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

From　the　riverside　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　plications　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　mands。　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。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　55　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　55
　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　lady　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　Lady　Sun　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。　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　remend　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　pany　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　being　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　pany　out　of　the　city　and　be　on　the　road　on　New　Year's　morn