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lt　the　cities　and　their　defenses。
Lu　Bu　in　his　retreat　fell　in　with　his　generals；　and　Chen　Gong　also　rejoined　him；　so　that　he　was　by　no　means　broken。
〃I　have　but　small　army；〃　said　Lu　Bu；　〃but　still　enough　to　break　Cao　Cao。〃
And　so　he　retook　the　backward　road。　Indeed：

Thus　does　fortune　alternate；　victory；　defeat；
The　happy　conqueror　today；　tomorrow；　must　retreat？

What　was　the　fate　of　Lu　Bu　will　appear　later。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　13　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　13
　Chapter　13
Li　Jue　and　Guo　Si　Duel　In　Changan；
The　Emperor　Establishes　Anyi　The　New　Capital。
The　last　chapter　told　of　the　defeat　of　Lu　Bu；　and　his　gathering　the　remnant　of　his　army　at　Dingtao。　When　all　his　generals　had　joined　him；　he　began　to　feel　strong　enough　to　try　conclusions　with　Cao　Cao　once　again。
Said　Chen　Gong；　who　was　opposed　to　this　course；　〃Cao　Cao　is　too　strong　right　now。　Seek　some　place　where　we　can　rest　a　time　before　trying。〃
〃Suppose　I　went　to　Yuan　Shao；〃　said　Lu　Bu。
〃Send　first　to　make　inquiries。〃
Lu　Bu　agreed。
The　news　of　the　fighting　between　Cao　Cao　and　Lu　Bu　had　reached　Jizhou；　and　one　of　Yuan　Shao's　advisers；　Shen　Pei；　warned　him；　saying；　〃Lu　Bu　is　a　savage　beast。　If　he　gets　possession　of　Yanzhou；　he　will　certainly　attempt　to　add　this　region　to　it。　For　your　own　safety　you　should　help　to　crush　him。〃
Wherefore　Yuan　Shao　sent　Yan　Liang　with　fifty　thousand　troops　to　destroy　Lu　Bu。　The　spies　heard　this　and　at　once　told　Lu　Bu；　who　was　greatly　disturbed　and　called　in　Chen　Gong。
〃Go　over　to　Liu　Bei；　who　has　lately　succeeded　to　Xuzhou。〃
Hence　Lu　Bu　went　thither。
Hearing　this；　Liu　Bei　said；　〃Lu　Bu　is　a　hero；　and　we　will　receive　him　with　honor。〃
But　Mi　Zhu　was　strongly　against　receiving　him；　saying；　〃He　was　a　cruel；　bloodthirsty　beast。〃
But　Liu　Bei　replied；　〃How　would　misfortune　have　been　averted　from　Xuzhou　if　he　had　not　attacked　Yanzhou？　He　cannot　be　our　enemy　now　that　he　es　seeking　an　asylum。〃
〃Brother；　your　heart　is　really　too　good。　Although　it　may　be　as　you　say；　yet　it　would　be　well　to　prepare；〃　said　Zhang　Fei。
The　new　Imperial　Protector　with　a　great　following　met　Lu　Bu　ten　miles　outside　the　city　gates；　and　the　two　chiefs　rode　in　side　by　side。　They　proceeded　to　the　residence　and　there；　after　the　elaborate　ceremonies　of　reception　were　over；　they　sat　down　to　converse。
Said　Lu　Bu；　〃After　Wang　Yun　and　I　plotted　to　slay　Dong　Zhuo　and　my　misfortune　in　the　Li　Jue　and　Guo　Si's　sedition；　I　drifted　about　from　one　place　to　another；　and　none　of　the　nobles　east　of　the　Huashang　Mountains　seemed　willing　to　receive　me。　When　Cao　Cao　with　wicked　ambition　invaded　this　region　and　you；　Sir；　came　to　its　rescue；　I　aided　you　by　attacking　Yanzhou　and　thus　diverting　a　portion　of　his　force。　I　did　not　think　then　that　I　should　be　the　victim　of　a　vile　plot　and　lose　my　leaders　and　my　soldiers。　But　now　if　you　will；　I　offer　myself　to　you　that　we　may　together　acplish　great　designs。〃
Liu　Bei　replied；　〃When　the　late　Tao　Qian　died；　there　was　no　one　to　administer　Xuzhou；　and　so　I　assumed　that　task　for　a　time。　Now　since　you　are　here；　General；　it　is　most　suitable　that　I　step　down　in　your　favor。〃
Whereupon　Liu　Bei　handed　the　insignia　and　the　seal　of　authority　to　Lu　Bu。　Lu　Bu　was　on　the　point　of　accepting　them；　when　he　saw　Guan　Yu　and　Zhang　Fei；　who　stood　behind　the　Imperial　Protector；　glaring　at　him　with　angry　eyes。
So　Lu　Bu　put　on　a　smile　and　said；　〃I　may　be　something　of　a　fighting　man；　but　I　could　not　rule　a　great　region　like　this。〃
Liu　Bei　repeated　his　offer。　But　Chen　Gong　said；　〃The　strong　guest　does　not　oppress　his　host。　You　need　not　fear；　Lord　Liu　Bei。〃
Then　Liu　Bei　desisted。　Banquets　were　held　and　dwelling　places　prepared　for　the　guest　and　his　retinue。
As　soon　as　convenient；　Lu　Bu　returned　the　feast。　Liu　Bei　went　with　his　two　brothers。　Half　through　the　banquet　Lu　Bu　requested　Liu　Bei　to　retire　to　one　of　the　inner　private　rooms；　whither　Guan　Yu　and　Zhang　Fei　followed　him。　There　Lu　Bu　bade　his　wife　and　daughter　bow　as　to　their　benefactor。　Here　also　Liu　Bei　showed　excessive　modesty。
Lu　Bu　said；　〃Good　younger　brother；　you　need　not　be　so　very　modest。〃
Zhang　Fei　heard　what　Lu　Bu　said；　and　his　eyes　glared；　crying；　〃What　sort　of　a　man　are　you　that　dares　call　our　brother　'younger　brother'？　He　is　one　of　the　ruling　family………a　jade　leaf　on　a　golden　branch。　e　out；　and　I　will　fight　you　three　hundred　bouts　for　the　insult。〃
Liu　Bei　hastily　checked　the　impulsive　one；　and　Guan　Yu　persuaded　him　to　go　away。　Then　Liu　Bei　apologized；　saying；　〃My　poor　brother　talks　wildly　after　he　has　been　drinking。　I　hope　you　will　not　blame　him。〃
Lu　Bu　nodded；　but　said　nothing。　Soon　after　the　guests　departed。　But　as　the　host　escorted　Liu　Bei　to　his　carriage；　he　saw　Zhang　Fei　galloping　up　armed　as　for　a　fray。
〃Lu　Bu；　you　and　I　will　fight　that　duel　of　three　hundred　bouts！〃　shouted　Zhang　Fei。
Liu　Bei　bade　Guan　Yu　check　him。　Next　day　Lu　Bu　came　to　take　leave　of　his　host。
〃You；　O　Lord；　kindly　received　me；　but　I　fear　your　brothers　and　I　cannot　agree。　So　I　will　seek　some　other　asylum。〃
〃General；　if　you　go；　the　blame　is　mine。　My　rude　brother　has　offended　and　must　eventually　apologize。　In　the　meantime　what　think　you　of　a　temporary　sojourn　at　the　town　where　I　was　encamped　for　some　time；　Xiaopei？　The　place　is　small　and　mean；　but　it　is　near；　and　I　will　see　to　it　that　you　are　supplied　with　all　you　need。〃
Lu　Bu　thanked　him　and　accepted　this　offer。　He　led　his　troops　there　and　took　up　residence。　After　he　had　gone；　Liu　Bei　buried　his　annoyance；　and　Zhang　Fei　did　not　again　refer　to　the　matter。
That　Cao　Cao　had　subdued　the　east　of　the　Huashang　Mountains　has　been　stated　before。　He　memorialized　the　Throne　and　was　rewarded　with　the　title　of　General　Who　Exhibits　Firm　Virtue　and　Lord　of　Feiting。　At　this　time　the　rebellious　Li　Jue　was　manding　the　court；　and　he　had　made　himself　Regent　Marshal；　and　his　colleague　Guo　Si　styled　himself　Grand　mander。　Their　conduct　was　abominable　but　no　one　dared　to　criticize　them。
Imperial　Guardian　Yang　Biao　and　Minister　Zhu　Jun　privately　talked　with　Emperor　Xian　and　said；　〃Cao　Cao　has　two　hundred　thousand　troops　and　many　capable　advisers　and　leaders。　It　would　be　well　for　the　empire　if　he　would　lend　his　support　to　the　imperial　family　and　help　to　rid　the　government　of　this　evil　party。〃
His　Majesty　wept；　〃I　am　weary　of　the　insults　and　contempt　of　these　wretches　and　should　be　very　glad　to　have　them　removed。〃
〃I　have　thought　of　a　plan　to　estrange　Li　Jue　and　Guo　Si　and　so　make　them　destroy　each　other。　Then　Cao　Cao　could　e　and　cleanse　the　court；〃　said　Yang　Biao。
〃How　will　you　manage　it？〃　asked　the　Emperor。
〃Guo　Si's　wife；　Lady　Qiong；　is　very　jealous；　and　we　can　take　advantage　of　her　weakness　to　bring　about　a　quarrel。〃
So　Yang　Biao　received　instruction　to　act；　with　a　secret　edict　to　support　him。　Yang　Biao's　wife；　Lady　Kai；　made　an　excuse　to　visit　Lady　Qiong　at　her　palace　and；　in　the　course　of　conversation；　said　〃There　is　talk　of　secret　liaison　between　the　General；　your　husband；　and　the　wife　of　Minister　Li　Jue。　It　is　a　great　secret；　but　if　Minister　Li　Jue　knew　it；　he　might　try　to　harm　your　husband。　I　think　you　ought　to　have　very　little　to　do　with　that　family。〃
Lady　Qiong　was　surprised　but　said；　〃I　have　wondered　why　he　has　been　sleeping　away　from　home　lately；　but　I　did　not　think　there　was　anything　shameful　connected　with　it。　I　should　never　have　known　if　you　had　not　spoken。　I　must　put　a　stop　to　it。〃
By　and　by；　when　Lady　Kai　took　her　leave；　Lady　Qiong　thanked　her　warmly　for　the　information　she　had　given。
Some　days　passed；　and　Guo　Si　was　going　over　to　the　dwelling　of　Li　Jue　to　a　dinner。
Lady　Qiong　did　not　wish　him　to　go　and　she　said；　〃This　Li　Jue　is　very　deep；　and　one　cannot　fathom　his　designs。　You　two　are　not　of　equal　rank；　and　if　he　made　away　with　you；　what　would　bee　of　your　poor　handmaid？〃
Guo　Si　paid　no　attention；　and　his　wife　could　not　prevail　on　him　to　stay　at　home。　Late　in　the　afternoon　some　presents　arrived　from　Li　Jue's　palace；　and　Lady　Qiong　secretly　put　poison　into　the　delicacies　before　she　set　them　before　her　lord。
Guo　Si　was　going　to　taste　at　once　but　she　said；　〃It　is　unwise　to　consume　things　that　e　from　outside。　Let　us　try　on　a　dog　first。〃
They　did　and　the　dog　died。　This　incident　made　Guo　Si　doubt　the　kindly　intentions　of　his　colleague。
One　day；　at　the　close　of　business　at　court；　Li　Jue　invited　Guo　Si　to　his　palace。　After　Guo　Si　arrived　home　in　the　evening；　rather　the　worse　for　too　much　wine；　he　was　seized　with　a　colic。　His　wife　said　she　suspected　poison　and　hastily　administered　an　emetic；　which　relieved　the　pain。
Guo　Si　began　to　feel　angry；　saying；　〃We　did　everything　together　and　helped　each　other　always。　Now　he　wants　to　injure　me。　If　I　do　not　get　in　the　first　blow；　I　shall　suffer　some　injury。〃
So　Guo　Si　began　to　prepare　his　guards　for　any　sudden　emergency。
This　was　told　to　Li　Jue；　and　he　in　turn　grew　angry；　saying；　〃So　Guo　Si　is　doing　so　and　so！〃
Then　Li　Jue　got　his　guards　under　way　and　came　to　attack　Guo　Si。　Both　houses　had　ten　thousand；　and　the　quarrel　became　so　serious　that　they　fought　a　pitched　battle　under　the　city　walls。　When　that　was　over　both　sides　turned　to　plunder　the　people。
Then　a　nephew　of　Li　Jue；　Li　Xian；　suddenly　surrounded　the　Palace；　put　the　Emperor　and　Empress　in　two　carriages；　and　assigned　Jia　Xu　and　Zuo　Ling　to　carry　them　off。　The　Palace　attendants　were　made　to　follow　on　foot。　As　they　went　out　of　the　rear　gate；　they　met　Guo　Si's　army　who　began　to　shoot　at　the　cavalcade　with　arrows。　They　killed　many　attendants　before　Li　Jue's　army　came　up　and　forced　them　to　retire。
The　carriages　were　got　out　of　the　Palace　and　eventually　reached　Li　Jue's　camp；　while　Guo　Si's　soldiers　plundered　the　Palace　and　carried　off　all　the　women　left　there　to　their　camp。　Then　the　Palace　was　set　on　fire。
As　soon　as　Guo　Si　heard　of　the　whereabouts　of　the　Emperor；　he　came　over　to　attack　the　camp　of　Li　Jue。　The　Emperor　between　these　two　opposing　factions　was　greatly　alarmed。　Indeed：

Slowly　the　Hans　had　declined　but　renewed　their　vigor　with　Liu　Xiu；
Twelve　were　the　rulers　before　him；　followed　him　also　twelve　others。
Foolish　were　two　of　the　latest；　dangers　surrounded　the　altars；
These　were　degenerate　days；　with　authority　given　to　eunuchs。
Then　did　He　Jin　the　simple；　the　inept；　who　manded　the　army；
Warriors　call　to　the　capital；　wishing　to　drive　out　the　vermin；
Though　they　drove　out　the　leopards；　tigers　and　wolves　quickly　entered。
All　kinds　of　evil　were　wrought　by　a　low　class　creature　from　Xizhou。
Wang　Yun；　honest　of　heart；　beguiled　this　wretch　with　a　woman；
Much　desired　of　his　henchman；　thus　sowing　seeds　of　dissension。
Strife　resulted；　and　peace　no　longer　dwelt　in　the　empire。
No　one　suspected　that　Li　Jue　and　Guo　Si　would　continue　the　evil；
Much　to　the　sorrow　of　the　Middle　Kingdom；　yet　they　stove　for　a　trifle。
Famine　stalked　in　the　Palace；　grief　for　the　clashing　of　weapons；
Why　did　the　warriors　strive？　Why　was　the　land　thus　partitioned？
They　had　turned　aside　from　the　way　appointed　of　Heaven。
Kings　must　ponder　these　things；　heavy　the　burden　lies　on　them；
Chiefest　in　all　the　realm　theirs　is　no　mon　appointment；
Should　the　King　falter　or　fail；　calamities　fall　on　the　multitude　people；
The　empire　is　drenched　with　their　blood；　grisly　ruin　surrounds　them。
Steeped　in　sorrow　and　sad；　read　you　the　ancient　records；
Long　is　the　tale　of　years；　the　tale　of　sorrow　is　longer。
Wherefore　one　who　would　rule；　chiefly　must　exercise　forethought。
This　and　a　keen…edged　blade；　these　must　suffice　to　maintain　one。

Guo　Si's　army　arrived；　and　Li　Jue　went　out　to　give　battle。　Guo　Si's　troops　had　no　success　and　retired。　Then　Li　Jue　removed　the　imperial　captives　to　Meiwo　with　his　nephew　Li　Xian　as　gaoler。　Supplies　were　reduced；　and　famine　showed　itself　on　the　faces　of　the　eunuchs。　The　Emperor　sent　to　Li　Jue　to　request　five　carts　of　rice　and　five　sets　of　bullock　bones　for　his　attendants。
Li　Jue　angrily　replied；　〃The　court　gets　food　morning　and　evening。　Why　do　they　ask　for　more？〃
He　sent　putrid　meat　and　rotten　grain；　and　the　Emperor　was　very　vexed　at　the　new　insult。
Imperial　Counselor　Yang　Qi　counseled　patience；　saying；　〃Li　Jue　is　a　base　creature　but；　under　the　present　circumstances；　Your　Majesty　must　put　up　with　it。　You　may　not　provoke　him。〃
The　Emperor　bowed　and　was　silent；　but　the　tears　fell　on　his　garments。　Suddenly　someone　came　in　with　the　tidings　that　a　for