，则他不醉。”二人商议停当。

却说张飞在帐中，神思昏乱，动止恍惚，乃问部将曰：“吾今心惊肉颤，坐卧不安，此何意也？”部将答曰：“此是君侯思念关公，以致如此。”飞令人将酒来，与部将同饮，不觉大醉，卧于帐中。范、张二贼，探知消息，初更时分，各藏短刀，密入帐中，诈言欲禀机密重事，直至床前。原来张飞每睡不合眼，当夜寝于帐中，二贼见他须竖目张，本不敢动手。因闻鼻息如雷，方敢近前，以短刀刺入飞腹。飞大叫一声而亡，时年五十五岁。后人有诗叹曰：

安喜曾闻鞭督邮，黄巾扫尽佐炎刘。虎牢关上声先震，长坂桥边水逆流。义释严颜安蜀境，智欺张郃定中州。伐吴未克身先死，秋草长遗阆地愁。

却说二贼当夜割了张飞首级，便引数十人连夜投东吴去了。次日，军中闻知，起兵追之不及。时有张飞部将吴班，向自荆州来见先主，先主用为牙门将，使佐张飞守阆中。当下吴班先发表章，奏知天子，然后令长子张苞具棺椁盛贮，令弟张绍守阆中，苞自来报先主。时先主已择期出师，大小官僚，皆随孔明送十里方回。孔明回至成都，怏怏不乐，顾谓众官曰：“法孝直若在，必能制主上东行也。”

却说先主是夜心惊肉颤，寝卧不安。出帐仰观天文，见西北一星，其大如斗，忽然坠地。先主大疑，连夜令人求问孔明。孔明回奏曰：“合损一上将。三日之内，必有惊报。”先主因此按兵不动。忽侍臣奏曰：“阆中张车骑部将吴班，差人赍表至。”先主顿足曰：“噫！三弟休矣！”及至览表，果报张飞凶信。先主放声大哭，昏绝于地，众官救醒。次日，人报一队军马骤风而至，先主出营观之。良久，见一员小将，白袍银铠，滚鞍下马，伏地而哭，乃张苞也。苞曰：“范疆、张达杀了臣父，将首级投吴去了！”先主哀痛至甚，饮食不进。群臣苦谏曰：“陛下方欲为二弟报仇，何可先自摧残龙体？”先主方才进膳，遂谓张苞曰：“卿与吴班，敢引本部军作先锋，为卿父报仇否？”苞曰：“为国为父，万死不辞！”先主正欲遣苞起兵，又报一彪军风拥而至，先主令侍臣探之。须臾，侍臣引一小将军，白袍银铠，入营伏地而哭。先主视之，乃关兴也。先主见了关兴，想起关公，又放声大哭，众官苦劝。先主曰：“朕想布衣时，与关、张结义，誓同生死。今朕为天子，正欲与两弟同享富贵，不幸俱死于非命！见此二侄，能不断肠！”言讫又哭。

众官曰：“二小将军且退。容圣上将息龙体。”侍臣奏曰：“陛下年过六旬，不宜过于哀痛。”先主曰：“二弟俱亡，朕安忍独生！”言讫，以头顿地而哭。多官商议曰：“今天子如此烦恼，将何解劝？”马良曰：“主上亲统大兵伐吴，终日号泣，于军不利。”陈震曰：“吾闻成都青城山之西，有一隐者，姓李，名意。世人传说此老已三百馀岁，能知人之生死吉凶，乃当世之神仙也。何不奏知天子，召此老来，问他吉凶，胜如吾等之言。”遂入奏先主。先主从之，即遣陈震赍诏，往青城山宣召。震星夜到了青城，令乡人引入山谷深处，遥望仙庄，清云隐隐，瑞气非凡。忽见一小童来迎曰：“来者莫非陈孝起乎？”震大惊曰：“仙童如何知我姓字？”童子曰：“吾师昨者有言：‘今日必有皇帝诏命至，使者必是陈孝起。’”震曰：“真神仙也！人言信不诬矣！”遂与小童同入仙庄，拜见李意，宣天子诏命。李意推老不行，震曰：“天子急欲见仙翁一面，幸勿吝鹤驾。”再三敦请，李意方行。既至御营，入见先主。先主见李意鹤发童颜，碧眼方瞳，灼灼有光，身如古柏之状，知是异人，优礼相待。李意曰：“老夫乃荒山村叟，无学无识。辱陛下宣召，不知有何见谕？”先主曰：“朕与关、张二弟结生死之交，三十馀年矣。今二弟被害，亲统大军报仇，未知休咎如何。久闻仙翁通晓玄机，望乞赐教。”李意曰：“此乃天数，非老夫所知也。”先主再三求问，意乃索纸笔画兵马器械四十馀张，画毕便一一扯碎。又画一大人仰卧于地上，傍边一人掘土埋之，上写一大“白”字，遂稽首而去。先主不悦，谓群臣曰：“此狂叟也！不足为信。”即以火焚之，便催军前进。

张苞入奏曰：“吴班军马已至，小臣乞为先锋。”先主壮其志，即取先锋印赐张苞。苞方欲挂印，又一少年将奋然出曰：“留下印与我！”视之，乃关兴也。苞曰：“我已奉诏矣。”兴曰：“汝有何能，敢当此任？”苞曰：“我自幼习学武艺，箭无虚发。”先主曰：“朕正要观贤侄武艺，以定优劣。”苞令军士于百步之外，立一面旗，旗上画一红心。苞拈弓取箭，连射三箭，皆中红心，众皆称善。关兴挽弓在手曰：“射中红心何足为奇？”正言间，忽值头上一行雁过。兴指曰：“吾射这飞雁第三只。”一箭射去，那只雁应弦而落。文武官僚，齐声喝采。苞大怒，飞身上马，手挺父所使丈八点钢矛，大叫曰：“你敢与我比试武艺否？”兴亦上马，绰家传大砍刀纵马而出曰：“偏你能使矛！吾岂不能使刀！”

二将方欲交锋，先主喝曰：“二子休得无礼！”兴、苞二人慌忙下马，各弃兵器，拜伏请罪。先主曰：“朕自涿郡与卿等之父结异姓之交，亲如骨肉。今汝二人亦是昆仲之分，正当同心协力，共报父仇，奈何自相争竞，失其大义！父丧未远而犹如此，况日后乎？”二人再拜伏罪。先主问曰：“卿二人谁年长？”苞曰：“臣长关兴一岁。”先主即命兴拜苞为兄。二人就帐前折箭为誓，永相救护。先主下诏使吴班为先锋，令张苞、关兴护驾。水陆并进，船骑双行，浩浩荡荡，杀奔吴国来。

却说范疆、张达将张飞首级，投献吴侯，细告前事。孙权听罢，收了二人，乃谓百官曰：“今刘玄德即了帝位，统精兵七十馀万，御驾亲征，其势甚大，如之奈何？”百官尽皆失色，面面相觑。诸葛瑾出曰：“某食君侯之禄久矣，无可报效，愿舍残生，去见蜀主，以利害说之，使两国相和，共讨曹丕之罪。”权大喜，即遣诸葛瑾为使，来说先主罢兵。正是：两国相争通使命，一言解难赖行人。未知诸葛瑾此去如何，且看下文分解。

CHAPTER 81. Eager For Vengeance, Zhang Fei Is Assassinated; Athirst Of Retribution, The First Ruler Goes To War.

Zhao Yun was opposed to the attempt to fight Wu, and spoke against the plan.

“The real rebel was not Sun Quan, but Cao Cao; and now it is his son who has usurped the Imperial Throne and called forth the anger of gods and men. You should first aim at the inside by camping on the River Wei, from which to attack the rebel. After that the right-thinking sort on the east of the Passes will do their utmost to help you. If you leave River Wei out of consideration in order to fight Wu, your military force will be engaged, and could you disengage it quickly in case of necessity? It is worth reflection.”

The First Ruler replied, “Sun Quan slew my brother. Furthermore, Fu Shiren, Mi Fang, Pan Zhang, and Ma Zhong are on his side, all of whom I hate so much that I could eat their flesh with gusto and devour their relatives, whereby I should have my vengeance. Why, Noble Sir, do you obstruct me?”

“Because the enmity against Cao Cao is a public matter; vengeance for the manner of your brother's end is private. The empire should be placed first.”

“What care I for myriads of square miles of territory as long as my brother is unavenged?”

So Zhao Yun's remonstrance was disregarded, and orders went forth to prepare an army against Wu. The First Ruler also sent into the Five Valleys to borrow the aid of fifty thousand of tribesmen. He sent a messenger to Langzhong conferring on Zhang Fei the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry and the title of Lord of Xiliang. Zhang Fei became also Governor of Langzhong.

When Zhang Fei heard the tidings of Guan Yu's death at the hands of Sun Quan, he wept very bitterly day and night, so that his raiment was soaked with his tears. His subordinates tried to cheer him with wine, but he over-drank, and this increased his ill-humor, which he vented on any offender in his camp. Some of his people even died under the lash. Every day he gazed southward, grinding his teeth with rage and glaring. He wept and groaned without ceasing.

Then a messenger was announced. He was summoned immediately, and Zhang Fei at once tore open and read his dispatches. When Zhang Fei read the edict, he accepted his new rank in all humility, bowing northward toward the imperial mandate. Then he gave a banquet to the messenger.

He said, “My enmity for the death of my brother is deep as the sea. Why do not the officers at the court propose an avenging expedition?”

The messenger replied, “Most of them favor first the destruction of Wei; Wu is to follow.”

“What sort of talk is this?” cried Zhang Fei angrily. “When we three swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, we pledged ourselves to die together. Now, alas! my brother has perished by the way, and can we enjoy wealth or honors without him? I must see the Son of Heaven and pray to be allowed to lead the van. I will wear mourning, and in that garb I will smite Wu and capture the bandit that rules there. Sun Quan shall be sacrificed to my brother's manes in virtue of our oath.”

Zhang Fei accompanied the messenger to Capital Chengdu. In the meantime the First Ruler had been training his armies. Day after day he went to the drill ground, and he decided upon a day to start, and he would accompany the expedition. Thereupon a number of courtiers went to the palace of the Prime Minister to talk with Zhuge Liang, trying to get this intention modified.

They said, “It is not in accordance with the importance due to the Emperor's position that he should go in personal command of this army, particularly as he has but lately assumed his throne. You, Sir, hold the weighty post of adviser in such a matter, and why do you not dissuade him?”

“I have done so, most sincerely and repeatedly, but he will not listen. But now you all come with me to the drill ground, and we will try once more.”

So they proceeded thither, with Zhuge Liang at their head, and he said, “Your Majesty has but lately taken the imperial seat. If the expedition was one to march northward to destroy the rebels against Han and in the interest of rectitude, it would be perfectly correct for the Emperor to lead the army, but an officer of high rank should more properly be sent against Wu. Why should Your Majesty expose yourself to such fatigues?”

The First Ruler was touched by the depth of his minister's concern and the sincerity of his counsel, and was on the point of yielding when the arrival of Zhang Fei was announced. Zhang Fei was immediately summoned and came to the pavilion on the drill ground, where he threw himself on the ground and clasped the First Ruler's feet, weeping bitterly. The First Ruler joined in the lamentation.

“Your Majesty is now ruler and too quickly forgets the oath in the Peach Garden; why is our brother's death not avenged?”

The First Ruler replied, “Many officers dissuade me from such a course; I cannot act rashly.”

“What do others know of our oath? If Your Majesty will not go, then let me sacrifice myself to avenge our brother. If I cannot, then would I rather die and see your face no more.”

“Then will I go with you,” said the First Ruler. “Bring your own troops from Langzhong, and I will bring my veterans to meet you at Jiangzhou. We will both attack Wu and wipe out the reproach.”

As Zhang Fei rose to take leave, the First Ruler said to him, “I know that your weakness for wine leads you astray, and you become very cruel in your cups, and hog your people, and keep the beaten ones near you. They may be dangerous, and it is certainly the road to misfortune. Now you must be more kindly and not give way to passion as before.”

Thus admonished, Zhang Fei said farewell and left.

Soon after, when the First Ruler was preparing to march out, the High Minister Qin Mi memorialized, saying, “That Your Majesty, the Lord of a Myriad Chariots, should risk his person in what is not the way of perfect rectitude is not what the ancients would have done. I pray that this may be reflected upon.”

But the First Ruler replied, “Guan Yu and I were as one body, and the way of perfect rectitude is here. Have you forgotten?”

But the officer remained at his feet and said, “I fear disaster if Your Majesty disregards your servant's words.” The First Ruler replied angrily, “Why do you use such bad words when I desire to march?”

He bade the executioners thrust forth and put to death the bold speaker. Still Qin Mi's face showed no sign of fear.

He only smiled, saying, “I die without regret. It is a pity that this newly established state should be overturned ere it be well begun.”

Other officials interceding, the death punishment was remitted, but the faithful officer was committed to prison.

“Your fate will be decided when the army of vengeance return,” said the First Ruler.

Zhuge Liang sent up a memorial in favor of Qin Mi, saying:

“I, Zhuge Liang, address Your Majesty in my own name and those of my colleagues; we regard as most grievous the recent events—Wu's perfidy, by which Jingzhou was lost, the star of a great general was brought down, and the pillar holding the sky was broken—, and we shall never forget. But it is to be remembered that the crime of overturning the Throne of Han rests on Cao Cao, and the fault of driving away the Liu Family lies not on Sun Quan. We venture to think that the destruction of Wei would involve the submission of Wu, wherefore we beg consideration of the valuable words of Qin Mi. Thus the army will be spared needless exertion and occasion given to make other plans for the prosperity of the Throne and the happiness of the people.”

But having listened to the memorial, the First Ruler threw it to the floor, saying, “I have decided, and no remonstrance should be raised!”

Then he appointed the Prime Minister to take care of his son and the two Lands of Rivers. Then the Generals of the Flying Cavalry—Ma Chao and Ma Dai—, together with the General Who Defends the North, Wei Yan, were ordered to guard Hanzhong against Wei. The Tiger General Zhao Yun was to be in reserve and to control the supplies; Huang Quan and Cheng Ji were made Counselors; Ma Liang and Chen Zhen, Recorders; Huang Zhong, the van leader, assisted by the Marching Generals Feng Xi and Zhang Nan; Fu Tong and Zhang Yi, Marching Commanders of the Center Army; Zhao Rong and Liao Chun, the rear guards. The whole army, including the borrowed foreign troops, numbered seven hundred fifty thousand, and high-rank officials amounted several hundred. And the “tiger” day of the seventh month of the first year of Manifest Might was selected as the most propitious day for the start.

As soon as Zhang Fei had got back to his post, he issued orders that his soldiers should be ready to march in three days and the whole body was to be in mourning, white uniforms and whitened arms.

Just after the order appeared, two generals named Fan Jiang and Zhang Da came to their chief, saying, “The time allowed is insufficient to make white flags and armors. Pray give us more time, General.”

“I am hot to avenge my brother,” said Zhang Fei. “My only regret is that I cannot reach the miserable wretch's country tomorrow. Do you dare to disobey my order?”

Zhang Fei called in the lictors, had the two officers bound to trees, and ordered each to receive fifty lashes.

At the close of the flogging, he said, “Now you will be ready tomorrow; if you are not, I will put you to death as an example!”

The two generals returned to their place, spitting blood and hot with anger, and they said one to another, “We have been beaten today; what about tomorrow? This man's temper is unbearable; and if things are not ready, we shall suffer death.”

“Suppose we slay him,” suddenly said Zhang Da, “since if we do not, he will kill us.”

“But how can we get near him?”

“If we are to have a chance to live, he will get drunk and go to bed; if we are to die, he will remain sober.”

They made all their arrangements for the crime. That day Zhang Fei was greatly disturbed in his mind and restless. He told some of his subordinates, saying, “I feel nervous and creepy and shivery and cannot not rest. What does it mean?”

“This is due to too much brooding over the loss of your brother,” said they.

Then Zhang Fei bade them bring in wine, and he drank with his officers. Presently he became quite intoxicated and lay down on a couch in his tent.

Meanwhile the two assassins had followed all his doings, and when they knew he was lying on his couch intoxicated and incapable, they went into the tent, each armed with a water-sharp dagger. They got rid of the attendants by saying they had confidential matters to talk about and so got into the inner rooms.

But even then they dared do nothing, for Zhang Fei slept always with open eyelids, and he lay on his couch as if still awake. However, huge snores soon convinced them that their victim really slept, and they crept to the side of the couch. Then both stabbed simultaneously deep into the body. Zhang Fei uttered one cry and lay still. So he died at the hand of assassins at the age of fifty-five years.

He who whipped the inspector in Anxi,

Who swept vile rebels from the land of Han,

And thereby won great glory for the Lius,

Whose valor shone at Tiger Trap Pass,

Who turned the tide of victory at Long Slope Bridge,

Who freed Yan Yan and thus won a friend

That helped him and his brothers conquer Shu,

Whose wisdom defeated Zhang He to get Hanzhong,

Is dead, the victim of assassins' blows.

Not his avenge his brother's death on Wu,

Langzhong will grieve him all the ages through.

Having done their victim to death, the two murderers hacked off his head and made off for the country of Wu without loss of time; and when the deed was known, they had got too far for capture.

The assassination was reported in a memorial by a commander of Zhang Fei named Wu Ban, who had left Jingzhou to see the First Ruler and then had been sent to serve under Zhang Fei. He wrote a memorial to the First Ruler and bade the eldest son, Zhang Bao, prepare a coffin for the remains. After the ceremony, leaving his younger brother, Zhang Shao, to hold Langzhong, Zhang Bao went to see the Emperor.

The day of departure had already come, and the First Ruler had left the capital. Zhuge Liang and many officers had escorted him out of the city for three miles and taken leave.

Returning to Chengdu, Zhuge Liang felt ill at ease, and he remarked to his colleagues, “If Fa Zheng had been alive, he would have been able to interdict this expedition.”

One night the First Ruler felt nervous and shuddered from time to time. He could not sleep, so he went out of his tent and looked up at the stars. Suddenly he saw a bright meteor fall in the northwest, and began to wonder what the portent meant. He sent at once to ask Zhuge Liang to tell him.

Zhuge Liang sent back the reply: “This means the loss of a great leader, and there will be bad news in a few days.”

So the army was halted and did not march. Then the arrival of a message from Wu Ban of Langzhong was announced. The First Ruler's foreboding increased, and he stamped his foot, saying, “Alas! My other brother is gone!”

Opening the letter he found it was indeed so. As he read the news of the assassination, he uttered a loud cry and fell in a swoon. He was raised, and presently they brought him back to life.

Next day they reported a body of horsemen coming. The First Ruler went out of the camp to look at them and presently saw a young general, dressed all in white armor, sweeping forth in quite a terror. The First Ruler recognized that was Zhang Bao.

As soon as he reached the First Ruler's presence, he dismounted and bowed to the earth, weeping, “My father has been killed by Fan Jiang and Zhang Da. They have gone over to Wu, taking my father's head with them.”

The news was very grievous, and the First Ruler burst into tears and even refused food.

His officers remonstrated, saying, “Now Your Majesty has the loss of two brothers to avenge, and you must not destroy yourself.”

So after a time he began to eat and drink, and he then offered the leadership of the van to Zhang Bao, saying, “Are you and Wu Ban willing to lead your troops to attack Wu and to avenge your father?”

“For my country or for my father, I would shrink from no sacrifice,” said the young man.

Just as the force for the young man's leadership was being organized, another party of horsemen approached, also dressed in white armors. This was a small force under Guan Xing, son of Guan Yu. The youth also threw himself to the ground and wept.

At sight of him, thoughts stirred in the First Ruler's breast, and he burst into tears. Neither reason nor persuasion could stop them.

“I think of the plain and simple days of long ago when we pledged ourselves one to the other. Now I am Emperor. How I should rejoice to share my good fortune with them! But they have met violent deaths, and the sight of these two youths wrings my heart to the very core.”

“Young gentlemen, please retire,” said the officers to the two youthful generals, “and let our Sacred One repose his dragon body.”

They went. Said the attendants, “Your Majesty is no longer young; you are over sixty, remember, and it is not fitting that you give way to such extreme sorrow.”

“But my brothers—dead,” wailed the First Ruler. “How can I live without them?” He broke into a fresh paroxysm and beat his head on the ground.

“What can be done?” asked the officers one to another. “He is in such trouble! How can we comfort him?”

Ma Liang said, “Sire, it is bad for the army to spend whole days in wailing and tears when leading against the enemy.”

And then Chen Zhen said, “There is a certain hermit living among the Blue Mountains, near Chengdu, who is said to be three hundred years old. He is called Li Yi, and people say he is a seer. Let us tell His Majesty and let him send for this old man that he may know what the future may have in store. It will have more weight than anything we can say.”

They went to the First Ruler and told him; he agreed to summon the seer and sent Chen Zhen with the command. Soon the messenger reached the town near the hills and asked the people where the prophet dwelt. They led him far into a secluded valley like a fairy village, very unlike any ordinary spot. Soon a lad came to receive the visitor.

“You are surely Chen Zhen.”

Chen Zhen was startled that the lad knew him, and still more so at the familiar address, and said, “O superhuman boy, how do you know my name so well?”

“Last evening my master told me that a messenger with an imperial command would come today and mentioned your name.”

“Truly he is more than wise;” said Chen Zhen, “and people have not believed him.”

So the two proceeded to the old man's abode, and Chen Zhen declared his errand. The old man said he was too aged to travel.

“But the Emperor anxiously desires to see you face to face, if haply you would not mind making the effort.”

In the end, and after much persuasion, the old fellow consented and went. The First Ruler received him affably, surprised at the contrast between his hoary head and fresh boyish complexion. The venerable one had blue eyes, with square and sparkling pupils. His carriage was erect, and he stood straight as a pine tree.

“This is no common man,” thought the First Ruler, and he treated him with distinguished courtesy.

The seer said, “I am but an old man of the barren hill country, without learning or wisdom; you shame me, O Emperor, by calling me, and I know not why.”

“I and my two brothers, both now deceased, swore a mutual oath some thirty years ago. Both have gone, both by violent deaths. I would lead a great army to avenge them and wish to know how the expedition will end. Hearing that you, Venerable Sir, are learned in the deeper mysteries, I sent for you and beg you to tell me.”

“But this is fate; it is not for an old man like me to know.”

But the First Ruler pressed him to say. However, the aged one got paper and a brush and wrote: “Soldiers, horses, weapons”—again and again on many sheets of paper. Having done this, he suddenly tore them into fragments. Further, he drew a picture of a tall man lying supine and another above him digging a grave. And over all he wrote: “White.”

After this he bowed and departed, leaving the First Ruler annoyed.

“This is only a demented man; what he says is not worthy of confidence,” said the First Ruler. And he burned the paper.

Then he ordered an advance at full speed. Zhang Fei's son, Zhang Bao, came in, saying, “Wu Ban and his army have come; I pray that I may be appointed to lead the van.”

The First Ruler admired his noble intent and gave him a van-leader's seal. But just as he was attaching the seal to his girdle, another youth boldly stepped forth and said, “Leave that seal to me!”

It was Guan Xing, son of Guan Yu.

“I have already received my commission,” said Zhang Bao.

“What abilities have you for such a task?” cried Guan Xing.

“That I have been training as a soldier since my boyhood. I can shoot and never miss.”

“I should like to see your prowess,” said the First Ruler, “that I may decide who is the better.”

Zhang Bao ordered some of his people to set up a flag at a hundred paces, and on the flag he drew a heart in red. Then he took his bow and shot three arrows, each of which went through the heart. Those present commended the performance.

Then Guan Xing seized his bow, saying, “What is it to hit such a mark?”

Just as he said this a flock of wild geese flew over his head.

“I will hit the third of the flying geese,” said he.

He shot; and the third fell.

“Fine!” cried all the assembly as one voice.

But Zhang Bao was enraged. Leaping on his steed, he seized the long octane-serpent halberd left him by his father, crying, “Dare you try a real combat?”

Guan Xing took up the challenge at once. He sprang into the saddle, took his great saber, and galloped out.

“You can use the spear, think you that I cannot wield a sword?” cried he.

The two impetuous youths were on the point of a battle when the First Ruler bade them hold.

“Do not behave so badly!” cried he.

Both dropped out of the saddle, threw aside their weapons, ran to his feet, and begged pardon. “Young men, from the time I left my native place Zhuo and swore brotherhood with your fathers, they were as my own flesh and blood. You two are also brothers, and you should help each other in vengeance rather than quarrel and dispute. You have lost the sense of rectitude while your fathers' deaths are still recent, and what will happen in future?”

Both fell at his feet and implored forgiveness.

“Which of you two is the elder?” asked the First Ruler.

“I am the elder by a year,” said Zhang Bao.

The First Ruler then bade Guan Xing bow to Zhang Bao as to an elder brother, and there, in front of all, they broke an arrow as a pledge that each would always succor the other.

Then the First Ruler issued a mandate appointing Wu Ban leader of the van, and the two young men were enrolled as his own escort.

The advance began on land and on water, and they made a brave show as they moved against the land of Wu.

In the meantime the two assassins, with the grim evidence of their deed, duly reached Wu and told their story to the Marquis who received them.

Then Sun Quan said to his assembled officers, “Liu Bei has declared himself Emperor and is leading against us in person a great host of more than seven hundred thousand. What shall we do, for the danger is imminent?”

They all turned pale and looked one at another. Then Zhuge Jin spoke out.

“I have been in your service these many years and have never justified the favor you have shown me. I will risk my life and go to this Liu Bei of Shu that I may talk to him plainly and prove to him the advantages of friendship and alliance against Cao Pi.”

This offer pleased Sun Quan, who then appointed Zhuge Jin as his messenger to try to induce the First Ruler to keep the peace.

Messengers pass when states are at wrangle;

May this one succeed and unravel this tangle!

What fortune attended this messenger will be related in the next chapter.