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By　and　bye　Cai　Mao　reminded　him；　saying；　〃The　soldiers　are　awaiting　your　orders　to　go　to　Xinye　and　arrest　Liu　Bei。〃
'There　is　no　hurry；〃　he　replied。
Cai　Mao　saw　his　brother…in…law's　hesitation　and　again　sought　his　sister。
She　said；　〃Soon　there　is　to　be　the　great　gathering　at　Xiangyang；　and　we　can　arrange　something　for　that　day。〃
Next　day　Cai　Mao　petitioned　the　Imperial　Protector；　saying；　〃We　have　had　several　fruitful　harvests　recently。　I　pray　you；　Sir；　attend　the　Full　Harvest　Festival　at　Xiangyang。　It　would　be　an　encouragement　to　the　people。〃
〃I　have　been　feeling　my　old　trouble　lately。　I　certainly　cannot　go；〃　replied　he；　〃but　my　two　sons　can　go　to　represent　me　and　to　receive　the　guests。〃
〃They　are　full　young；〃　replied　Cai　Mao。　〃They　may　make　some　mistakes。〃
〃Then　go　to　Xinye　and　request　Liu　Bei　to　receive　the　guests；〃　said　Liu　Biao。
Nothing　could　have　pleased　Cai　Mao　more；　for　this　would　bring　Liu　Bei　within　reach　of　his　plot。　Without　loss　of　time　he　sent　to　Liu　Bei　requesting　him　to　go　to　preside　at　the　Festival。
It　has　been　said　that　Liu　Bei　made　the　best　of　his　way　home　to　Xinye。　He　felt　that　he　had　offended　by　that　slip　in　speech；　but　determined　to　keep　silence　about　it　and　attempt　no　explanation。　So　he　discussed　it　with　nobody。　Then　came　the　message　asking　him　to　preside　at　the　Festival；　and　he　needed　counsel。
Sun　Qian　said；　〃You　have　seemed　worried　and　preoccupied　lately；　and　I　think　something　untoward　happened　at　Jingzhou。　You　should　consider　well　before　you　accept　this　invitation。〃
Thereupon　Liu　Bei　told　his　confidants　the　whole　story。
Guan　Yu　said；　〃You　yourself　think　your　speech　offended　the　Imperial　Protector；　but　he　said　nothing　to　show　displeasure。　You　need　pay　no　attention　to　the　babble　of　outsiders　like　Yi　Ji。　Xiangyang　is　quite　near　and；　if　you　do　not　go；　Liu　Biao　will　begin　to　suspect　something　really　is　wrong。〃
〃You　speak　well；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
Said　Zhang　Fei；　〃Banquets　are　no　good；　gatherings　are　no　better。　It　is　best　not　to　go。〃
〃Let　me　take　three　hundred　horse　and　foot　as　escort：　There　will　be　no　trouble　then；〃　said　Zhao　Yun。
〃That　is　the　best　course；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
They　soon　set　out　for　the　gathering　place；　and　Cai　Mao　met　them　at　the　boundary　and　was　most　affable　and　courteous。　Soon　arrived　the　Imperial　Protector's　sons　at　the　head　of　a　great　pany　of　officers；　civil　and　military。　Their　appearance　put　Liu　Bei　more　at　ease。　He　was　conducted　to　the　guest…house；　and　Zhao　Yun　posted　his　men　so　as　to　guard　it　pletely；　while　he　himself；　armed；　remained　close　to　his　chief。
Liu　Qi　said　to　Liu　Bei；　〃My　father　is　feeling　unwell　and　could　not　e；　wherefore　he　begs　you；　Uncle　Liu　Bei；　to　preside　at　the　various　ceremonies　and　give　encouragement　to　the　officers　who　administer　the　region。〃
〃Really　I　am　unfit　for　such　responsibilities；〃　said　Liu　Bei。　〃But　my　brother's　mand　must　be　obeyed。〃
Next　day　it　was　reported　that　the　officials　from　forty…two　counties　of　nine　territories　of　Jingzhou　had　all　arrived。
Then　Cai　Mao　said　to　Kuai　Yue；　〃This　Liu　Bei　is　the　villain　of　the　age　and　if　left　alive　will　certainly　work　harm　to　us。　He　must　be　got　rid　of　now。〃
〃I　fear　you　would　forfeit　everybody's　favor　if　you　harmed　him；〃　replied　Kuai　Yue。
〃I　have　already　secretly　spoken　in　these　terms　to　the　Imperial　Protector；〃　said　Cai　Mao；　〃and　I　have　his　word　here。〃
〃So　it　may　be　regarded　as　settled。　Then　we　can　prepare。〃
Cai　Mao　added；　〃My　brothers　are　ready。　Cai　He　is　posted　on　the　road　to　the　Xian　Hills　from　the　east　gate；　Cai　Zhong　and　Cai　Xun　are　on　the　north　and　south　roads。　No　guard　is　needed　on　the　west　as　the　Tan　Torrent　is　quite　safeguard　enough。　Even　with　legions；　Liu　Bei　could　not　get　over　that。〃
Kuai　Yue　replied；　〃I　notice　that　Zhao　Yun　never　leaves　him。　I　feel　sure　he　expects　some　attack。〃
〃I　have　placed　five　hundred　men　in　ambush　in　the　city。〃
〃We　will　tell　Wen　Ping　and　Wang　Wei　to　invite　all　the　military　officers　to　a　banquet　at　one　of　the　pavilions　outside　the　city；　and　Zhao　Yun　will　be　among　them。　Then　will　be　our　opportunity。〃
Cai　Mao　thought　this　a　good　device　for　getting　Zhao　Yun　out　of　the　way。
Now　oxen　and　horses　had　been　slaughtered　and　a　grand　banquet　prepared。　Liu　Bei　rode　to　the　residence　on　the　horse　of　ill　omen；　and　when　he　arrived；　the　steed　was　led　into　the　back　part　of　the　enclosure　and　tethered　there。　Soon　the　guests　arrived；　and　Liu　Bei　took　his　place　as　master　of　the　feast；　with　the　two　sons　of　the　Imperial　Protector；　one　on　each　side。　The　guests　were　all　arranged　in　order　of　rank。　Zhao　Yun　stood　near　his　lord　sword　in　hand　as　a　faithful　henchman　should　do。
Then　Wen　Ping　and　Wang　Wei　came　to　invite　Zhao　Yun　to　the　banquet　they　had　prepared　for　the　military　officers。　But　he　declined。　However；　Liu　Bei　told　him　to　go；　and；　after　some　demur；　he　went。　Then　Cai　Mao　perfected　his　final　arrangements；　placing　his　people　surrounding　the　place　like　a　ring　of　iron。　The　three　hundred　guards　that　formed　the　escort　of　Liu　Bei　were　sent　away　to　the　guest…house。
All　were　ready　and　awaiting　the　signal。　At　the　third　course；　Yi　Ji　took　a　goblet　of　wine　in　his　hands　and　approached　Liu　Bei；　at　the　same　time　giving　him　a　meaningful　look。　Then　in　a　low　voice　he　said；　〃Make　an　excuse　to　get　sway。〃
Liu　Bei　understood　and　presently　rose　and　went　to　the　inner　chamber；　and　then　he　went　to　the　backyard。　There　he　found　Yi　Ji；　who　had　gone　thither　after　presenting　the　cup　of　wine。
Yi　Ji　then　told　him；　saying；　〃Cai　Mao　plots　to　kill　you；　and　all　the　roads　have　been　guarded　except　that　to　the　west。　My　lord；　you　must　lose　no　time　to　depart。〃
Liu　Bei　was　quite　taken　aback。　However；　he　got　hold　of　the　Dilu　horse；　opened　the　door　of　the　garden；　and　led　it　out。　Then　he　took　a　flying　leap　into　the　saddle　and　galloped　off　without　waiting　for　the　escort。　He　made　for　the　west　gate。　At　the　gate　the　wardens　wanted　to　question　him；　but　he　only　whipped　up　his　steed　and　rode　through。　The　guards　at　the　gate　ran　off　to　report　to　Cai　Mao；　who　quickly　went　in　pursuit　with　five　hundred　soldiers。
As　has　been　said　Liu　Bei　burst　out　at　the　west　gate。　Before　he　had　gone　far；　there　rolled　before　him　a　river　barring　the　way。　It　was　the　Tan　Torrent；　many　score　spans　in　width；　which　pours　its　waters　into　the　River　Xiang。　Its　current　was　very　swift。
Liu　Bei　reached　the　bank　and　saw　the　river　was　unfordable。　So　he　turned　his　horse　and　rode　back。　Then；　not　far　off；　he　saw　a　cloud　of　dust　and　knew　that　his　pursuers　were　therein。　He　thought　that　it　was　all　over。　However；　he　turned　again　toward　the　swift　river；　and　seeing　the　soldiers　now　quite　near；　plunged　into　the　stream。　A　few　paces；　and　he　felt　the　horse's　fore　legs　floundering　in　front；　while　the　water　rose　over　the　skirt　of　his　robe。
Then　he　plied　the　whip　furiously；　crying；　〃Dilu；　Dilu；　why　betray　me？〃
Whereupon　the　good　steed　suddenly　reared　up　out　of　the　water　and；　with　one　tremendous　leap；　was　on　the　western　bank。　Liu　Bei　felt　as　if　he　had　e　out　of　the　clouds。
In　after　years　the　famous　court　official；　Su　Dongpo；　wrote　a　poem　on　this　leap　over　the　Tan　Torrent：

I'm　growing　old；　the　leaves　are　sere；
My　sun　slopes　westward；　soon　will　sink；
And　I　recall　that　yesteryear
I　wandered　by　Tan　River　brink。
Irresolute；　anon　I　paused；
Anon　advanced；　and　gazed　around；
I　marked　the　autumn's　reddened　leaves；
And　watched　them　eddying　to　the　ground。
I　thought　of　all　the　mighty　deeds
Of　him　who　set　the　House　of　Han
On　high；　and　all　the　struggles　since；
The　battlefields；　the　blood　that　ran。
I　saw　the　nobles　gathered　round
The　board；　set　in　the　Banquet　Hall；
Amid　them；　one；　above　whose　head
There　hung　a　sword　about　to　fall。
I　saw　him　quit　that　festive　throng
And　westward　ride；　a　lonely　way；
I　saw　a　squadron　follow　swift；
Intent　the　fugitive　to　slay。
I　saw　him　reach　the　River　Tan；
Whose　swirling　current　rushes　by；
Adown　the　bank　he　galloped　fast；
〃Now　leap；　my　steed！〃　I　heard　him　cry。
His　steed's　hoofs　churn　the　swollen　stream；
What　chills　he　that　the　waves　run　high？
He　hears　the　sound　of　clashing　steel；
Of　thundering　squadrons　ing　nigh。
And　upward　from　the　foaming　waves
I　saw　two　peerless　beings　soar；
One　was　a　destined　western　king；
And　him　another　dragon　bore。
The　Tan　still　rolls　from　east　to　west。
Its　roaring　torrent　never　dry。
Those　dragons　twain；　ah！　Where　are　they？
Yes；　where？　But　there　is　no　reply。
The　setting　sun；　in　dark　relief
Against　the　glowing　western　sky。
Throws　out　the　everlasting　hills
While；　saddened；　here　I　stand　and　sigh。
Humans　died　to　found　the　kingdoms　three；
Which　now　as　misty　dreams　remain。
Of　greatest　deeds　the　traces　oft
Are　faint　that　fleeting　years　retain。

Thus　Liu　Bei　crossed　the　rolling　river。　Then　he　turned　and　looked　back　at　the　other　bank　which　his　pursuers　had　just　gained。
〃Why　did　you　run　sway　from　the　feast？〃　called　out　Cai　Mao。
〃Why　did　you　wish　to　harm　a　person　who　has　done　you　no　injury？〃　replied　Liu　Bei。
〃I　have　never　thought　of　such　a　thing。　Do　not　listen　to　what　people　say　to　you。〃
But　Liu　Bei　saw　that　his　enemy　was　fitting　an　arrow　to　his　bowstring；　so　he　whipped　up　his　steed　and　rode　away　southwest。
〃What　spirits　aided　him？〃　said　Cai　Mao　to　his　followers。
Then　Cai　Mao　turned　to　go　back　to　the　city；　but　in　the　gate　he　saw　Zhao　Yun　ing　out　at　the　head　of　his　pany　of　guards。

By　wondrous　leap　the　dragon　steed　his　rider's　life　could　save；
Now　follows　him；　on　vengeance　bent；　his　master's　henchman　brave。

The　next　chapters　will　tell　what　fate　befell　the　traitor。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　35　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　35
　Chapter　35
Liu　Bei　Meets　A　Recluse　At　Nanzhang；
Shan　Fu　Sees　A　Noble　Lord　At　Xinye。
Just　as　Cai　Mao　was　going　into　the　city；　he　met　Zhao　Yun　and　his　three　hundred　ing　out。　It　had　happened　that；　while　at　the　banquet；　Zhao　Yun　had　noticed　some　movement　of　soldiers　and　horses　and　had　at　once　gone　to　the　banquet…hall　to　see　if　all　was　well　with　his　lord。　Missing　Liu　Bei　from　his　place；　Zhao　Yun　had　bee　anxious　and　gone　to　the　guest…house。　There　he　heard　that　Cai　Mao　had　gone　off　to　the　west　gate　with　troops。　So　he　quickly　took　his　spear；　mounted　and　went；　he　and　the　escort；　in　hot　haste　along　the　same　road。
Meeting　Cai　Mao　near　the　gate；　he　said；　〃Where　is　my　lord？〃
〃He　left　the　banquet…hall　quite　suddenly；　and　I　know　not　whither　he　has　gone；〃　was　the　reply。
Now　Zhao　Yun　was　cautious　and　careful　and　had　no　desire　to　act　hastily；　so　he　urged　his　horse　forward　till　he　came　to　the　river。　There　he　was　checked　by　a　torrent　without　ford　or　bridge。
At　once　he　turned　back　and　shouted　after　Cai　Mao；　〃You　invited　my　lord　to　a　feast。　What　means　this　going　after　him　with　a　squadron　of　horse？〃
Cai　Mao　replied；　〃It　is　my　duty　to　guard　the　officials　of　forty…two　counties　who　have　assembled　here；　as　I　am　the　Chief　mander。〃
〃Whither　have　you　driven　my　lord？〃　asked　Zhao　Yun。
〃They　tell　me　he　rode　quite　alone　out　through　the　west　gate；　but　I　have　not　seen　him。〃
Zhao　Yun　was　anxious　and　doubtful。　Again　he　rode　to　the　river　and　looked　around。　This　time　he　noticed　a　wet　track　on　the　farther　side。　He　thought　to　himself　that　it　was　almost　an　impossible　crossing　for　a　person　and　a　horse；　so　he　ordered　his　followers　to　scatter　and　search。　But　they　also　could　find　no　trace　of　Liu　Bei。
Zhao　Yun　turned　again　to　the　city。　By　the　time　he　had　reached　the　wall；　Cai　Mao　had　gone　within。　He　then　questioned　the　gate　wardens；　and　they　all　agreed　in　saying　that　Liu　Bei　had　ridden　out　at　full　gallop。　That　was　all　they　knew。　Fearing　to　reenter　the　city　lest　he　should　fall　into　an　ambush；　Zhao　Yun　started　for　Xinye。
After　that　marvelous　life…saving　leap　over　the　Tan　Torrent；　Liu　Bei　felt　elated　but　rather　dazed。
He　could　not　help　telling　himself；　〃My　safety　is　due　to　an　especial　interposition　of　Providence。〃
Following　a　tortuous　path；　he　urged　his　steed　toward　Nanzhang。　But　the　sun　sank　to　the　west　and　his　destination　seemed　yet　a　long　way　off。　Then　he　saw　a　young　cowherd　seated　on　the　back　of　a　buffalo　and　playing　on　a　short　flute。
〃If　I　were　only　as　happy！〃　sighed　Liu　Bei。
He　checked　his　horse　and　looked　at　the　lad；　who　stopped　his　beast；　ceased　playing　on　the　pipe；　and　stared　fixedly　at　the　stranger。
〃You　must　be　Liu　Bei；　the　general　who　fought　the　Yellow　Scarves；〃　said　the　boy　presently。
Liu　Bei　was　taken　aback。
〃How　can　you　know　my　name；　a　young　rustic　like　you　living　in　such　a　secluded　place？